Chapter 8: Dejavu
Who knew sitting at the very edge of a hardwood seating was actually quite painful but not too many options lay out well for the ginger head girl as she watched Levi take several sips out of the tea she had just prepared.
"It tastes different from last time." Levi marveled, peering into his drink.
"I found extra spices in these cupboards." Petra countered quickly. She swallowed, thinking of what had happened back in the kitchen.
/
The pot had begun to simmer, puffy clouds of hot steam rolling out, condensation forming on the glass lid. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, even a case of honey to add sweetness lay as a display in the cabinet and she retrieved them all from their places.
A small white package in the corner of the cabinet caught her eye.
Insect pellets to keep out roaches?
A long forgotten memory creeped its way into her head and she suddenly heard her grandmother's voice.
"Petra if you ever find yourself in a tough situation, oh well did you know, you must, about the small token of poisoning? You'll be lucky to be in a situation if you find one of those."
She picked up the dusty package in the corner, her eyes hesitantly drifting over to the tea kettle. A weighty intensity dawned over her. What if I?
Her eyes slid towards where Levi sat outside the door, facing away.
/
"Oy, what's wrong? Why do you look like a dog with its tail between its legs." Levi's voice came as a harsh apprehension.
"It's...nothing." Petra breathed in shakily. I wouldn't know what to do afterwards anyway...had I added the poison in the tea…
Levi narrowed his eyes then downed the entire drink, clinking the cup down onto the saucer. Petra jumped. He briefly wondered what it was that always had her so on edge around him. "You made the tea sweeter than last time," he observed.
"I like it sweet." He likes it bitter, she deducted. His face now brought her back to the assuring way he had calmed her back in the alley. Although it shouldn't have and she knew she had only considered anything but for survival, a pang of guilt washed over her despite having not gone through with any deed.
"You said you want everything to go back to how it was."
Petra blinked, his statement dragging her out of her reverie.
He continued, "What did you mean by 'how it was'."
"I…" She began fiddling with her sleeves. "I guess I meant...In the moment, I think I was just feeling delusional. I meant back to when my mother wasn't in a coma and the time before this war."
Levi absorbed what she said, not revealing how he had often heard her talk to Shane about her Mother. "How did she go into a coma?"
She took a deep breath, expecting the question. "She fell from the third floor of the building when thieves snuck into our estate, trying to steal her jewels-"
"How long ago was that?"
"Two years." She squared her soldiers, feeling it was her turn to be the one asking questions. "Why is the city so lively right now?"
He leaned back in his seat, arms folded behind his head. "Martinstag. In Rostock, they've innovated an extra opening celebration of three days where they commemorate on the streets."
"I know about Martinstag. I just didn't think...anyone would still find a way to get together and celebrate at a time of war."
"Rostock is different in that way. Their extra celebrations are what give them the strength to get through tough times," Levi responded without missing a heartbeat.
Her eyes widened at how his seemed to swim with memories. "You're from Rostock." She stated, not meaning it as a question.
He turned his head to face her.
She couldn't decide whether to break her surprised gaze or stay as she was. In a trance, she now saw the way his eyes were hooded with thought. He looked tired, worn out from not just this trip but whatever lifestyle he lived...Had he always had such dark hair? And was it always that long in the front where his side bangs came over his forehead like that. Surely she couldn't have dismissed that undercut? She had never seen anyone else pull that off. She would even go so far as to call it handsome. But since when- "Ah, so w-what", Petra caught herself with horror, blinking to look down at her clammy hands. "happens on those three days?"
"The first is today, preparation of the feast for the poor. The second day is decorating of landmarks. The third and final is the distribution of gifts and food." The dark haired male lifted his chin slightly, "Also known as die kussende nacht."
Die kussende nacht, she repeated in her head. She was about to ask why it was named that when he stood up. She looked up at him, imagining him to say something along the lines of 'In case you forgot, I'm a criminal not your history teacher' but instead he placed his teacup and saucer on the dining table, turning his head sideways to shoot her a bland look. "Let's get going."
/
They hadn't walked far at all when they entered in through what seemed like a back escape into a forgotten cavern. Upon entering, however, Petra quickly realized it was anything but forgotten. The inside was filled with townsfolk chattering, clinking beers, exchanging stories.
Petra stole a glance at Levi. What business had he in such a place?
