A Different Path

Chapter Twenty-Two

   The four arrived at the training grounds where they met Anna. Levi, Furlan, and Isabel had to line up for roll call. Before they did, Levi showed Lilith and Ana to a spot near the stage where they could wait.

"Attention!" The Commander shouted, all the soldiers saluted and shouted back. This startled the young girl, causing her to cling tighter to her caretaker's hand. Levi noticed this and looked at Lilith. He made sure she was paying attention before he took a deep breath in through his nose, and let it out through his mouth. Lilith did the same. He nodded his head at her then looked back towards the Commander. He was worried about her but he had an act to put on.

The Commander started calling out names.

"Ackerman!" He shouted, stepping down from the stage. He made his way towards Levi on the corner of the crowd.

"Here." Levi answered in his monotone voice. The Commander got into his face and yelled.

"Here what?!" Levi knew what he was supposed to say, but he was too prideful and was letting his hatred get the best of him.

"You're three inches from my face, I'd assume one of your authority could tell I'm here." The Commander looked at him, his expression clear as day.

Rage.

There were whispers among the soldiers behind him, he messed up.

Before Levi could react, the Commander bashed his head into Levi's, causing him to fall backwards onto the ground.

"Dad!" Lilith shouted. She wanted to run over to him but Anna held her hand firmly and shook his head. The whispers grew louder among the scouts,

"Dad??" a girl hissed

"Wait, did that kid just call Ackerman her dad??" another man whispered quite loudly. Levi was furious.

"Silence!" The Commander shouted, the scouts quiet immediately. He looked down at Levi who was holding everything back. "Get up." He was already half way up when the commander ordered that. "Just because you were the big man underground, doesn't mean you have any authority up here." He looked over at Lilith, then back to Levi. "Be a good role model and get in your place, Ackerman." The Commander walked away and continued to call out names while pacing the front line.

Levi felt his face burning up, he wanted him dead. He looked at Lilith who was shocked at what happened. His face burned more with embarrassment. He didn't want Lilith to be stuck up and prideful like himself, she was better than that. 'Shit.'

.   .   .

After roll call was done, the troops were told to report to the grassy fields before the forest in an hour. The three made their way to Anna and Lilith who stood near the stage.

"Dad!" Lilith ran towards Levi, her face was red. "Are you okay??" She reached up to feel his forehead for a bump, but it was smooth.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He grabbed Lilith's hand and held it in his, "that was nothing." As he spoke Isabel brushed the rest of the dirt off his back.

"Idiot, why'd you have to be an asshole and make a scene?" Furlan asked with crossed arms.

"Because he's stubborn." Lilith pouted and mimicked Furlan's stance. The three found this adorable and couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Alright, we have to head to the stables then the fields." Isabel looked at Anna and continued, "You don't have to come with us, there's another scout who can look after Lilith for a bit."