I just wanted to put the author's note here considering how this chapter ends. When I had posted the previous chapter, I had gone on a writing frenzy on new stories for a couple of days before hitting a severe writer's block. Next thing I knew, school started and then I didn't get a chance to even try writing because I felt so burnt out. I honestly don't know how I feel about this chapter and I am worried it isn't my best considering how important it is. But I won't let that bother me too much as my mental state hasn't been the best for the past few weeks either. I also let a friend finally read one of my works, specifically this one, and they've said a few things that kinda struck me. One, they reminded me of the multiple errors in this story especially in the beginning which I have noticed as my writing started to improve. So I'll most likely be reuploading older chapters. Nothing will change in the story, it's just a matter of editing errors. Two, I had told them that I had a ton of stories stored away that I didn't want to upload because I was worried about not keeping a consistent upload schedule as I struggle just to keep up with one story. They had replied with, "It's your work you should upload when you want to." Which I had never actually considered before because I know how it feels to read a fanfic with not a consistent upload schedule. But as time continues on, I've been thinking about the statement more so maybe I will be uploading new stories soon, who knows? I apologize for the mini vent, I just had a lot of things to get off my chest. Thank you to everyone who has read/reviewed/favorited/followed. It is greatly appreciated.

Until then, Zouboss.

...

Ymir's phone had started going off in the early hours of the morning. When she checked, she was somewhat surprised to notice it was a floodgate of messages from Willy, including some calls. The messages varied, starting casually before slowly evolving it's way to annoyance, hurt, anger, and finally desperation. Ymir ignored them, her throat tightening at the sight. Her stomach churned easily and she reassured herself that this would be over soon.

Her head turned to Historia, who sat in the passenger seat. She looked a little nervous but willing. Ymir was glad that they were at this point now and her chest glowed, seeing Historia moving forward.

"Ready?"

Historia nodded, her fingers laced around the handle of the car door. She opened it slowly. "Yeah, here we go."

"I'll be waiting when it's over," Ymir reminded, an offer of reassurance.

Historia's shoulders eased and she smiled. Leaning forward, she planted a quick kiss on Ymir's cheek and stepped out.

Her skin burned at the contact and Ymir gave a crooked smile. She waved her goodbye and watched Historia walk into the building.

It was Historia's first day of therapy.

One more step in the healing process.

Ymir rolled her shoulders and sat straight. Now next was to go to Zeke. She had a mental checklist, starting from the top and slowly making her way down.

A buzzing noise caught her attention and her eyes flitted to her phone that rested in a cup holder of her car. The screen was lit, displaying the caller ID.

Knitting her eyebrows together, she huffed and answered this time.

"What is it?" Ymir tried to keep her tone even but frustration dripped in each word.

"Ymir!" Willy cried, almost frantic. "You need to come over. I need your help."

Ymir started the engine of her car. "I can't, Willy."

"Why not? It's Marcel...isn't it? What he told you is a lie. I haven't done anything. It's paranoia. Zeke and Him fear my status despite the fact I'm their primary customer. It's ridiculous, I've been cut off-"

"Marcel didn't tell me anything," Ymir snapped, her fingers tightening around her steering wheel as she drove.

"Then why have you been ignoring me?"

"I already told you why. I have my own personal problems to deal with. What's your problem, man?"

"I don't have a problem. What is your problem? I thought we were friends, Ymir. I was quite fond of you until now."

Ymir sighed, a little bit of guilt pulling at her stomach. They were until Marcel told her to stay away without any explanation and she trusted him despite his vagueness.

Willy continued when Ymir's only answer was silence. "Please, Ymir. I-," He paused, a loud crash happening in the background. "I have to cut this conversation short. But please put your trust in me and come over."

There was an edge to his voice before he hung up and Ymir was left, driving with a dumbfounded expression. Tensing her shoulders, she turned the wheel and diverted from the path towards Zeke's location.

…

Historia stepped into the room cautiously, absorbing her surroundings. It was a cozy room, it's homey features resembling what you would see in a house. A few paintings hung elegantly on the wall. An oak bookshelf rested against the corner of the room, filled to the brim with books.

