A/N:Hola. This is chronologically the fourth story in what I've taken to calling the "Wammy Boys" series. The order is Inequity (which isn't actually up yet, but will follow L), Anomaly (which follows Near), Lost (which follows Matt), then this one, which of course follows Mello. For anyone who may have already read the first two chapters of this, this is the revised version of chapter 1. I didn't think Mello's characterization fit his background very well, so I'm making some minor adjustments.

Warning:Spoilers for Mello's real name!

Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note.

Fallen - (adj.) Having succumbed to an attack. Having succumbed to temptation or sin; having lost one's innocence.

Mihael had no idea where he was, only that he didn't like it. All he wanted was to go home. He knew he couldn't, but he wanted to. It hurt to think that he had no one to go home to. His father was gone. The one person who had always cared for him, always been there for him, who had loved him, he was gone. Mihael's mother had died when he was born, but far from blaming him Mihael's father had cherished him as the single greatest reminder of his beloved wife. And then it had happened. That one day that had changed Mihael's life forever. It had been almost three and a half years now.

He hadn't known his father was sick. The man had seemed a bit different and Mihael had known something was wrong, but whenever he voiced his concerns his father just brushed it off, telling him not to worry so much. Two and a half years Mihael had been gone, and in that time the cancer had come back and it had spread and his father had died. When they found him, when he was rescued, they told him what had happened and for the first time in years he had cried. They had told him he was alone, that his only family was dead, then they had packed him up and shipped him off to a psychiatric hospital in the southern part of the country. That had been nearly a year ago.

And now he was here, in an orphanage in a foreign country. He clutched his Bible to his chest as he was led up the steps into what looked like an old house. That in and of itself made him uneasy. And to make matters worse the place seemed to be fairly secluded with a high fence surrounding what he could see of the grounds. But when the doors opened and he saw a number of children running about the place he nearly fled. He would have fled had the woman escorting him not placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

Warily he allowed himself to be led up a flight of stairs and down several hallways until the woman guiding him stopped. He noted that they stood in front of a wooden door with a little plaque on it that read Roger Ruvie. There was a door on the opposite side of the hall and down a bit that was open and he could see two people there, a woman and a very odd looking boy who immediately fell silent upon noticing his presence. There was only one other door, one with a plaque that read Quillsh Wammy, but that door was closed. He didn't have time to make any other observations about the place as the door in front of them opened and he was ushered inside.

The first thing he noticed was that the room felt just slightly claustrophobic, crowded as it was by bookcases and filing cabinets. In the centre of the room was a large wooden desk and behind that desk sat an old man. Mihael guessed that this was Roger Ruvie.

"Hello, there," the man said. He had a kind voice, but Mihael knew better than to trust appearances. He watched the man glance down at a file folder that lay open on the desk before retuning his gaze once more to the small boy before him. "You must be Mihael. My name is Roger. Do you speak English?"

Mihael hesitated a moment, debating whether or not to reply. When he finally did it was with a thick accent and not the slightest trace of the fear coursing through his veins. "Yes."

"Well that's a relief," the man, Roger, smiled. "Should make this significantly easier. I'm sure you're wondering what this place is."

The blonde boy nodded.

"This is a place for children who are above average," Roger told him. "We were made aware of your abilities. That is why you were brought here." He paused for a moment. "We know of your circumstances, too."

Mihael just nodded. He had only understood about half of what the man said and he wasn't completely sure he trusted these people. He would do as he was told for now, if only for fear of the possible outcome of disobedience, but the moment he felt the slightest bit threatened he would run. He was almost certain he could make it out and he would fight if he had to. He would not be a prisoner again.

"Well I'm sure that's quite enough to take in for the moment," Roger said as he rose from his chair. Mihael tensed visibly at the sudden movement. "If you want I can show you where your room is so you can get settled in before dinner. Adela can come too if it would make you feel better," he added, gesturing to the woman who had brought him in. He knew that the boy probably wouldn't trust him because he was a man. Having a woman with them might put him a bit more at ease.

Mihael shook his head. Having two of them there would make it more difficult to escape should it be necessary. Silently he watched Roger nod and turned toward the door.

"One more thing," Roger said, causing the boy to turn back around. "From now on you are no longer Mihael Keehl. You have a new name now. From now on you will be called Mello."

Mihael watched him for a moment, icy blue eyes betraying no emotion. Mello. He was to be called Mello.