The screams died down into a whimpering and Linda fell to the floor, shivering violently. Mello winced at the loud bang the revolver had made, wanting nothing more than to slug the guy, but with the crow still holding his weapon of choice in hand, Mello knew better. You rushed over and knelt beside Linda, hoping to be of some help.

Are you okay Linda?! (Y)

^ If she just got shot, I don't think she would be okay. (W)

Did Beyond really just do that?! O.O (X)

I thought you were letting us go! (Z)

Okay Mello, we need bandages! Lots and lots of bandages! (Y)

^ Goodluck with that one. (W)

You rapidly scanned all around Linda for any sign of a wound, but none was present. "Was it a blank?" you questioned in your mind, "If so, she must be suffering from trauma." You glanced at Beyond, who had Cheshire grin etched upon his features. Just as you opened your mouth to speak to him, you heard a distressed moan from behind you.

Wow, so Linda didn't even get shot? Man, I got worried for nothing. (Z)

Linda definitely isn't good at handling situations such as this. (Y)

^ She should never hope to succeed L at this rate. (W)

^^ Alright people, if someone aimed a gun at you, and fired, what would you do? (Y)

^ Whimper...and cry...it's only normal! (X)

Alright, whoever moaned, now is not the time for that (me: -_-") (W)

Your head instantly whipped around to find the source of the painful groan; Harley had been propping himself against the bars of the cage, then suddenly his body slumped to the floor. You quickly crawled over to the cocky brunette and discovered that he was clutching his side desperately. You ripped his hand away and noticed the trickle of blood beginning to seep out of the wound. Harley had been shot.

No, not Harley! (Y)

^ He's one of the only sensible people in here! (Z)

Ha, serves Harley right! That's what you get for being mean to me all these years! (Z)

^ Not to mention he's the one who drugged us…(W)

What do I do?! DX Harley's dying! (X)

Now's not the time to freak out…(Z)

^ IT'S THE PERFECT TIME TO FREAK OUT *grabs bucket of water and throws it on B* MELT! MELT! (X)

^ Someone slipped and fell on the Yellow Brick Road of life. (W)

The student was panting heavily, gritting his teeth from the searing pain, and doing his best not to pathetically yelp in front of the younger children. Without a moment's thought, you began to rip through his clothes, trying to reach the wound. By the time you saw his bare skin, his breathing had grown faint and blood had coated itself all over his lower torso.

O/O um so I stripped him? (X)

^ Look, he may be hot, but now is not the time! (W)

Mello, I kinda need you're help you know! (Y)

*faints from the sight of all the blood* (X)

*eye begins to twitch at the sight of blood* (Z)

* doesn't care about the blood and immediately begins to poke around the skin trying to locate the bullet* (Y)

^ um, wouldn't that make Harley hurt even more? (Z)

It's pointless to try to save him, there's no way we can. (W)

Soon, Harley's breathing stopped entirely, and you felt his body go limp underneath the palms of your hands. You frantically listened for a pulse, any pulse, but there was none to be heard. Harley was dead.

O.O (Y)

Oh my. (W)

I didn't kill him I swear! *hides knife she used to stab him repeatedly to make sure he died* (W)

Harley...? (X)

Well that's just great, and now I have blood all over my hands! *wipes hands on Forte* (Z)

*studies blood soaked hands* How curious it is...I have a dead man's blood on my hands…(W)

^ O.o She's part of my personality? (X)

*Backs away from, body totally freaked out* He's dead, he's really dead! (Z)

Hey, at least he didn't have a cliche moment and say one final thing before he died. (Y)

Mello puts his hand on your shoulder and spoke as rationally and calmly as possible, "Hart, he's gone." At first you thought he meant Harley, but when you glanced up at him, his cerulean eyes motioned towards the doorway. Beyond had left.

Pierce helped you up off the now bloodstained ground, and smiled sympathetically. You knew it meant that you were now free, but the fact that Harley wouldn't be returning to Wammy House scared you. Both blondes held your hands as you all exited the room. Forte, who was now guiding Linda by the hand, silently followed you out.

Wait, we're just gonna leave Harley's body to rot? (Z)

^ No, not to rot. His body can be retrieved and given a proper burial when we get back to Wammy's and explain what happened. (W)

I feel wrong for leaving him there...but I guess we don't have a choice. (Y)

* has a far off look in eyes, trying not to think about anything or anyone* (X)

HOW DARE BEYOND RUN AWAY! GET BACK HERE A**H***! (Z)

* is shaking violently* So much blood… (X)

Sunshine, here I come! *races down hallways while dragging the two boys behind her* (W)

You all managed to conduct yourselves through the maze of corroding hallways and rusted flights of stairs; you finally reached the doorway to the outside world. You grimaced at the sunlight that now bathed over you, but were eternally grateful to see the sun again. The others filed out and scanned the area.

