Thank you again for taking to read my story. If you feel so inclined please feel free to leave a review and happy new year!

Chapter 13

The first place they stopped was Farlan's family. Stephan knocked on the door. There was no answer. He knocked again. Suddenly, the door jerked open to reveal a woman painted for the bar.

"Oh Stephan," said Farlan's mother. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"I'm not here for what you think Shirley," said the gray eyed young man. "These folks need to talk to you." He pushed his way inside the apartment followed by the three Survey Corpsmen.

"Green cloaks," Shirley whispered. "Oh my," she said when her gaze fell on Captain Erwin. "Jessie said not to talk to any green cloak." She sidled up to the tall man. "But I could be…persuaded." The last words purred off her lips.

"Do you know a man by the name of Levi?"

"Farlan's friend, Momma." A teenage girl stepped forward. Her eyes were sunk in from lack of sleep. There was a wicked purplish black bruise over her right eye.

"Oh, that little runt?" said Shirley rolling her eyes. "He must really be in some shit."

"Why do you say that?" asked Erwin.

"He came by here yesterday, and then Jessie stormed in here talking about green cloaks. This doesn't have anything to do with that would it?" She ran her fingers along the front of Erwin's cloak. Captain Handsome wrapped his hand around hers. His clear blue eyes seemed to sparkle as he spoke to the prostitute.

"Actually, that is the reason for our disturbance. Could we trouble you to speak in court about these events?" The love professional saw through his show. Shirley slipped her hand from his.

"Claudia's the one who spoke to him?" said Shirley. She walked away from the tall man seeing no coin coming from him any time soon. She quickly turned her attention to the glasses wearing Survey Corpsman. "Well hello there."

"Are you Claudia?" Captain Erwin nodded to the girl. She nodded.

"Jessie said we can't go to the surface," the girl said just above a whisper.

"You don't have to worry about him any longer," said Stephan smiling brightly as the sun.

"Would you be willing to testify in court on Levi's behalf?"

"Testify?" said Shirley in mock concern.

"We will be happy to compensate her for her time," said Erwin.

"She'll be there," Shirley replied.

"Thank you," said Erwin.

"We'll be off then," said Stephan.

"Come back anytime," she purred in Hange's ear. Had this been any other time the blush that covered Hange's face would have been amusing. They still had work to do. Erwin was sure that Clare would make sure to bring it up at a calmer time.

If he could, Bert would have run once he saw the green cloaks coming. He anxiously looked around for a way to escape.

"Excuse me sir," Captain Erwin said. "Do you know Levi?" The man visibly flinched. "We are here to help him."

"You don't have to worry about Jessie," said Stephan. Bert relaxed. He was still cautious but didn't looked like he was about to crawl away.

"Was Levi down here the other night?" asked Erwin.

Bert nodded.

"Would you be willing to speak in court on Levi's behalf?"

"In court?" asked Bert.

"Levi is accused of a crime. Your testimony will-."

"I'll do it." Bert said surprisingly eager. Everyone paused to look at him. "There are a lot of crooks down here. I know Levi has done some things that he probably shouldn't have but he has also been good to me. If I can help him I will." Erwin nodded his thanks.

"Are we done here?" said Stephan. The hair haired man said still smiling.

"Yes, thank you," said Erwin.

000

After Erwin said good night to his subordinates he walked over to Nile's room. Both men were forced to accompany their leaders at the reception. During one of the rare free moments, Erwin asked another favor of his friend. Erwin knocks on the chamber door. It takes a few moments before Nile opens the door. His face and clothes told Erwin he was preparing for bed. His shirt was untucked and he removed the straps and brace.

"Erwin," Nile yawns. He takes he jacket off of the hook and puts it on. "Come on. "

"Thank you Nile," said Erwin. He was also tired but he hadn't been down to see Levi since this morning. He could only imagine what Levi was going through being locked in that cage.

"You're not going to break him out or anything, are you?"

Erwin laughed. "From my understanding, he can get out on his own."

Nile shrugged. So it was true then, Erwin thought. The more Erwin learned about the little thug the more fascinated he became. They walked into the dungeon. The military police captain opened the cell door then handed Erwin the keys.

"Thank you, Nile," said Erwin.

"And if you get caught I will deny I was here." said Nile.

