Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

TWELVE

'Dearest Lorelai, this will be the last letter I write to you.

     You, of all people, would understand that this job can be unforgiving, and I find less and less time even to sleep as the project progresses, let alone write.

     But these are just excuses, and I know you will hate me for them. So, I will give it to you straight; this will probably be the last you hear from me, for a while at least, a long while.

     ...

     I hardly turned out to be your 'prince charming', did I? I admit... I will miss how you tease me.

     But that doesn't matter anymore.

     My work is too important to consider feelings. We are insignificant as compared to this giant of a duty. If I must choose between you and this work, it will be the work.

     I know you understand. But, even if you don't, it doesn't matter. I don't owe anything to anyone anymore.

     Yours, always, Warren.'

-An extract from the last letter written to Lorelai Bervik from Warren Krüger, dating two years back.

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TWELVE

Wall Maria, South Region, Port Noaks, Hyde Residence

Lorelai had been going over her old things as she packed.

     Not much had survived the fall of her home. All she had left was a few trinkets, random papers and objects she had happened to keep in her satchel when all hell broke loose a month ago.

     It was 0400 hours, and as usual, she had woken far before anyone else. Daylight would break in little over an hour, and the dawn would usher in her new life in the Scouts. Lorelai found herself wishing the sun would just... leave her be.

     So, feeling nostalgic, she'd been looking over what paperwork had survived that awful morning. None of it was of particular importance— notes, prescriptions, a spare letter or two.

      If only she had known what would happen that morning. She would have taken the time to appreciate all she had and all she would never see again. Warren. Her house. Her country.

     It was foolish of her to be pining after lost things. None of it was coming back; being miserable wouldn't change that. But everything seemed to remind her of him.

     This was hardly a fresh wound. Warren and Lorelai's relationship had come to an end long ago. But there was surprising truth in the phrase 'you only want it when it's gone.'

     Somehow, against her better judgement, Lorelai found herself reading the last letter she had received from him— the last letter she would ever receive from him.

     It was a cursed letter. When she'd opened it for the first time, the bit of paper had been subjected to numerous bouts of verbal torture, cursing, and at one point, a close encounter with a lit match.

     Despite knowing this would always be her reaction to it, Lorelai discarded the envelope and tore her eyes upon his neat handwriting.

     What was she doing? This was so foolish— the actions of a child and nothing more. But Lorelai couldn't stop.