Contemplative Sensitivity

My Name's Kenny Ackerman

While Erwin, Nile, Mike and Cecily were in Hoover City--Levi was at a supermarket, scanning the ice cream aisle for a coffee flavored variety. He had been searching for fifteen minutes and was beginning to shiver, but he didn't want to leave the store without it. It was Farlan's favorite flavor, and Levi thought it would be good to give him a treat. The gesture would show him that all his progress was good progress. To show Farlan that he's allowed to enjoy his life...because his mother and Isabel would want him to. 

Finally after walking down the aisle for the fifth time, he found a lone Blu Bunny Coffee ice cream. It was the last one left and it was pushed out of the line of sight (if he hadn't strained his eyes really hard, he would have missed it). 

"If it isn't Levi-Heichou," a voice boomed, startling Levi. 

He glanced to his right and he saw Hanji and Petra walking down the aisle. Hanji was wearing unflattering brown shorts, and a tight green shirt. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, and Levi saw that one of her lenses is cracked. Petra, smaller and paler, wears a pretty yellow dress; her cheeks were bright and rosy. Levi tsked, and turn back to the ice cream. 

"Hey! Don't pretend you didn't see me!" 

"Hanji, stop! You're too loud! They'll kick us out of the store," Petra begged. 

Levi grabbed the ice cream and proceeded to walk away from them, but Hanji catches up to him and puts her arm around his shoulder. He groaned; Hanji rolled her head back and let out raucous laughter. 

I really don't know what Mike sees in you, Levi thought to himself. He shrugged her off and pinched her rib cage.

"OW! You're so mean!" Hanji squealed. "Is that ice cream for us?" 

Petra peeled Hanji away. "Sorry about her, Levi!"

Levi smiled, and shakes his head. Hanji, who was about to tease him again, stops short. "Oh, so really aren't talking right now."

"Hanji, why would Mike lie to you?" Petra asked, exasperated. Levi returned the same exasperation, but with his facial expression. 

"He lies a lot! He tried to drag me on a surprise road trip yesterday," Hanji clicked her tongue. "He told me he found Cecily's family. That was totally a lie. I mean, how could he afford to find them?"  

Levi's eyes widened. Is that why Mike had called?  He asked himself. Levi had been cleaning the Church's kitchen when he heard his cellphone buzzing. He had assumed it was a telemarketer, so he ignored it. When he was finished cleaning, he checked the caller I.D., saw it was Mike and immediately called back, but it went straight to voicemail. Levi hadn't thought anything of it...until then. 

He tugged on Hanji's sleeve and gestured for her to tell him more. When she finished, she said, "But it's all a lie! He just wanted to take me out of town to fuc--" 

Levi put his hand over her mouth to silence her. With his free hand, he pointed at his face, did a sweeping motion over it and then rubbed his fingers together. Flat face has money, he thought to himself. Petra looked confused, but Hanji nodded in understanding. Levi took his hand away from Hanji's mouth, pointed at his ice cream and back at the two girls. You guys want some? he asks in his head. That time Petra nodded in understanding and Hanji looked confused. 

"Ladies, is this mute bothering you?" A voice said from Levi's backside. It was a manly voice...a familiar voice. While Petra and Hanji deny the man's accusation, Levi slowly turned to face him.

His hair had thinned, but he hadn't gone bald. His arms, legs and stomach had thickened, and his arms were even hairier than Levi remembered. His smile was toothy, white and wide, and his blue eyes were bright with evil delight. Levi dropped the ice cream, his life flashing before his eyes.