The morons shot at each other as Beyond stepped out of his new house. The old recruits welcomed the new recruits a bit too ferociously. A few of them were already sprawled on the ground with blood dripping from their frozen corpses. Beyond growled and immediately yanked the man's hair closest to him. A small smile ran across his lips.
"You like shooting at each other? Killing each other before the government can?" His hushed voice immediately caught the congregation's attention. They watched, mouths open, as Beyond pulled a knife from his holster and slid it across the man's cheek. Blood poured down his face. Beyond glanced at each man around him before he threw the man on the floor.
"I don't need you," he assured them. "I don't need any of you, but you want power, and I'd rather not get my hands dirty. I don't need you, but to achieve our goal, you need me."
The men immediately understood his implication. The drawn guns disappeared back into their holsters. A girl who'd been caught in the line of fire caught Beyond's eye. Her chest heaved up and down, but it was evident she was close to death. Beyond clicked his tongue. It wasn't even her time yet; poor thing suffered from idiocy.
"Pick that girl up," Beyond demanded. "You all ensured me the safety of those I wanted to keep alive. Yet, here's one whose dead. What's her name?"
After a moment of silence, someone answered, "Sayu Yagami."
Beyond snickered; every tragedy does, in fact, have a bright side. A few men lifted young Yagami's limp body off the floor and carried her to the hospital down the street. Even if she survived, the story of her death would certainly please Sheriff Yagami. Before Beyond could turn to deliver the news, though, a man ran over, calling his name. The man, who Beyond only recognized because he was a telegrapher, waved a piece of paper in the air.
"Beyond," he panted. "A friend of mine, who works for the governor, just sent over a telegram."
Beyond yanked the piece of paper from the man.
G-O-V-E-R-N-O-R R-E-C-E-I-V-E-D M-E-S-S-A-G-E F-R-O-M L.
H-E I-S A-R-R-I-V-I-N-G I-N O-L-D-T-O-W-N I-N O-N-E W-E-E-K.
Y-O-U C-A-N F-I-N-D H-I-M T-H-E-R-E.
"Your friend actually works for the governor?" Beyond asked in disbelief.
"Yessir, he's the governor's personal telegrapher," the man grinned.
All his hard work tracking his Lawliet finally paid off in an instant. Anticipation boiled in his stomach. Soon Lawliet would be all his. Beyond summoned a few of his best men and brought them into his dining room.
"I've called you for a private mission. You will be retrieving both L and Light Yagami. You can do whatever you please with Yagami, but you will not touch L. The man who does will lose all twenty fingers and toes. If you-"
A door slamming cut Beyond's speech. He snapped his head back to see who dared interrupt him. A bloody Mello glowered at the crew from the door way. His swollen eyelid swallowed his left eye. Blood dripped from the top of his head, matting his blond hair. Beyond's eyes lit up at the fantastic appearance.
"Mello, I'm glad you've joined us. I was wondering if you would like to lead this little side mission. I thought you'd enjoy it."
"Do I gotta kill Light?"
"Only if you want."
"Awright," Mello nodded. "Just tell me what I need to do."
Light smacked his cracked lips together as he peered into the distance. In the pale light of the morning sun, he finally spotted their destination: Old Town. A long finger brushed against Light's chest. Lawliet had grown too weary to walk, so Light had slung him over his shoulders and carried him for half the night. He finally fell asleep.
"We'll be there soon," Light mumbled to himself. Lawliet's breath tickled his ear in response.
Lawliet hadn't slept since they left the valley. He movements were erratic and he seemed suddenly jumpy and uneasy. Light tried to soothe him, but Lawliet shot down any offer of help. He couldn't seem to fathom the strange, yet enlightening experience they had in the valley. Maybe it was all too much for him.
Light couldn't blame him. Everyone once believed Light had an extrodianary destiny and, surprisingly, they were correct. The strange connection between Light and Lawliet finally made sense, although Light's feelings hadn't disappeared since the phenomenon. There was something more.
As they approached Old Town, Light's knees suddenly gave way. He collapsed, somehow managing to protect Lawliet's fragile body. Lawliet grumbled and opened his wide eyes.
"What?" he murmured.
"Sorry," Light answered and pushed himself back onto his feet.
He helped Lawliet up and offered to carry him again. Lawliet shook his head and glanced towards the town. "So, we're almost there." A wry smile appeared on his lips. "Finally."
"Lawliet, what's gonna happen to me when we reach the Governor's home?" Light asked.
Lawliet shrugged. "I can't give you a certain answer, Light. Governor Mikami agreed your death was necessary for the safety of his community."
"Because he signed that goddamn contract?" Light snarled. "That paper determines whether I live or die? Ain't that a bit unfair, Lawli. I think I've done more than enough to deserve a second chance."
The sparkle in Lawliet's eyes said it all; Lawliet believed Light was too guilty, or evil, to be given any chances. Including the one Light yearned for the most. But, Lawliet only shrugged. "I cannot speak for the governor, Light. Let's keep going."
Old Town held a certain charm which fit with it's name. The townsfolk smiled at Lawliet and Light as they walked down the main street. The buildings' styles were straight out of story books. Each person had a certain skip in their step and, if it were possible, Light was sure they would break out singing and dancing.
"Hello there," someone sang and waved at them. "Would y'all like to try some of my cactus juice? With some special spices, it's about the best darn thing you'll ever taste. Everybody's told me so!"
"No thanks," Lawliet answered without giving the man a glance.
However, the bakery next to the man immediately caught his attention. Before Light could say anything, Lawliet grabbed his arm and dragged him into the sweet-smelling store. The wood floors sparkled and white linens lined the walls. The plump woman behind the counter smiled at their arrivals.
"Well howdy," she grinned. "And what can I do for y'all?"
"One slice of everything, please," Lawliet's eyes were locked on the cakes displayed at the window.
The plump woman chuckled and began to buslte around her store, collecting a piece of every cake and placing them into a box. "So what brings y'all to our town?"
"Business," Light immediately answered. "Do you know where we can stay for a night? We arrived a bit early."
"Why sure. There's actually a few places all around town. We do love our visitors. The saloon has a few rooms and I think there's a few vacancies in the rooms above the grocery store. And, if y'all want, I got a few rooms above here that ain't seen a visitor in a few months. But don't you worry, I clean 'em twice a day!"
"We'll take one," Lawliet spoke through a mouthful of cake.