Chapter five:
The suspense weighs heavily in the air around them as they trek through the woods towards what they are now sure is towards town.
A bush rustles as they hide behind it then peer over it finding them looking out at the town.
The air almost seems dusty and so far the streets look deserted with some cars sitting there with one or more doors open, some cars flipped over, some cars look like they almost crashed together and some just sitting parked along the sides of the road or in parking spaces or drive ways.
There is even a few garages at least half way open or so.
With a last careful look around they don't see anyone or anything so they sneakily move into the town.
The three keep their eyes open and ears open too for any signs of anything or anyone that might be on the beasts side. They make it into town fine and the place looks abandoned in an eerie way that would usually shake cold into a persons body just from looking let alone being in it but the three have seen a lot so the main one affected is Matt while the other two aren't affected other than the worry of being attacked or finding a group of enemies.
"What should we do first?" Near's hushed voice asks.
"What's in this place you're going to take us to." Mello asks also in a hushed voice.
"Well there might other than regular stuff there might be some knives, some clothes and if there is any food left there then it's gone bad." Near says.
"Ok. We get some footwear then we go to check out the place." Mello says. He takes the lead as they continue to sneak through town.
The quiet almost sends chills up their spines as it almost feels too quiet to them.
They find a shoe store and head in making sure to be alert for anyone.
It's stealing but they ignore it since it's only them then it's not actually stealing anymore.
They each get a pair of shoes they like then making sure to take off tags and anything that might trigger alarms. They then leave with Mello looking out to make sure there's no enemies before they leave.
Near takes the lead as they go through town.
"It's so quiet." Mello points out the obvious in a whispered voice that almost seems loud in the quietness.
"What if they are watching us waiting to strike and pounce at the right moment!?" Matt almost whispers in fear.
"I'm sure if they've spotted us they would be attacking by now." Near says in a hushed tone.
They continue in silence until Near leads them into an alley way.
Near goes over to an area that looks to be normal.
"So the place is in an alley?" Mello raises an eyebrow.
"Yes." Near turns and crouches down by the wall of the back of a store. He opens a secret hatch leading down underground.
"Oh." Mello blinks as he realizes that it was nicely hidden.
"Go ahead." Near says.
Matt is all too happy to go down into the hole climbing down the ladder with Mello following then Near who closes the door behind them.
The place is an underground home.
Not big but not tiny and it is pretty open to be expected.
There is a bedroom with a small T.V., a kitchen like area that has little to almost none appliances, the room they seem to be in is a living room like area though not much is down here and there is some furniture just not a lot of stuff.
The light is a lamp, in a good position to just fill the whole home like place with light, that Near turned on without difficultly finding it or turning it on since he's been here before.
"This is actually where I lived before Whammys. It's a bit dusty from not being used for quite a while." Near explains.
Matt wanders towards the bedroom area and finds two slightly ratty mattresses along with a single blanket on each though not put neatly on as well as an extra one nearby. "Are you sure it's not used?" He asks. "Cause there's more than one bed." He turns to the mostly albino boy.
"Yeah. Me, A and BB lived here. We had nowhere else to go since we were orphans even before we went to Whammys and we lived on the streets as this counts as living on the streets since it's not an official house." Near explains. "That's why there are more than one bed. A and BB shared one since they were lovers and like parents to me while the other was mine."
A and BB were the only two that scored above Near with A in first and BB second. They and Near were quiet close that it was obvious that nothing would tear them apart then…. A died only for BB to leave murder to challenge L probably blaming L for A's death, only Near and BB seemed to know how A actually died but he didn't kill himself that much is obvious since he loved the other two way too much to kill himself leaving them. Which led to BB's capture before he can kill himself then not long after he dies in prison. The two's deaths were only a few years ago so pretty recent.
"Ah." Matt nods in understanding.
Mello decides to wander around a little to check the place out. He finds three knives on a table probably meant to be a small counter.
The knives are the knives seen typically used by murders on T.V. and each is engraved.
One has an A engraved on it's handle.
Another has a B engraved on it's handle.
The last one has an N engraved on it's handle.
Mello knows how much these knives must mean to Near and he growls to himself as he finds himself unable to say they should use them. He calms himself down saying in his head that he's only thinking that way because A and BB were even scary to him when they wanted to be so he doesn't want to anger their spirits by using the knives. He then notices some extra knives that are meant for cooking but are still sharp and grabs those instead. He heads back with the knives leaving the ones with the engraved handles alone. "We could use these knives as weapons for now." He says putting the knives on a table in the main area that's the living room like area.
Near and Matt look to them and nod in agreement.
Near heads towards the kitchen area. "Oh and I don't know how many electrical things still work or not especially with it seeming like everyone is gone." He says over his shoulder. "But this place was made so unless we blast the sound or leave the door open no one outside should be able to hear us. But we'll hear them if they get too close." He says then turns to where he's going.
