L's new Assistant

Chapter III: Different than others

September 12th
8:20am

I finally slept in! It has been a while since I got enough sleep. I feel so much better now. It feels like I have the power to do anything.
I got out of bed and took my time to start my morning by stretching. Of course Lawliet's side was already empty. I bet he didn't sleep enough again. Sigh.

After a visit to the restroom, I took a peek inside of the living room to see Lawliet sitting in front of his computer. This time he seemed to be in a call with someone. »I understand. I will come back to you as soon as there are new instructions.« Seems like I've missed the main part. I wonder who he's talking to. I got closer to take a look on his screen. It's the National Police Agency. In an instant the screen turned black and I watched as Lawliet put off the headphones. »Good morning.« I said as soon as his ears were free. He turned around on his office chair, with a cup of coffee in his hand, still remaining in his extraordinary sitting position. He took a slip of the white cup while checking me with his eyes.

Then it hit me. We slept in one bed. Next to eachother. Yesterday it didn't seem like a big deal . Maybe I was too tired by the many thoughts that kept my mind from thinking rationally. For example about the fact that Lawliet was able to see how I sleep. God, I hope I didn't snor or drool or moved around too much.
»I wonder what that weird head of yours just thought to cause your face turn into a tomato.«, he said giving me a small glimpse, still holding onto his cup of coffee. I didn't realise that my face heated up. Ugh. »My mind is my property. There's no allowance for you to enter it.« He chuckled. »It's getting late. I have to change and head to school.« »Go ahead.«, he nodded. Then panic hit me once again: »My uniform! I didn't even wash it!« »Don't worry. I washed it and threw it in the dryer.« I immediately disappeared inside the washroom and came back in my cleaned school uniform to tie my hair up. »You're an angel. Thank you.« I was about to put on my shoes when I turned to Lawliet one last time. »No breakfast?«, he asked in an intentionally sad voice. »Not today. See you later.« I smiled and left the apartment in a hurry.

A cold breeze hit me as soon as the front door closed. Time to drive to the devil's cave. I took the bus and went off after 4 stations. Luckily L's apartment is nearby. Nearer than mine. But I still have to run if I want to be on time. Otherwise Ms. Makomo is going to make a huge fuss about it right in front of everyone. Just like last time. I felt a shiver running down my spine just by thinking about back then. So I ran off and to my surprise I really managed to sit down before the teacher entered the class room.

It was a pain to last out until lunch. But I made it. My stomach growls. Not eating breakfast was a bad idea. Let's just buy something in the cafeteria. As I got up, I hit my notebook with the back of my hand. It fell down and a sudden noise filled the room. My classmates watched as I placed it back. Mind your businesses. Nothing happend. I thought annoyed. But they kept starring, even as the book was back on place. »Something wrong?«, I asked without rethinking my action. My heart pounded loudly and I felt my legs shaking. But my poker face remained. They ignored my harsh words and finally went back to their chats so I took the opportunity and left. The line in the cafeteria wasn't long, still almost all the tables were taken. As I made my way back to the classroom I passed the girl's washroom and promptly decided to just go in. I know, it's pathetic to spend your breaks in a toilet cabin. This kind of turned into a tradition these days. The truth was this, I found it hard to make any friends. Moreover, I hated that this was supposed to be "my best years" when actually I was struggling to fit in. I felt uncomfortable in school, like some sort of alien. Just different from the others. The truth was also this, I never gave any effort to establish a relationship. Most of the time I chose not to talk. I think that is what my classmates really dislike about me: That I seem uninterested, like I think that I'm better than them. Just too good to spend any time with them. That obviously wasn't the case at all.

16:02pm

What a relief. As soon as the bell rang I packed my stuff and headed to the station. My excitement returned as I thought about joining L in his work again when I suddenly noticed the funfair. It certainly wasn't there when I walked this path this morning, was it? Maybe I missed it since I was in a hurry. But no, I would've noticed. How did they build everything so fast? An uneasy feeling spread in my chest as I walked through the crowd of people, like something bad might happen at any given moment. I just couldn't tell what exactly. As my eyes searched for any danger I caught sight of a little kid crying next to a fountain. She seems to be all alone. I should check out if something happened. I moved closer to her.
»Hey sweetie. Everything alright?« In between the crowd it was difficult to approach someone but since I knelt down she noticed me immediately. »Are you okay? What happened?«, I repeated. »I can't find my mommy.« »You can't find mommy?« This could take a while but... »Let's search for her together.«, I offered her my hand and looked around for a panicked woman. At least that's how I would feel if I lost my child. But everyone just passed by like nothing. To be honest I had no idea where to start. The funfair wasn't small. »What does mommy look like?«, I asked. »She- she has brown hair and a brown coat.«, her voice was trembling. I suppose this includes beige? Nobody wears brown these days. »Mommy said she wants to go to the Sakura Jiin.«, she explained. A temple? There is one behind the woods. Still, she most definitely wouldn't go there without her child. There was no time for me to think about the next step, she was already pulling on my sleeve with such a power that I almost tripped. »H-heyy slow down.« but she ignored me completely. Can't believe children these days are so strong. She somehow made it through the crowd and in a blink of an eye I found myself in between trees and bushes. Who would have thought that I end up searching for the mother of some kiddo. I should at least let L know that something came up. »Hey you. Let's take a quick break I have to message someone. Hey!« But she once again ignored my words and rushed even more. How comes someone with such small legs can walk that fast? I found it strange. «Are you listening?« I managed to overtake her and pulled on the hood of her jacket. No reaction. It didn't even slow her down. She just kept going as if I was air. I stopped keeping up with her and just grabbed my phone despite her not waiting when suddenly I felt a burning pain in the hand in which I was holding my phone just a second ago. It was laying on the grass now. Horrified I looked down into the big eyes that were filled with anger instead of sadness as before. I stroked my hand, still unsure about what just had happened when the kid stomped on my phone, once again with such a power, that it was cutting off my breath. »What the hell are you doing?«, she shouted, ,,You are supposed to follow me! FOLLOW ME! FOLLOW ME!" Her voice turned deeper and deeper. This is not a child. Not even a human. I felt tears coming up my eyes. »FOLLOW ME! FOLLOW ME FOR FUCKS SAKE! YOU RETARDED BITCH JUST DO WHAT I'M TELLING YOU!« W-what the hell is she saying? I knew I had to do something... to run as fast as I can but my feet just wouldn't move one inch. I'm so scared. I'm so- It was when her face started to take a strange shape when I lost consciousness. The last thing I know is how I fell to the cold, wet ground.