One Last Time

Ch. 11: Amends

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Chapter 11: Amends

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Hange knew that words had some kind of impact on Levi. A strange aura surrounded him as a tragedy had just happened. Something she wasn't aware of and did not know about. She wanted to stop him but he was fast and seemed like he wanted to talk to no one. He walks away, getting himself confused within the crowd.

"Where is he going?" Maria interrupts Hange's thoughts as she sees Levi walk away in silence.

"He is probably going back to the carriage," Hange says as she turns around to face the brunette. "But tell me ... Are you ready to go home?"

"I've been thinking ... And I would like to stay here for some time to help the kids get adjusted," Maria mentally prayed more than anything at the moment than to stay.

"I am sorry but you can't do anything about it, you have to go back to the dorms-"

"But!"

"We have strict orders from Commander Shadis, Levi and I already did too much by asking him permission to come and look for you all," Hange looks at Maria with sadness in her eyes, it was tragic that Maria wasn't allowed to take her own decisions. "We have to come back with you all ... If we don't we will get punished and you will have it worst."

"But what if we say-"

"Maria, we can't lie ... We are here to take the house attendants, even one of the commander's advisor is here with us," Hange added. "Another specialized group is going to come for the injured soldiers, they are going to come and investigate the place ... They will find you."

Hange places a hand on the brunette's shoulder to show her resilience, "I am sorry, but you are still legal property of the Survey Corps ... If they find out you are here without permission, they will punish you. You won't be able to stay on the dorms anymore, you will be put somewhere else or they will even sell you to someone."

The brunette looks down to the ground in disappointment, she knew that she couldn't stay here for long. However, she had the hope that this time could be different. The brunette looks over to the children, they looked to be happy at the moment as their tummies received proper amounts of food. It has only been a couple of days but she became fond of them quickly.

"But on the bright side, Erwin will officially become the next Commander really soon and he may permit you to come back," Hange tried to cheer up the brunette as he noticed that Nicholas was approaching her from behind. He had heard the conversation as he was walking by.

"Do you think he will let me come?"

"Erwin has a good heart ... I am almost sure," she smiles, and that brings comfort to Maria.

"Also! I asked some of my old friends to keep giving the kids extra food while we are gone," Nicholas interrupted as he places an arm around Maria's shoulders. "They are strong kids too, so don't worry too much ... Also, my friend Hannes comes every week to visit the kids and makes sure they are eating properly."

Maria smiles feeling a bit more positive, this obstacle shouldn't stop her from achieving her wants. She shouldn't give up too easily, once Erwin becomes Commander of the Survey Corps, she will ask him to allow her to stay at the refugee facility for a couple of days. At least until the children were relocated to a safe place.

"Fine, I'll go with you," Maria responds. "I'll go tell the other house attendants to get ready too."

"Don't worry, the Commander's advisor will go to each room and look for them," Hange says, and then she looks at Nicholas with a teasing smile. "Also, Flaherty!"