Several Months Later:
Levi's POV:
Over the past several months, Isabel, Furlan, and I continued looking for the documents while we worked on our training for the oncoming expedition by learning the formation layout that Erwin created, the use of ODM on horseback, and of course, the routine checkups with Tessa. Whenever we weren't busy searching for the documents, we were with Tessa and Kip, and that didn't stop Furlan and Isabel from teasing me about her. It was like that until today, the day before the expedition. Now, Tessa is nowhere in sight, nor is Kip. Isabel told us that Tessa stayed in her office last night, but when we went to knock on Tessa's door, there wasn't an answer. We all assumed that Tessa must be in the medical wing, so we decided to go there next, only to find out she wasn't there. My heart begins racing as I look around the ward, "Tess," I call out, but there's no answer, "Tessa!" I yell, only for Furlan to stop me, "Levi, she's not here. She must be in the city." He suggests, but I shake my head because something is not adding up. What if Lovof has grown tired of waiting and has come to collect Tessa instead? It's my fault because I wasn't focusing on the mission, so now Tessa will be in danger because of me.
Realizing that Furlan could be right about Tessa being in the city seeing her patients, I leave the office first and head to the stable house to give myself peace of mind because if Star isn't there, then Tessa is safe for the moment. However, I'm wrong because I see Star in her stable beside Shadow's, and I look at Furlan and Isabel, who now share my worry as we head back inside Headquarters. After walking into the hallway, we see Hange on the other end, "Zoe!" Isabel shouts, causing Hange to turn around, "Have you seen Cat anywhere? We were supposed to train together, and we haven't found her all day." She lies, but Hange bites her lip, "I'm sorry, guys. I haven't seen her today," She answers, "Cat stayed in her office last night, but she wasn't there this morning when I went to check on the paperwork she had for me. I would send Kip to find her, but I can't find him either." She explains, causing me to shift my stance and look away because of my gut feeling, "Dammit," I whisper, "Did Tessa have any patients she needed to see in the city today?" I ask when I look at Hange, but she shakes her head, "No, Erwin said this is her day off," She answers, "This is the only day where Tessa doesn't work, but no one knows why. I'm sorry, guys. I hope you find her soon." She gives us a weak smile before leaving us in the hallway again.
After Hange leaves from her explanation about today being Tessa's only day off, I remember it's not only the day before the expedition but also Tessa's birthday and the anniversary of Vanessa's death. Now, I need to find Tessa, and I have to do it alone since I'm the only one that knows what today means for her. I run a hand through my hair and sigh, "I'm going to look for Tessa. You guys go ahead to the mess hall." I advise, but Furlan raises a brow, "What?" He asks while looking at me, "Are you sure you don't want our help, Levi?" He asks, but before I can answer, Isabel jumps in, "Yeah, we could help you find her faster," Isabel adds, but I shake my head, "No, I can do it," I answer, "I know what today means for Tessa. Let me handle it alone, please." I request, and the duo nods, "Alright, will you at least let us know that Tessa is okay?" He asks, and I nod, "Yeah, I'll see you guys later." I agree, then we go our separate ways.
After Isabel and Furlan head to the mess hall, I go to Tessa's office again, hoping she left something to indicate where she is. When I turned the knob, causing the door to open, so Tessa must've left it unlocked for Hange and the others to get their paperwork from her. After walking into the office, I close the door to see the bookshelf is missing a book, only to find it on the table by the couch near a neatly folded deep blue blanket. When I pick up the book, I realize the purple text is Vanessa's journal, Memories. It was the one I would always catch her writing in as a kid. I never knew what it was until now. Tessa must've been reading it last night, possibly to relieve the happier times with her mom but fallen asleep here instead of in the room she shares with Hange and Isabel. I place the journal inside my jacket before I leave Tessa's office and lock the door on my way out before heading to the ODM shed, the only place I haven't checked.
YOU ARE READING
The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful
ActionGraduating from Cadets and at the top of her class, twenty-three-year-old Tessa Lind is ready to join the Scouts, but life has other plans for her as if it hasn't done it enough. When Tessa grows a custom being a Scout and the Doctor now, she doesn'...
