Another Chance | Lawlight

Chapter 2

Light loves his sister, but being trapped at her side for the last few days since his attack was exhausting. It didn't help that Ryuk was as protective; he spent the day glued to Light's side to the point that Ryuk tried to follow Light into the bathroom, which was where he put his foot down. Rem slotted into their lives so easily that it felt like she'd always been there, and whilst she showed her own protectiveness over Light, she wasn't as smothering as the others, which Light was grateful for.

Leaving the house without having a full-on panic attack isn't something Light's learnt to deal with. The fear flooding through his body whenever he hears footsteps behind him, or someone appears out of an alleyway sends him into flashes of that night. Though it didn't matter if Light wanted to hide in his bedroom and never leave the house for the next few months, he couldn't let his mother (or his father, if the man ever came home) notice something was off with him. He knew if they learned about the attack, Light could kiss goodbye to his small chances of freedom away from their constant and overbearing control. He continued going to school, attending cram school, much to his sister's and Shinigami's horror. They wanted him to rest, to recover, but Light didn't want that. School is boredom incarnated to him; his high intelligence means he's decades ahead of all his fellow classmates in their education, but at least being there listening to his teachers' drone on whilst his classmates talk about the same mundane topics it kept his brain somewhat distracted away from thinking of the attack.

Saturday was the first day that Light didn't have to worry about leaving the house. Their father still hadn't come home since last Tuesday, and their mother had gone to meet up with her friends, leaving Sayu and Light home alone. Not having to keep up the facade of studying, Light and Sayu collapsed on the sofa, with Ryuk scoffing down his latest batch of apples whilst Rem stared at him in disgust.

"We interrupt this programme with breaking news," the News reporter said. Light frowned, putting his book down and turning his attention to the news programme, "The same assailant who attacked six people at a busy shopping district in Shinjuku yesterday has struck again, taking eight people hostage at this daycare centre. His captives include both children and teachers. The police have now identified the suspect as 42-year-old Kuro Otoharada, who is currently unemployed. We expect negotiations to begin immediately."

"Oh god," Sayu said. A picture of Otoharada flashed on the screen, and Light's eyes were drawn to the floating red numbers above his head. Over the last few days, Rem had been teaching Light about his Shinigami eyes; it wasn't like he could get rid of them. The only way to lose the eyes was by giving up ownership of the Death Note. Still, Rem didn't believe that would work, as Gelus had gifted the eyes to Light instead of him trading half his lifespan for them. Otoharada has over thirty years left on his lifespan, so this wouldn't end in a shoot-out. Then, the picture changed to images of the teachers and children; some of them are destined to die today.

Light reached for the TV remote; they shouldn't be watching this. Sayu didn't fight him as he took it from her. The picture of Otoharada lashed up on the TV again, and Light dropped the remote.

"Light, what is it?" Sayu asked him, but Light ignored her. He stared at the numbers as they started going down; first, Otoharada lost a year, then two and before Light could fully understand what was happening, Otoharada's lifespan hit zero. The doors to the daycare flung open as the teachers and children poured out onto the street. The police safely moved them away from the building before armed officers pilled inside.

"The hostages are coming out, and they all look to be unharmed! The Special Forces are taking action; they're moving in! We don't know if the suspect's been arrested," The news reporter said. Light stared at the screen, waiting to hear the words he knew would be said. "The suspect has been found dead inside! I repeat, the suspect is now dead! The Special Forces are denying allegations that they shot the suspect. According to statements from the hostages, the suspect just suddenly collapsed. The Special Forces believe the suspect died from a heart attack."