Thank you all who faved/followed and Guest for the review. Warning: TORTURE
13th September
Light had no idea how much time had passed since he'd been taken. Meals had come at irregular intervals and bathroom breaks were just as scattered, not once had he encountered the neutralizer and not once did he make it out of a meeting unharmed. He'd gained multiple lacerations, contusions and what he suspected were a few fractured bones in his hands. Not once did he allow Beyond to witness his pain, only ever briefly falling apart once the man had left only to regain himself and come back stronger than before. The sound of the door opening didn't even encourage him to get up from his position laid out on the ground, the sound of multiple footsteps and water slapping against something, did however. A large tub now sat in the middle of the room, Thierry, Beyond and a masked blonde woman stood gathered around it even as Beyond stood in front of the camera, a grin twisting his face.
"Lawli, Lawli, Lawli, how long is it going to take? What do I have to do to get a faster response around here?" He asked the camera, snapping his gaze to Thierry before jerking his head in Light's direction. "I've decided to start increasing my torture methods for every hour you don't find me."
Light shot to his feet backing away from Thierry and preparing the attack the man when his vision altered and everything shifted, causing him to stumble as he tried to fight the warper's ability. Hands grabbed him and he felt his knees get kicked out from behind, his vision clearing just in time for him to glimpse the icy surface of the water before his head was thrust underwater.
'Holy fuck, it's cold, I can't breathe.' His thoughts came in disjointed sentences even as his lungs burned for air as his head was pulled back allowing him to gasp for breath, ice water running in rivets down his spine before his head was shoved back in. He scrambled for purchase, hands gripping the side of the tub in an attempt to yank himself out when he was allowed to breathe again. He was mid gasp when his head was shoved back in, water filling his lungs causing his throat to burn from the cold as he choked on the watery gasp of what had been air. He was held under longer this time, instincts finally overriding logic causing him to inhale water as darkness began to dance around the edge of his sight. His head was pulled back out again and he was immediately released, vomiting up the water he'd inhaled and overcome with full body shakes.
"Waterboarding? What a way to kick off the torture," He rasped, voice scratchy as it hurt to speak and his teeth chattered too hard for him to control. "What's next, knife play?" His voice was stronger this time so the sarcasm could be heard in his words.
Beyond turned to him, red eyes gazing straight into his own. Most people would cower under the gaze of a high level Level 4 shinigami Power, but Light was more than immune, meeting Beyond's gaze head-on. The only reason why they were even able to do what they'd done was because they had a neutralizer on their side, but people make mistakes, and the moment the neutralizer Power made hers Light was ready to pounce.
"It's always nice to have some input from the victim, unfortunately we'll be trying out the 'rusty plier' routine, but rest assured your contribution will be taken into account." Beyond said, looking to Thierry and the blonde woman. "Abier, Wedy, get the tub and let's go. I'll be back later Lawli." Beyond left with a promise, Thierry and Wedy following behind with the tub.
When the door closed behind them Light allowed himself to fall to the ground and huddle in on himself in an attempt to warm himself from the water. Shivers raked his body and he seriously considered stripping from his wet cloths before he remembered that any number of people would be watching. He resigned himself to being miserable even as his shaking fingers traced over the silver 'L'.
/:/:/
L had gnawed on his thumb well past the quick, the metallic tang of blood on his tongue snapping him from his daze long enough to switch hands earning a disapproving look from Watari who was currently in the middle of supplying the team with food and drinks. Light's apartment had become a second home for the hero team, futons lay scattered on the floor along with blankets and pillows on couches as well as the futons themselves.
'Light would be horrified by the police presence in his home.' L thought, dropping his hand and picking up a hard candy instead, eyes never leaving the TV even as the other officers attempted to locate the missing man. Mogi had practically hijacked Light's laptop, running facial scans and multiple other checks to try and narrow down the search area. They had everything they'd ever need on Thierry Morello, aka, Aiber, but nothing on the blonde woman who accompanied him. That was until Beyond let slip her alias, 'Wedy'.
"Mogi, search for anything and everything in relation to a neutralizer Power with the alias Wedy!" L ordered, wishing he was able to help Light at that very moment rather than further down the line. He couldn't believe that it'd taken Beyond so long before he moved on to actual torture methods, and he couldn't help but wish that Light had kept his mouth shut on the topic. He truly didn't want to watch his lover be cut apart before him.
"She's a well-known thief, responsible for multiple high-caliber thefts until she recently moved on to kidnapping. I can't seem to find a nameā¦" Mogi trailed off when the laptop emitted a beep, Matsuda and Aizawa turning to look though chief Yagami and L's focus remained on Light's shivering form. "Her name is Mary Kenwood. I could have found her days ago, I'm sorry, I didn't even think to search the database that criminal Powers operate on." Mogi's tone was apologetic.
"You have a photo?" L asked, shifting his attention to the man. Mogi turned the screen towards him in answer. "If only we could get this to Light-kun." L looked back to the TV. "Does it say what Level she is?"
"High level Level 4."
"Level 4."
Mogi and Light had spoken at the same time, the teams attention dividing between the pair even as Mogi went silent and Light continued.
"The bitch is a high level Level 4, I didn't notice it earlier due to the lack of contact between us." Light shifted a bit so he was facing the door with a contemplative look and fell silent.
"How'd he know that?" Matsuda asked in awe as he looked from Light to the photo on the laptop.
'It's not the first time he's been able to guess someone's Level. I wonder if it's something shinigami Powers are able to do.' L thought as he munched on another hard candy. "Chief Yagami, as a truth seeker are you able to tell someone's Level by simply coming in contact with them?" L asked, his second theory seeming more likely.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Chief Yagami asked in disbelief. "My son is being tortured in camera and you find the time to ask me something like that?"
L crunched down upon the candy harshly as he looked at the older man. "If Light-kun gets it into his head that he's able to escape them because they are lower Levels then he, he could make a mistake that'll end in his death. I need to know what he may be planning." L gestured to Light who was still wearing a contemplative look. "If Beyond has the same ability then chances are high he's planned for it."
Chief Yagami heaved a sigh, looking back at the image of his son. "Yes, it's part of being a truth seeker. Sayu, my youngest, is capable of the same thing." He finally admitted.
"Then Light-kun has the advantage of knowing their Levels and acting accordingly. " L said with a hint of hope in his tone. "I'd much rather we bring him home without that becoming an issue though."
