Levi

When the first day since Eren and the others left had passed, and the detectives hadn't received any disturbing news, Ackerman's anxiety began to slowly subside. The lack of information meant that Hannes succeeded and crossed the border without any obstacles. Levi kept checking the latest news sites anyway, but to his relief, there were no alarming headlines anywhere. There was nothing about the arrest of the four escapees. The intelligence could, of course, conceal such information, but Levi preferred not to think about it.

It wasn't until the evening that his heart started pounding when his phone rang unexpectedly. An unknown number appeared on the display. Before he answered, he knew exactly who he was going to hear on the handset.

"Mr. Ackerman, ummm... Grisha is here, with his wife. They just arrived," Graff's voice rang out. He seemed insecure and stuttered as when they talked to him in the hotel, but there was also an unexpected firmness in his tone. "They're in room number 515. Fifth floor. Thought you'd like to know. I'm just finishing my shift… so you have to deal with it by yourself. I also wanted to ask when I will get the rest of the money..."

"Thanks," Levi muttered into the phone, and hung up, without any qualms.

He immediately dialed Erwin's number, followed by Hanji, connecting with them in one phone call. He gave his friends the good news, immediately agreeing on the next steps with them. They made an appointment right in front of the hotel.

Ackerman quickly gathered himself to leave, tossing his leather jacket over his shoulders and tucking his helmet under his arm. He also equipped himself with keys, a telephone, handcuffs... as well as his private weapon. Though he had a permit for the gun, he shouldn't have taken it with him. In the end, Hanji and Erwin were the ones who had to take care of today's operation. He was only supposed to be there as a spectator, but... he wanted to feel more confident anyway.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached for Eren's pendant and tucked it in his breast pocket. For some reason, he wanted to have it tonight with himself. He wasn't a superstitious person, but this time they needed every kind of luck more than ever.

Before he left the house, he stopped and looked back.

He scanned the quiet, peaceful interior. He had no idea why he had this weird feeling so suddenly... He had lived in this place practically since he started working in the police force. It was a personal hideout for him, a place where he could hide from hostile reality. He loved to spend his free time here, he loved his floral collection, as well as the books he had gathered over the years, arranged alphabetically on a tall bookcase.

All the more he didn't understand why this sudden thought came into his mind, a thought that he would never see this place again.

Levi swiftly pivoted on his heel, throwing his leather jacket over his shoulders and ordering himself to focus on what was now his priority: stopping Grisha at all costs.

He parked his motorcycle on the street across from a well-known hotel, and as if nothing had happened, he removed his helmet from his head, then walked freely toward the tall glass building. He was first to arrive. Hanji and Erwin hadn't arrived yet… And because of that he had to wait for them. Without them, he couldn't get anything done.

He was still suspended from duties, and his visit to this place could have had unpleasant consequences for him, but he didn't care. He had to see it with his own eyes. He had to see him with his own eyes.

He entered the spacious hall and after a while sat down on an armchair upholstered in red fabric. He reached for the magazine on the table and began to slowly browse through it, wondering how long it would take Hanji and Erwin to arrive. He tensed slightly as one of the employees approached him.

"Can I help you, sir?" A tall, handsome dark-haired man asked, giving the detective a polite look.

"I'm waiting for my friends. We want to rent a room."

"Have you made a reservation?"

"No, but…"

"You have to make a reservation first. Please, come with me to the reception."

"Actually…"

"He's with us," A woman's voice suddenly rang from beside them. Levi looked up to see Smith and Zoe dressed in service clothes. They wore thick bulletproof vests. "Hanji Zoe, investigative detective, and this is Erwin Smith. We received anonymous information that a man we are looking for just arrived in your hotel. We want to ask him a few questions. It's about Grisha Yaeger."

"Can I see any documents?" The man asked, now he sounded a little less polite. Hanji and Erwin showed him their IDs, the man eyed them doubtfully. "I need to talk to my supervisor. Please wait."

