“Yes, I’ll be at the airport in two hours.” Long slender fingers placed a cell phone in its holder. A tiny red light flashed off white adolescent skin. “Now charge this time.” A medium voice scolded the machine.
A door in the back opened. A figure stepping inside the large hotel room. “Sir.” The English bell boy said. “The cab is here. If you’re ready?”
“Very, well.” Near turned to face the youth. “I thank you very much.”
“No, Sir. We thank you for your patronage.” The boy said smiling grabbing Near’s grip and walking the elevator.
“Indeed.” Near murmured, stepping into the elevator. “To him this would be nothing…” Near mussed aloud talking in reference to L. He knew that if he had been L the hotel would have been the finest. Here he was though an seventeen year old young man, and had moved more than anyone could have imagined.
“May, I be so bold as to ask where you are traveling too, Sir?” The brunet boy inquired.
‘Maybe it would be alright to say…..’ Near twirled a lock of his shaggy white curls. “I’m off for business in America.”
“America!?” The bell boy’s shouted so loud Near almost hopped. “That’s one exciting country, that is! All those gangster and cowboys!” The boy shaped his hand into a gun and plastered himself to the wall. “If I had it right.” He straitened up. “I’d go there, for a better job.”
Near simple nodded. The automatic bell rang signing they could get out. Near shuffled out and took his bags from the boy. “Here. Thank you for your assistance.”
“Thank you, Sir!” The boy skipped off to show off his earnings to the other kids.
Near stepped out into a drizzle. “Great.” He mumbled to no one, pulling his bags to the back of the cab. An assistant finally came and push Near toward the car door. He got in. And soon coated the leather seat in water drops when he shook, much like a dog, to rid himself of the water. He gave the address and waited for the air port to come in view.
Once at the air way. Near took a thin suit case with him. He was insistent all the way from Brittan to America to hold this particular case.
He stepped off the plain to be greeted by a limousine waiting for him. Little American flags fluttered in the wind. Near felt the natural urge to take the ornaments and place them on a castle or something. He dismissed that thought though the minute the head of the FBI came out of the car.
“Welcome to the United Sates.” He said shortly. The man was a little taller than Near. Sporting a nave blue suit and bald head. A well trimmed mustache adorned his face. His face was kind with an underlying serious tone. Near thought he could get along fine with this man.
“Thank you, Director Mason.” Near said with a light bow. “I’m sure with you and the co-operation of your president, we can finally put the Kira case to rest.”
The man raised a brow at Near’s odd manners. The youth before was interesting alright. He was completely white. With large vacant eyes that were stained with an edge of blue/gray. Shaggy curly white hair completely hid his ears and forehead. His clothes were two sizes to big and hung loosely. White skin, hair, shirt, pants, and …. shocks? It just dawned on him the boy wasn’t wearing any shoes. Only simple white socks….
Near looked down at his feet, and gave a small chuckle. “I do hate shoes.” He said moving to pick back up the case.
“I’m sorry.” The man said. “Please come in and we can talk while we go to head quarters. If what you say you have in genuine information, I’m sure we can convince the president to aid you. I have to ask though. Why is this Kira case so important to someone, who should be just now attending collage?”
Near climbed into the car and tugged at a lock of his hair. “I inherited the case when my mentor passed on. I will not make the mistakes he did. I shall win. For I am justice.”
The men stared into each others eyes for a while. Near knew he had just used the key phase L always said to verify his identity.
“Who are you?” The man said with interest. “You suddenly hack my computer and requested to have a meeting to complete the worst murder case. You talked like it was a serious game. I thought it was L, come back from Japan. But, seeing you. I’m not sure I understand.”
“I am L’s only successor. A child chosen from many. However. Because there is still a false ‘L’ in Japan. I can not take this title for fear of confusion and rebellion. I am Near. Don’t ask for any other identification. For I have none. I assure you though.” Near sat forward in his seat. And stared with those open eyes. “When I have Kira’s head and the false L in my power. I will take what is lawfully mine and continue this ultimate legacy.”
‘What determination.’ He could feel himself getting warm yet scared from the power emitting from the mysterious youth. He simply nodded in understanding. And pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his head with. “I did as you requested and as you’ve sent me files, I’ve handed over to the president. He seems happy with what he has seen so far.”
“Again, thank you.” Near repeated “I’m glad to see people who respect this choice as much as you have, Sir.”
Mason shook his head. “No, it us who must thank you, Near.” He opened the case to look over the twenty some odd disc that sat in stacked compartments. “You came out, like L did, even though you knew the risk it was.”
Near quirked his smile and turned his head like a pup. “It’s nothing really. I simply believe that L made the mistake of staying too near his enemy. And he was working with people who would rather have money and sweet bribes from Kira then loose their lives for what’s right. Your country has an independent streak that will prove more persistent in time. I like rough people, who appreciate a good game of cops and robbers.”
Games? Cops and robbers? Oh. What the hell…… “We will do everything in our power to ensure your safety.” Mason said. “There are many places you can stay in after all.” He leaned forward toward the teen. “And even if the president won’t accept your terms, I’ll try to get you some kind of help. I’ve never seen such hard evidence against one person in my entire carrier.”
“From the ground up.” Near said with a little pride. “And please don’t go out of your way for me. I can get around quite fine on my own.”
"Forgive me for being negative. But, do you have anyone waiting for you, Near? Some family? Friends? I might like to know. Just in case something happens on the field.”
Near thought for a moment. “Yes.” He said quietly. “There is someone I meet once who I would like to have around if I die.” He took out a paper that had the file of a young woman on it.
“Sharmaine Eriks?” The older man looked over the file. “She is seventeen. English by birth. Strawberry/blond.” He halted looking closer at the picture. “Those have to be the biggest green eyes I’ve ever seen.” The old man was soooo bad. He knew this girl’s family but, if the boy liked games maybe he would like a surprise too?
Near continued looking to the side with a slight pink tint to his face, “Like the spring ivy ….” He twirled a lock of hair “I’ve only known her a while. But, I knew she was the kindest, most generous and smart girl I’d had the pleasure of being acquainted to.”
Mason smiled softly and handed the file back. “I hope it works out.”
Near didn’t hear him, in his own little world for the rest of the ride.
