Chapter 38
Mikasa
Levi stared at the girl in sincere disbelief, not moving from the spot. However, Mikasa didn't have time to chat.
"We have to go now. Eren and Zeke can come back at any time" The girl explained shortly. "There're about ten people in the mansion right now, so now's the perfect time to get you out of here. We just need to get past Kruger, and then it should go smoothly. Wait a second here".
Mikasa wanted to run towards the door, but Levi grabbed her hand.
"No, stop! You can't do this! Can you imagine what happens when someone catches you? Besides, Grisha will be furious with you".
"I'll handle it. This man has a soft spot for me. I'm just a naive, compassionate soul and I felt sorry for you... Now please, put your hands behind your back, like you're still bound, and pretend to be unconscious" Mikasa tossed commandingly, then went to the door.
She opened it and ran out into the corridor. Kruger gave her an impassive look at once, but he was surprised to see the consternation on her face.
"Quick, he's not moving!" Mikasa exclaimed, grabbing The Owl's arm. "I think he's dead!".
"Fuck..." Kruger cursed under his breath and quickly ran into the room. He looked at the motionless Ackerman, frowning. He didn't see Mikasa, who just raised her hand and reached to her tied-up hair. She took a small object from there. "What did you do to him?".
The Owl looked at her just as Mikasa put the syringe against his neck. He tried to push the girl away, but it was too late. Mikasa managed to insert a thin needle into his skin and press the plunger. Clear liquid got into the man's body. Kruger gasped in surprise, and punched Mikasa in the face, pushing her away. Then he took a few steps towards Levi, who had stopped pretending to be unconscious. Kruger spun in place and fell to the floor, immediately falling asleep.
Ackerman stared at the sight, eyes wide. Meanwhile, Mikasa approached him and grabbed by the arm.
"Come on, we don't have much time!" She called, and pulled him up.
"Shit... Are you okay?" Levi wanted to know. The girl shook her head. They walked towards the door together. After a moment, Ackerman added: "How did you smuggle it? And where did you get the sleeping drug?".
"Men don't pay too much attention to women's haircuts. I had to take a chance. As for the sleeping drug… My boyfriend is a doctor. I asked him for help".
Mikasa explained briefly, then, seeing Levi limping a little, she took him by the arm and helped him to run up the stairs. Only then did she notice that the man was shorter than her. She could also see his face from up close. If it hadn't been for the swelling and scratches, the man would've looked pretty handsome. Mikasa suppressed a smile that wanted to appear on her face. If what she thought about Eren was true, all the pieces of this puzzle suddenly made more sense.
They climbed the stairs to the main level of the mansion and walked down the bright white corridor. They passed stone carvings and large paintings hanging on the walls. Levi frowned slightly.
"Are we in a goddamn museum?".
"Grisha doesn't know what to do with the money" Mikasa muttered, still holding the man, so they could walk faster.
Suddenly her eyes opened wider. She saw one of the Gaillards, who appeared just before them. Panic paralyzed her in a second, not allowing her to move… but she had to react immediately if she wanted both of them to survive.
Porco stopped, eyes bulging at them as well.
"What the fuck is going on here?".
Mikasa didn't give him time to think. She released Levi and kicked Gaillard in the stomach, pushing him away. Porco partially blocked her blow, but couldn't contain the impetus that pushed him against the wall. He was apparently completely surprised by an attack from a normally calm person.
He reached for his weapon, but Mikasa was faster. She grabbed the small statue of an elephant, which was one of the decorations on the shelf, and struck Gaillard on his temple. The man immediately passed out, and his limp body fell to the floor.
Mikasa picked up the weapon, then quickly returned to Levi, who was leaning against the wall. To her surprise, the man nodded appreciatively.
"I'm impressed" Ackerman confessed as Mikasa slung his arm over her neck again to help him walk. "Haven't you thought about joining the police force?".
The girl gave a short laugh.
"Oh, believe me, I'm tired of violence. I would like to take a break".
Levi and Mikasa walked on, stepping carefully and listening intently. They passed a long corridor and then another. To their relief, they found no one else on the way. They finally made it to the large exit door. Mikasa pressed the handle and suddenly froze. Outside, she saw one of Grisha's nameless bodyguards standing backwards, a few steps from the entrance to the building, just below the short stairs. She exchanged a meaningful look with Levi.
"Do you still have that anesthetic?" Levi whispered. The girl shook her head. Ackerman thought about something, then sighed. "Then we have to do this other way".
