5:17 p.m.

The past two days were incredibly boring. Mello was still sleeping, Matt was having fun reading all of Mello’s hidden files on his mafia, and Near was busily playing with his toys and puzzles in the main room.

Outa sat beside Near watching the boy’s fingers fly from one puzzle to another. Near had offered to teach him to work the 3D jigsaw, but he declined saying he was to old for such things. This always earned him a snicker.

He filed papers, keeping up with work, and stopped the wild boys from killing each other whenever Matt would knock something over and Near wanted blood. It wasn’t that hard really. Nears spirits had improved but his body remained weak. And Matt was splitting his time between papers, games, dinner, and watching Mello.

Matt pranced down stairs; obviously still trying to wake Mello up the way he would jump from bottom to top at random hours of the day. No one knew how he did it.

“The only logical view is that Matt is possessed.” Outa broke down hearing this. Near was very blunt and to the point. “I don’t think so.” He replied. Near simply shrugged.

“I’m gonna go check on Mello. Matt sit with Near till I get back.” Matt stopped in the middle of the door to get a good view of the dice Taj Ma Hall Near had built earlier.

He was so tempted to flick one of the delicately placed cubes out from under it.

“Don’t think about it.” Came the warning before Matt had even moved. “I spent three parts of a good hour on that. And you will not take it down in three seconds.”

“Fine. Fine” Matt sighed. “When will Mel wake up?” He asked no body in particular. “I’m just so bored. I’ve read all of his papers.”

“When his body is ready we will know.” Near concentrated on the puzzle, but he was an expert at multitasking. “And you better be happy I won’t tell him you’ve been snooping in his memos.” He finished the game. “Ill or not, he will get you if he finds out.”

There was a thump down stares and the noise of shouting. Both boys got up and ran as quickly as they could to the stairs. The shouting getting louder as they slowly made their way to the bottom.

“Yep. That’s Mello alright.” Matt took out his cell quickly pushing the buttons on line three. “Now we wait for Mikami to arrive.”

They worried as they watched the shadows of Outa and Mello move about the room. Were had Mello gotten the energy to get up? Even to stand? He truly was the most mysterious guy they had ever meet.

“What happened?” They heard Mello inquire. His voice was cold, like he wanted Outa gone or something.

“You had an accident, Mello.” The latter replied cautiously. “Don’t you remember?”

“Don’t talk.” Mello declared. His shadow turned toward the door, and in a few passes he was staring with wide eyes at the gaping boys.

“What happened to you?” they said at the same time. Mello’s face was different. It looked flushed and puffy. As though there was an infection right under the surface of his flesh. Mello touched his face, “I don’t know. But it’s not your business.” He glared. When had Mello gotten so fierce? Thank goodness he was wearing slacks or it would have been even weirder.

Mello’s head snapped at the sound of more steppes coming down the narrow hall. A pair of glossy black shoes followed by a handsome suit came into view.

Mikami locked eyes with Mello as soon as he reached the bottom. They stood for countless minutes. Blazing sapphires burning into blood red, if they took the form of statues it would not have surprised anyone.

“What did you do to me!?” Mello barked suddenly causing the two youngest to jump slightly. They knew that voice. It wasn’t Mello. It was the other side of him he kept in check.

It was the long forgotten Miheal Keehl. A man no body wanted because of his evil temper and demon like ways.

9:22 a.m.

9:22 a.m.

Near woke with a start. Cold hands covered his mouth to keep him from saying anything. An arm grabbed him around his small waist pulling him up off his bed. He kicked out with what strength he had and connected with the person’s side. His captor dropped him hissing. “Dammit! Near! Why did you do that!!!”

“Who are you!?” Near pressed in hushed whispers, gathering himself in a position that resembled a cornered animal. Even his hair seem to stick up on end. “If I was stronger, I’d put you out!”

“You seem strong enough!” was the reply. The figure stooped again attempting to grab Near. Who simply moved under the table to avoid contact, or so he thought. The I.V. latched onto the table edge causing the boy to jerk backward. Near grabbed the tube in his arm to pull it out, but didn’t have time as those freezing hands wrapped around one of his ankles. “STOP NEAR!” came the unwanted voice. “DON’T DO THAT!” The voice’s tone feel as if it were afraid of scaring him more. Near let himself be pulled out.

In the light that crept through a partially closed window, he saw the obvious man pulling at the cord that turned on the lights. It clicked, forcing Near to adjust to the tiny sun. Was it just his eyes or…no it couldn’t be?

