A Rose In The Storm (Rivamika)

Here Is The Steeple

(Play CLAIR DE LUNE by Claude Debussy  and Winter Wind Sounds (you can find this on youtube) at a certain part in this chapter if you want some added feels.  You'll need to open two new tabs in order to do this)

November 28th, 1938

"I'm...I'm so sorry," Levi trailed off as he walked into the basement of the church with his suitcase in hand.

Mikasa rested her hand on his shoulder, her face set in understanding, knowing that this was one of the hardest things for him.  They had both recently lost their apartments, Levi being the only one with a job at the moment but not making enough to sustain them.  Eren had lost his job and Jean had been laid off until further notice, without the two other incomes they hadn't been able to afford their home.  The same had happened with the girls apartment around the same time, both Mikasa and Sasha had lost their homes and the whole group was now going to stay in the basement of one of the local churches.  

"It's okay, at least we have a place to stay."  Mikasa leaned her forehead on his shoulder and let out a small sigh.

The rest of the gang walked into the bare basement, cement floor and columns filling the room, it was cold and musty with a few couches and blankets, but other than that it was completely empty.

Eren dropped his books on the floor.  His tuition had already been paid for for the two semesters this year so he didn't worry about that, however he was worried about something a little bit more essential, food.

Everyone got all of their belongings set up, Mikasa and Sasha on the one side of the room while the boys got their stuff together on the other.  The minister came down and hung a sheet to give the girls some privacy, apologizing that there wasn't much more he could do for their situation.  He too was living out of the church now, in his office on the first floor.

"It's okay minister," Sasha quipped and pasted a smile on her face which Mikasa knew was fake.  She really was downcast.  This had been the worst year for all of them so far, the economy was rising however they were all in financial trouble.

The minister left and Sasha's smile instantly left her face and tears welled at her eyes. A silent sob racked her body and she leaned over causing her hair to fall in her face.  Mikasa put her hand on Sasha's shoulder and sat for a moment.

"I can't live like this Mikasa...I can't..."

"Sasha, at least we have a place to stay.  Would you rather stay on the streets?"

Sasha's head rose and she sniffled, wiping away some tears from her eyes.  "No.  But what will my classmates think?"

"They won't think anything Sasha, it's a hard time for everyone.  Don't let this discourage you.  Remember that you have an audition next week, think about that."

Sasha nodded and then lied her head down on the pillow that was next to her.

"I'm going to sleep."

Mikasa nodded and rose to leave, she wasn't tired at the least and needed some time to herself.  She moved the sheet out of her way and walked out of the area that was designated for them.  Jean looked at her and then walked over, pulling her into a bear hug for a long moment before letting her go.  Everyone was being overly emotional at this moment and it was very tiring for Mikasa, why couldn't everyone just accept their situation and move  on?  She returned his hug and patted his back slowly.

"It's going to be fine Jean."

He pulled back and looked her in the eyes.  "I don't know if it is."  

Somehow she knew that he wasn't just talking about their living situations, there was something else that had been bothering him for the past few months.  Levi had said that he had started to become closed off, to become jumpy as well as almost reclusive.  He would come home late or sometimes stay out all night but never tell them where he went, if anyone probed farther he would become angry and storm off.  He had not spoken more than a few words each day to Levi and Eren, only the formalities that were required to live with some people.  Levi had tried to speak to him about it however this had only gotten them into a huge argument that had led to Levi walking out of the apartment in silence, which was sometimes more terrifying than someone going off yelling and screaming.  He had stayed at Mikasa and Sasha's that night to cool off and had confided to Mikasa what had happened.  They had decided that the wisest course of action had been to wait until he was ready to tell them about what was going on, but right now Mikasa was not going to wait.  They were all going to be living together and Jean was one of Mikasa's closest friends.  She couldn't bare to see him hurting.