*Please read the Author's note below, thank you!^.^*

"This is the third time!" I hear someone exclaim in shock. "Another one of us was killed!"

The topic of yet another murder on the streets of Trost became quite a stir in the mess hall. Everyone begins to gasp and murmur to one another, discussing who was it this time. Newspapers scattered almost every table with crowds hovering over them.

"It's a female," one informs while pointing at the paper. "The MPs found her in an alleyway covered by crows."

"Yeah, and I heard that she was beaten to the point her face became mush." One adds causing another to scrunch their nose in disgust. "Who would do such a thing?"

I shake my head with a long sigh before focusing back on my dinner. It's only been two days since my proclamation towards Levi. Of course, I was going against orders once again but this was something I couldn't ignore.

I can't control who stays alive or gets killed out the walls but, here I can. Someone was killing these innocent soldiers with no motive as of yet. If I were to figure that out and maybe draw a connection with these murders then I might be able to save a dozen Scouts.

However, a small frown tugs my lips downwards. I still wasn't sure why I was so driven to stop these murders. It would be so simple to leave it up to the Military Police and help when needed.

It could Booker and Arron's words gnawing at the back of my skull. Their threat was too direct, it sounded like I placed a target on my back. Maybe I did this to save my skin. Or maybe it was because of what Levi said to me the other night.

'Instead of wondering what you could've done you can think of ways of how to better the Survey Corps. Make it so, so no one has to go through what you went through.'

That could be the reason why I was set on stopping this unknown murderer. But, I was still unsure as I still felt like my heart was still doing somersaults with every thought that included Levi. I came to the conclusion that if I didn't think of him then I was normal.

But if I did then I felt like adrenaline was pumping through me. My heart leaped and my stomach lurches in my throat like I was free-falling down the wall. At first, this feeling was terrifying as hell. I hated how my palms became clammy and how my face heats up with a thought of his gentle hands.

Now I found it intriguing and almost enjoyable. I don't force myself to think of Levi but when I do, I don't push those thoughts away. I let them linger like the scent of perfume on fabric.

I continued to think more about this but a soft tap on my shoulder brings me to a halt. Glancing to my left, Edward takes a seat beside me.

"Why are you sitting alone, Em?" He inquired with a worried frown.

I look away to scan the empty table I sat at. As upset as I was that Nifa, Hanji, and my squad members for avoiding me I couldn't show it. Especially to Hanji.

After our fight she avoided me at all costs. Yesterday was impossible though since she had to make a report about Levi and I's bonding experience. Long story short, it was a failure and we have to do another soon.

"Because I'm unlikable," I answer dully. I take another bite of my bread. I shoot a questioning stare at my friend. "What's it to you? Thought you were sitting with your friends."

Edward shrugs with a tired expression. "Eh, I'm not in the mood. Besides, I haven't seen you since our date and I missed you."

I choke on my food. I cough loudly before taking a huge sip of water. Edward chuckles besides me while watching me struggle to breathe again.

I whirl my head to him, my eyes bulging and my eyebrows raised as high as they can go. Edward only grins mischievously at me.

"Date?" I gasp. "We didn't go on a date!"

"Oh, sweet Em, you didn't know?" He pinches my cheek and I quickly swat his hand away.

I couldn't have said yes to date, right? We just hung out as friends, nothing more.

"Edward, you said it was a hangout."

"Yeah, but it was a date," he smiles teasingly making me bite my inner cheek. "I did kiss you afterwards--"

"SHH!"

I made a move to cover his mouth before he could say something stupid. I look around frantically praying no one heard. I hear muffled sounds emit from my hand and look at the Cadet.

"Don't say any more things," I warn. "I don't want people catching on."

Hesitantly, I pull my hand away. Edward's eyes protrudes out of their sockets before he raises a brow in questioning.

"Why does it matter?" He asks in such a puzzled way. I don't fail to catch the slight hurt in his eyes and the confusion layering them.

Realizing I must've hurt his feelings in a way, I look away timidly suddenly finding it hard to answer. Even I was confused by my action. Of course, I knew why I did it.

I didn't want Levi to know. I was frantic to shut Edward up in case Levi was near. If he heard then I wasn't sure what I would do.

But Levi wouldn't care, hell, he wouldn't even bat an eyelash towards us. Yet, to me I desired not to go down that road or even bring it to his attention. I wasn't sure why I was so set on keeping this a secret from Levi, I wouldn't have cared.

Did I want to seem single in front of him? Maybe someone of perfection who doesn't have time for irrelevant things such as this? Realizing I owe Edward some sort of answer, I relish the little normalcy I still contained.
Turning to him, I open my mouth but stop short when I hear something.

"Why is Edward sitting with her?" That was Nat. Her and the others say behind me. "She's nothing but a cold killer."

I immediately clamp my mouth shut. I suck in a shaky breath as I hear others continue.

"Haha, do you think she's the one behind these killings as well?" It was a male Cadet I wasn't familiar with. "Would that fit her description?"

"Hmph, I wouldn't be surprised," another gruffles. "From what I heard, she killed four squads including hers. Murder does seem like a hobby of hers."

They were all blowing it out of proportion. Everything they said, wasn't even close to the truth. This became stir in the mess hall.

