SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY.

As a writer, I seem to apologize a lot....

As of now, I don't have internet at my house (I'm at a friend's now) and I have no idea when I'll get it back. I can post this because my BETA e-mailed it to me. I'm sorry. So sorry. So very sorry. I'll post as soon as I can, but I don't know when that'll be.

I'm sorry,

kyo

"Matt?" I muttered into the dark, feeling like maybe my voice would lose its way and never make it to Matt's ears. He didn't answer, only enhancing my fears. "I'm worried." I admitted, not liking the feel of the words in my mouth and convincing myself that that was the reason I let them out.

"Don't be." He answered, his grip on my hand tightening almost like it was supposed to reassure me. I found it exceedingly difficult to not be worried when I was somewhere - judging by how long we'd been walking, very far - in a cave and I couldn't see a single thing except black. It was getting colder and colder the longer we walked, but Matt's hand was warm. I knew if I let go of the redhead for even a second I may never find my way out again.

"D-do you know how long it's been? What on earth is your mom making? Did she kill off Roger or something?"

Matt let out a loud laugh, his voice echoing off walls that must have been farther away than I thought they were. "No, no, I promise. She probably distracted him with small talk." But his pace quickened as if he'd just remembered that we did have a place to get back to. "Come on, it's only a bit further."

I felt some of my worries melt away with this reassurance. Because I was that much closer to Elsewhere. It was only a bit further. It didn't occur to me that quite a very long time ago he had assured me with almost the same words.

Matt pulled me into an abrupt turn and "only a bit further" I could see faint light. Was Elsewhere outside the other opening of the cave? I felt so excited I picked up pace so I was almost next to Matt. "Duck." Matt warned as he leaned down to slip under the smaller opening. I followed suit, almost hitting my head, but managing to gauge my height just enough.

The small entrance opened up to a place I was surprised was not the outside. Instead it was a large dome-like opening with holes in the ceiling, letting rays of light trickle down, illuminating the walls with a faintly blue glow. It was something close to stunning, I had to admit. Matt smiled at my shocked expression, still not letting go of my hand. I didn't mind. I needed something to keep me steady as my eyes adjusted to the new level of light. "Matt, it's--"

The Mario theme interrupted me. Matt flipped open the cell phone to read the message it offered. "We need to go." He relayed.

"But," I started.

"Dinner will be ready soon. We have to be in hearing range by then."

"But we just got here!" I argued.

"Roger will throw a royal fit if we aren't there when Mom calls."

"Matt, I wanna stay!!" I mustered up my best 'that's final' tone, but he didn't bite.

"Mello, we have to go." He answered.

"Ma-"

"Next time, Mel. But if we aren't on time, there won't ever be a next time."

I shifted. "You called me Mel." I answered.

"Sorry." He murmured, pulling me back to the small opening in the wall - the only opening there, I realized.

I mentally recoiled from his apology. "No." I muttered back. "I like it."

"Hm." He sounded amused by the idea. "I don't." He admitted. "Everyone calls you that now. I don't like calling you what everyone else does. I like calling you something different."

I frowned, even though in the dark - and with his back to me - there was no way he could see my expression. "Only adults call me Mello anymore." I noted. "Teachers and Roger and Watari and them." I paused. "And you."

"Hm." He sounded displeased by the idea. "I can't call you Mihael. I'll get in trouble." Even though I loved how my name sounded in Matt's voice, I didn't give him this opinion.

"You and your 'childhood friend' call each other by your real names." I pointed out.

"Not on purpose. That's just a hard habit to break." He paused. "I could call you Melly."

"I might kill you."

"Might?" He purred.

"As in, just for suggesting it. If you actually tried, I'd have to kill you." I assured.

"Have to?" He chuckled.

"It's in my code of honour."

"... Honour?"

"Zip it, Matty!" I bit back.

"So sorry, Mihael." He laughed.

"Jeez, you. You can't just jump around because you can't pick a name." I sighed.

That was the last of the talking. The rest was left to rushing. And though I found it hard to rush away from Elsewhere, I kept the promise of visiting again ringing in my ears. That was enough. Almost enough. I mean, don't get me wrong, the urge to turn back was strong, especially faced with the craggy pond-lake. But, with Matt's urging, I persevered. Until we heard his mom's faint voice calling out into the woods, and I realized I was no longer allowed to turn back.

We emerged from the woods while I picked leaves out of my messy-as-all-hell hair. Aida Jeevas was on the back porch watching us with Kita at her side, eagerly wagging her tail and watching Matt. Waiting, I think, until we were a safe distance from the woods she so dreaded. I awkwardly pulled my hand out of Matt's before his mom could say anything. "Welcome home." She greeted instead. I liked the warmth in the unfamiliar words. When I guess we reached the right point, Kita came bounding up to Matt, who leaned down to pet her. Roger peeked out from inside the house, looking like he couldn't believe we'd come back. I ignored him to pick leaves out of Matt's messy hair.

Next time. Next time Matt came home, he'd take me with him. And we'd go back to Elsewhere. Matt's place, more than anything. But I was the one he'd allowed to enter. It was sacred, I felt. And Matt had dubbed me not tainted enough, not sinful, clean enough to enter. Next time, I reminded myself. I could go back next time. I had lost nothing on this trip. Only gained.