Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

NINETEEN

'I call you,

I call you from your houses, from your streets, from your families.

Unite with me, and we will abolish the very system that so oppresses us; we will abolish they who started this all.

Take to the streets, take up a weapon, take your justice into your own hands.

Take Havas by storm.'

-An extract from scholar and journalist Aksel Briggs' first work, now widely banned across the Walls for inspiring a violent vigilante movement.

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NINETEEN

Wall Maria, South Region, Trost District

"I'll keep quiet," Jürgen muttered despondently. "Nothing I say or do matters anymore. I'm a dead man walking."

"How unfortunate," Lorelai smiled patronisingly. Realising they were running out of time, she walked to the window and peered out onto the street. Empty, for now.

"Jürgen, who's coming to kill you?" asked Levi.

He said nothing, guiltily avoiding his eyes.

"Tch. It's not Elske, is it?"

"...I've never been the most competent father."

"Dear God," Levi sighed. "What was it then? Drink? Drugs?"

There was always a story with renegades like Elske— often, the abused becomes the abuser. Distantly, Levi realised it was a wonder that he himself didn't become something along the same lines.

"...You're right. I drank too much after the Siege. I just couldn't look at Elske anymore without seeing her mother."

"So you loosed her to a murderous cult? How very fatherly." Levi retained his glare. "But murder? Why?"

He hung his head in his hands. "Elske Jürgen is not the forgiving sort. I'm the only one alive who knows what she's done; I'm a loose end to be tied up."

"What a charming family you are. But I can't say I'm surprised; if you were my old man, I'd try to kill you too."

"What do you want from me, both of you? Or are you just here to antagonise me?"

Lorelai walked back over from the window. "What's Elske's play? It's one thing to seek revenge and quite another to create a complex scheme of bandit organisations and old movements."

Jürgen shook his head sadly. "She's a kid. She's trying to prove herself. Elske doesn't just want you dead; she wants the credit and glory, and Briggs' respect; she wants her name in every newspaper."

Lorelai scoffed. Elske was definitely a kid; no mature murderer would even dare wish for something as childish as 'glory'. The girl probably doesn't even realise what it really meant to take a human life.

"Alright, and now she's coming after you to get revenge for your bad parenting and for taking her credit," Lorelai concluded.

"So, will you help me?" said Jürgen pitifully.

"I can barely help myself, sweetheart."

"But you said-!"

"Sorry, honey, I don't make a habit of getting involved in family affairs. Do give Elske my best." With a final sickly-sweet smile, she opened the door and left Jürgen to his misery.