"I could live in here, really," A voice caught her attention and her eyes drifted to the person sitting on a sofa chair. He was an older man, white hair and a white beard with glasses perched in the bridge of his nose. Over his shoulder on the wall was his Ph.D., displaying his name. Darius Zackley. "My wife would probably be relieved to have the bed to herself if I did."

"Dr. Zackley," Historia greeted softly, placing herself on the chair angled across from him.

"Historia Reiss," He nodded politely then looked at the clipboard in his hands. "I should be honored really, a Reiss deciding to go with me as their therapist. While I am a professional, I am nowhere as fancy as the people you could choose. More of an old hag, really."

Historia offered an awkward chuckle, shifting in her chair. "Well, I'd think I prefer a more personal feel than a formal one."

His eyes glittered and he tapped his pen on the clipboard. "Well let's get started with the pleasantries," He grinned kindly. "I would like you to know that you are free to tell me anything you are comfortable with saying and by no means are forced to pour out your soul. For now, let's get to know each other."

Historia took a deep breath and readied herself. This was it.

…

"Onyan! Ilse!"

They both jerked their heads up as one of Onyan's interns burst through the door, holding a tray of coffee in one hand and documents in his other. Onyan quickly got up to help him as the poor boy fumbled. He took the coffee and placed it on the table.

"You have to be more careful, Peaure," He sighed, handing a cup to Ilse.

"Sorry sir," He apologized then handed the documents to Onyan. "The papers came in. Roy managed to pull some strings and he figured out that the owner of the property was using a fake name. It's actually-."

"William Tybur," Onyan finished in disbelief, taking a step back.

Ilse spat out her coffee. "What?!"

"But William Tybur and his wife aren't in the country, they haven't been for months now," Peaure explained, bouncing on the balls of his feet excitedly. "But their children are. That means one of them has to be responsible."

"Possibly, but not for certain," Onyan turned to look at Ilse. "What are the known residences of the Tybur children?"

Ilse, who was already typing on the computer, replied, "Willy Tybur lives right outside of town and in the same 15-mile radius of where you found Ellie."

Onyan flinched at the bitterness in Ilse's tone as she finished the sentence. He wondered if Ilse would ever forgive him for what he had done. He brushed it off for now and said, "The results came in recently on what they injected into the poor girl. It's an unknown substance, not any known drug in the medical field either."

"Yeah, Ellie described it as feeling "blurry but bigger and happier"," Ilse paused for a moment, the thought of Ymir coming across her mind and what she told her last night. Could Ymir be linked to this? She tasted something bitter in her mouth at the thought. Marcel. She had only ever met him once but there was something about his friendly smile that always made him seem off. He was capable of doing things a normal moral person wouldn't. He was the reason why Ymir was in that mess. The mess she planned on getting out of today judging by last night's conversation. "If it is him, Willy Tybur has probably been drugging these girls…"

Onyan and Peaure's expressions darkened at the suggestion but they knew it was a possible truth that they had to accept it. Onyan patted Peaure's shoulder and said, "Tell Roy to get into the contact with the police." The boy nodded and scampered off.

"Do you think it's him?" Ilse asked, clicking a pen anxiously.

"It would make sense, think about it," Onyan sighed. "No one really hears about the Tybur children, especially Willy." Onyan walked over to Ilse's computer and pointed at the screen. "No recent articles about him in the past few months. He's been keeping a low profile."

Ilse hummed her agreement and moved her hand to place over Onyan's. She squeezed it. "This is it."

Onyan managed a smile. "This is it."

…

Ymir pulled into the driveway and stepped out of her car. The gravel crunched beneath her weight and the sun hung in the sky steadily. She could feel its heat hitting against the nape of her neck. January's chill was slowly dying. Taking a deep breath and easing herself, she walked towards the front door.

It was her last moment of peace.

"Ymir!"

