His chest hurt. It was strange, but he supposed that it hadn't really sunken in yet. There was a small, illogical, part of him that still thought it was all just a nightmare. He wished it was.
He moved closer, watching the two other boys as they approached the small headstone. Mello appeared to be crying, but he kept wiping away the tears angrily and muttering something to himself. Matt was knelt before the graveside, head down, and hands neatly tucked in his pockets.
The world around them was strangely silent. The clouds above them were grey, and obscured the sun completely. There was no wind, and no one else in the graveyard, as far as he could tell.
The sound of gravel crunching beneath someone's feet grew close, "Near?" Can the calm, almost pushing, voice of Rogers.
Near closed his eyes, a pale arm reaching up to pull lightly at his hair. His mind began shoving images at him, reminding him of her. It took a great deal of fortitude for him to move forward, instead just stepping behind the other two.
The inscription was simple, but it felt wrong for whom it belonged to.
Near's head bowed, images flashing once again through his mind. This was not how it was meant to be.
The room was almost silent. Just soft shuffling as Near sat on the floor hunched over a white puzzle. It was almost done with only one corner left. He had been saving it.
With a small smile, he began easily placing all the pieces together, revealing a simple L. He didn't even look at his pile of pieces, as he fit them together, so he was surprised when he reached out for the final piece only for it to be missing.
In a panic he started flipping over the nearby toys. Every time Near moved something and didn't find the piece he grew more and more aggravated. Near almost snapped when he felt a soft tap on his shoulder. He turned, completely ready to shout at the individual who interrupted him, but he blanked upon meeting her eyes.
Her eyes were a deep sea blue, that complimented the warm tone of her brown hair perfectly. She had on simple clothes, but they were all splattered with a rainbow of colors. She stood out against the neutral tones of the Whammy House.
"Hello." Her voice finally registered with him, "Are you okay?" She leaned towards him, eyes filled with concern.
He swallowed, trying to come up with words, before settling upon, "I'm missing a piece." It came out monotone, lacking any reason for her to continue socializing with him.
Her head tilted, causing her hair to fall to the right. Her eyes were kind.
"Do you need help finding it?" she asked, her voice soft.
Instead of responding, Near nodded, watching as she began methodically shifting through the nearby toys. His eyes followed her, before he realized that he should probably be helping, and he moved forward to aid her. The two carefully went through the nearby toys, and after not finding it, She began carefully going over, and under, the carpet.
Finally after a good hour she triumphantly lifted her hand in the air, "I found it!" She beamed, her hand extended to Near, offering the piece. Near shook his head, and gestured her over to his puzzle. Her brow furrowed in confusion, but she approached.
"You complete it." He stated, settling himself down before the puzzle.
She glanced at him, then to the puzzle, before slowly sitting down across from him. She carefully, almost reverently, slotted the final piece in.
She grinned widely, eyes glittering with joy, "Thank you, for allowing me to complete your puzzle." she leaned forward ever so slightly. "You are very kind."
She bowed her head quickly, before springing to her feet, "I have to go. Near and Matt were planning on battling me in Mario Kart, but they shall fail." She sighed, before winking at him.
Then without pause she bounced away, leaving Near feeling unbalanced and unfocused. Perhaps he should redo the puzzle again.
Mello stepped back, growling lightly at Near when he ran into him. The three were quiet, despite Mello's anger. Mello found himself moving away from the grave, and leaning against a nearby headstone. He watched as Matt, pulled out a cigarette and lit it, before standing up.
As soon as Matt moved, Near collapsed. His hands entangling themselves in his almost white hair, as tears dripped into the fresh soil. It was concerning, though he would always deny it, watching his competitor sob openly, especially when he never emoted.
Mello shook his head, eyes running over the grave inscription. A part of him wanted to fix it, because it didn't have his last name, the other half just wanted it to be wrong. His sister was meant to still be around so he could protect her, so she could create masterpieces. Still he could not change what had happened.
It was hard to accept that 6 years after adopting her, as siblings, he was standing in front of her grave.
Mello was sprawled out upside down on his back, pretending to study. He had been warned earlier that they would be getting a new kid, so he found himself focused more on that then his boring school books. He was acutely aware of every noise in the hall, as he waited for the newbie to be shown their room.
It took awhile for something to happen, so long that he found himself actually trying to study at his desk while he waited.
The soft sound of footsteps caught his attention, as well as the sound of Roger speaking, "This shall be your bedroom, where you're expected to sleep and study. If you truly wish to follow L's path, then you will be expected to keep your grades up." The door across the hall opened with a creak. "I expect you will join at least a group of children, and form some connections as well." there was a pause and the sound of something being placed on the floor. "What will your name here be?"
A soft, female, voice responded, "Why do we have to choose a name, why can't I go by Alena?"
"If you truly become L's successor, then we do not want you put at risk, and alias is far safer."
There was a pause, "Kala, because it sounds pretty."
