Pluviophile | Levi Ackermann × Reader |

| Chapter 8 | Violence

My nightgown clung to my figure as I paced my room, choking down a feeling of suspicion as I brushed my dry hand over the tablecloth on my nightstand. There was a knife tucked just underneath, and I clutched it as I dared the window to make a single sound.

I played with the tip of the blade as I sat, watching...

Silence...

More silence...

And then-

Click.

I sprung to my feet, immediately engaging fighting stance as the clear window burst open, pieces of shattered glass falling down to my ankles. A figure came with, launching for my neck as I dodged, nearly knocking the lantern off a table as I stumbled to the side.

I lashed the knife towards them, but they ducked, barreling into my stomach. I took the heel of my foot and dug it into the back of their leg, forcing them down.

I directed the blade of my knife down to their arm with the intention of injuring them, but they rolled and shot their hand up, slipping their fingers through my hands and taking the knife.

They went for my throat again, but I threw myself out of the way, tumbling into the wall and then clawing my way back to my feet, shards of glass stabbing at them. The strange person readied themselves more precisely now, hands balled into fists as they guarded themselves.

I mirrored their stance, daring them to make a move.

I saw the gleam of their eyes from under the face covering they wore switch from me to the window.

They made a run for it, but I was too quick.

I brought my leg up in a high kick, delivering a powerful blow to the side of their jaw, a tooth falling onto the hard floor, blood splattering.
While I was regaining my balance, they slid the knife through my left cheek, a deep gash forming as soon as the blade lost contact. I fell backwards, and they dove out the window. I had lost them.

I coughed, listening to the sound of rushing footsteps outside my door. It flew open, the old hinges creaking.

"Oh my goodness?!" A female voice screamed from the doorway. I glanced over, surprised to see Section Commander Hange Zoë standing there in her robes. "What in heavens name happened in here?!" She rushed over, examining my wound.

"Some asshole broke in," I pointed at the broken window, huffing. "Not a very nice wakeup call."

"Hmm," She got more serious, examining the glass before standing. "I'll fetch Erwin, stay here here for just a moment and then we'll get you fixed up."

She sprinted out the door, returning only moments later with the Commander, who had clearly just awoken. His hair was a mess.

The two of them entered my room, Erwin more groggy than Hange.

"Hange told me what happened here," He said, looking down at me who sat up against the wall. "Did you catch what the perpetrator looked like?"

"No," The answer was simple. "He was wearing something to mask his identity as you'd expect."

"Do you have any idea why they may have targeted you?"

"No-"

"I do," It was Levi, stepping in beside the other two. His hair was even more unkempt than Erwin's, eyes more droopy than usual. His shirt wasn't buttoned fully, revealing part of his chest, and his sleeve slipped slightly past his shoulder. I quickly turned my gaze away.

In his hand was the amulet.

"What does a necklace have to do with this?" Hange asked.

"We retrieved it from a thief earlier today. He was going on about how lousy the Scout's were."