The detectives were left alone, except of course for other hotel clients going in or out of the building, the porters and the security guards walking back and forth. Levi rose from his chair and stared at his friends.

"Did you let Nile know we might need his help?"

"Yes, but I don't have any information from him yet," Erwin replied anxiously.

Minutes passed and the hotel employee still didn't return. Ackerman didn't like it anymore. With every second, there was a greater chance that Grisha would somehow escape from under their noses. If that happened, he would never forgive himself.

"You know what ..." he began, looking around nervously. "Let's split up. One of us should go ahead. I know which room he's in. If they let Grisha know that we're here, he might slink out. What do you think?"

"Let's wait a moment longer," Hanji said, but suddenly she raised an eyebrow as the employee they were talking to before was now walking towards them with two bodyguards. "Hm, that's interesting."

"Please, leave the building," the man drawled in a lofty tone, then folded his arms in front of him. "I don't know from where you got the information that the person you are looking for is in this building. There's no such person staying with us at present."

"I'd advise checking again," Erwin muttered, not moving.

"Obstruction of the investigation... Does it ring a bell to you?" Hanji asked, taking a step towards the man. Another group of people passed them. Levi, who stayed right behind Erwin and Hanji, decided to take advantage of this fact.

"That's an instruction I got from my supervisor," The employee explained, not seeming concerned. Two more bodyguards started walking towards them.

"In that case, we want to talk to your supervisor."

"There's not an option, you have to leave immediately… wait, where's the other man, the shorter one?!" The hotel employee widened his eyes and looked around, concerned.

Levi saw and heard this scene only from a distance. After that the elevator door closed and the lift moved upstairs, so did he.

Throughout his life, he had had times when his height was an obstacle for him. People looked down on him or didn't pay attention to him at all. But sometimes being unnoticed, easily blending into the crowd, had its advantages. He was wearing civilian clothes, which must have confused the security guards as well.

He knew he didn't have much time, but he could at least try to find Grisha and arrest him, and then he could have an eye on this bastard, until Nile's arrival. Before he got on the elevator, he thought he saw the lights of a police car flashing outside the hotel windows.

Levi got off on the fifth floor and started down the bright corridor. He pulled out a gun and held it at the ready. He could be suspended for even a longer period for his audacity, and moreover, he could be demoted or seriously reprimanded... But he hoped they would find with Grisha sufficient evidence of his involvement in the whole affair. He also hoped that Keith Shadis would stand up for him. Anyway, at this point he didn't care about the consequences anymore, only one thing mattered.

From a distance he could see the room Graff had told him about.

He saw a woman in the corridor, apparently another hotel employee. She was driving a cart with cleaning supplies. In another situation, he would probably be more interested in the contents of the cart, but this time he stared at the metal card with which the woman was just opening one of the rooms...

He had nothing to lose, so he approached the woman, who widened her eyes at the sight of him, especially at the sight of the gun.

"I'm an investigative detective. I need your card to get into one room."

"W-what? I can't give it to you!" The cleaning lady snorted, pressing the card towards her chest and looking at him suspiciously.

"I don't accept the objection," Levi muttered, unlocking his gun and looking at the woman dangerously.

He didn't aim at her, but the threat hung in the air, unspoken. The cleaning lady paled and quickly handed him the card.

Ackerman took the item from the woman and moved on. In a few steps he was in front of the door of room 515. He pressed the card against the scanner on the wall, then went inside.

The door slammed behind him, and he immediately aimed the gun at the tall silhouette.

The man was wearing white pajamas and he was also wrapped in a gray bathrobe. His brown hair was down to his shoulders. He was quite reminiscent of Eren, but the resemblance manifested only with the color of his hair and the shape of his face. Grisha's eyes were dull and tired, with gray rings around them, a sign of stress and lack of sleep.

Levi himself didn't know what he expected. He carried an image of Yaeger in his mind that had more to do with a monster or a devil, but he saw a thin middle-aged man in front of him, who was apparently getting ready to go to sleep after a hard day. Grisha was probably as surprised as Levi, but for a completely different reason.

