Hellfire • L.A.

Pack

I'm sat in Erwin's office squished between Hanje and Levi, Chief Zackly in front of me next to Erwin. My heart feels like it'll explode from anxiety. Levi has no reason to spill my secrets to Erwin, after all, he did make a promise. Still, though, it worries me that he's remained pretty silent for the majority of this meeting.

Like Levi said last night, Erwin is holding a meeting to discuss the mysterious serum Kenny Ackerman surrendered to Levi before he died. Unknowingly to everyone in this room except for Levi, however, I might be able to unlock the secret of its origins.

"The science is too advanced to pull any more samples without the contents of this vial evaporating completely." Hanje holds the syringe carefully between her thumb and pointer finger. "We're afraid to waste what we have, sir."

Zackly nods. "Well then, we know what does. I suppose this should say in the possession of the scouting regiment. Erwin?"

"This needs to be in the hands of someone who can choose to use it without any regrets. Levi," Erwin turns towards Levi, who only nods.

I space out for a minute. The serum has a siren call to it, and I'm entranced. I don't want anything to do with it, I'm glad they haven't asked me to hold onto it, but I want to know if my family has anything to do with it...

"What is biology, mommy?"

My mother holds onto me from behind as she brushes my hair. I'm watching her in the vanity's mirror, entranced by the way she runs the brush through my curly red tresses.

She smiles at me in our reflection. "That's a big word. Where did you learn that?"

"A book in your bookshelf. What does it mean?"

My mother hums and puts the brush down. She begins to pull my hair back and separate it into three sections for a braid. I watch her with childlike curiosity and wonder.

"Well, biology is science. You remember science right?"

"Yeah, it's how daddy makes bread!"

She chuckles. "Yes, he uses science to make bread. But, biology is a certain type of science. It's the study of life."

I frown and wrinkle my nose. "Why would anyone want to learn about life? That's so boring!"

My mother grabs a ribbon from an open drawer at the vanity. It's dark green and velvety, one of my favorites. She begins to tie my hair off so that the braid will stay in place. "Well, lots of people think it's interesting. My father was always interested in it, and so was his father."

"But how do people study it?"

She turns me around in her lap and pinches my cheeks. "You're too curious for your own good, butterfly."

I pout, sticking my bottom lip out and looking away from her. "Daddy always says it's good to learn new things."

"He's right. Never stop learning, Lux. I'll tell you what, I'll tell you about your granddaddy and all of his experiments if you promise to behave at the wedding today, okay?"

I nod eagerly, jumping off of my mother's lap and strutting over to the full-length mirror in the corner of her and my father's bedroom. My small hands fluff out my dress as I swish the material from side to side. "How do you know these people again Mommy?"

She stands up from her seat at the vanity and walks up behind me. She's gorgeous, even with her face slightly swollen from her pregnancy. She's not too far along just yet, but her bump is still visible. The periwinkle dress she wears is simple but she makes it look like it came directly from Sina. "They're just friends from when I was younger, that's all."