Chapter 13: Eloise Grant
February 5th Sunday
Dull ashen clouds brought a gloomy grey colour to the otherwise bright Livingroom as Eloise sat on her couch in front of the glowing tv.
Dressed in her blue pyjamas with one bare foot resting on the glass coffee table, Eloise wasn't watching anything in particular at the moment. It was more back ground noise as she waited for the news while focusing on her aching fingertip.
Peeling away the old plaster revealed gnarled dry skin and blackened flaky blood. It was painful to look at. Feeling it was worse as the throbbing soreness did not end at the tip, no. For some reason it eclipsed all the way down and into her palm.
It hurt when she tried to flex the finger. Gripping an object became too much of a challenge as any pressure on the tip caused her to drop whatever she was holding. Even something as simple as a pencil.
It was stupid of her to bite into it. She knew that. But it had to be done to be rid of that fat lard of a man.
"No one will take you away from me" Eloise whispered to her finger before giving it a gentle kiss. Tom Hill was safe and secure in her mind. She knew in her heart that he didn't mean a thing he said to her.
That lie about "letting her go" was just a simple misunderstanding. Tom could have meant that she was moving to another floor and be supervised by a new manager. She knew this to be true, she could see it in his eyes, the pain he had to endure to set her free.
That tom… he doesn't want to let me go…
Squealing a playful giggle at the thought of her man struggling with his feelings. The sight of his inner turmoil as she left the office, wanting her to look back one last time and then rush into his open arms.
"That would be a dream come true…" she remarked with a blissful look.
"Ow!"
Reaching for a new plaster from the small first aid box that sat beside her, Eloise accidently nudged the sensitive skin on a sharp corner of the plastic container.
Reeling in from the biting pain, her finger soon found its way into her mouth. Her tongue caressing and soothing the pain away with gentle licks.
"Does it cause you pain" echoed the dead tone of Tsumi.
"Will it impede on your royal duties, my Princess?"
Hovering close by, Tsumi had become more dutiful of a pet than usual. After that day in the restroom and the sudden appearance of Gemu, the horrid creature of fleshy eyes had stayed closer than normal towards Eloise. Ever ready to serve or give an opinion. Wanted or otherwise.
Before meeting that mysterious gambler, Eloise had only tolerated Tsumi in small doses and only from a far distance. Its vivid and disturbing fleshy appearance was off putting to look at. Listening to the wet tapping sounds as it moved made her skin crawl. And the many eyes that enveloped the ball of flesh, made her feel violated as though not a single inch of her body could escape its sight.
And now, after her little tantrum in the restroom. The reaper seemed to have gained a little rebellious. Moving closer and often visible in small moments.
She could feel it close even now. Slight sloshing sounds of its wet tentacles moving twitched her ears. It was revolting and it was disrupting her mood.
"Tsumi!" she began as she pulled a fresh new plaster from her first aid box. Her voice slightly irritated and annoyed.
"My duties as your future Queen are not to be questioned. Whether or not I am able to perform them to my best abilities is none of your concern. For there is no task, great or small, that can stop me from achieving my rightful place as ruler"
Struggling to peel away the protective layer of the plaster, Eloise's fingers fumbled as she struggled to not use her damaged index.
"Besides" she continued as she finally removed the white thin plastic.
"Whom said you could be within my presence. Your body assaults my ears with your dirty movements"
Waving her hand to gesture the creature away, Eloise assumed her Shinigami would get the picture and leave. After all, a pet like it should listen and obey their master.
Carefully wrapping the new plaster around her finger, Eloise winced a little as she made sure it was tightly around the wound with a little pinch.
How long will this take to heal? One month? Two?... fucking hurts…
Dropping her hurt hand softly onto the sofa with a huff, Eloise began to reshuffle herself for better comfort. Folding her knees close to her chest, she held her soft legs tightly, her small feet just barely on the edge of the cushion.
C.S.I Miami was on channel 5. A good episode, a repeat to be sure but an enjoyable one that Eloise could tolerate while she waited. It was about one of the C.S.I's being kidnapped after their personal and professional information had been leaked online. The kidnapper wanted her to cover up a murder, so she had to try and escape without compromising the evidence. It amazed Eloise as to how smart these characters were portrayed to be. In a tense situation like that, she honestly didn't know what she would do.
