"And you're telling me this because…?"
Why Beyond had thought coming to L would be a good idea was completely beyond him now. Instead of the shocked or grateful reply he had expected, he was met with nothing but irritation at the fact his work had been interrupted.
"Because she's your successor."
"And?"
And?! What more do you need?!
"And she's not been going to her classes, meaning she might never be on a high enough level to succeed you if we fail."
"Do you intend to fail?"
Yes. "No, but that's not my point. My point is she's missing the classes to hide out in the rafters."
"You miss classes all the time. Why is this issue any different?"
"…"
Beyond glowered at the male in front of him. He was crouched in an arm chair, arranging what looked like M&M's into colours as they spoke. If anyone ever saw him, they wouldn't think he was considered the World's Greatest Detective at all.
"I believe the real problem here, BB, is that you're annoyed that you are not the only one breaking the rules anymore. Or perhaps it's simply for the fact that you've realised she is achieving something you have been unable to, as of yet."
"And what would that be?"
"Complete anonymity."
If he didn't know any better, the young killer would have been convinced that L was mocking him.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I don't believe that. If you had no idea you wouldn't be here in the first place. Am I correct, BB?"
"Stop calling me that. My name is Beyond. I am not a letter."
"No, you are two."
Was that... humour?
The sound of the grandfather clock tick-tocking was the only sound that filled the room at that moment. Beyond was barely managing to hold it together; his urge to reach forward and snap the other's neck increasing to dangerous levels every second.
Go on. Just do it. You don't want to be here anyway. Kill the boy and leave. No-one would blame you.
"No."
L's gaze remained steady and his expression stayed unchanging as he stared at Beyond.
"No?"
"You're wrong." People would blame me. I wouldn't be able to leave.
"I am? How unusual."
This brought Beyond Birthday back to his senses and his eyes narrowed as he realised L believed all of this was about him.
You hate him.
"Yes."
"Oh? Please, tell me how so. I would like to hear your evidence for such a claim."
"I don't care about her anonymity. I simply don't want to have someone who is meant to be a better version of myself to be weak or uneducated. That would be an insult to my name."
"But that is not an issue."
He always has an answer for everything. I know how you can shut him up.
"How?"
"Because, BB, she is not your back-up. You are my back-up. You all are."
White noise.
That was what was filling the air at that exact moment.
White noise.
There was no moment where Beyond could think, there was nothing inviting him to reach a conclusion about what had been said, there was only white noise.
And that was when he heard it. The small voice which was slowly increasing in volume as it repeated the words "back-up" in his mind, over and over again.
Back-up.
Back-up.
Back-up!
BACK-UP!
Over and over and over and over and over.
For anyone else, the situation would be uncomfortable upon reaching the realisation that Beyond was incapable of responding. But not L. No, L just remained in his ridiculous crouched position, with the same ridiculous expression on his face, with the same air of disappointment that he always possessed – waiting. That's what he was doing. Waiting.
You can make him disappear.
"How?"
Whether it was the lack of volume that accompanied Beyond's voice or the fact that he had simply repeated the same word as previously said was unknown, but it caused L to shift and release a heavy sigh of disappointment. Almost as though his expectations had not been met.
Not here. Not now.
"You have already asked that question, BB, and I have already answered it. If you have nothing else to discuss, I would like to return to my work now."
The pointed look towards the door through which Beyond had entered was enough of a hint for the young murderer to realise he was being asked to leave. It was also not going to be something he didn't accept. Beyond wanted to get out and he wanted to do it now and, luckily for him, L had just given him the perfect reason to.
"If you don't deal with her, L, I will."
"As I have no doubt you will."
Beyond nodded and turned to leave, more than happy to get out of the infuriating situations L managed to make. However, it appeared L wasn't quite done since as soon as Beyond reached the door, L's voice caused him to stop in his tracks, yet again.
"Beyond?"
He did not turn to face the other, despite his name being called.
"Yes?"
"What do you see?"
Beyond glanced over his shoulder at L and blinked; his expression unchanging despite the odd question. However, he knew exactly what he was asking.
"I don't think it's time for me to share that information, Lawliet. Maybe next time."
He didn't stay around for further questioning, or even to relish in the undoubtedly shocked expression which would have formed on L's face at that exact moment. No. Instead Beyond made his way outside, through the courtyard and up to the front gate where he stood and glared.
There was always something blocking his way.
It's an electric code lock. You know how to figure that out. All it'd take would be a few moments and you could be free.
But where would he go once he was outside?
He couldn't go anywhere too public in case the Police found him and sent him back to another orphanage. He couldn't go anywhere predictable in case Wammys actually sent someone out to bring him back. But he couldn't go anywhere deserted either. Boredom was not something he dealt with very well. So where?
People are going to die today. If you went outside you could find one of them and give them a little push. You know you want to. It'd get rid of the desire burning inside of you too. Perhaps you'd be able to deal with L better if you were to relieve yourself from that urge. You don't want to appear foolish twice, do you?
"No."
Beyond swiftly moved to the keypad on the right wall beside the gate and stared at it for a moment.
"There are at least ten thousand possible combinations if I include the possibility for repeated numbers… ten thousand possible combinations. Perhaps the founding year? But what would that be? They wouldn't use the year myself and A joined because Wammy's was here before then. So maybe when L joined which, judging by his age could be anywhere in the past fifteen years."
Beyond shut his eyes and sighed.
"No, that isn't right. There are too many choices for that to be their option. And there doesn't appear to be any consequences for entering the wrong number multiple times. So it has to be something different. Something people wouldn't just assume."
His eyes opened again and he refocused on the pad.
"There has to be something to give it away." he muttered as he brushed his fingers across the keys.
Wait.
Beyond halted, his hand hovering an inch above the number seven.
Go back to three.
He did as the voice asked; placing his finger on the number without any real understanding as to why.
Do you feel it?
"No."
Stupid boy. Move to two.
He did as instructed and grinned. He did feel it.
"The buttons most frequently pressed have a slight indent from the natural acids found on their fingers! All I have to do is find the most indented and go from there. So first, I have to find out which ones are indented…"
Three…
He moved his fingers over the other keys, frowning softly.
Five…
Of course, it wasn't going to be easy to judge the difference in indentation.
Six…
But it wasn't going to be impossible either. All he had to do was find the last key-
Nine! Three, five, six and nine. Those are your numbers. Now the combination.
It took him a lot less time than he had anticipated and, in no time, Beyond had entered the code – 9635. He stepped back upon hearing the quiet squeak of the gates beginning to roll aside and watched as his desires began to become a reality.
Soon you will be able to beat him. Soon you will be able to surpass L.
"Surpass L, huh?"
Still grinning, Beyond took the step over the threshold into freedom and took a moment to look around.
"I like the sound of that."
*Authors Note*: Okay, there's no excuse for the length of my updates and I'm not going to give you one. However, university is almost over for the year (roll on July 16th) and then, hopefully, I'll be able to get back on track. Although I have said that before so no promises.
Like always, thank you all for the views, recommendations, reviews and favourites. I appreciate it.