𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 || 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟕 : 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐫

Three days had passed since Levi had walked out of his office, leaving me standing alone and bewildered. It felt like an eternity since I'd last seen him, last spoken to him. I'd tried to reach out to him countless times, but my calls and messages had gone unanswered. It was as if he'd vanished into thin air, leaving me with nothing but questions and doubts.

I'd tried to ask around, to see if anyone knew where Levi had gone or what was going on. But Hange, Erwin, and the others seemed just as clueless as I was. It was as if Levi had deliberately covered his tracks, leaving no trail for me to follow.

The loneliness and uncertainty had taken a toll on me. I'd cried myself to sleep every night, my mind racing with thoughts of what I'd done wrong, of how I could've prevented this. I'd blamed myself.

The days turned into a blur, I realized I couldn't stay alone in the house anymore. Hange and the others had to leave for a work-related trip, and I didn't want to be by myself. So, I'd decided to stay over at Blake's place. At least there, I'd have some company, some distraction from the constant thoughts of Levi that plagued me.

The monotony of the day had been suffocating me, the silence of Blake's apartment a heavy blanket that wrapped around my shoulders. I'd been trying to distract myself with a bowl of ice cream and a mindless documentary on TV, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Levi. Where was he? Why hadn't he contacted me?

I gazed out the window, I was met with a breathtakingly beautiful evening scene. The sun, a burning orange-red orb, was slowly dipping below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape.

The air outside was crisp and clean, filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle chirping of birds. It was as if nature was serenading me, beckoning me to step outside and bask in its splendor. The gentle breeze carried the whispers of the trees, their leaves rustling softly in the fading light.

I couldn't resist the allure of the evening's charm. I made up my mind to take a stroll outside, to breathe in the fresh air and let the tranquility of the surroundings wash over me. Perhaps, I thought, I might even grab a bite to eat along the way, savoring the flavors of the local cuisine as I walked.

With a sense of excitement and anticipation, I turned away from the window and began to prepare for my evening excursion. I walked over to the counter, where I carefully placed my empty ice cream bowl, the remnants of a sweet treat that had been my indulgence earlier. As I set the bowl down, I smiled to myself, feeling grateful for this moment of peace and relaxation.

And with that, I bid farewell to the comforts of Blake's home, stepping out into the enchanting evening, ready to soak up its beauty and magic.

I stepped out onto the street, I was enveloped in the serene atmosphere of the evening. The parks, which had been bustling with people just hours before, were now nearly empty, their lush green spaces bathed in the soft, golden light of the setting sun. The few remaining individuals were hastily gathering their belongings, casting one last glance at the fading beauty of the day before hurrying to leave.

The sun itself was a burning ember on the horizon, its rays stretching out across the sky like outstretched arms, as if reluctant to let go of the day. The stars, like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse, were beginning to twinkle in the darkening sky, their gentle sparkle a reminder of the magic that lay just beyond the reaches of the mundane world.

The streets, too, were quiet, the usual bustle of activity replaced by an eerie stillness. The pavement, once a thoroughfare for countless feet, was now a deserted pathway, stretching out before me like an empty canvas waiting to be filled. The silence was almost noticeable, a physical presence that wrapped itself around me, enveloping me in a sense of peace and tranquility.

As I continued my stroll, lost in the tranquil atmosphere of the evening, I suddenly felt a gentle tug on my jeans. I looked down, startled, and was met with the sight of a small, fragile girl, her eyes brimming with tears as she gazed up at me with a pleading expression. Her tiny hand still clutched my jeans, as if holding on for dear life.

"Hey there, little one," I said softly, trying to reassure her. "What's wrong?"

The little girl sniffled, her lower lip trembling as she struggled to get the words out. "M-my brother...he fell down," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "He hurt himself. Mommy said...if we ever get in trouble...to find a lady...instead of a man...for help."

"Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry to hear that," I said, trying to comfort her. "Can you show me where your brother is? I'll do my best to help him."

The little girl nodded, her eyes welling up with tears again. "I was playing with him, and then he fell and hurt his knee. I didn't know what to do."

I smiled gently and took the little girl's hand. "Let's go take a look at your brother, okay? I'm sure he'll be just fine."

"What's your name?" she asked.

"My name is...," I replied, smiling. "But you can call me... um... let's say 'Lady Helper' for now, okay?"

The little girl giggled, a small smile spreading across her face. "Okay, Lady Helper," she said, her voice a little stronger now.

I followed the little girl, she led me down a narrow, winding path that seemed to stretch on forever. The buildings around us grew taller and closer together, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. The air grew thick with the scent of decay and neglect, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched.

We turned a corner, the little girl stopped in front of a dark, narrow alleyway. The entrance was a yawning mouth of darkness, and I could feel a chill run down my spine as I hesitated at the threshold.

"Where are we?" I asked the little girl, trying to keep my voice steady.

The little girl looked up at me with a mischievous grin. "We were playing tag," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We didn't realize where we were until it was too late."

I frowned, my mind racing with concern. "What do you mean it was too late?" I asked, trying to keep my tone gentle.

The little girl shrugged. "We were having so much fun playing tag that we didn't notice where we were going. We just kept running and laughing until...until my brother fell down and hurt himself."

We reached the end of the dark alley, I turned to the little girl and asked, "Where's your brother?" But to my surprise, she didn't respond. Instead, she suddenly darted away from me, her small feet pounding the pavement as she disappeared into the darkness.

I called out to her, "Hey, wait! Come back!" But she didn't look back, didn't even slow down. I was left standing alone in the alley, feeling bewildered and confused.

I sighed, shaking my head. "What a stupid prank," I muttered to myself. I turned to leave, thinking that I'd just been duped by a mischievous child. But as I turned, I felt a sudden chill run down my spine.

I sensed a presence behind me. It was a subtle feeling, but unmistakable. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Slowly, I turned around, my eyes scanning the darkness.

At first, I saw nothing. But then, I noticed a figure standing in the shadows. It was tall and imposing, its presence seeming to fill the entire alley. I tried to make out its features, but it was shrouded in darkness.

My mind racing, I took a step back, my eyes fixed on the figure. "Who's there?" I called out, trying to keep my voice steady. But there was no response. The figure just stood there, watching me.