"Are you sure it happened here?"

A map was rolled out atop of a crate beside the fire. A slender finger was pointing at a particular market square inside Trost. I stare at the location for quite a while unsure what to make of it.

No one spoke and simply crowded Hanji, Levi, Edward, and I as we sit around the crate. Edward nods earnestly his eyes darker than before.

"Yes. I'm sure." I quirk up a brow in puzzlement. I don't reply as I narrow my eyes. None of this made sense.

"So, you're telling me Nat was kidnapped, at a market square, and there were no witnesses??"

Looking at Edward, he kept his eyes firmly on the the map while retracting his finger. Sweat trickled down his temple as he wets his lips.

"I told you, I asked everyone if they saw her. And they said they didn't."

Levi makes a little humph sound but doesn't contribute. Hanji eyes the map skeptically with a small frown. I still kept my eyes on Edward. I couldn't understand him.

Or, more like his words sounded made up. This market square, NiHaru, was known in Trost as the busiest. With people setting up shopping stands to sell their unique wares had many citizens bustling in that area. And one thing's for sure, there was nothing there beneficial towards any of us here.

"Edward, we have enough supplies to last us two days here," I point out. "Why go back for more supplies? Were you given orders to?"

He hesitates, the way his eyes widen in panic causes Levi to turn to him suspiciously. But his eyes soon harden as if he never hesitated and was irritated instead.

"I noticed that we didn't have enough bread for everyone here so I went back to Trost. Nat just tagged along."

"Bullshit," Levi snaps. "What kind of crappy lie is that?"

"With all do respect, Captain," Edward grinds tightly. "It's not a lie."

"Then you're leaving out some sort of information," I state. "There's no way no one saw Nat get kidnapped in NiHaru. That's one of the busiest market squares."

"Well, that's what I saw," Edward snaps while standing. He gives everyone an annoyed glare. When his eyes land on me I instantly flinch. They were hard, hard with some sort of darkness brewing within them. There was something about his gaze, it caused a shiver to go down my spine. "Look, I know that square is busy but I swear, the people I asked didn't see her."

I swallow thickly, I still wasn't buying it. As much as I care for Edward and genuinely want to believe him, I couldn't. A child could tell his statement didn't make any sense considering the location. I had a feeling he was still hiding something. I just wasn't sure what.

"Alright, that's enough," Hanji sighs. "We're heading back to Trost tomorrow and give Dawk and Erwin the information. We'll see what they have to say."

I watch her roll up the map before telling everyone to get some rest. Standing, I look at Levi who was also staring back at me as well. There was no way we could finish what we started.

At least, not tonight. My heart raced at the thought of Nat being kidnapped by those killers. There was is a cool chill greeting my veins when I remember Edward's dark gaze.

Why did he glare at me like that? And why take Nat so suddenly? What were these killers' motive?

I shake my head, I had to look over the evidence again tomorrow. There's no way I will let Nat get killed. I can't have my soldiers die on me. Not like this.

"Oi."

I blink out of my daze, refocusing my vision on the man in front of me. Levi stares up at me with a quizzical frown.

I tilt my head, "What?"

"I said, go to bed," he sighs. "You need the energy tomorrow."

"I'm not tired," I state with crossed arms. "I need to talk to Edward."

Levi rolls his eyes. "Don't wast your breath on that kid. He won't talk like a couple of minutes ago."

"Maybe it was because everyone was glaring at him."
There were too many people. It should've just been us four and not everyone. It made him nervous. I shake off my nerves and swerve around Levi. "Look, I'm sure he'll talk to me. Trust me."

He has to, I think hopefully. He can't keep stuff from me. I need answers. Before I can head to Edward's tent Levi grasps my wrist.

I glance over my shoulder with a raised brow. He was staring back with a hard look but instantly drops that wall and softens his gaze. I was sure my heart did a flip when I lock eyes with him. I knew I was blushing by the sight of Levi's amused smirk.

"Be quick," he demands. "And go to my room."

I had the audacity and lack of knowledge to ask why. Levi blew out a scoff clearly ticked off by my dumb question. I couldn't help it, my mind was mush around him.

"Because I said so, brat. You're sleeping with me and that's final."

I couldn't ask why or, more like I didn't want to. His simple words brought an overwhelming comfort to me. Levi doesn't say more and strides back into the cabin with Hanji at his heels.

I watch him head inside finally realizing I had held my breath till he went inside. I wanted nothing more now than to lay in bed with him and maybe cuddle. My body shivers in anticipation. I shake my head and turn back around.

Right, I have to talk to Edward first. Quickly striding towards his tent I began to hear murmuring. I quirk up a brow, was he not alone?

I stand there for awhile, perking my ear in hopes of catching the conversation. I only caught muffled speaking of one person. And they didn't sound happy.

"Um, Edward? Can I talk to you?"

The murmuring suddenly stops. Silence had greeted the tent leaving me to wonder if there was really someone with him. The longer I stood outside the more my curiosity began to get the better of me.

Raising a hand I reach to lift up the flap, a tan hand suddenly pops out of the tent. I jolt back, my heart almost lurching out of my chest. Edward's head pops out of the tent scanning around him. When his eyes land on me, his shoulders relax.

"Oh, it's just you, Em."

"Damn it, Edward," I breathe with a hand to my chest. "Can you at least warn me before you do that?"

He shrugs with a mischievous smile, "Sorry. Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk."

His eyes narrow suspiciously with a frown coming to his face. "About what?"