Mikasa passed through the threshold after a while. She was walking alone, looking around. She started down the stairs and suddenly shouted in surprise, as she stumbled. The bodyguard glanced at her in complete shock as she fell into his arms.
"Oh, sorry!... I must've sprained my ankle!" The girl cried out, tears shining in her eyes. She was leaning with all her weight on the man, whose gaze immediately stopped on her exposed cleavage. "My god, I'm so clumsy...".
"Calm down, it's fine. You need some help?" The man asked, sheathing the gun and still staring at her breasts. He had short brown hair and a sculpted stubble on his chin.
"Oh, it'd be great. I wanted to go, but I think someone should examine it. I can't drive like that...".
Mikasa smiled at the man and batted her eyelashes. The bodyguard helped her up the stairs, wrapping his arm around her waist. They went inside.
As soon as they entered the door, a soft gasp escaped from the man's mouth. It was because Levi cut bodyguard's legs, making the man lose his balance. The detective instantly grabbed him from behind, holding his neck in a firm grip. He pulled the man down, causing both of them to fall to the floor. The bodyguard's face began to turn redder and redder as he couldn't breathe. He tried to break out, but Levi held him tight. Eventually the man's body relaxed, he closed his eyes and stopped moving.
Levi released him and slowly rose from the floor. He leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Apparently, he had used up the rest of his energy reserves for this attack.
"Is he… dead?" Mikasa asked, stepping closer to the motionless body.
"No, he only passed out" Ackerman replied calmly.
"Eren and Zeke will see a strange sight when they'll be back" Mikasa said, and then she and Levi quickly crossed the threshold. They headed for the girl's car parked in the driveway.
Mikasa felt her pulse quicken with nervousness. What she was doing was absolutely crazy, but that was the only way to help Eren. She didn't want to put him in front of such a difficult choice, so she made that choice instead of him.
They almost reached her car when suddenly a tall figure emerged from behind the vehicle. Another Grisha's man, one of the nameless guards.
The man widened his eyes, then aimed his rifle at them.
Mikasa paused, her body froze with fear. She held Gaillard's gun in her hand, but knew she wouldn't manage to use it on time, and she didn't want to alert the other guards. Levi, however, didn't hesitate at all, he made a decision in a split second. He moved forward in a flash, shielding Mikasa with his body.
The girl wanted to shout, to tell him not to do this. She was already opening her mouth, but then something unexpected happened. They heard a soft bump, and the man who was aiming the rifle at them suddenly closed his eyes and fell to the ground, exposing the person standing behind him.
Pieck was also holding a rifle in her hand, with which she apparently hit the guard in the back of the head.
"Pieck…" Mikasa blurted out. The panic subsided, the girl remembered how to breathe.
The woman put a finger to her lips.
"I was never here" Pieck murmured, then nodded, silently giving them permission to flee.
Mikasa didn't have time to thank the woman. She quickly grabbed Levi's arm and pulled him towards the car. They got inside, knowing full well that it was only half the battle. The girl started the engine, the vehicle moved forward. With her other hand, she reached into her pocket, taking out her cell phone. She dialed someone's number and put the phone to her ear.
"Armin, do it now!".
The man who was sitting in the booth just in front of the high gate realized only after a while that a car was moving towards him. He widened his eyes as the gate he was responsible for began to open completely without his help. Mikasa saw him tapping the keyboard helplessly, but there was nothing he could do. Her car drove off the property at dizzying speed.
She was glancing at the rear-view mirror, even when they were in town. Apparently, for some reason, no one was following them. Had the Yaegers realized too late that she had run away? Or maybe Pieck somehow stopped or delayed the pursuit? Once they were close to their destination, Mikasa looked at the man, who was sitting next to her. Levi was barely conscious. He needed immediate care and rest.
"Hold on, we're almost there" The girl said gently, trying to cheer him up.
She finally stopped the car in a large parking lot, fortunately quite empty. She jumped out of the vehicle and then helped the detective to get out. She led him down side streets to avoid curious walkers, all the way to their final destination. They stopped in front of a two-story apartment building, which wasn't any differ from the rest of the buildings which were located around. They went inside. A short old woman passed them on the stairs and gave Levi a shocked look.
"He got into a fight… men" Mikasa sighed, rolling her eyes. The old woman walked past them without a word.
Mikasa and Levi moved on and finally stopped in front of the door which opened immediately. Jean's pale face appeared on the doorway.
