Chapter four:

Today is a new day.

Mello and Near are walking together to a location that Near had brought up as a possible spot that they could go to.

"Excuse me?" An old man's voice comes from behind them giving them pause.

The two turn to look to the old man who is standing behind them. They see him giving them a polite smile.

"You two haven't seen her around have you?" The old man shows a picture that the two know as Linda right away.

"No." The two accidentally say at the same time causing them to slightly glance to each other for it. They know that it isn't a lie as today they haven't seen any sign of her. They turn back to the old man as he pulls the picture away.

"Oh I see. Thank you." The old man nods softly to them. "And you don't need to worry. I just want to try to figure out where she's been going as she's been sneaking out a lot."

Near is about to brush it off though Mello speaks up.

"We haven't seen her any time recently. However we did notice something not so recently. She's been bugging a small group of kids who clearly don't really want her to be bugging them. If she is under your care perhaps you should really talk to her about respecting when people say no. Could cause some trouble." Mello tells the old man to which Near turns to him.

Near doesn't show it though he is surprised that the blonde has revealed this bit of information. He thinks it over and supposes that it is meant to try to get that girl off of their backs.

"I see. I know you said you haven't seen her around recently. Just do you know where this group usually hangs out?" The old man to which Near takes control of this before Mello can respond.

Near even looks to the old man as he responds. "They don't really have a specific place that we know of. We just happened to walk by an area that they happened to be there. We don't really go looking for where everyone hangs out. Though I will admit that I don't really remember them hanging around that one area much."

"I see. Well thank you for this information and for your time. You have been helpful in helping me help her." The old man tips his hat to them before heading away with that.

Near and Mello turn away continuing on their way. They are quiet until they get far enough away from that man.

"You revealed quite a bit." Near points out to which Mello shrugs his shoulders.

"Yeah. But maybe it'll get her off our backs finally." Mello turns to look to Near when he puts a hand on his shoulder.

"I understand. And there is a chance that it could work. Let's just keep alert just in case that she reveals things and they decide to try to come bugging us." Near suggests getting a smile from Mello who then nods.

The two of them take a turn down an alley to take a shortcut to the location that they are trying to get to. They take notice of three men wearing sweats and hoodies entering the alley after them. They try to not give away that they know that the men are there as they become quickly mentally prepared for potentially a fight coming their way. They take an early turn then another one to try to see if the men will follow them.

Sure enough the men take the same path and are starting to try to catch up with them.

Mello and Near let their eyes meet before they share a small nod between each other. They stop walking and spin around to confront then men making the men stop walking.

"What do you want?" Mello questions staring at them as he and Near keep alert for any signs of them about to attack. "Look if you want any money or anything valuable then you'll need to find someone else. In case you can't tell by our clothes we are homeless. We don't have anything on us that we can give you. Sorry to have to break it to you."

"Oh but there is something that you can give us." One of the men inform the two causing Mello to give them a 'serious?' look as the two wonder what they want. "We heard you talk with that old man. We've seen him go to that orphanage that looks pretty fancy. So we'll take you around so we can try to find that girl. We won't hurt her. We'll just make that place cough up some dough. You said you're homeless right? Help us and we'll give you some money if we do find that girl with you accompanying us."

"We may be homeless but we're not interested in stooping to your level of kidnapping to ransom." Mello scoffs at the very idea of getting wrapped up in this.

The man pulls out a switchblade letting the knife flip out causing the two to tense up. "That wasn't a request. Since you didn't agree we won't give you anything for helping us except your freedom."

Mello makes a small hand gesture at Near that points to each of them then he rolls his hand.

Near understands it as that they are going to try to run to get away. He is also smart enough to know it's when they get a chance. He nods softly knowing that if they have to split up and can't find each other afterwards then they'll meet up back home.

Just in case the area becomes unsafe for them to wait in a nearby area.

The two focus on the three men as two of the men begin advancing to try to grab the two of them. They bolt to the sides rushing past the men who completely miss trying to grab them. They sprint as they try to stay together for now though are prepared to split up if needed.

"GRAB THEM!" The man, who seems to be acting as the leader, shouts and the men can be heard chasing after them.

Mello nudges Near towards the opposite direction to go. He takes the moment to whisper a quick word to him to indicate where to go once they get away. "Blue."

They are going to meet by the café blue that is on a street that is busy enough that cops usually are around if needed.

Near nods softly just before the two of them dash down opposite directions. He can hear only one set of footsteps chasing after him. He supposes Mello must have seen more like a threat to them based on looks. He smirks to himself as the one chasing him has no idea how sneaky he can be.

Sure all three of them are pretty good at getting away in chases, though Near is aware that he is the one that tends to get away the easiest.

Sometimes Matt and Mello look for him, though usually can't find where Near has hidden. They do know that if there was or is danger in that area that is making him hide then he will come out or find a way to get their attention safely. They just also know that he won't be as inclined to let them know if he hid to have some alone time.

Near takes a sharp turn before dashing into a street that is currently having the lunch rush crowds as it's the only busy time. He easily squeezes into the crowd walking along. He ducks down following a group of adults that keep him sheltered from sight pretty easily. He still keeps alert in case the one chasing him does find him. He crosses a street and as he turns a corner he slightly glances only catching a glimpse of one of the men kicking the ground in frustration. He smirks and heads away from that area. He has faith in Mello being able to get away. He'll head to their meet up location and wait until the other shows up. He will still be watchful in case any of those men do show up. He slightly glances to his right and spots Linda walking along the sidewalk across the street.

Linda hasn't spotted him yet as she is distracted by something in her hands. She is just heading in the direction that Near had left the man in.

Near turns away telling himself that it'll mean too much trouble to try to pull her to going a different way. He isn't here to protect her from everything, plus there's no way to know for sure that the man is still even there or looking around that area. He just doesn't want to bring more trouble to them and he's caused enough trouble for them by helping her once. He does need to think about them not just think about those around him. He isn't heartless however there has to be limits for a reason, especially the way the three of them live in this world. He keeps going to head to the meetup place pushing away his thoughts over it. He stops walking as up ahead he spots another one of the three men, this one who had pulled the knife, comes out of an alley glancing around the opposite direction. He quickly ducks into an alley hiding behind a box. He clenches his teeth as he figures of course. He waits to see if the man will come this way or not.