'It's just down this long country road I think...yeah I'm pretty sure it's this one.' She said biting her finger nail anxiously. She was never brilliant with directions.
'We should have asked for the postcode first...' Matsuda was hoping to god Lily's directions were correct, otherwise they could end up lost in England's countryside for hours.
'I told you I couldn't ask L as I didn't want to bother him with this and Watari had already left...even so I doubt they would have told us, Wammy's is a place of sanctuary for the kids.'
'Yeah I guess. I've always wanted to see Wammy's after hearing L and Watari speak about it. L hardly said anything about it actually it was mostly Watari, but I remember L talking about a clock tower.' Matsuda remembered fondly.
'Clock tower?' He must mean where his room was...it was up one of the towers that Wammy's had...; Mello had the other one. She frowned thinking of Mello; she prayed she wouldn't bump into him, Suri or Kenzo for that matter. She just wanted to be there for Eve and Soot.
'Well you can come in and have a look around when you drop me off if you wish, I am sure Bertram their butler won't mind, or the kids if you tell them you're one of L's friends.'
'That would be awesome, but I don't think L thinks of me as one of his friends...' He said a little sadly.
Lily turned her head and looked at him, 'Why not? You have been through so much together and you saved his life; would you not call L a friend?' She knew L was not the friendly type, but something had struck her when he introduced Matsuda. It was only slight but she could have sworn his voice had become softer as he said his name, there was also the fact he had revealed how Matsuda had saved his life so openly, he didn't have to do that.
'Sure I see L as a very good friend actually, I just wish the guy opened up a bit more you know? I didn't hear a word from him after the Kira case was over, he just disappeared without a trace, didn't even say a proper goodbye.'
Matsuda was so sensitive; it was lovely to find another adult human being who was as fond of L as she and Watari were.
She smiled, 'I'm sure you understand by now how socially awkward he can be and I think he finds goodbyes the most awkward thing of all.'
'Ha, is that why you also didn't want to say goodbye to him earlier?'
She chuckled lightly, 'Yeah I guess so, he doesn't deal with goodbyes very well...oh turn here, I think this is the road.' She bit her nails again, please be right road she thought to herself.
L dunked in three heaped teaspoons of sugar into his tea. He then picked up the agave nectar and squirted a few drops of that as well. It's better than having more sugar he thought to himself. He knew Lily would still scold him though...wait Lily?
He looked up and was taken back a little to find he was the only one left in the living room. He looked out of the window and noticed a car was missing. Had he asked everyone to leave the room? He couldn't recall; he knew he hadn't asked Lily to leave. Wasn't she just here?
He put his feet down onto the carpeted floor ready to go searching for her when his middle laptop beeped and a W symbol appeared on the screen.
L quickly tucked his feet under him again his usual position to help him focus. It seemed Watari had already arrived at the station.
'L, are you there?' he heard Watari's voice came through the laptops speakers.
'Yes I'm here Watari.'
'Alright, I shall turn on the video feed now so you can see SHS.'
'Alright.' L said and folded his arms resting them on his knees, waiting patiently to finally question this monster.
The screen flicked and then SHS's face appeared, he was grinning of course, L hadn't expected anything else. L exhaled sharply, SHS obviously couldn't see him, just the L letter would only be shown to him, but he couldn't help feeling his blood run cold as he looked into the eyes of this deranged killer who obviously felt no empathy or remorse.
'SHS, it's been a while.' L said calmly.
SHS shook his head and tutted, 'Really L? Sending out your dummy instead of coming yourself? I hope you're aware I know what you look like...' He smirked and cracked his fingers, obviously feeling very proud of himself.
L ignored his question, 'Tell me, after all the months of running away and then taking all that time to ambush me at the hotel, why would you give yourself up so easily'
SHS cackled, 'you don't miss anything huh? That was all just a little fun; I've had something cooking for a while now...'
L swallowed, he couldn't keep the horrendous image from his nightmare surfacing in his mind. He could still hear Lily screaming as SHS slit her chest with a knife.
He shuffled a little, 'It doesn't surprise me, I knew you had something else planned. But know this SHS I will always be one step ahead of you, I always am.'
SHS eyes turned cold then, L could tell he was angry. He slammed his hand down on the table causing the laptop to wobble. 'You'll see L! This is one move you didn't see coming! You're not a fucking god, you're a coward and a failure, I've killed and taken so many innocents that you and the police don't even know about!' He began to cackle like a mad man.
