(Mello P.O.V)

Throughout the whole car ride I kept my eyes locked on the driver. Making sure he wouldn't get close to Matt or Near. There were times he'd look back to see me staring him down. He'd laugh at this, but I'd stay as determined as before. Maybe I believed I could blow up his head by just looking at him. Stupid dream.

Near stayed as close to me as he could. He shook with fright, and sometimes I'd hear a whimper behind the gag. I had to figure out a way to get him and Matt out of here. If anything, they could get in touch with L and tell them everything that was going on.

That's when I remembered L's phone. I had gotten one from him since I disappeared from him and the Wammy house more times than not. He had given it to me just in case of an emergency. And I still had it.

Those losers hadn't checked my pockets. It still sat there, waiting to be used. But this guy obviously would not allow me to use it. Nor could he find out.

I leaned a little closer to the shaking snowball. "Listen, Near. I'm gonna get you out of here and back to L. I have a cell in my right pocket. Take it and call L once you and Matt are out of the car." He then looked at me. There seemed to be worry for my well-being. "I can only get you two out. Just tell L everything that just occurred. I know he'll be able to find me."

Near shook again, then nodded. Now, time to put my acting lessons to the test.

"Hey, shit-for-brains. Got a moment?"

The tall, bald, monster of a man grunted. "What."

I moved forward to the middle of the two front seats to hide Near. As I spoke, he was slowly making the effort to grab the cellphone from my pocket.

"Listen, I got a pretty good idea why you want us, and I can guarantee you you'd get it without these two."

The man scoffed. "Right. Listen kid…"

"No, YOUlisten!" I snapped. Surprisingly, the man shut up. "L doesn't give a rats ass about those two. Ransom for them is nothing compared to me." I felt a small hand slip into my pocket, grabbing the cellphone. One problem done. "L has gone through hell and high water to make sure my mental health is fit enough to be the best. He's given more to me than these two together. In other words…" I leaned in closer to his ear. "I'm his heir."

The man glanced at me. "Yeah right. Nice try, but the mole we placed in that orphanage said L hadn't chosen yet."

I laughed, causing him to glance my way again. "Right. And I bet he told you he met L personally. Please, even these two never had the privilege. Only I and a very select few have met with him one on one. One could even say he even adopted me. I know all his secrets, what he looks like, how he works, who works for him."

I could tell by the man's relaxed manner that he was becoming interested. "Really?"

I grinned. "These two… sheesh, do you really think they had a chance? You saw what I was willing to go through to get away from you guys. They couldn't handle this kind of pressure. L could though. Which is why he chose me. I'm his successor, not them. So why keep them here?"

The man suddenly looked at me. I made sure my eyes stayed as cold as I wanted them to be. This guy would do as I said. I'd make sure of it.

He huffed. "Kid, even if I ditch them, they'd go ahead and tell L about all this. Including that you'd still be in out possession."

Not as dumb as I first thought. Still…

"No, believe me, they wouldn't. They don't have the guts. Nothing more than a pathetic waste of mind and body. Since we're already on the road anyhow, how would L find us without you telling them?"

The man looked at me once again. Finally… I had him.

He pulled over at an abandoned coffee shop, making sure no one could see him. I made sure Near kept that phone hidden until we were all out of the car. Matt was still unconscious at the time, so he was laid down on the cement next to Near.

I was untied first and when he went to untie Near, I motioned towards the licence plate on the car for him. He immediately understood, which I thanked all the gods I knew for. I knew he had a photographic memory, so I knew he'd be able to send the numbers out to the police after he called L.

Once the man was done with Near, he gave me a look and led me towards the passenger side door of the car. "Like we agreed."

I nodded humbly, keeping my composure. Throughout all this, I had already devised, and executed my escape. Near just had to follow through now.

I got in the car, buckled in, and waited. I wouldn't fight him or cause trouble. I had no intention of dying that day. Still, leaving Matt behind was probably the toughest thing I had to do. I knew I'd have to make it up to him at some point. Because, for some odd reason, I knew he wouldn't forgive me for going alone.

As we drove off, I could already see Near calling for L through the rear view mirror. After him, it would be nine-one-one. However long I stayed in service to this man, I knew people would be looking for me.

I looked at the tall, bald man beside me. "What's your name?"

He glanced at me. "What?"

"Hey man, if I'm gonna be by your side for a while, I don't wanna be calling you shit-face because I don't know your name."

The man smirked a bit. "You gotta point, kid."

"Mello."

"Huh?"

"The name's Mello. And I'm guessing from your lack of British refinery, that you're American?"

"Los Angeles. To be exact."

"Really? I've got a psycho friend living there at the moment. Granted he's in a cell. But I hear the weather's nice."

The older man chuckled. "Well, aren't you loosening up quite a bit."

I grinned at myself. 'Anything to get you on my side.'

That was the trick to idiots like him. Control them without them knowing you're in control. Before he'd even think about his ransom, I'd be home warm in bed. It was all too easy. Of course, I'd have to thank my teachers for the lessons and tricks I'm using now.

I looked back at him. "Seriously, what's your name shit-head?"

Another chuckle. "Call me Ross."

A/N: More to come.

Reviews are welcomed