(Small manga spoiler is present)

Flashback

"Um... Tristan?  Can I... a-ask you something?"

"Sure.  What is it?"

"W-What was mom like...?"

Silence.

Exactly what I expected from him.

"Sorry, I hear Quincy calling for me."

He got up and left.

Really?

I sighed, deciding that if I wanted an answer, I would have to ask him.

I slowly made my way down the dimly lit hallway.  Inching closer and closer to my dad's door.

I finally reached it and raised my fist to knock.

"Yeah?"

I opened the door and walked in.

"What is it, (nickname)?"

He asked, putting his shoes on.

"I-I... wanted to ask you about-"

"Don't tell me..."

"No-!"

I exclaimed, mortified.

"Just checking!"

He said, defensively.

"Anyway," I sighed. "I wanted to ask you about mom."

I whispered quietly.

A few seconds of awkward silence passed before he spoke up.

"Shoot, I'm going to be late!"

He got up after he glanced at his clock.

"I've got to get going.  I'll be back in a few hours, though.  Make sure you feed the dog for me!"

He said, leaving his room.

"...Oh."

I said to myself, getting up to leave.

Why won't anyone tell me about mom?

When I got back to my room, I went over to my bed and pulled a small box out from under it.

Opening it up, I looked over all my old drawings from when I was younger.

Most of them were drawings of how I imagined what my mother looked like.  Others were of the both of us, together.

Where are you mom?  And why did you leave?

There was a knock on my door so I put everything away before I got up to answer it.

"Hey, I gotta take you to your 'Hi I'm mom-less' group."

Quincy said.

"That's not what it's called, stupid."

I rolled my eyes, walking passed him.

"And I can walk myself, thank you very much."

"But dad sai-"

"Don't care."

I interrupted, leaving through the front door.

Off to another day with the devil.

Flashback End

"(F/n)..."

I heard a soft, feminine voice.

"Mm~"

I groaned, rolling over in bed.

"(F/n)..."

The voice called out again.

I clenched onto my blankets, not fully awake but I still heard the voice.

Then I felt like something trailed down my spine, sending chills throughout my body.

Finally opening my eyes to see what it was, no one was there. Nowhere to be found.

"God dammit."

I muttered, looking out my window, seeing it was still dark out.

It's not even three yet.

I mentally sighed, throwing my head back on my pillow.

It was usually always quiet at night in the Scouts' HQ. Shocking, I know.

Although, I didn't feel alone in my room.

I felt like someone was standing right there... watching me right now.

I always have that feeling though, so I don't see what's different.

I waited a good ten minutes of trying to fall back asleep, but no success.

Deciding I would go for a little stroll around HQ, I rolled out of my, somewhat, comfy bed.

I would have to be extra quiet since the superiors don't appreciate us up this late unless it's for the bathroom.

If you're caught wandering the halls... Let's just say that you get a lot of cleaning duties.

While I was strolling down the hall, I was pretty certain that I saw a light of some sort.

Like the curious little shit I am, I wanted to find out what it was.

The light turned a corner so I followed.

When I made it around, I saw a figure.

"Whoa..."

I mumbled, walking closer.

My (e/c) eyes widened a fraction when I realized who it was.

"M-Marco...?"

I whispered.

The tall young man smiled.

"Oh my God."

I grinned a little, excitedly.

He came closer to me and said,

"Take care of Jean for me."

Before disappearing.

"W-Wait... Marco!"

I turned around to make sure he wasn't behind me.

No. He was gone.

Strange.

I walked away, trying to decide if I should go back to my dorm or explore HQ.

Before I knew it, I was already down another hall.

Guess we're exploring then.

There was a room I've never been inside before so I went over and attempted to quietly open the big oak door.

Sadly it was locked and I didn't have anything to pick the lock with.

"I'll have to come back to this later."

I told myself, leaving to go back to my dorm.

When I made it back, it felt unsettling. I wasn't sure why, but I didn't want to be in here anymore.

It's fine, you're probably just imagining it.

Out of nowhere, it sounded like something was scratching my dresser.

I turned my head in the direction of the peculiar noise.

"Big bro?"

I heard a familiar dulcet voice.

"Hello?"

I whispered, examining my room.

Nobody's her-

"Hiya!"

I jumped back when I saw a young girl standing in front of me.

"W-Who are you?"

