"I'll be right back."
Levi watched the weak man tell Claire, closing his rickety door to her face. He crouched on a roof nearby tailing the girl who has been looking for him but was completely oblivious to his presence.
Yes, he knows she has been seeking him out.
He had watched her pester her brothers to help her retrace her steps to find his hideout which they would adamantly disapprove much to Levi's relief.
Once he had listened to her ask Amon about him and how he had warned her about him. Saying he was rather known to be violent and ruthless, not exactly good company to keep.
He would normally think nothing of what others say about him. After all, he built his reputation for a reason but somehow the way the boy cautioned Claire ticked him off.
She had kept silent but he had seen the objection in her eyes and the defensive way her shoulders set in her stubborn refusal to believe the boy's words which appeased Levi.
He had been absolutely livid when he came back to his place, feeling robbed and as empty as the poor excuse of the four walls and roof he considered his lodging.
So he decided not to come back the next day.
His blood boiling in his veins, the rage he felt slipping out of his control at how inexplicably unfair things have always been for him.
His sudden loneliness a deliberate and harsh wake up call. It was the reality he was able to escape for a few hours in the confines of Claire's place. It was also the reality that taunted him now pulling him from his delusion. It felt like being poured with a bucket of freezing water.
He even went out of his way to avoid running into her or any other member of her family ever since that day in their lodging by keeping his heists within the heart of the Underground which was undeniably a pain in the ass because food was scarcer and money rarer.
Why are some people luckier than others despite being in this place? Why can some people have family and hot food on the table? Why can some people have the luxury to laugh and be with someone they love in this hellhole?
"Why can't I have that too?" A small, vulnerable voice in the back of his mind had bitterly thought.
But then it only took three days before his conviction shattered and soon he found himself seeking her out.
It started with passing by her lodging to get glimpses of her in the mornings as either of her brothers gently shook her awake.
He never could differentiate the twins physically yet. Although Levi learned that Bran was the one with better senses, quick to pick up that someone was watching from a distance.
But Levi was quicker, of course. And so he would quickly take off as soon as he saw Bran about to turn.
Before he even knew it, he was following her. Slowly picking up on and getting accustomed to habits she barely even noticed herself.
Like how the first thing she did as she came down their stairs was hug her mother from behind and how she'd secretly stash bread in her bag to give away for later.
Like how she kept her head down when they walked to work but never could resist looking behind her to make sure her brothers were there.
Like how she always wanted to sit by windows and how she'd reluctantly pull away every time she was called out on it.
Levi has been a silent shadow of every turn she took.
He has been at it for almost two months now.
It irked him quite frankly.
While some would have seen it as alarming, he wasn't following her because he wanted to.
No. It's just that he was drawn to her and he simply cannot overcome it which made him hate her more. Every single thing about her.
Claire was on her last leg of delivery but the man miscalculated the exact amount he had to pay.
Days of working for the hospital turned into a month and by now Claire had been confident enough to split the deliveries with Amon so they could cover more ground in less time.
They both agreed to wait for the other, the stall in the market where her brothers worked for their set rendezvous.
She immediately bowed her head down as the door opened again and she accepted the coins from the man, taking caution not to make eye contact but briefly offered a kind smile like always. "Thank you, sir. Same time tomorrow!"
Despite her disguise there would always be one or two who would notice she was not a boy for the matter and in those instances she'd quickly turn or feign indifference.
Sometimes a few would try to follow her to back her up in a corner but unbeknownst to her, someone's mere shadow was already scaring the other thugs away before they can even execute their plan.
While he justified his own actions to himself as an excuse to find something new to silently brood about and hate her for, he'd never admit the thought of her having some run ins with the other thugs in the Underground was what really kept him.
Her soft features were a dead give away. Her eyes that show a myriad of emotions every time. Other times Amon would smear her face or dishevel her beret or overcoat before leaving the hospital in an attempt to make her look boyish.