"You know what it's about." I frown with crinkled brows. I didn't want to push him and do my best to appear calm. Even though my heart was racing. I needed to know everything. Edward doesn't say a word, only breathing out a deflated sight as he moves to the side.

"Obviously you won't drop the subject tonight so come on in."

Despite his unwelcoming, sarcastic words I stride through the flaps of the tent. There was a simple sleeping bag on the ground with a lantern. I quirk my brows in confusion. Odd, I think.

"What?" Edward stares at me with furrowed brows as he plops atop his sleeping bag.

"I thought there was someone else here," I mumble.

"Why would there be anyone in my tent except me?" He questions.

My frown deepens. I could've swore I heard someone talking. Even though I didn't know what was being said, I knew I heard a voice.

I shake my head, maybe Levi's right. I should head to bed soon. I situate myself on the ground across Edward.

"Never mind. Anyway, can I ask you something?" I question. "It's about Nat," I quickly add.

At the sound of her name his eyes harden. Something brews within them, taking the light away from his gaze. Quickly looking away he frowns.

"I told you everything," he mutters curtly.

"I know," I agree calmly. "But I just want to make sure because I don't want you getting into trouble with Erwin tomorrow. So, if there's anything you haven't said or forgot to tell me, share now."

Edward didn't answer for a long moment. He was chewing the inside of his cheek, something he never did before. He never met my gaze and only glared to the side.

I sit before him waiting patiently. I wasn't sure if he was going to tell me anything or not but seeing how two minutes already passed I was going to go with the latter. Heaving a heavy sigh I make myself stand.

What a waste of time, I thought tiredly. "If you think of anything, tell me." I say softly.

I expected no answer. Turning to the exit I place one foot out the tent. Maybe Edward was actually telling the truth. How can he call me a friend when I suspect him for this?

"Wait, there was something that happened earlier before she was kidnapped."

My hand stops midair as I attempted to reach for the flap. My eyes widen at Edward's words. Glancing over my shoulder I see him staring back at me. It was a hard stare with a deep frown etched on his lips.

"What was it?" I hear myself ask with such eagerness, I surprised myself.

I quickly sit back down and face Edward with my full attention. If he was surprised he didn't show it. Instead he releases a heavy sigh and scratches his cheek.

"We talked about you," he informs. "About your failed mission two years ago."

I blink once. Twice. I didn't say a word.

That mission, why talk about it? Why indulge themselves in my failures and sinful acts? Just—why?

He read the look upon my face. Saw how I paled and bottom lip quiver. My body steels itself as I attempt to grasp my voice.

"Why?" I breathe. "Why talk about that? Did you tell her anything I said to you??"

My voice rose at each word. My eyes narrowing in accusation. Even if I shared a small part of my nightmare it didn't mean he could go around spewing it.

"N-no!" Edward exclaims while waving his hands before him. "She started it! She asked why I still talked to you knowing that you killed twenty Scouts."

"I didn't kill them!" I explode. Immediately my heart plummets at those words. At the lie I told. "I mean—I didn't mean to..."

My voice trails off, I look to the side in shame. I knew my squad still held that against me. Knew that my past was something they can't get over even if they weren't there to witness.

"I believe you." Edward mutters. "And I tried to tell her that but she said I was naïve to even trust you. We argued but I told her to drop it because it was something we should talk about."

I nod gravely and I suddenly realize I was too tired for this. I wanted nothing more than the warm embrace of Levi. If Edward realized how much this pained me to hear this, he didn't show it. He simply scooted closer with his eyes firmly on me.

"I know this is off topic but, I remember asking you to tell the rest of the story. Could you now? Nat told me you got scared and left your soldiers there to die—"

I had to scoff. Now that didn't seem all that bad from the other rumors I've heard.

"Is that true?" Edward questions. I chew my inner cheek. What was the point of keeping it from him?

Clearly everyone had the motive to reveal everything. Tell him everything they think they know. With a heavy sigh, I told him.

Told him about the mission and how Titans surrounded my squad and the others. I didn't breach close to Chris's death. Didn't mention the boy I used to love.

I brush past those memories like they were nonexistent. Yet, I heard his scream in the corner of my mind. I push those wretched thoughts away when I finally finish telling Edward everything.

"At that point when I realized everyone was eaten I made an escape back to base," I murmur solemnly. "I dropped the title of Squad Leader due to my failure and have been on Erwin's squad since. Well—up until recently."

I wait for Edward to say something. Anything at all. For some reason, I couldn't stand his silence.

His icy silence as he stares at me like he staring down into my soul. I shuffle my legs while averting my gaze. Maybe telling him wasn't such a good idea. I stand once more and then to the exit.

"I know it's a lot to take in and you don't have to say anything now. But just know, I regret every single action I made that day. It eats me up alive every night and I wish there could be a way to punish me for my sins."

I clench my jaw while steeling my fists. Tears were threatening to fall. Chris's scream started to fill my mind again and so were the others.

They wouldn't let me go anytime soon. Let me forget the horrible thing I did. I was ready to leave the tent when I heard something close to a murmur.

Halfway out I glance over my shoulder but, Edward wasn't talking. No, instead he glared fiercely at his fists atop his lap. I notice how they shook as a cold aura radiates off him.

I think I rather wish to know what he said than see that dark, cold, hateful gleam in his eyes.

/\/\/\/\/\

Hey y'all sorry for the late update!!

I'll double update really soon! My schedule is starting to clear up!^.^

Anyway, any thoughts on Edward's behavior?
Lemme know in the comments!^.^

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