L heard the buzz on the security door ring and soon enough two officers had restrained SHS. 'Okay that's enough.' Said one of the officers looking toward the laptop.
'It's hardly been ten minutes officer, the sergeant and I agreed to ten.' L stated having to yell out a little over SHS's maniacal laugh.
'Yeah well I'm calling it a day.' He said before flipping the lid down on Watari's laptop cutting off the connection.
L sighed heavily and leant back against the arm chair, his head falling back. He stared up at the ceiling feeling suddenly exhausted. Well that was a complete waste of everyone's time. He loathed the police sometimes. They just didn't know when some rules had to be bent in order to get things done.
He sat back forward on his hunches and finished his tea. It was sweet enough...just.
He had expected SHS to act like that just not so quickly.
He placed his thumb on his lips and thought; he said he had taken so many more innocents they didn't know about. It was the taken part that stuck in his mind. L was aware SHS was a serial killer and took great pleasure from murdering innocents especially women. But he hadn't thought about SHS taking anyone and keeping them alive for long...that just didn't seem to fit. He had always killed his victims either on the day he abducted them or at maximum the next day. So if he had taken someone they could still be alive. Otherwise SHS wouldn't have boasted about it so openly. He wanted L to know.
Could whoever SHS had taken be linked to this whole "surprise" he kept boasting about?
He started typing at his laptop, pulling up SHS's case files. Then on another laptop he hacked into he police's archives and searched missing people focusing intently on young women below the age of thirty.
He felt his sugar rush kick in, aiding him in his long and daunting task. He was going to need some more tea and nectar.
Both Lily and Matsuda sighed with relief as Wammy's came into view.
'Yes! We made it!' Lily cheered.
'Yeah finally...' Matsuda grumbled, 'That must have taken us like forty minutes longer than it should have.' He pouted.
Lily grimaced, 'Oh I'm sorry all these country roads look so alike; I don't think it was that long...'
'It is when you're bursting for the toilet...' He admitted while sulking.
Ha how adorable was this man? To think is one of Japan's top agents.
'Why didn't you tell me! You could have pulled over and gone in the bushes.'
He looked at her, his eyes wide with horror, 'I could never do that in front of you!'
'Well I didn't say in front not me...' she smirked.
'Imagine if L found out I whipped it out in front of his girl because I couldn't hold it in like a baby or something?' He exasperated.
She liked hearing someone say she was L's girl; it had a nice ring to it. She couldn't hold back a laugh; Matsuda was worrying over nothing. 'You're funny Matsuda.'
'Mhm, I just need to get to a toilet...whoa.' He said suddenly as they drove up towards the security gates, 'This place is huge! I mean I knew L and Watari were rich but damn.'
Lily smiled and nodded marvelling at the beauty of Wammy's, it was certainly a sight.
Matsuda drove them up to the security box where the usual guard was. Lily leant over Matsuda a little and smiled at the guard as Matsuda lowered the window on his side.
'Hi, it's Lily Everly.' She greeted sweetly.
The guard bent down a little towards the window, 'Oh hey Lily, who is this then' He nodded towards Matsuda, 'This is ah...sorry I don't know your full name.' She whispered to Matsuda.
He quickly retrieved his wallet from his blazer and showed it to the guard, 'I'm Touta Matsuda, special agent based in Tokyo Japan.' He said seriously.
'He's a good friend of L's.' Lily chimed in.
The nodded, 'Okay then, good to have you with us. See ya Lily.'
Lily waved, 'Bye.'
They were silent as they drove up the long driveway leading to the house. That's when Lily started to feel a little nervous. She really didn't want to see any of the hateful faces or the perverted ones in fact...she breathed in deeply, perhaps Matsuda will stay long enough for her to find Eve and Soot without being seen or confronted.
Matsuda turned off the engine. And quickly got out of the car. He couldn't help but hop a little bit on the spot.
'Oh you poor thing, come on.' She said while hurrying herself to the front door, she knocked on the handle twice.
'Wow look at this place, I've never seen anything like it.' He said while doing a little dance and craning his neck up to get a better look at the gargoyles.
The door opened with Bertram standing on the other end, his eyes widened suddenly which Lily found a little odd. He seemed to compose himself swiftly, 'Good afternoon Miss Everly. You have returned.'
'Hi Bertram.' She walked in with a dancing Matsuda beside her, 'Um this is my friend Matsuda who really needs to use the bathroom.' She said smirking.
'Hello.' Matsuda said hurriedly while awkwardly bowing.