The door flung open before her finger could make contact with the doorbell. The brunette took a step back in surprise and furrowed her eyebrows when she took in what was in front of her.

Willy Tybur. Disheveled with a manic look lingering in his eyes. Her eyes slowly drifted towards the white tux he wore, questioning why he wore it in the first place but soon stopped when she saw the red stains.

He followed her gaze then straightened himself. "I spilled some wine, " He said, wiping his hand on his chest and taking a step to the side to allow Ymir in.

She walked in, slowly. She noticed as he closed the door, he locked both the top and bottom locks.

"What do you need help with?" Ymir turned to him, crossing her arms.

"I..I need help transferring some stuff," Willy waved a hand for her to follow him, they walked to the living room but as they passed, a sudden thump sounded below them.

Ymir froze. "What was that?" She looked around as more thumping started to happen. It started to get closer and she noticed a door by the stairwell. Suddenly the thumping stopped but the door started to rattle.

Something muffled came from the other side, very similar to a scream.

Before Willy could say or do anything, Ymir raced to the door and noticed the lock was on the outside rather than the inside. She turned it and jumped back when a body flew out.

Ymir's heart was suddenly in her throat.

A sickening force pulled at her stomach.

A woman scrambled upwards. Her hands bound and her mouth covered with duct tape. Her eyes looked around frantically and when she caught sight of Willy, she scrambled backward. Bumping into Ymir, she turned around in surprise and reeled back in fear. Scars were covered all over her body, signs of injections and she had a couple of bruises and a swollen eye.

"W-Willy," Ymir's expression curled and she felt suddenly sick. Her whole body shook with emotion. "Willy, what the fuck is this?! What the fuck did you do?!" She reached forward to untangle the woman's bound hands but stopped in her tracks. Something pressed against the back of her head. Cold and metallic.

Willy's voice was dark and low. "Don't do this, Ymir."

She could hear the blood pulsating in her ears. Her gold eyes met the scared greens of this stranger. She stared back, her eyes wide with shock. "Willy, I-...what are you doing?"

"Where is Zeke."

Ymir stiffened. She slowly turned around, her legs weak. Willy stood, facing her, a pistol aimed at her. She almost felt like she was dreaming as if this wasn't happening.

"You know where Zeke is, Ymir," Willy's expression was calm but the wild look in his eyes betrayed him. He jerked the pistol in intimidation and growled, "WHERE IS ZEKE, YMIR? WHERE IS MARCEL?"

"I don't know where Marcel-"

Willy took a step forward, aiming the pistol closer.

"I seriously fucking don't, Willy!" Ymir replied, raising her hands up and anger with the mixture of fear brewed in every fiber of her body. It couldn't end here. Not when she was closer and closer to getting her daughter back. Not when Historia was now in her life. She couldn't die here. "But if you want Zeke, I'll take you to him, just please stop fucking aiming that pistol at me."

Willy lowered it and a small grin crept upon his face. He ran a hand through his hair. He laughed, emptily then aimed the gun at the woman behind Ymir. "Help me with her. She needs to go back down there with the rest. If you don't, I will put a bullet into the both of you."

The rest, Ymir echoed and she felt as if she couldn't breathe. She nodded hesitantly then sent the woman a promising and apologetic look. Ymir took hold of her as she started to wriggle out of her grip. She tightened her group and started to make it down the stairwell, Willy following closely behind.

When Ymir made it to the bottom, an awful stench of urine and blood flooded her senses and she gagged. The lights turned on around her and Ymir couldn't breathe.

It was a small area but replicated a prison. The number of cages around her, the...number of children and women. Chained, crying, helplessly. She felt tears form at the back of her eyes and she felt so fucked. Some of them didn't even notice her, staring blankly into space as if they were drugged. Others were passed out and the very few that were awake were looking at her, crying out for help. She turned away in shame, not making eye contact with them.

