The Critical Puzzle Piece (A Death Note Short) [DISCONTINUED]

Mello

        "He's coming today?!" Pedro freaked out like he was going to meet the devil himself. In all honesty, I thought we all were.

        "He goes by the name Mello." Doesn't mellow mean calm and methodical? "I think his advice would be invaluable and with his skills, we can get back to the top of the food chain." I sighed as I walked over to Ross who put his arm around me as I sat down. I cringed to make myself feel smaller. His hand slowly carressed my left breast as someone would stroke their chin while thinking. He pushed me closer and then whispered something in my ear, "To get our fill, we might need to give Mello some entertainment." He said the last word quieter and I couldn't help but shiver. He must've felt this because he pulled me closer and laughed against the side of my head.

        "What time will he be arriving?" Jack asked, his voice seeming to shake and his eyes avoided Ross' by every means necessary. He adjusted the glasses on his face to distract himself.

        Ross looked at his watch and then, instead of turning to Jack, turned to me, "In about fifteen minutes." I truly believed that Ross was scared himself of this Mello. I couldn't help but finally feel like I won something. I actually felt accomplished for something I didn't even do. But I didn't want to have any chance to thank Mello. He sounded like he should be avoided at all costs, "Go change into that pretty little outfit I bought you." If I hadn't been sitting, I would've fallen over.

        "Are you sure? I thought you didn't want me to tarnish it for anyone but you." Ross snickered but then looked at his watch again.

        "You should hurry." He said softly and I wanted to burst into tears. It sounded silly in my head, but who would be sane in this situation?

        I walked up the metal stairs and into our room. Inside, on the large bed, was a naked woman who slept soundly under the covers. I reckoned her name to be Carlie, but we harlots never talked. We acted as if it were forbidden. I tiptoed into the room not trying to wake her. At least I still had a sense of decency.

        I shuffled over to a wardrobe that was dedicated just for us and found that skimpy outfit he so desperately wanted me to wear. It was black, skinny and apparently fit me but I'd rather not wear it. Ross wanted me to have it ever since the girl who used to wear it "disappeared" but I've declined every single attempt; now that we have a new guest coming, I have no choice.

        I held it up to the light. You could see right through it and I couldn't help but gag. The girl behind me stirred a bit, making moaning noises in her throat but she seemed pretty drunk in love with the fact that she could sleep it. I sighed and when I turned, there was a shadow in the doorway. It quickly moved away the moment I caught sight of it. I had no idea who it was. It could've been any of the members of the mafia but I decided not to investigate; being defiant here is not something that will end up in my favor. I went back out unto the balcony when I heard a shot whizz past my ear. I ducked down in a ball of fear and held the dress, if you could even call it that, over my head as if it would shield me. I should try and stop from moving but I was scared that they would shoot again.

     "Goddammit, Mel." Ross spit from the first floor and lowered his gun. I angled my head upward and saw a shadow in front of me that was being created from behind my body. I froze for a moment, not able to move. I felt a hand creep from behind me to grab my shoulders; a cold object touched the side of my head. I immediately dropped the dress. Ross raised his gun again, "Who the hell are you?!"

     "Don't move," the voice whispered in my ear. I stayed absolutely still, just as he had said.

     Ross laughed, "Usually people come in through the front entrance." He lowered his gun but my assailant did not, "Come on, don't play any more jokes. She's one of my favorites, you know?" I still didn't move; I even managed to calm my breathing.

     "How do I know you won't shoot?" My captor asked, pulling me closer to him. He smelled...sweet? Almost like chocolate.

     "You know what, you're right." Ross closed his eyes for a moment, "You can kill her for all I care. She's not important, just an accessory." I grit my teeth. Even I could tell that Ross didn't mean it; if he lost me, he'd be losing one of his most important assets. He was bluffing. I think even my captor understood that.

     "Huh," the gun to the side of my head lowered slightly to the side of my body. I twitched at the touch. He pushed me forward so that my body touched the cold railing.

     "You see, kid, we were expecting you." Ross guffawed, "But the fact you broke into our hideout without assistance proves who you really are, Mello."

     I slightly turned my head to look at the man they deemed to be Mello. He was a teenager, probably my age, or possibly a year older than me. He had chin-length blonde hair and blue eyes. His bangs hung down just over his eyebrows, and he stood above me by a few inches. He wore dark clothing. His gun, I noticed, had a cross attached to it.

     "Well at least you're not as dumb as you all look." The gun was no longer pointed to my side, "Here." He threw a bag that was concealed behind his jacket towards Ross. Its contents fell.

     I let out a small gasp. It was a severed head; from what it looks like, it's the head of the mob boss from north of the state. He called himself The Shiv. My hand fell over my mouth to suppress myself. I couldn't believe it.

     This guy actually killed them all. No assistance whatsoever. Now I was shaking.

     "Well then, I guess this is evidence enough." Ross put the gun back in his belt, "Now c'mon, let her go; she's fragile." He smirked.

     "That's Shiv." I mumbled, remembering the conversations from Ross and his men, "But that means his partner is still alive." I looked up to "Mello" who was glaring at me. I quickly turned back to look at Ross.

    He laughed. "She's a sharp one, huh? You couldn't have picked a better hostage." Mello started walking down the metal stairs to the bottom floor. I stuck to my place, "But she has a fair point. You have been trying to impress us by taking down criminals that not even Kira can, but there is always competition to be found."

     Mello went to take something from his coat pocket. The men behind Ross raised their weapons; Ross put his hand up to tell them to lower their guns. When I looked closer, I saw that it was a chocolate bar. What the hell? Ross didn't seem to question it. He unraveled the silver wrapper to take a bite out of the treat without considering the squares.

     "Anyway, do you think you can find him?" Mello whipped his head towards Ross, his hair moving, mesmerizing me.

     "Of course I can. Do you already doubt me? I mean, I found you." Mello smirked, taking another bite. I could see Ross' temper about to snap.

    "Well then; my beaut over there, Mel, says she has an idea where they could be hiding out. Maybe, no, hopefully, you'll come to the same conclusion otherwise..." He looked right at me.

     "It won't be good for you."