"Mikasa…" Kirschtein whispered and immediately made way for them. He fixed the girl with a concerned look. He must have seen the slight swelling that had already formed on her cheek from the Kruger's blow. Mikasa however didn't have time to greet. She quickly helped Levi to step inside.
"I parked quite a bit away from here. If Grisha has a GPS tracker in my car, I couldn't risk it" Mikasa said, looking around the room. It was a small apartment that belonged to Jean's grandmother and nobody lived here right now. Grisha shouldn't know about this place. "Jean, he's wounded...".
Jean held Levi by the second arm and they both helped the man to walk over to the bed, on which he fell without any hesitation. Kirschtein immediately took care of his wounds. Mikasa was there all the time, assisting him obediently. At one point, Levi fell into a light sleep.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Jean whispered, taking Mikasa's hand and leading her towards the kitchen. The girl followed him. "Who hit you?".
"It's nothing, really" Mikasa shook her head. "Thank you for helping me".
"Can you tell me now who is this man for whom we are risking everything?".
"Well... Apparently, he's one of the detectives Eren worked with" Mikasa explained, also in a whisper. She could see man's eyes rounded in shock. "You were right, Jean".
"What…?" The doctor stared at her in disbelief. "Wait. He's a cop, and you helped him get away?".
"I had no other choice" The girl said in a calm voice. "I suspect that Eren would try to help him... But I didn't want anything to happen to him".
"Okay, I understand". Jean took her hand. "But in that case I won't let you go back there. We have no choice but to escape now. Give me an hour. I'll pack my stuff and take the money out of the bank, then...".
The girl shook her head quickly.
"What are you talking about? I told you I can't leave Eren...".
"If you come back, I don't even want to imagine what Grisha would do to you!"
"Be quiet!" Mikasa hissed in a theatrical whisper. "Nothing's going to happen to me. Anyway, if we run away now with no plan at all, Grisha will find us quickly. From what Armin said, the police still have nothing specific on him".
"I can't take that risk..." Jean bit his lip, his face became even paler. The girl suddenly felt a little remorse. She dropped it all on him all of a sudden, and he agreed to help her without asking for details.
She hugged the man tightly.
"Don't worry about me, I can handle it as always".
Jean embraced her tenderly, pressing his face against her hair.
"I can't lose you".
"You won't" Mikasa replied, then looked into his eyes. "I promise".
Levi
Something roused him from sleep, some movement. It took Levi a moment to realize what was happening.
Someone was touching his mouth with something wet. His lips were so dry that these few drops made him feel much better. Levi slowly opened his eyelids and looked straight ahead. He saw the face of the girl who had saved him.
Mikasa smiled gently, then again touched his mouth with the wet cloth.
"You're safe" She explained, anticipating his question. "This apartment belongs to Jean, my boyfriend. He patched you up".
Levi looked over her shoulder and saw a tall, blond man who had helped him went to the bed earlier. The man nodded to him.
"No wound is serious, you should rest and you will recover quickly".
"Thank you..." Levi replied in a low voice.
"I'll be in the kitchen" Jean said and walked to the other room, leaving them alone.
Levi breathed slowly, appreciating the soft surface he was lying on and the environment he was in. The apartment looked clean and tidy. He felt better immediately. Finally, he shifted his gaze to Mikasa, who was watching him silently.
"Why did you do that?" Ackerman asked in the same low and weak tone. The girl put down the wet cloth and the bowl of water, then looked into his eyes.
"If I understand correctly, you are one of the detectives who wanted to help Eren. I hope that hasn't changed... And I hope that if I can convince Eren, you'll decide to work with him again".
Levi nodded slowly, then soft sigh escaped his lips.
"You're kind of right, but I don't know if Eren will ever be eager to do it again. He cut us off. My guess is that he decided to work full-time for Grisha".
There was sadness in Mikasa's eyes, as well as some other, more painful feeling. Levi could only guess what the girl must have been going through recently.
"Eren thinks he can help us doing this, but he's wrong. I'm scared that something will happen to him... I don't want him to die. Or to end up in jail".
Levi raised his hand and pushed his dark hair away from his forehead. He looked up at the ceiling.
"If nothing changes, it's very likely to happen. It all depends on Eren. I have no way to contact him, so you're our only hope".
"Of course. I'll talk to him" Mikasa agreed, lifting the corner of her mouth. "It won't be easy, but I won't give up".
