Chapter 8

Antidote

I stayed with the boy and he looked just as worried as I was.

"She'll be okay. So will he."

L didn't come back until after dark.

"Did you find her?"

He held up her bag and her teddy bear. I bit my lip and took the bear.

"Kujo. She must have Maki." I said.

L sat me down and I put the bear on the table.

"They're looking for the reason why Maki doesn't show any symptoms. To develop the antidote." Matsuba said.

"I'm pretty sure Kujo knows." I said.

"She does." I looked at L. "Maki's symptoms can appear at any moment now." He said.

"Then why take Maki!?"

L remained completely calm.

"Maki is the perfect vessel for carrying the virus. Please continue to work on the antidote." L stood up. "We'll need a lot of it."

The boy ran after L and grabbed his shirt. L slowly took his wrist and looked at him.

"You know what to do."

The boy nodded and I became confused. He started to walk away again.

"Wait a minute."

I looked at Matsuba. He walked over to L and held up a bag. He held up the antidote and I smiled.

"Is it finished?" L asked.

"It hasn't been tested."

"Then use me." I said.

"Elena, no."

I rolled up my sleeve and held out my arm.

"Yes. What I love most in this world will be gone in two days. I have nothing left to lose. This is my choice, now do it."

L was staring at me. He gave me the injection and I looked at L.

"Why?" he asked.

I sighed.

"Aren't you supposed to be a genius, L? Do you really not know?"

We stared at each other.

"I'll give the two of you a moment. Come with me, boy."

He took the boy and left the room. L and I continued to stare at each other for what felt like hours.

"Well?" I asked.

"I've known the whole time. I just hoped that I was wrong. I never want you to be in pain. That's why I wanted you to go back to America with your brother."

He slowly took my hand.

"I'm not leaving you. I-I want to be with you until the end, L. So, please don't send me away."

He grabbed me and held me tightly in his arms.

"Don't leave me." He whispered.

I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around him.

"I love you. I can't deny that anymore." He told me.

I smiled and looked into his eyes.

"And I love you." I whispered.

L rarely smiled, and the smile he gave me next was the brightest I'd ever seen. He slowly leaned forward and covered my lips with his. I closed my eyes and moved my lips with his. His lips were smooth like silk. He slowly slipped his warm tongue into my mouth and deepened the kiss. He wrapped an arm around my waist and held me tighter.

Short but sweet. The next few chapters will be longer.