This pisses Levi off for reasons unknown but he knows he doesn't like the dirt on her features. "Disgusting," he'd often think but if one were to see, they might think it's actually Amon he's pissed at.
His keen eyes watched Claire keep a brisk pace, her boots hitting the cobblestone at a steady pattern to get to her destination in the shortest amount of time.
It was obvious to him that the dark corners unnerved her no matter how many times she passed them on a daily.
He had seen her shoulders tense in fear of the shadows that lurked one too many times. The glow from their cigars and the smoke that followed were telltale signs of their menacing presence.
However, Claire never told her brothers or their mother for fear of worrying them.
Once in a while, when they had some coins to spare or when they carried more medicines than usual, Levi would see Agnes pay a Military Police soldier to accompany her and Amon.
They don't come cheap.
On those days, Levi would retire early knowing she'd come back to the hospital in one piece anyway.
He also picked up that if she told her brothers on the other hand, they would go out of their way to take the deliveries from her. They didn't like the idea of it in the first place and she wouldn't like to give them a reason that would strengthen their opposal.
As she rounded a corner, she heard a commotion that quickly made her hide behind a stack of crates that always littered the Underground, peeking to try and see if she can get around the three men when she heard Amon.
"Get fucking lost. You can't have these-!" She held a hand over her mouth to silence the gasp that escaped her due to the sickening thud of a punch that landed on Amon's jaw.
"I'm not gonna say this twice, kid. You're lucky I asked nicely. Now give 'em!"
"If you want them, you can have them. But you're going to have to pay first!" He fired back spitting bloody saliva at the man's face.
"Alrighty then. You ain't gonna cooperate, eh?"
Levi narrowed his eyes at the lump that accompanied Claire on the deliveries. He could not care less if he was in trouble but then Claire just had to be involved.
He watched in surprise as she slid from the crates. Scoffing, he sat down on the edge of the roof he stood from to spectate. His position still alert and ready to spring into action anytime.
But in the meantime however, he is intrigued at whatever she was going to pull this time.
He can't decide who was being more stupid between the two.
A shaky breath escaped her as she broke into a run when she saw the glint of the blade of a knife the man pulled from behind him.
There was no time to think. The situation is escalating and the obvious fury in the man's stance was more than enough to spell Amon's fate.
Just as the man raised his arm to swing his knife, Amon's eyes met with hers, widening at the sight of her coming close.
He tried to silently warn her but Claire was having none of it. She can't let Amon get hurt.
"Stop!"
Without hesitation, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around the man's bulky one holding the knife before pulling down with all her might.
Unfortunately to no avail.
Claire was positive that she was hanging a foot or so above the ground and she gulped determinedly at the man who wasn't even bothering to hide his bewilderment.
She began to realize just how big the man actually was and he was obviously the leader.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, brat?" Levi hissed under his breath unconsciously creeping closer. "This isn't good."
Having recovered from his confusion, the man violently shook his arm sending her tiny form crashing to the ground.
"What the fuck? This your friend?" The man asked turning back to Amon. "Well it looks like I'll get more from you two then, eh? What do you have in your bag there, kid?"
Claire scrambled away clutching her bag closer. She subtly cleared her throat knowing full well that if they find out she's a girl, things would be worse.
"You can't have these either, sir. O-other people paid for these and it belongs to them."
"Well now I'm taking them! Now give or I'll fucking slit your friend's throat!" The man shouted in a craze, grabbing Amon.
Upon closer inspection the man was shaking and sweating. There was a wild look in his eyes, he was desperate.
"No-! Wait I-I."
"Go on! Move!" The man nodded to his fellows and they went to snatch the bag from Claire.
By now Levi had already come down from the roofs, stalling behind a crate ready to leap up and deliver a kick to a face of a man stalking closer to Claire when the dumbest words came from her mouth.
"N-no! I-I can come with you!"
Everyone halted.
