Chapter 2: Bells
I really like this chapter. Read it and you'll see why. I love the new character we introduce and what we learn about A. This chapter reveals why I wrote this. If, somehow, A is reading this, I hope he likes it.
A hid in the bathroom of the Winchester local church, planning to spend the night in the highest part of the spire, next to the bells. As the jingle of keys signaled the absence of guards, A crept silently up the metal stairway, up to the highest point of the bell tower. Under the huge brass bell, he looked out the small window.
A gently pressed his chin onto the cold, rust-colored marble. It was an old church. The view of Winchester was your typical English small town. It looked like it hadn't changed in the last hundred years. Whammy's House's gat loomed on a hill. The spire was level with his old window. Beyond's silhouette was visible. Could he see him? He knew B had excellent night vision and could probable tell there was a person at the church, but probably didn't know it was him.
An alarm beeped somewhere above him. Wasn't this the highest point? It was followed by a groan and footsteps. A person? A thought the guards had all left! He dove into a dark corner, as not to be seen. The amber beam of a flashlight low on batteries cut the darkness like a knife. A girl with black hair and black-brown eyes clambered down the stairs. She grabbed the rope and pulled it twice. The bells ring sounded that many times. It was so loud that A let out a small yell. The girl screamed and dropped her flashlight on the metal floor with a clatter. It flashed twice and went dead like a firefly.
"Who's there?" the girl's voice quavered slightly with fear like she was trying to be brave.
A decided the time to hide was over and he crept out from his corner.
"My name is A."
That was his introduction. No occupation, no point of origin, no last name. Just A.
"Could you help me find my flash light before I kick it to the bottom? I've already climbed those stairs once this week."
A fumbled through his pockets to find the lighter he had picked up off the street. With a click, a small flame appeared before him, illuminating his face and revealing to the girl his ruddy brown hair.
The girl looked down and, careful not to move her feet, picked up her flashlight.
"Follow me. Watch your step on the stairs."
With a click, A extinguished the small light and followed the girl. He went down on all fours as not to trip and fall spiraling to his death down about one hundred yards of evil metal.
The girl kicked a door open on the top of the stairs. Light suddenly flooded through the room. A squinted against it. Once his eyes adjusted he realized he was being lead up to the girl's room. She offered him a seat beside her on the cot.
"So why are you here?"
A looked away. "Why does it matter?"
"I'm offering you a place to stay. I at least want to know who you are."
"Like I said before, my name is A. I'm a C-level. I also speak Italian and Japanese. I'm six years old and my roommate is, well was, B."
"A? That's really your name?"
He nodded.
"I was orphaned at a young age, so the director gave me the name A."
"What director?"
"The director of Whammy's of course. I've been there for as long as I can remember."
"So, you're gifted?"
"Kind of. I think the word 'gifted' gives a sense of egotism and I don't even know my true name. It gives off the wrong signals."
"Well I thing we should give you a name. A's not a name at all; it's more of an alias. I think Light would do well as a name for you. After all, you did light up the room when I dropped my light. Your presence will make my life interesting. Light up my life, Light!"
A smiled. From that moment forward, A was just an alias. Light would be his true name, although the Shinigami eyes would still see him as "Antonio Vedercci" until he got a true last name and a true family.
Like the plot twist? I don't think you'll see Light/Raito the same way again! Haha! Who knew he was Italian? Review and tell me what you think! Gracias!