"What's the meaning of this…?" Yaeger gasped, taking a step back. He was holding a cell phone in his hand.

Ackerman shook off this strange stupor. He had to remember that he was dealing with a criminal and a murderer, even if this man looked like an ordinary and harmless person at that moment.

He aimed at the helpless man, squinting.

"Grisha Yaeger, you're under arrest for murder and drug trafficking. Put your hands up where I can see them."

Suddenly, a tall, slender woman dressed in an elongated, elegant nightgown emerged from the second room. It had to be Carla. She also had long brown hair. She had to wash off her makeup before, but she still looked pretty, even though the passage of time was noticeable on her face.

"The Owl still doesn't pick up his phone..." She muttered softly, but at the sight of Ackerman she widened her eyes and let out a cry of surprise. "Grisha!?"

Levi hesitated for a fraction of a second. At her face he saw a much bigger resemblance to Eren. He quickly tore his gaze from her large, frightened eyes and looked again at Grisha, who slowly raised his hands above his head, but didn't move. He was still holding the cell phone in one of his hands.

"It's a misunderstanding. Please, contact my attorney or preferably your supervisor..."

"Shut up, you bastard! Put your hands on the back of your neck and turn around!" Levi shouted, raising the weapon even higher.

"No!" Carla screamed as she started toward them.

"Stop right there!" This time Levi aimed the gun at the woman.

Just then, a loud, unoriginal ringtone rang in the room. Ackerman tensed as he saw Grisha put his cell phone to his ear without hesitation and answer the call. Carla was standing slightly apart.

"What are you..." Levi began, but the man quickly passed the phone to him. Though Yaeger had no gun in his hand, Levi felt threatened for some reason.

"It's for you, detective," Grisha said calmly, staring into his eyes. Levi immediately felt a twinge of irritation.

Instead of answering, he knocked the cell phone off the man's hand. The phone fell to the ground with a loud crash.

"Cut your bullshit. Turn around, now. I won't ask nicely again."

"You will regret it, detective..."

"Oh, I don't think so."

Levi took a step forward, but suddenly he froze as there was another sound in the room. This time his private telephone rang. This completely upset Ackerman. He hesitated for a moment, then took his cellphone from his pocket. Still holding Grisha at gunpoint, he put the phone to his ear. There was a private number on the display.

Levi picked up and said nothing. His interlocutor spoke first.

"Good evening, mr. Ackerman. It's Darius Zackley."

Levi gently widened his eyes. Why the hell was Senator Zackley calling him right now...? The man was involved in their case a couple of times, Shadis always reported on the progress of the investigation to him.

"What's going on?"

"I've just heard that you are about to arrest our witness. Mr. Yaeger is central to our investigation about the Marley terrorists. We are currently questioning him. Therefore, I need you to leave the building immediately, if you do not want to lose your job. My men will be with you in a moment, to lead you out of the hotel."

"Are you shitting me right now...?" Levi muttered into the receiver, shaking his head in disbelief. "If we leave him at large, I'll bet he'll get away and your investigation will..."

"Did I make myself clear? As far as I know, you are currently suspended and your team has been taken out of the investigation. I'm speaking for the last time, Ackerman. Back off because it's going to end badly for you."

Levi suddenly heard footsteps behind him. The door opened. He looked around and saw Nile Dok surrounded by several other Special Forces men. Erwin and Hanji were nowhere to be found. The men looked at him silently, apparently instructed about everything. He saw unspeakable regret in Nile's eyes. The man probably didn't like it at all, but he had no choice but to follow the orders. At this point, the order was to detain him and take him out of the hotel.

"Are you doing this for justice, senator?" Levi asked again, looking at Grisha. He felt a twinge of irritation again as Yaeger lowered his hands and looked at him calmly. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He wanted to see the surprise and fear in those eyes again. "Or are you doing it for something else?"

"The conversation is over," Zackley added before hanging up.

