Chapter 31: Payback

Nanaba’s POV

The scent of antiseptics and ethyl alcohol flared in my nose as I ran across the halls of the city hospital. The nurses and the people who I had passed looked at me in shock as they saw me, a pregnant woman sprinting on the tiled floors of the establishment. Even my husband failed on calming me down cause right now, I just wanna see her. I want to know her condition and if I even have the power to do so, I really want to put Hanji’s life out of danger.

It was past 8 in the evening when I received the call that Hanji got caught into trouble. Eventhough Mike and I just had our dinner, I didn’t waste any minute and just immediately headed to the hospital. My husband drove the car for me and all throughout the ride, he tried to calm me down when I was literally hyperventilating due to the news. It scared me that this event and action of mine might affect the baby in my womb but at the same time, I am also afraid for Hanji’s life.

But who would even do this to her? As far as I can remember, Hanji is not the type of person to make someone despise her to the point that she’ll be in this situation. Eventhough she might be a bit spontaneous and hard to handle, Hanji is the most upright person I have ever met. She is really caring and understanding and although you just met her for a short time, you’ll definitely see yourself just liking her. Hanji can never do something for her to experience this.

I turned the corner, arriving at the nurses’ station where I am planning to ask for Hanji’s ward. But before I can even inquire, my eyes caught a familiar figure which is sitting at the floor with his head down low. His left leg is resting on the ground while his other leg is straight in front of him. His arms is placed on his knee where he leaned his head, the raven hair of him covering some parts of it. I walked towards the man and as soon as I got in front of him, his body slightly flinched and he looked up. His face was blank and his eyes were really dead. I almost failed to recognize him because of his expression.

“Levi..” I muttered. “What happened to her?” I asked him but he just once again placed his head low on his arms. The sight made me mad. “What the heck are you doing?” I said with gritted teeth before I pulled him up by his arms. “Why are you being like that?!” I yelled at the man who just grew limp in front of me. His head is still down low. I clenched my teeth and I was about to smack him at his face when a grasp at my wrist halted me. I looked behind and I saw my husband shaking his head at me, clearly disapproving with what I am about to do. But it just pisses me off so much. I mean, his girlfriend is trying so hard to fight for her life yet here he is, acting as if she already died.

Mike let go of my wrist. “Let him be for now Nanaba” he told me which made me frown. I planned on talking back at him but I stopped when I heard a silent low sob. With wide eyes, I looked at the person in front of me and to my shock, his shoulders were shaking a bit as his head remained low. His fist was clenched and his knuckles are even turning white because of it. Levi, who I have known as a cold and emotionless person, is shedding a tear. The man who my husband regarded as the strongest he has ever known is openly showing his vulnerability to us. And it all rooted because of one person. All because of Hanji. The sight made me so shock that I couldn’t say any word. I just stared at him with my eyes still wide and my mouth slightly open. Mike was behind me, his hand at my shoulder, gently rubbing it.

“Excuse me” a voice called from behind of us. I turned my body around and I was greeted by a man who seemed to be in his late forty’s. A hospital gown was on top of his gray polo and a stethoscope was hanging from his shoulders. He flashed us a tired, small smile. “Who in here is Ms. Zoe’s family?” the doctor asked, his eyes scanning the three of us. I looked at Levi but he didn’t bulged on his spot so I answered instead.

“I’m one of her closest friends. Nanaba Zacharias” I introduced myself, walking towards him. “Hanji’s family is not in here so I have been looking after her for some time now” I said which made the doctor slightly convinced. He nodded his head at me.

“Well then, Ms. Zoe’s life is out of danger now. We have already stitched the wound at her back and the tests we did on her showed that no internal organ was punctured by the stab” He explained which made me let out a sigh of relief.

“Where is she now?” I asked. The doctor looked at me with a smile before he started walking.

“We already assigned her in a room so she can recuperate and hopefully after a few days, finally wake up. I’m sure that you would all want that right?” He chuckled and then he patted me at my shoulders. “Anyways I have to go now. If you want to see her, she is at room 108” The doctor said before leaving the area. I turned around to tell Levi the news but when I did, it was only my husband who welcomed me. My bestfriend’s guy was missing.