Levi has seen her pull stupid stunts but today has got to be the most idiotic of them all.
Even Claire couldn't believe what just came out of her mouth.
"C-Charles! What the fuck are you saying?"
The man stilled, his eyes narrowing at her in discontent.
"Please, s-sir. If you tell us what you'll use this for we may be able to help you better."
"And what good can you do, runt?"
Claire racked her brain for a lie that can diffuse the situation. "I-I can help you. I, uhm, I-I'm the youngest grandson of the doctor. I-I know some things. Just don't h-hurt us, please."
Well she only lied about the grandson part. It's not like she can say she's related to the female doctor because that alone already made her mother a potential target to malicious minds.
Drunkards consulting in the hospital significantly increased the past few weeks and Dr. Babin was having a hard time turning them away, specially those who couldn't pay or those that only had a scratch.
Alec and Bran already considered getting a job in the hospital too out of worry but then Dr. Babin doesn't have the means to pay more people.
Agnes didn't bother dressing up in men's clothing thinking a woman her age wouldn't be that much of an issue but in the Underground, thugs were after flesh and a good time.
Her complexion from being a noble wasn't helping either. Besides suddenly dressing up as a man would be too obvious and it might blow Claire's cover too.
"You're just a delivery boy I bet you ain't got any idea what those things are for either."
"P-please! Taking these medicines will only be for nothing if you don't know their use."
The man breathed in and out contemplating the child's words. When he spoke his voice was lower as if he was no longer speaking to them. "My... daughter. She's been down for days now... I..."
"T-these are formulated for every patient. Please just let me have a look first." Claire tried again, her voice gentle and coaxing.
"Charles!" Amon yelled in utter disbelief.
"Then I'll have to pay you, yeah? Stealing it is better! I need them. Stop wasting my time!" The man exclaimed, snapping back to reality from the boy's outburst and tightened his choke hold on him. He deepened the blade of the knife to his throat eliciting a groan from him.
A round of laughter was heard from not too far away and they all turned to the sound of footsteps approaching to see four soldiers heading their way but not having spotted them yet.
The three thugs exchanged a look of unease with a sense of urgency.
Seeing the opening, Claire stepped closer daring to touch the man again. "You don't have to p-pay us, sir. Please. Let me see if I can help. You might do more harm if you just force these medicines."
"You've been stalling me..."
"No, sir! Please! I mean it! I- we can come with you!"
"Charles! Are you out of your mind?! Help-!"
Another man kneed him to the stomach while the leader clamped a hand over his mouth in sheer panic. "Oi! Shut it!"
If they called for help the MPs can easily solve this. The look of hope in Amon's eyes told her he thought the same.
But Claire felt for the man. She could not comprehend the hopelessness that must have driven the man to commit such things.
She suddenly realized they were only ever after the medicines because they actually needed it. If they planned to steal it to make some money then they would have let their knives do the talking from the beginning.
He was only a father doing everything he can for his daughter. She knows her own Papa would do the same.
Breathing in, she decided. "We'll come with you, sir. You d-don't have to pay us. Just don't hurt us and let us g-go after. We promise not to utter a word a-about this."
After a beat, the man released Amon and gripped Claire's arm in an iron grasp. "You'd better make this worth it, runt."
She whimpered when the man started to pull her along but Levi stayed his ground. He could not believe she made the man consider.
Besides, he has already analyzed the same thing Claire did and he could end this in a blink of an eye if things go south but right now he wanted to know how this unfolds.
Claire went along without protest reaching out to pull Amon by his sleeve to evade the MPs who were closer when he bellowed. "Help us!"
In a split second, chaos ensued.
Claire felt the hold on her tighten and so she tried to twist free out of fear but the one holding her was intent on taking her bag away from her.
She adamantly held on to it for dear life. He was about to strike her with his other hand when a knife sliced through the arm holding her.