Levi put the phone in his pocket. His fingers were still clenched on the cool weapon that was pointed at Grisha. He noticed that the officers who had arrived in the room aimed at him with their guns. Levi suddenly had this weird impression like he was starting to fall into the abyss.

"Ackerman, put your gun down, okay?" Nile's voice rang out. "I don't want to hurt you."

Levi pressed his lips into a narrow line, and his hand trembled slightly. He didn't take his eyes off Grisha, whose face was now settled for good.

"Ackerman, right?" Grisha asked, sighing softly. "Oh, I've heard about you."

"Don't pretend you don't know me, you piece of shit," Ackerman growled, his trembling fingers gripping the metal weapon. "Nile, if we don't arrest him now, in a few days he'll be far away from here. Do you see this suitcase?"

Levi pointed his gun at the luggage next to the wide couch. He tried to come up with a new plan, but he already knew that he had lost. Grisha had all the cards.

"You want to shoot everyone who has a suitcase?" Grisha asked in an icy tone, and only then did Ackerman hear the echo of what he really was: a crouching, primal evil.

"Levi, lower that weapon and let's get out of here... before you get into any more trouble. I'm sorry it happened, but we have no choice," Nile said, and he himself lowered his pistol gently, apparently hoping his colleague would do the same. He wanted to avoid confrontation at all costs.

Levi looked at Grisha, who had just spoken.

"Your friend is right, detective. Don't do anything you regret later," Yaeger said.

Ackerman paused. He defended himself against this feeling with all his strength, but at that moment panic seized him.

So... that was it?

This is how it was supposed to end? Yaeger wasn't smiling, but his eyes twitched, with something like amusement, a gloomy triumph. Was this world ruled by such laws? Those who have more connections, more luck, more money win? Apparently so. After all, had it not been for the bribe they gave Graff in violation of the law, they would never have ended up here themselves. Did they have to become frauds, criminals, torturers themselves in order to survive?

Did they have to become murderers?

Levi slowly lowered his gun.

It only lasted a few seconds, but suddenly a few memories flashed through his mind. He had no control over them, they surfaced in his mind completely against his will.

...Hanji and Erwin lie in a white hospital room, connected to various tubes and devices, the functions of which Levi has no idea. His friends are not moving. They are asleep, although they appear to be in a completely different state, they are both pale and battered. Only their rising and falling chests are a signal of life still present in their bodies...

…A young girl, trembling with terror, huddles on a small bed, covered with a gray blanket. As she looks at him and recognizes his face, her face slowly smoothes, but still looks as if she doesn't believe her eyes. It is only when Levi takes her hand that Mikasa's gaze becomes trusting and her body calms down. That's when she starts to believe that all this is really happening and that she is safe...

…Eren is sitting on a wooden bench next to him. Levi sees goosebumps on his bare shoulders, after all, the evening is cool. The boy should celebrate his birthday, but instead, tears of sadness and helplessness roll from under his eyelids. Instead of beautiful, unforgettable memories, he experienced a life trauma, seeing a man die in front of his eyes...

Levi froze as another memory flashed through his mind, much older than the previous ones.

...He enters the departmental kitchen and sees Erwin and Hanji standing by the window. His friends are saying hello to the man Levi sees for the first time. Ackerman ignores the sight as he has something to do. He goes to the kitchen counter and puts the water in the kettle. Suddenly he sighs in exasperation when he notices that someone has placed his favorite tea on the top shelf. He tries to reach the package, but he lacks a few centimeters. That's when he feels the movement behind him. He looks back and sees the same man his friends spoke to a moment ago. The man has straight blonde hair parted in the middle, and stubble under his nose and on his chin. The man effortlessly reaches for his tea and passes it to him, smiling slightly. Levi gives thanks briefly, and the stranger extends his hand towards him. He introduces himself as Mike Zacharius, the new detective in their group. Ackerman squeezes his hand and, surprisingly, doesn't feel immediate irritation about this giant man. Levi thinks to himself that he may even be able to befriend him, as long as Zacharius won't make any jokes about his height...