Within time, the hour had finally arrived and Eloise swiftly changed the channel to BBC 1.
Behind her left knee, with her lips pressed tightly to her soft pyjamas, a slight curve of a smile waited to fully bloom as the presenter appeared and began with breaking news.
"Sudden and unexpected deaths across the UK have sparked rumours of Kira's return. The controversial killer, first appeared in late 2003 had since disappeared from the public eye in early 2010. Supposed murders by Kira had since emerged in small incidents around the world, with his latest stunt in 2019 in which he supposed to have sold his power to kill to the United States of America. Now with the latest spring of unexpected heart attacks and unexplained deaths happening all across Britain, the Prime Minister has now come forth and announced the arrival of a special-"
A teethy glee squealed behind Eloise's knee.
"Kira's getting the blame for it!"She said excitedly.
"They don't know it was I that killed those lowlifes" she beamed.
Disturbing her elated joy, Tsumi spoke in dead tones from behind her couch.
"Why are you so happy my Princess. Are thou not aware, though there are five additional Kira's out there, they are still acknowledge you?"
Huffing her cheeks and stomping her feet to the soft carpet with a thump, Eloise turned quickly on the couch, her knees buried deep into the cushion as she stared down slimy eyed demon with furious eyes.
"You! Tsumi are not supposed to be here! I told you to leave!" she fumed as she pointed a finger straight at the Shinigami.
"Besides, I never described myself as a Kira. Though I have their power and I have rid this world of filth. I stand at a pedestal far beyond the silly titles of a madman lost to the victors of history… A pet like you could never comprehend the magnitude of my inner thoughts or even the complexity of my plan. For I am a being greater than that of Kira!"
Unfazed by the human before it as it hovered, Tsumi's tentacles wriggled in continuous movement as it rolled it's one gigantic eye.
"Princess, I am not here to question your motives or ideals with the Death Note. Not even your plans for the future of your race. I am merely trying to understand your expression of joy when clearly, they know that Kira, or someone with that power was the one whom killed all of your colleagues. Besides, you are not as discreet as you'd liked to be"
Pouting lips pressed tightly together, Eloise could tolerate the sight of Tsumi's disgusting appearance no more and she sharply turned away from the wriggling creature. Crossing her arms tightly in anger, Eloise felt as though she needed to explain herself to her pet. Not for self-gratification that her plan was as success. No, she felt as though it was her duty as future queen that the rabble needed to understand the meticulous nature of her mind.
"Tsumi" she began in a sharp attentive tone, as though she was teaching a classroom of children.
"I, Eloise, your future queen can assure you that the police will never find out it was me whom ended those pitiful lives. Purely on the fact that they could never locate Kira not matter how hard they try. For you see my dumb creature, they are looking for "one" Kira. Not two, not three, not six. One"
The news coverage continued with videos of a suspected Kira wearing a mask. The one calling themselves "Kira Two Point Oh".
It proceeded to show Visual images of blurred bodies of this Kira's victims. Eloise paused for a moment and admired the works of this person. Clearly a powerful woman with a flair for dramatics.
She had to admit it. This Kira, this Player was one to watch out for. The boldness of her killings, the sheer joy in her laughter.
The mockery to the police by uploading the videos for the world to see.
I like her style. Pity that they will be looking for her first.
"I am not the only one using the Death Note you see. Even before that enigmatic Gemu explained to me the existence of other wielders of the Death Note. I suspected that there was at least another out there. After all, there was two Kira's during the early years of "his" reign. Why couldn't there be two or more now?
So, amongst my own names that I have written to purge my dear sweet Tom of the filth that surround him. Other Players have muddled the pool of death with their own. If the police were to be on my tail, they would have to somehow piece together a connection to not only my victims, but to also the souls taken by the other five.
Don't you see it, my naïve Tsumi? There is no one smart enough out there that could see the tree in the forest. I am just a normal everyday single woman working for ends meet" she said smugly as she finished.
Cold and dead was its expression. Tsumi said nothing as it stared down the back of Eloise's slender neck.
Content that the stupid creature had nothing to say, Eloise began to relax her cross demeanour and reached out for a can of Pepsi on the coffee table.
Cracking it open as it made a sharp fizz, foaming bubbles spouted around the opening as Eloise perched her lips to the rim.
