A little death [Levi Ackerman x OFC]

Chapter 13: Trapped

[ The soundtrack to feel the rage ]

Kaia moved swiftly through the familiar streets of her neighborhood, the sun hanging low on the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the cobblestone road. The warmth of the evening contrasted the cool breeze on her face as she made her way home. She had been gone for weeks, immersed in the training at the Survey Corps barracks.

Her mind was lighter today. After so much discipline and work, the thought of seeing her siblings again brought a faint smile to her lips.

As she approached the house, an uneasy feeling started to settle in her gut. She called out, "Emil? Alina?"—her voice hopeful, expecting the bright smiles of her siblings to greet her. But there was no answer. The main street was busy, filled with people going about their lives, but the one of her home was eerily silent.

Her hand instinctively moved to the knife hidden at her waist as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the space. Something was wrong.

The moment she entered the small house, the air changed. Her steps slowed as she took in the scene before her—her father, standing awkwardly in the center of the room, beads of sweat rolling down his pale face. And beside him, two men stood like predators assessing their prey. The larger of the two was heavily scarred, his face twisted into a grin that didn't reach his cold eyes. The other was lean, sharp-eyed, his hand resting casually on the hilt of a knife at his belt.

Her blood ran cold. This was wrong. Terribly wrong.

"Well, well," the scarred man drawled, his gaze sweeping over Kaia like she was some sort of new toy. "Didn't expect a soldier in the family."

Her father, trembling, took a step back, avoiding Kaia's sharp gaze. "I... I didn't know," he mumbled. "Didn't know she joined the Survey Corps."

Kaia's fists clenched, cold fury bubbling in her chest. Her father—this pathetic man—had returned after all these years and dragged them into danger again. Her eyes flicked over to the corner, where she finally spotted her sister—Alina huddled in the corner of the room, fear written all over her face.

"You didn't know?" Kaia's voice was a low hiss, filled with a quiet rage. "You haven't cared to know, have you?"

The lean man stepped forward, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement. "We're not here for you, little soldier," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "We're here for your sister. A pretty little thing like her will settle your father's debts nicely."

Alina's whimper was barely audible, but it hit Kaia like a hammer. The audacity of these men—treating her sister like she was nothing more than a piece of merchandise to be sold off.

Her father, in a cowardly attempt to de-escalate the situation, turned to her, his voice shaking. "Kaia... just let them take her. We don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Hurt?" Kaia's voice was sharp, venomous, as she stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. Her hand was already on the hilt of her knife, her knuckles white. "You will never hurt anyone again."

The lean man's smile widened, his hand moving to draw his knife. "Brave words, but you're outnumbered, girl."

Before he could finish his taunt, Kaia moved. Like a blur, she drew her blade and lunged, closing the distance between them in an instant. The man's grin faltered as she slashed across his chest, the blade slicing through his shirt and flesh with ease.