The sound of shuffling reached his ears, and Mello found himself standing and wandering over to the door. He listened as footsteps moved away, then once he deemed them far enough, he opened the door, and peered at the room across from him.
He moved over to it, not really taking in any differences, then the door opened and a small brunette with wide blue eyes poked her head out.
"Who are you?" She asked excitedly, pushing her door all the way open. She was practically bouncing on the spot as she waited for him to answer.
He stared blankly at her, then responded, "Mello."
Her eyes flickered past him, before she without warning reached out and pulled him into her room. Mello struggled, but found himself giving in relatively quickly to the energetic girl. She pushed him onto her bed then sat down right beside him.
She took in a deep breath, "My name is Alena, or I guess now it's Kala. I like Dogs and cats and I really like painting, though I make a mess when I paint, I'm 11 years old and I'm really nice, or so I'm told." She stopped, then stared at him inquisitively.
Mello found himself staring right back at her. Did she really just tell him her name? And why was she staring at him?
She huffed, rolling her eyes, "What about you?" She trailed off pointedly.
He rolled his eyes, "I'm Mello. I'm 12 years old."
He watched as Kala, sagged, "I wanted to know more about you, like Can you draw? Can you fight? Do you like chocolate?"
He closed his eyes, feeling irritated, "Yes, I can draw, I haven't really practiced fighting much. And yes, I like chocolate"
Kala began to grin, eyes brightening, "I love chocolate, and drawing, I'm good at drawing, I could teach you how to draw." She tilted her head, "Why is your hair cut like a girls?"
"I like my hair." He was done with this. Kala had proven herself rather annoying, and bothersome. He was no longer interested in knowing her.
"I like it too, but don't you get teased by others?"
"No."Mello growled, Eyes now focused on his way out of the room.
"I'm Sorry." She had gone quiet.
He blinked, then turned to look at her. She had curled up into a small ball, her hair falling to obscure her face.
"Why are you apologizing?" He raised an eyebrow, feeling concern as she shied away even more.
"Because you don't really like me. I'm too energetic, and too loud. You can go." She practically whispered.
Mello found himself reaching out and placing a hand on her head, then ruffling her hair. She shot back eyes wide, as he smirked.
"Isn't that how all little sisters are?" He said, eyes taking in her surprise.
She stared for a long moment before nodding enthusiastically, then bolted over to hug him tightly.
"Thank you."
Matt found himself absently lighting a cigarette, watching Near fall to the ground in sorrow.
It was hard to contemplate, losing her. She had always brightened his day, no matter how irritated he was at Mello. He had always thought Mello would be the first to die, because of his reckless nature, but no, of course it wasn't him.
He exhaled, letting the smoke drift into the air. Hell, he missed her right then, she had always hated the smell of cigarette smoke, or any smoke really.
His gaze shifted over to Mello, who had curled up as he lent against a nearby headstone.
Matt knew it was harder for Mello than him, she had been Mello's little sister, but It still hurt everyone.
Matt was tense as he scrawled on a piece of paper in front of him. Mello had abandoned him, forced him to take detention alone. With no apology! He glanced up, eyes narrowing at the clock above the door, he only had a few more minutes before he could hunt down and destroy Mello.
His jaw clenched as he finished his writing, then shot to his feet, sending his chair to the floor with a clatter.
"Matt." Roger calmly warned from his desk, eyes calm. Matt huffed, then moved to hand Roger his paper. Roger carefully read through it, then gave him a nod, "You are free to leave."
Matt was quick to leave. His anger radiating off of him, sending the nearby kids scrambling just to get out of his way. He entered the game room, a place He, Mello and Kala often hung out, practically sending the door into the wall.
"MELLO! GET YOUR STUPID, COWARDLY ARSE OVER HERE!"
He hadn't taken the time to look around and see that only Kala was in the room.
"What did Mello do this time?"
Matt scowled at the floor, as he made his way to the couch, "He left me alone in the security centre to get caught. He didn't even defend me, no, he just left me alone in detention, even though it was his stupid idea." He flung himself onto the couch, angrily.
"Mello didn't escape punishment." Kala said, sitting down on the armrest above him.
He looked up, and blinked at her appearance. Her brown hair had many white patches in it and chocolate was smeared across her cheek. Her multicoloured clothes also appeared pastel in some spots.
"What happened to you?" he asked curiously.
She sent him a blinding smile, "Me and Mello got into a bit of a food fight." She paused, her eyes almost glowing with amusement, "We got caught, but Mello took the blame. So he had to clean, and organise, the entire kitchen." She bounced, happily, in place.
Matt gazed at her in confusion, "He actually took the blame?" He had to make sure he heard her right.
Kala giggled, "Yeah, and since he is not here to manage what games I play." she paused, to stare pleadingly at him, "Can you teach me how to play Assassin's Creed?"
Matt found himself relaxing, "I don't see why, not." he responded, sitting up properly and patting the spot next to him.
Kala happily settled into the offered seat.
Watching from a ways away, is a young woman, dressed in a long red dress, with a black coat thrown over-top. Her hair is hidden beneath a small black hat, with two strands framing her face. Blue eyes watch as the three boys mourn.
