Glory For Mankind | AOT [book 1]

Ch.22:Friends

After Ruvik and Sasha watched a few of his friends take down a few titans, they decided to leave when it became harder for Ruvik to stand. His head began to hurt more and it was messing with his senses. Thanks to Sasha, she managed to transport him back up the wall and take him to a doctor.

Half an hour later, he was passed out on the medical bed. Sasha didn't know if she was supposed to wait a help him if he needed something, or help the rest of the cadets eliminate the enemies that were left in Trost.

'What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? This wasn't part of our training, I'm on my own with this. Am I supposed to leave him here? The doctor already dressed his wounds and said he needed some rest, but what if he needs something? Should I just wait until one of the Scout's visit him? From the way he reacted when he saw them earlier, I don't doubt they would wonder where he is and check the Recovery Wing. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.'

"Stand there long enough, and you'll turn to stone."

Sasha snapped her head in the Captain's direction, she was so lost in thought she didn't notice him wake up. "Sorry, sir!"

"Geez, can't you take a joke?" Ruvik chuckled. "Besides, I should be the one apologizing...I'm sure you want to check on your friends, right? You're dismissed, thank you for the assistance, Sasha."

Started by his words, she didn't have enough time to form a proper response, her mouth going on auto-pilot. "Yes, problem--I mean, no, sir! I-I mean it was no problem, sir! I was happy to be of use, Captain Ruvik!"

Ruvik laughed softly, watching the embarrassed Cadet duck her head and race out of the room.

They're a rowdy bunch...

Once he was by himself, Ruvik sighed. Finally by himself, with his thoughts, away from the torment of titans. It was a peace he was rarely ever granted. Ruvik breathed it all in, happy to be at rest after all the trouble he went through to be where he was now, all of it felt well earned.

Ruvik's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He assumed it was Hanji and the other's checking on him. "Come in."

He was sadly mistaken.

Instead of seeing his friends, he found a Military Police soldier entering the room. "Captain Ruvik, I have a letter for you..."

The soldier walked up to Ruvik, handing him the envelope. Ruvik took the envelope,and tore it open, what he read on the letter almost made his heart sink into his stomach.

This must be some sort if sick joke, he thought. But when a glanced up at the messenger, he saw the look of dread upon the guys' face. So, Ruvik figured he wasn't stupid enough to be up to this, he seemed to understand just who he was messing with too.

Ruvik decided to be merciful, and not to let his anger get the best of him. He grabbed the MP by the collar of his uniform and brought his face close to his, his voice dark. "You're going to take me to her, ka-peesh?"

"U-Understood!"

_____________________________________________

An hour later...

Hanji slammed the door open to the room Ruvik was kept in."Hey, Vik! How are--!"

She froze, her brown eyes stared at the empty bed in surprise, her friend was nowhere to be seen.

"What's the hold up?" Levi asked impatiently. He furrowed his eyebrows at Hanji, confused by her actions. Because he couldn't see over Hanji's shoulder, he shoved himself passed her and marched through the doorway. When he saw that there was no one in the room, he turned back to Hanji and Erwin. "Is they give us the wrong room number?"

Hanji walked to the side of the bed, checking the clipboard on the patients medical records. "Nope, these papers contain all his medical information...maybe he went to get something to eat?"

Erwin grabbed the clipboard, reading it's contents, his brows crinkled in suspicion. "With what these records say, I doubt he would be in any condition to do that himself. The nurses would have brought something to his room."

"A trip to the restroom, perhaps?" Hanji suggested.

Levi's voice cut in quickly after. "Or maybe he's gone to save someone named Alis..."

His words caught their full attention.

When they both turned to Levi, they found him standing by the bed, a letter was held in his hand. He was glaring at the paper, grumbling it in his hands as he read what was written.

"Dear Mr. Ritter, if you value the girl you made the mistake of granting mercy, you will meet us at the abandoned storage unit as instructed as soon as you receivethis. Don't make us wait, if you do, we can't guarantee Miss Alis will still be in one piece by the time you decide to arrive."

Hanji tilted her head. "Alis? Who's Alis? What does she have to do with Ruvik?"

She glanced at Levi before turning to Erwin, but when her eyes caught Erwin's startled reaction from what was read, she grew more curious about the mystery girl. "Erwin do you know her?"

"Yes."

Levi finally looked away from the letter, glaring at Erwin. "Care to fill us in on the girl mentioned, or do you plan on leaving us in the dark?"

"Alis is someone...important to Ruvik."

"What's that supposed to mean? What did Ruvik do wrong? Talk to us damnit!" Hanji exclaimed. But before Erwin could explain further, she marched over to Levi, grabbed the letter out of Levi's hand, and stormed off to the door. "Forget it! We need to help him, I don't care who's responsible for this, but when I get my hands on them, they'll be sorry! No one threatens my buddy and gets away with it! I swear when I get there I'll..."

Levi walked to the doorway as he and Erwin listened to her rant, footsteps echoing down the hallway. When the two men looked down the hall, nurses were pressing themselves against the walls, fearing what might happen if they were to block the pissed Section Commander from reaching her destination.

Levi stared at the back of Hanji's stomping figure, not surprisedin the slightest with her impulsive behavior. "Looks like she's got her mind set..."

"Indeed..."

The both of them followed soon after, quickly gathering a rescue party to assist their fellow comrade, they weren't allowing this to threat to go unpunished. They would settle this once and for all, with whatever it takes.