Attack on Titan: Bloodline – Chapter 20 (July 22, 2019)
Over the next several days, the Scouts were all on edge. Murmurs of the upcoming forfeit of Eren to the Military Police were heard everywhere Lorraine and the others went. Eren naturally grew more and more anxious.
Lorraine was sitting in Reiner's lap early one evening while he played with her hair and humming a tune absentmindedly. He was just letting the hair slip slowly through his fingers, enjoying the feeling of the silky-soft strands gliding through his digits over and over again. He kept draping her hair over her shoulders, occasionally commenting on how beautiful she was. She was relaxing back on his chest, happily listening to Reiner when Armin and Jean jogged over hurriedly. Jean said, interrupting the young couple, "Lo! Commander Erwin needs us. Where's Mikasa?" Lorraine sat up and shrugged.
"I'm not sure."
Armin said, "Well, come as soon as you can, Lorraine. We need to find your sister, too." Lorraine turned around, sitting up on her knees so she was barely taller than her lover, placing her hands on both sides of his face and guiding his lips to hers. They smiled as they kissed. As Lorraine pulled away, she muttered, "Be back soon, Love." He slipped his hand behind her and gently squeezed her buttocks in each hand. She gasped a little and began to protest, her face flushing, but he slammed his lips into hers once again. She pulled away again and said playfully, "I hate it when you do that." He smirked and said, "You love me anyway." She giggled, not denying his comment, and stepped down off the bench, leaving Reiner sitting alone with a loving smile plastered onto his face, the two of them earning an eye roll from Jean.
Armin, Jean, and Lorraine found Mikasa and the four of them walked down to a large room in the basement where Erwin, Levi, and a few other notable members of the Scouting Legion were gathered. The four walked into the room to the sizeable, wooden table in the center. They were surprised to find Eren already there. Eren, equally as surprised to see them, said, "Guys? What are you all doing here?" Before anyone could speak, Erwin explained, "We may have discovered the identity of the Female Titan." Eren furrowed his brows skeptically. Lorraine sighed. Erwin said calmly, "We are not going to let her escape this time. Listen closely. You are not to repeat this information to anyone." The Scouts sat around the table, all looking at Erwin in anticipation. He rolled out a large map with several markings drawn on it, pointing to a few of the markings as he spoke.
"This operation will begin the day after tomorrow in Stohess District. We'll already be passing through on the way to the Royal Court, as I'm sure you're all aware. That will be our chance to strike. As soon as we set foot into the Interior, the government will take custody of Eren, so unless we wish to surrender, we're going to have to take this small window of opportunity to flush out the enemy and stop her in her tracks."
Lorraine's eyes scanned the map while Erwin continued his detailed explanation. He said calmly, "Here's the plan: while we're passing through Stohess, Eren, you will act as bait to lure the target to this underground passage." He tapped the paper, drawing their attention to the small circle he had scribbled in. Lorraine, sitting between Mikasa and, at the end of the table, Levi, leaned forward to get a closer look. Levi glanced up at her out of the corner of his eyes, then back at the map. Erwin continued, "The deeper we take her, the better. Even if she were to transform in there, she'll easily be completely immobilized by the stone enclosure. Of course, if she transforms before reaching the tunnel, then it will be up to you to stop her, Eren." The Commander sat back in his chair and Eren said, "So, we know she'll be in Stohess? What if she bails out of there before we can get to her?" Armin spoke up confidently.
"No. If she really is who we think she is, then she wouldn't want to risk it."
Erwin nodded in agreement and said, "She's in the Military Police Regiment. Armin was the one who figured it out. She's also the one suspected of killing Hanji's test subjects. We have reason to believe she's a Cadet from the 104th." Lorraine looked down at her lap, a look of sadness on her face. Eren stared at Erwin as he continued, "Her name is Annie Leonhardt." Eren clenched his fists and said, "N-no! No way! It can't be her! Wh-what proof do you have?" Armin said calmly, "Well, it's obvious that the Female Titan knew what you looked like from the very start of her mission. On top of that, she reacted when I referred to you by your 'suicidal maniac' nickname. That's something that only our class would have known." Lorraine wrung her hands together, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Annie. After all this time...all the time we spent together...? She was my best friend. I guess I had known since the Expedition...but I was in denial. I didn't want to believe it was her. But it can't all be a coincidence. I hate to admit it, but I think Armin's right."
