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Enemy, familiar friend
My beginning and my end
Broken truth, whispering lies
And it hurts again

January 15, 1996

It was like the moon had picked its favorite person; the way its pale light shined on her, bouncing off her porcelain skin – creating an illuminated sight to behold. But, Levi would watch from a distance, constantly looking at the watch on his wrist if not at her. He took a few glances down at the fake custodian that was pretending to clean up the area; one he hired to make sure Historia stayed right there until it was time. Due to the poor lighting of the castle at night, people strayed from attending the area in fear of being victimized.

Was Historia bold or foolish?

The night's cold air brushed against him, flowing along his black strands as he stood at the very edge. He kept one hand in his coat pocket, watching her from atop the castle's tower. Historia was so focused on the skylight; she had not noticed his hawk like stare. For a moment, he turned to share the same view with her – but, he could not comprehend what was so enticing about it.

Not a single thought wasted on the sight in front of him. There was nothing and everything inside of him. He had what one would call feelings – only, it was an upheaval of conflicts in which he could never conquer or win; merely because he could not understand it.

Not a connection to life or person.

Levi remembered that once he had felt something at the touch of another living creature. Whether it was the way she smiled so brightly at him or the way her tiny fingers would desperately dig into his sides with an urgent need for his embrace -, it was an emerging sensation of safety, calmness, which could culminate the feeling of being loved.

Now, though… he was unable to wrap his mind around the concept.

He read so many studies on the subject, recalling that there had to be a hidden variable to explain such irrationality. Love was an analogue of the spiritual shield and sword, against society, laws of nature, the entire universe and was a source of immunity and strength.

The reasons behind it had always escaped him though.

What was love other than greed?

The desire to be bestowed someone's affections; be it joy, adoration or even… their pain stricken fury? To remain as another's solitary target of all things; lust, infatuation, appreciation and yearning; how was it not?

Love is selfish.

Love is greedy.

The sudden movement below broke Levi from his trail of thoughts, as he watched Historia finally grow impatient and leave. Careful and stern was of his glare as he watched the janitor approach the blonde with a firm voice.

"He told me to make you stay here – otherwise I won't get my pay." He demanded with a gravelly voice, hardly audible. Historia turned on her heel and kept walking, this time at a faster pace. Levi took his hand out of his pocket and intertwined it with the other behind his back out of habit as he observed the show before him. The man he hired made the mistake of grabbing the blonde harshly by the wrist, violently jerking her back. Although Levi's expression was cold and unreadable – something was brewing behind it.

Historia was swift in her defense, twisting her arm and forcing it down with as much pressure as she could muster – forcing his fingers off.

That was when he opted to instead place both hands on her shoulders and pull her forward against him, yelling angrily,

"I already told you that you need to stay here!" and Historia ducked her body, grabbing him by the collar and turning to throw him over her shoulder- slamming his back against the ground.

Quickly, she stumbled back, panting a bit as he groaned in pain, desperate for air.

"W-what the hell is your problem?!" But before she could collect herself, the man pulled out a gun.

She froze.

She didn't know why she could no longer move or process a simple command like 'runaway'

Instead, she watched as the man seemed to aim carefully.

The alarming sound of the gun shooting filled her ears and instantly, there was a ripping pain, like a quick invisible knife tearing her flesh.

"Ah!" She cried out, falling to the floor, her left hand naturally coming up to grip the wound on her right shoulder.

It was bleeding – but it was nothing more than a graze.

Thank God.

She looked at the middle aged man dressed in blue overalls, who was now resting on his stomach as if he was the craziest piece of shit she ever laid eyes on.

He kept his gun cocked on her but did not fire again.

"That was a warning shot you dumb bitch – I ain't letting ya ruin this for me."

"What do you want with me?" She said calmly, trying to conceal the fear in her voice with a stern expression.

That was when one single hard step caught the attention of them both. The man's face quickly shifted into one of horror as he slowly turned. Krista looked behind him but couldn't find the source of the footsteps that slowly approached through the darkness.

The man shuffled back an inch, making his hands pull him backwards only for him to freeze.

"I-it's not my fault!" He swallowed hard.

Then she was able to make out a darker figure standing in front of him. It seemed as though he avoided the harsh white lights that lit up both sides of the plaza. She didn't know why, but his menacing presence scared her more than the one with the gun.

