Nicotine (Eremin)

Chapter 16

March

Petra's POV

        The steps that led up to Mr. Arlert's front door were caked with dirty snow. It didn't look like he had been out of the house in a few days by the time that I got there. 

        Frankly, I wasn't too fond of Mr. Arlert, but I had to ask him a few questions if I wanted to find out where Armin's friend lived. 

        When I reached his front door, I tried to ring the doorbell, but it was broken, so I knocked. It took a minute before I actually got an answer. 

        "Who are you?" Armin's grandfather asked me in a raspy voice. 

        "Petra Ral, we met at the school." I reached out to shake his hand, bus his arms remained crossed; unmoved. 

        "Right. And, what do you want?" he asked me in the same monotone voice. 

        'Is it all right if I come in?" I asked, trying my best to maintain my smile. It was hard to do when Mr. Arlert acted in such a way towards me. 

        "Fine." he pushed the door open ever so slightly and stood to the side to let me in. I nodded and entered his home. 

        It smelled musky. Like overused cologne mixed with old food. I tried to take in my surroundings as I walked to the couch, but I didn't know what to focus on. There was a massive pile of dirty dishes in his sink, laundry strewn across the floor, and not to mention a Chinese food take-out carton surrounded by flies. I picked up a t-shirt from the couch so I could sit down, and dropped it next to me. 

        "Well, Mr. Arlert, I'm here about Armin." I said, trying even harder to not sound disgusted. He nodded and sat in a chair across from me. 

        "I see. What about the boy?" he asked, his arms still folded across his chest. 

        "Well, I think I could track him down, I would just need access to his laptop, if that would be okay with you." I said.

        "Why would you want to do that?"

        "Um, to bring him safely back home, of course."

        "Why do you think I want him back?" 

        I was quite taken back at his remark. Armin was his grandson, and Mr. Arlert was responsible for him. I wasn't too surprised he didn't care, though. He didn't even report Armin as missing. 

        "Well, he's your grandson."

        "So? He was always a piece of shit, if you ask me. Frankly, it's about time he ran away. I was tired with putting up with his bullc-"

        "I could look after him until he was a legal adult, now please, Mr. Arlert, give me access to your grandson's laptop." I tried to sound as harsh as I could while maintaining my cheerful appearance. He sighed, and got up from the couch. I watched as he walked into a room and returned with a laptop and a charger. 

        "Keep it. I have no use for it." he said, thrusting it into my hands. 

        "Thank you, Mr. Arlert."

        "Hmm. Please get out of my home." he opened the door, and motioned for me to exit. I nodded, and left. 

        Back in my car, I placed Armin's laptop on the seat next to me, and drove out of Mr. Arlert's driveway. 

        I had what I needed to find Eren.

        It was only a matter of time.