Willy guided her to a cage and unlocked it. Ymir walked in, still holding the woman, she was shaking in Ymir's grasp. Willy lowered himself to grab a chain and at that moment, Ymir wanted to push him down and grab the gun so she could kill him but her fear of that attempt failing was too great. She couldn't risk it. He cuffed the girls' ankles and then pulled Ymir out, slamming the steel bar door shut and locking it. The woman looked at Ymir one last time before dropping her head in defeat and hunching over to weep.

Ymir felt all her insides twist and she lowered her eyes so she didn't have to look at anyone else as they made their way out.

These are the missing people that Ilse's been looking for, Ymir thought as Willy started to guide her outside. She just needed a way to get into contact with Ilse without Willy noticing, which was impossible.

"Get into your car, you're taking me to Zeke," Willy ordered, his pistol still in his clutch but no longer aiming at Ymir. As she did, he got into the passenger seat.

She sat in her seat and didn't move.

"Get moving!" Willy growled.

"Seatbelt?"

Willy's expression darkened but he obeyed, huffing in annoyance while rattling his pistol. "Where is your phone? Give it to me."

"I don't have one," Ymir tried.

"Bullshit," Willy spat and raised his pistol.

"Okay, geez, calm down, it was a joke," Ymir said, her voice shaking. She pulled it out of her back pocket and squeezed it momentarily before giving it up. Willy immediately threw it out the window. Her only hope was Zeke at this point. She was scared, terrified and she was starting to feel more helpless as time ticked by. Of course, she was trying to stay collected on the outside but it was getting harder. "Alright to Zeke's we go."

The drive was obviously full of tension and Ymir could feel herself suffocating. Willy seemed focused and determined and she wondered when his downwards spiral started. Probably sometime when she started ignoring him. She was curious about what he did to make Zeke cut him off. Was it because of the missing people….? That was a reasonable answer. And those injection marks...he could have been using the drugs on them.

"Why did you do it?" Ymir found herself saying and winced when she realized what she just did.

"What?"

"Why are you doing those things to those girls," Ymir continued, shrugging in an effort to appear nonchalant. "You might as well tell me…" She paused and added, "Since something tells me I won't make it out of this alive."

Willy didn't reply at first and Ymir figured she wouldn't get her answer. After a few more minutes of silence, he finally answered. "They're nobodys. It's why some of them have been missing for years. And I did it...because I have desires."

Ymir flinched and she started to only see red. "Some of them are children, Willy."

"I know."

As they started to drive on a bridge, Ymir gripped the steering wheel tensing. "All this for fucked up fetishes, huh? Seriously?"

Without the radio playing and only the soft rumble of the engine, if Ymir listened closely enough, she could hear the river raging beneath the bridge. It was still bright outside, the sky clear and the sun glowing confidently, unphased with what was going on. Ymir eased her foot on the gas pedal.

"What does it matter? I shouldn't do it because it isn't right? Because I'll be damned to hell? Because I am hurting innocents? There's no God, Ymir, if that's what you're thinking. Human morals don't even exist, we're just afraid of punishments. Most of us would be unhinged if we weren't taught the difference between right and wrong."

"Well, I believe what you're doing is terribly fucked up," Ymir started to turn the wheel slowly and she applied pressure to the gas pedal. "And that bullshit you're spewing? Well, you may be right about no God and people fearing punishments but there is right and there is wrong. And what you're doing is wrong, especially to the little girls you're hurting, who have a whole future ahead of them. Trust me on this, I would know. Even if you're stupid fucking fantasies would make that hard to believe.

Willy scoffed, turning to face her. "And how do you know that?"

Ymir swallowed. "Because...I'm a mother."

The car tires screeched against the pavement as she swerved the car and made an impact with the side of the bridge. The car, with the two of them inside, tipped over and plunged into the river.

…

Historia walked out of the building feeling more refreshed than ever. She took a deep breath, appreciating the crisp air. As she walked down the sidewalk, she noticed Ymir wasn't parked waiting for her. Huh.

She had no way of contacting her but she figured the brunette was just running a little late. She sat on the curbside and waited. When about half an hour passed, she started to grow a little worried.