"W-where are we?" Linda asked sheepishly, returning once more to reality. You all shared exchanges of confusion; no one knew. Buildings seemed to grace the sky, and black gravel crunched beneath your dirtied feet. A slight breeze swept past you and seemed to carry the essence of drying seaweed.

Great, I escaped... or left rather... now what? (W)

C'mon, no one knows where we are? (Z)

I know where we are, this is- (me: *BEEEEP* Sorry, experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by.) (Y)

*looks around trying to locate whereabouts* (Y)

La la la~ sun sun sun~ (X)

* walks back towards entrance* Mello: Where are you going, Hart? You: Back - it's too bright. (W)

The light - it burns! DX (X)

Mello processed the scene before you, and located a nearby pay phone on the next street. You all migrated your pitiful group at a staggering pace toward the machine.

After slipping in coins that he found around the device into the coin slot, the rather calm blonde dialed in a number. "Roger? Yeah, it's Mello. I'll explain everything later, but right now can you trace this call and come pick us up?" There was a few seconds of a muffled voice on the other line, and then Mello spoke again, "Okay, we'll be waiting." Mello turned to face you all as he hung up the line. "Apparently we're in Los Angeles."

How in the h*** did we end up here? (Z)

^ Did we take a plane then? O.o (Y)

^ Must have at some point…(W)

Man, how long were we unconscious? (Z)

Well okay then, that's pretty random. (X)

^ Maybe not, it could be B was trying to have L later focus on the city. (Y)

It didn't take long for a limousine to round the street corner in front of the abandoned building - that seemed to be ready to collapse at any minute. The chauffeur then drove the car to LAX where you boarded a private plane, owned by L, and started the long journey home to Winchester, England.

Isn't that like a 11 hour trip? (Z)

^ Roughly, yes. (Y)

I would go crazy from being stuck sitting in an airplane. (W)

I'm scared of airplanes T^T (Me: They're not scary; I've survived several flights ^.^) (X)

Home...Home...Home...I just wanna go home…(X)

That's nice and everything, but what happened to Beyond? (Z)

^ I rather not know. What you don't know can't hurt you. (Y)

^ That's a total lie, especially in Death Note. (W)

So, what did you do on said plane for 11 hours?

Ate mostly; free food! (Z)

Played a handheld system that I bought at the airport. Gotta love having a rich guardian! (Z)

Watched movies (W)

Socialized...which mostly involved calming down Linda every time she woke up from her naps. (Y)

Caught up on some reading - L has an interesting selection aboard the plane. (Y)

Listened to my newly bought iPod. (X)

Stared through the window at the passing clouds and setting sun. Then licked a window. (W)

Slept. Being kidnapped takes a lot out of you. (X)

I changed. I don't even wanna know how long I've been wearing the same outfit. (W)

Played pranks on the stewardesses. That'll teach them to stop wearing such short skirts! ;^D (Z)

Played cards with the guys. (Z)

{Fast Forward} All was quiet in the car as you turned the corner to view Wammy House again. For once, the looming black gates were welcoming to you. They seemed to have been waiting. This theory only strengthened when you spotted a man standing at the front steps of the orphanage, everyone recognized that face - it was Quillish Wammy, founder of Wammy House and the man who disguised himself as Watari while working with L.

O.O Old creeper man…(Z)

^ WATARI IS NOT A CREEPER DX (X)

Watari! I love you! *runs to glomp him but is stopped by the car door* Ow. (X)

Watari would make the ultimate grandpa! (Y)

He's so epic being a sniper while being a father-like person to L X3 (Y)

I don't see what the big deal is, he's just an old guy in a coat. (Z)

^ He discovered L's abilities, he's not just some old guy. (W)

...why do I feel like something either really bad or really good will happen? (W)

The sleek, gleaming car came to a halt just outside of the gate entrance, and the chauffeur rounded the vehicle to allow you all to exit the car. The other kids rushed passed Mr. Wammy, only giving him a glance as they hurried back to their safe haven. You tried to follow right after, but he stuck his arm out in front of the doorway, gesturing that he wanted to have a moment to speak with you.

"Hart, is it?"

