Chapter 12: Daniel Waters
February 3rd Friday
The night was aging as the car left Boston. Leaving behind specks of light as small as fire flies of the fading town. Making their way towards Spalding and the church that sat before it. The trip was otherwise smooth and uneventful. Only the sounds of the radio playing intruded the peace and quiet inside the car.
Dad was mostly focused on the road in front of him, occasionally talking to Mom. Making small talk about the expected church meeting and the highly anticipated choosing of a new Father.
Sitting next to him, Mom held a sleepy Eva on her lap. The seatbelt snuggly held them both together as she stroked her daughters tired head. Her words were hushed like a whisper when she spoke to dad. Although Eva needed to be awake for the church service, mom wanted her to enjoy the rest she could get after a long day at school.
Alone for once in the back seats sat Daniel, uncomfortable and contorted as normal. His lanky legs bent towards the centre and his head rested against the door window.
Hidden away from the sight of the rear-view mirror, Daniel stared down towards the floor and the phone buried in his hands. Far away from his father's glancing eyes.
Tiny earphones plugged into his ears, Daniel's face was cold and pale with nerves of guilt and anxiety. A faint veil of sweat on his brow as he waited nervously for the car to eventually stop.
The only distraction he had held little comfort. Displayed on a screen of bright, Daniel had recently discovered a rising TikTok user by complete accident.
He was originally just looking for something to take his mind off things. Help him relax and watch amusing videos of people doing stupid activities or challenges.
Instead, his eyes were lured to a new video. A short clip with an interesting name.
"Back from the dead".
Mesmerised by the cheap looking anime masked girl shaking the phone happily as she recorded herself, Daniel watched with intrigue to what the video held.
"Hey! What's up y'all!" the short clip began as the girl posed with a V sign.
"It's ya girl, Kira! Back from the dead and psyched to spread my love for all you innocents out there!"
"Kira!" Daniel mumbled in shock as he listened intently.
This was her first ever video apparently, it was the oldest one Daniel could find. Only two days old and there were tons of videos like this popping up on TikTok. Each one short and straight to the point, never lasting more than a minute.
"It's me again, Kira two-point-oh! Bringing you peace of mind with my love!"
This was her latest video, only posted three hours ago. She began as usual, posing for the camera, making cute poses for the masses. But that never lasted too long.
Once her introduction was through, she would cut the clip to immediately show off a completely new area from which she started.
This time she was in some random clothes store in a town she never specified. Hiding behind a rack of hanging jackets, this new supposed Kira started filming an older woman checking out shirts across the store.
"Here we are my faithful Kira knights!" she whispered in excitement.
"Pebblecake91 donated ten pounds and said that "Milly White is a total bitch and deserves to die! She keeps stealing from my workplace and the cops won't do anything about it". Well don't worry my gallant knight, Kira here will make everything right!"
And in no time at all, the woman from across the store suddenly started to struggle breathing as she clutched her chest. Panicking, she clung tightly to the shirts she was admiring for leverage, only to pull them down with her as she collapsed.
The video shortly ended with a chilling scream as the woman died.
"Looks like someone's having fun!" Ryuk chuckled.
Peering closely beside Daniel, the large imposing Shinigami sat in the middle of the car. His form barely fitting in the tight space.
"Why don't you record Luke's death, Daniel? it would make for a fun memory"
Turning off the phones screen, Daniel pulled out his earphones in disgust of the Demon.
"I'm not killing him for the fun of it, Ryuk!" Daniel whispered furiously.
"It's hard enough that I have to wait for it to happen, I don't need you to make light of it either!"
Uncaring to how Daniel felt, Ryuk just laughed in his face and replied.
"I don't care how you feel Daniel. I just want you to get over this high and mighty stance you have on morality"
Ryuk's teeth glinted from the passing street lights as his visage grew closer. His bulging yellow eyes peered deeply into Daniel's conflicting soul.
"Remember what Gemu said? One year!" Ryuk said calmly as raised a single finger.
"You have one year to find the other Death Notes. Now, you don't have to kill the other holders of the Death Notes if you don't want to. It was never in Gemu's rules after all. But I would recommend getting used to the idea of killing. If you want to last beyond the year that is"
Turning his eyes down towards Daniel's phone with intent, Ryuk continued darkly. His voice seeming to hold a threatening tone.
