To the Bitter End Eren x Reader: Levi's Little Sister Book One

Five: Lost and Forgotten

The deafening silence consumed you, whisking you away to your never-ending thoughts while the chill air blanked your skin. There you sat in silence, no real thoughts on your mind as you simply stared off.

You looked around the darkened living room, the single candle you had lit only illuminating just enough for you to see. You focused on the furniture, the three couches, the round dining table, the wooden panels that covered the windows, the cabinets, all of it, it was your home. Yet it was starting to feel less than that, more of a space you just occupied and not the home you grew up in and shared your most precious memories in.

Your memories, flashes of them whirled through your mind. You remembered the good times, the bad, the learning experiences, the times with your family, it all came rushing through and coming to a quick halt at the thought of the dark-haired older brother of yours. His porcelain skin and deep grey eyes that could easily stare right through you, the way his black hair matched your own, cut into a short undercut while a few strands always fell in front of his face. His always calm demeanor and the unphased look that remained plastered on his face. The way his obsession for cleanliness rubbed off you on, and even his occasional loving side he would bring out for you every so often.

"Stop acting like a spoiled little child."

Those were the last words he had said to you. The last time you spoke was in a heated discussion. The last time you saw him his eyes were glazed with anger.

That was four and a half weeks ago.

Ever since then, you and Marley had been left alone. There was no announcement, no note, no goodbye, no apology. He, Farlan, and Isabel were gone, just like that. Just like Lisa.

You felt overwhelmed and guilty. You often wondered if you had driven him away. You knew that after Lisa's death, you were acting differently. The loss of your friend affected you in ways you didn't recognize. Not having a proper outlet didn't help either, because those emotions were just bottled up inside of you, filling your mind and soul with negative thoughts and feelings.

So you wondered if you were what caused them to leave or if they left of their own free will, purposely leaving behind you and Marley. Two stragglers who would've just slowed them down.

There were times when you'd wonder if they were dead. It was a possibility that was definitely likely, no one was immortal, however, you found it hard to believe remembering just how strong Levi truly was.

In the beginning, their disappearance didn't affect you, you figured they were just off on a mission, soon to return. But as time went on and your search for any clue as to where they could have gone came to a halt, deep down you knew something more must have happened and that they weren't coming back.

"Here you go, you need to eat." An apple was shoved in your face, hastily removing you from your thoughts.

Marley looked down on you, her look unreadable, though if you had to guess you'd assume she was feeling sorry for you. After all, it wasn't a secret you were beginning to feel guilty and angry at everything going on.

"Thanks." You took the apple, rolling it around between your palms while staring down at its crimson red color. You didn't bite it, just simply looked down at it somewhat seeing your hazy reflection in its shiny coat. You preferred green apples anyways.

Marley sighed, placing a hand on yours and breaking you from your thoughts. "It's going to be okay..."

You nodded simply, not wanting to start a conversation about your disappeared family.

"You know," she continued, "we won't be able to stay here forever...and we can't wait for them forever either."

She paused, trying to read your blank expression. You knew what she was getting at, the two of you had not addressed the thought you both shared. It was almost as though once you'd say it out loud, it would certainly become true. But the way the food was beginning to run low, and rumors of Levi's absence began to spread, you knew there was no choice left.