Armin continued, "The biggest piece of evidence I could find is that I'm pretty sure she's the one who killed Sawney and Bean. The two test subjects." Eren asked, shaking with anger, "Armin, what are you saying? What...what proof do you have of that?" Armin said plainly, "Come on, Eren. I mean, look, whoever did it would need to have a great amount of skill and agility to kill two Titans in such a short period of time. It only makes sense that they'd use their own gear. The gear they were most familiar with. Right?" Lorraine shakily explained, "That's why they had that whole equipment inspection." Armin agreed, "Right." Eren argued, "But...but, Annie's checked out, didn't it? She was cleared!" Armin contradicted, "The gear she presented wasn't hers. It was Marco's." Eren fell silent. Now, he found himself trembling, not out of fear, but rather, out of anger and betrayal. Eren stammered, "I-I don't get it...what does...what does Marco have to do with all this?" Armin shrugged and shook his head.
"I...I-I don't know."
Eren said in another attempt to defend Annie, "Armin, are you sure this isn't some kind of sick joke?" Armin retorted, "No! It's not! I know what I-" Levi interrupted, "Alright, we get it, kid. Do you have anything else to present?" Lorraine said in a small, but less shaky voice, "I do. Out during the expedition, she looked at me, but didn't even attempt to pursue me. I also noticed that all of her movements are very similar, if not identical to Annie's." She turned to Erwin and explained, "She was my best friend back in Cadet Corps and she taught me how to fight, so I know her very well." Mikasa added, "Not to mention, the Female bears a striking resemblance to her in physical appearance as well." Eren gaped.
"Seriously!? Both of you!? What the hell are you saying?!"
Lorraine stood up, shoving her chair backwards, and turning to Eren, raised her voice, "Eren, as much as you don't want to believe it, you can't just ignore the evidence that does exist!" Eren stood as well and, shouting over Mikasa's head, retorted, "Oh? And what about you, Lorraine?! You're blindly accusing your best friend of...of being a murderer!" Mikasa stood up and scolded, "Eren. Lorraine. Stop it!" Lorraine snapped, ignoring Mikasa, tears welling up in her eyes, "I'm not blindly accusing her, Eren! I don't want to do this, either, but there's just too much going against her!" Levi stood and said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Hey! Both of you, stop." Mikasa grabbed Eren's arm and sat him down. Lorraine turned back to Levi, then, with a huff, sat back down, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her jacket. Eren asked quietly, "What if...what if it's not her...? What if she's not the monster you all say she is...?" Mikasa said sternly, "If it's not her, then she'll be cleared. It's as simple as that." Lorraine looked back down at her lap, avoiding all eye contact. Armin stood up.
"Look. No one wants to accuse her falsely. Not me, not Mikasa, and especially not Lorraine; however, if we sit back and do nothing, you'll be taken into custody by the central government. It's either her or you."
Eren asked, still in disbelief, "Do you even hear yourselves...? This is Annie we're talking about. I-I...I...we've been through a lot with her, and..." Mikasa took his wrist in her hand and said, "Eren. You fought the Female Titan. After hearing that Annie is the suspect, do you recall anything familiar about her fighting techniques?" Eren thought for a moment, then his face fell, finally defeated. Lorraine muttered, "I don't want it to be true either...but...there's no denying it." Eren sighed, "Annie..." Erwin said sternly, "Very well. That settles it, then. In two days, Eren is set to be transported to the interior and handed in to the Military Police. In order for us to quell any unwanted suspicion, I'll need a decoy. Kierschtein. I'm going to ask you to be our decoy." Jean protested, "Me? I look nothing like Eren!" Erwin nonchalantly said, "It will work long enough to lure Annie down to the tunnel." Jean grumbled, "Alright. Y-yes, Sir." The Commander pointed again to the tunnel clearly marked on the map.