"I'm Isabel."

She flashed a bright smile.

"I'm (f/n)."

I awkwardly smiled back.

"May I ask why you're here?"

"Oh... I came to see my big brother."

"Er- um... Isabel, the others can't see you."

I could see the heartbreak in her eyes.

"B-But you can see me...?"

"Well that's because I have this thing..."

I explained, rubbing my forearm.

"Oh."

Was all she said.

"Hey... Maybe- what if you told him I'm here!  I can communicate through you!"

"Isabel- that... Wow um... I don't know,"

"Come on!  Please?"

"I can't."

"Why not...?"

Her emerald eyes saddened.

"I can't because he probably wouldn't believe me-"

"Of course he would!  No one but him would know about the things I tell you!"

"It's not just that, Isabel.  I can get killed because of this."

"Why?"

"It's- complicated..."

I sighed.

It stayed silent for awhile so I looked and saw that she left.

I'm sorry Isabel...

"I-I can't get up... Why can't I- AH! O-Ow... I can't get up...?!"

A young woman sobbed.

"What's wrong?!"

A young man ran in.

"I can't get up!"

He quickly came over to her side, delicately holding her hands and bringing her up into a sitting position.

"Ow, ow! Oh my God! Put me back down!"

She screamed in pain.

"I-I'm sorry!"

He quickly apologized, his eyes filled with fear.

"What hurts?"

"...My l-legs."

She sniffled, covering her face with her hands.

"Stay right here, I'll go get help."

I jolted awake, not able to stop coughing.

My eyes started to water while I violently coughed my insides out.

Then I remembered I kept a glass of water on my nightstand so I sat up and reached over for it.

I practically drowned myself in the water until I was able to stop.  I felt as if I was being choked or suffocated.

I wasn't able to fall back asleep so I stayed up even though I wouldn't need to be up for another two hours.

Time Skip

"I'll get the food this time. You can reserve a table, if you want."

Jean told me.

"Okay."

I responded, roaming the mess hall in search for two unoccupied seats.

After finally finding a table, I felt something different.

"Jean...?  Jean, my boy?"

My eyes widened at the abrupt, low-toned mumble.

When Jean arrived back, he gave me an odd stare.

"What're you doing?"

He questioned, taking a seat next to me.

"C-Can we talk in my room later?"

I shyly looked (up/down) at him.

"Uh... Yeah, sure."

He gave a confused face.

*That night*

"What were you wanting to talk about?"

Jean asked when we reached my dorm.

"I'll explain in a second."

I opened my door, letting him in first.

Jean sat on my bed while I lit a few candles on my nightstand since it was already dark outside.

I soon sat down next to him, on my bed.

"Can I ask you a weird question?"

"It depends."

He lightly laughed.

"Wait- you don't like me, do you?"

He had a serious tone.

"Oh my God, Jean! No!"

I rolled my eyes.

"Just checking."

He sighed.

"What I wanted to ask was- what happened to your... dad?"

Jean's eyes widened a bit, swallowing hard.

"I-I'm sorry for asking, Jean..."

I whispered, resting my hand on his shoulder.

"He was killed."

He said and I whispered at the same time.

"W-Wait... what...?"

Jean furrowed his brows, staring at me.

"What did you just say...?"

"I-I... uh,"

"How'd you know?"

"I don't know."

"No, really.  How the hell did you know?"

"I- uh..."

*Knock, knock*

Thank the walls!

I got up to answer the door.

"What's going on in here?"

"C-Captain Levi, sir!"

I stuttered, saluting.

"At ease, (l/n)."

He pushed me aside so he could enter.

"You know the rules.  Male cadets are not allowed to be in women's dorms after seven."

"Then why're you here?"

I asked, holding a laugh in as best as I could.

"Don't sass me, brat."

He spat, narrowing his impassive gray eyes on me.

"Sorry, sir."

"What's even the point of the rule?"

"We used to have lots of reports of sexual assaults. And unexpected pregnancies."

The Corporal answered.

"Why is it still in use if there hasn't been any reports in what...? Seven years? And besides, I wasn't going to do anything to her."

"Enough questions, brat. Get out and go to bed."

He ordered before leaving.

"Sorry about that, Jean. If I had remembered, you wouldn't have gotten in trouble."

"No, it's fine. It wasn't your fault. Goodnight."

"Night."

