Chapter seven:
As Mello and Near step into the facility Mello finds himself a bit uncomfortable.
Melli isn't fully sure why this mental institution, which is more like an insane asylum, makes him uncomfortable however it does. He glances to Near who is looking straight ahead. "Are you sure we have to do this? There's still time to figure out another plan." He tries to insist only for Near to turn to him.
"Trust me Mello. This is going to work. It'll be our best shot at tricking them." Near insists so Mello takes a breath then nods.
The two turn to face where they need to go then Near leads Mello in the right direction.
Mello can't help noticing that Near seems to know exactly where to go, though he supposes he shouldn't be surprised considering Nears history with the person. He supposes Near secretly visits this place a lot. He even notices the staff may give friendly greetings, though otherwise just let Near do whatever. His thoughts are chased away when they arrive to a solitary confinement room. He stares at the closed door knowing that there's a padded cell like space on the other side.
Near approaches the door, Mello hangs back watching for now, and opens the sliding door to a hole in the door only big enough to maybe fit a food tray. He also opens the smaller viewing window. "BB?" He inquires and someone quickly hurries to the door.
Red eyes look through the viewing window.
Mello has always hated BB's eyes as they've always felt demonic to him, especially the way he tends to seem to see something above everyone's heads, despite that BB can't help it having been born this way.
"My what a surprise! I thought our visit wasn't for another week." BB mentions and Mello is surprised he can keep decent track of time in such a place.
"Yeah it's an early visit. I hope that's alright." Near confirms knowing that he's being left to speak to the other alone.
BB hums sounding pleased. "No way will I argue this. Though I'm curious about what brought you here. Did you just miss me?"
"Of course I miss you." Near shakes his head as if to remind himself to focus. "However we're here on more business this time."
"We?" BB finally looks up spotting Mello who just nods. His eyes go back to Near. "This is something. Since when did you two get so chummy? Instead of fighting and hating each other?"
"When Mello learn of my situation." Near informs the confined other. "Listen. Things have gotten worse." He explains the new task he has with the fake reward.
"Those bastards." BB hisses after listening quietly to Near. "Do you have a plan? I'm assuming that's why you came to me. And I think I may have an idea of why you came here with this issue."
"Yes. As you are thinking I would like you to pose as L to be killed instead of the real L." Near confirms clearly understanding what BB is thinking. "I know that it is something that you have been craving. A way so you can join A."
Mello blinks at hearing this. He supposes that he shouldn't be surprised since BB was extremely close to A. He doesn't doubt that the two had feelings for each other... That is until A took his own life... He supposes he should have thought that BB would have been suicidal after all he did because of losing A. He just isn't sure that they should indulge BB's desire. He keeps his mouth shut telling himself that it's either BB or L. He knows that there's no way around this. So he'll take BB dying instead if it means L remains unharmed... Especially since it's now clear that BB would like to join A into the afterlife.
"I'll do it." BB doesn't even need to think about it. "But how are you going to get me out of here?" He poses a question that makes Mello look unimpressed at Near.
This is a secure facility, so there's no way that they're getting BB out of here.
"I already have a plan for that." Near assures BB causing the two to look at him curious about his plan. He pulls out some keys from his pocket. "I managed to swipe some keys from a staff member awhile ago. Just in case. I was mainly planning to use them to be able to go into your cell to help you. However this works for this as well."
"Okay so we can get him out of the cell." Mello mentions causing Near to turn to him. "But how do we get him out of this facility?"
"Very carefully." Near explains to the blonde. "If we can get him to the laundry room we should be able to get an extra doctor coat. Then BB will have to keep his head down as we get him out of here. One wrong move and we could get caught."
Mello swallows a little harshly though does his best to steel his resolve. "Alright. Let's do this."
Near nods and he works on the door until he finds the right key that gets it open.
BB steps out bound in a straight jacket.
Mello and Near manage to get it off of him in good time.
The straight jacket being dropped to the ground at the open doorway.
BB gently shakes off the feeling of it from his body. His all white t-shirt and pants shivering as he does so. He doesn't actually have shoes or socks on.
Near turns to Mello. "Okay. Mello you'll stay with BB. I'll be the one going ahead to make sure the way ahead is clear. I'm known around here due to my visits. So they won't notice me as much as they will you. I also know the layout of this place. I made sure to do so so I always knew where I was going in here."
Mello nods his head and they head to start to make their way to the laundry room. He and BB keep watch as Near goes ahead clearing the space ahead. He leads BB forward as Near gestures that it's good for them to come.
They pick their way through the institute sticking to hallways with basically no one.
Near suddenly raises his hand telling them to wait. He goes around a corner while BB and Mello listen as best as they can from where they are.
Mello ready to head back to the corner behind them if needed.
"Oh! Hello Doctor Azuki." Nears voice is heard with a friendly greeting. "How are things?"
"Ah. Hello Near. Things are going really well actually. Just heading to the staff room for my break. Going for a walk after visiting your friend?" A man's voice greets back and Mello glances at the nearby doors wondering where the staff room is.
"Oh. Nice. And yeah kind of. BB was asleep so I thought I'd go for a walk. Before I head back to see if he's awake yet or not. I don't want to wake him up." Near clarifies as Mello spots the staff room in the hallway they're currently in.
Mello nudges BB nodding to the staff room sign on the door. He goes with the other back around the other corner to wait. He now can't hear Nears conversation with the doctor from this far away, though he can listen for when the doctor heads into the staff room.
"Have fun!" The doctor calls then his footsteps draw closer. He hums to himself a bit and a door is soon heard opening then shutting a moment later.
Mello peeks around the corner just as Near does with the corner ahead.
The way past is clear.
Near nods gesturing with his hand for Mello to come.
So Mello and BB sneak quietly to Nears position and they all continue on their way.
"We're almost there." Near whispers to the two who nod kind of glad to hear that.
Luckily they manage to reach the laundry room and slip inside.
The machines seem to be off as it's rather quiet.
"They stopped doing laundry here an hour ago." Near explains and he goes to a locker that's closed with no lock on it. He opens it up showing some extra doctor jackets. He also grabs a pair of flip flops at the bottom. "Okay. This is the extra stuff." He hands it to BB who puts it on.
BB does manage to look convincing as a doctor.
"Okay. BB, try to not draw attention to yourself. And Mello. We're going to walk as if nothing is wrong. No tensing or anything." Near instructs and the two nod their heads. He leads the way out of the room and falls into step with Mello.
BB keeps a slight distance as if he is just heading in the same direction. He tries to keep his head down just low enough to not be seen easily, yet not suspicious as to why he's trying to not let his face be easily seen.
"I'm glad that you decided to head BB out about why he did what he did." Near mentions to Mello trying to not be too loud.
Mello knows that this is just a way to not seem suspicious. "Yeah well I guess I'm just curious as to what was going on when he did what he did." He responds as he plays along. He also makes sure that he isn't too loud. His heart slightly pounding in his chest knowing how dangerous this is. He tries to not watch a doctor who walks by looking over something on a clipboard.
"I think you'll understand a bit better when you hear it from BB himself." Near assures Mello who nods his head as he responds.
"Perhaps I will. Maybe not." Mello feels some relief that the exit is up ahead. His heart sinking as a doctor slows to a stop right in front of the entrance texting on his phone. He worries that they'll get noticed. He stays with Near who keeps a confident stride despite also seeing the texting doctor up ahead. He just hopes that their efforts won't go to waste.
They're so close!
AN:
This was written on my phone so hopefully I caught the autocorrects!
Hopefully you're enjoying the story so far!
Mello.