[Uke]

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

[Mint]

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

[Uke]

"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!"

[Mint]

--

"...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.

[Uke]

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

[Mint]

"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.

[Uke]

"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.

[Mint]

"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.

[Uke]

"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...

[Mint]

"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.

[Uke]

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.

[Mint]

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.

[Uke]

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.

[Mint]

"...Is B." Beyond replied.

[Uke]

"...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.

[Mint]

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