"We won't be able to stay here forever. We'll run the risk of those beasts finding us." Mello says. "But we can stay longer than just one night like we would have outside."
Near goes over to the knives that Mello skipped over. He gently runs the tips of his fingers along the handle of each.
Suddenly there is some footsteps heard by the door making the three tense slightly holding their breaths as they wait to see if whoever or whatever it is goes away.
The footsteps move away and the three relax.
"We'll need to get some food though." Near says. "Since as I said the food here if there's still any left will have gone bad."
"Right. Then one of us should stay here to clean out the bad food while the others leave to find fresh food." Mello says.
"Ok. You two go out and I'll clean out the bad food." Matt says straighten from his hunched over position looking at something that looks like a picture in a picture fram on a single small nightstand, almost seeming to spring to his feet had he not been standing already.
"Matt!" Mello says in a warning tone. "Stop being an idiot. There's no way me and Near could work together."
Matt smiles softly. "Mels I'm the scaredy cat of the group. I would only get in the way. Besides. We only have each other now so like it or not we all need to work together to survive. Just think of this as getting used to having to work with Near to stay alive. We stay alive and it's like bragging rights compared to all those that have fallen to the beasts."
Mello sighs and brings a hand to his forehead as he swears he just wants to punch Matt for those words. He knows Matt is right that they need each other especially if they wanted to stay alive as well as that Matt would get in the way.
"You can do it Mello." Matt says as encouragement patting the blonde on the back with a goofy grin on his face.
Mello sighs once more. "Fine but I'm not carrying him." He huffs crossing his arms over his chest.
"You won't need to." Near says. "I've lived on the streets long enough that I know these streets quite well like the back of my hand." He says to make it a point that he'll be alright.
"Yeah yeah. Let's just go." Mello says grabbing one of the knives.
Near comes over also grabbing one of the knives.
"Good luck you two." Matt says as the two head out.
"Don't slack off while we are gone." Mello says in warning still a little unhappy that he has to work with Near.
"Yes sir." Matt salutes to Mello then the blonde leaves following the mostly albino boy.
Mello and Near head through the streets sneaking around watching out for any enemies. They hear something up ahead and duck down behind a car peering through the windows.
Two beasts are walking with three people close by.
One of the people glance in their direction.
Mello clenches his teeth.
The person begins heading in their direction and the two quickly duck behind the car hoping the person hasn't spotted them.
Of course luck isn't on their side.
The person then jumps on top of the car making it dent. The person makes an inhuman growl as Mello and Near spring to their feet turning to the person getting ready to fight. The person is a female with shoulder length chocolate brown hair, a green dress that is like a summer dress only going to a little past her hips, she also has white leggings on as well as black ballet flats.
Mello and Near raises the knife they each took before leaving.
The person gives some kind of inhuman sound almost like gurgle then leaps pulling a fist back ready to strike.
Mello and Near jump out of the way both jumping to opposite sides.
The person goes after Near opening it's mouth letting out a terrible screech.
Near slashes the knife at the person skillfully and slices open the person's neck.
The person falls to the ground making more human gurgling noises.
Near starts to move towards Mello then…..
The person starts twitching in an up and down like motion slightly lifting of the ground with each twitch then the legs of the beasts burst out of the body of the person.
"Crap!" Mello curses.
The two begin running not even sure that the knives are even affective against the beasts and if they take the chance then they will have a high chance of being turned or killed. They keep running ignore the human like scream from the person that attacked then the sound of a wet explosion but they don't dare to stop.
There is sounds of them being chased and Mello glances back seeing three beasts chasing after them.
Mello turns forward again.
"This way." Near suddenly says turning into an alley way.
Mello follows clenching his teeth.
Near takes the second turn to the right as Mello keeps following. He then takes the third left turn left leading Mello through a maze of alleyways.
They keep running till they get to a more open area with all four directions available to go.
Near doesn't stop and goes right as Mello continues to follow.
Mello glances behind himself and only sees two people now chasing them. He faces forward again only to widen his eyes as he can no longer see Near. "Crap. Did that brat dump me here!?" He growls picking up speed then suddenly he is grabbed and pulled down a right turn. He whips his head raising the knife to attack only to see it's Near.
"Try to pay attention Mello. Don't want to let yourself die." Near says letting go of them then runs forward down the alleyway away from where he just pulled Mello in from.
Mello follows no longer angry at Near as the pale boy didn't bail on him but waited to help him even if it meant he would be in more danger staying in one spot. He begins to wonder how human Near really is.
Near takes a left with Mello following and they take a few more rights and lefts then Near slows to a walk with Mello doing the same.
