His plan seemed effortless. Flawless even. But as I stand before Erwin who had finished giving me information there was still one thing I still had yet to question.

"How are you sure this will be successful?" I question with furrowed brows. "Now that Emma is in their clutches who knows what they're next move is. I doubt they'll stay in sync with their previous one."

It was the next morning when Hanji had bursted back into my office and demanded my presence. Despite that I was still up I had a tremendous headache, it was my fault however, since I decided to finish that whole bottle of whiskey. She had stated Erwin needed to see me so here I was, standing before the Commander who looked as if he never got a wink of sleep these past few days.

He frowned slightly in thought before recasting his gaze to the map laid upon his desk. "I'm not," he replies tartly. "It's just a hunch."

I blink once—twice. It was just a hunch. I release a loud scoff, I couldn't believe it. This was utterly ridiculous.

"So you've set up a plan to ambush either one of those bastards in the areas you've circled on the map because you think they'll drop off Nat's body in either location?" I release in a hard tone.

Erwin doesn't respond immediately as if he was hearing what I repeated for the first time. I watch him nod as he places his chin between his thumb and index finger. "Yes."

"You don't even know when this will take place!" I fume. "You think Nile and his MPs will agree to this clown of a plan? I bet you just thought of this while taking a shit on the toilet—"

"Levi!"

I stop myself short when I hear my name being shouted behind me. That only irked me even more. Shooting my glare over my shoulder I see Hanji giving me a warning glare with her arms crossed. She didn't have to speak, I already knew what she was telling me.

Shut the fuck up.

I knew I was invited here and could be asked to leave the office any time soon. Even though I was longer part of the investigation Hanji had somehow persuaded Erwin to let me in on the plan so I wouldn't be left in the dark. A part of me was grateful for that knowing there was a way to get back Emma.

And yet there's another part of me that hated every detail of this. It seemed too simple—too easy to be used in a situation like this. It gave it too much possibility that anything could go wrong.

But regardless of what I thought or how I felt I doubt Erwin cared about those things at the moment. Considering how rocky our relationship became I wasn't really looking forward to being yelled at by the Commander.

"I understand your worry." I turn back to Erwin taken aback slightly. His eyes were still glued to the map. He frowned ponderously. "I'm not even sure they'll show up in those locations but it's our best lead." He points to location northeast of Emma's apartment. "They've been dropping the victim's bodies in locations that were near Emma's apartment. It could only mean their little hideout is somewhere in that area. The walking distance to each location is quite short so planting bodies in those alleyways wouldn't be a problem."

I nod along and plant my gaze to the map as well. Erwin did have a point. If they're hideout was somewhere close to these locations then it would be easy to do their tasks.

But does he know when they'll plant the next victim? Hell, would it even be Nat or would it be Emma? Could it be both?

I swallow thickly, if I were to see Emma's body laying face-first on the dirty ground I don't think I could—

"Levi."

When I hear my name being said sternly and clearly I blink out of my daze. Erwin was staring down at me with a quizzical look. I wasn't sure what I missed but I pretended as if his look didn't bother me.

I look away with a sniff. "What?"

"I said the operation will run tonight."

"Tonight??" I repeat with wide eyes. I was in a loss of words while my heart almost leaping out of my chest.

That soon? I think with shock running through my veins. Glancing at Hanji she nods in confirmation.

"How do you know they'll show up tonight?" I demand. "And which location they'll be at?"

"Last night I've discovered a pattern," Erwin explains. "Whenever there's a kidnapping there's usually a five day window before the MPs find the victim's body. Today's the fifth day since Nat's kidnapping. She'll either be at the southeast alleyway or northeast."

"Are you going to have two squads or are you leaning towards a certain location?"

"I'll have two squads that'll be a mix of MPs and Scouts," he replies. "Hanji will lead the one to the northeast and Nile will take the southeast." He places a finger the northeast alleyway. "Each squad will stake out the area and if either one of those criminals show up then they'll take them into custody. The squads will communicate with smoke signals."

I take a moment to think, now that he throughly explains it, it did make sense. It was well-thought of and more efficient to have two squads. Nile and Hanji would know what they are doing, success would be easy.

But as much I plant those thoughts in my head I couldn't help but feel—anxious. I still didn't like the sound of it.

"I don't like it." I state plainly. I pull away from the desk and square my shoulders. Erwin slowly meets my gaze his expression unreadable.

There became a silent conversation between us with me attempting to establish intimidation through him while he simply takes it as he tries to control his incoming anger. The air became tense and overbearing, it brought me to clench my fists. I hear Hanji breathe a shaky laugh before stepping between us.

"I-I think what Levi is trying to say is that the plan sounds too simple—"

"Not only is it simple but it's also stupid," I spat. "Despite how confident you feel this is going to backfire."

"In what way?" Erwin challenges.

"In many ways," I retort harshly.

"Enlighten me."

He levels his stare into a irritated glare. Crossing his arms only made him appear bigger, buffer than I was. I wasn't sure if he trying to intimidate me but it did piss me off. The leash on my temper had ripped in half.

"This ridiculous plan of yours won't work unless I take part of it. What are you going to do when you capture either of them?" I sneer.

Erwin gives me a look as if it were first time on the job. "Question them," he replies bluntly.

I scoff, "You won't do it right. If I'm there to assist then I'll make sure we'll get the answers we need."

"Levi, you're out of the investigation," he states plainly. "If you think of coming along then drop it."

"Look, I was born and raised in the Underground," I state with a pointed glare. "Capturing lunatics and torturing them—not questioning them—for answers was how I made sure the skin on my back was saved for the next few days in that land of filth. I know what I'm doing."