"Understood," said Erwin. He waited until Nile went upstairs before stepping into the cell. A single lamp gave the dungeon a twilight glow. Erwin could just make out the pale figure in the back of the cell.

"Levi?"

"What are you doing here?" Levi's voice was that of a hardened thug.

Erwin followed the voice and knelt beside the smaller man. He brought his hands through Levi's hair, pulling him close to him for a moment. Once they separated, Levi's gaze was softer even if his tone was still harsh.

"The one time I get caught and it's for something I didn't do," said Levi. "Fucking Military Police."

Erwin brought his hands stroke Levi's cheek. Levi's eyes grew wide. He opened his mouth to speak again but before the words passed his lips, Erwin's lips were against his. Without asking permission, Erwin's tongue slipped past Levi's lips to claim his mouth. The hand cuffs rattled between them when Levi reached up to tug at his captain's jacket. Erwin didn't care about Levi's previous crimes; he had to get him out of this cell.

The battle between their lips started fresh as their tongues fought for dominance. Soft sweet moans escaped Levi's lips. His hands tugged on the bottom of Erwin's jacket. Just as before, he unconsciously submitted to Erwin's will. Levi held onto Erwin's jacked even after the kiss ended.

"I'm going to get you out of here," said Erwin. His tone was firm.

"I didn't think you had it in you to break me out of jail," Levi teased.

"I'm not breaking you out," said Erwin, "but you have to trust me. I am arguing your defense at court tomorrow."

"Arguing my defense?" Levi questioned. This was the first time he had to go to trial since he was a little brat. He and a few other kids were rounded up for pick pocketing. It was so long ago he barely remembered what happened.

"Yes," said Erwin. "I am going to represent you. I told you I am going to sort this out. "He kissed Levi on the forehead. Levi looked up at him still confused but didn't say anything. "Good night Levi." Erwin pressed his lips to Levi's once more before leaving.

"Good night," Levi said softly. Everything in him still wanted to break out of this little box and run away but he already told himself that he would see this through. Erwin could be capable when he wanted to be. So far the man hadn't lied to him. The sound of whistling drew Levi from his thoughts. It was a sad melody that he remembered from childhood.

"Kenny," Levi looked at the small window. He rose to his feet to stand below the window. It was a few hours before sunrise. The Military Police would be changing shifts soon. The whistling stopped.

"Are you afraid of the dark, brat?" Kenny's voice drifted into the cell.

"What are you doing here?"

"Seeing how bad they roughed you up," said Kenny. "I figured it had to be pretty bad for you to still rot in this grave." Levi looked down at his hands. He finally took a seat beneath the small window. He brought his knees to his chest then draped his forearms over them. Even though Kenny was outside Levi steeled his resolve. He focused his gaze on the flickering lantern across the room. The two sat in silence. It was a great risk for Kenny to sneak onto the Military Police base.

If Levi were to escape, now would be the time. The military pigs were too sleepy and lazy to see him hop over the fence. He also knew that that was the only way Kenny was able to sit outside his cell.

"You know, brat," Kenny said softly. Levi could barely make out his outline through the bars. If Levi didn't know better he would call Kenny's tone gentle. "This world is cruel; even crueler for men like us. Men like us don't mind getting our hands a little dirty to get what we want. So fuckers like to judge us or use us so they can remain clean." Levi looked up at the shadow figure on the other side. Another pause.

"Most of the time, we take their money and go on about our lives," said Kenny. "It's the other ones you have to worry about."

"What are you on about Kenny?" said Levi. "You need to get—"

"Shut the fuck up and listen," Kenny snapped. Levi flinched. The sky continued to lighten outside the window. Soon it would be too late for Kenny to escape. Kenny took a deep breath before speaking again. "All people do is use each other; that's a given. You remember Jenna right?"

"Yeah." Levi remembered the woman.

Kenny rarely brought women back to their hovel of an apartment. Levi almost killed her the first time he met her because he thought she was there to kill Kenny. When she was around, it was like Kenny was a different person. Levi never knew Kenny could show such tenderness to another person until she came along. The woman made their hovel of an apartment a home if only for a little while. When Levi would come home and there were warm meals. He had help with the house work and their ratty clothes stayed clean. Kenny made sure that the three of them ate together at least one dinner a week. It was almost like Levi was a part of a real family, with two parents who cared about him.

