Already Gone

Chapter 8: Yelena

Life didn't stop after Zeke inherited his titan, some days were packed with meetings with Magath, discussing future plans on the Paradis mission, or mapping out where other enemies were instilling their militias.

Other days were less busy, hours of napping in the warm sun, playing with Liesl's hair as she told him about a book she had picked up from the library. There were even times where just for a moment, Zeke could've swore he was a completely normal person.

He was able to feel temporary happiness, which lurked in the small details of his life like his grandmothers cooking, or the sound of Liesl's laugh. Despite the good moments in his life, Zeke was still unable to feel at peace. Good days came with the reminder that he had thirteen years left to finish Ksavers, and his fathers job, a terrifying feat for a seventeen year old boy to grasp.

If Zeke knew what the future entailed he would've spent more time focusing on those things which made him happy, rather than opening old wounds which were desperately trying to close.

It was shortly after they sent off Marcel, Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt that Magath sat his remaining Warrio Candidates, and the other members of the military down and informed them of Marley's new mission. It was simple, invade neighboring countries which were already in shambles, and then take over their military for Marley. War was like a board game, and the objective was to come out with the most earnings, not to help other players in need.

"Please don't die out there," Liesl said quietly as Zeke stood toward the gates of Liberio where soldiers were already boarding the train. His promise to her was already broken, there was yet another gate that only he could walk through.

"If I do it will be for Marley, to help the people of our country!" Zeke preached as he saw members of the special units slide past him toward the train.

"I don't care about Marley," Liesl whispered as she pulled Zeke close to her. "I care about you Zeke, only you."

Her voice sent chills down his spine and he once again felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

"I have to go. Liesl, please let me go or else I'll stay forever," Zeke sighed holding her to his chest and swaying gently back and forth. Liesl released her hands from behind his neck and forced a soft smile upon her face. After one last glance Zeke reached down and grabbed his luggage, and then quickly walked toward the station.

"I'll see you soon, yeah?" Liesl waved watching as he walked away.

"Look up at the moon tonight and you'll see me!" Zeke called to her as he climbed aboard.

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It was dinner time and Liesl sat in her cell awaiting the man who brought her lousy soup and stale bread each night. The sound of foot steps caused her to perk up a bit and she quickly slipped out from her bed and walked toward the metal bars to try and peak at the person walking down. However it was not the same old man, it was Niema, and in her hands was a large rusty ring with miscellaneous jingling brass keys attached to it.

"You ready to get out of that cell?" Niema asked as she fiddled with the key ring. Liesl lit up a bit, and finally took an interest in what Niema had to say.

"So, you're setting me free?" She grinned innocently.

"No, I'm just taking you to a meeting." Niema shot her down. "There's someone I want you to meet."

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The days spent waiting for Zeke to come home seemed to go in slow motion, but Liesl had tried her hardest to make the most of them. She spent hours reading through books at the library and wouldn't budge from her seat until the words on the pages began to blur.