They both are panting slightly from that run but they find they aren't that tired.
After all Mello did like to play soccer at the orphanage sometimes the game would get a little more intense and Near grew up on the streets so he had a lot of experience running through the streets.
They keep walking as they catch their breaths.
"Thanks." Mello says a little quietly.
"No problem. After all I'm sure we would be in trouble if we lost you." Near responds not looking back at Mello.
Mello blinks a little surprised Near would say those words. "So which way to a good place for food?" He changes the topic not sure how to respond to Near's words.
"Not far." Near says. "There's a big market just a little ways ahead." He explains.
Mello nods still following Near.
They find the market and after making sure the coast is clear they go in.
"The plastic bags are not a good idea to use." Mello says.
Near turns to Mello. "Well some places do have the fabric bags." He starts only to stop when he sees Mello taking off his shirt revealing his flawless slim yet strong, as strong as someone can get from some exercise at least daily, figure. "M-Mello?"
Mello smirks at hearing Near stutter and turns to him. "Come on. There isn't a lot of space down there. Too many fabric bags and the bags will run us out." He says. "Come on you too."
Near blushes a little making Mello smirk a touch wider but Near pulls his shirt off as well as Mello watches. He's wearing a white more worn out tank top underneath his button up shirt, his body holds scars though there aren't many it surprises Mello a little as he expected no scars.
The others are mostly small and quiet few in numbers but the one that catches Mello's eye is the one that is like a slash scar going from a small bit under his mid rib area on the left side down to almost his right hip.
Mello only got a flash of how far up Near's body it goes as his tank top slightly lifted up as the mostly albino boy took off his button up shirt.
Near doesn't meet Mello's eye feeling self-conscious standing there with one of his shirts off in front of Mello and the blonde's gaze doesn't help his condition.
Mello comes over and the sound of Mello approaching makes Near turn to look to him. The blonde looks to Near's eyes.
Near feels he should explain. "The streets are unforgiving." Is all he says with his eyes flickering away from Mello's gaze.
Mello nods as his eyes sweep over the scars that he can see.
"Um…. We should get some food." Near says trying to direct the attention away from his body, well mainly his scars.
Mello seems to snap back to reality. "Right." He turns away and walks away going to collect some food using his shirt as something to carry them in.
Near joins him as the two make sure they get as much of mixture of items as they can.
They then wrap their shirts to keep the food in as best they can.
"Ok lets go." Mello says taking the lead as they head towards the door.
They glance out and move down hiding behind the wall under the stores windows on either side of the door as they spot one beast out there. They quiet their breathing as they wait.
After a minuet Near dares to get up enough to peer out.
"Is it clear?" Mello asks glancing up.
Near is silent for a moment and Mello is about to ask again then the other speaks. "Looks like it." He confirms.
"Ok. Let's go." Mello says leading them out of the store.
They get a few steps away then they hear an inhuman almost gurgling noise making them pause. They glance back and see the beast had jumped up onto a higher part of the building digging it's legs into the wall. They begin running as they turn around a little each step then after a few steps they are turned around.
The beast is heard jumping from the building with some sounds of small bits of the wall falling down then an loud landing.
Mello and Near keep running.
Mello heads towards an alley way.
"No. That leads to a dead end. This way." Near says turning and Mello skids to a stop to figure out which way Near's going since the blonde had been in front of him then he hurries following the pale boy.
The beast can be seen in the corner of their eyes as it slightly leans back spreading it's legs not holding it up as it lets out an inhuman screech only to go back to the almost hunched over way the beasts normally stand. It charges after them.
Near continues leading Mello along the street with the sounds of the beast chasing them.
"Near!" Mello hisses at the pale boy as the sounds of the beast is getting closer and closer.
"Not yet." Near responds and Mello growls wondering what the hell the mostly albino boy planned to do.
The beast's sounds of it chasing them are getting closer and closer…..
Mello is about to snap at Near then try to dash ahead or push the pale boy into an alley way when Near speaks before the blonde.
"Now." The pale boy quickly turns into an alley way.
Mello also turns into it only to find….. Near's not there… He wonders if he turned down the wrong way when suddenly he is pulled into a small space between two dumpsters that seem to be for a restaurant or a school. He manages to keep his shirt together and with him.
Near puts a hand over Mello's mouth as if to keep him from gasping. He pulls his hand away as if in slight apology.
The space keeps them close together as they both are able to fit but they are a little cramped, Mello more than Near as Near seems to fit a little better.
There is the sounds of the beast skidding only to crash into something and Mello swore if this was a movie then there would be the cat sound that comes with the crashing sounds.
The beast grumbles in it's inhuman way then begins walking along the alley way looking side to side.
