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"Matt-!" Next cried in surprise. "I heard footsteps... was that you? Matt-!?"

"I'm right here." Matt frowned- turning his head to listen. "Is someone there?"

"Hello?" Next called as the footsteps moved closer.

"...Next?" Came the voice of Linda and the two of them let out a breath, before a flash light was shined on them, making Matt wince. "What is going- OH MY GOD!"

--

"...Mmm...come on, wake up...it's okay." Beyond urged softly- petting Near's hair. "Shh...none of that whimpering, just wake up...nice and easy."

Trick and Treat were tide together in the back of the infirmary- struggling against their bonds with their mouths wrapped with medical tape.

Near gave a soft, strangled noise. He was fighting to wake up, but the effects of the drug were keeping him over.

"That's it, just come too a little, I want you to be awake for this." Beyond dabbed Near's forehead with a wet rag. "We'll have guests here in a second and you can't miss what we have planned."

"Mmmph!" Treat growled.

"Oh shut up you two!" Beyond snapped.

"Mel... lo..." Near groaned, his eyes blinking open slowly as he peered up at Beyond. "What... is..."

The boy groaned a bit. It was obvious his vision was swarming - he wasn't wearing his contacts either, leaving his eyes a pale gray and almost pinkish color.

"L...?" He called up at Beyond in confusion.

"Don't be alarmed." B said blankly- gently propping Near up with his pillows and petting him. "You're not dead yet Near, I promise."

It was a flawless L impression- he even managed to keep his eyes from showing in their usual red sheen.

"But... But L i... is..." Near winced, staring up at the other man in clouded confusion. His mind was trying to wrap around the idea, but he couldn't seem to form a thought, no matter how hard he tried.

He felt so heavy... had he gotten sick again? Why was L here... was this a memory? A dream? No... he wouldn't feel like this if it were a dream...

"You've been out for a while, you're not well." L murmured as he eased Near back against the pillows on the headboard.

He pet Near's hair and pulled the blankets up over him a little more.

"Near, you've been really sick lately, what's wrong?" L asked.

Blinking up at the man in a haze, Near began to mumble to himself. As B leaned in, he realized the boy was saying a number... thirteen. He was saying it over and over again...

It didn't mean anything to Beyond. He tried to rack his mind for a code that Near might have used with L, but he couldn't think of one.

Beyond smirked and shook his head. So L had taken security measures in case of something like this. He supposed that it was understandable given his...condition, but it was like the last taunt of a dead man. Infuriating, but amusing all the same. In the back, Treat screamed behind the medical tape on his mouth- trying to get Near's attention.

Near's eyes stared up at him, awaiting his reply... lingering longer then he should. Either he was reacting slowly due to the drugs, or he was holding out for a hope... or maybe it was both.

"Thirteen..." He tried one last time in desperation.

"...Is B." Beyond replied.

"...Beyond," Near practically growled, his eyes narrowing slowly. Beyond was surprised when the boy suddenly jerked forward and teeth were sinking into his ear. Sharp pain filled him.

"Gah!" Beyond hissed- grabbing Near's shoulders and trying to push to the boy back.