"Hey, Historia!" Sasha greeted as the woman walked into their restaurant as she decided not to wait anymore outside. Though the walk was a little long, she didn't mind it and Sasha's smile made it worth it. Her stomach was getting bigger and Historia thought briefly that only in a few more months she would have her baby. "Where's Ymir?"

"That's actually why I am here," Historia said with an uneasy smile. "Can I borrow your phone?"

"Sure," Sasha nodded and willingly gave it to her.

Historia gave her a thankful hum. She dialed the familiar number she once had been written on her skin. She touched the inside of her arm at the memory. When Ymir didn't pick up after a couple of attempts, Historia frowned and wished she knew Ilse's number so she could at least ask if Ilse knew anything.

Historia handed Sasha her phone back. "She didn't pick up."

"Well you can stay here as long as you want," Sasha offered, putting the device into the back pocket of her jeans.

"You know what, I will," Historia grinned warmly and then perked up at an idea. "Actually, do you happen to have a job opening?"

Sasha gave Historia a knowing look. "Actually, we do."

…

She felt warm and content. Ymir felt her chest bubbling in joy as she chased her daughter across the backyard. Her daughter squealed in delight, the puppy they recently bought her, trailing after her, barking happily.

Ymir caught up to her, scooping her up and spinning around. "I gotcha!"

Her daughter laughed and tried to wriggle from her grip. The puppy yapping away at the girl's laughter. Ymir swooped her down and they both fell in the grass.

"Well, looks like both of you will have to take a bath tonight," A voice called from the patio and the two of them perked their heads up to look at the person who spoke. Historia stood there, watching them with a tender look in her eyes.

"I like baths!" Her daughter chirped, scrambling up and running up to Historia.

Historia looked down at the girl and patted her head affectionately. "Yeah? Well, how about you wash up so you can eat dinner and then you can take one. Sounds good?"

The girl nodded and rushed inside, her dog following after her.

Ymir got up from the ground and made her way to Historia, stretching her arms out for a hug.

Historia placed a hand on Ymir's chest and pushed her back. "Don't even think about it. You better shower too."

Ymir puckered her lips trying to land a kiss on Historia but the woman was quick to dodge. "Not even one kiss?" Ymir pouted.

"Fine," Historia sighed with a smile and stood on her toes to kiss Ymir. Ymir did a little victory dance as she felt their lips merge earning a chuckle from Historia. "You're so stupid."

"You love me," Ymir cooed, her hands placed on either side of Historia's hips.

"I really do," Historia replied and Ymir's heart swelled. "That's why I married you."

Ymir felt her breath catch in her throat. "We are married?"

Historia pretended to look offended playing along with what she assumed was another one of Ymir's jokes. "We are. And we have the rings to prove it." She raised her hand to showcase her claimed finger.

Ymir raised her own and saw that she also had a ring. She intertwined her hand with Historia's and leaned in to give her another kiss. More intimate and passionate than the one before.

"Careful, we can't get heated with our daughter nearby," Historia whispered, her voice thick as she pulled away. That look of desire in her blue orbs was enough to set a fire in Ymir's body.

"Our?" She echoed, feeling as if she was walking on air.

Historia's eyebrows furrowed in undisguised concern. "Ymir, are you okay?"

The brunette broke out of her daze and grinned. "I've never been better."

When they went inside and washed their hands. They all sat around the table and started to dig in on dinner. Her daughter entertained them with overdramatic stories of what happened at school today. She also snuck the dog scraps when she thought Ymir and Historia weren't looking, Ymir chose not to notice.

After dinner, they winded down in the living room, putting on one of her daughter's cartoons. Historia laid beside Ymir reading a book and Ymir just took in everything around her. She felt like she could explode with how happy she felt. She loved her family.

"Alright, the show is over, go brush your teeth," Ymir told her daughter, getting up from the couch and ushering the girl away from the TV.

She giggled, heading towards the bathroom. Ymir leaned against the door frame, watching her daughter brush as she hummed an unknown song to herself. As she finished, Ymir helped tuck her into bed.