"After all… there are humans just like that girl on your phone who will be more than happy to kill you and take your Death Note. Now, you don't have to take my word for it. You have all the evidence right there in your hand. See how easy it is for some humans to kill?"
Ryuk's head hung there for a moment as his words sank in. Though harsh and disgusting to here. He did have a point.
"I will only kill if necessary" Daniel replied, his voice was quiet but firm.
Unamused or simply not interested, Ryuk simply straightens back up and shrugged nonchalantly, his head peeping partially through the car roof.
"It doesn't matter one way or the other for me. I will get to watch how it unfolds whether you die or not"
From what felt like a lifetime fading with trickling sand. The wait was over and the car finally silenced with a simple turn of the key.
Daniel had arrived once more in front of the barn. Illuminated by the headlights of neighbouring cars like that of a theatre. The barn lit up and revealed to Daniel's eyes his new stage, his audience and most importantly, his leading actor.
Peering from between the car seats, Daniel observed the large bulbous man waddle into full view in front of the car. Pulling closely behind him, grabbed firmly by the wrist was his daughter, Kayla. Her autumn hair was a pleasing sight to see and a mild form of comfort in a sea of stress. But as the man Luke Jones turned and his round visage was glowing in the car light, Daniel's stomach twisted as he saw a clear happy and mocking smile on his face.
"Daniel?.. Daniel!?"
Like a slap to his senses, Daniel had only just noticed his father's expression as his eyes focused back to the car.
Looking back at him from the rear-view mirror was the visage of a deeply concerned father. Whatever he saw in his son in that moment must have shaken him, for his next few words were heavier than expected.
"Are you alright my son? You look very pale…" he began softly while making quick glances to his wife.
"I- I'm alright Dad" Daniel stammered, feeling a bit embarrassed that his Dad saw him like this.
"(sigh) You… you…hmm… You don't have to come with us today, Daniel. I know…(sigh) I know Charles's passing has been tough on you… you may not have said anything to us but… you've been acting strange ever since that day… he was a truly great Father to us all… it's just… he wasn't the man we all thought he was, you know… (sigh) you don't have to come in with us…"
Straining in his seat to turn properly and face his son, dad held hesitation. Daniel could hear it plainly on his old man's lips. He didn't want to miss out on today's service. He didn't want any of them to.
From the corner of his lips, a smile formed. It was small at first but Daniel forced it wider until a glimmer of his teeth was visible for his dad to see.
"I'll be fine, Dad" he lied.
"Just nervous… Anxiety ya know. Excited to see who the new Father will be"
There was a moments pause between the two. Dad's eyes narrowed, his brow creased and his lips flickered as he struggled to speak.
"…Alright… just… just let me know if you want to go back to the car, okay? Even if… shit… Even if it's during the sermon"
"…Thanks Dad" Daniel replied before swiftly turning his struggling smile away and opened the car door.
The fresh night air was a chill unwelcome to Daniel's attire. Winter may have been ending but the last frost on the ground and the biting breeze still nipped at Daniel's shirt and jeans.
"Please let this end soon…" he remarked softly, his voice forlorn as he stared blankly at the clear night sky and his breath seeping frosted puffs of white.
With the simple thunk of the car door closing, Dad, Mom and Eva also braced the elements. Sweet little Eva even seemed more awake as she shivered and shuffled on the spot.
"Mom!" she whined with a yawn.
"It's too cold. Can we go inside already?"
Standing solitary at the boot as it rose, Daniel rummaged for his dark grey robe. Due to their similar heights and build, his Dad had the same sized robe.
"Not yet my sweet pea. We need to wait until everyone has gathered. Now come on and let's get you dressed up. You will get warmer with Kira's embrace"
It wasn't too hard to distinguish the pair. Daniel's robe had a hole underneath the armpit. A small one to be sure, but enough of a size to be seen.
"Here Dad" he said indifferently as he handed the other robe.
Standing only a step away, His old man reached for his attire slowly. His parental gaze stayed on Daniel as he took his robe.
You don't believe I'm fine, do you. You could always tell when there was something wrong with me Daniel thought as his chest filled with guilt.
Without a so much of a word as his eyes broke away, Dad walked back to the driver's side of the car before putting on his robe.
"Daniel!"
Poking with tiny fingers into his side, Eva's pouting face was a welcome sight to see.