The detective raised the gun, aiming at Grisha again.

"You're right. I won't regret it," he replied to Yaeger's suggestion and squeezed the trigger several times.

The fired bullets crashed into the man's chest. Levi saw Grisha take a few steps back, then collapse to the carpet. He heard Carla's desperate scream, the woman ran up to her husband and immediately took him in her arms. Tears started to run down her cheeks, she tried to stop the bleeding wounds, but her attempts were in vain.

Levi was afraid that Nile might shoot him, but nothing like that happened.

Therefore, Ackerman quickly got down on his knees and placed his gun on the soft carpet. Then he folded his arms around his neck, waiting for one of the officers to do his job. But no one was eager to do so.

"Handcuff him..." Levi finally heard Nile's quiet voice. He felt someone stop behind him. He heard the clang of metal. His hands were twisted backwards and then put in handcuffs. Ackerman heard someone else calling for an ambulance. Nile and his men approached Carla, apparently intending to give Yaeger first aid, but it was too late for that. Levi heard one of the men say to the other that Grisha was dead.

The detective closed his eyes. He couldn't help but feel the true, liberating relief.

A few long moments passed before he was led out of the room. Officers led him downstairs without a word, then belayed him towards the cars parked in front of the building. Levi saw more cars pulling up to the hotel. But he couldn't see Erwin or Hanji anywhere. He was pushed into one of the police cars and then the door slammed shut.

Ackerman leaned back against the headrest of the chair and sighed.

Well... Things got ugly.

He had never expected to be in this place, in the back of a police car, secured by a grille that was intended for detainees. Life continued to surprise him.

He had no idea how long he had been in the car. He lost track of time. At one point he heard a familiar voice outside that made him tense up nervously.

"No problem. I'll drive him there. I will be right behind you."

Levi watched the door of the car open. Reiner got in. He took his seat in front of the wheel and then started the engine. Braun waved his hand to a policeman who was standing next to the car, then began to drive forward, following another police car.

"Let me guess? Do you want to feast on my failure?" Ackerman asked, eyes narrowing slightly. Reiner was the last person he wanted to talk to right now.

"Oh, yes," Braun replied, slowing down as they reached the intersection. The car they were following drove ahead, but they had to stop at a red light. As the traffic lights changed and a green light flashed in front of them, Braun turned right, which surprised Ackerman. After all, the police car they were to follow had gone straight ahead.

"What are you doing?" Levi asked irritably as he saw Braun speed up considerably. He drove through a city that was partially empty and quiet at this time, heading in a direction he knew only.

"Hanji and Erwin are waiting to meet us at the appointed place," Rainer replied. Ackerman understood none of this. "They had to act fast. They'll explain everything themselves, I was just supposed to get you here. I don't think anyone is following us..."

There was silence for a moment. Levi held his handcuffed hands in front of him, staring in disbelief at the rearview mirror that reflected Braun's face. He didn't quite understand what was going on here. After a while, the man also glanced at the mirror to look at Ackerman's reflection.

"Is it true? He's really dead?"

Levi took a moment to reply.

"Yes."

Reiner looked back at the view in front of him. Ackerman saw the same relief in his eyes that had spilled over his heart the moment he had stuffed those few bullets into Grisha's body.

"I think we're there," Braun said suddenly. He parked the car and turned off the engine.

Levi looked out the window. He suddenly realized that he knew the area. They were in the same spot outside of town where they'd said goodbye to Eren and his friends.

Reiner got out of the car, and opened the back door to let Levi out. The shorter detective gave a worried look around. A few meters away, he saw his friends. They were just getting out of the car, so they also had to get here a moment ago. Hanji and Erwin slammed the door behind them, then quickly walked closer.

"What's happening?" Levi asked, completely confused. Zoe and Smith stared at him with glances full of emotion, as if they were also not keeping up with the processing of current events.

Hanji moved first, walked over to him, and hugged him tightly. Even if Levi wanted to, he had no way of reciprocating it. His hands were still handcuffed.

