Girl from Mitras ★ A. Arlert

Chapter 17 - Extinguished candle

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Y/N tossed and turned. She didn't feel a hint of sleep. «I've been busy all day examining the wall and crystal sample, I've done a comprehensive analysis, and I didn't even have time to have lunch. I should be tired, why can't I sleep?!» She sat down on the bed. They still remained in Stohess, the scouts were temporarily provided with rooms at the headquarters of the military police. They might have left Stohess by now, but they still stayed. It was better than going to the military police bases in the provinces, where they would be more strictly monitored. Here they still had the right to go out into the city, to move freely around the headquarters. But the atmosphere was still quite oppressive.

Y/N got out of bed wearing a white short-sleeve shirt that didn't fit her and black culottes. She threw on her jacket, put on her shoes and left the room. «It must have been long after midnight. I need at least a little nap. A little fresh air will help me. In extreme cases, I can always brew tea with herbs». Everyone at the headquarters was asleep, the previous days had been rather difficult and nervous for most of the scouts. As soon as she went out into one of the courtyards, her loneliness was interrupted.

- Can't sleep?

She jumped up in surprise.

- Levi? What, what are you doing here? The night is...

- You aren't sleeping either, should you ask these questions...

- And that's right...

- So, why aren't you sleeping? Hange loaded you with work, you should sleep.

- ...I can't.

She sat down on the bench next to the Captain.

- «Don't you feel like it's the calm before the storm?» Y/N asked him as she stared up at the night sky full of stars. «What will happen next, everything will be more difficult, more confusing?»

- Can't turn off your head then?

- My father always said that I think too much.

- Sometimes it's not better than not thinking at all.

They sat in silence for a while. Y/N enjoyed the silence and the cold night air, which, unfortunately, only woke her up.

- Someday this all will be over. And we will live in peace, not afraid to meet tomorrow. It's unlikely that we will see this time, but I believe that humanity will find a way out. Someone will find a way...

- Go to sleep, Y/N, otherwise your speeches become like something between Erwin and Hange...

- I don't think I can sleep. I thought the fresh air would help, but... How long are we going to stay here?

- Until Erwin decides otherwise. You, unlike Erwin, must see that the operation was a failure. Even by capturing Leonhart, we achieved nothing but a loss of trust. And now we're paying for our mistakes.

- You always implicitly trust Erwin... Why? I never asked this...

- He gave me a chance a long time ago... He always proved to everyone that he was a worthy scout, and when he became commander. The merits of the Survey corps began to be noticed, but now...

- Everything has changed. But he'll still find a way to resolve this situation, I believe in him. As the entire Survey corps believes. And mistakes... everyone makes them.

- You're right, everyone makes mistakes. But not all mistakes lead to the death of other people...

- Well, why am I always feel like this when talk with you... You seem to have told me only the truth, but I began to feel even worse.