“Yes.” Near said, quietly rising from Matt’s arms. He then took the position he was seen most in. Sitting in a hunched arrangement with his left knee pressed against his chest. His right hand came up to twirl a rather long strand of his white hair. It was as if he had never shed a tear.
“Your results came in and I think you have a right to know.” The man was a little nervous after having seen Nears display in the basement, but the news could not wait. Not if Near wanted to continue living that is.
“Well.” He continued as the others eyes came to rest on him. “You have a very high infection in your chest and stomach areas. Which if not treated properly soon, could cause you to die. We believe it is a form of phenomena. More tests should help support my theory though. ”
Near sustained to stare, his mind whirling with reason for this unwanted aggression his body had inflicted on itself. Why would he die? Just because some white cells had died fighting a common cold? Didn’t the spleen have a job too? Wasn’t it supposed to collect as well as distribute the antibodies? He didn’t like the look on Mikami’s face. It tolled him there was more to come. ‘Well’, he thought, ‘it could or could not get better from here out.’
He gazed at Mikami nodding that he understood what he heard. So, the man unrelentingly made it quick to the meat of the matter. “You’ll have to leave. Come stay with me, and get treatment.”
Both Matt and Near shifted uncomfortably. The thought that their team would always be side by side, even in emergencies, had given them the hope of a normal life. Or as normal as they could get it to be. The brain, the dog and the mafia; it’s all they ever knew about, it was what they had become.
“Why live with you?” Came Nears expected question. Mikami sighed. “Because I can give you more protection than anyone else.”
That was true. Mikami would offer shelter, care, and damn good guard. All of which he would need to recover. The cops would never think to after Mikami Teru. No, but how would he fit in?
“What am I to be to you?” Near could help this vital question as it plaged his frail mind. Mikami broke his gaze and shuffled on his feet hesitantly before answering. “My kid.”
“What!? It’s illogical. Aren’t you single?” Near kept his cool but was bothered by his friend’s proposal. “The very idea that you’ll be bringing me to your house will arouse suspicion. What of your explanations to the cops if they do find me?”
“I’ve thought that all out.” Mikami said looking Near in the face again. “I may not be married, but who’s to question a bachelor adopting a stray boy?”
Near smirked, “True enough.” He then looks at Matt, whose face was the vision of a pitiful puppy. “I guess I’ll need to tell Mello?”
“Yes. Go tell him goodbye, gather your things, Outa will lead you to the car.”
Matt raced from the room. Leaving Near with a sense of guilt in his throat. He didn’t want to leave but all the facts proved logical. His actions were his own, and he would suffer for them, letting his past go. He only hoped he would be able to come back or at least help his ‘brothers’ from a distance.
He turned to the hall and slowly made his way out. Mikami following only to turn up the stairs as Near headed down. Both had a lot of work to do. One had to get luggage loaded the other had to simply walk out.
Half an hour later Mello and Matt stood on the porch watching as the silver Nisan sped down the dirt road and out of sight.
