Not An Angel

AN: This chapter was a bitch to write.... um... this chapter is rated for Mello's potty mouth... heh.

Suggested Listening: Late Night Lullaby by Papercut Massacre; Millstone by Brand New

Chapter 10: Timeless Lullaby

~Mello~

My hands groped at the walls to steady myself. I only had a few more feet to go, then I could pass out if I needed to. My vision swam before me; legs shaking with every step they took. Unlocking the door I just made it inside before collapsing to the floor and throwing up.

Kicking the door shut I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes; I didn't dare try to stand yet. My breathing was ragged and stomach muscles clenched painfully. How in the hell had I let myself get to this state?

Chancing it, I cracked open my eyes and stared at the plastic bag I had been clutching the entire time. I sighed. The contents made me feel like a junkie, though it was farthest from the truth.

I was now broke, but I didn't owe any favors because of it. And now I wouldn't be waiting to drop dead like before.

I couldn't wait any longer to refrigerate the stuff in the bag and forced myself to my feet. This time I didn't need the wall.

I only kept the necessary items out and placed the rest in the fridge and on the counter beside it. I had used my savings but wasn't worried.

I carried the items into the bedroom and tossed my jacket to the side. Propping the pillows up I sat on the bed and used a sterilizing wipe to clean the underside of my arm right over the only noticeable vein. Carefully I inserted the needle into the vein and taped it in place.

Setting the IV bag to hang on the headboard I laid down. I looked at my arm distastefully. This was the only way to get anything into my system quickly and have me in good condition for the remainder of the case. Total parenteral nutrition.

“Wish I had known about this before... would have saved me a lot of trouble.”

I was lucky I had been able to get a hold of those IV bags, despite how much it cost. Extra since proteins and fats had to be added to the solution in addition to everything else. But it was worth it if I could walk around without almost blacking out or throwing up.

I really had let it get bad.

Closing my eyes I was at least happy that Matt couldn't see me like this.

It took me more than a day to get back to a working level, far longer then I had wanted. Too long. Matt had less than a weekleftand I was spending parts of it hooked up to a fucking IV.

But I felt better. I couldn't eat anything, but now I didn't need to. If needed, I could survive like this for quite some time. But after this case was over... after all this was over, I would stop. It would be too much like feeding an addiction, at least in my mind, if I continued like this.

Two days left. That was it. All the time was eaten up and now I had to deal with a very short deadline.

I was finally able to leave that hell hole of an apartment. I started with five hotels that were within walking district to the bar. Two were three stars, one of them a five star and the last two were four stars. I didn't hold out much hope for the four or five star hotels, and had been correct when nothing new came up.

The last two were neither posh nor were they run down.

The first one, while it held no vacancies, didn't have anyone fitting the descriptions. And I couldn't really give them a photograph; even if I were to print it out their attire would raise questions I didn't want to answer. The second one, I had slightly better luck with.

The receptionist was a young woman, whereas at the other one it had been a man. Walking up to the desk I leaned on my forearms and watched as she blushed. I really hated doing this.

“Hi, I’m looking for my cousin. She has blond hair like mine, and she would be with two guys. They would look like the older brother type, or even body guards. Have you seen anyone like that by any chance?”

She bit her lip and tapped her chin. I suppose if I were straight I might have found that action cute. “Um. If I am remembering correctly, about three days ago I think I saw a group matching that.”

“But they checked out, which is the only reason I remember them.” she smiled apologetically.

“Thank you very much.” I smiled at her and she bowed her head, blushing again. Turning, I left the hotel. At least it seemed my theory was correct; for the moment.

It was getting dark already, per usually with the time of year. As much as I wanted to keep searching, it was best if I didn't at night. I still wasn't in the best of shape, and two days of IV couldn't really get rid of all the damage I had caused before that. I needed to speak with L at any rate. Perhaps he was having better luck.

That thought struck a bitter chord with me. He had many more resources, and he was merely the puppeteer pulling the strings. A mere call from him can get the police on watch around here.

Though by the looks of it, he hadn't even tried to do that yet.

And yet all I could do was search aimlessly in this small area and hope I stumbled upon something. It was sickening.

The apartment was dark when I got back, I was getting used to that now. The lights had always been on when I was with...

Sighing I started a cup of water in the microwave for coffee.

Sitting down heavily on the hard mattress I pulled out my phone. It was picked up after the third ring.

“Mello.” I had been expecting L's voice but was greeted with Near's.