"What? You little shit. What do you want?" Daniel teased. Knowing full well of what she wanted.
And as though to emphasise her point, Eva raised both of her arms skyward and bounced lightly on her feet.
"I'm cold" she announced firmly.
A crack of a smile pleased his lips as Daniel felt warmth in his chest.
"Okay! Okay! I'm grabbing your robe, see!"
In a short moment, Daniel was wrestling the thick fabric over his sister's head. She wasn't resisting as much this week, the garment slid over her petite body very quickly as Eva began to cuddle herself warm.
"Now, what do we say?" Daniel said playfully as he bent down a knee, his brotherly smile in line with his dear sister's shimmering eyes.
Shuffling her hood quickly, Eva either shied away or was avoiding the night's breeze. No longer was she looking towards her brother, her gaze now seemed focused elsewhere.
"…Thank you…" she said with a hint of embarrassment.
After a short while, the family re-grouped outside the closed barn door. Dressed in matching greys as others like themselves swarmed closer. Their huddled bodies eager to be let inside and away from the chill.
Cold as a Winter's night, the air not only held frost around the barn but also the many bated breaths of Kira's most devote.
There was whispers and murmurs amongst a few, some shy and unwilling to voice their opinions of expectations on today's service. Many more vocal and boisterous broke through the silence like a rock through glass.
Dad was one of them.
Standing only a few steps away, with Eva and Mom bridging the gap. Daniel heard every word his Dad was spewing loudly amongst the crowd.
"Now don't get me wrong! Father Beckett has a charming and charismatic voice-"
Yeah Dad! Could you lie even harder? Daniel thought as he listened to the bullshit. He could still remember what his dad said last week about the old man.
"His drivel voice held no inspiration or interest"
"-but he's three years retired. We need someone new and youthful. Someone who can bring back the spark that… you know… how our former Father had"
Dad's voice seemed to have trailed at the end of his speech. It was as though he meant to speak of Father Curtis in better light. Despite knowing how he met his end at Kira's grasp.
"Who would you suggest take up such an important role?" another voice called out.
"W-Well, I- I would never suggest myself but-"
Daniel shook his head lightly as a tiny unexpected chuckle left his lips.
Of course you wouldn't Dad
Suddenly, as though to save Dad from his embarrassment. A loud screech of metal against metal burst from the barn door as it partially began to open.
Apart from the ear scraping scream of steel, the world around them was silent as a pair of old leathered hands pushed open the barn door.
Stepping out from the dark was a man that could be described as shrivelled. His face melting with saggy cheeks and long wrinkled brow.
With eyes seemingly closed and speaking from a spotted mouth that trembled. The old man spoke to the awaiting crowd.
"G-good morning… ahem!... my children"
Garbed in no special attire, only the same grey robes as everyone else stood the former Father; Theodore Beckett.
"Hmm" he went as his sunken eyes surveyed the many around him.
"Suppose we best begin"
A light chatter and excited murmur began to pour through the door as many scrambled to be the first in line and grab the best seats.
Without notice, Daniel found himself no longer beside his family as he stood awkwardly outside the barn. It was of no surprise that his Dad wanted to rush in for the front row seats. But it was disheartening to find himself forgotten and left behind at the back of the line.
Awaiting his turn to greet the former Father inside, Daniel felt a form of dread as each time the line move forward towards the barn, the more the open metal doors seemed like gaping jaws. Roaring with the sound of cawing crows that nested inside.
They awaited him inside, like an unwelcome audience impatient for the show to start. The moment was coming soon and the tension of time was all consuming.
Taking another step forward into the dark night, the sounds of light chatter in the barn drew closer with the murder of caws. But they were starting to drown from the ringing that came from Daniel's pulsing ear.
Shifting the end of his sleeve, Daniel peeked at his gold chipped watch that rested on his wrist. His hand was shaking and his palms were clammy and cold. The back of his hand was a clear shade paler than normal.
"Just gone twelve" he said to no one in particular, his mouth hung loose with frosted breath steaming the air. Pumping through his chest, his heart felt twisted and hard. There was an unwelcome pain that was hard to ignore.
"Not long now huh!"
Hovering on wings of black, Ryuk seemed almost happier despite his teethy smile never seeming to change.
"I just can't wait to see all their faces when that man dies. Been waiting far too long, haven't we?"