Levi glanced in her direction again. He stated that Eren really had true allies on his side, even if he wasn't aware of that. They stared at each other for a moment without saying a word, then Ackerman broke the silence again:
"He really cares about you. I mean, you and Armin".
Mikasa smiled gently.
"I know. But I think he cares about someone else, too".
The detective's grey-blue eyes widened slightly. Yeah. After all, Mikasa was Eren's close friend. She must've noticed a lot of things around him. Nevertheless, Levi cursed mentally. Words once spoken became reality.
"That someone you're talking about doesn't deserve him" Levi confessed, fixing the girl with a heavy gaze. "I let him go when he needed me".
Ackerman suspected all his feelings were written on his face, including his longing for Eren, but for the first time in his life, he didn't care.
Mikasa shrugged.
"I don't know that. I don't know you that well. But I know Eren is extremely stubborn" Mikasa replied, and Levi had to admit that what her words made sense. "He decides what he needs and what he doesn't, besides...".
"What this stupid boy needs now is a false passport and leaving this country as soon as possible" Levi interrupted her and gently rose on his elbows, wincing at the same time. "So do you and Armin. I promise that I will do everything I can to make it happen".
Mikasa looked at the man silently, seeing the sincere promise in his eyes. She smiled at him with gratitude, then picked him up from her seat.
"Thank you. It's time for me to go back. Jean will take care of you. He will contact your friends, he just needs their phone number".
A concern flashed across Levi's face.
"Go back? Are you sure this is a good idea?".
"I have no choice. I have to face him, I can't run now" The girl said, adjusting the fabric of her dress. "I'll do my best. And I'll try to convince Eren to contact you".
Mikasa looked at Levi one last time, then left the room. Ackerman watched her go, then fell back on the pillows and closed his eyes.
Mikasa
She drove through the same gate by which she escaped a few hours ago. The place hadn't changed a bit, yet Mikasa had a feeling that something was different. It was hard for her to explain… Maybe this place just seemed even more frightening than usual?
As she had told Levi, she had no choice. She didn't want to endanger Jean. They couldn't just run away now. She was sure Grisha would hunt them down quickly and kill them. The police had an arrest warrants only for Zeke, the Gaillards, and for Xavier. As for Grisha, he still wasn't officially accused of anything. Anyway, even if he was imprisoned, he still had too many options for managing everything from the jail.
Mikasa had to face her own fear, to take responsibility. She knew Grisha would want to punish her, but she hoped her punishment wouldn't be too harsh. Above all, she had to talk to Eren.
She got out of the car, feeling she was being watched. She noticed two guards standing in the courtyard. The men approached her, rifles in hand.
One of them grabbed her arm and painfully pulled her toward the entrance.
"Relax, I'm going there anyway..." Mikasa muttered, but Grisha's people ignored her words. They led her over the threshold and then through a white corridor, straight towards the cabinet where the meeting was being held.
When they stopped in front of the room, one of the men opened the door. They went inside. The eyes of all those present turned to them, Mikasa saw only familiar faces. Annie, Marcel, Porco whom she incapacitated earlier... Pieck, who helped her escape. Zeke, who looked at her with a grim smile announcing trouble. Kruger, standing against the wall, shot her a hateful look.
Eren was here as well, and when his sight fell at her, the boy widened his eyes and went completely still.
But it was Grisha who spoke first. The man was sitting in the center of the assembly, in the very center of a wide table. He narrowed his eyes, staring at Mikasa with an unreadable expression of his face.
"Everyone... out" Yaeger muttered in an icy tone.
"But..." Zeke began to speak and didn't finish. Grisha silenced him with just a look that seemed to throw thunder.
"I said, everyone!".
There was the sound of shifting chairs, the patter of feet. People present in the cabinet started to leave. Only three silhouettes didn't move. Grisha, still sitting in the same place and staring without blinking at his young ward, Mikasa, who stood motionless, guessing that Grisha wanted to talk to her one-to-one, and Eren, who for some reason still sat in his chair.
After a moment, Grisha looked at his son with exasperation.
"Eren, get out of here, now".
"What you want to do?" The boy asked in a low voice. He was breathing quickly with nervousness, his face seemed unnaturally pale. The change that had taken place so suddenly in his so far indifferent and insensitive demeanor, was clearly visible. "Whatever you're thinking, please...".
Grisha looked as if he was seconds away from losing his patience.
