Chapter eighteen:

Mello and Near continue to hurry to try to find the way out as Mello continues to support Near. They are forced to stop when they find themselves facing three of the people who work with Rodger.

….

Matt turns with wide eyes.

Linda is knocked backwards and tumbles onto the ground ….. Shot ….

Matt growls and kicks Jeff in the head hard enough to knock him out cold. He then jumps Jeremy slamming hard punches to his face until Jeremy is too knocked out and Matt has bloody sore knuckles. He rushes over to Linda and kneels next to her. "Linda!"

Linda blinks her eyes open weakly. "Matt ….." She weakly speaks in a hoarse voice.

Matt gathers her into his arms.

Sure he found her a little annoying sometimes but with the trauma that they've all been through it's brought the orphans closer.

Linda slightly smiles up at Matt as a drop of blood comes from her mouth only to slide from the edge of her mouth down her cheek.

Matt tires to wipe it away only ending up smearing it on her cheek.

"I … I …." Linda struggles to speak.

"Shh. Save your strength." Matt shushes her gently then looks to her wound.

"I … L-lo …. I ….. Love … You ….. Matt ….." Linda says weakly as her life starts to slip from her.

Matt looks back to her face.

"My …. My ….. Name …. Is ….. Lindsy ….." Linda's eyes slip closed and she goes limp and begins to go cold in Matt's arms.

Matt realizes in horror that Linda …. Or …. Well ….. Lindsy ….. Is dead. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you." He apologises to her brushing some hair out of her face. He gently lays her down. "May your spirit find it's way to heaven." He gets to his feet, turns and dashes out of the room not able to do anything to help her now. He tries to find a way dashing off in one direction.

…

Mello growls ready to protect Near from these people.

Near stands having just enough strength to do so.

Mello opens his mouth to say only to close it in surprise as Near grips one of his hands. He grips Near's hand back.

Near shivers as if feeling power go through him.

Mello understands and whispers to Near. "My love will give you strength when you need it."

Near waves his free hand out in front of him creating a slightly curved line heading for the three.

It hits knocking them back and though it may not be as powerful as the blast the three end up hitting the wall head first luckily.

Near collapses only for Mello to catch him.

"It's ok. I've got you." Mello assures him. He shifts the other so he is carrying him bridal style. "Rest. I'll get us out of here. I promise. Just don't strain yourself."

"I need to." Near responds. "We need to get out of here."

"It'll be ok." Mello assures Near giving him a small peck on the lips. He then raises his head determined only to once again start running to try to find a way out.

"Halt!" A voice calls from behind them as someone else working with Rodger has spotted them.

Mello keeps running. 'Got to get Near out of here.' His thoughts seem to revolve around getting them out of here right now. He suddeny skids to a stop almost crashing into Matt. "Matt!" He says happily. "You're alive!"

Matt looks worriedly at Near.

"He's used a lot of his strength to get us this far." Mello explains.

The heavy footsteps remind Mello that they are being chased.

"Let's go." Mello begins running in the direction that Matt came from.

"Ok. Back I go." Matt says with a slight shrug as he turns then joins Mello in racing away from their pursuer.

….

Rodger gets a call and answers it. "Hello?"

"Rodger sir." One of Rodger's men say. "There's a black out and the brats some how got out of their cells. They scattered!"

"KILL THEM YOU FOOLS!" Rodger orders loudly as he slams a fist onto his desk. "I'll be coming to join you soon." He slams the phone onto the receiver only to growl. "Those damn brats." He gets up. "It's time to finish them off." He heads out to leave as he dismissed all the adults in the orphanage until further notice. He goes into his car and speeds away to get to the building as fast as possible.

….

Mello and Matt look around themselves searching for a way out as a woman joins in on the chase.

Matt is shaking feeling fearful.

"Keep your head in the game." Mello orders Matt. "We have to get out of here?"

Matt nods and turns with a little more focus … As best as he can with his short attention span.

But he does his best since he has not only his life on the line but Mello and Near's lives as well on the line right now.

They continue running.

"Kill them!" The woman orders. "We need to kill them before they can escape!"

This makes the three boys hearts race.

Near shifts feeling guilty about Mello having to carry him.

"It's ok Near." Mello says in an assuring way. "Just don't worry. I won't let them hurt you." His grip tightens only enough to show he is protective of Near.

Near slightly glances back to their pursuers.

They continue to chase the three with determined angry eyes obviously not about to give up at all.

Near turns back to Mello and cuddles close to him feeling a warmth inside of him.

It's a warmth that he welcomes even though he can't put it in words that would describe it the way it feels except with the closest being wonderful.

Mello and Matt keep running for a bit longer but then have to skid to a stop.

AN:

I made up Linda's real name.

I hope you are enjoying and yeah I keep posting since I am on a roll with this story.

Enjoy.

Trying not to rush it so hopefully it is working.

Reviews are awesome and flamers will be used to make cake!

Mello