'Good afternoon sir, you may use the ground floor bathroom, third door to your right down that corridor.' Bertram said while pointing the corridor with his noise held high. Such a snob Lily thought.
'Okay thank you.' Matsuda said as he ran in the direction Bertram had pointed.
Lily began walking into the great hall wondering where Soot and Eve could be.
'Would you like me to prepare anything for you and your companion to eat?' Bertram asked as he closed the heavy wooden door with a bang.
'No I'm fine, but I'll ask Matsuda when he returns, thank you.' She nodded hoping he would take the hint and leave.
He held her stare a little longer than was comfortable then nodded and walked away, disappearing down the opposite end of the hall. He was strange she thought, she had never noticed how strange until now, kind of creepy too.
Matsuda sighed loudly which echoed around the hall as he walked back towards her, Lily laughed, 'Feel better?'
'You have no idea how close I was to...well know...' He scratched his head a little embarrassed.
'Ha yeah I know, no need to say anymore. I really appreciate the lift though, thank you. Do you want to have a look around while I try and find the two kids I need to see?'
'Um no it's fine I better get back.' He said looking around the hall with his mouth open in wonder.
'You sure? Are you hungry? Bertram asked if we wanted anything to eat.' She hated to admit it but she didn't want him to leave just yet; he was a sort of comfort to her. She couldn't help feeling anxious, she couldn't help imagining Suri and Mello coming at her from any direction.
'Nah...I mean I would love to please don't get me wrong but I should be back at the house, L and the others won't be too pleased if I'm gone besides he would have finished questioning SHS a while ago now, he probably needs assistance or something.'
Lily nodded, he did say he would just be dropping her off and yes he was right L could be needing assistance.
'I understand, of course you should go.' She forced a smile.
'Okay well I hope the sessions go well today.' He smiled and turned towards the door.
She followed him out, 'Oh how are you going to find your way back to London?' She asked concerned.
'Ah well I'll just put the postcode of the hotel I was staying at in my GPS and go from there; I remember how to get to the London house from the hotel.' He flashed a smile, obviously feeling proud of himself.
She giggled, 'Okay, good. Well thanks again and if you see L looking for me you can tell him where I am and that I am safe.' She said feeling a little guilty again for leaving him without telling him where she was going.
'Oh I will but expect a call from him soon, I imagine he will call you the millisecond I mention you and Wammy's, he will probably come for you too.' He chuckled.
She smiled and shook her head remembering what happened last time L had come for her, she could never forget his intense and furious eyes looking at her through the windshield; it was also sexy as hell...She could admit that now. She laughed and waved him off, watching Matsuda drive away until he was gone out of view. She was alone now...but she had a job to do.
She turned round ready to go hunting for Eve and Soot when at the top of the stairs they had appeared.
Eve's head was slumped down, she was sniffling still. Soot had an arm wrapped around her protectively, he looked shattered.
'Soot, Eve!' Lily called out as she met them half way on the stairs as they started to descend slowly down.
She took a hold of both their hands, Eve's was freezing. 'Its okay sweetie, I'm here now.' She said gently.
They both remained silent, both shaking and looking down to the floor.
Lily released Soot's hand but still held onto Eve's as she slowly led them downstairs. 'Okay let's go in to the reading room then...' She said ever so softly rubbing Eve's hand gently with her thumb.
They walked slowly, she didn't want to hurry the poor girl but Lily was worried, she had never seen her in such a state.
When they finally reached the reading room Lily opened the door slowly to make sure no one was inside, luckily there wasn't.
She bent down a little to Eve's height and met her eyes. 'Eve? Would you like Soot to come in with us and sit in session? Or would you prefer it to be just us?' She asked again speaking clearly and softly. She noticed Soot tense beside her. She never realised how much he loved Eve until this moment. He obviously wanted to stay by her side but she had to allow Eve to make that decision, she had to feel comfortable.
After a moment Eve leant her head against Soot's shoulder causing him to blush. Lily hid her smile so not to embarrass him anymore. 'I'll go alone...' Eve said quietly. 'I'm sorry Soot.'
'It's okay I understand.' Soot choked a little, he peeled away from her and stepped aside.
They shared an emotional glance for a moment before he placed his hands lightly on each of her arms, 'You'll be okay now; Lily will work her magic.' He smiled lovingly at the delicate teen girl with white, blonde hair.
Lily blushed a little at the compliment and also at the affectionate moment between them.
She cleared her throat 'Alright then Soot we will come and find you when we are done okay?' Lily said smiling at him.