"Get out of here, now, or you're gonna regret it".
Mikasa was sure that the boy would look down and meekly stalk out of the room. Eren, however, didn't move. He clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes in an angry grimace. Suddenly, he got up from his chair to look down at Grisha.
"If you dare to do something to her...".
Eren's father also raised from his seat. Their faces were close to each other, both twisted with rage.
"Are you threatening me or is it just my imagination?".
"Eren, it's okay!" Mikasa exclaimed, placing her hands on the top of the wooden table as if to reach towards her friend who was on the other side of the counter. "I also want to talk to Grisha in private. Leave us alone".
"Eren, come on, let's go" Zeke growled, then stepped back to grab his brother by the arm.
The boy stared at his own father for a moment longer. Then he reluctantly allowed Zeke to pull him towards the door.
As they passed Mikasa, Eren looked at his friend, and in his eyes the girl saw a whole ocean of previously pent-up emotions. The boy shook his head very gently as if he couldn't believe what she did and why she did it.
He must have guessed she did it for him.
Mikasa smiled softly. She wanted him to know she had no grudge against him. As the Yaeger brothers left the cabinet and the door closed behind them, Grisha looked at her and walked closer. He began to encircle the table, reducing the distance between them. The man stared at her through narrowed eyes, watching her like a predator observing his prey. Mikasa stood still, looking back at him, but she didn't seem scared.
"You said I could trust you" Grisha said, only a few steps away from her. "You said you wanted to be one of us, that you wanted to be my partner. I let you make decisions on your own. You said you had no interest in harming my business, and yet today you proved otherwise".
Grisha finally stopped one step ahead of her. Mikasa could clearly see his cool gray eyes now, the lines that marked his forehead, the stubble on his chin and cheeks. She could see his body tense as if he could barely contain his fury. The man continued:
"Can you tell me why you took our prisoner out of here?".
Mikasa twitched slightly.
"I think it was a mistake from the beginning, to bring him here. Due to the fact that we harmed the police so much six months ago, they got additional funds. They arrested many of our men. I know some of them were paid off by you and got arrested on purpose, but some of them were not. Some men changed sides and joined our enemies. People are getting scared. Your older son is doing what he thinks is right, and that's what I can understand. I also do what I think is right...".
Grisha took a swing and slapped her cheek. Mikasa's face turned to the side, the girl looked straight ahead in complete shock. The blow was not as painful as it was surprising. She grabbed her cheek, then looked at the man.
"You stupid bitch! Do you really think helping our enemy and letting him escape is the right thing to do?" Grisha asked, his eyes narrowed even more. "Zeke was acting on the spur of the moment. The fact that he had brought this agent here was discussed already, and I agreed to it personally. However, your behavior is unforgivable".
"So that's what you want? Another war with the police?" Mikasa asked, frowning. She stood more firmly on her feet to withstand the next blow. "Do you really think killing another detective would help your business?".
Grisha didn't answer. This time he lunged towards her, his fingers tightened around her neck.
He pressed her against the wall, staring furiously at the girl's face. Mikasa widened her eyes as she tried to take a breath. She grabbed the man's shoulders to break free, but he held her too tight.
"Who the fuck you think you are, to decide for me?!" Grisha hissed, staring at her face. The man's eyes looked like two slits. "You're nobody! I only needed you to have a hold over Eren! You mean nothing to me!".
Mikasa squeezed her eyes shut as she fought the weakness that overwhelmed her. She couldn't breathe, the pressure of Grisha's fingers was like a vice. She couldn't free herself.
"Please…" She whispered, tears streaming down her face.
The man finally released her. Mikasa inhaled sharply, immediately grabbing her neck. She leaned against the wall as her body slowly regained its strength.
Grisha took a step back, but continued to stare at her contemptuously.
"You're just like your parents" The man suddenly drawled, adjusting the edges of his shirt where it had crumpled. Mikasa frowned slightly, surprised at the words. She looked at Grisha, not understanding. "So weak and stupid".
Yaeger sighed, then turned his back to her and began walking slowly towards the door that led into the corridor. Suddenly, he stopped and looked at her again.
"I know you don't remember this, but your parents wanted to leave this town. Your father owed me money, but instead of returning the debt, he planned to run away like a common coward. It was me who ordered them to be killed. When I got there and found you, you had no idea that what happened there was my doing" Grisha's eyes narrowed suddenly. "And today, you're the same, helpless and defenseless child. You'll definitely be punished, I just need to think about what kind of punishment it will be".
