"Why do I only learn about it now?" Lena was outraged by Charlotte's summary, detailing everything the Spearhead Squadron was up to behind her back.
"Sorry, I was convinced you knew! Mr Zimmerman spoke so nonchalantly about it, that I thought he was briefing me to an operation under your command. Especially after the letter he told me to give you…" The look on her face was beyond apologetic when she realized her mistake.
Charlotte helped a lot with refugee-related issues in the headquarters, which naturally led to her gaining the trust of the officials. The girl was vouched for by Lena, who recommended her as a temporary Republic military commander. Coincidentally, she ended up working directly under the President, who happened to be a big blabbermouth.
"I get that I'm a civilian now and not an Empire citizen yet, but I can't help but be hurt. Shin didn't mention anything about the investigation, nor the whole mystery behind it. Was everything I have done until now not enough? Am I still only an outsider to them?" The anger transformed into sadness, when Lena realized, how betrayed she felt. They shared close moments just yesterday, but the man, who supposedly trusted her with his life, hid such a big secret from her.
"Can we focus on the issue at hand? You won't know why he did it unless you ask him yourself. Grow up and get a spine!" Annette sternly scolded Lena, who was close to bursting into tears. She loved her dearly, but her friend tended to overthink everything. They affectionately called her worrywart when discussing her tendencies with Char.
"The issue is that Shin and the Spearhead Squadron won't trust me, and I don't know what more can I do to prove myself." Lena would do anything to go back to her bed, but they were currently sitting on the park bench. Their stuff was being moved to the hotel since they packed in the morning, so now the girls were stuck in the city center, despite the foul weather.
"I'm sure Shinei had his reasons. When he talks to other people he's like a brick, or worse, a robot, but he is sweetly considerate when it comes to you. Maybe he wanted to surprise you with the completed results? Men also like to be praised a lot." Charlotte suggested, gently patting her on the back.
"Who the fuck prefers a brick over a robot? I don't get your creative metaphors, Char." Annette raised an eyebrow, trying to understand the logic behind Charlotte's words. The girl got more outspoken with time, but the more confidently she spoke, the weirder her phrasing got.
"I do, easily. Cozy, safe Sankt Jedar or the chilling Legion in the wild? The choice is simple. Bricks over robots." Charlotte shrugged theatrically, making Lena chuckle a little.
"You made it up on the spot. I'm not buying this, it's too far-fetched." The woman with glasses also exaggerated her gestures, taking part in a unique two-hander, to cheer their friend up.
"Okay, okay, you can stop now. I'm all right, thanks for letting me have a good laugh. You both are right, Shin must have had a valid reason. That doesn't mean I don't want to take him down a peg. Tell me Char, what is their next step?" Lena smiled mischievously, plotting a small revenge. It's not like they had better things to do.
"The latest message was about visiting some pub on the outskirts, but I haven't got an update since. It was sent late at night, no clue if they went there yet." Char showed the messages sent in the chat signed as MR PRESIDENT. The other two had many questions about its existence, but none were said out loud.
"When you enter its name it doesn't show on the map, but the building still stands on the old address. Wanna check it out before them?" Annette matched her best friend's vibe, ready to take on the rogue's role. The third girl took a car key out of her pocket, calling the dibs on the driver's seat.
They had passed several neighborhoods, but the further they went, the shabbier the buildings got. There wasn't a rigid sector system like in the Republic, but the outskirts were visibly poorer than the downtown. It was said that many of those places were ravaged during the Civil War, but there was no one willing to pour money into the reconstruction. Most of the nobles owning those lands perished with their estates, so they were taken over by the impoverished and homeless. The irony of the once most sought-after terrains becoming a sort of shanty town under the capital was long forgotten by its current inhabitants.
The car's navigation system played a cheerful melody, announcing their arrival at their destination. Charlotte turned off the engine, but no one was eager to go out. The view in front of them resembled a battlefield, with metal scraps scattered everywhere and abandoned rusty vehicles occupying most of the space. At the end of the car graveyard stood an old, concrete building, distinguished only by the fact that its windows were not broken.
An angel's silhouette was barely visible on the front wall, but the keen eye would notice the shadow of the once-colorful mural. It was hard to talk about any years of glory in its long existence, as it was nothing more than a tacky students' pub, but no one was left alive who could remember its better times. The malicious would say that the place itself has not changed much in decades; only the surroundings have adapted to its style.
"So… who wants to knock?" Lena's boldness evaporated as if by magic when she saw the intended target. She wasn't fearful by nature, but the place invoked the painful memories of her last encounter with Nicolas. The wound was almost gone, but the torment had remained. It reminded her that in decaying places it is not the ghosts that should be feared, but the living.
