Elle

I stare at the person on the other side of the road. He or she has been standing there for the past ten minutes and doesn't seem to be doing anything. Did they see me? If they did, it doesn't look like they care much. They're just... standing. I can't even see whether or not they're looking at me due to the large black hoodie they're wearing. I can't tell what they look like, or even whether they're male or female. I push the thought out of my mind. Probably just some random person with nothing to do. Even if they did see me break in, it doesn't seem like they're going to do anything about it so I should probably just ignore them. I hide behind a tree as I hear the noise of an approaching car. It might be Mello and Matt, but it might equally be Aizawa, Mogi and Misa in which case I shouldn't be seen. I peek out, and see Mello step out of the car. I emerge from my hiding place.

"Job done," I say. "Let's go."

"Not so fast! You owe me some chocolate." I sigh. I've just broken into a house for them, and all Mello cares about is his chocolate?

"I can hardly buy any here, as there aren't any shops. If you take me to a shop, I'll buy some."

"Alright. Come on then, let's get back before they return." I clamber into the car and sit down next to Matt.

"Did everything go alright?" He asked.

"Yep. There weren't any security guards, laser beams or trapdoors in the middle of the floor."

"Good to hear it! Sounds a bit boring though." I look out of the window, and out of the corner of my eye see the person in the hoodie climb into a car, start it up and follow our car. Hmm. It could still be a coincidence. Am I just being overly paranoid?

"Nobody saw you, did they?" asked Mello.

"I'm not sure. The person in the car behind us was standing outside when I got out, but he didn't seem to be doing anything. If he did see me, I'm not sure he actually cared." Mello glances into the mirror.

"Did you see what he looked like? I can't see anything because of that hoodie."

"No, I couldn't see anything either. To be honest, I'm not even sure he's a he."

"Is he following us?" asks Matt.

"Well, there's one way to find out." Mello accelerates, and turns the corner sharply. "Let's take a little detour, shall we?"

After ten minutes and lots of sharp turns, the car is still following us.

"Right. Looks like we're definitely being followed." Mello pulls the car into a car park. The other car parks too, a fair distance off but still there. "Matt and Elle, you two walk from here, but go different directions. I'll drive off in a different direction. Whoever that person decides to follow, phone the others and tell them. They can go home, and then you try to lose them."

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Matt says. "But how come you get the car?"

"Because I said so!"

"I don't know the way back," I say.

"You see that supermarket over there? That's where you got my chocolate before. You know the way back from there, don't you?"

"I think so. Alright, I'll go that way then."

"I'll go round that corner," Matt says.

"Alright. We'll be able to tell immediately if he decides to follow me, because he'll stay in the car. If he follows either of you two, try and find a large crowd."

"What? At this time of night?" I ask sarcastically.

"Whatever. Just lose them somehow. Alright then, let's go." Matt and I get out of the car, and Mello drives off. We wait for a minute to check if the other car is planning on leaving. It doesn't look like it.

"Looks like we'll have to split up then," Matt says eventually.

"Shame," I sigh. "Never mind. See you later."

"Bye!" I walk off towards the supermarket, and Matt turns the corner and walks down a small street. I wait outside the car park for a minute, watching. The car door slams and the person climbs out, locking the car. They look in my direction for a second, and then turn and follow Matt down the street. I begin walking back. I'm surprised. I thought they would follow me, as the only reason I thought we were being followed was because I was seen. So why Matt? Interesting.

Matt

I sneak a glance over my shoulder. Looks like they're following me. I pull my phone out and call Elle.

"Hey, Elle. You're clear, so you can go home."

"I saw. Why do you think they're following you?"

"Don't know. I thought they were going to go after you."

"Me too. Do you think it's anyone we know?"

"I don't know. I guess it could be someone from the task force, or maybe the SPK..."

"Why would the SPK bother with us?"

"Maybe they think we've got information they want. I told Near about you, so maybe that's got something to do with it."

"But then why follow you? It doesn't make sense."

"I know... I'd better go now. Gotta find a way to lose him," I say. "Bye."

"See you back at the house." I put my phone away, and glance back over my shoulder. The stalker seems to know that I know he's following me. Maybe I should just ask.

"Hey! What do you want?" I call. My phone bleeps and I look at it. A message from a private number.

Not much. Don't worry, I won't try to follow you back. I just want to make sure of something.

"How did you get my number? And why text me when I'm right here?" I ask. My phone rings again and I look at the message.

I have my methods. And I'm texting instead of speaking because I don't want there to be any chance of you discovering my identity.

"So I know you then?" I say. "I might recognise your voice?" I wait for the text.

You don't know me personally, but one of your friends does.

"Is that why you followed me instead of them? Because I don't know you?" I ask.

No, like I said I just wanted to be sure of something. I'll answer one or two more questions within reason, then I'll follow you for a little longer and leave once I'm satisfied.

"Alright... I know you won't answer me if I ask who you are, but remember I could always attack you and take that hood off. I might not know you, but I could describe you to Elle and Mello. Anyway, my last questions: Why only one more question, and what do you want to be sure of?"

I can only answer one more question because I have no more credit left. I'm following you because I'm interested in you personally, but I'm not going to say why. And you could try to attack me, but I wouldn't if I were you. I have a gun. Besides, I'm satisfied now. I'll go. I watch the person leave.

"Strange person," I mutter, loud enough for them to hear. "You're following me "because you're interested". What kind of answer is that? And I bet you're just leaving because you don't really have a gun and you're scared I'll attack you." There's a loud bang, and I nearly jump out of my skin as a hole is punched in the concrete near my feet. Looks like they do have a gun after all, and don't appreciate me making fun of them. The message is clear. Shut up.

"Alright, alright, I believe you. Jeez. Bye then, stalker." I pull out my phone and call Elle.

"Elle? You back yet?"

"Yes, I got back a while ago. Did you get rid of that stalker?"

"Yeah... it was kinda weird though. I'll tell you about it when I get back. Is Mello there?"

"He got back before me. Do you want to speak to him?"

"No, it's fine. Just tell him I got rid of the stalker and I'm coming back."

"Alright then, see you later. Do you want me to try and convince him to come and pick you up?" I laugh.

"I doubt you'll be able to, but you can try. Thanks. See you!" I put the phone down and look around. It's late at night, but somebody might have heard that gunshot. I'd better go before anyone comes to investigate. I hurry off back home.

I explain what happened to Elle and Mello as soon as I get back.

"So he or she knows either me or Elle?" Mello asks. "Any ideas about who it could be?" Elle shakes her head.

"I can't think of anyone."

"Neither can I. And the other question is, are they on our side, the task force's or Near's? Or maybe even Kira's? We can't rule out that possibility."

"True. There might even be more than one of them." Mello sighed.

"This complicates things, but I suppose we'll just have to try and find out who they are as well as investigating Misa Amane. Hopefully, unless they do something drastic, it shouldn't affect things too much."

...

OK, guessing time! Can anyone guess who the mysterious stalker hoodie person is? Don't worry, you do know them. It's not just a random and completely new OC that I've made up to trick people, I promise. Tell me who you think he/she is, and I'll put a poll up with all your guesses so I can see who is most suspected of being the mysterious stalker hoodie person. That's my name for him/her until I reveal his/her identity (which will be in the last chapter): The Mysterious Stalker Hoodie Person. So tell me your guess, and I'll put a poll up with all the guesses! :D