Author's Note: Please don't forget to leave a review! That's my best way of knowing what ya'll are enjoying or expect from my story and how you guys are receiving it. I'll try to update more regularly but it mighhht be a little difficult with exams around the corner hehe

Chapter 7: Alone

Rostock was not at all what she was expecting.

Where she imagined a run down city reduced to shambles she instead met face with a bustling town full of ambient chatter carried in the wind and a kindred spirit to the city's center, drowning out any knowledge of a war alit in this very country. Everything almost seemed normal.

"Keep your hood up and stay close if you want to keep your livelihood intact. We're going to make a stop somewhere for a few hours before heading out again."

Petra absently nodded at Levi's statement.

He then gave her a side glance, a shadow settling over his visage. "Ah right. I'm your captor." He stated in a low voice. "I don't have to tell you these things, do I?" He turned and continued walking.

Petra scowled at his retreating back. So much for staying on his good side. Look what you've done now, Petra Ral.

She cleared her throat, catching up to walk beside him. "Thank you."

"For?"

"For... informing me."

/

That night, in another loft once again, Petra wondered many things while listening to the rambunctious chatter and yelling from outside.

Is there some festival going on in this city that makes it come alive at night like this?

Is this why we are resting indoors tonight?

How many connections does this Levi have in every city to have a place to stay at each time?

She peeked a glance at the dark haired male with his head resting back against the wooden chair, eyes closed.

Is he actually fast asleep with me here?

What could Father and everyone be doing right now? What if Mother has...come back to herself…

I'm so far away...so far away from home now...

A peculiar feeling drifted over the girl and she tilted her head sideways, knitting her brows together in an effort to understand why her eyes had become to well up.

It wasn't like her at all. Not like her to have lost her fighting spirit but it was all so overwhelming. Not knowing where she was. Not knowing with who she was. Not knowing what was in store for her.

Just not knowing.

It escaped her senses that she had stood up and begun walking towards the wooden door exit and treaded out into the town, with no hood on or any warm outer garment.

Why were all these feelings hitting her all of a sudden?

She had been fine in the cave after a bit, fine at the first place they stayed at, even fine after the traumatizing event in the forest. She hadn't broken down into memory lane despite it all.

Was it because she was alone now? The chattering of Hanji and encouraging smiles of Shane were gone. They certainly had been her captors but now why, in the alleyway as she slid down with her back against the brick wall, did she feel so...alone?

It was a distant memory then that undid her and she found her body rack with uncontrollable sobs. "Im sorry...Father." She brought her legs up and hugged her knees close. "I should have been a better daughter, huh?"

A time went by and the chiming of midnight bells alerted the girl of the hour. She sniffed, a blanket of panic settling around her. It wasn't safe to be out here.

Petra inhaled a deep breath then let it out in pockets of cold air. She wiped her sleeve against her cheeks hurriedly, noticing with a surprise that the tears hadn't stopped. "Ah, I really need to get it together…" She fanned her face.

The sound of boots deliberately crunching on crisp leaves near the alley opening made her breath catch. With a start, she turned her head and felt her muscles go rigid at the sight of a silhouette in the dark walking towards her. Just before the moonlight hit the silhouette's face, she deciphered the identity, relief washing over.

But then came quick dread.

"Ah, Levi. I-I just needed fresh air. I wasn't trying to run away. I was just-" her words fell apart and drifted off as she watched the male turn to face her form and then slide down against the wall across from her.

He placed an arm on his knee and looked at her nonchalantly. Without a word said, he waited for her to finish what she had been saying.

"I…" her fingers rubbed at her eyes. I must look like a charm right now. But what does it matter. "I was just out here wondering how nice it'd be for everything to go back to how it was." Why was she telling him that?

"You'll be home again."

She looked up through her bangs, lashes soaked through. "What?"

"The war will be over and you'll be back home. Believe in that fact and that's all you'll need to get through."

How odd was it for him to be telling her that in the middle of this alleyway. She had half expected him to - at the very least - yell at her or harshly criticize her for not being able to follow simple directions but here she was, listening to this male that was no doubt an A class criminal...console her?

"And... what about you?" She asked.

"Hey. Tell me." He narrowed his eyes, curiosity blazing in their depths. "Why do you worry so much about things that don't affect you?"

"It does affect me. I don't want you coming back to capture me after this is all over. It would be nice if you procured a more suitable hobby." Petra coughed into her wrist, sufficiently aware that her light humor hadn't drifted away anywhere.

"Tch, if capturing rich brats was a hobby, damned if I were to have anything better to do in life." He eyed her wearily. "Let's get inside. The last thing I want to deal with is a sick rich brat."

Petra made a sound of surprise when a thick cloak fell on her lap. It was her coat. She peered up at him as he stood up. "You're not going to punish me for walking off?"

"Is that what you want? What kind of sick prisoner fantasies do you have?"

"W-What?!" Petra squealed, much more in her senses now.

He looked down at her soberly. "It all depends on you and how quickly you come back inside and make me a cup of that tea from last time."

Tea? She met his gaze and he coolly kept his, unwavering. He was serious about the tea. "Alright", she almost whispered, eyes sliding down to her boots as she carefully stood up. "And for the record," She declared sagely, following after him. "I don't have prisoner...fantasies. Or stockholm syndrome. Or anything that will make you think I have my guard down."

"Trust me when I say I'm far happier than you think I could be knowing that fact."

Petra's lips parted inquisitively at his words. And then something she hadn't anticipated on a night like this happened. A smile broke through and she laughed, hugging the coat to her chest.

For the first time in a long while, she felt warm.

And maybe not as alone as she thought she had been.