She felt herself being pushed back once she was free, hearing the voice before catching sight of the familiar undercut. "Get back, brat," then quickly turning to glare at Amon, "You just had to open your mouth!"
Claire and Amon exchanged looks of confusion at Levi's sudden appearance. Amon's eyebrows cocked to silently question Claire but she only blinked cluelessly.
The thunder of the MPs' boots hitting the ground and the jostling of their gear as they ran closer slightly drowned out the grunts and thuds being exchanged.
At the same time, one of the men tackled Amon. They went down with a struggle, a few punches being thrown here and there. Eventually he was able to throw the man off of him and hold his ground.
The man brandished a rusty knife and swung. Amon dodged and as he did the man pulled on the strap of his bag inevitably pulling the boy along with it making him collide with the man before swiftly slashing to snatch it from him.
"Give it back! Charles get back to the hospital now!" He broke off into a run chasing the thug leaving Claire alone in the midst of the uproar.
He easily caught up to the man but was greeted with an elbow forcefully thrown to his face making him stumble to a nearby wall. When he tried to get back up the man punched him knocking him unconscious.
"Amon!"
A whistle rung in the expanse of the Underground as the two of the four MPs finally reached them, running after the man that took the bag from Amon.
She was about to run to him when a hand pulled her back. "Not so fast."
"Get your hands off." Levi warned haughtily, his eyes on them as he delivered one last kick to the leader of the gang, tentatively immobilizing him.
The last man took no heed, pulling Claire by the shirt she wore. Next thing she knew was that there was a sudden whoosh and she was shoved again.
In a blink of an eye, Levi had the man dragging her on the ground, his body radiating with obvious menace, eyes flashing with murderous intent.
Claire watched with amazement at first that turned into crippling terror as the man got a hold of Levi's leg hoisting him up in an attempt to throw him off but a knee met with the man's nose.
She heard a crack and blood oozed out of the man's nose. His grip on Levi loosened.
The strength in Levi's blows was too immense, beyond unbelievable.
As soon as he was back on his feet he quickly straddled the man, delivering barbarous blows to his face. She watched and flinched at every crack and crunch.
But she couldn't just stand there and watch. Making her way to where Amon lay, Claire cradled his head on her lap lightly tapping his cheek. "Amon, please wake up!"
Bruises were already starting to form on his cheek and jaw.
She looked up for a second and her eyes widened to see the leader elbowing an MP trying to cuff him before running to them while another MP tried to pull Levi off the other thug.
As he got closer he man had tried to lunge for her but Levi was faster, roughly shoving the MP that touched him. He wasn't about to let the man get near Claire as his evidently smaller body knocked the man over.
The MPs scurried to stand and subdue the man Levi abandoned. A knife flew by Claire's head when the man got disarmed but she thankfully dodged in time.
A loud bang rang out amidst the uproar as an MP fired a gun to the ceiling and tried to approach behind Levi once more to pull him off the leader he was once again beating up.
He punched the MP on the ribs and twisted the arm of the other that followed before bringing his elbow down on it effectively.
Levi broke their bones with audible cracks and ease like it was mere child's play but what made Claire wince was the guttural cries that followed.
Just then Amon stirred with a grunt.
Seeing this and having made sure the remaining thugs and MPs won't be a problem to them or him anymore, Levi knew it was time to leave.
She helped Amon slowly get up but her body was too small to support his taller build. "Hang on, Amon. Can you walk? Levi, I need-"
She turned just in time to see him running away. "Wait, no! Levi!"
Before Amon could protest, Claire had already leaned him down on a nearby crate. "I'm so sorry. I'll be back."
"Clai- Charles! Shit!"
Levi looked behind him in surprise at the sound of the pitter patter of Claire's footsteps. He couldn't understand why she bothered to follow or why she had the full confidence to do so.
"Levi wait!"
He tried to shake her off his tail. But his steps lacked conviction and his speed was held back as if he was letting her catch on despite the numerous turns he took. Before long they both found themselves back in the sewers.