I smiled, waving bye while I watched him leave.

Flashback

"Boys, I think there's something wrong with your sister."

"What do you mean?"

Tristan asked.

"Well... Has she talked to you about... um... communicating with dead people?"

"Mhmm."

Quincy responded.

"What did she say?"

"She just said that she talks to them and that they talk to her."

Quincy shrugged.

"See, that's the problem.  I think she's mentally ill and it's making her make things up."

"Oh."

Tristan mumbled, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"Now, don't tell her about this.  Got it?"

"Okay."

They both answered.

"I'm taking her to see a doctor later-"

"Dad-!"

"But she's fine!"

Quincy's eyes started to well up.

"Quincy, she is not fine."

He got up from the table to find me.

"(Nickname)! Come here please!"

He shouted down the hall.

"What are they going to do to her?"

Tristan was fearful.

Since they were only seven and eight, they didn't really understand why dad would want to take me to a doctor for this.

"Sweetie, come here!"

He came into my room to get me.

"Huh?"

I looked up at him from my stuffed teddy I was playing with.

"We have to go somewhere real quick, okay?"

"Okay daddy."

I grinned, getting up and bringing my teddy with me.

"You boys will be fine by yourselves for an hour, right?"

Tristan nodded.

"Good. We'll be back soon."

He held my hand.

I never really knew why my brothers looked so scared for me that day. Now, I know.

Time Skip

"Dr. Jaeger, it's nice to meet you."

"You too, Mr. (L/n). And is this (f/n)?"

I nodded my little head, hugging my teddy.

"(Nickname), honey, why don't you go over there and play with your toy while we talk."

"Okay."

I sat down on the floor and just stared at my teddy.

"So what's going on with her that you're concerned about?"

"She's been telling me and her brothers that she's been talking to dead people and that they talk back to her. She's also claimed to see a man in her bedroom one night that mysteriously disappeared. It seems like she's making up lots of crap."

"Interesting.  Has she explained any other things...?"

"Y-Yes, actually... She's told me a few things that she wouldn't know.  Things from before she was born.  I have no idea how she would possibly know this stuff."

"Huh.  We may have to run some tests and see if it is in fact a mental illness- but I don't think it is, Mr. (L/n).  I can't say if it's true for sure, yet.  It all matters on belief."

"What do you mean...?"

"Let's run tests first before I misdiagnose her."

"Alright."

"(F/n), can you come over here please?"

Dr. Jaeger asked.

I looked up and nodded, strolling over to him.

"I'll have to take her into this back room for a few minutes to do some tests.  You'll have to stay out here so she doesn't get distracted."

Dr. Jaeger explained to my dad.

"Got it."

He brought me into this room that had two cushioned chairs sitting across from each other. I sat down and played with my teddy on my lap.

"I'm just going to ask you some questions okay?"

"Okay."

He picked up a notebook and pencil from a table nearby.

"Tell me what you see, exactly."

"I see you."

"Well of course- but I mean, what else do you see? Things that I don't see?"

"I see a man behind you."

"A man?"

He looked over his shoulder.

"I don't see a man."

"I do."

"Can you tell me what he looks like?"

"He kind of looks like you. But he has gray hair and a mustache. He's tall and he's wearing a brown suit."

Dr. Jaeger wrote down everything I said.

"Do you know his name?"

"Yes. But I can't tell you."

"Why can't you tell me?"

"He said it's a secret."

"A secret?"

"Yeah. It's not nice to tell someone's secrets."

"You're very right. Can you see anything else?"

"Mhmm."

I nodded.

"Please share."

"You have a daughter."

"I-I don't..."

"Yes you do. Just not yet. Later you will."

"W-What...?"

"But she's adopted."

"..."

He wrote the rest down.

"Tell me something from my past."

"You have another son."

"Oh my God..."

He muttered, scribbling on the paper.

"What else?"

"And you had another wife."

"...Wow."

He wiped his forehead, leaning back in his chair.

"I-Is that man you mentioned earlier still here?"

"No. He left. He said he had to leave."

"Oh."

"Well I think that's enough questions for today."

Dr. Jaeger got up and opened the door.

I followed him back out to see my dad.

"You can go back over there and play while we talk again."

He told me.

I went back over to the corner and set my teddy down in front of me.

