Death Note Fan Fiction / Death Note Fan Fiction ❯ Life's a Game ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Aurora threw up her arms in defeat, heaving a big sigh. She honestly didn’t think anyone in the wide world could beat her at Soul Blade. Yet here he was, standing right next to her. Say something! She ordered herself, Don’t just stand there gawking!
“Wow. . . “ Finally she spoke up, “You’re really good.” That was brilliant. I certainly seem to have a way with words.
“Sorry, sweetheart, maybe next time.” Matt was grinning victoriously.
Aurora chuckled. “Yeah, we can have a rematch once I get the feeling in my hands back.”
Both of them were so intent on their game that they hadn’t noticed the slew of people that had gathered around them. The two turned around and looked over everyone’s faces. Neither of them liked this. At all.
Looking for an excuse to get away from the crowd, Aurora glanced at Matt. “Uh . . . Do you know what time it is?” He checked his watch.
“It’s about six thirty.”
“Oh, thanks,” She smiled, “I’m gonna go outside.” Without giving Matt time to respond, she began pushing through the people, making her way towards the door. Trying to ignore the pats on the back and the reassuring comments some were giving her, Aurora didn’t even notice Matt following closely behind her. After what seemed like way too long of a walk, she was outside, breathing in the warm, August evening. Hm. . . . Something didn’t seem right. . . Was she breathing in smoke?
“Man, it got WAY too crowded in there.” Her gaming companion flicked some ash off of his cigarette as he spoke.
“You’ve got a nasty habit of sneaking up on me, Matt.”
He gave her a toothy smile. “Ah, get over yourself. I just needed a cigarette break.” He took another drag. That reminded him. . . He pulled out his pack again and held it out to Aurora. “Can I interest the beautiful lady in a smoke?”
Aurora grinned, took on, and popped it in her mouth. She felt around her pockets and realized she hadn’t brought her lighter. As if he’d read her mind, Matt pulled out his lighter and lit the smoke for her, smiling warmly. She thought she felt a blush coming on, so she turned her head and blew out her smoke.”
Suddenly, Matt saw her perk up. “Hm?” He wondered, “What struck you?”
Aurora gestured inside to one of the speakers that was blaring music. “I love this song!” She beamed. Closing her eyes and taking a drag on her cigarette, she listened to the cheerful guitar chords and the lovely duo’s voices. Before Matt could inquire, Aurora filled him in. “Yankee Bayonet by The Decemberists.” She hummed along to the tune, afraid to sing in front of him.
Matt smiled to himself. She’s so relaxed. . . “I’ve never heard it before, not even–“
Aurora put her finger to her lips and winked at him. “This is the best part.”
He instantly quieted and listened intently to the short guitar solo, then to the two singers together.

He had to admit, the song was rather relaxing. . . The singers’ voices fading out would make an excellent lullaby. . .
Aurora’s voice snapped him out of his trance. (Not that he minded.) “What’d you think?” She smiled enthusiastically.
He returned the gesture. “I liked it!” He finished his cigarette and lightly stamped it out. “So. . . “ He began, “Where’s your car?”
Aurora’s smile turned bittersweet. “I don’t have one. I walk everywhere.”
Matt mentally kicked himself. “O-Oh, sorry, I just figured. . .”
She shook her head, her true smile returning, “No, it’s alright. In truth, it’s how I stay in shape.”
“Oh, well, you look great!” Damnit, you idiot! Think before you make words come out of that big mouth!
He was relieved when she giggled. “Thanks!”
“Do you want a ride home?” WOW. THAT’S not creepy at all. Good one. She’ll love that. “Oh, yeah, I know we just met and all, but could I take you home?!”
Once again, she saved him from his thoughts. “Oh, thanks, but I can’t” At least she sounded genuinely disappointed. “I’m kind of waiting for some one. . .”
Duh. Of course she has a boyfriend. You’re so stupid, Matt.
“My little brother. . . He should be here pretty soon. . .” As if on cue, Aurora spotted Evangelos walking towards them. “Speak of the devil.”
Matt quietly sighed his relief.
Aurora put out her cigarette and started jogging towards the 14 year old.
“Sapphira!” Matt’s voice made her stop and turn around to look at him. “Are you . . . Gonna be here tomorrow?” So stupid. . .
She smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Matt!” And with that, she ran to her brother.
Matt couldn’t help but smile as well. “See you tomorrow,” he muttered to himself.


The Eshethea siblings were long out of Matt’s eyesight when Mello walked up to him. “You done for tonight?”
Matt nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.”
As they walked to Matt’s bright red Mustang, Mello noticed his friend’s dazed expression and raised an eyebrow. “Alright, what’s wrong with you?”
Matt jumped a bit. “N-Nothing”
“. . . Whatever you say, hot-shot.”


Aurora and her brother were at least a mile away from the arcade when she spoke up. “I think I made a friend today.”
Evangelos looked at her, surprised. “What’s her name?”
“Uh. . . Matt.” She smiled sheepishly and put her arm behind her head.
Evan grinned devilishly. “A BOY?” . . . . Did she sense something protective in his voice? He smiled. “Well, I’m glad. You could use someone other than your little brother to talk to. No offense, but that’s kinda lame.”
Aurora shook her head and ruffled his hair.
The walk home seemed much shorter to Aurora than the walk out had. Guess I was just so eager to get away from here. . . It always seemed to take longer to get to places you wanted to go.
“You little bitch!” Aurora knew those slurred words and hoarse voice all too well.
“H-Hey mom.” Evangelos spoke up before his sister had the chance. “Sorry we’re late, we were just–“
“Shaddup!” Their father came storming out of the house, piss drunk, carrying a baseball bat in his hand.
Mrs. Eshethea grabbed her son by his hair and dragged him towards the house. “Get your ass inside!” She screeched as she shoved him through the front door and stumbled in after him.
Aurora started after her baby brother, but was seized by a strong grip. “I don’t think so, little lady.” He whacked her in the back of the knees, making her drop into the road. “You’ve been stealing our money, you little whore!” Just as she started to get back up, her father hit her again, on the back.
Ow, she thought non-chalantly, that’s my spine, asshole.
“When you learn some respect for your elders,” A hit to the head, “you can come back to this home!” A hit to the neck. . . “Until then,” A hit directed towards the head, that Aurora somehow managed to block, “I don’t want to see your face!” One final, hard hit to the head.
Aurora could feel blood trickling down her forehead and her vision got fuzzy. She tasted blood. She looked around the pavement she was lying on. . . .Blood there too. It was everywhere.
Well, this is fucking stupid. I can’t even lift my head. It’s going to suck to drown in a pool of my own blood. What a stupid way to go. . . Evan. . . I’m sorry. . . Be strong for me.
For the second time in twenty four hours, everything went black.