Daniel didn't reply but instead gave Ryuk a glancing disapproved glare. Though there were only a few people left in front of him. He didn't want to try and have a conversation. No matter how quiet or cautious he could be.
And yet… another voice replied.
"Long time huh!" it said.
A sudden shock, like a fist to the chest caught Daniel by surprise. A feeling of getting caught at the worst possible moment as he searched for the culprit behind that voice. A voice that seemingly heard what Ryuk had just said!
He didn't need to search long though as the man in front of him turned a little as he addressed Daniel once more.
"I take it that this is a rare occasion. Changing Father's and all?
Wariness held Daniel's throat before he could speak. He did not recognise this voice. Which was troublesome as he knew each and every body that sat in that barn.
He couldn't even see his face as the man held his hood up high. The man seemed older though from the sound of his voice, slightly taller too.
"Y-yeah. We only choose a new Father after the last one dies or retires" Daniel cautiously replies.
"W-who are you exactly? I don't recognise your voice" he added as his chest stung. No point in beating round the bush when he could simply ask. There was no sinister undertones or hidden meanings behind the question. Just simple understanding curiosity.
Standing now with only a step left into the barn, the strange new man turned his body more for Daniel's sake and casually removed his hood.
Underneath was a man as young as his thirties. A thick layer of black hair over his dome with clean cuts on the side. A simple crop top from the looks of it.
A morning shade of thinly dark swept from his cheeks to his chin.
And sharp narrow eyes that peered down towards Daniel.
He looked handsome, like a man that could easily get any girl he wanted. Which made his features more familiar to Daniel like he had seen him before.
"You look familiar?" he said as though he questioned himself.
"Hmph!" the man retorted with a smile.
"I doubt that. I've only come once before. A friend of mine was kind enough to get permission from your former Father about my arrival. Though I do still wonder if I'm still welcomed here"
That's right! Daniel thought as his mind vaguely remembered seeing this new man talking to Mr Peterson outside the barn.
"Yeah… I think I saw you briefly. You were over there talking to Mr Peterson" Daniel pointed weakly before the pair entered the barn.
"Y-you must be quite the trusted friend if you could join us" Daniel added as he struggled to continue talking. The pain and anxiety were starting to fog his mind and his head was feeling lighter by the second.
The man did not reply but simply grinned a half assed smile before he turned away. Seemingly unaware of Daniel's degrading appearance.
Entering fully into the barn, the natural darkness swelled around him. Only by the poor display of festive Christmas light could keep some of the dim away.
"Greetings… my child" Beckett responded with a dry weary tone as the unknown man stood before him.
Reaching out with his leathered wrinkled hand, Beckett grasped the man's firmly and weakly smiled.
"May Kira's… Kira's light guide you… May he keep you forever true on your path"
"Thank you, Father" the man nodded in kind before venturing to find his seat.
Now standing in a solitary queue, Daniel raised his hand in kind to the former Father's. And as soon as their skins touched, Daniel had to wonder if the man could tell if he was nervous as his clammy hands drenched the old man's dry skin.
"…May Kira's faithful sight… may it forever watch over his most devout"
Daniel could only nod in kind.
Hanging back at the barn entrance as Beckett took slows steps to the front of the congregation and to the light above the podium. Daniel's eyes skimmed through the crowd as the seven rows of ten began to fill in nicely as God's children took to their chosen positions, dressed in their garbs of grey. He didn't know why he was looking. It didn't matter to him where his family had gone to. Though he did notice Dad had failed to get front row seats this time.
Peering at the back of many heads, with their crowns of shade and various shapes. Though faced away from Daniel. He could still tell who they belonged too.
"Mr and Mr Moss… Adam Baker, Mrs Baker… Mr Peterson and…"
Mumbling through his lips, Daniel paused at the sight of autumn. Flowing down to her shoulders, red as the rising sun. Kayla was sat only three rows away from where Daniel was standing.
"Kayla!" his voice though muffled, broke as though his heart stung for an instant and vivid flashes of images flashed through his eyes.
He saw Luke Jones standing smugly, his hands held tight into fists. He saw Kayla bruised and beaten, crying and begging for help.
He saw the pen, and the paper. Inked out in blue, Luke Jones's name was etched and screaming before Daniel's eyes.