Her throat gulped as she took in gentle sips. Savouring the taste as the popping liquid ran over her tongue.
As soon as her mouth parted from the can, the news ended with the weather forecast. Heavy snow for the afternoon with frost during the night.
"Not a single mention of poor Allen Park" she said amused while trying to hold in a burp.
It was strange though, she would have to admit to herself. His death wasn't exactly discreet or one of her finest moments. Though perhaps it wasn't as important of note to inform the populace the disposure of trash.
…he did die of a heart attack though…
The signature calling card of Kira…
Eloise had been very careful in the past when using the Death Note. She knew it would be foolish of her to end lives with a simple heart attack. That would be announcing to the world the presence of a Kira in Lincoln. Especially after the way she had delt with her former colleagues.
No, she had instead disposed all the dirt and grime with an array of accidents.
Like poor Josef who got hit by a car on the way to work. Or weak pathetic Amanda, whom have fallen down a flight of stairs and cracked her head on the floor.
Simple deaths but discreet. Hidden away from the idea of a connection between Eloise and Kira.
…though, there was one other.
"Phil Green" she muttered. The first name to grace her Notebook. The man she killed out of spite and the deep desire to know if the Death Note truly worked.
Two heart attacks in Lincoln… surely just a blip on the radar. A small stone in a quarry of gravel. No man alive could arrive at the conclusion that I did it!
Unsure and with unease of concern growing with each thought, Eloise rested the Pepsi can on the coffee table with shaking hands. The base of the tin rested on top of a burnt playing card, the one given to her by Gemu. Six of hearts barely visible with the word "Boston" written in deep red, coated by a ring of fizzy brown.
With a quick and barely acknowledgeable glance at the card, Eloise soon found herself looking back, briefly intrigued of her would be coaster.
Oh!.. I… I forgot I brought that home…
The longer she stared at the crispy black card, the more her unease and worry faded away like rain on a summer's day. Replaced by warm growing curiosity.
Gemu's Game… If I play the Game right and kill the other five… who would the police suspect after that? Wouldn't the deaths by heart attack stop, if I'm the only one with the Death Notes?
I'd be the only one left… no more heart attacks… no more suspicion surrounding me…
Lifting away the Pepsi, the town name became more prompt in Eloise's inquiring eyes.
"Boston… as in the city in America… or the town here in England?" she pondered out loud. It was her first true thought about the card ever since she received it. She almost brushed off the entire event with Gemu as a bad dream, if it were not for her poor fingertip.
"Tsumi" she started as she pinched the card between her fingers, while avoiding too much pressure on her index.
"What can you tell me about the Game?"
From behind her couch, eerily close to the back of her neck. Its annoying wriggling suddenly stopped.
In slow methodical movements, Tsumi hovered to Eloise's side. Just barely in view in the corner of her eye. Its red tentacles stayed motionless as the demon spoke in serious dead tones. Like it wanted Eloise's full attention.
"I know all there is about the Game, human. For Gemu has entrusted us all the rules that bind both us Shinigami and humans to "his" law. And under "his" law we are to only give hints or full telling's about one rule under a form of trade. Ask a question, human and I shall permit an answer as long as I am able and sufficiently paid the price"
Price?.. you expect me, your future queen to pay! Stupid freak probably wants more candy.
Disturbed and put off by its appearance violating her beautiful eyes, Eloise tried to turn away from the creature. Only for the mass of eyes to follow in her line of sight. Always staying in the corner.
Annoyed at Tsumi's sudden insistence of being seen, Eloise had the sudden desire to scream and tell the insignificant pet to leave at once.
Only for the pulsing pain in her index to remind her of the card and the fact that eventually she needed to play. Or else she would die sometime next year.
"Are there Players in America?" she asked as she flipped over the card as saw the large number six.
The Shinigami did not answer.
Forcing herself to look at the demon, Eloise huffed and crinkled her nose in disgust.
This fool of a pet truly expects a treat for an answer.
With her left hand, Eloise reached into the sides of the cushions at the end of the couch. She knew she had stashed some hard candies in one of the sides, just to shut up Tsumi or placate its mood.
Soft sounds of crinkles singled Eloise's success in finding a small bag. Pulling out the plastic containing rock hard sugar candy, Eloise dandled it to show Tsumi what she had to offer for payment.
