The next chapter is up and ready to go! Please enjoy and review because I love reviews! They're the fuel that keeps me writing! This chapter is a bit shorter than the others, but that is because the next chapter will be a year time jump!
"He won't hurt her," Hange added quietly.
Greer just nodded weakly, staring out into the titan forest where they had disappeared.
Silence.
Silence.
Four Hours Later...The Top of Wall Maria...
No one moved or spoke. Armin wasn't awake yet and the squad was taking a much-needed break, tending to their wounds. Only nine of them remained and they were exhausted. Greer was sitting with her legs dangling over the wall. She hadn't spoken or moved since her dad left with Evie.
Her eyes shifted as there was a small commotion across the way. Armin was waking up and Eren and Mikasa smiled seeing their friend alive and looking well. Jean, Sasha, Conny, and a few others had arrived with the new tanks for everyone about an hour ago. Small patrols were sent out, but Greer knew they were long gone. She got to her feet carefully and glanced at the trio again, seeing Armin's face fall as they told him what happened while he was out.
She looked out over Wall Maria, then she turned and walked over to Levi. He had given her some space, though he wasn't sure if that was what she wanted or needed for that matter. He was standing, looking out over the other side of the wall at the titan forest.
Silence.
"Is your arm okay?" she asked finally, eyeing the bandage around it.
"It's nothing serious," he responded quietly.
Silence.
Silence.
"Are you...going to be okay?" he asked hesitantly.
"Is anyone really 'okay' anymore?" she asked and he felt the urge to touch her, his hand rising slightly.
He wanted to pull her close and tell her he would make everything better for them. He wanted to tell her that he would fix this messed up story line and write a better one for them where she was smiling all the time; where they were happy.
But his hand dropped to his side before she noticed it was ever raised and he didn't say anything. Because the world didn't work that way and they both knew it.
"Let's get into that basement," he said and she nodded after a moment.
Wall Maria...Shiganshina District...
Levi, Mikasa, Eren, Armin, and Greer stood before his basement door. Eren walked up to it and tried the key.
But it didn't fit.
"What?" Eren whispered confused.
"Eren, move," Levi said and a second later his foot collided with the door successfully breaking it open.
The group walked in and began to look around.
"Eren, over here," Mikasa said and Greer watched Eren slide the key into a desk lock.
Perfect fit.
He unlocked it slowly and opened the drawer.
Silence.
The group stared at an empty drawer and Greer almost laughed. Her sanity was hanging on by a thread and this could be the thing to push her over the edge.
"I don't get it..." Eren whispered in disbelief.
Silence.
Silence.
Levi frowned and reached in, tapping the wood gently. All eyes widened as it moved. Levi removed the fake bottom and Eren pulled out three old looking books. Greer stared at the books as Eren opened one.
"They're my dad's," Eren said surprised and then looked at Levi.
"Let's get the books back to Hange," he said and they nodded.
The Top of Wall Rose...
Greer slipped from the squad quietly. They were discussing the books and the answers they could provide once thoroughly researched. Hange was excited. Greer couldn't care less. That books had answers, but not the ones she was looking for. She walked a few yards away and stopped suddenly. Her hand came to her chest quickly.
"Greer!" a dainty voice shouted and she turned quickly.
"I missed you so much," the younger girl mumbled in her arms.
"I never wanted you to see that side of me Greer. I haven't used it in a very long time..." she trailed off and Greer stared at her wide eyed.
"You've used it before?" she asked and Evie nodded.
"Dad showed me how to control it," she said and Greer felt sick.
"Is dad alive?" she asked and Evie stood silent.
"Evelyn! Is dad alive?!" Greer shouted shaking her.
"I don't know! I don't know!" she cried.
"Did mom know about you?" Greer asked and Evie shook her head.
"No, dad said it was our secret alone," she answered honestly.
"Were you really just going to leave?" he asked.
"I have to protect you and my sister," Evie defended.
"Greer, I love you. Please know that," she whispered and Greer frowned lightly.
"I know that," she nodded and Evie wiped at her eyes.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Greer asked wiping a tear that managed to slip down Evie's cheek.
"Promise me. Promise me that you know," she said and Greer was confused.
"I promise. I know you love me Evie," she said and Evie hugged her.
And suddenly she couldn't breathe. Her eyes widened and then her vision blurred as she struggled to breathe. Short gasps escaped her mouth as she walked further away from the squad.
Her squad; or what was left of it.
She covered her mouth trying to get a hold of herself, but failed miserably as a choked sob escaped her throat. She wished she could disappear even if just for a moment.
Gunter, Eld, Oluo, Petra. Farlan, Isabel.
I didn't get to any of you in time. The fastest solider alive and I still couldn't get to any of you. What kind of solider—what kind of friend fails that badly?
Greer stared at the sun as it rose high over the horizon.