Jenna was kind. She even tried to help Levi with his studies. Ten year old Levi decided to trust her because Kenny trusted her. He was sure Jenna knew all about Kenny's activities but didn't say anything. Then one day she just disappeared. Levi got home from school to find food warming on the stove. He went over to taste it when Kenny snuck up behind him and swatted the spoon out of his hand.

"What the fuck Kenny?"

"Don't eat that," Kenny said. He roughly grabbed Levi but the collar and forced him into a closet. "We don't have much time. Fucking bitch. Fucking…" Rage boiled from Kenny's very being. There was a holster, with pistol, at his hip and knives in any open space available. Levi hadn't seen him so angry before. "There is money under the kitchen sink. Only take what you need from around here and get out as fast as you can. I'll find you."

"What are you talking about?" Levi asked scared.

"Be safe kid," said Kenny. "If worse comes to worse, you can reach out to Bernard, but only as a last resort. " Kenny ran his fingers through Levi's hair. "Remember what I taught you." He shut the door locking Levi in darkness. Levi crouched down on the floor. He pulled out his knife for security. None of this made sense. Where was Jenna? Why was Kenny so pissed?

On the other side he heard the apartment door open. There was a jumble of footsteps. Eight, no ten, sets of footsteps. Levi couldn't imagine that many people in their tiny apartment.

"Kenny the ripper, you are under arrest for the murder of Sir Lugard of Strohess."

Jenna? Was that Jenna's voice? Levi thought behind the door. He wanted to move. He wanted to open the door to prove his ears were lying to him.

"Aren't you a clever bitch," Kenny voice dripped with constrained rage. "To think the Military Police would go so low as to let one of their own fuck a criminal. Or was that for your pleasure? Huh Jenna?" Levi caught his breath.

"Put down your weapons and put your hands behind your back," Levi heard Jenna say. Levi heard the sound of pistols drawing back. Levi brought his hand over his mouth in an attempt to cover his shaking breath. "I would hate for this to escalate and others get hurt," said Jenna. There as a pregnant pause.

"You bitch," Kenny said low. "You got me." Levi heard Kenny's voice grow distant. There was another scuffle of people moving around.

"Take the prisoner out of here," said Jenna.

"Yes major," the other soldiers said. Levi heard the footsteps leave the apartment. There were a few moments of silence. Levi crawled to his knees with his knife in hand. Everything happened so fast. He reached for the door knob but the sound of footsteps stilled his hand. The steps got closer, like there were right in front of him. He prepped his knife in case the door opened.

"Clever boy," said Jenna. "You're not safe here. This will be the last time we will meet. Thank you for the memories. I left you something in my things. I just hope it's enough to get you through until you can find a new place. Good bye Levi." There was the sound of fingers sliding down the door. Levi didn't move until the sound of footsteps was long gone.

"I lost six months of my life rotting in the fucking prison," Kenny brought Levi out of his reverie.

Levi remembered that day also.

One day out of the blue, Kenny showed up at the new apartment he funded with money from both Kenny and Jenna. Kenny still wore the prison uniform and a broken chain around his wrist. Kenny was a skeleton of his former self. He sat on one of the wooden crates Levi used as furniture drinking from a bottle of liquor. There was a vacant look in his eyes that scared Levi.

"Kenny?" Levi asked. The man who raised him looked up at Levi as if he hadn't' seen him come in. Levi didn't know what to say so he said. "Welcome home." Kenny grunted.

"Come here brat," Kenny said finally. Levi slowly walked over to Kenny still scared. He braced himself when Kenny put his arms around Levi's shoulders. Levi felt Kenny's arms shake but couldn't turn his head to see Kenny's face.

"Levi," Kenny's voice brought him back to the present. "So called good people use us to get what they want. Fuckers like Jenna and the blonde guy are smart. They know just how to get to our core and fuck us up.

"He drug you out of the underground in cuffs didn't he? What makes you think he won't try to get rid of you now that he has his newspaper articles and the like? And if he does what will the price be? The moment you rely on someone else you're dead." Kenny released a sigh. "Just think about it kid. Good night Levi."

"Good night Kenny," Levi said softly. He looked out the window listening to Kenny make his escape.