No stupid, it's "_", but I guess you don't know that yet. (Z)

Hm? Yes? (W)

What, Dude, I just want to lock myself in my room and forget this ever happened. (W)

^ That's certainly dealing with your problems and being a Sally Sue :/ (Y)

Watari! XD (X)

Oh, does that mean L is here to? (Z)

Yes? You wish to speak to me? (Y)

….(W)

*tries for the door again but is blocked once more* Bah. (Z)

You nodded and he beamed back warmly, his mustache whiskers seemed to tickle his own cheeks as he did so. "Where is your companion, Harley?" You remained silent at the thought of having to answer such a question and his eyes glossed over with understanding. "I see. Thank you, that was all I needed to know." He then gestured back towards the doorway, "You first." You hastily scurried through the doorway, with him following behind.

WAHHHH! HARLEY'S DEAD! DX (X)

^ It's not like he was from the original series or anything; no need to go into hysterics. (Z)

^ Though he did seem like an asset to the story line...oh well. A false assumption. (W)

^...(W)

Watari is such a gentlemen ^.^ (Y)

No need for the sympathy, but thank you. (Y)

Home! T^T (X)

After you entered through the passageway, a giant commotion of whistles and shouts rang through the air. As you turned to look over into the parlor, you were greeted with smiles. Roger shuffled cautiously through the rowdy children. "W-welcome back, Hart. Glad to see you are safe."

Your eye twitched at the sight of Roger and his ignorance, and you merely replied with venom lapping at your tone, "Thank you for your concern, but I will be taking refuge in my room for the moment. Please see to the other children as fast as possible." With that, you marched up the steps - leaving the kids and Roger with confused, yet not hurt, faces.

Well that's a bit rude of me. (W)

^ Well Roger must have noticed that Harley isn't present. That, and remember the kids didn't actually care about us…(Z)

^ Yeah, they probably are faking their emotions – it could be a skill taught there. (Y)

Roger is still an idiot. (W)

^ Though Matsuda is still the biggest idiot in the series. (Z)

^ He's not in this so far T^T (X)

….Room...now... (X)

Bye Watari! (Y)

Aw, L isn't here then - pity. (W)

You rushed to your bed and flung your weight upon it, replaying everything that had happened with the last 24hrs of your memories. The impact caused your head to feel compressed and you knew you would have to give into the fatigue that had been dormant till now. You fell asleep, ignoring the murmuring sounds rising up from downstairs.

Haha, sleep! We meet again at last! XD (X)

*buries head under pillow completely zonked out* (W)

*drools on pillow from exhaustion* (Z)

Stupid people downstairs, they're probably gossiping -_-" (Z)

I wonder what happened to the others. (Y)

Zzzz...Zzzz...(X)

{No One's POV} Roger watched as Hart trudged up the steps but spoke nothing. Mello disappeared with Matt, and the others branched off separate ways around the home. Mr. Wammy approached his old friend. "Harley did not return." Roger rubbed his wrinkled forehead with, discomfort circling about him, and nodded. The man who usually disguised himself as Watari gestured toward his friend's study, to talk further about the situation in private.

What situation? O.O TELL ME DX (X)

Watari should be able to handle anything life throws at him. (Y)

Wait, so the others are going to pretend like it never happened? (Y)

^ The kids didn't care; they were only happy that danger was avoided for them. (W)

^ I bet Matt actually cared DX (Z)

I wonder where Near ran off to...hmm. (W)

*watches the adults enter the study* (Z)

Once the old, wooden door was shut behind Quillish, and Roger had taken a seat behind his desk, the inventor approached his dear friend.

"Now that Harley is gone, the obvious candidate for H is Hart." Roger nodded once more, not wanting to comment – so he continued, "because of this, we must ensure that Hart will not be brought to any further harm." The man with the receding hairline peered up from where he had been resting his head on his hands.

"What do you suggest; will we involve L?"

O.O L? THE L?! (X)

I love how they just toss Harley's death away as if it was nothing =_= (W)

^ Well as Beyond said, we were the obvious choice anyway. (Z)

^ That's so cruel. (Y)

Yay, Watari is back in charge! ^.^ (Y)

Roger is still an idiot. (Z)

"No, I do not wish to bother L with something like this. I know him personally and it may affect how he would usually handle a case - since it involves him and his standing. Plus, I would rather leave him out of this since, after all, he is still only an adolescent himself at the moment."

"Then what exactly are you proposing we do?"

"We must keep her under surveillance, and then once we have some connections set up, we must send her away from this place."

Roger's expression seemed to droop even further. "I see; I suppose you will make the arrangements then?"