“He already ran at Hanji’s room” my husband said while pointing at the direction where Levi ran to. I let out a breath and brushed my palms over my face as I walked towards it too but before I can even pass him, Mike took hold of my arms making me look at him. His eyes were directly at mine. “Leave him for now Nanaba” my husband told me while loosening his grasp. “Levi would probably want to be alone with her right now so let’s just let him be. I know that you are also worried of Hanji but Levi is definitely feeling worst caused I never saw him that way before”

I sighed at the thought but I gave in. Mike is right after all. Even I was shocked with the sight earlier and aside from that, it is getting pretty late. Given my condition, I am not actually allowed to stay up too much.

“You’re right. I should just come back tomorrow” I said walking towards him to embrace him. Eventhough my tummy is getting in between us, Mike was still able to wrap his arms around me to hug me back. I felt his warmth which eventually calmed down the emotions in my heart and system. It’s a good thing that I have my husband with me. Cause if that just happened to him, I don’t think what else will be left of me.

Levi’s POV

I stood in front of her bed, my eyes darted at her figure. Her hair was let out of its usual pony and at the side of her forehead, a gauze was placed to cover the previous cut on it. She also has a few scratches at the side of her face.

Despite that tho, Hanji looked so calm and peaceful and if it wasn't for the monitor connected on her and the injuries evident all around her body, one will probably think that she's just sleeping. It was just a few days ago when we celebrated her birthday and it was just at that moment when I decided to hold onto her and protect her but now this happened. The fact that she just got involved in this because of me hurt me the most for I am aware that she came into this situation due to my past which I hid from her.

I walked closer to her bed before I took hold of her hand with both of mine. I stared at her face as I placed a kissed over her knuckles before leaning my head over it. I thought that I was done being weak and emotional but as I sat near her bed, all of my agony rained down on me and as well as the tears in my eyes. I don't even know when I last cried or when I last became this devastated cause right now, I am just being monopolized by misery. Nothing swells in my heart but regret, loneliness and anger.

"I'm sorry" I muttered as I once again kissed her knuckles and breath through it. "I'm sorry I failed you" I whispered before I planted another kiss while tears continued streaming down my cheeks. A sob came out of my mouth as I tightened my hold of her hand. "I couldn't protect you... I'm sorry" I repeatedly apologized and I held onto her tighter. I know that Hanji could not hear me right now but I still want to ask for forgiveness. I didn't do enough to save her after all. All my constant worrying and effort were all for nothing since the thing that I am most scared of still happened.

Then the room door opened and I immediately wiped my eyes. The person who I have been expecting finally arrived so I stood up from my spot and finally let go of Hanji's hand after I gave it a squeeze. I then faced the doorway and stared at the woman in front me.

"Sorry to have called you at this hour Petra" I told the person who just arrived. She smiled at me while placing her bag at the couch.

"Its fine since I also want to look after Hanji" Petra replied and then she walked towards me. She placed her hand at my shoulders before she looked straight to my eyes. "But please don't do anything rash Levi. I understand that you want to do something for Hanji but please, do not get to the point of risking your own life" Petra told me, her face clearly concerned. I brushed her hand away from my shoulder as I never bothered to answer. I just walked past her and exited the room, taking final glances at Hanji before the door entirely closed.

I called Petra a few minutes after Hanji's operation ended. Cause while I was thrashed on the floor when Nanaba found me, I was actually formulating a plan in my mind already. No one would do this but Kenny after all. He probably want to retaliate for what I did to his gang several years ago and I cannot forgive him for involving Hanji. Petra does not actually have any idea of what my plan is but she must have grasp some gist of it for before I went out, she reminded me to be safe. But I am sorry Petra. Cause if things gets ugly, I might not be able to comply to your demands just so I can end this thing that I started the moment I met Kenny.

~*~

After I got out of the hospital, I immediately went back to our apartment to change my clothings. I was still wearing my working clothes after all which is slightly stained with Hanji's blood when we rushed her out of the ambulance. Those awful minutes literally took my breath away as I found it hard to breathe while I see Hanji struggling to fight for her life.