He looked up at her and got the hint, 'Okay.' He released Eve and walked away from them down the corridor.
'Come then sweetie,' Lily's says gently as she places her hand softly onto Eve's back and leads into the reading room.
L had gone through hundreds of articles, records and footage of missing persons but none seemed to point to SHS. He still hadn't found anything that pin pointed anything useful.
He takes a hold of the little teapot in front to him and feels its light weight; he was out of tea...not good.
He sighs, surely Watari should have returned by now? Unless he was being held up by the police sticking their noses in...that was a probable outcome. He pitied Watari.
He cracked his neck and stood up, stretching his back which cracked also. Time for a break he inwardly smirked as he thought of his beautiful Lily. She had been absent all the time he had been working and he missed her terribly. He pondered if she was more of distraction while in his presence or out of it. He didn't like missing her so he would go with the latter.
He walked into the kitchen, nothing. Then he looked for her in the houses small library, nothing. He glanced outside the windows to the garden, he only saw the agents sitting there enjoying the sunshine, had he told everyone to leave? Again he couldn't remember; he didn't care as they weren't who he was searching for.
She must be in her room then he thought as he shuffled towards it down the corridor.
He knocked gently on the closed door and waited for an answer. 'Lily?' He called out softly. He knocked again...perhaps she was in the bathroom? He waited a little while longer for a sound of a flush or something...but not a sound came from the room. He knocked a third time a little harder now. 'Lily? Can I come in?' He called out.
His heart started beating a little faster as he turned the door handle and slowly peeked his head around the door; she could be sleeping and he didn't want to disturb her.
He pushed the door all the way open as soon as he noticed the vast and empty bedroom. He sighed and looked around and immediately caught sight of a piece of folded paper on the bedside table. He didn't like this...
He opened up and read it quickly; My darling L, I have gone back to Wammy's to hold a session with Eve as I received a call while you were working from Soot to say she was very upset. Please don't be angry and don't WORRY. I'll be fine I promise and I'll be back soon. All my love, your Lily. X
His heart dropped suddenly as he read it three more times over. Why would she do this again? How could she go without saying goodbye? This being a distraction to him nonsense has just put her in harm's way; he should have never let her out of his sight.
He stuffed the letter into his jean pocket and ran through the house back into the large living room.
One of his laptops was still downloading important data, he couldn't disturb it, there was also more footage he had to watch and cameras he had to monitor.
He gripped his head with both hands, he couldn't go through this again, he couldn't have Lily so far away from him when she was in such danger, she had no idea what was lurking in the dark...it wasn't just humans she had to worry about.
I can't call her now he thought; he couldn't interrupt her session with Eve. Damn it Lily why do you have to do this all the time? Stop trying to be so helpful! He inwardly yelled at her. He could have dealt with her going away if she had told him...at least he thought he could.
He started to pace up and down the room, glancing to and from his laptop screen, he couldn't leave now, only he and Watari knew what to do with such data. He couldn't rely on the agents.
He snapped his head around as he heard a car approaching the house. 'Watari.' He whispered.
He ran to meet him at the door and pulled it open quickly.
'Oh damn those police with all their questions.' Watari grumbled as he walked in, passing L. 'They of course blame SHS's outburst on you.' He said removing his hat and rubbing his white hair.
'Watari I must return to Wammy's for a short while.' L said slipping on his tattered old trainers.
'Oh...is something wrong?' Watari asks now realising how frantic L looked at that moment.
'No, not as such. Lily has gone off on her own again, she says Eve is in a need of a session, but she doesn't realise the danger. I have to leave now; I'll have to leave you to monitor the screens and make sure the data downloads correctly' L said walking towards the door.
'I understand your concern L but SHS is now in custody, surely it's safer now that it was before?' Watari says following L to the door.
L leant to look outside the open front door, he put his hand up to the driver, 'I'm retuning to Wammy's' he yells out. He then turns back to Watari, 'Yes SHS is in custody however I can't shake the feeling that he is indeed up to something; he is still a huge threat even though he is behind bars. I must be with Lily, I'll wait until she finishes her session with Eve and then I'll bring her back. I don't worry for anyone else because I know apart from myself she is his next target.'
Thank you again to all of you who are still with me on this journey!
Matsuda ia truly adorable and always brings such light wherever he is :)
Poor L, Lily really knows how the stress the poor guy out even when she it trying to do the right thing! haha.
Would love some reviews as you all know, they mean the world to me! X