"Of course." With that, Quillish Wammy left the orphanage to begin his work.

But I don't want to leave! This is my space! DX (X)

Mello, Matt, don't let them take me away! T.T (Z)

...I should have known L wouldn't have been involved, he has other things to worry about (W)

I just wish that I wouldn't be put under surveillance...AGAIN -_-" (W)

Aw, Watari is leaving T^T (X)

Oh sure, leave everything to Watari; he's got other work to do to Roger! You should be doing it! (Y)

Meanwhile, behind the cameras that were being used to spy on the two men, a dark chuckle reverberated. "It seems I was correct after all," Beyond took a short pause to press his thumb nail against his bottom lip, "Well, until we meet again, "_"." He then cut off the signal running through the video cameras, and stepped away from the computer monitor.

Results:

(W) Beyond Birthday:

As all of the minors crowded around the little pawn's, Harley's, body, Beyond slipped out of the room. Needlesstosay, he fled as fast as his legs could carry him, but he couldn't help but stumble every time he rounded a crumbling corner.

The slightly decaying walls around B didn't seem to bother him, or he just took no notice of them. He could have sworn his pants' legs rubbing against each other surely would have given him away, but so far, no children were chasing after him. He pushed through the rusted metal doors that led to the outside world and winced as the sun washed over him. He had never been very fond of direct sunlight.

He journeyed behind the building, picked up his hid grey hoodie and beat up sneakers, then slipped them on. After flipping the hood up, to block the sunlight, he finally turned to see the children had exited the building. He meticulously climbed the ladder attached to the side of the building, and crawled across the roofing, on all fours, to gaze down at the kids below. He surveyed as the older blonde dialed in a number on the nearby pay phone, but could not make out what the child was saying; B had never been good at reading lips.

A limousine soon came from around the street corner and retrieved all of the youth - to bring them home no doubt. He smirked at the thought that they just left the corpse lying on the floor in the abandoned warehouse. Though he expected nothing less from Wammy children. He ventured back into the building to do one final sweep of the place - and clean up any necessary evidence that may have been left behind.

(X) Linda:

She was definitely the most traumatized of the children kidnapped. At first, she surely thought she was the one who would be shot, but when she wasn't, she felt just the slightest bit relieved – but this only made her feel guilt on top of being afraid. When Mello announced that Beyond was gone, she wanted nothing more than to flee the premises, yet she didn't have control of her body anymore and instead fumbled just to get up. Forte had to help her, and even had to hold her hand until they entered the limo, so she would feel safe again.

Even through all this, she felt that she was still being watched during her journey from the building to the car, and then again from the other car to the institute. She assumed this was paranoia having a grip on her, but if only she had peered up to see the shadow cast down from above that building - she would know she wasn't imagining it.

(Y) Watari (Quillish Wammy):

After Mello had phoned Roger, the older gentlemen soon called upon Watari. It was somewhat of a reflex. Roger was never allowed to call L, or any outside assistance when it came to the children, only Watari. So, as soon as the call was ended between him and his friend, Watari made arrangements for the flight to Winchester, England from where he was currently staying - Berlin, Germany.

Quillish did not tell L where he was going, nor did L ask, he just told the boy he would be out of the country to do some reference work, and that he was only a phone call away if he needed him.

The elder had arrived at the orphanage several hours before you, but was too eager to stay within the home. He was anxious to see how many kids would be stepping out of the rented car, for he only knew that Mello had contacted Roger - and that there was at least one other child with him.

He felt a bit guilty that Harley was lost in the incident, but knew that it was pointless to try and comfort you kids. Though, had he known that Harley was able to willingly help a scandal such as drugging children and kidnapping his peers, he would have tried to prevent it.

(Z) Mello:

When you all arrived at Wammy's House, he practically flew out of the car. Of course he wasn't fond of the place, but he was impatient in wanting to be back in a safe place he knew. As he dashed up the steps, he noticed the man standing at the door, Quillish Wammy. He was tempted to stop and ask what he was doing there, but he could sense that the man was only in the mood to talk to you. So he passed up the elder and made his way to the living room.

Mello dismissed the false cheers and shouts, and searched for the one person he knew missed him, Matt. The brownish red haired boy looked up from his hand held video game system and welcomed his friend back home. Though Mello didn't let him speak for long, because he had several things on his mind: Who was this Beyond that had kidnapped him, exactly what happened during his stay at the orphanage, and what was his next move? The blonde youth spared no details when explaining to Matt what had happened, and asked for his assistance to uncover as much as he could about the bizarre L look-a-like.