He sharply turned back to her to find her bent over, hands at her knees trying her hardest to catch her breath.
"Brat, why the hell are you following me?" His voice dripped with annoyance.
She looked up with her eyes shining and caught him off guard as she pulled him in for a hug. "You're alive!"
"What?"
Claire was overjoyed to finally see Levi again. A voice in the back of her mind reminded her of Amon but she couldn't care less at the moment. She could wallow in guilt later.
Abruptly pulling back, she took his left wrist lifting his arm and pushing the sleeve in the process, eyes searching.
She sighed, eyes alight with relief, "You're all healed up." Then a hand found his chin turning it from side to side to inspect.
Not knowing what to do at first he froze before harshly pushing her hands away. "What do you think you're doing?"
As if suddenly realizing her joy at seeing him has overridden her normal decorum, she stepped back with blush creeping in her cheeks.
Levi could not comprehend how she can be so trusting and daring to touch him like that? This has to be the second time she has seen him get rough with other people.
"Did this brat not see that?" He thought, completely puzzled.
"I-I'm sorry. You... you didn't come back. I was worried something might have happened to you. Are you alright?" Reaching into her bag, she took out the clothes her mother had washed for him. "Here."
"Am I alright? She went after me for this?"
See, Levi had convinced himself that he hated her.
The way she still offers a smile and a bid goodbye before leaving every door after making her delivery.
The way she kept giving away food to shitfaces leaning on the filthy walls or laying on the grimy ground which he thinks is partly the reason why she wants to run this delivery errand anyway.
The way the first thing she did was embrace him and inspect him for wounds after he had just beaten up a grown man in front of her.
The way it shocked him how she was worried about something happening to him which was completely ridiculous.
The way her eyes looked so happy to see him.
The way she always did the last thing he expected.
He hated how she was capable of being good and why she was like that towards him. It was so foreign to him. So out of place in this shithole and so her very presence angers him.
No. He didn't hate her. He hated how he was being since he met her. He hated how he felt the need to keep tabs on her. He hated how he could only either stand there frozen or halfheartedly push her away in confusion. He hated how he was so attuned to her eyes or her actions. He hated that he felt good because of how she treated him.
Although he can't seem to help it.
Standing there, staring at the clothes in her hands he realized the reasons he was so drawn to her were also the reasons he claimed to hate her.
Levi angrily took his clothes from her. "Go away."
"But-"
"Leave."
A grumbling inside a stomach echoed within the cavern of the sewers.
She grabbed his hand again, not even minding that other men's blood were on them and placed an apple in it. "You must be hungry. Here have some drink too."
He withdrew his hand and threw the apple across the space while she rummaged for her skin bottle. "Levi? Don't you like it? Mama has been wondering about you too. Alec onii-san is making my favorite again. We can have some soup later-"
"I told you to leave, brat." He fixed her with a dark glare.
"Nope!" She said popping the p in defiance. "I've been looking for you. I carried those clothes every single day for so long to give them back in case I saw you but I never did. I'm not leaving anytime soon. So where were you?"
"I don't need to answer you." He said turning his back to her.
"Hey, we're friends remember?"
Levi scoffed. "Friends? We're not."
He heard her sigh and shuffle. Turning his head back he found her picking up the apple and sitting on the ground. She removed her bag and shook her head with a small smile on her lips.
"You know, it's bad to throw food away."
"Just give it away. You always do."
"But this is the biggest one Bran onii-san took home last night. I always keep the biggest ones to give to you. When I don't see you, I give it to an old woman I always pass on my way back home from the hospital."
At that Levi raised his eyebrows. He hadn't noticed that specifically. Just that she always gave food to that old woman more frequently than the others.
"Why?"
Claire wasn't sure what exactly he was asking. Why did she give food away or why does she keep the biggest ones for him? Eitherway she gave a safe answer because she figured returning a question would just set him off more.
