Levi's POV

"Mommy?" I woke up to a loud noise in the morning, much earlier than I usually get up. I walked out of my room and into the living room, seeing Uncle Kenny there. He was holding Mommy close, shaking his head.

"This is what happens when you don't take care of yourself, Kuchel... you die."

"Mommy?"

"Mommy's not coming back." He gently lays her back on the ground, walking to me. "Go back to your room while I handle things." In his eyes, it was the same look as Mommy's. It was sad.

I didn't listen to him at all, I stayed close to the living room to see what happens to Mommy. Red and blue lights filled the room when they carried Mommy out of the room. I was told to say my goodbyes, and I wanted her to come back. Mommy always took me to school where my only friend is. She scolds me for fighting, but she gives me treats when I do good things. Mommy always tucked me into bed and sang a little song. When she's crying, I like to sleep with her in bed. She always held me tightly.

I can't see her again.

I won't feel her warmth or hear her songs again. She would never take me back to school where Hanji is. She would never be there when I'm crying. She tells me it was okay to cry... and I wanted to be with my friend. I wanted to be with Mommy. I wanted her back.

My uncle never took me to school. He tells me to put all my clothes into a bag as everything was being put into big vans. He tells me that I'm not staying here. He says there's a job he needs to do that's very far away. 

We did stop at the school for paperwork, but I was never allowed to leave the car. I looked out the window and saw Hanji sitting on the swings, waiting for me. I tried to wave at her, but she didn't see me. The bell rings, and Hanji looked sad when she walked inside. I wanted to tell her that I'll find her again... I won't make her sad again. But my uncle came back to the car, and we drove very far away. All I wanted was to be with someone...

*   *   *

I didn't realize that my mom was suffering from an untreated illness. She carried on through the pain until she collapsed and couldn't move. We weren't rich, but we had enough money to take care of her illness before it got worse. Instead, she pushed all that money toward me. When I turned 18, I learned the truth.

She knew that she was going to die soon, so she conjured up a will, writing it all in my name. I had everything that belonged to her. I guess my uncle took care of me because that was the right thing, but he was never my father. I was left alone most of the time, but he lets me do my own thing.

Seeing Hanji again, this wave of regret flooded me. I promised I'll find her, and I forgot about her. When I told her a bit about what happened, I could see the anger fading away. I get it. I was angry when I couldn't see her. Maybe more saddened, but still... I get it.

"I... I didn't know that."

"I don't think your mom would have the courage to tell a 7-year-old about death. It's a difficult question... I don't blame her. And it took so long... I think she forgot about it."

"I'm sorry to hear that..."

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault. I remember I blamed my mom for her being gone. Everyone said it was treatable, but she didn't get it taken care of. It was her fault for not getting it checked out. But she spent everything she had on me. I loved her, but I wish she took care of herself more. That way, she could live longer with me."

"Parents are like that..." That's questionable. Are you saying that you're a parent? No... if she does, she should be home by now to take care of them. And I don't see a ring on her finger. "It's... it's nice to see you again."

"What made you become a detective?"

Hanji chuckles softly, pointing her finger at me. "It was because of you. When you disappeared, I thought of crazy ideas of what happened to you. Eventually, that led to me solving puzzles and I got into a lot of documentaries. Soon enough, I wanted to do something to make the world a better place. That's when I became a detective. What about you?"

"I..." I don't think I'm ready, to tell the truth... I'll lie. "I wanted to find you." It's not a complete lie, but that's what I could come up with.

"That sounds cheesy..."

"You were my friend. And that's why I moved here."

"So... it's not a coincidence that you're here when I get a case?" Crap... what case? 

"What case is it?"

"You tell me. Your name is on it."

"Which part?"

"You're also working the case. Which is strange... I'm technically your senior in experience at this station, but you're also working alongside it. Is it somewhat connected to you?"

"It doesn't matter-."

"It does. When it comes to cases in which we are connected, our emotions get in the way. We might let our emotions take control when we need to be clear-headed and review evidence without bias. Do you understand?"

"Hanji, I understand. But it's connected to me that I have more experience in dealing with this gang. I was tracking it down to its source. When I found out that the source is here, I requested a transfer. Of course, I can't take that case when I just transferred, so I asked to have my name put on there. It was a coincidence that you were also put on the case."

Most of those weren't lies but weren't also the truth. 

She looked at me with those brown eyes of hers before she sighs and resumes drinking her wine. "Fine... but promise me that you won't let bias take over you. Personal or not."

"Like I would. I want to get to the bottom of this as quickly as I can."

"Then you would leave again?" She asks in a saddened tone, "Back home to the big city?"

"Depends." I say, sighing, "It depends if I can find another reason to say here."