(Mello P.O.V)

My stomach twisted in both pain and disgust as I sat in the police office. I was thankful to have been found by them, but I wished they had come sooner.

I answered their questions to the best of my ability, but throughout the entire process I wanted to be alone. Well… maybe not all alone. If Matt was with me I would be okay with that. I had missed his stupid jokes and his constant presence. If he were with me at the moment, everything would've been easier for me.

The policeman who found me stayed at my side. He had given me some hot chocolate to sip as he asked questions.

Honestly, what was there to ask? It should have been evident by now, I told them what those men had done. Albeit I had been pushed into telling the truth, but it was all there in black and white. I had been raped… humiliated and used. Those men took away something I'd never get back.

At this point… I didn't know if I was angry or sad anymore. I didn't know what to feel.

It wasn't long before they told me a Quillish Wammy and my older brother were on their way. I knew it was L and Watari, though L wasn't allowed to give his true name. It made me feel a bit better knowing L was coming to get me personally, even though it would be safer for him not to.

I think it had been a good twenty minutes before L had shown up with Watari. I was also really happy to see Matt was there with them. As soon as I caught sight of him I ran to him for a hug. Of course, he hugged back and held me as close to him as he could. Not one of the policemen that had taken me in had been able to even go near me without me flinching in fear. But Matt would always have my trust. He could never hurt me.

While L and Watari spoke to the police, Matt and I were taken to a room where we couldn't hear them. As if we were two stupid kids who didn't know what was going on. For fucks sake, I lived through it! I knew exactly what happened! But I suppose we were only ten. Still, it made me mad that they treated this so delicately around me.

Matt was quiet for a while, which made me a bit nervous. Usually he had at least one stupid joke. All I needed was a smile, and even that couldn't happen at the moment.

Finally, he spoke. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

I looked at him. "How is any of this your fault? I was the one that ran off."

"Because I berated you in the library. I shouldn't have bullied you like that."

"Matt, you are many things. Annoying, loud, fidgety, possibly ADHD, and sometimes obnoxious. But you are NOT a bully. If anything I'm the bully. I shouldn't have pushed you, and I'm sorry. I wouldn't have blamed you if you didn't come to see me right now."

Matt hugged me gently. "You're my best friend. When you need me most I'm there. I'll always be there."

I hugged him back, tears rolling down my eyes. No matter what, I always had him by my side. It didn't matter if I was at my lowest of lows, or highest of highs. He didn't see me any differently than any other day. Matt was so much more than a best friend to me. He was my companion, a partner, a part of my life that I needed. Wherever I went, he was there with me to help along the way. Something I only wished I could repay him for.

It was another hour and a half before we left and it was close to midnight at this point. Matt had fallen asleep in the car, but I was wide awake. I don't think I wanted to close my eyes. I was afraid I'd see them if I did.

L put a hand on my shoulder. "You were very brave talking to them, Mello. Not a lot of people have the guts to speak after… that."

"Just say it, L." I said in irritation. "After they get raped. I'm tired of it being dodged from me. It makes it sound worse."

L looked at Watari through the rear-view mirror, then back at me. "I apologize. Sometimes I forget you're mentally older than you appear. I'm just sick of seeing you go through so much… if I treat you like a child, it's because you deserve to be one for once."

I only hummed in reply. I decided to change the subject. "So what were you doing in Los Angeles? You said you'd tell me."

L gave me a quick glance, then replied. "I'll tell you when we get home. I don't think this is something Matt should hear."

"Is it about B?"

L looked at me in somewhat of surprise. "What makes you say that?"

"B was in LA… in the asylum. I figure it has to do with him."

The dark haired detective looked out the window. "It's quite the story."

I managed a grin. "I like stories."

A/N: And thus Mello was told of Beyond. More to come, and please review.