Legs wobbling, Daniel had to reach for the nearest chair to keep his balance. His Hands were shaking as one arm rose from the plastic, Daniel instinctively looked towards his wrist and to his watch.
Twelve minutes past… thirty-three minutes to go.
"Daniel!" as stern but familiar voice called out.
From the back row of seven sat two men in grey. One was the slightly taller new man sat roughly in the middle. The other was Frank Hardy, only two chairs away from where Daniel was standing.
"Dr Hardy!" Daniel replied feebly as he tried to regain his strength.
"Are you okay my boy. You look as though you're about to faint!" the good Doctor said as he struggled out of his seat.
Taking a few steps closer to Daniel, the older man clasped his hand around Daniel's shoulder and guided him to rest.
Taking the seat next to him, Dr Hardy sat with Daniel as the former Father at front finally began with the sermon.
"…hmm… Kira's… Kira's guiding hand is, is with us once more"
"Are you alright Daniel" Dr Hardy asked softly and quietly. His wrinkled visage was very close to Daniel, he could smell the stench of decay on the man's breath that made his nostrils twitch.
"I'm fine" he lied as a drip of salt flowed down his cheek.
"Just… It's just the excitement of seeing the rise of a new Father"
Dr Hardy was clearly a man used to bullshit. The moment Daniel spoke his lies, the good Doctors eyes lost all seriousness and gave in to pity.
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. However, Daniel. Remember that I am a doctor. And as a doctor I am strictly required to confidentiality, to both my patients and my friends... Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"
With one last gently rub of his thumb to Daniel's shoulder, both he and Dr Hardy proceeded to watch Theodore Beckett stand behind the wooden pedestal.
"-And so, Kira's sight took our once loved Father and… and…he took him and…"
Through the ringing in his ear, Daniel listened to Beckett as he trailed and lost focus. All the while waiting as his hands fidgeted around his watch. Ticking the seconds by until there were only a few minutes left before it was due. Just shy of quarter to one.
"And so, my children. T-the night is at its darkest… we… we should begin our p-prayers before we are set to task… task that is to decide… choose our new Father " Beckett feebly said, encouraging his followers to grab their books of Kira.
"T-this is it!" Daniel mouthed silently as everyone around him grabbed their books from underneath their chairs.
Watching the large mound that was Luke Jones bend over to grab his black book, Daniel glimpsed towards Ryuk who was starting to wade through the seats like a spectre. Remembering what he had asked of the Shinigami a few days ago.
It all started only an hour after writing Luke Jones's name and on the way back from dropping Eva at school. Daniel led Ryuk through the park on a slow pace around the field.
The morning was cold and bitter. Daniel was wrapped in his coat and his hands were firm in the pockets.
Ryuk floated by on his feathered wings, occasionally flapping as the pair moved in silence.
It was only when the pair met the centre of the field, far out in the open and alone when Daniel stopped and turned to the Shinigami.
"Will you do it?" he asked firmly. Brimming with more confidence and life than ever before.
Setting his feet to the ground, the wings on Ryuk's back receded with a crunching sound. The Shinigami cackled gleefully at Daniel's question.
"What is written in the Death Note shall come to pass. Though a Shinigami cannot be forced into action as the Death Note does not work on us. As we cannot die if our names are written inside. However, we can be part of someone else's death even if vaguely mentioned"
A nervous smile widened on Daniel's face.
"So, you will do it then?" he asked once more.
Tilting his head a little as his earrings dangled in the still breeze, Ryuk observed Daniel for a moment.
"Normally I would never agree to do something like this. I would have rather been told beforehand, or at least be compensated for my time with apples"
Staring with his large beady eyes, Ryuk leaned forwards until his face was mere inches away.
"But for you, Daniel. As this is your first true kill with the Death Note. I will be more than happy to be a part of it"
Back in the barn with the lights dim and festive, their glow barely reaching those in the centre of the aisles. Ryuk waded through the darkness in-between as he fazed through plastic and flesh.
Only stopping once he got to the back of Luke's large frame.
Reaching with his dark leathered like fingers into his pouch, Ryuk pulled out a slither of Daniel's Death Note. A simple torn corner of a page.
Pressed between two fingers, the Shinigami stretched out his hand and touched the warm back of Luke with the corner of the white.