Erwin.
I gave him so much grief. Why; for what? He had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Why did I have to make things even more difficult for him?
Her heart was racing so fast she could hear it pounding in her ears.
Evie.
All of my memories of her...are they lies? Everything we went through...was she just playing a role? Was it all for show? But why; why reveal herself right before the attack? What was there to gain? The concern, the care, the love...was it all fake? A ruse to keep us close and then turn on us when the time called for it? Or were her last words real?
Her chest hurt.
Levi.
Her eyes widened as a terrible realization hit her in the face.
I cost him everyone he's ever loved or cared about.
She covered her face. The pain was indescribable and she thought, for a brief moment, that maybe her heart would explode.
Maybe then she'd have some peace.
She dropped to her knees suddenly, her world spinning some, and covered her face with her hands. She was startled when she felt hands steady her.
"Easy," Levi said softly and she couldn't look at him.
Silence.
Silence.
"I'm...I'm f-fine," she choked out, but he shook his head.
It made her shake her head too.
Levi's eyes saddened briefly before regaining their composure.
Silence.
Silence.
"You said you weren't going to go after the Beast Titan," she said suddenly.
Silence.
"I made a promise to Erwin," he said softly.
Silence.
"After I told him to die for us," he added and her eyes shot to his.
"What?" she asked and Levi's eyes lowered.
"We needed a distraction and he came up with one. But he was having doubts. So, I promised him that if he gave up his dream of seeing what was in Eren's basement, and led the suicide charge towards the Beast titan with the new recruits, that I would kill it," he explained and Greer stared at him.
Silence.
"But I didn't," he added and she stared at him.
"Not yet," she said and his eyes snapped to hers.
Silence.
Silence.
Greer swallowed the lump in her throat and wiped at her eyes before tears formed.
Silence.
Silence.
She got to her feet slowly and so did he.
"I have to go get her. If I leave now I can—" she stopped when he reached out and grabbed her wrists.
"Wait," he said and she looked at him.
"Please let me go," she whispered.
She pulled away from him and backed up quickly. Levi shook his head.
"Don't do this now," he tried, but he could see he was already losing her.
If he hadn't already.
"It's my fault. It's my f-fault," she choked out devastated.
"That's not true," he said firmly, but she remained unconvinced.
"Yes, it is."
Levi took a step forward, but she stepped back, edging closer to the ledge of the wall.
"Careful," Levi said unsure.
He wondered what she was thinking. He could usually read her, but looking at her now he was blind. He just wasn't sure what she'd do and that unnerved him.
"My father said he cursed the day he ever let you into our house, but the truth is you should be cursing the day you ever met me. He told me about your parents; why they didn't leave for the interior on time. It was because they wanted you to be able to say goodbye to me. If they would have left when they were supposed to, they'd still be alive and your whole life would be different. You were forced to join the survey corps because of me. Farlan and Isabel were killed, our squad was butchered, and our commander was lost; and I'm responsible for all of that. Evie…she may have betrayed us. I wasn't worth it…any of it. I'm the reason they're dead. And I'm going to be the reason you die too so just let me do this by myself. Let me go. Then you'll have a chance," she said and Levi launched forward.
She tried to back up, but he grabbed her. She tried to pull back, but his grip was unyielding.
"Let go."
"Listen to me," he said and she shook her head and struggled.
"Greer, listen to me or I'm going to put you on your ass in front of the squad," he said and his tone caught her attention.
She stopped struggling and forced herself to look at him.
"You're wrong," he said firmly.
"Everything that's happened…none of it's on you. My parents were killed because I overslept. It's one of the main reasons why I don't sleep very often now. You had nothing to do with it. I joined the survey corps, because I made a choice and I have no regrets. Farlan and Isabel, the squad, Erwin…they all made choices too. Don't be so selfish and take that away from them. And Evelyn…" he paused briefly.
Silence.
"...your dad is a liar. She would never betray us," he said firmly.
Silence.
Silence.
He gently raised his hand to her cheek and brushed a few tears away with the back of his hand. It was a bold move as they both were well aware that the squad was just a short distance away.
Silence.
"Meeting you was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. You're not the reason I'm going to die. You're the reason I'm fighting so hard so that we can all live," he finished.
She leaned forward, forgetting momentarily where they were, and watched his eyes widen and his body tense slightly. It made her pause, but then she gently let her head rest against his shoulder tiredly.
"Thank you, Levi," she whispered weakly.
Silence.
Silence.
Her eyes widened slightly feeling his hand gently entwine itself in her hair and his arm wrap around her waist, hugging her to him gently. His head lightly nudged into hers and she closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth his body gave her.
"Stay…stay with me," he whispered and she nodded slowly.
I hope everyone enjoyed it! Please let me know your thoughts by reviewing please! I love and NEED my reviews!