"Needed?" I repeat, puzzled. "Needed for what?"

The Scout sucks in a breath and braces a hand on the open door. "I—I have no clue but, Commander Erwin said it's urgent."

I didn't need more information than that. I wasn't sure what could be important but, I must head over to his office. I hear a small groan behind me. Edward had begun to sulk as well as sagging his shoulders.

"How convenient," he mumbles. But his disappointed expression disappears into thin air. He instead, straightens his spine and gives me a small smile. "Let's talk afterwards, okay? I'm kinda curious about your reaction to my confession."

I blush immensely at that. His words ring in my head like a bell. I'm in love with you.

God damnit, I'm not in the mood to turn him down. On top of that, he seemed hopeful and I wasn't sure why. Does he think I would reciprocate?

I swallow thickly at the thought. How do I let down a friend easily? I manage a small nod and a tentative smile.

"Alright. See you later then." Quickly I dash out the mess hall before Edward could say more.

His whole little speech, the way he apologized it seemed—wrong. His words felt rushed, forced even. Yet, he still had that sincere look in his eye as if he truly meant it.

Did he truly? I'm sure it's up to me to decide if I should believe him or not. However, I did feel something when he apologized.

Maybe it was because I felt guilty for yelling at him or maybe because I sympathized with his reason to be stressed. I knew for a fact though, if it were Levi captured by those guys I would make him my top priority too. I already stood before Erwin's office door.

I shake away all my previous thoughts and push through. As I stride in I see Erwin standing behind his desk frowning at papers atop them. Two men stood before him.

A tall man with black hair had his back facing me. I could see the unicorn symbol on the back of his jacket. I knew it was Nile Dawk, Commander of the Military Police.

The other one to my right was Levi. His back was also turned but I could tell his arms were crossed.

"Why did you need to see me?" I question in a way of greeting. I strode towards the three, stopping between Nile and Levi. "What's so urgent?"

Erwin doesn't respond immediately, as expected. So instead, I turn my attention to Nile. He also frowned at the papers but he seemed to be lost in thought.

"Commander Dawk?" I quested. "What's going on?"

For a moment, he doesn't respond but he did suck in a breath. He shakes his head before looking down at me.

"Unfortunately, there has been another murder," he responds solemnly. "And it's someone you know."

"Elise Butcher." Levi informs monotonously. My breathing stops, a cold hover runs down my spine.

Elise, one of my Squad Members. I haven't talked to her or to anyone after that mission went to hell. Heck, they even lost respect in me and started to compare me to the serial killer tormenting Trost.

I don't blame them though, who knew what crazy rumor they heard that was close to the truth? But despite all that, I haven't talked to her. It burned a hole in my chest.

Despite how difficult it was, I swallow down that lump in my throat. I slowly turn back to Levi and Erwin. Levi looked worse than I felt.

His eyes were darker, strands of his hair cascaded a small shadow over them. He didn't even meet my gaze.

"It's true." Erwin's deep voice brings me out of my daze. "Dawk's men found her body in an alleyway."

Erwin finally meets my gaze. His cerulean eyes were a shade darker. My eyebrow twitched at the sight.

My tongue felt heavy suddenly but, I still force myself to speak. "Was she—brutally murdered?"

Something flickers over his face when I questioned him. But still, he straightens himself before pushing a paper my way.

"I think it's better if you read the report yourself."

When I glance down at the paper, to my surprise the report was short. It was like there wasn't much to say. I will my hand not to shake as I reach for it.

I could feel Levi's strong, unwavering gaze upon me. But he doesn't speak, he only watches. I allowed my eyes to read the words. I stifled gasp escapes me, my eyes widening at such detail.

Elise Butcher, Cadet of the Survey Corps, member of Lieutenant Wolfram's Squad, was murdered last night possibly at midnight.

Her body found at eight o'clock a.m by Military Police Commander, Nile Dawk's, men. Her body was gruesomely mutilated. She laid face first on the ground. Her clothes were ripped and her hair seemed to be cut violently by the culprit.

Five of her fingernails were also missing. However, her left leg seemed to be broken and there were many bruises upon her to confirm she was physically abused and assaulted.

I grip the paper so hard, I accidentally punctured a hole underneath my thumb. No one scolded me for my act. A pool of anger began to overflow inside me.

It boiled over, leaving my body hot and my teeth to grind violently against one another. I hated what I read next.

There were words on the ground beside Elise's body. It seemed to be written in her blood. From what we gathered it seemed to be some sort of message from the killer.

It said, 'It's your fault she's dead.'

A disgusting bile of vomit suddenly surges in my throat. I wanted to empty my stomach but, I don't. I strengthen myself the best I could by taking in a breath.

"Emma," Levi murmurs. He doesn't reach out to me but only looks at me in concern. He didn't have to ask for me to answer.

"I'm fine," I assure. I place the paper back down before looking at Erwin. "Is this why you called me? To tell me a member on my squad died?"

Erwin shakes his head, "Not exactly. From the information given to me, is it true you figured out the killer's pattern?"

I manage a quick glance at Levi. He doesn't show any sort of emotion but I felt a surge of confidence radiating off of him. I look back with a nod.

"Yes. It seem the killers are aware of when the Scouts they target requests a leave. They don't kill on certain days but when the ones who try to take a break."

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt but, did you say they? As in more than one?" Dawk questions with wide eyes.

It came to my discretion he was not informed of the two possible killers. Even Levi was surprised by his obliviousness. He scoffs at Erwin in disdain.