"Because I want to share what I have."
Levi rolled his eyes and sat down from where he stood.
"You could have slowed down a little back there. I really have a hard time trying to find this place again. Now how am I suppose to retrace our steps with all those turns."
"That's the point. What were you even thinking a while ago?"
"The man was in need. If I had the means to help why shouldn't I? Mama said I should never hesitate to extend a helping had when I can."
"I doubt she meant you recklessly offering to go with strangers, thugs at that."
Now it was Claire rolling her eyes. "They were forced to do a bad thing for someone else in need. Does that make them bad persons?"
Levi scoffed once more. "It's not a question of good or bad. Why even bother?"
"I just wanted to help..."
"No. You're just naive and stupid to believe they'd just let you go after!" Levi yelled making Claire shrink back.
"L-Levi what's the matter? Friends are not supposed to talk like that."
"I told you we're not!"
"Why... why did you save me then?"
Her question infuriated him. He didn't know why he bothers either.
"You're just lucky I was passing by today. Now we're even for your mother treating me last time."
Even? Claire was at a loss for words but she chose the high road even if he was starting to irritate her.
"Levi... you don't have to beat people up in return for that... A thank you is enough. In fact, we don't need you to say it. You're my friend and my family and I are more than happy to help."
"Shut it, brat."
Claire stood up and approached him, "You're grumpier today. What's wrong?" She probed to no avail. "Come on. Why don't we just get back? Amon probably already told them I came after you. They might get worried."
"Then you best be on your way."
"You're coming, right? Mama would be delighted to see you again. Why don't you just eat that off, hm?"
Delighted? Why the hell would someone be delighted to see him? Feeling his confusion running his patience dangerously thin Levi stood, only very slightly towering over Claire. Eyes cold and speaking volumes.
"Listen here and you listen well, brat. This isn't some bedtime story shit you grew up hearing where everyone are all smiles and giving and grateful, no. This isn't some palace or wherever the hell you came from on the Surface. People in here have to do whatever it takes to find means to survive even if it means living off someone else for some. Those people you give food to? They don't see you as a friend. They just see you as someone they can leech off of. I only helped you because I don't like owing anything to anyone. It doesn't make us friends. I don't need your charity and I don't want it."
"Levi, you have it all wrong. That isn't... why are you saying-"
"There is no such thing as friends in this place! Down here, it's every man for himself and those who don't get that don't survive long enough. You probably can't grasp that because you never had to fend for yourself but those who don't have anyone have no choice but rely on themselves so get that in your spoiled, sheltered head. Next time try to remember it so you can stop being an inconvenience to others. Otherwise, you might just end up too dead to even learn your lesson."
She was silent for a while. He held her gaze, unwilling to back down either. Emotions flitted across them again too fast for him to keep up until it settled with sadness.
He looked away first and sighed. He didn't understand why he lashed out but he wasn't about to take back what he said either.
Claire blinked and spoke, "Wow." Her heart felt heavy at his words and somehow they hurt. How could someone she barely knew have that effect? Why does she even care?
Levi's eyebrows knit in confusion.
"I think that's the most I ever heard you say in one go."
"Piss off."
"I will. Why do I even bother?" She whispered. "But I think that's a rather lonely way to live."
"I could care less about what you think. At least I'll be living."
"... I don't think so, Levi. My family told me this place is harsh and I saw it too and it scares me. But you know what? I'm happy I don't have to face it alone. What's so wrong about wanting that for you too? Just because that's how you've been doesn't mean that's how you always have to be. I feel sorry that you choose to."
Their eyes met once more and while Levi's remained cold and empty, he saw something in her eyes: disappointment.
With that Claire turned to leave even though she had no idea how she'd get back. But she was too hurt, insulted even, to ask for help from someone who clearly wanted nothing to do with her.
Maybe her brothers were indeed right. Maybe Amon was too.
Anger replaced the joy she felt earlier with every step she took. Is that what he thought of her?
