Chapter seven:

Mello's P.O.V.

I open my eyes I didn't realize I had closed and I find myself floating in a wold of black. I glance around then suddenly a small glow behind me makes me turn to it only to find the gem from Near's necklace is hovering behind me and has grown in size so it is a little bigger than me. I notice the scratch on the corner then remember seeing a cut on Near's arm that looks like that scratch just on a human. "What?" I blink but I shrug it off as who knows what those sick bastards did to Near.

"I am here to allow you one thing. What is it you'd like to see future, past or present. Or would you like to see someone again? I can grant one thing within limitations sadly." A male voice that sounds like it could be female speaks with his or her voice echoing slightly.

I am confused. "What do you mean? This is just some dream right?"

"My master has asked me to do one thing for you. The spell has been cast and now I will do one thing for you as my master has wished." The voice speaks making me think it's the gem somehow talking. "But in the rules of magic there are limitations even for me. Tell me what it is you want and I will let you know if I can do that. If I can't then we will work to find something I can do for you that you wish."

I blink and ponder for a moment.

What could be something that I ask for that should be within the limitations?

I come to a decision. "Can you show me what lies in our future? Depending on what choices we make?" I ask.

"Of course I can." The voice answers. "Keep in mind the future is not set in stone." It reminds me. "Do you still wish to have this happen?"

"Yes." I nod.

"As you wish." The gem glows making me see only white for a few moments as the voice speaks inside my head. "If you make the choice to destroy something that seems to be nothing more than a tool this is the future that is in store."

Suddenly things change and I can see myself sitting on a hill but I cannot see what I am staring at.

Then as if as a ghost Near appears to be standing next to the me sitting on the hill for a moment only to vanish after glancing to the me sitting on the hill with a smile.

The me sitting on the hill lets out a sad sounding sigh. "I'm sorry." The me sitting on the hill looks up to the sky. "I didn't want things to end this way."

A soft breeze goes through the area only for Near's voice seeming to be carried on it.

"It isn't your fault. Live as happily as you can."

The me on the hill smiles very softly as tears comes to my eyes as I seem to continue to stare at the sky. "I will. For you."

Suddenly everything turns white again.

"If you do not make the choice to destroy something that seems to be nothing more than a tool this is the future that is in store." The voice says.

Everything changes again.

This time I see myself standing on a hill beside a big oak tree.

Near walks up from behind me and the me by the tree turns to face him.

We share a smile as he comes to stand next to me.

"Do you still hate me?" Near asks me.

I shake my head. "No."

"I never hated you." Near responds.

I smile. "Then we should put the past of hatred behind us." I say and he nods.

"Is this the way?" Near asks after a moment of silence.

"Yes." I say and we join hands. "Let's go together."

"Right." Near nods and we walk down the hill.

Then the light comes back.

"If you do escape and follow the right plan that gets the ones holding you arrested." The voice says as the next possible future comes into view.

I see myself walking around looking at the people getting medical treatment until I spot Near who I go straight over to. "Hey." I greet him.

He has a blanket wrapped around himself and he is sitting on the open part of the back of one of the ambulances with his feet hanging out. He looks up to me. "Hey."

I sit next to him. "What did they say?"

"They said that I should be alright. The damage wasn't terrible. What about you?" He asks.

"They said the same." I respond.

"That's good." Near nods then leans against me.

I put an arm around him. "Yeah but what do you think we should do now? Just go back to the orphanage? Especially after all that happened….."

"I can't say for sure but I'll follow you. We can go wherever you want." Near responds. "I feel safest with you."

"We'll be fine. We'll find ourselves a nice big house and I'll make sure we are supported. We can even get a pet and maybe a child to keep you busy too." I say.

Near softly giggles, that sounds like an angel, and gives me a smile. "Sounds like you have everything planned out."

I smile back. "Only slightly."

This makes me smile and for some fucked up reason deep down I actually hope that this is the future I end up getting.

The light comes back.

"If you don't escape this is what the future holds for you." The voice says and I see the next future.

I am being held by some of the people who work under Rodger with Near and Matt tied to chairs where I can see them. I get tied to a pole and Rodger steps into the room.

"My my Mello. Isn't this something? A test that is different from ones you and the others already have done." Rodger says in a dark voice.

I growl and glare at him. "What are you planning?" I demand.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" He smirks and moves over to Matt and Near walking behind them since they are placed side by side with a gap between them. "But you should have guessed by now." He grips Nears chin and tilts the mostly albino's boy upwards as well as slightly to the side.

Near tries to get out of the grip but Rodger just grips him tighter.

"How about some fun?" Rodger puts a knife against Near's throat only to look back to me. "Hm? Wouldn't you just love to see your rivals blood to spill?"

I clench my teeth. "You are nothing but a sick bastard you old codger." I growl.

"What did you say?!" Rodger frowns then growls and moves the knife to press against Near's throat enough to make him bleed a very small bit.

I try to tug my hands out of the binds but I can't get them off!

Rodger smirks upon seeing this. "Hm? What's wrong? Did I hit a weak spot?" He lets go of Near moving towards Matt now. "Or perhaps I am going after the wrong one." He presses the tip of the knife against his throat with the side of the blade under his chin so he can tilt the red heads head up.

It's obvious where this is going… Rodger plans to kill us all.

I shake and I scrunch my eyes shut. "Make it stop!" I cry out and I find myself sitting up quickly back in the cell with Near who is still asleep. I am panting and I take a moment to catch my breath. I look to Near and I wonder just which ending the future holds for us at this time. I look away and I look up to the ceiling. "So many choices and all will affect the ending." I sigh under my breath.

There's a groan from Near's direction and I turn to him to see him waking up.