Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

TWENTY-ONE

'Friendship can be more precious than bread to the starving or air to the drowning. If you do nothing else, love before you hate. It can be a potent weapon where violence might fail you.'

-An extract from the book 'Evolutions' written by philosopher Adette Briggs.

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TWENTY-ONE

Wall Maria, South Region, Port Noaks, Hyde Residence

The flowers were wilting.

As he approached the watermill, Erwin couldn't help but notice the absence of Gabriel and his many lovers. Their garden was wilting, untended to for several weeks now after he left for the Cadets.

The mill itself was much the same. The vines still climbed prettily over the cream brickwork, though they were gradually losing their leaves with the approaching winter. Erwin walked up the path, his thoughts returning to his troubles.

He didn't know what answers he was expecting. But he and Romero needed to talk; that much was clear.

Erwin sighed, his breath pushing a warm cloud into the cold air. Knocking on the door, it swung open without a second's notice. And there he was, Romero Hyde, hunting rifle in hand, a sneer upon his lips.

"Afternoon, Romero."

"Pah! Erwin Smith, ya' think you can just show up here, s'that right?" Romero grumbled, chucking his rifle aside and rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"My apologies. But were you expecting someone else?" Erwin inquired, gesturing to the rifle.

"Yes... and not the friendly sort either." Romero turned and beckoned Erwin inside. "S'about time you military clowns did the rounds! Where's that idiot girl of mine anyway?"

Erwin ducked under the low doorframe. "Trost— blowing things up, apparently."

"So, she 'as been getting my letters," he said, leading Erwin to the dining room and sitting down. "Now, what do y'want?"

"Tell me what's been happening," said Erwin, sitting opposite him.

The dining room was as small and dark as it had been weeks ago. Lorelai and Gabriel's absence had changed not much physically, but in spirit, the house was unmistakably empty.

"Disappearances, stealin's in the middle o'th'night. An old man turned up dead a few days back— strung up in some far-off town. Belmont... was it?"

Erwin didn't bother with pleasantries. "How many others? and for how long?"

"You're a bastard, ya' know that?"

"I'm quite aware that is the general sentiment."

Romero scoffed. "'Bout twenty now, five or so gone in the last few days... I'on'know since when, couple weeks back, methinks."

Erwin scribbled down Romero's rough numbers. It only strengthened his worries. The only Havasians in Noaks at the moment were families, the elderly, and the disabled. All the able-bodied were off in the Cadets.

"Have you talked to their families? How did they disappear?"

"Of course I 'ave, since I'm doin' your job anyway. They're taken when they're alone, mostly, and they leave a calling card."