"Mom, you forgot something!" Her daughter called before Ymir could make it out of her bedroom.

"And what did I exactly forget?"

"The bedtime story, duh," She said with all the attitude she could manage.

Ymir smirked and sat on the bedside. "Alright, how about we go with something a little more original," Ymir suggested after looking through the selection of books.

Her daughter nodded eagerly and Ymir took this as a sign to start. "Well, once there was a girl and a boy who lived in an orphanage in a village."

"What are they're names?"

"Uh, Mathis and Yara. Anyways, these two were best friends. They did everything together. They were adventurous spirits too and always and a knack to getting in trouble. One day, Mathis and Yara ended up getting lost in the woods and were separated. As they looked for each other, they encountered two creatures. Mathis met a wolf and Yara met a deer."

"Were his antlers huge?"

"They were massive, as huge as the trees," Ymir said, putting her hands to her head to represent antlers. Her daughter giggled in amusement. "The deer was caught in a hunter's trap. Yara helped the deer out. "Thank you as a reward you get the power to heal," The deer said, "And as long as you help me beat my enemy the wolf, you can keep the power." Yara agreed to this and helped the deer search for the wolf. On the other side of the woods, Mathis found a large grey wolf also caught in the trap. He also helped the wolf and the wolf gave him the power of strength. "And ya can keep it if you help me defeat my enemy the deer." Mathis had agreed to this."

"But that means Mathis and Yara have to go against each other!"

"Sometimes best friends have to go against each other," Ymir said.

Her daughter shook her head. "I would never go against Carly!"

Ymir paused at the sound of the girl's name. She shook her head, of course, they were best friends. "Shall I continue?"

"Yes, please."

"Well, they eventually find each other and of course, Mathis and Yara are shocked to see each other. But of course, if they want power, they have to kill the animals. Yara didn't want to kill the wolf if it meant hurting her friend Mathis. But Mathis... wanted power so he attempted to kill the deer but Yara got in his way. The wolf got frustrated and attacked Yara. The deer interfered and ended up dying at the wolf's paw."

"NO!"

"Yara cried over the body of the deer. And as she did, the wolf wasn't finished and wanted to hurt Yara too. Yara had to get out of there and she did. She ran and ran until she couldn't anymore. Mathis stayed in the woods and Yara never saw him again."

"That's a sad story, why would you tell me that!" Her daughter yelped in disbelief. "And what happened after?"

"Hmm, well Mathis served under the wolf and did his dirty work."

"What about Yara?"

"Well, she grew up and lived a happy life with her family."

"That's it?"

"Yes ma'am," Ymir nodded.

"I want to know more! It can't just end like that!"

"Maybe tomorrow night, it's time to get rest, little one," Ymir leaned forward to kiss her forehead.

"Goodnight, mom."

"Goodnight, Freyja."

Ymir turned off the bedroom light and walked out. And per Historia's request, Ymir took a shower before finally settling down into bed with her wife, who was already comfortable.

"You took a while," She muttered, scooting up to press her body against Ymir. "You smell good. Glad you took a shower."

"Well, I had to improvise a story and got a little carried away," Ymir said, her mouth placed against the top of Historia's head.

They laid there in content warm silence before Ymir whispered softly, "What are you thinking about right now?"

"How nice our life could be," Historia replied softly, digging her face into the crook of Ymir's neck. "What about you?"

"Yeah," Ymir said, tears suddenly rolling down her cheeks. Her voice was hoarse with emotion. "Me too."

And suddenly Ymir couldn't feel her heartbeat.

…

Ilse had never felt so relieved and happy in her whole entire life. The sirens still echoed in her head but all around her, there were the missing people she had been researching for the past few weeks. Onyan stood beside her, teary-eyed too. Ambulances and police cars darted all around the yard of Willy Tybur's mansion. Some of the ambulances had already taken off most of the girls and women needing immediate help.

But those who were still here, wrapped securely in blankets as a medic checked over them, they were alive.

13 females.

4 children.

3 teenagers.

6 women.

