I was back in my office the next day and I wasn't pleased. It was only one day that I was gone and I was already behind. I sigh loudly at the sight of stacked papers atop my desk.

Plopping down on my chair I toss the newspaper on to the wooden surface. I learned of a third murder occurring the night I got wasted. Of course, I was aware of the news but wasn't aware of who died.

I was damned by the press who gave little to no information as always. No name but gender and what regiment they worked in was given. I pour myself into the newspaper once more.

It was a female again who also was a Scout. I shake my head in disapproval. If she died two days ago then her reports shouldn't have been written this week.

Glancing back to the stacked papers, I had no choice but to go over them. However, this was going against the work I was required to do. If Erwin or maybe Mike showed up here unexpected I wouldn't be surprised if I was sentenced to a grueling a punishment.

Erwin's order to focus solely on my work rings in my head. But my proclamation towards Levi rings as well. Both are important but I could only do one.

I shake my head with a stand, finding the motive of these killings are my top priority. I grab the newspaper as well as the stack of reports given to me last week and this week. I had to go through each paper, read each name, then single out the one that's missing.

Placing the papers upon the coffee table I situate myself on the couch. This would take me at least two hours tops, it would be wise if I start now.

\/\/\/\/\/

It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Despite ruling out all male Scouts I was surprised with the amount of women who joined this regiment. It was twice the amount during the time I became a Scout myself.

Both pride and surprise swirls within me. Reading over yet another name a small rapping comes at my door.

"Name and business?" I question lamely. I cross out the name and go to the next.

"Levi. I've got something to tell you."

It took me only a moment to murmur the word, enter. But when I hear the door open everything inside me starts to tighten. My grip on the paper, my stomach, and my chest.

Cold sweat runs down the back of my neck. I try to feign my nervousness with a loud cough.

"What do you need to tell me?" I question curtly. I don't even spare him a glance.

Yesterday, I had locked myself in my room and listened to him tidy up my apartment. He didn't stay for long like I imagined. Once he finished cleaning he left.

Embarrassed as I still was for my drunken actions I do my best to look uninterested when I sense his presence nearby.

"Bonding exercise," I listen to him reply. "Hanji says we have to be at training grounds in ten."

I nod mindlessly. I was betting my money she wanted us to run laps together with our hands tied together or something eviler than that. Knowing how the last exercise went I have no doubt in my mind she would try harder. Either way, I wasn't looking forward to it.

"What are you doing?" Levi questions after a while. I set one paper aside and grab another.

"Looking through reports," I answer. "Need to see who was killed two nights ago."

So far, I was coming up empty-handed. I knew I would find the name but it was taking longer than I wished. These writings were starting to look the same.

"I see you already divided the males and females," Levi hums. "How many of the reports have you read through that were women?"

I put down the report and lean back with a sigh. "I lost count," I murmur. With a lazy finger, I point to the leftmost stack. "I read through those."

Levi examines them, his eyes narrowing at the amount. With a cocked head, he looks back at me.

"Are you sure you should be doing this right now? I know you've got papers and other things that are vital at the moment."

"Yeah, well, those can wait," I respond curtly. "I can't just be sitting around pretending one of our soldiers wasn't murdered."

Levi doesn't reply, silence grew once more. As I went through the reports I do my best to ignore him. His presence was bothersome as it placed a nervous racket in my chest.

Heart beating rapidly and palms becoming clammy I straighten my spine and act like he wasn't there. Out of the corner of my eye I see his ivory hand grasp a few papers. I don't bother stopping him.

Levi was now muttering to himself but I caught on to that specific name. Cindi Crow.

Looking up, I see him standing next to the other couch. He shuffled through the papers and skims through the words on each of them.

"Interesting."

"What's interesting?" I demand, not being able to keep up with the suspense. I stare at him in speculation but he only releases a small sigh.

"That's the only girl who didn't show up for punishment yesterday morning."

"Yesterday morning-Levi, what the hell you're talking about? I thought you didn't have work."

He abruptly slaps the papers on his thigh, his cold stare increasing by the second. It made me squirm slightly but I simply roll my shoulders back. For a short moment, it softens before he looks away.

"I still came here early in the morning to tell Erwin you wouldn't be working," he says tightly.

His mouth then closes suddenly. I wait for a while but realizing he wouldn't continue, I rolled my eyes.

Awkwardly, I gesture a hand at him. "And. . ."

"And nothing." He snaps. "All I did was foresee a punishment, that's all. And I remember a few Scouts saying they hadn't seen her in a few days."

I press my lips together, if many people were already aware of her absence, then it could mean she went missing. But if she was the one then how come no one notified any high-officials sooner? Or did she already have a notified release?

"Give me those." I push out a hand as I stand. Levi complies immediately and hands me the reports.

I don't miss how his fingers graze against mine. On instinct, I immediately pull away. I wasn't exactly pleased with how his touch made me all warm inside.