"There doesn't seem to be any physical signs of something being wrong with her. But we have no way of knowing what goes on inside of her head. Honestly, I don't think she has any mental illness. She's definitely not making this stuff up."

"What-?"

"She's not making anything up, Mr. (L/n)."

"So what kinds of tests did Dr. Jaeger have you do?"

My dad asked while we walked home.

"He asked what I could see."

"And what did you say?"

"I saw a man standing behind him.  Dr. Jaeger couldn't see him though."

I answered, skipping along.

"He also had me tell him things from his past and future."

I added.

It stayed silent for awhile until I broke it.

"Daddy, why did we go see Dr. Jaeger?"

"Um... I just wanted to see if he had any idea why you talk about the... the um..."

"Dead people?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

Flashback End

All morning I've been thinking about whether I should tell Jean or not.

He does deserve to know... He is one of my best friends.  However, I can't risk him telling others.  Then they'll tell others and somehow the MP will find out and hunt me down.  Then it's farewell to me.

Finally after thinking it over again, I decided I need to tell him.  I can't stand keeping it a secret any longer!  He should know that Marco is always there for him.  Even when he doesn't have a clue.

I'll tell him tonight after dinner.

While I was heading down the stairs, another cadet passed me, going up.

I stopped immediately on the stair-landing.

"H-Hey..."

She paused and turned around to look at me.

"Yeah?"

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes.  Why do you ask?"

"Erm-... You don't seem fine."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean, you look upset."

"..."

"Did someone you know die?"

"How'd you know?"

"Wild guess."

"Y-Yeah... I just got a letter this morning about my aunt."

She whispered, her voice wavering.

"I'm so sorry..."

A few tears fell from her eyes.

"I-I just don't understand..."

She sniffles as I come over to give her a comforting hug.

"Listen, she's well and healthy now. She feels so much better."

I smiled down at her.

"Y-You really th-ink so?"

She rubbed her eye.

"I know so."

"Oh... Uh... Am I interrupting something...?"

I glanced over and saw Jean halfway up the first staircase.

"Oh! You're not interrupting at all!"

The female cadet removed herself from the hug and wiped her eyes dry.

"Thanks,..."

"(F/n)."

I smiled.

"Thanks (f/n). I feel better now."

She smiled back.

"Right! My name's Alina."

The short brunette then gave me a quick hug before running back up the stairs.

"She's cute."

Jean smirked, standing next to me now.

"Good Lord, Jean!"

I lightly punched his shoulder.

"Ow!"

He rubbed his arm.

"Stop crushing on every girl you see."

I rolled my eyes, going downstairs to train in the yard.

*After dinner*

"You wanted to talk again?"

"It's really important."

I opened my door and let him in.

We sat on my bed like last time and I started to explain.

"The other day when I asked about your dad..."

I started, averting my gaze.

"What about him?"

"Well, um... I talk to dead people."

I kept it blunt.

"Whoa, (f/n), that's a little weird."

He snickered.

"It's more than that, Jean. And it's not weird. I can also see them."

"I don't believe you."

He got up but I pulled him back down on my bed.

"Jean, when you're upset, do you feel something comforting you?"

"Yeah... How'd you k-know?"

"Because that's Marco."

"W-What...?"

His amber eyes exaggerated.

Jean left to go back to his room.  He was pretty shocked and froze for a solid five minutes before saying anything.

When I turned around, I flinched from the sudden figure standing there.

"Hello, sir.  It's always a delight to see your frowning face."

I saluted, flashing a fake-ass smile.

"Tch.  It's clearly way past seven.  Why was there a male cadet in your dorm?"

He crossed his arms.

"Chill out!  Nothing happened, Corporal.  I just wanted to talk with him."

I crossed my arms as well, looking (up/down) at him.

"Why couldn't you talk earlier or save it for morning?"

"Shouldn't I be allowed to talk to my friends whenever?"

"Quiet, brat.  Now get to bed."

He pushed me into my room.

I stumbled to the floor and looked back at my door.

"You're so clumsy."

He mumbled, walking away.

"Stupid Captain."

I muttered, getting myself back up.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

『Word Count:』3,219

Oh my God I am so fucking sorry I don't update this book often!

I try but I'm busy and it's so hard because I'm really pushing for these chapters to be long. They're all over 3k words like it says above.

But I'm just happy I finally got to finish this chapter after a month of writing it 😪

~AlpineBreadStick