Chapter 2-Alone but together

Reader-9 years old

The supplies did not last more than two months, so sadly we had to travel to the nearest town and resupply. The two hours were dragging along as we continuously walked underneath the hot sun. After arriving in another common city, the three of us split up and wanted to fill our bags as quickly as possible. We knew being caught would be very likely since it was the middle of the day. As soon as I got what I needed, I quickly ran to the rendezvous point but I bumped into someone else who was laughing and also running. With an "Oof" both of us crashed to the ground. I looked up, surprised, I saw Levi looking fearfully back at me. He knew he could lose the police easily, but he had to hide me first. He led me to a nearby shop and told me to stay down. He ran back outside and steered the police in the opposite direction. I slowly peered out the window to see if he lost them. I gasped, he was surrounded, I ran outside and chased after him. He wanted to yell at me to stay back, but he couldn't risk getting me caught as well. He smiled sadly at me and continued to be dragged down the street. I felt hot tears start to build up in my eyes. I quickly grabbed my bag of supplies and ran to find my brother. Levi was being taken to jail. Levi was going to jail. Levi will not return to me. These thoughts pervaded my mind and I began to cry even more. I found my brother at the rendezvous point and hugged him tightly. He dropped his bags and continued to hug me and try to comfort me. He asked me what was wrong as he became fearful as to what could've happened.

"Levi," I hiccuped and tried to swallow back the tears, "Levi was taken." I began to sob once more into my brother's shirt and my cries became louder as he held me tighter. I felt tears of his own falling onto my head. He pulled away first, swiftly wiped away his tears but they did not stop completely. We walked home, trying to figure out on how to get Levi back home. The sad journey felt lonely without Levi's wonderful laugh and warm smiles. The sun was fading away and clouds began to form, closing off the night's beauty to my teary eyes. I dropped the stuff off in the dining room, not in the mood to clean or put them away. The night was even harder to through. His smiles were in my dreams while his embraces almost felt life-like. I knew neither of us could be happy without Levi. I needed him, Keith yearned for his pleasant company, and the bathroom needed his cleaning skills. Keith was the first to come up with some kind of plan. It wasn't a very good plan, but it was something. It has only been a week, but Keith couldn't take it only longer and honestly, neither could I. Keith announced his plan the morning of the 8th day after left that forsaken town. He rushed into the kitchen, startling me as I prepared my breakfast, he slammed his hand onto wall and claimed his brilliant plan.

"I am going to march into that town, barge into that stupid jail, and free Levi. I will give those authorities a piece of my mind and show them not to mess with my lov- I mean my family!" Keith grinned stupidly, his own speech cheered him up. I agree to the plan and let him leave while I stay home. He didn't need to be told twice and out the door he went on his mission. I smile to myself, hoping that he actually succeeds with his dumb plan. I tended to the garden awaiting Keith's return. After six hours, I began to worry and rushed out the front door. I was greeted by my brother's face. His clothes soaked, his head down, and the rain pouring behind him. I let him inside and asked him what happened to his plan. He did not answer for a while, he went to his room, grabbing some clothes and headed to the bathroom. After his shower, I hoped for an answer and proceeded to pester him with the same question but with more impatience. On the inside, I did not want to hear anything and just hope for a miracle that would bring him home. I still needed to know.

"_ ," he began with my name in a choked voice, "Levi joined the military."

Levi's POV - first day in jail

Well, this sucks. I almost got away if I hadn't stupidly ran into _ . If I had paid attention to where I was going, I bet I could be home right now, eating a nice stew made by her. The military guys dragged me across half of the town and literally threw me into this filthy cell. They guard me day and night, giving me nasty food, and dirty water. They tend to spit into my cell a lot. I have no idea why some men have that habit. I hate sleeping on this rocky floor. Everything is dark, cold, and empty. The torches barely light up the hallway to my exit. I still have no idea when I can get out of here. I only stole a small apple but that is only what they saw. I snicker to myself thinking of how much I actually stole today. The taller guard threw piece of bread at me. The stupid guards always tell me to shut up when I feel joy or even make a noise. I gladly take the piece of bread, my stomach still used to eating barely anything. I always made Keith and _ got enough food to eat before I try to grab another bite.