I take a step away from him with my eyes firmly on the reports. I skimmed through Cindi's last week report and I could've sworn I already read this. However, when I gaze down at the bottom I see a small message.

Permission for time off will be used for this week. I will not be in headquarters starting on Monday.

There was my answer, she was already granted time off. But there was something familiar about this. It was like I've seen it before.

"Oi, what's with that dumb look on your face?" Levi demands and takes a step close.

I ignore his question, many theories were building in my head. I saw a similar writing such as this, but where?

"Emma?"

A loud gasp escapes me. I dash towards my desk and yank open the second drawer. I'm sure this is it. It's the only thing that makes sense.

"Emma, what's with you?" I could hear Levi also rushing towards me. It doesn't faze me when worry layered his voice though.

I simply take out a folder an open it. Inside was Kirsten's and Basel's reports before they died. I've kept them away from the others as evidence.

I slam Cindi's reports atop the table right next to Kirsten's. I skim through hers and once I reached the bottom I forgot how to breathe.

"Well, I'll be damned." My hunch was right. I shoot my head up and lock eyes with a bewildered and confused Captain. "I was right," I breathe. "My hunch was actually right."

"What hunch?" He questions. I rotate the papers, he leans forward and looks at them.

"When I read Cindi's report I thought it was like any other. But read the message at the bottom."

I give him a moment and tap my fingers impatiently. He quirks a brow afterward and glances at me.

"She wanted a week off," he states. "So what?"

I tap Kirsten's paper, "Read hers. She also says the same thing." I take out Basel's and sure enough, he also had a week off prior to his murder. "They all had a week off, that's one thing they have in common."

Looking down at the papers I knew it was strong information but it was good. But I couldn't understand it, why such a coincidence?? Does it mean something?

"I don't get it, Levi. They all asked a week off, is that a reason they died? Could that be a strong connection? If not, then could it mean the killer only did this by chance? Can this be related to a motive they might have?"

I found myself rambling now. Every thought I had was being verbalized. So many questions, so many theories.

I gained a step in this mystery but I was still so far. Three of my soldiers were killed and we are left in the dark while grasping at straws.

Would the killer provide evidence? Could I learn more simply by reading stupid reports?

I hadn't realized the fast pace I began as I paced back and forth. I was still mumbling but all outside sound was drowned out. I couldn't even hear Levi speaking to me.

"Emma, shut up!"

His firm hands land on my shoulders. He stops my pacing and faces me with such frustration. I blink twice, I've started to realize his lips were moving.

"I called you five times, idiot," he scolds. "You need to calm down. I understand the stress you're under and the questions you want answered but, you need to calm down."

I've start to slowly gain my senses back. My body was now back in my control. I was able to give a tight nod. Levi nods back, his grip softening.

"Breathe." I do as he says. Somehow my head felt a little clearer. Even my heart rate had slowed. "Good," he praises. "Now, we're going to meet Hanji-"

"Levi-"

"Don't Levi me," he snaps with narrowed eyes. "We're already late as it is and you need a breather. What you discovered is amazing but, you have to keep a cool head in these situations. Racking your brain endlessly won't get you anywhere."

I knew he was right. Taking a break wouldn't be a horrible idea but, I still needed answers. This could be important if I showed the MPs.

Would Erwin mind or would he understand? The weight on my shoulders suddenly disappears, Levi had pulled away.

"I'll help you with this later but for now, let's get this exercise over with. Got it?"

Once again, I managed a stiff nod. Satisfied with my agreement Levi leads me out of the office and down the hall. As we walked I still couldn't help but be surprised.

I wasn't sure if it was just me but, Levi was acting oddly strange. For one, he wouldn't praise me and if he did a snarky comment follows after. And two, he just seemed out of the ordinary.

However, I couldn't pinpoint the reason. When we make it outside and onto the training grounds I fully expected to see only Hanji. To my displeasure, most of the Cadets and seasoned Scouts stood in rows before me.

In sync, the all turn to face me. I found myself slowing my pace, their eyes were cold as they study me. I was sure this was the lot who made fun of me the other night in the mess hall.

A slow, anxious sensation began to bubble within me. Why are they here?

"Emma."

I blink once and turn away from the hateful stares. In front of them stood Hanji and now Levi. His eyes narrow as his hands clasp behind his back.

"Quit your lallygagging. Get over here."

Quickly, I rush towards him. With all my strength I push my anxiety away and mask my face into perfect professionalism.

Standing beside Levi I return everyone's gaze but, with twice the hate and coldness. I then turn to Hanji, her eyes were kept firmly in front of her.

"What's this about?" I demand. Her lips slowly spread into a a small smirk as she gestures a hand at the group.

"Just another exercise," she replies simply. "You and Levi will lead them in combat training."

/\/\/\/\/\

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