"...To Stay by Your Side..." (AOT Alternative Universe)

49. That Day

AUTHOR'S POV:
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The sun shone down on a beautiful city with cobblestone streets.
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Well-dressed civilians walked and talked in the streets as they went about their days.
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A couple drove on the road in a car.
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'That naive day of my youth...' Grisha's writing said. "...when I..."
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Holding holds, Grisha and Faye watched the streets outside of the internment zone with stunned looks.
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'...had to face the truth of this world.'

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Faye and Grisha walked quietly on the side of the road as the other people shot them dirty looks.

"Move it, you vermin!" A man said, bumping Grisha with his suitcase.

Faye hid behind Grisha, scared.
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The friend of Tom Ksavar who scoffed. "What, more devil-bloods?"

The men started to walk.

"Damn Eldians crawling around as they please."
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"Grisha..." Faye started nervously.

"It's alright. Aren't you used to it?" Grisha asked, looking at Faye. He pointed at the street ahead of them that led to a grassy bank. "Look! It's right over that bank."

The two kids walked up the stairs, admiring the view when they reached the top.
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Across the river sat the airship they had followed.
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"It's so big!" Faye said with amazement, eyes sparkled in delight.

Grisha smiled fondly at her.

A voice came from the side. "Have you come to see the airship, too?"

Grisha noticed the two men in blue and gray uniforms.

They were sitting on the grassy decline, the fatter one smoking.

The siblings stepped back, Grisha's arm going up protectively before Faye.

"Uh, yes." Grisha said.

"You from the Liberio Internment Zone?" Kruger asked. "Let's see your exit permit." He stood up.

"What? Um..." Grisha said, searching his pockets. "I don't have one."

Kruger fixed his cap on his head. "You entered the city without permission? You know what that means, right?" He went up to them.

"Yes." Grisha replied.

"Labor or beating." Kruger asked, kneeling before him. "Which is it?"

"A beating..." Grisha replied.

"Brother!" Faye cried out, looking at Grisha.

"Oh?" Kruger said. "You don't want to trouble your parents?"

"Yes. I forced my sister to come with me!" Grisha spoke quietly, frightened. "Please give her punishment to me, too!"

"Very well." Kruger said and stood up.

Gross stood behind him, smoking as he listened.

Kruger grabbed Grisha by the collar and buried his knee in his stomach.

"Grisha!" Faye cried out, looking at them in distress.

"Here's another!" Kruger said.

Faye covered her eyes, crying as the sound of the beating continued.