Her question received its response not too long after when an older male raised a hand towards Levi from a table. They made their way over. Petra noticed with a startling keenness that a few folks stole glances at them—or rather, Levi. It was as if they recognized him or knew him. He is from here. They're bound to know him.
"Petra."
"Hm?" She looked up at Levi, having gotten distracted by a few men inadvertently pointing at him and whispering amongst themselves.
"Stay close."
She stared at his face from the side for a good few seconds, leveling the weight of his words. "I know that."
"Levi." the man at the table greeted with a head nod as they took a seat across from him.
"Petra, this is Wisely." Levi began, "He's a legal broker."
"Straight to the chase, as always, aren't you." The man chuckled, shaking his head before turning to look at her with a warm smile. "I'm more than just that, let me have you know. And it's a pleasure to meet you, young Petra dear."
"Yes and he's also a damn good liar," Levi added for amends.
Petra simply nodded, not entirely sure what was going on, why she was being introduced to someone like this, nor why they needed a legal broker. In fact, she did not even know what a legal broker was. But if Levi trusted him with her identity just now - she took a deep breath - maybe that meant something? "Nice to meet you." Wait. What does Levi trusting someone mean anything for my good?
The man raised a brow at her modest response then snuck a peak over at Levi. "It is a shame you are only doing this to rid yourself of your past sin. You haven't told her as of yet, have you?"
"Wisely." Levi started, "Let's talk business right now."
Puzzled, she turned her head to look at Levi. This allowed for a better view of her surroundings. Levi sat cross legged, his arm casually resting on the back of her seat. It smacked her in the face then: her proximity to the male. She completely forgot what the other man had just said. And all said afterwards.
The next few minutes whizzed by in a blur, the two men discussing things that made zero sense to her. Something about Rostock border patrol, German artillery, blueprint bindings...She stared at an empty glass on the table, trying to make sense of whether any of this related to her, also hoping they would mention something about the Russians to clear her doubts while also rid her of her current bafflement with her disposition.
A young boy careened by their table with a tray of drinks.
"Anythin' ya'll would like?" He smiled pleasantly at them.
Levi immediately responded, "I've already had my drink for the night."
Petra felt as if the room instantly felt like it had gotten a tad bit warmer than a second ago. And it wasn't just because of how loud it was in there or how many eyes from far in the room were constantly on them.
"I need to use the restroom." She stood up abruptly, avoiding Levi's gaze post-declaration and left the table, bee-lining straight for the side door leading out.
Once she stepped out, she cupped her face in her hands. What is going on with me? She shook her head. He had meant my tea, hadn't he? So what if he had. Where's the big deal there?
Looking up now, Petra stood in a narrow alley adjacent to the cavern she had left, the area smelling a lot like something out of her worst nightmares. "I need to stop being melodramatic and go back ins-"
Her eyes widened as a hand came over her mouth from behind, containing her yelp of surprise.
A raspy voice beside her ear whispered, "Now, I need you to do as I say."
NO.
Like hell I'll let this happen again!
She drove her elbow backwards straight into the person's rib. The mystery assaulter let out a groan and loosened his grip. She stole the opportunity and broke free. When she whirled around to get a better look, a hand came across her face and she fell back hard, mind blacking out in specks like an old movie frame.
"Ah!" She grit her teeth, holding her hand up to her forehead. Her fingers came back looking shiny and black in the dark. Blood.
"Why you little bitc*", the silhouette of the stocky man grew nearer, coming in for another blow. She gasped, backing into the wall in a fetal position, hands searching for anything on the ground she could throw. Her vision blurred incredibly and right when she felt like the man had closed in, like dejavu, he was knocked down by another blurry silhouette.
Her vision began to clear and so did her sense of keen recognition. That dark hair and brown boots...
"Levi?"
But he didn't hear her.
Levi brought down a striking blow onto the man's head followed by a kick in the stomach. He then roughly grabbed the man by the collar. "I've got a few questions for you. First one being, what business do you have with her?"
"As if I'd tell you!"
A knee into the man's groin. The man doubled over himself, groaning painfully.
"That's for not answering my question," Levi hissed.
"You're insane." The man looked up at Levi, blood coated lips trembling. Petra felt numb and looked away.
"Maybe I am. Now tell me, who do you work for?"
The man choked out laughter. "They're coming." The man pointed his ringed fingers at her, the very action threatening in of itself. "They're on the move tonight and coming for you. You won't be able to escape them, you Ral scum."