Wasting no time, a slimy appendage shot forth from Tsumi and snatch the entire bag at once. Retracting the red mass, Tsumi gobbled the candy and plastic the moment it touched its main body. Dissolving into its mass.
"No" Tsumi said at once.
"Though I cannot tell you their precise or even a vague understanding of their whereabouts. For I am not their Shinigami and thusly cannot vouch to their location. I am however of the understanding that all Players began the Game here in England"
Tilting the card and glancing both the front and back with quick glances. Eloise grinned a speck of a smile.
"Boston ay?"
So, if I'm to understand this correctly… there's one close by!?
And judging by the number on the back… six… there are six of us playing the Game. And Gemu did refer me as Player Number Four… So, by basic deduction, Player Number Six lives in Boston.
With the realisation in hand, a sharper grin widened on her soft lips.
"What a wonderful hint to gift to his future queen. This Gemu must have seen the beauty and elegance in my form once he laid eyes on me. Why else would he give me such a powerful hint. Boston isn't even that far away from here, about fifteen miles away at least. I could just pop over and start my search. Find this Player Six, kill them and take their Death Note away… or they could fall deeply in love with me at first sight and gift me their Death Note… Either will be fine to be honest"
Shades of orange and deep reds tried to peek through the mass of grey clouds as the pitter patter of snow dusted to the ground. Though the sun was only just setting, the world outside was amassed in darkness under the ashen sky.
With a flip of a switch, Eloise's bedroom came to light, illuminating her bright colourful room. Warm was her smile as her movement was slow but with a bounce in each step. She was in a very good mood.
Opening her wardrobe door, a row of elegant and soft dresses lined up perfectly. Each dress was clean and hung tidily in groups of colours.
Drumming her fingers across the fabric, Eloise hummed as she searched for the perfect dress to wear. Stopping at black, she gently removed a dress that would be perfect for tonight.
Taking her outfit to the bed, she laid it out flat and ready while giving it a lustful look.
My dear Tom… this is for you… I bought it for your eyes only…
In no short time, Eloise began to undress. Her thoughts and focus were solely on her man, even as her breasts became visible to a nearby Tsumi, Eloise did not care or even bother to cover up from its ever-watching eyes.
The dress fitted her perfectly. Black sequins woven like scales shimmered in the light as her body turned and swayed. Her tender legs fully on display right up to the short skirt that barely conceals her buttocks. And the sides, wide open and revealing the soft cream skin and partial side of breast.
Eloise felt sexy and desirable as her hands searched around her body. Imagining it was Tom who was feeling every inch, discovering her weaknesses and pleasures. But her fantasy came to an abrupt end as Tsumi reminded her of its presence.
"What is the occasion my Princess? Are you going out for the night?" Tsumi asked.
Her face displayed annoyance to her pet, but her words seemed to forgive it as Eloise sat at her dresser table and began to apply make-up.
"Tonight, my dear Tsumi is the night I declare my undying love to my dear sweet Tom… my prince of charm. For you see, if I am to play this stupid Game and win. I must set aside all thoughts that could distract me from my true purpose… Our love has been unanswered, we seek each other but we do not venture across that line. I cannot pursue the other Players if I am distracted by these thoughts of unrequited love"
Her hand started to tremble as the lipstick touched her soft lips.
"He must love me… I must know this before…"
Her words drew softer as a knowing thought gave chill in her mind.
Before I die…
It was a thought that made her skin crawl. The idea she could lose this Game one way or another. She could die and never said a word to Tom. Never revealed her love.
With a jolt to her nerves, Eloise squeezed tightly to her damaged fingertip, to strike her out these depressing thoughts.
Forcing a smile to her bright red lips, Eloise turned to Tsumi and said.
"After tonight. My dear Tsumi… I shall be with my man true… he shall be by my side as my future King of this pitiful world… and I… I shall love him as his Queen… and together… we shall conquer death itself"
Night had fallen when Eliose finally set off from Horncastle. Sat comfortably in her car with the radio off and her headlights on. She ventured out on a relatively slow drive. A rather cautious driver she was, especially when the roads were wet and icy.
Both hands stayed tight to the steering wheel. Well, as tight as one hand could be as her index finger stayed far from pressed.
The drive was going to be a short one. About fifteen minutes in the dark open country roads before reaching the outskirts of Lincoln and to her future husband's home.