“L?” was all he could manage as he stared into those vacant eyes. A smile played on his lips. It was L! His master and mentor stood before him with his head cocked to one side.

Then L broke into fits of laughter.

“What?” he gasped, “L????”

The laughter subsided. Near was bewildered. L never laughed like that.

“The others tolled me you had hurt your head when you fell. Now let me help you to the couch.” Near lowered his head in disappointment as the ‘L’ picked him up and carried him into he living room.

When he looked up again he saw Mikami standing over him, an amused grin plastered across his smooth face. “Now.” The man said plopping Near on the sofa. “Lets take a look at you.”

Mikami took his time testing Nears joints, checking his ears, pulse, and heart. Mikami frowned slightly as he placed his steth a scope on Nears back. “Breath.” Near did until it came to the deep breaths, he chocked and grabbed his chest so violently he almost fell from the couch. Mikami gently pushed him back until he was laying flat on the cushions. “Hmmmm……” He mumbled taking a needle and syringe from his case, Near turned his head away as Mikami tied a rubber band on his forearm.

A gasp came from the door way just before the needle was injected. “Out, Matt.” Mikami said, “Or I’ll take some blood from you too.” He teased. Matt’s eyes popped and with a screech he raced from the room. ‘Great he’s got Near scared.’ He thought as he felt Near trembling. Turning back, he was relieved to find the small boy suppressing himself from laughing at Matt’s foolish behavior.

As he proceeded to take blood, he could have sworn he heard Near sigh with a look of deep sorrow in his void like eyes. Nears breath hitched, “Don’t cry.” He tried to sound consoling, “The needle might slip or you’ll feel it easier.”

Near carefully nodded. He really missed L, the man he was to one day replace. Mello was also on the list of ‘L’ substitutes but his reputation might stop that. Mello was emotional, something they both new lost you points at Whammy’s, the orphanage they had grown up in. Well, not Mello and Matt but he had.

Near new nothing of family life or even close companionship with a relative. All he knew was that one morning L had stepped out on the large porch and found him. His mother had obviously just had him since he was proclaimed two hours old. L use to look at Near as they worked on a problem and declare his mother a fool for giving him up. Near didn’t care much, for all that mattered to him was that L was his guardian and with him he was always safe. Once L was gone though, he followed the only other people he had feelings for. The very two people he now resided with.

“Done.” Near looked at Mikami. The man was placing the three vials of his blood in a compartment of his bag. “I’ll get it looked at. And when the results come in I’ll bring them back. Should be about two-three days.” Mikami pat Nears head, “I know you miss L but there is nothing that can be done.”

He strode to the door to find Matt waiting. “Vampire!” The younger declared, only to back away as Mikami brought out another needle to show Matt. “No! NO!” He yelped. “I’m fine Mika, seriously!”

The man simply chuckled putting the needle back. “Mello shouldn’t wake up for a while. So I’m bringing Nears blood back. Call me if he does come around.” As he stepped to the door, he said Outa was staying to help. Then with a roar of the motorcycle he was gone.

4:01 a.m.

Smoke filled the hall engulfing Matt’s solitary figure. It had been what felt like forever since Mikami and Outa had arrived to help.

*Flashback*

Matt put the phone down after having sent out a distress signal on line 3. By the third shot he had his gun “price of life” and dashed through the front door. His slim figure skid to a halt in a patch of dirt, kicking up dust.

Taking his usual position he began laying heavy fire to the shrubs that lit up with the assault. Thinking he saw someone stand up at the edge of the yard he hoped Mello was O.K.

The gun fired at him now as though their target at the other side was done. “Great.” Matt could feel his vision blur as tears smarted his eyes. His gun needed more work were holding heat was concerned. “Not good.”

Running a few paces closer he opened the valves on his canon allowing the ending to extend. Loading it, he pulled the trigger watching as the small balls of flames came into contact with the bushes. He waited a moment until he was sure all activity had stopped, and then proceeded.

He was not two feet from the overhang of trees when fire again started from another direction. Falling headlong into the brush, he knew it wasn’t this guy. This enemy was most certainly dead. With a grimace of disgust, he pushed the charred remains away.