"You don't know anything!" Erwin bellows in his 'Commander-voice'. "If you had the slightest mindset as everyone here does then you wouldn't be excluded from the investigation. If you kept your emotions out of it or did as I said and sort them out then we wouldn't be in the position!"

I open my mouth to spew something with venom and bitterness but a hand was placed upon my shoulder, stopping me.

"I think the mission would highly benefit if Levi were involved!" Hanji hastily agrees. I stare at her in surprise while Erwin does the same. "I–I mean, with him there many of the soldiers and officers would easily follow his command. Plus, he has monster strength! If a fight were to break Levi has the upper-hand and can easily capture either Arron, Booker, or Edward. Possibly all three of them."

She squeezes my shoulder as if warning me not to speak whatsoever. I bite down my tongue and watch her like a hawk as she stands before Erwin with an unwavering stare. I catch Erwin nodding but a frown begins to show.

"What you say is true and I agree," he condemns. "But I cannot have him go on this mission when he's this—unstable."

My brow quirked. Unstable? I was unstable?

The hell was that supposed to mean? My blood starts to boil while my lips begin to curl back. "The nerve of you to—"

"I got that figured out!" Hanji exclaims. "All he wants is to save Emma and he's willing to follow orders to see that through. He's fine now—trust me."

If I wanted this to work then I had to put my faith in Hanji. If wanted to save Emma and see her again then I have to keep my trap shut. Knowing all that it was still difficult for me to stand by and stare at Erwin's annoying face. I couldn't read what he was thinking and it made me all the more impatient.

"Alright, fine," he sighs. "But he'll be on your team and under your watch. Make sure he follows orders and the mission."

A triumphant grin spreads across Hanji's face as if she won a battle. Her eyes gleamed in sunlight as she nods vigorously. Despite the successful persuasion Hanji did I was still irritated.

I could've done that on my own. Erwin throws his gaze at me, I don't flinch. I only stare at him with an equal unreadable look with fists down at my sides.

"Do anything reckless and I'll have you on unpaid leave for a month."

"Tch, I don't need you treating me like a Cadet," I say while rolling my eyes. "Like I said, I know what I'm doing."

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

There were seven us, including Hanji and I. We stood in the shadows that following night waiting. Waiting for anything to happen.

To hear any sort of sound indicating another presence. But as we stood in the dark waiting and watching nothing happened. I was sure it was same for Nile and his squad.

No smoke signal streamed the night sky. It was utterly dark and quiet. Still I didn't lose focus nor did I relax my body.

I was rigid ever since we arrived, Hanji the same. But she seemed to relax slightly after a couple hours past. She would bend her knees from time-to-time to keep them from cramping. I would have to shove her arm to stop her.

"Are they even going to show up?" She whines softly.

"I don't know!" I hiss. "You and Erwin were so confident they'll be here. You tell me why they aren't showing up."

Hanji clicks her tongue beside me. I could tell she was more irritated than I was.

"Erwin's theory made sense. If we just order a couple of people to scout the area then—"

"SHH!" I roughly cover her mouth with the hair on my back standing. Hanji struggles for a moment but stops abruptly.

She was hearing what I was hearing. Talking. It was muffled and soft but it was definitely a person's voice.

I strained my ears some with my heart hammering in my ears. It was a male and he sounded irritated. Angry, actually. And it was just him, I didn't hear anyone else conjecture to his snide comments or stupid complaining.

"Honestly, the fact those assholes are making me come out here alone shows how scared they actually are."

The voice instantly sends ripples of anger down my system. I gritted my teeth with my eyes widening in rage. I knew that voice and my body was starting to react violently.

I wanted to pounce on him like a ferocious predator but, I knew I had to wait. Once I hear a body hit the ground then it'll be my time to strike.

"I swear, I'll lose it and fucking beat the shit out of them for making me carry this heavy ass body."

When the sound of something thudding to the ground filled the alleyway I strike. I don't wait for everyone or for command from Hanji. My body leaped to action on its own and I had no intention on stopping it.

I could barely see under the dim moonlight but it was enough for me to see a figure that was more than a head taller than me. Quickly I shove foot to the back of his knee before yanking on of his arms behind his back. A startled shout escapes the man as his knees hit the stone ground.

"Shut up." I growl darkly. I stand behind him with a firm grip on his arm. When he struggled I yanked it further.

"Ah! The hell!?"

He still struggled before me and I release a heavy sigh. Such an incompetent swine. With a free hand I grip his hair tightly and yank his head backwards.
His startled gaze meets mine while I stare back with nothing but cold savagery.

"Levi, it's Nat!" I hear Hanji from behind. "And she's—my god she's still alive!"

Her words brought little relief to me. I was relieved she didn't become another dead victim but somehow it also meant little to me. My mind was now stuck on one thing.

"Long time no see, huh, Arron?" I sneered unamused. Yet I still savored that look of terror painting across his features.

He knew he was fucked. And I was glad to bring him that sort of misfortune. I pull his hair slightly earning me a grimace.

"Glad I got you right before our little meeting."

"M-Meeting?" He breathes. "The hell do you mean?"

I cock my head, "Oh, it's nothing special really." I say nonchalantly. "It's just me extorting information out of you in my own way. Nothing to worry about."

I narrow my eyes while that dark pit inside me begins to fill with hatred and disgust. I'll make sure to enjoy the next few hours. Make sure he feels as much pain as he deserves.

Arron's face had paled, it practically glowed under the moonlight. So pathetic, I think disappointingly.

"But do keep in mind that there'll be much exceeding pain placed on you. So prepare yourself, you pathetic bastard."

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Just gonna say my favorite part is coming up👀

Do you think Erwin understands how Levi feels and why he was determined to go along on this mission? Or does he Levi as the weak-link at the moment?

Lemme know in the comments!!❤️❤️

Vote and Comment!!❤️❤️