Riddles {a Death Note MelloXOC and NearXOC story}

24 chapters long, not including bonus chapters and additional content. Second place in the Near category in the 2016 Death Note Watty Awards (only year it was entered & only category it was entered in).

* The views of the characters in this story do not necessarily represent the views of the author *

(R - 17+ [violence and profanity])
(Content warning: violence, suicide, sexual harassment, and possibly dubcon [no one is doing anything they don't want to, but it could still potentially be triggering for some]; references to self-harm, child abuse, alcoholism, and homophobia)

¶ Piper Riddle is sent to The Wammy's House after her adoptive mother dies. When she gets to Wammy's, Piper takes on a new name: Patience. She'll live a new life where she will eventually make lifelong friends.
¶ She soon decides to search for her birth mother, hoping to learn about her past. After getting a lead in Japan, Patience heads off with Near to help him with the Kira case so that she might find her supposed mother. In addition to finding her birth mother, Patience has a promise to keep; a promise she made to herself and her friend Allison: find Mello. One thing is still quite unclear. What is she supposed to do when she finds him? She now finds herself with three mysteries to solve, the third being Near.
¶ Meanwhile, Allison has separated herself from all of this, wanting nothing more to do with Mello. However, there are things left unsaid between the two, and whether Allison wants to or not, she will have to confront Mello eventually. Unfortunately, Allison is just as prideful and stubborn as he is, so whatever it is she feels, she won't admit to anyone. Not even herself.
¶ Though the Kira case is the main objective, Allison and Patience have their own mysteries to solve, and they will help each other along the way.