Author's Note: EPILOGUE! Last update for this story my people :D The prequel is now, officially finished! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note, or anything remotely associated with it.

April 13, 2012

How long had it been? I wondered half-heartedly. I knew if I took even a micro second to stop and think about it, I'd know; but then, I really didn't want to remember... I'd much rather forget the continuous nightmares that plagued me night after night.

I tossed the covers off of my bed and faced the chilled morning air. I shivered for just a moment and sat up. My right ankle was sore this morning; it usually was if it got too cold. I felt like an old person, having aches and ailments and I wasn't even twenty yet. I'd gotten far too old before my time; physically, mentally and emotionally. Especially emotionally.

Maybe it was just the nightmares, maybe it was the memories, or maybe it was my sore ankle, maybe I was just getting old or paranoid, or old AND paranoid, but for whatever reason, I had a bad feeling about today.

I started the warm water running in my bath tub. I had plans to take a shower, but I wanted to soothe my ankle first. I filled a white plastic bin and carried it into the living room and set it in front of my favourite chair. I flopped down into it and as I dropped my cold foot into the gloriously warm water I noticed a red light blinking on the answering machine on the table beside me.

I had a habit of unplugging my phones before I went to sleep. There usually wasn't anyone who tried to phone me in the middle of the night; there usually wasn't anyone dumb enough to try and phone me in the middle of the night... usually. I hit the play button and knew right away who it would be.

"Hey love, it's Carter," Of course it was, "just wondering if you're doing anything tonight, or tomorrow night, or whenever..."

"Go away Carter," I whined and sneered at the phone. The recording went on for another moment or two until the machine finally cut him off. "See Carter, even the answering machine doesn't even want to hear you talk. Now that says something," I gave a sarcastic smile and got up to find a towel.

I took a shower, had a huge breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash-browns, toast and strawberry jam, a bowl of fruit and two cups of tea. I got dressed in my faded blue jeans and a black, cut off tee-shirt. There wasn't a dress code at the cafe, I could wear whatever I wanted, and I always did. I yawned and then remembered that it had been quite a while since I went to the gym last. I'd have to fit that into my schedule sometime soon.

The afternoon sun shone into my window and I checked the clock hanging on my wall. Twelve noon, it was time to head out to work.

I slid my feet into my boots and made sure to slip my brass knuckles and switch blade into my coat pockets. I never left home without them... you never knew who you were going to run into in this city and especially on my end of town.

Finally, I picked up an old, faded black scarf that I had hanging by the door. I took it gingerly in my hands and wrapped it gently around my neck. I just couldn't bear to part with the darn thing. Besides, it was practical in any case.

I walked to work for my afternoon shift at the coffee house. I didn't really like coffee, I preferred gum. I dug my hand into my pocket and came out with a stick and popped it in my mouth.

Bubblegum. I tasted bubblegum.

"Morning," a cheery voice greeted me when I walked into the cafe.

Morning people, I couldn't stand morning people.

"Morning," I yawned. It wasn't even really morning anymore; it was almost one o'clock... It still felt like the morning though. Whether I liked coffee or not, I just might need one to get me through the day.

I was in a trance for most of my shift. I wasn't making mistakes, but I was definitely taking longer than usual to get things done. I still wasn't feeling too well about the day. It felt like something bad was going to happen. Not bad like, world destruction bad, more like, pain in the ass bad.

I told myself I just needed to get over it.

I downed about four lattes, and three espressos but only started to wake up when I was about to leave. Coffee never really ever did it for me. Energy drinks sure, but coffee, not so much.

"Jewel!" an urgent voice snapped at me. I jumped about three feet in the air and almost upset a tray of mugs on the counter beside me.

"What!" I yelped. "Don't do that? You scared me half to death."

"Sorry, but I called you like, three times, you didn't answer."

I stared over at the petite blonde on the other side of the counter. She had a small dusting of dark brown freckles on her nose and eyelashes thicker than the bristles on a broom.

"What?" I asked more calmly.

"Your shifts been over for like, ten minutes, you've just been standing there."

An older, heavier woman came up behind the blonde with a pot of coffee in her hand and they both stared at me with worried expressions on their faces.

"You've been kind of out of it today hun, are you alright?" the older one asked.

"Sure, I'm just tired," I faked a smile and walked through the empty dining area over to the clothes rack by the front door. I took my scarf and coat from the stand and bundled myself up in them.

"You take care of yourself hun, don't want anything to happen to you, now do we? You're the only one who'll close Friday nights," the older lady winked at me and the three of us shared a small chuckle.

"Yeah sure," I smiled. "I'll see you guys soon," I smiled again and let myself out the front door.

I walked about four blocks before I started to hear it. I walked about four blocks before I started to hear footsteps following me.

Today was just not my day.

Author's Note: Well, that's it. I hope you liked it guys ^_^ If you've got any questions, or I messed up anywhere, or just anything, lemme know.

Keep an eye out for my sequel :D I'll probably get right on that :)

A Special Thanks: I would like to formally acknowledge the following for their glorious reviews, support, and great ideas for my story :)

xLostMelody, snowflakeyukiharuno, HarryPotterMangaGleek, KiriKatana, Genuinely-Unique, Roboraptorxdeathnotefan, jeffhardyluvsme, allyjj, The Dreamer16, The Night's Wish, Glitterthorn, Shoujok, RandomAsRainbows, windwolf1988, Im-Ina-Tent, Strange Amairaini XIII and kyoyalover (who only got around to reviewing at chapter 18 ;P lol.)

Not to mention all those who awesomely favourited/subscribed, and to all my readers in general :D (...If I missed anybody, I am sincerely sorry.)

You all made writing this story worthwhile =^_^=