Chapter Sixty-Five: Gone
(Levi's POV)
Why? The ONE TIME I absolutely have to keep my emotions under control and for some reason I start freaking out. I sighed deeply when I watched Emi leave. I was such an asshole. I sauntered back into the bathroom, the thin white and pink test practically staring at me. I shouldn't have said what I did. I exhaled, reaching for the test as the bold pink plus sign made me feel even worse then I did before. I never told Emi but the thought of children scared me. Not because I thought she would be a bad mom, in fact I loved the idea of Emi being a mother. But, I was not cut out to be a father. I mean, the only father figure I really had was Kenny, and that man was nothing like the fathers you see in fairy tales. Memories of my childhood burned in my mind. Kenny did his best to teach me what he could. Honestly if it wasn't for him I probably wouldn't be alive. But, I would never want my own child to have the kind of childhood I did.
"I need to find her and beg for her forgiveness..." I muttered to myself as I sat the test back down on the bathroom counter. After collecting my coat and shoes I headed out to the first place I thought Emi would go; Hange's house. It was a short fifteen minute ride by horse to Hange's house. I had never actually been to Hange's house before, but I knew her address from the many files on her that I have read in the past. I tied my horse to the post outside of her home and took a deep breath. I slowly walked up to her front door and knocked softly, not sure if this was the best decision seeing as though Hange quickly became one of Emi's friends after Kami's death.
"Commander? What are you doing here?" Hange asked as she sleepily rubbed her eyes. I sighed deeply and rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Is Emi here?" I asked as Hange shook her head. "No, I haven't seen her since we went wedding dress shopping. What happened?" She questioned, squinting her eyes after a few moments. "Levi, what did you do?" She rephrased her question. "I just wanted to know if she was here. If you see her will you please tell her to come home?" I asked as she sighed. "Well, I know you won't tell me what you did but I want you to know that girl truly loves you. Don't be too hard on her Levi, everyone deals with loss differently." Hange stated as I looked up at her. "You know, I think that was the smartest thing you've ever said." I spoke, Hange rolled her eyes immediately . "I'll talk to Mikasa, Historia and Sasha. Maybe they have an idea where she could have gone." I nodded, heading back to my horse as I felt my mind begin to race. Come on Levi, think...If I was Emi where would I go?
Once I climbed onto my horse I decided I'd check to see If she had went to the barracks. I knew she enjoyed using the facilities to train every once in a while. Before I left I smacked myself in the forehead. "Idiot...she's pregnant. She wouldn't go train.." I muttered to myself as I tried to think of the places she could be. After a few moments of thinking to myself everything clicked in my mind. "The Spirit Tree.." I sighed deeply. It was already almost completely dark outside. We had moved closer to Shiganshina District after Kami's death. Historia had suggested it would be a good idea to be close, so that Emi could go mourn Kami whenever she wanted to. I ran my hand through my hair as I began my journey to The Spirit Tree.
My stomach began to churn as I got closer and closer to the tree. If I wasn't such an asshole, maybe my future wife wouldn't have ran away from me. I felt my guilt slowly consume me as I saw Emi's horse, Bella running towards us at full speed. When Bella saw Hades and I she slowed down and neighed a few times. I jumped off of Hades and carefully grabbed Bella's reigns. "Shh, Bella it's okay. Did Emi forget to tie your reigns properly again?" I asked as my black eyes suddenly noticed the streak of something red across Bella's flank. I moved closer to the substance as my eyes widened, quickly realizing what it was...Blood. I quickly tied Bella to the tree and climbed on top of Hades, commanding him to go as fast as he could. "Please...Please." I muttered to myself as I could feel myself quickly begin to panic.
"EMI?!" I screamed as I threw myself off of Hades' back, running towards the tree. "EMI IF YOUR HERE PLEASE COME OUT!" I screamed, the details of the tree coming into view as I noticed a note being held onto the tree by a knife. My hands shook in fear as I slowly reached for the hilt of the blade. I held the knife and note in my hand as I placed my hand on the base of the tree. "Please Kami... let her be okay.." I muttered as I slowly opened the note, something slipping out of it as I pulled the letter open. I looked down, seeing my worst fear. Emi's silver engagement ring laid at my feet as my eyes quickly darted to the letter:
Levi,
It's been a while, a long time actually. You see, I was looking for a new job when I was recruited by a certain organization who asked me to bring your girl to them. She put up a pretty good fight but, She wasn't strong enough to take me down. I think I'll keep her for a while, try not to miss her too much Levi! I'm guessing I'll be seeing you soon huh? Well until then.
- Kenny
I felt my heart, mind and soul shatter in a matter of seconds. I had to get her back...I had too...
TO BE CONTINUED....