"Once you've got her trapped, that's when we'll strike using soldiers who will be positioned inside the tunnels here," he moved his fingers across the map, tapping here and there, "Here, and here." He looked up and, moving his fingers over the paper again, said, "We will also hide soldiers along this path here. Should she grow suspicious and transform before we get there, then you, Eren, are going to have to transform and assist in her takedown."
Lorraine looked up at Eren, her eyes pleading for a positive response. He looked around the room, meeting Lorraine's shining, orange eyes for a moment, and finally nodded. Erwin asked, "Are there any questions?" The Scouts all looked around at each other and shook their heads. Erwin gave one final salute and announced, "Excellent. You are all dismissed."
"Sir!"
As the soldiers all walked out together, Erwin spoke up again.
"Lorraine Ackerman. May I have a word in private before you go?"
Lorraine looked back. She nodded and said, "Yes, Sir." She looked back at Armin, Eren, Mikasa, and Jean. She said, "Guys, go on. I'll catch up soon." Her friends turned to walk out and she returned to the table, this time standing directly in front of Commander Erwin. He waited until the last soldier had finally left and shut the big wooden door behind them before saying anything.
"So, you're Lorraine Ackerman."
She nodded and said nervously, "Yes, Sir." He smiled and said, "I expect that you're faring alright." She shrugged and said, "I guess. It's a little hard sometimes, but it's...I don't know." Erwin interrupted her thoughts as she trailed off.
"Levi...he means well. He's just not good at showing it sometimes."
Lorraine looked up at him, then sighed, seeing where this was going, and said, "Sir, with all due respect, I-I'm...I'm not who you and Levi seem to think I am. You must be thinking of another girl. I already told Levi once." Erwin sighed. He said softly, "I understand your hesitation to believe us. Of course, you're free to choose whether to do so or not. The decision is yours and yours alone. Neither Levi nor I can convince you otherwise." Lorraine pursed her lips and looked down at her feet. She stayed silent. Erwin placed a hand gently on her shoulder and said, "I have known Levi for a long time, Lorraine. The day you were brought to Levi, he was afraid. He wanted to protect you and care for you, but he was scared that he wouldn't be able to. That's why he brought you to Shiganshina." She picked nervously at her fingernails, listening as Erwin explained.
"I gave him a 'special assignment' the night your mother brought you to him. He wanted to give you to a family who would love and care for you as a family should. That night, he rode alone to your hometown of Shiganshina and gave you to a family that I had no knowledge of."
Lorraine felt his fingertips gently lifting her head. He looked down at her and said, "I remember when you were just a tiny little thing." She said, her heart and head conflicting, "Sir...? You said...y-you said my mother brought me in... Who...who could Captain Levi have...?" Erwin shook his head. He said, "I'm afraid I don't know. Levi never told me her name. He only told me that he met her one night after a certain mission that ended up taking the lives of two of his beloved friends. Farlan Church and-" She muttered, "Isabel." He nodded.
"Yes. Isabel Magnolia. You were named after her."
She knitted her brows together and sighed. She asked, "How can I be so sure?" Erwin said, "You can't. I don't know if we can even be sure. The question is this: what do you believe?" She cradled herself in her arms and bit her lip.
"What reasons do either of these renowned men have to lie to me...? No. I'm being stupid. But, it all seems too...too real. Am I really believing this? I suppose it's been lingering around in my mind since Levi called me in that day, but why?"
Erwin repeated himself, "Lorraine? What do you believe?" Lorraine stammered unintelligibly for a moment, then said, taking a deep breath, "Where is Captain Levi...?" Erwin said, "He's probably just gotten back to his office by now." Lorraine turned to look behind her. Erwin took his hand off her shoulder at last and said, "Go to him, Lorraine." Lorraine nodded and gave a weak salute before turning and running out into the hallway.
"Levi's office is on the other side of the castle. I still can't believe I'm actually believing them."
She ran past the mess hall, catching the attention of a few of her friends and fellow Scouts. She ran almost blindly, bumping into Krista, who called out to her, but she didn't look back. She sprinted down the long hallway to Levi's office, past the library. The doors were shut, so she inhaled and knocked breathlessly on the door.
"Who is it?"
