Shadows of Truth and Deception (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 35 - Crossroads

crossroads /ˈkrɒsrəʊdz/ — a point at which a crucial decision must be made which will have far-reaching consequences

     It was no longer a warning. Not while bearing the heaviness of a death.

     It was a threat. An impending doom waiting in the shadows, ready to pounce without a warning.

     Two things crossed Reinae's mind as she slipped the bloody cigarette into the pocket of the pants she'd pulled on before she and Levi ran through the door to the barracks where Hange had placed Minister Nick.

     One—she had to warn Theo.

     Two—she couldn't let that impending doom destroy everything and everyone she held dear. Because that's precisely what Franklin will do if too provoked—a line she feared was already crossed.

     When she came out of the room where Nick's body lay, she was faced with Hange's worried yet curious eyes and Levi's blank but undoubtedly troubled stare. In the moment before opening her mouth, she made a decision.

     A combination of honesty and deception. Of truth and lies. To protect their lives because it would do them no good to know who was after them or why.

     "It was the Military Police," Reinae muttered, avoiding Levi's eyes.

     "As I suspected," Hange sighed, lifting her glasses to rub the bridge of her nose. "I came here with Moblit as soon as I heard, and I barely convinced two officers guarding the scene to let me see it. They seemed shady."

     "How did they find this location?" Levi asked, his voice rough and strained—he was far from pleased by having to deal with this.

     Hange only shrugged helplessly. "I hid his identity and put him in the barracks. I had thought that the Church would try to get their hands on Nick once they learned he was helping the Survey Corps in any capacity. I never imagined they'd use soldiers to kill him."

     Levi's eyes met Reinae's. The question in them was clear—he was asking if it truly was the Church or someone else. He knew a lot. Too much. Especially after her mission with Theo.

     "The Church and the Military Police are heavily involved," Reinae said slowly, carefully choosing her words. Truth and lies, she reminded herself. "I think it's highly possible the Church hired them to do their dirty work. But they were sloppy. Didn't dispose of the body. Their torturing techniques were textbook."

     Hange looked at Reinae with a cocked brow, glancing at Levi, then back at her. "Which means?" she asked with frustrated confusion.

     "Which means they chose young, inexperienced officers, and that narrows down our list of suspects."

     It means it wasn't Franklin, she told Levi with her gaze, but he didn't seem convinced judging by how he narrowed his eyes.

     "This is a direct attack on the Survey Corps," Hange muttered, looking at the ground, her mind racing. "Wallist Priest or not, Nick was our guest."

     Reinae scoffed. Prisoner, more likely.

     "They probably wanted to know where Eren and Historia are," she said. "And how much Nick told us about it all."

     "Because they have a lot to hide," Hange stated the obvious.

     "We have to make sure the kids get to the cabin safely," Levi said. "There's no knowing what Nick spilled and potentially caused someone to trail them."

     "He didn't say anything."

     "How do you know?" Hange looked at Reinae with skepticism.

     "All his nails were torn off," she replied flatly. "If you're going to talk, you talk after one. Otherwise, it doesn't matter how many they rip off. Trust me on that."