With a light cackle, Ryuk disappeared into the floor as the man turned in his seat. A face of bewilderment was plastered on his flabby brow as he looked vaguely in Daniel's direction. Only to dismiss whatever was there.
"Now my… my friends… let us write that which is wrong in this w-world"
Alone with no book in hand or lap, Daniel sat strangely calmer than before. His heart that had plagued his chest with twisted torment was now at a slow steady beat.
Though his brow was still cold, not a drop of salt moved or faltered.
And his stomach felt light and empty.
Clasped were his hands, firm with fingers pressed tightly, Daniel watched and listened as everyone else wrote names in the Book of Kira.
The scratchings of pencil to paper bounced off the metal sheeted walls. Caws of crows in the rafter stirred the resonance of scratching as a few birds took flight.
Ryuk, though blanketed in the darkness was noticed by Daniel. Taking a spot amongst the murder of black eyes and feathered wings, Ryuk unfurled his wings before cackling again.
Disturbed by the noise, Luke turned in his seat and looked skyward. But his eyes could not seem to see what was hidden in the black.
Beats of flapping wings soared from rafter to rafter. With each sudden movement Luke followed the sound with interest.
"Do you hear that?" he nudged Kayla harshly in the shoulder.
Flowing long red hair shook from side to side as Kayla negatively replied, seemingly irritating Luke to ask Mr Peterson next to him the same question.
"Just the birds" he whispered with annoyance.
The caws and cackles grew louder as Ryuk laughed while flying around the barn. His speed of flight made it hard for Luke to track the strange sight and sounds.
He seemed confused and lost as to why no one else could see or hear this thing buzzing around.
Turning his wrist slightly, Daniel glimpsed at his watch.
12:44, finally! It begins!
With a sudden cease, the cries of the crows ended with silence as Ryuk's flight was no more.
Luke still searched to no avail to the strange being he thought he saw. Concerned eyes surveyed each person near him as he seemed to ponder if it was real or not.
But before he could sigh a moment of relief.
A dark chilling tone called out to him from the darkness.
"Luke Jones" it called with a voice hoarse and jagged.
Off to the side of Theodore Beckett and away from the light that enveloped him, a pair of yellowed large eyes appeared in the naked darkness.
Teethy white, a smile formed and spoke to a terrified Mr Jones.
"I am the Shinigami, Ryuk. Though I guess in your language, you could call me the Grim Reaper"
Hands shaking and searching for the back of his seat, Luke stammered to a rise as he locked eyes with Ryuk.
"G-God of Death!" he stuttered for all to hear.
A light mutter and the odd hush whispered towards Luke, but the man paid no heed. Instead, the man began to push at his chair and force it aside as he walked backwards.
Stepping out into the partial light covering Beckett, Ryuk struggled to keep his laughter aside as he continued.
"Hehe, you've gone and angered the wrong man, Luke Jones. He may not be Kira, but his desire to kill you may have put him on the right path"
Kicking aside his chair as it fell, all eyes were now on Luke as Theodore Beckett asked for peace and calm.
But all ears ignored the aged man as Luke uttered a sweet surprise that licked their senses.
"Kira! Please don't! not me! I didn't do it!"
Marching over with long strides, Ryuk quickly shortened the distance between the two. The sudden and swift movement caught Luke off-guard as the large man collapsed and shoved the surrounding chairs. Causing a large clatter of metal against concrete.
Terrified beyond belief was the face of Luke as he tried to scream in terror. However, his chest forced silence with muffled gasps of air.
Grasping to his heart, Luke desperately tried to cling to life as his face turned blue.
With one finally gasp of air, his arm gave away and dropped to the floor dead and lifeless.
"Luke Jones. Heart attack. On February 4th at 12:43 am, the Shinigami will touch Luke with a piece of the Death Note. Within the next two minutes the Shinigami will proceed to scare Luke until he utters the words "God of Death" and "Kira". Dies at 12:45am"
Watching the whole event end, still sat firm in his seat with his heart steady as water. Daniel witnessed a familiar piece of quiet before a scream pierced the calm.
"AAAAAGHHH!"
A cry of anguish and floods of tears poured down the beautiful freckled cheeks of Kayla as she rushed over to her father's corpse.
"DAD! DADDY!" she yelled, screaming shaking her father's body to no avail.
A crowd had begun to form around her and the fallen man. Their bodies slowly blocking Daniel's view as he remained perfectly still, observing and digesting.
