note Blog and Journals

| Death Note | The Swan Song; Chapter One: Meeting [Matt]

They were just faces. Another child added to the competition. Another child mindlessly bred to use his/her genius abilities to succeed the most infamous detective that has ever walked the earth. No pressure, of course, to fill this man’s shoes and maintain the world’s homeostasis by capturing the most threatening criminals on the planet and making sure they get dealt with in the proper manner.

You weren’t here to succeed this man - L. You were placed in Wammy’s because of your brilliant IQ and mental capabilities...but all you really wanted was a place to stay. A place to meet people, create bonds and fill the gaping hole in your chest that your parents had created when they abandoned you.

When another child entered Wammy’s house, most of the children felt threatened and compelled to try harder, to study more in order to keep their position on the ranks. Most children would shun the newcomer, and make his/her life absolute hell so they can keep their spot and improve their performance. Wammy’s was full of ingrates - selfish human beings who had no interest in anyone but themselves.

Some of these children had watched their parents die in front of their very own eyes. Some of their parents had been murdered and they were left with no family to turn to. No one who loved them, just the cold streets they had to sleep on at night. They would beg for money, and most people would sneer and walk away claiming that their parents had probably sent them there to guilt people into giving them money. What parents, though? These children had no one to turn to. And you remembered how that felt; most of these children were too preoccupied with studies to sit down and remember what it felt like to be completely and utterly alone in the world.

You were repulsed by the way these children - seeking nothing more than a home - were treated. That’s why you took it upon yourself to make them feel welcome. You thought that, one way or the other, you could help mend those wounds that were gashed so deep inside their hearts and minds - you wanted to heal. You didn’t want any of the children to have to go through the pain and suffering of isolation. Though, you were only thirteen, you felt that you were somehow responsible for these children...even if you’ve never met them before. You would put them in front of you, and risk your happiness in order to make sure they felt happy.

The children would be grateful at first, but then would just cast you out because they were so accustomed to Wammy’s that the same thing ran through their heads, “You’re my competition. I can’t trust you. You’ll manipulate me just like everyone else has, and you will laugh at me as I fall to the ground.”

Your kindness was often forgotten quickly...and though you gave your heart and soul to these people...you were alone.

“Seat 29, can you please explain the Squeeze Principle to us?” you were snapped from your prolonged thoughts by your teacher’s insipid voice.

Just another face without a name.

“The Squeeze Principle is used on limit problems where the usual algebraic methods are not effective. However, it requires that you be able to “squeeze'' your problem in between two other “simpler'' functions whose limits are easily computable and equal. The use of the Squeeze Principle requires accurate analysis, deft algebra skills, and careful use of inequalities,” you replied dully.

“Good, but not the exact answer I was looking for.”

Is anything ever good enough?

“Now, let’s move onto problem 12 - 98, part A-“

The sound of a door creaking open caused all of the students’ heads to turn abruptly in the direction of the doorway. A smiling Roger waved at the students in the classroom, and with his free hand he placed his palm on the back of a boy and guided him to the front of the room. The boy was at an average height - maybe 5'5" - and he looked no older than 13. He had bright red hair trimmed into a disheveled bowl cut that complemented his still-developing bone structure. Brilliant green eyes shone through orange-tinted goggles; said eyes were currently focusing on the screen of the boy’s Gameboy Advance. “Sorry to interrupt the class, kids, but we have a new student here at Wammy’s. His Name is Mail Jeevas-“

“It’s Matt - call me Matt,” he corrected timidly, his fingers still clacking against the buttons of his game.

“- And I’d like you to welcome him and help him enjoy his stay here,” Roger said kindly, with a sweet smile spreading across his aged and wrinkled face. He left the room hurriedly, and the teacher nonchalantly sent Matt to the back of the classroom to sit by himself while everyone continued their work.
_

The class was excused after finishing an hours worth of calculus problems, and you made it a mission to introduce yourself to Matt and try to get to know him better. You did this with nearly every new kid, though, most of them were rude and claimed that they were in no need of your help. You never let that discourage you - not even when people called you a suck-up or said nasty things about you behind your back. None of them understood you as a person - they only analyzed your competitive nature...and most deduced that you weren’t a threat.
_

It was lunch time, and as you predicted, Matt seemed completely lost as to where he should sit. You figured this was your cue, and after preparing your tray you walked over to him with a warm smile. “Hi, my name is ____, you’re in my math class. Matt, right?”

He nodded, not quite sure if you were being sincerely friendly or not. He had already been pushed around on his first day at Wammy’s, and he was a bit...nervous.

As if you could read his thoughts, “Don’t worry; I swear I’m not like the rest of them.”

Matt quirked a brow, “A-Alright...”

“So, now that we’ve got the introduction down...we better find a seat before they get filled up,” you began walking towards an empty table, and Matt hesitantly followed you.
_

For the next couple of weeks, Matt clung to you like a stray dog. You didn’t mind it at all, it was a nice change from being alone all the time. Matt was a very quiet person, he often locked himself in his room for hours on end just playing video games. And even when you would visit his room, he rarely said anything. He spoke only when necessary and it was usually a one or two word response.
It would be difficult for you to get close to him.
But that’s okay.
You didn’t mind a chase.