Some missing for months, others missing for years.

Roy and Peaure approached the two of them. Peaure with a hopeful and bright look in his eyes. Ilse liked him for that; always the brightest in the darkest of situations.

Roy nodded to them and shook their hands. "Well you guys did it, and a hella good job too. The best on my team."

"Thank you, sir," Onyan wiped the tears from his eyes and laughed softly. He grabbed Ilse's hand and squeezed it. "We did it."

"We did it," Ilse echoed and then jumped up with a burst of energy. "We did it! We did it! We did it!" Onyan caught her as she bounced onto him and she looked into his eyes. With a grin, she leaned in, kissing him deeply.

"I guess we should give you some room, eh?" Roy said good-humored and gave them another nod. "Can't wait till l you two start working on another case."

Ilse pulled away from Onyan, cupping his face. He looked back, a little dazed but thrilled. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Ilse thought she could relish in this excitement forever but that quickly faded when Peaure suddenly called her name.

"Ilse, we found this," He said, handing her an item.

She took it and felt dread fill every bone in her body. It was Ymir's phone.

…

It felt like she was yanked away from an abyss of pure nothingness. Suddenly air-filled Ymir's lungs and her heart started to beat rapidly in her chest.

"Ymir! Ymir, you're awake. Don't move," A familiar voice told her.

Her eyes looked bleary towards the man and she breathed out hoarsely, "Mathis…"

She was too unfocused to notice the furrow of Marcel's eyebrows as he stared down worriedly at her. Over his shoulder, she could barely make out the figure of a taller man dragging the limp body of Willy Tybur out of the river.

Sudden realization flooded her and Ymir jolted. Instead of her body lifting herself up, she cried out in immense pain. Every fiber of her body felt like it was on fire and an ache in her bones made tears form at the edge of her eyes.

"Stay still, you're hurt badly," Marcel said, his hands placed over her as if he was ready to push her back down if she tried to get back up. Luckily for him, he didn't have to worry.

Ymir looked at him, just turning her head sent a shock of pain throughout her body. "M-marcel...what are you doing here?"

His expression fell and he shook his head. "Zeke." He looked over at his shoulder and that's when Ymir recognized the man, looming over Willy Tybur's body with an unphased expression.

"He's dead," Zeke said, the sunlight reflecting off his glasses. He slowly made his way to Marcel and kneeled down by the brunette. "You killed that son of a bitch, Ymir. And almost yourself." Ymir wanted to flinch but the price of moving was too much to bear. He ran a hand over her torso. "You broke one of your legs. Fractured a few ribs but your spine is still intact and it doesn't like you got any neurological damage. I'd say you got off lucky than most."

Ymir felt her mouth go dry. One of her immediate thoughts was her daughter and anger flooded over her. She screamed out, both in pain and sorrow. Her life had been on track and thanks to her foolishness she had ruined it again. How long would it take her before she got to see Freyja again? Would she even get to see her ever again? Why was Ymir such a fucking idiot?

"Ymir, you need to calm down, tensing up isn't good for your body," Marcel tried, his gaze sympathetic and his mouth formed in a small smile but it was obvious that was the only thing he could offer. That's all he could ever offer. Empty promises and a smile. That's how it had been with Ymir and him their entire childhood.

Ymir didn't listen, screaming out in agony as every inch of her was torn in shreds. She couldn't handle this anymore. She fucking hated it. She loathed herself. She was mad at the world, at everyone in it.

It was a blur from there. She didn't know how long it lasted or when everything happened but Zeke and Marcel didn't stay long. The moment they heard the sirens of an ambulance in the distance, they ran off. Marcel only sending one more glance as a form of goodbye.

She doesn't feel the hands that touch her as the medics handle her. As they check for her injuries and load her onto a stretcher. They pump morphine into her but it doesn't help that pain that is deteriorating her. She doesn't hear the voices around her. She doesn't see the blur of the lights as she rushed into the hospital into the emergency room. She doesn't remember anything, just the fact that her throat was weathering away as she continued crying out.