Dangerous Territory

Weak and Filthy

Shortly after the incident in the restrooms, Levi got sick despite the doctor's help. Still, Kitz demanded that he come to the cellars where they were interrogating Caven.

Levi was obviously feverish, his cheeks flushed, sweat beading on his forehead in spite of the chill of the cellar. Caven saw his condition as he tried to translate what Eren what saying. He often had to stop, wipe his brow, and ask Eren to repeat himself.

"Jew," Caven said, looking right at him. "You look awful. What did they do to you?"

"You should worry about yourself. Now, answer the question."

"I know you are working for them just to survive," she said with empathy in her narrow, blue eyes. "I don't blame you for any of this. I want you to know that. The Resistance..."

Every German in the room leaned in as she said those words.

Kitz barked, "Jäger, was sagt sie?" Jäger, what is she saying?

"Ich weiß es nicht, Herr Hauptmann. Ich muss warten." I don't know, Captain. I have to wait.

Caven continued, looking at Levi. "We wanted to help your people. We want to free France so all people can live together in peace, like we used to."

"We never lived in peace," Levi said coldly. "Jews have never been treated well in France. Ever. For us, the fight against hatred was an everyday battle, no matter what language the Gentiles spoke."

"Then that should change. I want to live in a free France once again, to have children who are proud of their nation. You deserve that too. You deserve what they stripped from you: freedom, humanity, dignity."

Levi flinched as she said that, and the burn in his ass reminded him of the indignity he had suffered.

"Tell them this: That letter is probably pointless by now. I was not the only courier. Because one may get caught, they sent three. I merely was the fastest, but I made it at the worst time. The other two were slow enough to avoid being caught in the crossfire. They would have taken the letters to the fled members of the Resistance. They are long gone, and that message has likely reached its target. Even if you break me, it is already too late."

"They will beat you if I tell them that," Levi warned.

"They beat me every night anyway. What's the difference? This way, at least I get the pleasure of telling them..." Caven looked straight over to Kitz and said one of the few German phrases she knew. "Fick deine Mutter in den Arsch, Hurensohn." Fuck your mother in the ass, son of a bitch.

Levi swiftly stepped back as the captain stomped over and punched her in the face. As Kitz hit Caven over and over again, Levi told Eren precisely what she said. Looking furious at the stubbornness of this young woman, Eren informed the captain. He paused, his fists clenched and red with Caven's blood, while the blonde lady sat there, her nose bleeding but her eyes smoldering in smug defiance.

"Leutnant Jäger, Sie beide können wegtreten." Lieutenant Jäger, you are both dismissed.

Eren gave a soft sigh, glad to leave the cold room, and Levi placidly followed. They were not even fully in the kitchen above the cellar when they heard Caven shrieking. Eren cringed in loathing, but he hurried off to escape the guilt. Then he heard something crash behind him. Eren twirled around and saw that Levi had stumbled into a rack of pots. He grabbed hold of the rack shelves, but he wavered on his feet.

"Levi!" he shouted, rushing back to him.

Three seconds later, Kitz stomped up from the cellar. "What the hell was that noise?" he bellowed. His sunken eyes looked more wild than ever.