Heyy everyone! I'm back, and currently siting in the corner of shame for taking so long to update. My laptop broke and I didn't have anything to write on! *wails*
Anyway, I'm back with a long anticipated 'Explanation-Chapter!' Hurray! Considering all the 'I dont know what's going on . . .' reviews, I figured maybe I should give you something to go on and set the scene for the story a little more. Hopefully this'll clear things up. I do apologize for it not being a very exciting chapter . . . again. But the story is about to pick up pace and get exciting I promise, so please keep reading! XD
Oh! And a big, love-filled 'THANK YOU(!)' to my lovely reviewers! (It recently came to my attention that I hadn't said that yet . . . I'm such a lazy person . . .)
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note or any associated characters and settings
0529 hours,
09 days since my life ended
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The kettle made a piercing whistle as it boiled. I hauled myself up from where I was slumped against the bench and strode around the corner. It was early morning, and pale and gloomy light shone through the shutters above the sink. I narrowed my gaze to peer at the grey jungle of concrete and metal beyond. For the first time noticed how much like a sinister cage it seemed. A frowned crept across my face as I recognized the ridiculous thought. It was all in my mind, I told myself firmly.
Because Light and Ryuk were still planning and I was never very good at waiting.
After one night, I was becoming increasingly nervous and jumpy and unable to sleep because we hadn't been found yet. The Cops would have searched the waters by now, known we hadn't drowned in the Grayam River. They would be searching the buildings along either side for a mile, which made me wonder how far away Ryuk's house was from the banks. And how close they were to finding it.
A familiar icy sweat broke out across my skin as I imagined being found. Doors bursting open, my screaming cries, being held at gunpoint. Light was the only one who knew anything, so maybe they'd drag him off and leave me and Ryuk behind.
Or maybe they'd do the same thing they did to your mother . . .
I pushed the horrible voice away and began to tremble because the thought of either scenario happening left me feeling sick.
I placed both hands upon the bench top for support and let my head hang between. The kettle continued to whistle, starting and throbbing against the back of my skull. Through the nauseous terror in my stomach and chest, I thought desperately. Please let them hurry so we can keep running. Running is better than waiting in a trap. Better yet, we might make it out of The Centre.
One hand came off the bench and scrambled to rip open my cargo pants pocket. I fumbled around in the fabric till my fingers came into contact with something smooth and rounded. I withdrew my hand and slapped the item down on the bench.
It was a coin. Imprinted on the surface was the likeness of a face. It was our leader, the Administrator. Ruler of all the technology that ran our world, and commander of the Cops. My eyes traced the big nose and strong jaw.
It calmed me down and I found it odd that the person chasing us would help beat down my fears.
My trembling stopped and I straightened slowly, my eyes still fixed on the coin. I guess in some strange way I felt safer keeping an eye on him. A small bemused grin flitted onto my lips, and I almost laughed at myself. The coin was slipped back into my pocket and zipped away.
I stood still for a moment after, having almost forgotten what I was doing to begin with. Then I was reminded by a suddenly obvious whistling noise.
I bent at the waist and pulled open a cupboard. All three of the faded mugs I pulled out had chips and scratches on them. I strolled to the pantry, pulling out tea bags and sugar, then the fridge, retrieving milk. Both storage spaces were devoid on anything but the bare essentials. Unlike our pantry and fridge at home. Mum had always kept them filled with fresh sweets and treats and home cooked leftovers. I guess by now some of it would be going off.
I felt the familiar pang in my chest for myself, and a not so familiar pang for Ryuk.
I turned my back on them.
As I lifted the kettle, my fingers clenched around the handle of the appliance, and I paused to notice how much thinner and pale they appeared than when I had last looked at them. I sighed and blinked my eyes through the steam. I hated myself nowadays. I was either a nervous, useless wreck, or a cynical downer.
I shook my head and poured the water in swiftly. A few drops splattered onto the stained bench, but I ignored them.
I watched the milk swirl into the mixture blankly, the cups of tea steamed gently and I warmed my hands around them. I picked up two by the fragile handles and left my own cup on the bench for later collection. Balancing them carefully, I weaved my way out into the hall and into the dining room.
It was lit by a flicking light and I could clearly see my brother hunched over a map with Ryuk beside him. Both looked up as I entered, and for one moment, I felt like apologizing and walking out. Something tight was in the air and I had trouble breathing, as though I suddenly found my brother and his friend intimidating. Then the moment passed and I lifted the cups upwardly slightly as though presenting something.
"Want some tea?"
Light's face broke into a small, grateful smile.
"Thank you Sayu."
I smiled in the joy I always felt whenever Light gave me his attention. I placed the cup in front of him almost proudly, and then did the same for Ryuk without the 'proud' part. I felt him watching me as I did so, and glanced up briefly to meet his yellow eyes. He grinned at me.
"Thanks babe."
I narrowed my eyes at him. Reconciled differences or no, I still had no particular fondness for Ryuk.
"Don't call me that."
I turned on my heel and headed towards the kitchen to retrieve my own cup. I was not expecting Light's voice to call after me.
"Hold on a second, Sayu. I need you to be here for this."
I came back instantly, stopping when my knees brushed against the low tabletop.
"What's wrong?"
Light gestured to the floor space on the opposite side of the table.
"Sit down, please. I know you said you didn't really want to know anymore, but unfortunately, I'm going to need both of you to know."
I hesitantly sat down, facing the two boys. Light hadn't phrased his words a request or question because there had never been a time when I'd said no to him. Light prepared his words carefully, his face stern as he concentrated. I waited in silence, watching Ryuk drink his tea with apparent relish. He licked his lips and winked at me when he caught my gaze. I was in the process of flipping him off when Light interrupted.