Wondering if he did what was right or wrong.
Sunrise was breaking on their way home. Daniel and his family had stayed behind far longer than they should have.
The rising dawn had already spilled the sky in deep orange as the car ventured close to Boston.
Inside the car, soft winces of cries permeated from Kayla's soft tired lips. She was finally sleeping, cuddled with sweet little Eva and Mom in the back seats.
They all had a tiring night, one that Daniel believed he could never forget.
"Daniel?" Dad began softly, there was tiredness hanging on his throat as he spoke.
"As I mentioned before, Kayla will be staying with us for now. This… ordeal has been far too much on the poor lass and… I find it our responsibility to take care of her. As our neighbour, we may be the only family she has left"
Sitting with his long legs nicely spread in the passenger seat, Daniel struggled to speak as his throat felt dry and tight.
"I- I think that's… that's a great idea dad" he replied with a sore throat.
Weakly smiling, Dad glanced into the rear-view mirror and said "They look like sisters. Eva and Kayla. I would like to put her in your sister's room but… sigh, her room is far too small to accommodate her"
Daniel understood where this conversation was going, he was wondering why Dad was taking the long way round to say it though.
"Dad" he said as he turned to his father.
"W-we live in a semi-attached h-house… The rooms are s-small as it is… she can take my bed and I'll… I'll take the couch… it's the least I can do for her…"
Tapping the rim of the steering wheel, Dad seemed pleased with his son as he took in a deep breath.
"Thank you, Daniel. She needs this and it will mean a lot to her"
Dark as his shadow that loomed over the windscreen, Ryuk's head appeared upside down as the Shinigami phased partially into the car from the roof.
His upside-down smiling grin cackling with laughter as he looked around the car with glee.
"Did you see their face's Daniel! It was priceless!" the Demon explained with joy.
"I never thought you had it in you to kill the man in front of so many people. In front of his daughter too. I can't wait to see whose name you will write in the Death Note next!... There will be another name, right?"
Turning his head to the car door, Daniel rested his weary brow against the glass and stared into his barely visible reflection.
The sight of his lips curving with a pleased smile greeted him.
Authors corner;
This chapter purposely follows the same beat as Daniel's first. From the car, to the barn and then the death that follows.
It was to show two versions of similar events and how Daniel reacts to it. Previously in Chapter 2, Daniel was a man like any other. Following the wishes and ideals of like-minded individuals even when he didn't want to be there.
He still didn't want to be there at first, but now he was in more control. The narrative was already set in stone. He just had to sit there and watch it unfold.
He could feel it and was terrified of the power he was waiting to unleash.
I decided early on in the chapter to introduce another Player. I needed to keep the other Players fresh in the readers minds and show how much of a threat they are or at least could be.
This Player was based on the idiotic or crazy TikTok/ YouTube users you might see, that post videos of insane pranks that can get other people hurt, just simple for clout.
Later on, at the barn I also revealed a new character. Somewhat mysterious and handsome, this man will play a larger role in the events to come. For now, he is just naturally being introduced to Daniel.
Luke Jones's death has been through several versions since I first conceived the character. At one point he was to die in front of a grave stone in a church yard. His overall lack of interaction with Daniel was a fault on my part. I wanted more of a confrontation at first between the two but I felt that Daniel was more of a coward later on.
He's not the type to face the danger or openly talk to the person at fault. That's why he call's the police in chapter 6, but does not try to talk with them. He's afraid of confrontation or retribution for his actions.
Ryuk's little performance was a spur of the moment thing. I wasn't planning it at all, it just flowed as I was writing. The act of being a part of the kill was planned. Just not the flying around part.
His disturbance of the crows might come off as impossible to some, as animals cannot see Shinigami like humans can't. However, it is believed that animals can perceive danger and death before it can arrive. For example, dogs are known to react to earthquakes before they happen.
As such, the crows could sense Ryuk's presence even though he is invisible to them.
No idea who the next chapter will be about at the moment. I do have two contenders though.
Option one; we return to Eloise Grant and see the repercussions of her actions after getting fired.
Option two; we visit a new Player. The one mentioned at the beginning of this chapter.
For now, I will write key elements and drafts for both chapters. If anyone out there reading this has a desire for one or the other, just let me know in the comments and I will make that happen.
See you next time.