"I should stay and guard the car." Char tightened her grip on the steering wheel as if she was about to be carried away. Her usually rosy cheeks were visibly pale when she carefully scanned the surroundings for any threats. Charlotte was not proud, but the fear was stronger than her rationality. She hated herself for that weakness, as the silent prosecutors were the figments of her imagination.
"Oh come on, it's just an old, crumbling building in a neighborhood of even older, more crumbling buildings. It doesn't even seem close to collapse compared to the others. Are the two of the most courageous women I know scared of some shitty walls? Char, please, you told us you love bricks…" Annette pleaded, stuck in the middle of this absurd scene.
"It's concrete…" Charlotte mumbled in response, but her body seemed tense and not in the mood for jokes. She was rocking slightly back and forth, trying to focus her sight on something ahead.
"Fine, I'll wait outside, but at this rate, the Squadron will catch up with us." Annette slammed the car door and headed to the bar alone. Her patience was wearing thin, and she wanted to avoid a confrontation.
"Char, I need your help. I'm scared too, but we have to remember it's just an illusion. Our brains are playing with us, we are safe. Could you hold my hand when we go inside?" Lena delicately put her hand over hers, and the girl slowly relaxed her grip. She suspected what was happening, but it wasn't the time to question her friend.
"I'm not stupid. I know ghosts aren't real. This is something… new. I can't help but be tense, and hear people when they aren't there. It's like the silence screaming into my ears, so loud yet so quiet." The young woman admitted in shame, not knowing how to deal with those feelings. She felt the need to get it off her chest since it was ruthlessly tearing her apart for a while. Guilt and fear seemed to chase her at every turn, transforming reality into a grotesque nightmare. Her ears were ringing, her heart was beating uncontrollably and her mind was unable to focus. It had been happening more and more often lately.
"Don't tell Annette, but I think you're the smartest of our three. She just had more luck, being born into an academic family. I take the proud third place. This issue has nothing to do with your strength or intelligence." Her silver voice calmed Charlotte down a little, and after a while, their breathing synchronized.
"Thanks, Lena. From the bottom of my heart. By the way, that is why the President keeps contacting me. I know you were curious. I sort of had a panic attack in his office, and he helped me. No judgments, no demotion. He was just so… understanding. Almost fatherly. Mr Zimmerman told me he would keep it a secret, but he insisted on saving his number. I have no idea why the President would waste his time on someone like me, but he often texts to ask me how I feel. The guy even recommended a psychiatrist…" Charlotte smiled with gratitude, thinking about the unexpected helper. She was one of the many who lost all relatives in the Large Scale Offensive, so there was no parental figure to take care of her. The war was ongoing, there was no time to rest, and everyone tried to get their shit together by themselves.
"Why didn't you say anything? I know my abilities to help are currently limited, but I feel like a terrible friend for not noticing how serious your condition was." She squeezed Char's hand, trying to convey her concern.
"Everyone has issues, it's not that special. You aren't exactly an open book either." Her friend pointed out the hypocrisy since Lena also didn't want to burden others and kept her struggles hidden.
"You're right, I'm sorry. I always tell myself I'll deal with it later, and that now is not the time. I guess we both flee from our problems." Lena apologized, feeling guilty. Teenage brains weren't made to handle the atrocities of war. Nobody's brain was.
"To think we would be freshly graduated from high school if things were normal." Char sighed, not knowing what to say. At last, she had managed to get to the safe zone, but her stubborn body couldn't understand that. Sleepless nights were a norm, and burying herself in work seemed to be the only solution.
"Normal, huh? I wonder what's that." She laughed, but there was only despair in the place of joy. They sat in silence for a moment, since Lena didn't want to pressure Charlotte, who needed time to regain her composure. The knocking on the window brought them back to the reality.
"My exit was meant to hurry you up, not to ditch the mission on me. I don't want to get in there by myself." Annette had her arms crossed, but she sensed the heavy atmosphere and gave up the further nagging.
"I'm ready. Let's show them who the real special forces are." Charlotte got out of the car, putting on a brave face. The reality sucked, her mind was a mess, but the world wouldn't stop for her. She finally sent a long overdue text, taking the dreaded first step forward. Saving a country was one thing, but it was time to try saving herself.
July 28th Republic Year 357 (Stellar Year 2138)
35 days until the Start of the Legion War
Three days had passed since their secret exploration, and neither of them was well. Elizabeth shut herself down in her room, paranoid about how many people here are aware of the basement's content. If the servants knew, it would mean that Liz was trapped in the manor straight out of a horror game. There was no telling what would they do to her if their expedition got noticed.
It was the first time William missed their daily meetings, but the girl couldn't blame him. She was barely restraining herself from running away, so going in here voluntarily had to be even tougher. Elizabeth was shocked by how much she had gotten attached to the boy in the past month. His absence hit her hard, especially in the evenings. She missed their silly jokes, talks about life, and the warmth he provided in this cold mansion.
