Shadows of Truth and Deception (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 38 - Pawn

pawn /pɔːn/ — a person used by others for their own purposes

     Reinae left the children under Hange's watch, her orders curt and without explanation. Her squad barely managed to grab their jackets before they were racing toward Trost, urgency thick in the air. When Aiden and Jasper pressed her for details, she only said: "It's Theo. He needs help." That was all they needed to hear.

     The pub was relatively empty, the dim lighting casting long shadows over empty tables. Reinae sat by the table in the corner, her mind racing. An unsettling knot tightened in her stomach, a feeling she couldn't shake.

     "Hello," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. Reinae flinched as a woman leaned in close. "He's waiting in the back room," the woman murmured, her voice almost a whisper.

     Reinae's eyes darted to her squad, who were tense and ready. With a slight nod, Reinae rose and followed the woman, noticing the apron tied around her waist.

     "Where's Charlotte?" Reinae's voice was ice, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

     "Lottie is sick," the woman explained gently, not meeting Reinae's gaze. "I'm a friend. I help her out sometimes. Theo told me to look out for a redheaded woman and bring her to the back."

     Reinae exchanged a glance with Aiden, whose brow furrowed with uncertainty. Jasper mirrored the concern, but they both followed without protest.

     The woman led them down a narrow hallway to a small room that smelled faintly of stale smoke and damp wood. The tension in Reinae's chest eased the moment she saw Theo sitting at the table, a weary smile on his face. Relief surged through her, and she rushed forward, pulling him into a fierce hug.

     "Fuck, Rei, my shoulder," Theo winced, and she immediately released him, her eyes darting to the bandage peeking from under his shirt.

     "Sorry," she breathed, her heart still pounding. "I thought—I heard your place was wrecked, Theo! What happened?"

     Theo gave a rueful smile, patting her hand reassuringly. "I'm okay, Rei. I'll explain everything."

     His chocolate brown eyes shifted to the men standing behind Reinae, and he grinned.

     "Theo fucking Roche," Aiden greeted him, the tension melting as they clasped hands firmly. "It's been..."

     "Too long," Theo finished, pulling Aiden into a brief hug.

     Jasper stepped forward, a shadow of hurt in his eyes."Didn't even know you were in Trost, Theo. Thought we were friends."

     Theo sighed, still smiling. "It's a very long story," he said, his eyes flicking meaningfully to Reinae.

     Before they could delve into explaining, the waitress returned, setting down a tray of beers with a shy smile toward Reinae. She quickly left the room, her footsteps soft against the wooden floor.

     "Lana is a friend, Rei," Theo said, catching the stern look on Reinae's face. "No need to scare her off."

     Reinae shrugged, the sharp edge of her gaze softening. Carter and Isaac introduced themselves to Theo, and they all took seats around the table.

     "You've got a lot of explaining to do," Aiden said, looking pointedly between Reinae and Theo.

     Seven beers later, the atmosphere had shifted. Reinae's squad sat wide-eyed, processing what they had just heard.

     "So, let me get this straight," Aiden said, sulking. "Not only have you been doing shit behind our backs again, you've also been hiding our friend from us for months."

     "Never mind that." Jasper's eyes were dark with worry. "You've been messing with Franklin too much, Rei. You're lucky he didn't come after you."

     Theo flinched, something flashing through his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. "I've warned her, Jazz, trust me. But you know Rei—once her mind's made up..."

     The men exchanged grumbles of reluctant agreement.

     "I can handle Franklin," Reinae seethed a little too agressively. The beer had been messing with her head, which was unusual, considering she usually downed whiskey shots. "It's your turn to talk now, Theo. Why are you hiding here?"

     Her friend exhaled deeply, his face shadowed with something unplacable. "They came to my house," he began quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. Reinae's grip on her glass tightened. "I was hiding in the room in the basement. They tore the place apart, but they didn't find the hidden room. I didn't see who it was, but it had to be Franklin's men. Or someone else from the Military Police. When they finally gave up, I slipped through the back and came straight here. Lottie's sick at her boyfriend's house, but she's letting me stay here until I'm fully healed."

     "Lottie has a boyfriend?" Aiden interjected, his voice rising in disbelief. Reinae's sharp glare silenced him.

     "Not the time, idiot."

     "Why did you want to talk to all of us?" Jasper asked, rubbing his eyes. The alcohol seemed to have started to affect him, too, his usually sharp gaze now dulled.

     "I wanted to warn Reinae," Theo said quietly. "She needs to lay low. We all do. We need a plan, something to protect ourselves."

     "We can't just disappear," Reinae countered. "We're in the Scouting Corps, Theo. They're watching us one way or the other. And we don't even know what Franklin's truly plotting, so how can we form a plan?"

     Theo ran a hand over his face, frustration making his eyes wild for a moment. "We have to do something, though."

     Before Reinae could respond, Carter's head hit the table with a dull thud. They all turned to look at him, and Isaac poked his cheek experimentally.

     "Did he... pass out?"

     "Looks like it," Isaac mumbled, slurring his words. "What a lightweight."

     Reinae chuckled, but the sound rang oddly in her ears. The room seemed to warp around her, the edges of her vision blurring. Something wasn't right.

     "I feel kinda funny, too," Aiden muttered, his brows furrowed. "Maybe I ate too little before drinking so many beers."

     "Maybe," Jasper echoed, but then his head lolled onto the table, his body going limp.

     "Jas?" Reinae whispered, shaking him by the shoulder, but he didn't stir. She looked up at Aiden, alarm rising, only to find him slumped over as well, Isaac mumbling incoherently beside him. Panic surged through her as he vision swam. "What the hell..."

     She rubbed her eyebrows, a headache growing in her temples. The sounds coming from the bar were distorted, seeming close but far, far away at the same time.

     "Theo," she croaked, trying to stand. Her legs buckled beneath her, and Theo caught her just as her knees gave out.

     "Something's wrong..." she murmured, her voice weak as she fought to stay conscious. She forced herself to look up at him, the world spinning wildly.

     There was something in his eyes, something she couldn't quite grasp—a shadow of regret, or perhaps guilt. It was the last thing she saw before her world unraveled into darkness.