Chapter seven:

Matt was heading to the exit during this time but still is very tense but this time it is mixed with worry. "Maybe I should have gone with Mello." He mumbles to himself as he continues walking. "I hope they're alright." He hears the Griffin screech making him jump and look around to try to find where it is. He lets out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding and continues walking to where Mello said the exit is but picking up the pace a little. 'Got to get out of here before the Griffin or Manticore find me!' His thought's scream in his head. 'I got to find help for Near and Mello.' His thoughts also remind him.

The Griffin comes down from the sky landing hard right in front of Matt making the red head fall back slightly throwing his camera into the air so it lands in a nearby bush though it's angle still manages to capture Matt on the ground. The Griffin takes a step towards Matt opening its mouth only to let out a screech as it slashes at Matt who barely manages to roll out of the way in time to avoid the attack.

Matt gets up to his feet as fast as possible dashing into the direction that is heading in the opposite direction of the Griffin and deeper into the forest. He leaves his camera behind him as he runs but because he has been running so much he is starting to run out of breath along with his sides starting to hurt. He pushes himself to keep running in the darkness but it is getting increasingly difficult to do so. He glances behind himself and runs into a very solid tree making him stop moving until he falls onto the ground on his back. He doesn't move as he tries to stay conscious but he loses consciousness seeing the night almost dawn sky as the last thing he sees before he falls into unconsciousness.

Though the screech of the Griffin is the last thing he hears.

Mello and Near continue moving towards the exit of the forest.

Near is starting to fight to stay conscious making Mello begin to wonder if he will make it out of the forest.

Mello looks to the dark forest as the sun begins it's really slow rise into the sky giving them a little more light. He switches his camera out of night vision mode just in case he needs it quickly for something. He puts the strap attached to his camera to around his wrist then he shifts picking Near up with Near on his back.

Near quickly wraps his arms around Mello's neck as Mello picks him up off the ground. "Mello…." He says weakly. "I can walk." He keeps a grip on his camera accidently pushing the button to turn off night vision mode.

Mello snorts in slight laughter. "Yeah right. You're struggling to stay conscious right now. We shouldn't be too much farther from the exit." He says making sure he has a good grip on Near's thighs that are pressed against his sides making sure Near stays up. He picks up the pace a little from the pace they were walking.

Near smiles softly and lays his head on Mello's shoulder so his facing Mello's neck since it's the most comfortable. "Thank you Mello." He says softly but loud enough for Mello to hear then he closes his eyes to slits. "Let me know if you get tired." Near's voice sounds more like a weak mumble that is just able to be understood.

Mello's eyes flicker to Near's face seeing the others eyes start to slip closed but Near refuses to let them close fully trying to stay conscious though losing the battle. His worry for the pale boy spikes to a high level as he knows that if Near goes into unconsciousness then the smaller boy could very well die without real medical help soon. He tries to make it out of the forest as fast as he can making sure to not let himself get too exhausted. "Hang in there Near." He says in a worried voice and his voice even cracks a little.

A shadow of the Griffin flying by overhead makes Mello stop walking for a moment to glance up.

He feels Near become limp, though he can still feel the others small breaths, making him look to Near seeing that Near has fallen unconscious. He turns back to the direction he needs to be heading in and continues moving still going as fast as he can at the moment.

The only thought running through his mind at that moment is 'I got to get Near out of here before he dies!'

He tries looking for short cuts hoping to find some way out of the forest more quickly but he doesn't see any so he keeps moving as the sun continues to rise in the sky. He feels Nears breath's start to slow down and he glances once again to Nears face seeing that he doesn't have long. He turns away noticing Near had dropped his camera most likely when he had fallen unconscious. He pushes it away and continues to move to get out of the forest. 'Please Near don't give up on me! Not now!' He tries to send his thoughts to Near as tears threaten to fill his eyes if he wasn't pushing them away. 'Please. We'll make it out and you'll give me a challenge again like you always do! Playing with your toys and puzzles even twirling your hair.' He stops his thoughts as the urge to cry becomes stronger though he won't let his pride fall to reduce himself to tears.

Near forces his eyes open half way to being half way open. "Mello….." His weak voice says shakily and softly almost in a whisper.

Mello's eyes flicker to Near's face meeting Near's eyes. "Save your strength Near." He tells the smaller boy. "I'm sure we'll be out soon and then you'll get the medical help you need." He says concentrating on where he is going glad they haven't ran into the Griffin or the Manticore yet.

Near's eyes badly want to close again as he forces the softly spoken words out of his mouth. "I'm sorry Mello… Leave me and get out of here."

Mello growls upon hearing this. "No. Don't say such things. We both are getting out of here and even Matt will get out of this. We're all getting out of this alive. Do you hear me? All of us! Matt should have already gotten out and went to look for help. Just hang in there. Don't you dare die! Not like this. Besides if you die now then my debt to you for you saving my life will not be paid off."

Near feels very touched by Mello's words and the corners of his lips twitch very slightly upwards in a smile knowing that what Mello said about the debt sounds more like an excuse. "You tried." He pauses to get the next words out. "That's enough to repay the debt you believe you owe me." His eyes start to slip close.

"Near we will make it out. Just stay alive, no matter what stay alive." Mello tells him finding it harder and harder to hold back his tears as the realization that Near has a very slim chance of surviving if this continues. "We'll get out of here." He whispers under his breath repeating it a few times as he sees what he believes is the exit up ahead.

"I love you Mello." Near breaths out. "Even if you don't return my feelings I am glad that I managed to spend my last moments with you." He pauses a moment before speaking again. "My real name's Nate River."

"SHUT UP!" Mello snaps letting some tears escape making him sniffle softly. "Don't you dare talk as if you're not going to make it! Just stop talking and save your strength so you can stay alive." His voice sounds a little broken and he doesn't feel his camera beginning to fall off.

Near manages to open his eyes even if it's just a touch more at Mello's words and tone.

There's a few moments of silence between as they are very close to what seems like the exit.

"Near…" Mello speaks a little quietly but still loud enough for Near to be able to hear and a few more tears fall down his face as he says his next words. "I…. I love you too." His broken voice lets the words slip past his lips swallowing harshly before being able to speak again. "My real name's Mihael Keehl." He doesn't say anything for a few seconds. "Near?"