‘Where are they?!’ Matt’s mind screamed as he bit his lip to keep himself in control. ‘I didn’t call just for fun!’ He scanned himself for a moment to make sure he was still in one piece. Minor cuts and scrapes were all he found. Taking a breath he stood to face his oppressors, saw the top of a tree on fire, he nearly shouted as he saw two figures make a brake from the scene.

Listening to the roar of a motorcycle, he ran for the houses porch. Mikami must have gotten the other guys since none shot at him. Mikami was one of Matt’s most trusted allies. He knew that it was Outa on the bike, Mikami’s traveling buddy. Matt ran into Mikami as he was in the process of throwing the basement doors open for Outa and Mello. Matt raced inside and threw everything out of the way as the two men brought Mello in.

“Hold this!” came the smooth voice of Mikami. Matt took the string of christmas light handed to him. The man was even taller than Matt with long, curly, black hair. His attire was always a loose tux; which was now being drenched with Mello’s blood. He was always calm no matter the situation.

Taking the lights he and Outa strung them along the ceiling of the basement. Outa rivaled Mello’s height, a little stocky in build, but with a heart of gold. His dark eyes were similar in color to his dark brown, hair, which was just shaggy enough to be noticeable.

When they were finished and Mello had been laid out. Mikami pushed Matt out of the room. So, he could concentrate without listening to Matt freak-out at the operation.

Taking his coat off him he went to work removing Mello’s cloths so he and Outa could begin fixing the irrational youth. “Ugh…” he sighed, looking at Mello’s body for a moment, “Stitches, forceps, all the usual stuff.” Outa ran to get the tools. Although no one new what he did in real life, Mikami was tolled by all that he should be a surgeon.

*End flashback*

Matt paced the hall for the hundredth time, lighting the beginning of his second pack of cigarettes. Near was out cold, the lucky stiff, so Matt was left to his own thoughts. He continued prowling till his feet went numb and contented himself by slumping to the floor of the hall. Seconds ticked by, the cigarette feel from his slack mouth, his breath came in even light snores.

The still house now only carried the small sounds that were emitted from the basement.

9:15 p.m.

Mello raced past Matt, who was carrying a plate of dry crackers for Near. “Where?” He tried to ask but, the older man continued toward the out doors not paying him any attention. “The toilets working again if that’s what you need!” He yelled. Hearing the door slam he shrugged and continued toward Near’s room, whistling a merry tune.

Mello continued running until he stopped under a tree twenty yards from the house. Had he imagined the gun shot? That was impossible. He was surprised Matt hadn’t heard it, with his radar ears.

BANG!

Mello knew he wasn’t dreaming now. He scanned the property trying to locate where the shot came from.

BANG!

The side of the tree he stood behind shattered, causing him to pull his hand gun from his tight leather pants. Mello rolled away firing the whole time. He grunted, his left side burning from the large splinters that had been embedded into his skin. The shots from the other side of the yard continued when he came to a halt in a small trench. Grabbing some overgrown thick weeds that grew there he did his best to tie his silky hair out of his vision range.

The ground before him shattered. “What kind of gun does this idiot have?” Mello hissed trying to keep calm. He reached for his chest knowing his gem wasn’t there. He gave it to Near with the slightest hope it would keep the ill boy safe. Although he wasn’t the greatest practicer of his faith he still held some of the teachings his mother had taut him close, especially for times like this.

He continued booming until he heard the crack of a more familiar gun being fired from the direction of the house. He silently prayed that it was Matt as he slowly pulled himself out of his hiding place.

Sure enough there stood Matt with one of his home made cannon like guns blasting with all his might into a clump of cypress trees. Mello had just allowed himself a small smile when a searing pain ripped threw his upper thigh. Looking down he saw a long knife caught in the strings of his leather breeches. A man was laughing heinously behind him.

Mello slowly turned to stare face to face with a mad man.

The man jumped back from Mello. He took out another knife from a belt which hung around his scantly covered middle. The man’s eyes glowed as he licked the knife cutting his own tongue in the process. He was mad. Even a trained professional would not do something so showy.

Mello could feel the blood flowing freely down soaking his pants, dying them a rich red. He raised his weapon at the man. Who looked at it puzzlingly before taking a step closer. “You act like you’ve never seen a gun before.” Mello sighed to the man, who continued his advances. Mello allowed the man to get close enough for him to touch the tip of his gun, then retreated when the man began to grab for the firearm.