"You haven't told him what I told you?" He snaps. "Did you hit your head or something?"

"Now's not the time for shrewd comments," Erwin tuts. "It wasn't my story to tell Commander Dawk. It's Emma's."

I blink in surprise. It only took me a moment to realize he wanted me to tell him how I almost got captured. That's why he brought me here. I'm a witness.

Despite the bubbling disappointment brewing inside me I do as my Commander Officer wishes. I turn to Dawk and report everything I could recall. He seemed surprised when I mentioned the high possibility of two serial killers but even more so when I had to tell him about Edward.

When I finished it took him longer than I expected for him to process everything. He hums thoughtfully, rubbing an index finger on his scruffy chin.

"You said there's two killers then?" He questions.

"Yes," I reply. "When I thought I was saving a scout it ended up being a man wearing the uniform to trap me."

Dawk nods along, "And judging by where this happened, I'm guessing you didn't see their faces."

I nod in agreement. Now that I think about it, how did they even know I would be in that area? Was it just their luck?

No, that couldn't be possible. The guy with the hood claimed he wanted to meet me. Sinner-to-sinner. But why? What could I possibly have in common with them?

"But, about this Edward," Dawk ventures. "He's a Cadet, right?"

"He's on my squad," Levi informs. "And a suspect."

"Levi, I said we're not going to assume that," Erwin firmly reminds.

"Why not? Emma just told you he told them to run."

"But were you there?" Erwin challenges.

"It doesn't matter if I was there or not! The facts are there!"

Through the midst of their useless arguing I thought. Thought about Edward. Thought about his explanation.

Hearing Levi assume he was a suspect caused my heart to pitfall inside me. He was my friend, my dear friend. Even if he told the murderers to run it doesn't change the fact he saved me.

Shouldn't that be enough to not be considered a suspect?

"Edward isn't a suspect." I hear myself say. Erwin and Levi stop midway through their argument. Dawk simply stares at me in wonder. I shake my head and meet their gazes. "Edward Cam is my friend. I know for a fact he isn't a suspect. He saved my life regardless if he didn't capture those killers."

I knew this was the right decision. Edward had nothing to do with this, he only showed up at the wrong moment. I keep telling myself that as I kept my body straight and strong but, a wrinkle of doubt still brews at the back of my mind.

Levi found my words unbelievable. Rage fueled his eyes, his lips forming a small snarl.

"Emma are you dense?!" He shouts. He gets in my face, setting his cool gaze on me. I haven't seen such a hateful look in him in awhile. My heart ached a little.

"I'm not dense." I say firmly. "I'm stating that Edward has nothing to do with the murders."

"So, you're saying he didn't say, 'Run or they'll catch you'?" He demands. "That's an obvious sign of him being an accomplice!"

"Where's your damn proof then?!" I fire back. "All you got is my story! That isn't solid! What if I blacked out and think he said that?!"

"If you blacked out I would've known!" Levi explodes. "Stop trying to protect that dumbass! This is a serious matter, Emma."

"You don't think I know that?!" I scoff. "Edward is only seventeen. He doesn't need to get involved in this."

"CAPTAIN LEVI AND LIEUTENANT WOLFRAM, SHUT IT!"

Erwin's voice booms through his office causing me to leap in surprise. He glared down at us, clearly displeased by our behavior. But he holds my gaze the longest. I glare back at him huffing loudly.

"I understand how difficult it is to suspect a comrade but, Levi's right. This is a serious matter." He gives a long sigh.

I was confused but also angry. My fists began to shake while my blood boils. I slam a fist on the desk, Erwin didn't seem surprised.

"Didn't you just say you're not considering him as a suspect?" I growl.

"I did," Erwin condemns. "But that doesn't mean we don't keep an eye on him. There are too many holes in this investigation and I think Edward could be source of it."

I stare at him in disbelief. He was too quick to place Edward under a watchful eye. Just like Levi, he doesn't seem to trust Edward.

Couldn't they see him the way I do? I know Edward, he wouldn't kill someone for fun. Hell, he even refuses to hurt a damn fly.

Sure, I doubted him too but that feeling seems to disappear when I see the darknesses within both Erwin's eyes and Levi's. Sooner or later Edward will find out and who knows how he'll react. I press my lips together, if I have to, I will prove Edward isn't a threat.

"Emma, that's why I called you in." I hear Erwin say. I give a my click of the tongue with narrowed eyes. I don't other responding. "Through some consideration, I'm going to have you and Captain Levi work on this investigation as well. You will help the Military Police and me to solve this case."

"Wonderful," I petulantly. Levi doesn't respond but I could sense the radiating anger brewing off of him. "Is that all?" I question bitterly.

"There's one more thing," Erwin narrows his own eyes and crosses his arms. He was trying to make sure I had his full attention. "You're going to watch Edward's every single move–"

"WHAT?" I shriek. "He didn't do anything wrong!"

"That's doesn't matter!" He bellows. "This isn't like you're going to hurt him, Emma. Just watch what he does and take note to his everyday patterns. That's all I'm asking."

I hated this. It felt wrong to watch him and take notes. It's like I was going behind Edward's back. But my Commander ordered this. Even if I despised this plan, I had to carry it out.

"What if he's not what you think he is?" I question lowly.

"Then I won't consider him a suspect. But for now, you'll carry out my order. End of discussion, Lieutenant."

/\/\/\/\

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