It feels like it has been forever since I was thrown in here, not even two days ago. I still have had no visitors, not really expecting any. I always made my family promise me to never risk getting caught even if it meant leaving me behind. These past few days keep passing by too slowly. I hate it when the dumb guards tease me about no one checking up on me and that no one will ever love me. Tch, stupid guards, stupid cell, stupid rules, stupid government. They have no idea how much trouble I am actually worth. Before I could get even more cocky, another stupid person in the authorities decides to join the party. The bald guy tells the others to leave, which surprises me. Do they really think one old man is enough to watch over me? Am I really that feeble looking? My thoughts are interrupted when the cell begins to creak open. I look up to see him walking into the cell. Well this is new. Someone actually wants to talk to me. How long has it been since one of these actually let me use my voice? Five days, probably.

"Excuse the interruption. Levi, I believe. Yes, well I hope this comes to no surprise to you but your sentence is held at 10 years." I open my mouth to retort that it was only an apple but he quickly finishes his speech. "Yes, it is the truth, for you are an infamous criminal in many parts of Wall Maria. Many of the towns have reported a boy with black hair, an abnormally short height, (I scoff at this.) and two companions."

I widen my eyes at the last part. I sincerely hope he does not question for knowledge of my family. I would probably commit suicide right now just to keep them safe. I realize that he caught my reaction and is now smiling. The bald guy just kept smiling at me and it was starting to weird me out.

"I see, well, you have a lot of time to make up for all of your crimes, some towns even asked for your public execution but you should be consider yourself lucky since it was only one town and of course the request was denied." You thought back to the town you thought it most likely was. The one where you and your two best friends hit 24 shops and snuck away into the night. You smiled at that awesome mission. It was surprisingly easier than you thought it would be. I guess I should pay attention though, I think he just asked me something.

"Levi, I shall ask you again. Would you like to join the army?" I laugh aloud to his preposterous question. Me! The Army! HA! They put me in here. Those bastards took me from my only family. They spit at me! I shall never become one of them! After hearing my laugh, the bald guy looks at me concerned. He starts his offer once again. "I shall give you two minutes to think it over. I believe using your time wisely such as polishing your skills, strength, and knowledge would be more productive than sitting in a boring cell like this, hmm?" I look at him considering all of the positives to joining and realizing they were quickly outweighing the negatives. I smirk up at him and nod. He won't stop smiling so I ask if he's done.

"WELCOME TO THE ARMY!" He practically yells at my face and my ears begin to ring. I stand up and follow him out of the cell. He leads me to the exit at the bright, warm sun hits me so I block my eyes with my hand and try to keep up with baldy's fast pace to his carriage. He grins at me and tells the driver to head to something called an HQ. I look out of the side of the carriage toward wall. I hope Keith takes care of _ . I stare at all of the passing trees, trying to ignore baldy. I believe his name was Pixis or at least that is what heard everyone call him. He seems to be high-ranking since a lot of the captains of the authorities even saluted him once we arrived at the HQ. As I begin my life in hell, I am hoping to let the years pass quickly to return to my family.

Reader's POV

At 17, I convinced Keith that we needed to move into Wall Rosa so we can be closer to his HQ. After our move, Keith left at night more often and us two became more distant. Keith soon joined the military, hoping to find Levi. He had no luck but over his next ten years: he graduated, became a skilled leader, and got promoted to head instructor for all of the trainees each year. Once I became 12, I begged Keith to join the military. I hated sitting around at home, trying to find a boring job with some horrible boss. After a month, right before initiation day, he lets me join. I discovered that I was naturally skilled at handling the 3D maneuver gear and a great fighter. I still had to work on my strength and speed but I was also a great strategist. After each practice, I would challenge my teammates to a game of checkers or chess. I was soon titled the undefeated champion, but either way I still made many friends, who seemed to have common interests with me, like fishing. I passed the training in three years with flying colors. After 7 more years, I was able to become promoted to second in command for my brother. I mostly took care of his paperwork, but I still got to see the trainees practice a few times. His 104th squad of trainees proved to be very interesting this year. As a 21 year old, I was allowed to drink, but as a protective brother, Keith always joined me for a karaoke night or just a random, fun drinking contest. Even after so many years, neither of us had any luck in finding Levi. With each passing year, we both became more skilled, more knowledgable, and much stronger. The new house was nice but I still wish we had Levi to help with the cleaning and tedious house chores. Keith and I still missed Levi very much and hoped to see him again one day. Keith gave up on his love for Levi and moved on, having a few boyfriends but none really working out. He decided to only concentrate on saving humanity by bringing up the next line of the military generation. I never dated, thinking of it as a distraction. I stayed loyal to my first love and hoped for his return home.