The man stretched out his hand towards the door handle. Mikasa looked at him silently, completely paralyzed. She felt as even her heart had stopped working. What she heard was ridiculous, but at the same time, she felt that Grisha had just told her the truth.
Suddenly her pulse quickened and her lips tightened into a narrow line. A whole new feeling arose inside her, which she hadn't known before. It wasn't hate... It was more like an urge to give someone the final blow.
Mikasa pushed off the wall and ran towards Grisha, who was just opening the door. He touched the doorknob and put a pressure on it, but the girl was faster. As she was passing the wide table, she scooped up something from the pen organizer. It was a small knife for opening letters. The man had used it many times during their meetings, but Mikasa had never thought that it would be used for a completely different purpose.
When the girl suddenly appeared next to him, Grisha looked at her in surprise. He obviously hadn't expected such a sudden reaction. He widened his eyes as she swung with the small blade towards him. Mikasa screamed loudly, mostly from the despair that engulfed her heart and also from the fury that overwhelmed her body.
The man wasn't prepared for the attack. He lunged backward, trying to get out of her reach. Grisha fell heavily on his back, gasping in surprise. The door suddenly opened, apparently the noise must've alerted the people in the corridor. Kruger burst into the room, and Mikasa saw the surprised faces of the Gaillard brothers, Pieck, Zeke and Eren just above man's shoulder.
The Owl immediately jumped towards her. Mikasa wanted to lunge at Grisha to deal him another blow, but Kruger was quicker. He grabbed her from behind in an iron grip. He twisted her wrist, causing her to release the knife from her hand.
Mikasa was breathing fast. She fixed Grisha with an emotional gaze, the man was still laying on the floor just below her. Yaeger was staring at her in disbelief as well. Blood streamed from his slit cheek. She could see the fear in Yaeger's eyes fading away. It was not enough, she needed more. She needed...
"I'LL KILL YOU!" She screamed with all her strength, from the depth of her lungs, immediately feeling the ache in her throat. She didn't care, she wanted her words to penetrate Grisha, she wanted to give them the power to hurt, the power to kill. "I'LL KILL YOU! I PROMISE I WILL KILL YOU!".
Mikasa continued screaming as Kruger dragged her into the hall. She lost her temper completely, ignoring Eren's green eyes fixed on her. The boy extended his hand towards her, wanting to stop them, but Zeke grabbed him and held him tight, locking him in place.
She was screaming as Kruger led her out of the building, down the stairs. She was screaming as he threw her into the empty van. She was screaming as he punched her in the face, then tied her wrists. She was screaming when he left her alone, in the dark, trembling with hatred.
Reiner
Reiner hugged his mother goodbye, then left the hospital room that served as her home. He was lucky today. He had managed to hit the day she was herself. They talked about the old days, they drank tea, until the nurse showed and ordered his mother to take the evening meds.
The man left the building, slowly walking towards the parking lot. He visited his mother mainly for one purpose, he wanted to occupy his thoughts with something else than his job. The last days of his work were filled with constant anxiety.
Braun accepted the news of Ackerman's disappearance with genuine apprehension. The Yaegers didn't tell him about their plans, and he found this suspicious. Besides, he was afraid that without Levi their investigation would be doomed to failure. He was well aware of the fact that the man didn't like him. Until recently he himself had an indifferent attitude towards him. But now it was different.
Shadis' team needed this short, grumpy detective to succeed. Reiner felt that without Ackerman they wouldn't make it.
That's why when Reiner heard today that Levi was back, he felt an unspeakable relief. Ackerman was safe and sound. The only things that surprised Braun were the circumstances of Levi's return. Apparently, he was helped by Grisha's ward, one of Eren's friend. The detective had no idea what to make of it.
The anxiety Braun felt was also due to the fact that the man had been intending to tell the detectives the whole truth about himself for some time. He wanted to work with them for serious, to provide them with all information he had. However, he was afraid that he wouldn't get a second chance, but only a long time in prison. It wouldn't even be so bad if it weren't for the health and life of his mother.
Suddenly he stopped in place and reached out for his phone. Someone was calling him.
He raised an eyebrow at Eren's name on the display. He answered the call without thinking.
"I need your help" The voice that spoke these words seemed strangely subdued and miserable, as if its owner had just experienced some misfortune. Braun stopped, completely awestruck.
"Okay, let's meet. Where should I come?".