Cruelty's Endless Termination

Chapter 2: Nightmares Reality

Same night as last chapter, March 18th, year 849. Approximately 2 hours later...

Levi sighed heavily, frustrated. The slight pounding of a headache warning him to take a break, or it would grow out of control.

His eyes scanned across his messy desk, clicking his tongue at all the unfinished work he had left to do.

Without warning, he heard a high pitched scream from inside his living quarters. Jerking his head to the door his eyes were wide with surprise.

He had left the door slightly cracked out of habit, listening in case Isabel would wake when she was younger. The scream quickly turned into a agonizing and breathy sob.

Pushing his chair back Levi stood, quickly shoving the door open and making his way into the dark home.

Just before making it into Isabel's room, he grabbed a match box from the small table in the hall.

"Isabel. Hey," Levi pushed her door open, quickly kneeling down by the side of her bed.

The girl continued to sob, she was sitting up in her bed, gasping.

Lighting the match, Levi was fast to brighten the room with a candle that sat on her nightstand. Putting a warm glow onto the pair.

"Isabel, what happened?" He asked, setting the box down and reaching forward. Placing his hand lightly on her small arm.

The young girl chocked, her wide eyes landing on Levi. Quickly turning to him, she threw her arms around his neck.

The man paused, then placed his hands on her back. Rubbing slightly to try and sooth her.

"Shhshhsh, it's okay. Shh..." Levi whispered, rubbing his thumb against her side.

Isabel coughed, before gasping again and continuing to sob. Levi continued to hold her, slowly rubbing her back.

A couple minutes had passed by, the little girls cries slowing.

"What happened? Did you have a bad dream?" The man asked softly, feeling as she nodded.

"It's alright, it's not real." He quietly responded.

"No- no. It was mommy!" Isabel moaned into his shoulder, inhaling sharply.

"What?" He asked, slightly confused.

"There was a man! He kept hitting her-" she released in a sob, "she was bleeding!"

Levi's heart sank, "What?"

What kind of three year old has a dream that morbid?

"Mommy was bleeding!" Isabel continued to cry.

"It's okay; It's not real." He replied, rubbing his hand up her back, "shhhh..."

"Where is she? Where's mommy?" Isabel pleaded.

"She's-" Levi started, pausing. Realizing she hadn't yet returned from Hange's. It had been over two hours since she had left, his brows furrowing.

"She's asleep." He lied, "She's alright."

"I wanna see her! Can I sleep with Mommy? Please?" The girl begged, gripping tightly to the back of Levi's shirt.

"No, no. She's asleep. It's alright, shes okay." He assured.

Her loud sobs caused his head to pound even more, he needed to get her to sleep quick so he could check on (Y/n).

"How about I lay with you until you fall asleep?" Levi offered, pulling away to look at her face.