Death Note: Dreams, a Reader X L Story

008 - Choices

5/4/2004

You'd been walking on thin ice with L since the investigation began. It seemed one another would anger the other at any given time, causing tension between you two. The distance bugged you, as you and L had always been very close. When you were working as detectives, L was your boss and you needed to obey his orders. Going out and totally bombing his ways of investigating was not the way to catch Kira. L knew what he was doing, no matter how hard it was to get through your head.

You called Roger. "Hey Roger. I need to administer some tests to Mello and Near. Some of the tests are basic detective things, and the others are more emotion based."

"When? Today?"

"Yes. I'm supposed to go back to Japan soon, so I need to perform these exams urgently." You sighed, hating how unsure you were of how the Kira investigation would turn out.

Roger sighed as well. "Okay. Meet the three of us down in the computer lab in the basement." He hung up the phone.

You walked down the staircase, observing the glass windows. They were biblical murals; Wammy's House was once an old Catholic church. One image caught your eye - Painting Samson and Delilah, Van Dyck, Sjoftiem/Judges 16:19. A man was pushing the others away, a solemn look on his face as guards tried to pull him away. You weren't sure why Wammy and Roger kept the images in the orphanage, as neither of the men were religious. The painting had been crafted during the renaissance. You weren't sure why it had caught your eye.

More images caught your eye during the walk down. What do they mean? How do these images pertain to my current situation? You shook your head, trying to concentrate on the tasks at hand. The door to the basement was locked, so you put in the code. The door slid open, your head turning, thinking you heard footsteps. You slid into the basement, putting the other code in so the door would close. Your heart was racing. Then you saw Near, Mello, and Roger in the room.

Near was looking away. A puzzled look was on both Roger and Mello's face, seeing your anxiousness. "Okay, let's begin. Choose a corner to take the test."

Mello moved to the front, Near to the back. "The test is about 300 questions long. No multiple choice - all of the questions are short to medium to long answer. Answer the questions as however long or short as you wish. Once you've taken 150 questions for today, you're free to go, or continue the test."

"Keep the test face down until I say otherwise. You have two days to complete this test. You can take all 300 questions today, or 150 over the course of two days. Roger and I will be in corners where neither of you are." You handed the tests out to Near and Mello.

"Start!"

Mello flipped the test over quickly, while Near turned it over quite solemnly. You had to record movements and test taking skills. Deciding not to walk around to check on them, you sighed. They're just kids.

L communicated with you throughout the exam. Not much had happened since the day before. He informed you that the younger Yagami got on his nerves very much, and how he already resented the boy, despite not even knowing him for long.

This kid's gotta be Kira. He's too cocky and arrogant not to be. But why lead himself to the investigation? -L

Some criminals like getting close to the investigation to wipe everyone out. Be safe, okie? -You

I just need to find some link - that's what I'm relying on you for when you're back. By the way - we need to talk about that now. When you come back, we cannot engage in any sort of "acknowledging" action, if you will. I assume you understand what this means? We can act couple-like in private, only when certain investigators are there. If any Yagami knows, that could put you and I in even more danger. -L