Aunt Zelene still hasn't come back, but there was no telling how long it'd last. Liz was frightened by the prospect of eating together, now knowing, who she was dining with. Her appetite was almost none existent since the appalling images of the dissected bodies flashed before her eyes each time she tried to eat. The similarities between brain matter and spaghetti were uncanny, but Liz would be happier not knowing that.
The weather cleared up, sunshine tempted through the window, and Elizabeth felt the need to go outside. She changed into comfortable clothes, put on her running shoes, and sprinted through the corridors. Liz was paranoid that even the simplest conversation could uncover her secret, so avoiding the servants seemed reasonable.
Singing of the birds was calming her nerves when the girl strolled along the flowery path. How such a beautiful place could hide a secret so gruesome? With every step her mind was painfully aware, that a couple of meters below her feet, Zelene's crimes were hidden from the public. Elizabeth was so lost in thoughts, she didn't notice the lady standing in her way.
"Hello there! You must be the rumored Elizabeth, am I correct? I'm delighted we finally got to meet, Zelene can be so fussy sometimes! Gosh, where are my manners? My name is Mathilda Zimmerman, and although I doubt that reticent woman told you about me, I'm something adjacent to a friend." The woman had beautiful golden hair braided into a thick braid that, reached down to her visibly rounded belly. Her eyes were clearer than the sky above their heads, but the joy in them radiated like the sun. She was smiling enthusiastically, taking Liz aback. The encounter was out of the blue, and she had no idea what to say.
"H-hello? Sorry, but Aunt Zelene isn't currently home, I have no idea when she'll be back. You might have to talk to the butler to learn something more." Elizabeth answered awkwardly, unsure how to behave. Did the pregnant lady know about what was going on here? If not, maybe it was best to discourage her from coming back here. There was no knowing how close to Zelene the woman was, but there was always a chance she was being prepared as a future victim. Conflicted conscience battled in her mind, wanting to stay out of the dangerous business, but feeling pity towards Mrs Zimmerman.
"How sweet, you even call her Aunt Zelene. I always knew you'd be adorable, but she forgot to mention your face is cute too! If my daughter ends up half as lovable as you, my job as a mom would be sufficiently rewarded." She laughed cheerfully, caressing her belly delicately. It shattered Elizabeth's distrust, as Mathilda seemed to be a polar opposite to her frosty aunt. She reminded Liz of her mother, another kind soul, too good for this world.
"Thank you very much, how far along are you, Mrs Zimmerman?" Liz decided that engaging in small talk wouldn't hurt, and since the woman had endured the travel here, she should at least be cordial.
"Sweetheart, calling me Mathilda would be enough. I would even suggest Aunt Mathilda, but that woman could kill me if I did that. We expect to meet our angel in September, but you know how finicky children can be. That's why I can't understand why Ernst insisted on hosting my birthday party in August, it's not like there won't be another one next year. I've come to deliver the invitations, but that is only an excuse to meet the famous Zelene's niece! You have no clue how curious I was about a creature who melted the Ice Queen's heart!" Her face was full of vibrant expressions, like an open book. It was a pleasant change from the stiff servants and the game of pretense that Liz had to play. Elizabeth had no clue how the misunderstanding about her and Zelene's good relationship spread, but she didn't have the heart to break the angelic woman's gleeful illusion.
"I didn't know my aunt is like that for… everyone. Guess that explains the scarceness of visitors. Of course, I'm happy you've come here Mad-Mathilda." She quickly corrected the formal speech, as Mrs Zimmerman didn't seem like a person who would give up trying to persuade her. The pleasant aura she radiated gave Liz some motherly comfort, which she was eternally grateful for.
"Yes, I have known her for years, yet I am the one who has to constantly chase her. Zelene's stubbornness is almost legendary, but that is not my story to tell. Not everyone wants to share their high school memories." Mathilda winked, making the girl chuckle. For a moment she forgot about all the hardships, feeling a familial warmth she missed so much. If only her aunt was half as kind as Mathilda.
"Do you want to stay for dinner? I could inform the staff to prepare a suitable meal for you." Liz didn't want to part with her yet, trying to keep the bliss for a little longer.
"Sorry, dear. I've come to give the invitations, but my in-laws have probably prepared a whole feast already. Next time I'll drop for a little longer, you have my word. In the meantime, take those cards, both are for the Birkenbaum ladies and their respective plus ones. The more the merrier!" Elizabeth was disappointed by her decline, but there was nothing she could do. The envelopes were bright pink, matching the hostess's energy. She didn't have time to peek inside, since Mathilda sincerely hugged her goodbye. Liz couldn't utter a word when the golden lady was walking towards the gate, because her throat tightened in sadness. She was left alone yet again in this cursed manor, and that little ray of sunshine made the darkness here even murkier.