She glances down at a small watch on her thin wrist, then turns to her right and begins walking away.
If any of the three boys had turned and watched, they would have seen her fade into nothing, however their focus was the grave before them.
She listened as water dripped from the leaky drain pipe above. The ground was wet beneath her, and the sound of rain echoed through her head. It had only been a week, but it had felt like an eternity.
Her eyes flickered over to the hospital across from her alleyway, wishing that it still contained her mother, but it didn't. She shivered, and pulled her thin sweater around her, willing the cold away. She was wet, hungry cold and possibly close to death.
A loud splash in the alley behind her, caused her to turn. She gazed at the area behind her seeing nothing in the dim light, but she decided to creep forward slowly. As soon as a shadow began moving she stilled, then hid behind some nearby trash.
She peered out and took in the sight of a large man, built like how she always imagined Captain America to be, and a small girl, who looked remarkably similar to her.
She watched as the man loomed over the girl, who was shaking but completely quiet. He reached out and grabbed her pulling her closer. The girl kicked him, in the crotch, causing him to drop her. She scrambled back, sliding in the slick mud. The man growled, then moved forward and stomped on her leg, and a crack echoed throughout the alley.
She ducked her head back behind her wall, and curled up tightly.
The sounds continued, a few more thuds echoed out, as well as a couple cracks. Then there was a splattering noise. It softened to a heavy drip, then a final thud. Loose gravel crunched as the Man walked away, out of Her hearing range.
She carefully peeked around the edge, and let out a startled cry.
The girl was staring lifelessly up at the sky. Blood was dripping from open wounds on her neck and stomach.
She fell back, terrified, before ducking back into the shadows. The police would come, then they would catch him. Then she would get a home, even though they scared her.
She sat there for hours, and when the Police arrived, they ignored her and she couldn't work up the courage to bother them. She watched as they removed the body, and collected evidence. Then left.
She cried, angered by her lack of bravery, but still she remained there.
The next day, two days after the girl died, a young dark haired man, with wide owl-like eyes, arrived. He was accompanied by an older gentleman, who kept a close eye on the alley entrance. He looked nothing like the Police.
Carefully, she emerged from her place, and approached the man, "Who are you?" The pale man stiffened, then turned to stare at her.
His head tilted slightly, "Lawliet. Who are you?" He motioned the older man over.
"My name is Alena Hope Ebony."
Lawliet blinked in surprise, eyes flicking over to the other man, "Is your mother's name Samantha, by any chance."
She found herself nodding, "Mom died a week ago, and I didn't really like the man who came to take me, so I ran."
Lawliet crouched down, "I was hired to find you." He paused, eyes examining her every feature, "However, I do not have to send you with them, I will first bring you to the hospital, then.. I will need you statement on this girl's murder."
She found herself nodding lightly, a smile slowly crossing her face, "Thank you Mr. Lawliet, Thank you."
Kala found herself awake, and dreading the day. It had been a couple years since the emergence of Kira, and the death of L, or Mr. Lawliet as she called him.
The time had flown by, with her sending Near and Mello hints, and helping with their chosen paths. She had been preparing as well. She knew that with Near's time away she could never tell him, it hurt her that he might never know before, but she couldn't tell him unless he was facing her.
She settled in front of the window, looking out on the streets with a pad of paper in hand, as well as her rainbow coloured pen.
Her chest ached with every breath, and it had been painful to reach her favorite spot, but she had made it.
Slowly, and painfully, she began to write, airing everything she would've liked to say to her brother, focusing on comforting him, and letting him know where her stuff should go. Then she began writing to her best friend, giving him advice, hoping he would use it, but knowing that he was just like her brother. Then she began writing to Near, the boy she had fallen in love with, and wished she wasn't hurting.
Her eyes occasionally wandered to the clock, as if to reassure herself that she still had time. She was grateful that Roger had kept her secret safe, even though he thoroughly disapproved.
She knew it would be painful, her body was giving up on her, but she had wanted to leave something for her family.
Carefully, she got up once again, and pulled out her nice canvas, one she had painted a frame upon, but never filled. On it she began to carefully write out something for her home, so that it would have a piece of her, to watch over those who would come through its doors.
'I'm sorry.
I should have told your years ago,
when I came to you all alone
I should haves said it before the snow;
Just before this became my home
In each passing word before my death;
Should have been a warning,
Long before my last breath.
Now I know your mourning;
And it's only me to blame
but I could not stop my deceit and lies
So this will be my last great shame.'
Alena 'Kala' Hope Ebony
Check out my Deviantart Art used here is posted there first.
Check out my Ko-fi Short Stories, and previews are posted there first, And you can support me.
Thank you for reading, I wanted to celebrate this piece again, and try my hand at whatever style I wrote then, so ta-da! Kala means a lot to me, because i see her as the embodiment of my youth, but unfortunately, you have to grow up, but she shall be a brilliant memory.
~~~~~ Wolf