A/N: Woohoo! Another update!
Happy New Years, everyone!
Chapter 3: Desperate Measures
In the workroom, Light stood with his arms crossed, watching the large screen. L was perched on a nearby chair while the rest of the Kira investigation team was crowded around them. Everyone was silent, watching the screen intently. It was time to test the Thirteen Day rule. On the large screen, a man wearing an orange prison jumpsuit walked to a table and sat down. Then a piece of death note paper and a pen were placed in front of him.
Light dug his nails into his arm as he anxiously watched the American inmate. The man's name was on a tag on his jumpsuit. Darren Gamble. Light memorized the name while studying his face. He needed to kill this man in exactly thirteen days.
On the screen, a photo of another convict was placed on the table next to Darren Gamble. Gamble picked up the labeled photo and studied it for a second.
"So I just write down this guy's name?" Gamble spoke in English.
A prison guard answered. "Yeah, that's all you have to do."
Gamble shrugged. "Okay, whatever." He grabbed the pen and scribbled down a name. "Can I go now?"
The inmate was escorted out of the room then the large screen shut off.
Mr. Yagami glared at L. "That man has no idea that he just killed someone, does he?"
"The existence of the death notes are top secret," L explained. "Since Gamble has already been convicted of murdering five people, I doubt another death would weigh heavily on his conscience."
Matsuda asked, "So, the other convict is dead? The guy whose name was written down?"
L typed on his computer and confirmed, "Yes, he died of a heart attack as expected."
Mr. Yagami had a grave expression on his face while Matsuda grumbled under his breath, "This feels so wrong."
"It is necessary." L glanced at Light. "In thirteen days, we will have our answer."
Light met the detective's gaze, keeping his face blank. "Yes, we will."
###
Thirteen days.
Light had thirteen days to kill the inmate, or L would have evidence of a fake death note rule. It would incriminate Light and make him seem suspicious. Right now that rule is the only real proof that he isn't Kira…
He needed to kill Darren Gamble. He had seen the man's face, and he knew his name. He also had a piece of death note paper still hidden in his wristwatch. Killing Gamble should be easy. But there was one major problem.
The chain rattled as Light followed L down the hall. It was late and they were heading towards their shared bedroom.
Light had no privacy. L was still watching him 24/7, and there were cameras everywhere. At first, Light had wondered why L allowed him to know so much about Darren Gamble, but now he understood. L wanted Light to see the test subject. He wanted Light to know the inmate's name and face. He was expecting Light to kill the man and he wanted to see it happen.
As they walked, Light glared at the back of L's head. As if I'd be that stupid. Light knew it was a trap. This whole building was bugged. If he's going to write down Gamble's name, he needed to do it outside and away from L.
Light lowered his gaze, focusing on the chain. How could he get away from L long enough to write down the name? It wouldn't take very long. Just a few seconds. That's all he needed, and he could create proof for the fake rule and fabricate his innocence.
After they entered the bedroom, L perched on his side of the bed and balanced his laptop on his knees.
Light stood in front of the bed with his arms crossed. "I want to take a shower."
The detective nodded and took a key out of his pocket. Then Light approached him and stretched out his arm.
L unlocked the handcuff around Light's wrist and said, "You have ten minutes, Light-kun."
"I know." Light rubbed his newly freed wrist and headed into the bathroom adjoined to their bedroom.
He couldn't see any cameras in the bathroom, but he was sure they were there. Light shut the door, removed his clothes, and took a quick shower. When he was done, Light stepped out of the shower stall and dried off. He pulled on his pajamas then walked to the bathroom counter. The mirror was foggy with condensation. Light wiped a hand across the mirror, gazing at his own reflection. His wristwatch was next to him on the counter, and the door was still closed. Also the bathroom was still steamy.
Could he write down Gamble's name now? No, it seemed too easy. L must be watching him right now. Light glanced around the bathroom, trying to find a hidden camera. He couldn't see any. They must be well hidden or tiny.
His heart raced while Light anxiously stared at his wristwatch. He needed to write down Gamble's name. He needed to do it. Maybe he could huddle in a corner of the bathroom or something. Maybe there's a blind spot, an area of the bathroom that L can't see.
He picked up his wristwatch, then set it back down. No, it was too risky. Light needed to test the situation first. He needed to know if L was really watching and how much of the bathroom he could see.
Light was suddenly struck by an idea. He opened a drawer and took out a razor. Then he moved to a corner of the bathroom. While facing the corner, Light held the razor up to his wrist. If L was watching this, he would intervene. It was the perfect test. It would give Light an answer straight away.
Light took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. He didn't like hurting himself, but he needed an answer now. Is L watching? If the detective thought Light was suicidal, he'd be forced to act.
Wincing in pain, Light quickly swiped the razor blade against his arm. Blood trickled down, dripping onto the floor.
Suddenly the door swung open. L barged in and stormed toward Light. The teen flinched as L angrily snatched the razor and flung it at the wall. Then he grabbed Light's arm and pulled him to the counter. L held a towel against Light's arm, putting pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.
L glared at him, his black eyes narrowed with anger. "If you wanted to know about the cameras, you could have asked me."
Light blinked in surprise. Of course, L had it all figured out. The detective knew exactly what Light was doing and why.
"Hmph. And you could have lied," Light scoffed.
When he tried to pull his arm away, but L tightened his grip, refusing to let go.
"You didn't need to hurt yourself, Light-kun. Have you really become that desperate?"
Light scowled at him. "Let go of me."
"Not until I bandage your arm."
"You don't need to do that." Light tried to tug his arm away again. "Just let go."
"As long as Light-kun is in my custody, I am responsible for his safety." L opened a cabinet and pulled out a first aid kit, then he walked back to the bedroom, pulling Light along with him.