"S-she wouldn't listen – it's not my fault!" The guy begged.

And before she could open her mouth to protest, a bullet pierced his skull right through his forehead. He fell lifelessly, face against the cold ground. Krista's eyes widened, the air taken from her.

The man who was so prideful was now lying in a pool of blood. She stared at his dead body, emotionless and frozen in place.

A thousand thoughts tormented her mind all at once; why was that man murdered? Was she going to die next? Would she be able to see her loving parents and their warm smiles after tonight? If she died right now, would God answer the many mysterious in her life? Would she feel being shot in the head or would it be an instant, painless death?

And then she paused, realizing none of those thoughts had anything to do with the dead person before her. She felt nothing – not a tear to be shed, or a cry to mourn for the murdered.

Why was her reaction to death…imperceptible?

Quickly, she snapped out of herself and hesitantly gazed at the shadow that remained right where he had been.

"A-are you going to hurt me?" She felt the need to ask in order to quell the anxiety festering in her chest.

"If I had planned to do so, I would have let this man do as he wanted."

His voice was gentle – completely contradicting his merciless execution.

It was disturbing.

"…"

Even though she could not see him, she felt his eyes on her.

They were staring at one another with only the sound of the howling wind accompanying them.

"Then…what do you want with me?"

"…"

She was only answered with silence. He still did not move an inch. Her patience was beginning to wear thin.

"Who are you?!" she yelled out of frustration. Still, he was motionless, like a shadow hiding in the darkest corner of a room. However, when he finally stepped forward, a rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins, eyes widening as she watched him step into the light.

His indifferent, sharp eyes was looking down at her and when she realized he was the man she saw at her college campus – her fight or flight instincts kicked in. Quickly, she shuffled backwards until she hit the wall of the balcony – only for him to pursue with slow and careless strides.

Her body began to tremble as he got closer – her eyes stuck on his ice cold and ruthless expression.

"S-stop…" she pleaded weakly.

Her head began to ache, the sound of white static foaming inside her ears. Krista shut her eyes, forcing herself to look away from him as she turned her head to the side and screamed,

"STOP!"

In vain she threw her arms up to try and keep the devil away. But soon felt his rough digits grip her chin and forced her to face his direction.

"Look at me." He demanded with a tone that was no longer gentle – but almost like a growl. She felt too scared to disobey him so she very timidly, opened her eyes.

He was bent down in front of her now, face to face. She stared in awe, her lips parting slightly as the coldness in his eyes captivated her in both fear and curiosity. He gave her an empty smile before saying in a dove-like voice,

"Tell me…what do you see when you look into my eyes?"

His voice was like a soothing lullaby, easing her into his cage. She stared, eyes widening as she peered into the windows of his soul.

"I was born in a town straight out of a fairytale." He began as if he was reciting a children's storybook.

"Many people died there."

She couldn't look away. Not once has she ever seen such painful, empty and unforgiving pools of blue eyes on a person.

"And when I walked away from that horrific place, I held hands with my other half. It seemed like we were the only two people in the whole world."

In that moment, it was as if his words awoken a memory in her; two dirty little children walking aimlessly on a dirt road that stretched beyond the horizon, bracing the cold harsh winds; hand in hand.

Without realizing it, her eyes became wet, crystal droplets resting just at her waterline as the feeling of wistfulness filled her aching heart.

"Neither one of us possessed a real name – we were nameless, unwanted children."

It was uncontrollable, the way her tears fell and streamed down her face in an attempt to release the suffocating pain burning in her chest.

Although her mind could not wrestle with the reason for her outpouring of emotions, her heart clearly was in control.

Despite her clear affliction, he remained with that barren smile; as if he enjoyed her anguish.

There was nothing tender about his little story and yet, as his thumb came up to wipe away some of her tears, she found herself more dumbfounded.

His finger rested just at the top of her cheekbone and she could have mistaken it, but it looked as though his eyes rested a bit more benignly on her when he said,

"Happy Birthday, Historia."

Did you notice? I've tried to change up my writing style when I focus from Levi's perspective! What are your thoughts about this chapter? Does Levi freak you out yet?

Don't worry, the storm hasn't hit yet!

Thank you for reading.

I think I may continue upload 3 chapters at a time like this!