It was just in her nature to willingly be there for anyone because she has always had so much to give that it hurt to be shut down like that for the first time to the point that she wondered if she had been forcing herself on him and it made her self-conscious.
His eyes followed her again, guilt flooding him because he hadn't missed the way her shoulders drooped.
It was just in his nature to be so cruelly detached and deprived of everything that he desperately needed without even knowing to the point that he pushes anything she has to offer away because she has been the only one to do so anyway and it all felt so new to him, he didn't exactly know what to do.
Both children felt like they had just received a slap on the face by the other with their mere words. It was indeed his and her reality that he wanted to avoid and she was shielded from.
Claire kept her head down, choosing to stick to streets with more people because her brothers taught her that those streets would more likely have MPs patrolling them.
She could hear her heart beating in her ears, the shaking of her hands tantamount to the fear she felt walking this far out into the Underground. If she ever came across an MP she could offer payment as soon as she got back to the hospital.
Atop the roofs, Levi followed her once more. He had not the will to let her be, alone and vulnerable in these parts of the Underground.
He had contemplated stopping her and just dragging her back himself having seen her get lost in her delivery runs one too many times.
But he couldn't.
Not after the words he had said and the look she had given him.
Voices of men echoed and Claire felt the need to run, panic rising in her chest but she held back for fear of attracting more attention.
She turned sharply and collided with a man. Pulling her beret lower, she kept her head down and mumbled an apology.
"Oi, I know you..."
Looking up, she recognized the man who had taken Amon's bag which he still carried. He looked evidently younger than the leader that she wondered if he was perhaps a son.
The man was breathing hard and kept looking over his shoulder. He had just lost the MPs after him so seeing her eyes trail set him off, immediately cornering her with a knife to her throat.
"Make a noise and you're fucking done for."
"Shit. Not again." Levi grumbled, immediately climbing down but halted when Claire spoke.
"I-I won't. You can keep those, sir. J-just please let me go." Then she remembered. "B-but I would still like to have a look. Can you l-lead me to his daughter?"
At her words, the man lowered his knife. He couldn't understand why the child was still offering but he remembered the little girl they were trying to fend for.
He sighed and spoke. "Follow me."
Having seen the defeat in the man's stance Levi decided to quietly follow instead. He didn't want her to find him tailing her anyway.
He was contradicting what he said and she clearly didn't listen to him. It irritated him beyond comprehension.
The man led her deeper into the Underground. It was darker and more silent and Claire wondered if she was doing the right thing.
But surmising that she was safe for the time being because the man needed her too much to harm her, she relaxed a little.
Also, Levi's words rung in her ears and she refused to let them affect her.
She was about to ask if they were close, too agitated by the deeper voices that echoed and the haunting stares in the dark when the man stopped by a small building with a door with many planks on it to keep it upright.
He pulled on a thick rope that latched on the frame before shoving the door open with his shoulder. The interior was small, too cramped and dark. The small kitchen, the bed, and a loo were all in the same room.
The man nodded towards the lone lamp in the table by the corner that slightly illuminated a small figure laying in a wooden bed with a thin blanket covering her frail body.
"A-aniki?" The girl asked weakly, her voice hoarse and barely perceptible in the tight space.
"I'm right here, Isabel." He turned to her and said, "She's my sister. We've been trying to do everything we can but the fever won't break. I... I don't know if you're just saying what you said earlier to get out of trouble but I figured it was worth a try when you repeated it."
Claire held a hand to the girl's forehead. It was hot, too hot to be good. She was so tiny she's can't be more than three.
She took out her skin bottle and slightly drenched a cloth always kept in her bag. Running it across the girl's forehead and pulling the blanket down to expose skin tight on bones and ran the cloth down to cool her.
The girl shivered and whimpered but Claire gently shushed her as she continued her motions. Her lips were parched and eyes hazy. "It's alright, Isabel."
