Chapter one:

Classes begin at Whammy's orphanage though two desks are seen empty.

The teacher checked attendance only to discover who is missing. She gives the others in her class an assignment to work on. She hurries over to Rodgers office.

Rodger glances up heading the door open, and the woman's high heels clicking on the floor. "What's going on? Shouldn't you be in class?" He knows it has to be serious if a teacher comes during class time.

"It's important." The teacher promises and stares worriedly at Rodger. "Mello and Near are missing from my class. However Matt is still in class."

"What?" At this Rodger gets to his feet. He knows that even though Mello can sometimes cause trouble, the blonde is just as dedicated as Near to going to every class. He also knows that as rivals the two wouldn't skip class together, unless something is going on. "I'll look into the matter. Send Matt after class ends." He has something he wants to check on first.

The teacher nods before heading back to her class as instructed.

Rodger heads to the upper floor where there is two hallways with bedrooms. He goes down the left hallway stopping outside of Mellos room door. He finds the door closed. He knocks waiting for an answer. He doesn't get one so he opens the door. He finds the room looking as it usually does.

Books and paper stacked here and there, mainly around the desk and bottom end of the bed. Messily placed blanket on the bed, the desk has papers that have writing on it scattered on it, and a chocolate bar rewrapped on the desk.

There's no sign of Mello.

Rodger heads away to check on Nears room. He knocks then opens the door at no reply. He finds toys and puzzles scattered on the floor, a pyramid of cards by the bottom end of the bed, neatly made sheets on the bed, books and paper on the desk, and two dice one black one white sitting on the desk. He sees no Near in this room. He heads away making sure both doors are shut. He checks the library though finds nothing including that the librarian hasn't seen them today. He heads back to his office and sits to think.

Should there be a waiting period to see if they turn up? Or should L be made aware and report them as missing?

Rodger is just hoping that perhaps they went outside and will come back.

There is a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Matt opens the door heading inside. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. Do you know if Mello went anywhere last night?" Rodger inquires hoping to at least get some answers. He watches Matt who looks worried and a little thoughtful. "I won't be mad. Promise."

"Mello said that he was going to visit the town last night." Matt tells Rodger as he worries about what might have happened. "He usually makes it back fine."

"I see." Rodger taps his chin in thought. "Do you know how he manages to get out of the orphanage?" He wonders if he can search that area for clues. He won't make it so others can't use it, just in case Mello or Near use it to try to come back.

"Well there's one spot where those that leave the orphanage grounds tend to go." Matt shifts a bit uncomfortable revealing this. "But please don't close it off or make it so we can't use it. We're careful when we go out."

"I'm not going to remove it." Rodger tells Matt who relaxes. "Just in case Mello uses it to come back. Also I know you all would find a new way out anyways. No point in taking that away." He wonders if perhaps Near had also gone out to town that night. He didn't know about orphans getting out to sneak into town. So he can't rule out the possibility Near also went out. He can safely assume that they went unaware the other was going. "Where is this location?"

"It's fun the furthest part of the wooded area." Matt tells Rodger shifting slightly. His fingers twitch and start to reach for his pocket. Wanting his game to help calm him. He is worried about Mello, and what might happen now that Rodger knows that orphans sneak out. "There is a tree with a thick branch that goes over the wall. To get back in we use another tree outside in the same way."

"Thank you Matt. As promised I will not take away this way out." Rodger informs him to which Matt nods. "I'm going to go over there just to see if I can find any clues. You're free to leave."

Matt heads off after that.

Elsewhere...

Mello groans as he begins to awaken. He blinks his eyes a few times after opening them, as he finds his vision blurry. He sees what looks to be an attic with a mattress laying on the ground, a light bulb hanging from the ceiling, a rectangle window with metal bars to prevent escape, and Near also laying on the floor. He wonders why whoever brought them here couldn't be bothered to put them on the bed, instead of just leaving them on the attic floor.

Near shifts with a groan starting to wake up he sits up blinking his eyes. His eyes meet with Mellos when he has cleared his vision. "Mello? Where are we?"

"I don't know." Mello admits and gets up to which Near does as well. He spots the door leading out of this attic room. He clenches his teeth seeing that it is metal, and probably hides the ladder down to the actual house. He turns away and heads to the window looking outside as Near gets up. He can only see the area around this home is clear of trees, then the rest of it is just a ton of trees. He can't see the city or any visible roads that might lead to a city. "Whenever we are, it is deep in some woodland." He sees Near join him in looking out the window from the corner of his eye.

Near raises a hand and twirls a strand of his hair.

Both of them silently wondering what whoever brought them here could want.

AN:

I did this chapter on my phone. So hopefully I caught any autocorrects.

I hope that you enjoy!

Mello.