“Near.” I grit out.

“What has Mello called for?” his voice was soft but emotionless; I could practically see him playing with his hair.

“Have you gotten any leads from searching the hotels outside of my area?” In a way I was hoping not, then it would mean the assassins were sticking to a smaller area, and a small part of me wanted it to be me to help Matt. Me, Mello, who didn't have all those fancy resources.

“No. But we have not finished our search either.” I sneered at him though he couldn't see it.

“I found a possible lead. It depends on whether or not the receptionist is credible in her account.” Near was silent for a moment and I almost disconnected then just to get my coffee.

“I have something interesting that you might want to know.” I could hear the smirk in his voice. That albino basta-

“What?” I ground out, trying not to lose my patience with him. I may have been irritated at L, but this reminded me of why I didn't deal with Near. At all.

“Matt is leaving the apartment to look for things rather then attempt to hack the information.” I clutched the phone tighter and my heart sank. He was leaving the relative safety of the apartment to... get information? Then he must know...

He wouldn't have had to leave if I had been there... He wouldn't have known...

If they decided to strike earlier… What if that was their plan the entire time? They tell you one date but attack on another-

“Hm. If Mello had not made so many mistakes perhaps Mello would still be watching over Matt instead of relying on L and I for news?” I could hear L say something in the background but I didn't care.

I hung up and threw the phone across the bed. How dare he!

“Bastard!” I growled. How dare he... speak the truth... Hunching over I ignored the vibrating phone. I hated him so much.

“Matt...” I had to have been over thinking things. They wouldn't go after him any earlier then the end of the three weeks. I couldn't drive myself crazy thinking about what if's when I wasn't positive they could happen.

Matt was in so much fucking trouble when I get back. “Fucking idiot.” my hand rested at my rosary. How dare he put himself in more danger... My phone vibrated again. Glancing at it, it was L. I scoffed.

Like. Fucking. Hell. I was going to pick up after that wanker pissed me off. I doubted they had discovered anything that important after two minutes. “Fuck you.” I growled at the phone before getting up to get my coffee.

I dumped my last bar of chocolate into the cup and watched as it slowly melted into a tar like substance until I stirred the spoon.

My phone continued to vibrate, and though I couldn't see it from the kitchen, I shot it a dirty look.

I stood in the kitchen for a few minutes, letting the coffee calm me, before I moved back to the bedroom.

Sitting crossed legged in front of the computer I ran through the list of hotels left. There were far to many. I would never be able to check them all in one day. I decided to create a new list.

“Why the fuck is there so many hotels in one area...?” I sighed and took another sip of coffee. I looked at where the one possible sighting of them had been and decided to base my list in that general radius.

Though there were still plenty of hotels there. It was a tourist spot.

Scrolling through Google I was able to get directions to all of the hotels. I hadn't even heard of some of those streets...

Glancing down at the time it read quarter till ten. It was early, but I had a long day ahead of me. Everything was written down and prepared for tomorrow. If it came down to it I would stop searching and just go to Matt...

If they were going to kill him, the least I could do was make sure it wasn't easy for them. Rubbing my tired eyes I shook those thoughts away. It sounded like I had already given up.

I shut down my computer and turned off the lights. I curled up on the bed and wished that tomorrow didn't have to come.

The moment I woke up in that dark room was the moment my day started. I quickly dressed myself, grabbed the list, my keys and was out the door before I had even had coffee.

I yawned widely as my motorcycle roared to life.

I had almost eleven hotels to check out today. Today, the last day. I didn't care how early it was; I was going to need every minute of this day. I just had to hope that they decided to go after Matt later on rather then early in the morning.

Many of the hotels I checked wouldn't answer my questions properly, even when I showed them that I was a private detective. Those were mainly the high scale hotels, with those arrogant rich bastards who could care less if someone died outside their own hotel room.

Nearly halfway down the list and not a damn thing to show for it.

It was absurdly hard to get anything from the receptionists. Policy this and policy that. Fuck your stupid policy.

I grabbed a coffee on the way to the seventh hotel. I hadn't eaten anything today, nor had I had the time to hook up the IV so I was a little low on stamina. Not that adding coffee to my system was really going to help.

Two more misses, but at least they had cooperated. It was already late afternoon...

One of the last ones on the list, a rather posh four and a half star hotel, stood looming over me. Shaking off the almost burning cold I stepped inside and headed straight for the reception desk as I had all the previous ones.