When she was done, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a couple of herbs to arranged on the table to make her instructions clear.
Pointing to each, "These are elderflowers, white willow bark, catnip, and yarrow, sir. The catnip is quite gentle for children. You can boil these and have her drink them. They should be enough to keep her hydrated and strengthen her. They could also induce sweating but it should take a few hours to break the fever."
Handing him two small bottles she said, "This one is ginger and this is sage oil. These could warm and soothe her, sir. You can rub these on her forehead, behind her neck, or on the bottom of her feet."
As Isabel's teeth chattered, her brother moved to cover her with another blanket but Claire cautioned him. "She has to be able to stay cool so unless she has the chills, extra layers should be avoided. You can run a cloth over her from time to time as well."
With his head hung low, the man awkwardly shoved Amon's bag back to Claire. "Thank you. I-I'm sorry for the trouble we caused you and your friends. We had no other choice... we couldn't have afforded to bring her to the hospital... I can, I can accompany you back. This is too far and it's dangerous for children like you out here."
She felt saddened at the image of the man in front of her. Claire knows her brothers and Papa would do the same should need dictate it.
Levi was right. This was no palace and everyone had to do whatever it takes to survive. How can she judge them?
This was the reality she did not see in the safety on the Surface.
But he was wrong to say it was every man for himself and people aren't grateful.
"Thank you, sir." Then a thought hit her, "S-should you need anything else, y-you know where to find me. You don't have to p-pay… all I ask is that you do n-not harm us."
The man smiled warmly, "Thank you." His voice broke, falling on his knees as he cried. Never once has anyone offered to help with no cost.
What would have happened to his sister had he not crossed paths with this child again?
He was too ashamed of their earlier actions.
Levi was impressed watching the exchange from a corner and felt guilty for his words once more. Maybe there was another way around the reality of survival in this place and struggle doesn't always have to be involved.
Claire certainly has her own.
He shadowed her once more on their way back even when she sent the man away when they neared the market having already spotted her brothers with Amon talking to MPs with worried looks.
Levi witnessed her get a good scolding by Alec even after profusely apologizing to Amon, her brothers, and mother. But she took it all silently until it was time for bed.
Their mother had come into the room she shared with her brothers and held her as she spoke of the events of the day and how she made a new friend.
Agnes praised her for helping someone but reminded her that things were different here and not everyone would be so kind to take her up in her offer without harming her first.
Most importantly, she chided Claire never to risk her life again, hastily like she did. Telling her she should have simply given them away if it would have come at the cost her life.
He listened to her excitedly share about seeing him again but wondered why she was making him out to be a good person.
Even leaving out the part when he lashed out at her and claiming he accompanied her instead of the man upto the market but that he had to leave immediately even though he knew she couldn't have known he followed her.
"Has his wound healed alright? Maybe next time we can ask Levi to come with you and Amon, hm?"
Levi held his breath. He has no idea why Agnes cared for him or trusted him but it was comforting.
"He's fine and I don't think we should bother him, Mama. He has already done so much."
He left after that.
He realized he was indeed wrong. She is his friend. Well was.
He knew he might have just blew it.
He couldn't have that and so he contemplated what he could do to fix it.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey guys! So I realized you guys might have an issue with the pacing of the story but I would like to take this time to explain how I want it to be realistic and as close to real-life as possible. A slow burn!
Although this is a work of fiction, I don't want it to be like fiction fiction where the leads fall instantly and whatnot. If you guys know what I mean. I want there to be raw emotions. Hesitation and so much thought.
I think it better suits the characters and the setting and the vibe of the Underground. So pleeeeeease bear with me?
I do promise this is the last chapter of our cuties being distant and uncertain. It gets better, I swear!
Also! We have Isabel now! While I will maintain how Isabel and Levi meet, how he saved her and all that with accordance to the manga, I also wanted to put my touch into how Isabel and Claire meet! Hope you guys like it!