"You idiot... why did you do that?" Zoe whispered, and Levi started in surprise when he heard her tearful tone. The woman released him after a while and looked at him closely. "As always, you had to do things your own way, hadn't you?"

"Hannes will be here soon. We called him the moment we heard what happened. I hope that'll be enough for him," Erwin said, lifting the gray envelope. "Graff will have to settle for the money he received last time. As a bonus, he will get a solution to his problem with Grisha."

"What are you talking about?" Levi asked, shaking his head. "Take me back, goddamn it! I'm ready to bear all the consequences. I have no problem with that, you understand? All that matters to me is that Grisha is dead and that we're all safe..."

"Calm down, Levi. We won't allow it. There's no option for you to end up in jail!" Hanji exclaimed in a tone of stubbornness. "Erwin and I had a quick council, and that's the only way we can help you… I mean, only Hannes can help you. This is really the only option."

"But... you're going to be in trouble..."

"They'll be fine," Reiner said, suddenly joining the conversation and taking a step forward. "I'll take the blame on myself. I can say that I helped you escape. This is the least I can do for you. Anyway, if anyone is going to end up in jail, it should be me, not you."

Levi stood still, completely paralyzed. He felt a bit like in a dream. Everything was happening far too fast, which made it seem completely unreal to him. Did Zackley really call him that night? Did he really shoot Grisha? Was Braun helping them completely selflessly? And did his friends really want him to leave the country and change his identity?

Suddenly he remembered the thought that had come to his mind as he left his apartment this evening. The thought that he would never go back to that place… After all, his intuition was still just as good.

They saw a car approaching them, which stopped a few meters from them. The photographer they already knew was sitting behind the wheel. Hannes got out and looked at them curiously. As his eyes fell on Hanji, Erwin, and Reiner, all dressed in police uniforms, his face paled.

"Oh shit... Y-you are cops...?" he stammered and took a step back. "This... I can explain everything..."

Hanji took the package from Erwin and quickly walked over to the confused photographer. She handed him an envelope with money.

"You must help our friend escape, and as soon as possible. Can we count on you to hide him somewhere by then? We cannot do it, because from today they will be watching us, for sure."

"Oh..." Hannes reflected quickly. He took the envelope and quickly counted the contents. Even if he decided that the sum wasn't enough, he chose not to argue with law enforcement officials who might have detained him for illegal activity. "Of course. I will take care of everything. It's that one in the handcuffs? Why is he wanted?"

"He's innocent," Reiner said, lifting the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, yeah, of course," Hannes smirked, then tucked the envelope in his back pocket. "Okay, son. If I'm going to hide you, we have to roll."

Levi looked uncertainly at his two friends, not knowing what he should do next. He hardly paid any attention to Reiner, when the man suddenly approached him and got rid of the handcuffs on his wrists with two quick moves. He used the pliers he must have taken from the trunk a moment ago. Then he took Ackerman's hand and shook it.

"I know we had our differences, but today I can truly say that I'm thankful to you. Thank you for what you did today. I'm finally free."

Levi gave Braun a puzzled look and merely nodded. Then Reiner took a step back, apparently declaring that such a goodbye would be sufficient for the detective.

Ackerman's body tightened slightly as Hanji approached him again. She grabbed him into her arms again, but didn't lift him up, as she had done with Eren recently. Back then, her behavior was full of vigor, cheerfulness, although it also had a certain sadness in it. This time Zoe wasn't smiling at all, the woman looked as if she just had to do something that was tearing her heart in two.

"We'll try to find some way to contact each other, okay? Try to lay low for a couple of weeks until things get quieter."

Hanji hugged him tightly like never before. Levi used to push her away from him at times like this, his expression annoyed, but that moment was different. Ackerman put his arms around his friend, something he has never done before.

"Take care of yourself, Four eyes," Levi muttered, closing his eyes and feeling the tears beneath them. "And let Moblit take care of you. As long as he can tolerate you."