Lorraine said, "It's Lorraine. Can I come in?" Silence. A moment later, the door opened, revealing Levi. He stood beside the now opened door. Without waiting for a response, Lorraine walked inside. Levi shut the door behind her. The room was only illuminated by the orange sunset outside of the large window behind his desk. Lorraine waited for a moment, averting her eyes from his. She finally said, not looking up at him, "I-I'm sorry." He inhaled sharply through his nose and his eyebrows twitched. She clenched her fists tightly.
"That day...I-I didn't believe you, but...n-now, I...I-I see now. I-I'm sorry I didn't...I didn't believe you."
A tear escaped her eye and rolled gently down her cheek. He said softly, "No. You were right to hesitate." She clasped her hands over her chest and said, "I-I just...i-it wasn't...I never would have thought..." Levi said, his voice quivering lightly, "Tch. If we're being honest, I probably would have been more concerned if you'd just believed me." She chuckled, but she looked up at him, her amber eyes sparkling with tears. He thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Welcome back, Lorraine." Lorraine bit her lip and threw her arms around his waist, burying her face into his chest. He froze for a moment, then he placed a hand on her head. She sobbed into his jacket and he ran his hand over her hair. He sighed and closed his eyes. He placed his lips softly onto the top of her head. Levi finally looked up and outside at the sunlit grounds. He felt a single tear dripping down his own cheek.
"C-Captain Levi...?"
He looked down at her. She said, looking up at him with her full lips curled into a light smile, "Thank you...y-you kept watch, even though I...I-I didn't believe you." He furrowed his brow. She chuckled a little, letting go of him and stepping back. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Lorraine looked up at him. He looked out the window, then back at her. He finally said bluntly, "I wanted you to believe me...but I knew that if I pushed you, I'd lose you again. I'd hoped you might see." Lorraine looked down and said, "Well...thanks." Levi nodded.
"You're welcome."
Lorraine smiled and said, "W-well, Captain...I have to go." He nodded again and said, "Fine." She smiled and turned, grabbing the door handle. As she opened the wooden door, Levi said, "Good night." Lorraine paused, turned back, and smiled again. She waved at him and walked out, shutting the door behind her.
That night, Lorraine sat in her bed alone, hugging her pillow and looking out the window at the beautiful, starry sky, lit by the crescent moon. She sighed, listening to her own thoughts.
"Erwin asked me what I believe. In my head, I'm trying to disprove my relation to Levi Ackerman, but in my heart, I feel certain that they're both telling the truth and that I am the daughter of the famous Captain of the Scout Regiment. It's kind of silly, but the day I first saw him, I felt like I'd known him forever, even though I had never met him before in my life. Is it...a subconscious connection?"
She turned over, holding her pillow even closer, sighing and shutting her eyes. After several more minutes of being unable to sleep, she finally sat up, throwing her covers off and stepping quietly out of bed. She tiptoed out of her quarters, closing her door behind her as quietly as she could, careful not to make a sound, and through the building to the boys' hall, just as she had done many times before. She walked to Reiner's door and gently pushed it open, the hinge creaking the tiniest bit. She opened the door just enough to slip inside and shut it behind her.
"Lo?"
Reiner grumbled and sat up in his bed, dressed only in his boxers as he usually slept. Lorraine turned to him and said, "I couldn't sleep." He smiled. She walked over to him and said, "Do you...think I look like Captain Levi?" He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and took her hands in his. He said in his groggy, low voice, "Where is this coming from?" She said, looking up at him, "I guess...I guess I'm just curious." He thought for a moment and then said, "I think you and he share an odd amount of similarities, but I don't know how much that really matters." Lorraine's eyes lit up. She smiled and said, "Right. So...I'm not wrong." Reiner cocked his head to the side and said, "About what?" Lorraine sighed and said quietly, "I-I just...well...he's..." She took a deep breath, then said, "He's my father." Reiner laughed, then looked up at her. She was smiling, but not in a joking manner.
"You're serious?"
She nodded. He smiled and pulled her close. She sat straddled over his legs, her arms draped around his neck, and they locked lips, sharing a long, passionate kiss before curling up together under the covers and going to sleep, Lorraine tucked comfortably against Reiner's bare chest.