As much as Eloise wanted to linger on the thought of living in his home, snuggled warmly in his bed with his strong arms around her. The cautious side of her brain had other ideas.
Vivid flashes of her memory drifted her in a sort of daydream as she drove. Her mind wondered back to her house and watched as she hid her Death Note under her bath tub. It was somewhat amusing. She always meant to have someone fix the acrylic bath panel that kept falling off every time she had a bath. Some stupid idiot didn't fit it on correctly when they installed it. And now… well it became the perfect hiding place for any would be investigator.
No fool could ever find it she smiled.
Her eventual trip to Boston was only going to be a short one. A few days, a week at most. Boston was a relatively small town to be in. So, when its inhabiting Kira did act on their malice, it should be simple to pin-point a general location to where they are. She had no need to bring her Notebook for this simple task. It would have been foolish of her if she did bring it, only to lose it somehow along the way.
Thinking towards the suitcase she had packed and ready in the boot of the car. She wondered whether or not a single page of the Death Note would be enough to safely carry on her.
Her handwriting could be very small if she wanted it to be, so enough space for names wouldn't be an issue. The problem was whether or not someone could find it if they searched her. Eloise doubted every chance that she could be a suspect but. Was hiding the page in a regular old book a wise choice.
These worrisome thoughts soon came to an abrupt end as she turned into the final street and Tom's home drew into view.
With a pull on the handbrake, Eloise parked neatly just outside his house, shortly before another car.
Viewing from her driver's window, a neat and tidy looking bungalow came to light. One that had that new brick look. Like a house that had only existed for better part of a decade, lovely and fresh.
Gently pressing her fingers to the car window, Eloise gently scratched as her mouth opened slightly. On the far end of the house, to the right of the front door was a large window. From the shallow view of this frame was a dark-skinned man sitting comfortably in his chair. Reading by lamp light with a book in one hand and a glass of liquor in the other, Tom appeared to be enjoying his night alone.
"Oh, my dear sweet Tom… are you waiting for me… sitting by your window… watching for my arrival!"
Tsumi said nothing as its human opened the car door and ventured into the cold night. Drops of soft ice fell interrupted as they melted in Eloise's hair. Her foot crunched beneath her as she stepped into the snow. With a brief pause, Eloise shuffled her skirt so that it fit better below her waist as the cold nipped and bite on her naked softness.
Her legs trembled. Not from the cold, no. They shivered out of anticipation.
Every slow step she took to the front gate made her knees weak. But she held strong as she quietly entered through and into the garden.
Though mostly covered in a veil of night. Eloise could see small bushes of flowers, beautifully arranged surrounding clean-cut grass. A bird table sat in the middle of the green, seemingly made of stone. And adorned around, like hidden little people were the garden gnomes. She could barely see them in the night but couldn't help but notice the red hats they wore.
The door stood close to her now. The white wood seemingly beckoning her to knock. An oval picture of fogged glass sat at the top of the door. She could barely see inside.
Standing only a foot away, her breath frosting in the air as her heart beated slowly. Though cold in the dress she wore, her hands were sweaty and warm.
Lips quivering as a nervous hand rose to the door, she couldn't help but hesitate the first knock. She held back her hand away from the wood as doubt began to call to her.
And long-lost words from a dead man's past echoed in her mind.
"Open your eyes, Eloise! He doesn't love you!"
"Mr Hill's not interested. Stop it with this nonsense!"
"Eloise! Enough is enough!"
Twisting anger turned inside her as the sickening voice of the long-gone Phil Green haunted her.
"He does love me, Phil! And I am going to prove it to you!" she uttered under her breath.
Ratting the door thrice, Eloise nervously awaited her prince of charm.
Her hand twitched as a figure emerged behind the fogged glass. The shadowy shape unlocked the door and slowly opened it.
Three pale white fingers held onto the edge of the door as a young woman peaked into view of the partial opened door.
"Hello? Who is it?" she asked seemingly feeling confused to a visitor at this hour. Especially confused to a visitor dressed in revealing clothes.
Standing there with her body tensing and her eyes widening slightly, Eloise did not utter a single word for half a minute to this strange new woman. Not until she was asked once more on who she was.
"I'm sorry? Can I help you?" the woman asked.