"You want to bet?" Zoe asked, stepping back slightly and grinning at her shorter friend. Ackerman knew exactly what she meant… She was talking about their endless banter and making bets that happened almost every day when times were different.

"As for that, I still didn't get my foot massage."

"And you won't get it!" Hanji pouted, poking him with her fist. They smiled at each other again, but Zoe's remark made them more sad than happy. Levi glanced quickly to the side, trying to keep his composure. He looked up as Erwin walked over to him.

Ackerman looked at the man with uncertainty, as if those few seconds of hesitation would make a difference. As if he still had hope that there's a chance, that this situation could have a different ending... Unfortunately, it was the only way. If he would be arrested and imprisoned, he'd be condemned to loneliness, away from friends. If he'd leave, he would also be doomed to loneliness, away from friends ... although, he will be free. However, he would have to spend his life in hiding. He didn't know which option was worse. Everything was happening too fast for him to think seriously about it and weigh the pros and cons.

He and Erwin stared at each other for a moment, both trying to drag the moment as long as possible, but time passed relentlessly. His friends had to come back so that they would not suffer bad consequences.

Levi finally stepped forward. He wrapped his arms around Erwin and pressed himself against his chest, feeling the man's heart beat faster. After a while, a strong arm embraced him as well, hiding him in a tender embrace. They stayed like that for a moment, knowing they should hurry, but neither of them wanted to move first.

He hated long goodbyes so much...

As he finally forced his body to move and stepped back to look at Smith again, he saw the shadow of a smile on his face.

"I love you," Erwin whispered, lifting the corner of his mouth. He also raised a hand and stroked the shorter detective's cheek as if he wanted to remember the texture of his skin, the warmth radiating from his body and the closeness that would never come again.

Levi sighed and looked at Smith, heavy with emotion. Tears filled his eyes, making it hard for him to see. He was unable to say anything, but he suspected that Erwin could see all the emotions on his face. They have always understood each other without words.

Ackerman pivoted on his heel. He walked briskly towards Hannes, who was waiting for him in his car. He walked quickly, afraid that he might suddenly stumble, fall, hesitate, stop or just turn...

Here were his friends, here was his home, his world, and he wanted to leave it all, just like that…?

After what he had done, however, there was no turning back.

"For safety, I have to hide you in the trunk. Is it okay?" Hannes asked as Levi stopped in front of the man. Ackerman nodded quickly. It didn't matter to him anymore. He didn't look back, didn't even glance at his friends at that moment. He couldn't do that. He got inside the car and after a while the trunk door slammed behind him.

Ackerman's world has plunged into darkness.

Hannes, as promised, hid him in his house. That was until he finished preparing the papers for him. Levi spent two days in the basement under the photographer's house, which was fortunately adapted to allow someone to live in it. The photographer had his little studio here. Equipment related to his profession was stuffed against the wall. He quickly prepared a home corner for Ackerman with a pull-out bed, a table with a bedside lamp, and even a small TV.

Levi, however, couldn't focus on anything specific, not even watching TV. He spent those two days mostly thinking about everything that had happened in his life recently, exercising, and browsing Hannes's photo collection. Binders and albums filled a large wooden shelf, tucked into a niche under the stairs.

Ackerman studied unknown, motionless faces thoughtfully. He wondered what was happening at that moment to the people he had seen in photographs. A young couple, a family celebrating some religious occasion, an elegant man in a suit, a pregnant woman… As many stories as there were photos. Although life was passing quickly, thanks to the photographs, people were able to capture the events that were important to them. Levi thought that there was some beauty in it.

He suddenly thought of the photo he left in his bedroom. He angrily slammed the album shut, when he realized that he would probably never see a photo of Isabel and Farlan again. If he had known that he would not be coming home again, he would have taken this photo with him...

Levi sat down on the bed and picked up a silver medal with wings. At least he had this item with him. He preferred not to show it to Hannes, in case the man told him to leave it as he did it before with Eren.

After a few days, the photographer informed him that they could move.