Everyone had their disgusted eyes on me while murmuring savage things. My heart hammered loudly, I feared it would break out of my chest. I wasn't sure how they knew all this or even where they got the information but I wanted it stop.

They have no right speaking of that mission like they were in it. They have no idea what type of hell I've been through. I wanted scream for them to stop, beg them to forget the rumors they heard.

However, my throat had closed making it impossible for me to speak clearly as I desired. My hands shook with cold sweat running down my temples. Would it be better for everyone if I just crawled under a rock and hit myself relentlessly with it?

A sudden loud slam interrupted the commotion, bringing everyone into an unsettling stop. Even I was brought out of my troubling thoughts.

I blink as I look up to see Edward standing while glaring furiously at everyone. His eyes were narrowed while his lips was twisted into a disappointed snarl.

"C'mon, Em, let's get out of here." Without my consent, he grabs hold of my wrist and pulls me towards the double doors. I stumble after him as we make it outside.

I don't look back and was glad to leave those hateful gazes. Without saying anything, I let Edward lead me around the mess hall.

"What a bunch of jerks," I hear him mutter. "Don't they have respect for their officer?"

I wasn't sure if he talking to himself or to me. Either way, I kept silent. My eyes were casted down to my moving feet as they abruptly came to a stop.

Edward had also let go of my wrist and plops down to the ground. We were by the left side of the mess hall, I couldn't hear anything but muffled voices inside.

"Hey, sit down," Edward invites while patting to the patch of grass beside him. I do as he says, still not trusting myself to speak.

Silence brews between us, I placed all my focus to keep myself together. Despite the anxiety filling inside me, I couldn't show that to Edward. I begin to wonder if he heard about the rumors too and judged me for them. I wouldn't be surprised if he were hate me for them.

"Em," Edward's voice brings me out of my trance. I glance over at him timidly. He doesn't seem to notice. "Ever since we saw those MP guys, people been starting rumors about you." He shifts his eyes to me. He didn't seem upset or angry. "What's with all that about? And how come everyone keeps referring to 'two years ago'? Did something happen?"

I bit my lower lip, fear ran strongly in my veins. I wasn't sure if he was kidding or not.

"You don't know?" I question in a whisper.

"I only know the lies," he answers simply. "I want to hear the truth. If you wish to talk about it, that is." He adds quickly when he sees my startled expression.

I look away and down to my knees. I weigh the odds of telling him. One, he could see it in the way everyone else does; he could hate me and despise me.
Or two, he would be uncomfortable and avoid me at all costs.

Either way, I found no room to care. If I could at least clear the air with him then that's all I need.

"Those rumors blew everything out of proportion," I murmur. "Yes, two years ago an expedition went wrong and yes, out of the twenty Scouts that went through the forest I was the only one who made it out alive."

"What happened?"

I blew out an airy scoff, "I was arrogant back then. I didn't care to listen to any orders given by Erwin. I would always question and argue over the success of his plans. I got in my head that I was smarter than anyone in the regiment, which meant I knew everything." I shook my head and hug my knees close. I suck in a shaky breath forcing myself to continue.

"I was Squad Leader for at least six months during that time. And I had the best Scouts on my team."

The thought of Chris squeezed my heart. His screams started to ring in my ears. I fought back tears and terrors invading my mind.

"Our mission was to reach the checkpoint we drew on our map. But there was a forest in our path. From past experiences, that place was littered with Titans and Erwin didn't want to sacrifice anymore soldiers. But I proposed that we go through it because it was the fastest route. Erwin, of course, denied my plan but I kept pushing till four squads, including mine, sided with me. And he finally caved and I wished he didn't."

Edward swallows thickly, "Who were the four squads?"

"People I knew since my training days," I reply. "They were good people. Strong too."

I realized, I couldn't do this. I couldn't tell him more. I was on the verge of breaking and completely reopening that old wound.

I wasn't ready to see their faces or remember what they all meant to me. Maybe I'll never be. Taking an abrupt stand I clear my throat in hopes of blocking the incoming tears.

"You can let your imagination run from there," I mumble thickly. "I'm tired."

I begin to walk off not wasting another second here. I hear Edward calling out to me to wait and I curse softly to myself. I stop in my tracks.

"What, Edward?" My question came off dull and bleak. I pondered if Edward noticed.

"Aren't you going to finish?" He asks. "I don't even know--"

"I said, I'm tired, Edward!" I snap. Glaring over my shoulder I give him a look that said try again and I'll rip out your throat. "I shared enough information so stop being stupid. Leave me alone like everyone else."

I catch his hurtful gaze and downturned lips. He seemed taken aback by my words and doesn't say more. He clenches his fists and looks away as if he was ashamed.

I click my tongue at his pathetic form and stomp off. Thanks to him and the others, drowning myself in fine wine and alcohol kept in the storage basement sounded like a spectacular plan.

/\/\/\/\

Now you guys got a glimpse of Emma's past.

What do you think?

I know I said there will be an upcoming surprise, and there will be. But there will be no update next Monday.

I wish to take a small break and rest my brain a bit. Plus, I want to focus deeply on the next chapter.

So I'm quite sorry for the inconvenience. There will be an update on either Wednesday or Thursday so keep a look out:)

I'm sorry once again but I hope you guys understand!

Anyways, please vote and comment!♥️♥️