In Another Life

Chapter 3

Y/N's POV

Water continues to run down my back, my arms wrapped tightly around my knees as I sit in the common shower room. Nobody was here; it was dinner time. Everyone was busy gathering in the Mess Hall.

My lips were swollen after Levi's assault. Bringing my hand up, I run it over my face, forcing myself to breathe in. I need to compose myself. I breathe in once more as a stream of water runs down the front of my face, falling from my bottom lip. My hair clings to my back as the water pelts me from above.

Closing my eyes, I force myself to stand before bringing my hand down between my legs. My face cringes as I feel Levi's mess spill from inside of me. I swallow, running water down between my legs before I bring the bar of soap up to my shoulders, working it until I get a good lather. I start at my shoulders, running my hands over my forearms, and then back up again before I brush over the back of my shoulders.

I shudder; I could still feel Levi's lips there, kissing, biting on me as he fucked me. I freeze at the thought. Levi fucked me, my Captain. I shake my head, exhaling. I make quick work of cleaning the rest of my body, cleaning myself twice before I allow the water to run the bubbles down the drain.

I stand there for another moment before I bring my hand up to turn the shower off. The water drips onto the cool tile as I stand there, killing time. I needed to eat; I was starving. But I had no interest in running into him in the Hall. I'd wait it out.

After a few more minutes pass, I walk over to the towel hooks, taking mine from where I left it before I wrap myself in it. Walking over to stand in front of the mirror, big green eyes stare back at me. Long wet locks of black hair ran down my back, reaching my hips. A few shorter strands hanging around my face. I sigh, my eyes dropping to my lips. Red and swollen. My lips were already full, but now it just looked like I took one to the face.

Sighing once more, I bring my hands up to run them through my hair as I turn around, tucking the towel secure under my armpit. Making my way out of the shower room, I head down the hall in the direction of my room. Turning the knob, I step inside before closing it behind myself as I hear cadets disperse back into the hallways after dinner.

I pull out a black shirt, jeans, and boots before I dress and dry my hair once more. I run a brush through it before I force myself to look away from the mirror. Sighing, I ignore the painful ache emitted from between my legs as I make my way out of the room and into the halls. I pass a few cadets, keeping my eyes down on the ground before my eyes close, mentally preparing myself before my arms come out to push the doors open to the Mess Hall.

I can't breathe as I force my eyes to stay forward and not to wonder. It takes a second before he looks up from the table, but when he does I feel his gaze pierce through me like a steel rod. I swallow, looking forward as I keep my face expressionless. A group of cadets break out into a fit of laughter, attracting the attention of the others in the Hall.

Reaching forward, I grab a biscuit and a single bowl of stew. Who was I kidding? I was too nervous to eat any of this, but I needed to play the part. I wouldn't show how deeply he had wounded me. Grabbing a beer bottle by its neck, I ignore the set of eyes on me from across the way as I make my way over to the loud set of cadets.

Setting my tray down, I twist the cap off from my bottle as I take a swing as I sit. "Tonight is hardly the time to-" "Nonsense! All the more reason to go out and let off some steam." My brows tug together as I turn to look down the table as I take another sip. My eyes lock with a set of bright blue ones, a ginger.

"What about you? Are you feeling rebellious tonight?" My eyes narrow in annoyance at him. I had about as much as I could tolerate for one night. "Sorry?" I tilt my head in inclination at the man. He quickly stands, pushing his chair out from behind him before making his way to the end of the table where I sat. My eyes dart away, locking on a pair of dark steel ones. I close my eyes, turning my head before I open them again. He was watching? Why?

"Names Greg, sweets, and yours?" I nearly scoff, looking him up and down before responding. "Y/N." Taking his hand, I shake it. Greg's eyes wander over my face before they fall to my chest, lingering. He breathes in sharply before pulling his eyes away. "So what do you say? Wanna come along?" My face softens as I peel my eyes from his, looking past him at the group of cadets that watched behind him.

I chew on the inside of my cheek as I take them all in. Three men and two girls. I pull my eyes away from them to look back at Greg. "What are you all getting into tonight?" His head tilts to the side as a shit-eating grin covers his face. "Drinking; there's a local tavern. Nothing too nice, but they have a killer whisky." I bite on the side of my cheek once more before I nod at him. "Sure, I'll come along for a killer whisky."

Throwing back the rest of the beer, I push myself up to stand, grabbing my uneaten food. "When and where are you meeting?" I bring my hand up behind me to itch my lower back before pulling my shirt back into place. Greg's eyebrow raises at me as he begins to grin. "Two hours, meet us in the stables." My eyes nearly narrow. Of course, the fucking stables. I nod once before turning and tossing my food.

Two minutes before 12, I finish lacing my field boots up, crossing the room before I grab a hold of a jacket, pushing my arms through the holes. I look at myself for just a second before I blow the candle out, closing the door behind me. I'm quick yet quiet as I make my way through the halls and past the Captain's door. We weren't really permitted to leave the base, but tonight... It was a risk I was willing to make. I had every intention of returning bloody drunk and sleeping it off into the next night.

A small candle light flickers from beneath the Captain's door as I pass it, not bothering to hesitate. The door to the Mess Hall swings shut behind me as I wrap my arms around my waist, making my way back down to the stables. Greg, along with the two other males, emerges from the barn door with horses in tow. I tilt my head to the side as I come up beside him, taking the extra set of reins from his hold.

"The others?" Greg smirks down at me. "Too scared to break the rules." I nod, raising a brow at him as I lift my boot, placing it into the stirrup before I haul my other leg over the other side of the horse. Straightening myself out, I send my heel into the horse's side. "Alright, let's go."