"Okay, first things first is to explain why everything that's happened has happened."
Light breathed in deeply and I felt my insides knot into clumps. Ryuk watched with unfathomable eyes.
"I have a key to shutting down the Barrier."
I choked on a mix of spit and air, shocked beyond words. Ryuk started forward and a crash made by breaking crockery split the air. I watched Ryuk's tea spill across the carpet; frozen. Ryuk slowly reached out and picked the remains of the cup up. His movement broke my spell.
"Why? Why would you have that Light! WHY?" My voice was desperate.
Our city, The Centre, was broken through the middle by the long, wide Grayam River and surrounded by the Barrier. It encircled us, and under the control of the Administrator, kept everything we didn't want in from the wastelands, out. And everything we didn't want out, in.
The law was harsh, our lives were structured and monitored, and the Cops did strike fear into those who get on the wrong side of authority, but the city was safe. Centre was safe; because of the barrier. Take the barrier away and we were left at the mercy of the limitless savage hoards that lingered hungrily just outside the gates.
This went far beyond what I had sub-consciously thought. Dad hadn't made a serious misstep that cost us our lives; he'd intentionally tried to kill the entire city! He'd given Light a death sentence! I felt an unfamiliar feeling bubble up in my chest. Hatred.
That suicidal, homicidal man had effectively killed my mother.
Light interrupted my rage.
"Sayu! Ryuk! Calm down both of you! Let me explain, it's not what you think. Alright?"
I clenched my trembling hands in my lap and controlled my emotions as best I could. Light was not an idiot, nor was he evil. He would have a reason for taking the key. He would have a reason for actually doing what Dad asked him.
Light sighed and ran a hand through his normally perfect hair.
"You both know Soichiro Yagami was the vice-director of the NPA, right?"
His question was greeted by silence and two slow hesitant nods.
"Well during the course of one of his investigations, dad and the task force he was working with came across something they didn't expect."
I felt my heart skip a beat and then tighten, my breath becoming short.
"What?" Ryuk asked curiously, his attempt at a more typical (for him) pose of slouching was belied by his clenched hands. Light shook his head.
"I don't know, but it made an honorable man like my father desperate enough to abandon us and flee the city."
I took a labored breath, feeling lightheaded. This could not be true. Light continued, it was clear he would allow no more interruptions until he was finished with his story.
"Whatever it was, Dad and the taskforce wanted to stop it. They planned for months, and managed to get this key into their possession, but something went wrong, a member of the group betrayed them and they had to abandon the mission. The key was left in a hiding spot you can only find if you already know where it is.
Before he left, dad got in contact with me and told me to get the key, my mother, my sister and then run. I skipped school that day and collected the key."
Light's words choked to a halt. I felt a sinking in the pit of my stomach, enhancing the feeling that my body was crumpling.
"I- I wasn't quick enough to save mum, but I did get you out Sayu."
He fixed his gaze on me and through the intensity of it, the thought occurred to me that Light had said the last part for his own benefit, as though reminding himself he hadn't let dad down completely.
Ryuk ignored the emotional moment and leaned forward, eyes gleaming, over the map.
"Now what?"
Light had recovered himself better than I had.
"Dad told me we had to take the key and follow them out of the city. We're not to let them regain the key under any circumstances. We must have a back-up plan for capture that will leave the key where our side can find it. That's why I needed you both to know."
"Which means we're heading into the wastelands? That's just stupid! We'll die!" I blurted louder than I meant to, ignoring the second half of Light's words. Light sighed.
"I trust what dad told me."
I tensed my muscles, but let the matter go. I would not get angry with Light. I'd save that for when I came face to face with my father. I un-tensed and asked my second question.
"Why is this happening?"
Light frowned thoughtfully. Ryuk looked up from the map again, his eyes gleaming.
"Your guess is as good as mine-" I highly doubted that- "but judging by everything we know so far, the key, the task force heading to the wastelands and the Cops chasing us means that there are other people living out in the wastelands who intend to bring down the Administrator. Start a rebellion. They would have only received the assistance of the task force if this happening would be good for the people of The Centre, so I'm going to trust dad and do what he said. I think if we meet these people, we can find out why the Administrator or the city's authorities need to be brought down."
My head spun and I felt dizzy from the influx of information. Light paused and silence hung between us for a minute. Suddenly, I wasn't so sure I wanted to follow Light blindly anymore. Not into the wastelands. Not to the possible deconstruction of life in The Centre as I knew it. Ryuk's gravelly voice interrupted my thoughts.
"I've got one last question." Light paused and waited expectantly.
"How did you know where to get the key?"
I froze at the implications behind that sentence. It couldn't be. I looked at Light with beseeching eyes. He wouldn't have without telling me . . . would he? Light looked back at my indecisively, his eyes filled with conflict.
"Light?"
He suddenly looked resigned. I felt my chest tighten even more.
"I already knew about it, about the key and the case they were working on. Dad told me early on. I've known for months. Not everything, just what I've told you."
Ryuk looked surprised, as if he hadn't been expecting that answer and I wanted to punch him for asking that question when it hadn't really mattered. My head drooped forward and I let my hair cover my face.
"What about mum?"
I felt rather than saw Light hesitate for the second time.
"She knew too. We both did. Everyone but you."
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"Onii-chan! Why can't I watch the same movie as you guys?"
"Because you're not old enough, Sayu. You won't understand."
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Did you like it?
Did it leave you feeling slightly less confused than usual?
Do you want more?
Let me know in a review please and I promise I'll get working on the next chapter way quicker than I did on this one! XD!