The woman at the desk was middle aged with a stern expression. Charming her wouldn't work. And most hotels didn't like giving out any personal information about their guests. Or so three other hotels today had told me. Fuckers.

“Excuse me, I was wondering if you could help me?” I made my tone sad but hopeful. The receptionist looked warily at me. But nodded that she was listening. “I'm looking for my sister. She is around five-four, with blond hair-”

“As our policy we cannot give out personal information-”

“I've heard that at half of the other hotels too. Please! She's in some real trouble.” the pained expression had nothing to do with acting, it had just crossed my mind once again that I was running out of time... or that I might already have.

“After my accident...” I carefully tilted my head so that my scar could be seen through my hair; the woman put a hand to her mouth in a silent gasp. “After the accident, she got in with a bad crowd. We all tried hard to get her away from them but she just pulled away. Then she left with them, two men.”

“I don't know if she is still with them, or if they met up with more people... But my mother and I are both very worried about her. We haven't heard anything from her in a while...” I hung my head to add to the total effect.

I almost felt bad for lying to this woman, her expression had softened and it showed that she had a good heart, but this was to catch criminals and save Matt. But I couldn't tell her the real story, she would never believe it.

“Oh my... I really shouldn't...” her lips were pressed thin and her eyes were slightly moist.

“We do have a young woman here, with two older men accompanying her. I really... here take this.” she said the last part quietly and I was a little more than surprised to find the keycard to the room in her hand. Or what I assumed was the room.

“Thank you so much, you have no idea what this means to me. I will get my sister back!” I carried on with the lie and gently took the card from her.

“Good luck.” the room number was printed in bold letters across the top of the keycard so I didn’t need to ask. I inclined my head with a thankful smile that turned into a smirk the moment I was out of her view.

The room was on the top floor and somewhere in the middle. The entire hotel was very nice; a place that people like them shouldn't be staying if they wanted to keep hidden. Keeping in mind the camera's, I waited until I had slid the keycard in before pulling out my gun.

I slid the door open and for a sickening moment I thought they were waiting for me to step into the darkened room. But they weren't there. Which was, in a way, a relief.

Flipping the light switch, after the door was shut, I was assaulted with the sight of various exposed weapons. “What the hell?”

There were a few knives, a hand gun and even a throwing star or two, all littering the beds. If the cleaning staff had walked in...

Everything else was completely neat in appearance. Notebooks stacked neatly atop one another, pens arranged by color as well as size, even the beds were made. But they weren't there. They should have been there, unless...

“Shit!”

I couldn't be sure, and if I was wrong then not only Matt, but myself and Jasper could be killed. And L would be none the wiser for a few days.

I began to quickly search through the notebooks until a small notepad fell to the floor. Picking it up my eyes widened. It was everything Matt had done in the last three weeks, ever since I had found that cursed e-mail.

It didn't have much of anything on me, so they hadn't been following anyone around him, just him. Where he went, how long he spent in the apartment normally, who he had been meeting in the last few days... It was his entire schedule in a nutshell.

“No..”

And when they were going to kill him. Glancing at the clock I felt fear rip through me. He only had half an hour!

I called Jasper as I ran from the room; I didn't bother to lock it or even put anything back in place.

“Mello where-”

“Jasper shut the fuck up. Matt only has a half hour before they kill him. Do not let him out of your sight!” I took the stairs two at a time as the elevator had taken too long to come.

“Where the hell did you get this information? Can it b-”

“This isn't the time for an interrogation. You can be a bastard about this later but for now just protect him!” I hurried out the main doors and didn't care if anyone was watching. I ended the call but kept the phone in my hand and quickly started my bike. I sped down the busy streets as the next call connected and was picked up almost immediately.

“Mello, thank god.” Matt's voice was relieved and I knew it wouldn't be for long. “I'm sorry I told you to leave, look can you just come back...?” I bit my lip and willed my emotions to behave.

“Matt you have to get out of there, they are coming for you right now!” I heard a sharp intake of breath and things being tossed around on the other end. I heard his keys jingle and almost let out a sigh of relief.

“Go to Jasper's, or call him and meet somewhere-”

crash

“Fuck!” Matt yelled and then a gunshot rang out. The phone hit the floor and the call was disconnected. I was left with a dial tone.

-End Chapter 10-

AN: Yay, another cliffhanger! Have you noticed that I seem to like these? And so we are nearing the climax..... ohhhh. I absolutly love the next chapter. Hahaha.