Still unmoving, no longer shaking as her body felt unusually calm Eloise replied
"Good evening… I'm looking for Tom… Who are you?" her voice chipper and warm.
The door inched slightly more open as the woman got a better view of her visitor.
"Mary? Mary Hill… What business do you have with my husband?"
Husband!?
Something inside Eloise cracked as her smile dropped instantly. Whatever Mary saw in Eloise caused her great concern as her face spelled fear and the door rushed to be closed.
Slamming her foot as a wedge, the door abruptly halted as Eloise leaned in closer to the open gap. Her face dark and tense as her hands reached for the door. Palms flat against the surface, she shoved with all her strength and forced the door into Mary.
Now stepping into her future home, Eloise peered behind the door to the invader. A hand was grasping over Mary's nose as a trickle of blood flowed. Drops of tears seeped from her eyes as she winced in pain.
But before Mary could speak, before she had a chance to call out for Tom. Eloise grabbed her by the throat with one hand, squeeing tightly to her wind pipe, and grabbed her head with the other.
With a short pull to her body, Eloise slammed Mary's head to the floor in quick repetition. All the while whispering words of malice close to her face.
"He's mine! he's mine! he's mine!"
Searing pain in her index finger stopped Eloise for a moment as her hand grasped free of Mary's neck. The unconscious body wheezed with her eyes shut and red oozed from the back of her head.
"Mary!? What was that noise?" called Tom from the Livingroom.
Elated to hear her man's deep voice call out. Eloise rose from the floor beaming with delight, unhearing of the name he called out.
"I'm coming Tom" she replied as she stepped out into view of the open front door.
As she did a large figure emerged in the corner of her eye. It was too dark and he was too quick for her to see as the body grabbed her and thrusted Eloise to the floor in short notice.
"Eloise Grant-" the voice began with a stern and authoritative masculine voice.
"You are hereby being detained under the suspicion of being or abetting a Kira"
Pressed tightly to the floor, her left cheek squeezed against the rough carpet, Eloise started to cry confused and terrified tears.
"TOM! TOM!" she yelled as random incoherent thoughts blurred before her.
Who are you?
Tom…
What are you doing here?
Kira?
I'm not a murderer…
Tom…
Save me Tom!
The sound of a nearby door opening stopped Eloise's cry for her rescuer. She couldn't see or try to move her head as the assailant was perched on top of her. His weight bearing down on her back, a rough hand firm on her head, another on her right hand. Her left was uncomfortable under her own body.
Over her struggling she missed the sweet words of her dear Tom as his voice was softer and confused.
But her attacker sounded louder as he wanted to make certain he was understood.
"Sorry for the intrusion Mr Hill. I'm Anthony Rester with the SPK. We are here to detain Eloise Grant for suspicion of being a Kira or helping a Kira. An ambulance has already been called for your wife"
"Mary?!" Tom weakly called.
Stepping around Eloise, his foot mere inches away from her face as he walked around, completely ignoring his former employee as she called out his name.
"TOM! TOM! IT'S ME ELOISE! TOM!"
Her voice cracking as salty tears soaked the carpet. Soon her vision went black as a leather bag was forced around her head.
The very last thing she saw before the world turned to darkness was a mound of floating flesh hovering over the pathway. Its sight never left Eloise.
"TSUMI! HELP ME TSUMI!"
Authors Corner;
Now we are getting somewhere.
From the beginning I knew I needed one of the Players to be capture by the SPK. For two reasons.
Firstly; we can introduce the SPK organically. Due to how I write each chapter from the Characters perspective, I couldn't randomly give you a chapter with a member of the SPK out of nowhere.
Secondly; tension… in a sense. This was her second chapter and Eloise is already under arrest. True, she was very flagrant in her use with the Death Note, as she believed she was under the radar. Now she is heading for detainment. With this quick arrest, we can show the SPK are still diligent and quick with their deductibility. So, no matter how safe a Player may act, they could still be a target.
As to how the SPK are still around as an organisation with that name… they're not really. To clarify right now, they are still technically disbanded ever since the former vice president turned president cowered before Kira in the original Manga.
The group can still be seen together in the One-shots, though I doubt they still went by the name SPK at the time. For their main purpose was to assist L in regular cases.
Why they go by this name now… well, wait a few chapters and we will see.
Next chapter is a return to a favourite of mine, Wilder Clarke.
See you next time.