The man’s face contorted with an uncontrolled rage, the blood dripping from his mouth only intensifying the horrific look. In a seconds time the distance between them closed and Mello felt the tip of the knife gently cut the soft flesh of the exposed section of his midriff. Mello cursed his love for tight exposing cloths. But, he was the leader after all so he thought it was natural. All leaders, with him as no acseption, wore sexy clothes.

The wound wasn’t deep just annoying to move with. But, he bore it as he finally took a disparate shot at the maniac. With great agility the man grabbed a branch as though he were a monkey.

“Damn!” Mello spat as he continued blasting the tree top. Where was Matt? He couldn’t have been killed. That was impossible!

These thoughts had barely escaped his mind when the entire top of the tree burst into flames. Mello blinked at the intense light, stumbling into the arms of whoever was behind him.

He was soon forced to run; the pain in his middle was becoming excruciating. Rough hands grabbed the back of his vest ripping the zipper as he was flung onto a motor cycle of some kind. The engine roared to life as it took off toward the house.

Something or someone opened the basement doors allowing the vehicle to enter. Everything around Mello was going dark. Growling in defeat he eventually allowed himself to fall into his own mentality.

Two people pulled Mello’s unconscious form toward an unoccupied bed and plopped him face down onto the pillow, their hands cutting the fabric away to gain access to his wounds. Bright lights were turned on and once all clothing had been removed, the men went to work removing all unwanted articles from the tender flesh.

8:37 p.m.

8:37 p.m.

Fog. It was all that loomed in front of Nears eyes when he finally opened them. A blinding light accompanied by the most annoying beeping were the next things his mind registered. A pair of familiar voices loomed some were in the mist.

“When will he wake up?” came the first voice. “More like why hasn’t he gotten up.” The second cooed trying to comfort the first.

As his vision cleared, Near’s fingers began to grope around. “Hey!” he called in the direction of the two voices, holding out his hands. Human or God he didn’t care, he only wanted help sitting up. He yelped as he felt four warm arms tackle his chest and waist.

Pressed between the bodies of his best friends, he heard the wolfish laugh of Mello. One of Matt’s hands came off his chest and rustled his hair. “M-Matt? Mell-o?” he managed to get out. They grinned at each other as they let him go.

“Yep!” chimed Mello’s voice.

“Damn. You had us scared!” Matt said placing an arm around Nears shoulder to steady him. “Why can’t I see clearly?” Near asked uncertainly “You gotta concussion, kid.” Matt said patting his snowy locks.

Near sat for a moment thinking, registering what Matt had tolled him. The two older boys had learned long ago to leave him alone when he was thinking. Sighing, they turned around and sat on either side of the bed. Matt pulled his PSP out and began playing. The noises emitted from the tiny machine brought Near back with a snap. Mello watched as Nears gaze flit around the room. As if he were lost or searching for a good way out.

“Where are we?” Both older boys looked at him for a moment before they set to explanations. It had been too hard with the police after them to actually take Near to the clinic so they kidnapped a doctor and made him work in their house.

“He whined the whole way over” Matt declared. Sending both boys into fits of laughter! He ended his charade by acting like the doctor, blindfolded, hands searching for something to grab only to fall over. He laughed with them as he re-sat were he had left.

“Do you need anything?” Matt asked. “A drink? Maybe something to eat?” His hand rested on the mattress while he waited for Near to answer. His eyes full of concern and admiration for his little brother. ‘Why didn’t he eat or drink anything? He knows we would have helped him. Even if that meant us getting sick.’ Matt felt very confused.

“I can feel an I.V. in my arm. Therefore a drink is unnecessary.” Near considered his options before answering anything more. “I don’t know about food.” His stomach growled a reply for him. Matt smiled and ran from the room.

Near felt Mello rise from his place at the end of his bed, the red rosary clinking as it hit the silver zipper of his leather vest. He tried to follow the shadow of Mello’s shape, but lost it half way to the door, if that was the door. Mello’s army like foot steps stopped and sped back to the bed. Near heard the rosary being taken from Mello’s neck before feeling it thrust into his hands.

“Hold it.” He said in a husky voice before he also ran from the room. If he could have seen, he would have beheld Mello's worried expression for the first time.

Near sat moving the ancient beads between his thin fingers. He smiled as he put it around his own neck feeling its weight, touching the cold silver cross. He knew that this was Mello’s priceless treasure. The last article he owned that once belonged to his now deceased family, his anchor to staying sane and calm. Near wondered where they were as he began to fall into a light slumber, dreams forming before his mind.