Levi blinked. The sun's rays, so suddenly bursting inside the truck, almost blinded him. After a few seconds he jumped out of the car in which the photographer was carrying him. He threw his arms to the sides, stretching his body after this several-hour journey in uncomfortable conditions.

He looked around and was slightly surprised when he noticed… the sea in the near distance. It glowed in the afternoon sun, attracting the eye like a magnet and soothing his soul in a strange way. A bit further, Levi saw several tall buildings, cranes and a multitude of ships, both passenger and container ones. They had to be close to the port, he just didn't know which one.

Hannes wasted no time. He stuffed a large backpack into Ackerman's hands, as well as a black leather wallet.

"Now listen carefully, because I won't say it again. You have a new ID in your wallet, a certain amount of cash that should be enough for a couple of weeks until you find a job, and a ferry ticket. The journey will take about three hours. Get yourself a hotel and then... Well, that's up to you. You have the most necessary things in your backpack. You can buy the rest yourself."

Levi set the backpack on the ground and quickly looked into the wallet. He studied his photo on the ID, then his gaze lingered on his new name. Suddenly his eyes widened and he let out an unidentified snort.

"What?" Hannes raised one eyebrow and put his hands on his hips. "I don't accept complaints."

"Nothing, it's just..." Levi tried not to laugh, which was difficult. It was too much for him. "Couldn't you choose a different name?"

"What's wrong with the name Kenneth?"

"Nothing," Levi quickly pulled another item from his wallet. He regarded the ferry ticket doubtfully. So they had to cross almost the entire continent. "Sina Island? Seriously?"

"You weren't expecting what, huh? Nobody would have expected this place, so nobody will be looking for you here," Hannes shrugged. "I was there once with my ex-wife on vacation. Lovely place. Some people also call it Paradise Island... the weather is sometimes treacherous, but the views are delightful."

"Paradise Island..." Levi muttered, more to himself than to Hannes, but decided not to complain. After all, the man offered him freedom. What could be more valuable?

"The ferry leaves in an hour and a half, so I'd like to advise you to leave now. You'll go there on foot, it'll take you about two-quarters of an hour from here, but I might be wrong, so you should be on your way. You have sunglasses in your backpack. I would advise you to wear them for a while. There'll be less chance that someone will recognize you. Well, what can I add... I recommend Sarton town, it's tiny, but friendly."

Levi nodded. He slung his backpack over his shoulders, then shook Hannes's hand. Before he left, he asked the man one more thing.

"The young people you helped... Did they leave?" He asked, carefully examining the photographer's face, wanting to read the truth from it. Hannes, however, quickly summoned a colorless mask to his face. "Could you give me some hint where I could find them?"

"I repeat it ad nauseam: I don't give any directions and I don't break my rules. It would be really dumb if you tried to contact them, you know? If I were you, I wouldn't risk that much if you care about them."

"It's just..." Levi hated the feeling, hated being dependent on others. He didn't like to show how much he cared about something. And Hannes wasn't about to help him. On the one hand, Ackerman really respected that. He himself wouldn't like anyone to ask Hannes about him, but on the other hand, he was also driven by very selfish motives. He had to let it go. "Okay, forget about it."

"Have a good life, detective," Hannes muttered and smiled gently before hopping into the truck and driving away.

Ackerman watched him for a moment. Then he decided that he had no choice but to hurry. He walked towards the port, feeling like this situation was more and more unreal with each step.

A gentle breeze gently ruffled his hair, pleasantly cooling his body and caressing the skin. After many hours of travel, the fresh sea air was a godsend for his lungs.

He was so far from home, and he was going to be even farther away, on a completely strange island surrounded by the sea… He would never have expected that he would end up in a place like this. Sina was known for its small towns and villages. He preferred the urban atmosphere, fast driving between streets, bustling city center... Maybe such a change would be good for him. Everything indicated that he was given an unexpected chance for a quiet life, so he decided to take it.

He adjusted the backpack on his shoulders and quickened his pace. After all, he couldn't be late for the ferry.