Mello and Near stay quiet watching the beast from the corner of their eyes so as to not draw attention to themselves if the beast can sense them staring at it.
The beast keeps walking not seeing them.
The two wait there quietly waiting to let the beast get farther away.
Mello looks down to his shirt now being held on his lap as his legs are up so his knees are facing upwards so he could fit in the space. He thinks about how Near knows so much more about the streets then he does and it then dawns on him.
Had Matt come along instead of Near then the two friends would probably have found themselves trapped at a dead end.
It almost hurts Mello to know he and Matt know so little about the streets.
"We should be good." Near says snapping Mello from his thoughts.
Mello realizes he's blocking Near's way out but Near stands up peering over the dumpsters that are almost as tall as him.
Near then climbs up onto one of the dumpsters and Mello takes the easier way out. The pale boy hops down silently next to Mello.
Mello wonders just how long Near had been on the streets especially to pull off the trick of climbing onto a dumpster then jumping up only to land on the ground all almost silently since the dumpsters make noise no matter how good you are.
"Let's go before it comes back." Near says.
"Right." Mello nods.
The two leave and they make it back without any more trouble.
Near waits above as Mello climbs down inside since they can't carry their shirts full of food when they climb down a ladder.
Once Mello is at the bottom Near passes each of the shirts full of food down one at a time making sure Mello is ready to catch the next one before tossing it down.
After both are down then Near hops in shutting the door behind himself as he jumps down into their current home.
Matt is sitting on one of the mattresses the one closer to the rest of the space with the one closer to the underground wall is empty since Matt was the only here while the other two were out. He was about to turn on the T.V., if it works especially with who knows if everyone has been turned or if it works regardless, when he hears the two come in turning to them. "Welcome back." He greets getting up. "There wasn't much old food so it's all clean and ready. I threw the old and bad food into some dumpsters close by where the door to this place is." He lets them know coming over to them. "Uh you do know that some places have fabric bags right?" He says seeing that the two are shirtless, with Near only wearing his tank top, and the shirts are carrying the food. He can't help but look at the scars on Near's body that he can see while Near has the tank top on.
"The bags would have made it harder to escape and hide from the beasts that chased us." Near says quickly grabbing his shirt and slightly rushes to put the food away.
Matt turns to Mello with a small smirk. He leans closer as his smirk grows a little. "So you managed to get him take off his shirt for you?" He teases a little quietly.
Mello punches the top of Matt's head making Matt fall forward, well more downwards, onto the ground. "Near told you why and if we have too many bags it'll not only leave us with no space but also slow us down when running." He says picking up his shirt going to do the same as Near but not as rushed. He can't help but feel his cheeks have grown a little warm from what Matt said.
As the food is almost put away there is a sudden scream, a human scream.
"AHH! SOMEONE HELP ME!" A woman's voice screams.
The two quickly put down their shirts and rush towards the ladder that Matt is already climbing.
Mello waits beside the ladder and Near stops a little back.
Matt opens the door and looks out. He doesn't make a move to climb out.
"Matt!" Mello tries to get Matt to move. "Hey Matt! Stop dawdling!"
Matt is silent and still.
Mello growls about to start climbing when Matt climbs down enough to close the door. "Matt what the hell are you-" He is cut off as he sees Matt's face.
Matt's face is pale and his eyes wide in horror.
Mello wonders what Matt saw. "Matt. Speak to us. What the hell did you see?"
Matt seems to have just noticed the two are there as his horrified eyes look to them. "She's not one to save now…." He trails off as he shivers in horror. "I….. I've never seen something like that before…..And I don't think I ever want to again….." He almost seems to now not see the other two. "I think I need to lie down." He climbs down then stumbles towards the beds.
Mello and Near watch wondering what happened that got him so spooked.
"Matt!" Mello chases after him and Matt turns to Mello pausing in his stumbling footsteps as his side now faces Mello as he looks to the blonde.
"I just saw how the beasts take over the human bodies." The red head says then goes to the bed he was sitting on earlier only to flop down onto it.
Mello raises a hand to his head wondering if it really was that scary or if it just seems more scary than it is since Matt is the more scaredy cat out of the three of them.
AN:
This feels a little long… Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed it. I'm trying to not make it boring as we are only at the general start area pretty much.
I'll try my best to keep things interesting and yes things can get a little scary as I put on the summary as I have changed it a little so you have been warned if you continue with this story. If it get's too scary, which I'll try to not make it really scary just scray enough to not be boring, then I will contemplate changing the adventure to horror but that is a last resort since I think it's more of an adventure story and I'm not trying to make too scary.
Enough of me talking forever and ever.
Reviews are awesome and flamers will be used to make candy cane like cookies this time with no mint as I'm no fan of mint.
Hope you enjoyed and will continue to read!
Mello.