The little girl

The graveyard

It was 1952 on a warm spring day. A boy was amusing himslef in the park. His undercut messy and his socks all dirtied up. He was disgusting, as the word he always used. Many children were seen playing with their friends but, this boy was always seen playing alone. He was never the type to make friends. The child was a bit of a...clean freak, if I were to put it. Always proper and always smelling nice. He never really liked the presence of others, afraid they would get him "dirty". But, it's not like he minded being alone. Sadly, he was used to it. Levi, was his name, was used to be alone.

His father, Francis Ackerman, was one of the richest man in all of France. He owned a toy industry, making the best quality toys since 1819. His grandfather gave the industry to his father and, in many years, would give the industry to him. "Be proper! For you're next in line." His father would always tell him. Being the owner of a toy company meant that he had to work 24/7, so he was never around. His mother helped her husband so she was never around either. Levi can't even remember the last time they celebrated his birthday together.

Levi was playing patiently on the park sand, when he realized the situation he was in. "Filthy" he muttered, as he got up to dust himself off. He couldn't wait to get home and take a warm shower. Levi started leaving until he heard that noise again, a giggle. The park where Levi played was right beside a child graveyard. He wasn't scared. He didn't believe in ghosts, but every once in a while he would always hear this little giggle, deep where the cemetery was.

"He he he". He heard it again, but this time his curiosity got the best of him and he went towards the sound instead of away from it. He began to step carefully on the cemetery ground. "Who's there?" He asked normally, but there was no answer. He walked a little deeper. "Who's there?" he asked, a little louder. Levi stayed quiet for a few seconds, his heart beating faster within each step. He was about to open his mouth to speak when, "You're funny", he heard. Levi backed away, but stayed put. He was never the kind to run away from fear. Levi clenched his hands into fists and gathered up some courage. He lifted his chin showing he wasn't scared. "Show yourself, slowly" he spoke calmly but his heart was beating fast. He looked into the cemetery and saw a figure move. The figure started to stand, and Levi saw her, clearly.

"Hello" said the girl. Levi looked at her clothes and backed away. She wore a small blue dress with white leggings and a black sweater. She was all dirty. Her hair was a mess and her hands had mud on them along with her glasses. Levi was surprised she could see through them. He began to regret his decision of going there. "Filthy" he told her. The girl looked down at her mess and smiled. "I guess so" she said calmly and began walking closer to Levi but he backed away. The girl realized and stopped. "I'm Hanji Zoe, a pleasure to meetcha!" She spoke with excitement in her voice, the same excitement he hears when his father tells his mother that they're getting a new factory built. She put out a hand for him to shake but he ignored it and put his hands in his pockets. "Levi, pleasure" he spoke with no excitement at all and he saw that Hanji seemed to think it was strange. Putting her hand back to her side she smiled again, "That's a nice name". Levi's eyes widened, for he never recieved a complement from another person before. He began to walk away but Hanji didn't want that. "Where are you going" she asked, frowning a little. Levi looked back at her for a quick second then back to the front not stopping his tracks. "I'm going home" he said bluntly. Hanji quickly ran in front of him, making him stop. "Wait" she said, putting her hands up to her sides, "I want to know you". Levi didn't move and looked at her with no expression. He began to walk around her but Hanji stopped him again. "Please" she said. Levi looked at her again and rolled his eyes. "Fine, but make it quick. I'm filthy". He started to walk back into the cemetery, and Hanji followed after him.

They were walking in silence for a few minutes and Levi got inpatient. "So?" He asked a little rudely, "Are you going to ask me something or not?". Hanji seemed surprised but instead of getting offended, she simply smiled. "I am" she began "I'm just thinking of a-a" before she could finish her sentence, she sneezed, right on Levi's shoes. Levi was completely disgusted. She doesn't even block her mouth with her arm or say excuse me? He thought. "Watch it!" He told her, shaking his shoe as if the germs would fall out. Hanji sniffed and wiped her nose with her sleeve. "Sorry" she said, "It gets cold at night".

Levi nodded but then realized what she said. Why would the outside affect her? He thought. "Doesn't your house have heating?" He asked her, trying to understand. She looked at him a little confused. "House?" She asked, "I don't have a house". Levi was surprised. "Where do you and your parents sleep then?" He asked again, hoping he didn't ask a personal question. Hanji looked forward again and sighed. "I don't have parents either. I sleep here, in the graveyard" she said it a little sad. Levi brushed it off and continued walking. Should I invite her over? He thought again. What if she hasn't eaten in days?. Before he knew it, Levi was feeling pity for the girl instead of annoyed.
"So, where are you from?" Hanji asked
"I'm from here, France" Levi answered
"Hm? You don't look French"
"Tch" Levi made his usual annoyed sound, not caring for what she said. He was about to ask her a question, when something strange cought his eye. He stopped walking and his eyes widened. "Hanji" he said, getting her attention. She stopped and looked at him. "What did you say your whole name was?" He asked, and his voice seemed shaky. "Hanji Isabel Zoe" she told him. Levi's breathing started getting rapid, this whole time, his eyes not leaving the object. Hanji noticed, and walked to where he was to look at what frightened him so much. She aimed her eyes to a gravestone and it read, "Hanji Isabel Zoe, 1850-1859". Levi turned his head to face Hanji slowly "y-you're dead?" He stuttered. Hanji continued looking at the gravestone then at Levi and smiled. "Yes" she simply said, "I am".