L crouched on the bed while Light reluctantly sat down beside him. For the next five minutes, L meticulously cleaned the laceration on Light's arm then wrapped sterile gauze around the wound. While L bandaged Light's arm, the teen waited awkwardly. He didn't expect L to react so strongly. The detective seemed genuinely upset that Light hurt himself.
Why? Why would L care?
Because we're friends. Came an answer from the corner of Light's mind. No. He quickly denied the thought. L was his enemy. He didn't truly care about Light. He only cared about catching Kira and sending Light to his execution. If L won, Light would die.
When L was done bandaging his wound, Light immediately yanked his arm away.
L gave him an annoyed look. "From now on, Light-kun is not allowed in the bathroom by himself."
"What?" Light stood as he protested, "That's ridiculous! You've got to give me some privacy, L!"
"I already watch you whenever you shower or use the bathroom. I've seen you naked countless times, Light-kun. Now I'll simply be in the same room as you."
Light felt his face heat up with a blush. "I won't harm myself again. I promise. You don't need to be in same room."
"Yes, I do. The decision is not up for debate." L grabbed the chain off a nearby nightstand. "Give me your hand, Light-kun."
Light was not happy about it, but he still obeyed the order. He offered his left hand to L, then the detective handcuffed him again, chaining them together.
###
For the next few days, the chain never came off. L and Light were always connected. Every second of every day. Even though they were constantly around each other, Light hardly spoke the detective. Light was too busy thinking. He needed a full-proof plan. He needed to get out of the building and free from the chain. For at least a minute or two. Light spent all of his time thinking and brainstorming. His plan had to be perfect.
###
It was Day 6. After today, Light would only have a week to kill the American inmate. He still wasn't any closer to writing down the name. L was watching him like a hawk. Light was never alone. He couldn't even use the toilet without L standing next to him, watching. It was humiliating.
In the workroom, the Kira investigation team hadn't been doing much. Everyone was just waiting around for the results of L's experiment. Would Darren Gamble die after thirteen days or would he live? That was all they could ever think or talk about. Light was on edge. His father was convinced that the experiment would prove Light's innocence once and for all. That was the outcome Light wanted, but he starting to get nervous.
What if he didn't get an opportunity to write down the name? What then? It'll make Light look more guilty. And the fiasco with Rem's death had already planted a seed of doubt in everyone's mind. People were wondering why Rem sacrificed herself to save Misa. It was a legitimate question. And one Light didn't have an explanation for. If the Thirteen Day rule was proven to be fake, it'd be another thing that Light couldn't explain. Another thing to make people wonder if L could right—if Light truly is Kira.
The situation was bad. Light had tried finding ways to leave the Headquarters. He needed to get away from all the hidden cameras. He made excuses like he wanted to see his mom and sister. But then L said he'd come along and the chain would stay on the whole time. That negated the whole idea, so Light changed his mind about going. Then Light had asked L if he wanted to play tennis. If they played the sport, L would have to remove the chain. Unfortunately, L saw straight through that ploy. He had denied Light's request for a tennis match.
Light was really starting to feel the pressure now. He didn't have a lot of time left…
###
The nightmares started on Day 9. Light dreamed of failure—of losing to L and being sentenced to die. He dreamed of laying in an operating chair as a lethal injection was shot through his veins. His vison of a new perfect world, destroyed.
He always woke up covered in sweat with his heart pounding against his ribcage. Sometimes he woke with a silent scream caught in his throat. It was pathetic. Less than godly. And every time he woke up, L would be there, watching. Always watching with large black eyes. Light couldn't escape that gaze. It followed him everywhere. Light felt cornered. In truth, he was cornered.
Right now, L was on the offensive, and Light was scrambling to defend himself. L was winning.
Light hated that.
###
By Day 11, members of the Kira investigation team were starting to worry. Mr. Yagami and Matsuda in particular kept asking Light if he was okay. Light knew that he must look horrible. He had barely slept in days, and his nightmares were getting worse. He had dark circles under his eyes, and he had trouble focusing on anything.
In the workroom, Light accidently dropped a cup of coffee and it shattered on the floor. For a couple of seconds, he zoned out and stared down at the broken glass.
"Are you okay, son? You don't look so good," Mr. Yagami said with concern.
"Do you need to see a doctor?" Matsuda asked.
"I'm fine." Light leaned down to pick up the broken pieces of glass, but then L yanked on the chain, stopping him.
"Don't worry about cleaning it, Light-kun. I'll ask Watari."
Light glared at L. "I don't need an old man cleaning up after me."
Matsuda quickly offered, "No, it's okay. I'll do it!"
While Matsuda started cleaning up the mess, Light muttered, "Thanks."
Meanwhile L was already walking away. The chain tugged on Light's wrist, then he grudgingly followed the detective toward their workstation.
L crouched down the chair in front of his computer and began typing while Light sat down in the chair next to him. For a couple of minutes, Light blankly stared at the computer screen in front of him. Only two days left. He only had two days left to write down Darren Gamble's name. His victory as Kira was riding on this. Light needed to pull this off. He needed to get out of this building and away from the cameras. He needed-
His eyes widened as he recalled Matsuda's question. "Do you need to see a doctor?" The idiot actually suggested something useful for once.
Light should see a doctor… He needed a medical emergency that would force L to take him to a hospital. In the emergency room, L may have to take off the chain if the doctor wanted to run medical tests. Maybe Light could even get a few minutes of privacy. That's all he needed. A few minutes alone would ensure his victory.
Light smirked. Darren Gamble would die right on schedule.
A/N: Dun dun dun! Next time, the battle of minds continue!
Reviews are love!
Also, yes, I'm preparing to move my stories onto aao3, so they'll be on two sites. :)