The soul mark, imprinted into each human being, reads the name of the person destined to be one's soul mate. Upon finding and touching the hand of that person, a connection is created, linking the two minds together as one. It is by chance that Near hears Mello's words: "You can't be my soul mate, Matt, there's no way your parents would've named you 'Nate'." MelloxNear.

Sequel to The Art of Isolation. A year after his supposed death, there are copious amounts of questions to be answered, and scraps of broken trust to be mended when Mello reappears in Near and Michael's lives. However, things can never really be that easy, as danger seems to follow on Mello's trail like a bad habit. MxN.