I opened my cabinet to grab my black hoodie when my eyes darted towards the black cylindrical container at the side. I took it out as well, opening the lid to fetch the knife inside. I am actually contemplating if I should take it or not since I really don't want to have anything that reminds me of my past. But as I think about it, this would also be dangerous if I go out unarmed. So despite the numerous protest on my mind, I held the knife and tucked it in my pants.

As I finished preparing myself, I got out of the apartment with the hood draped above my head. There are little signs of people in my surroundings anymore since it is already midnight and only the lights flickering on the signages of night establishments colored the city.

I turned the corner, reaching an alley where fumes from these establishments are ejected, making my path a bit blurred. But since I know this places more than anyone else, that slight handicap won't hold me down unlike it does to the normal individuals.

I crossed another alley and when I reached a spot where its obviously hidden and dark, I stopped on my tracks and exhaled.

"You can get the hell out of your hiding spot already you shit" I half-yelled, making sure that the person standing a few feet behind me will hear it. A few seconds passed with pure silent before a series of slow footsteps came closer to me. I stayed firmly on my spot until I felt a muzzle touching the back of my head. It looks like my perpetrator is more armed than usual.

"You do know that doing this will make my job easier right?" He chuckled behind me as he pushed the gun more on my head.

Eversince I got out of the hospital, I have been noticing this presence of a person. I just can't force him out yet since it would be problematic if I do it in the open. So when I got out of the apartment, I purposely drew him here to corner him.

I 'tsk' at him as I got my hands out of my pocket. "Likewise" I muttered before I swiftly crouched down and kicked his legs. The man lost his balance and he immediately fell down on the floor but his hand is still holding the gun. So before he could raised it at my direction, I stomped on his wrist, making sure that the heel of my foot presses down on it hard.

"Ah! Let go!" The man cried in pain as I pressed it harder. His other hand started taking hold of my leg to remove it but he failed in each of his attempt.

"Where is Kenny?" I asked in a low voice as I pressed my heel even more. He screamed as his hand finally loosed grasp of the gun which I took from the ground.

"I-I won't t-tell y-you anything!" He yelled at me. I let go of his wrist only to use the same foot to land a blow in face. His eyes widened as he clutched the spot where I hit him. He was about to throw an insult at me when I kicked him down at his chest and crouched. I took hold of my knife and then I drew it close to his neck as his eyes looked at it with fear.

"I'm gonna ask you this again. Where is Kenny?" I asked with gritted teeth while I drew the knife closer to his flesh. He gulped in fear and shook his head fast.

"I-I don't kn- ack!" He yelped when I suddenly stabbed the ground next to his head. The perpetrator lookex at me with pure fright in his eyes. "I'm serious!" He yelled out. "I really don't know where he is! It is Traute who only has an idea"

I frowned at my shaking victim. "Who's Traute?" I asked.

"S-she is Kenny's second-in-command" He admitted, gulping as he followed his gaze at the knife in my hand. Then all of a sudden, the image of the blonde woman who previously guided me to where Hanji and Moblit were, flashed in my mind. Could that Traute person be her?

"Where the fuck is she and your other gangmates?" I demanded him as I pressed hard in his chest and once again drew the knife close. He hesitated to answer making me pissed off. "WHERE?!" I yelled and he flinched because of it.

"A-at the H-hub!" He admitted, closing his eyes shut. "We have an underground hide out in there" The man said as I stood up and finally moved my foot and knife away from him. He let out a slight sigh of relief.

"Thank you for your cooperation" I said before I punched him at his face, finally taking his conciousness away. I pulled him from the middle of the alley, and then to the side only to tie him and secure his restraints in his spot. I fished my phone out of my pocket afterwards and then I dialed a number who answered in just a few rings.

"Levi. You called" He said as soon as the call was answered.

"Erwin. I might need you to cover for me once again" I immediately muttered, hearing Erwin hum from the other line. Cover means two things when it comes to Erwin and I. First is to help me and second is to remove my name on all possible reports. Since Erwin's family is quite powerful especially on police and media influences, these are really easy for them. They did the same thing when I got Erwin out of Kenny's gang that is why no information about me was disclosed on any media or records.

"Does this have to do with Hanji?" He asked and I answered with a yes.

"He is back and I need to end it. I have a feeling about his location but I might not be able to handle the gang since they are situated differently" I explained, looking once again at the unconcious man. When he said that Kenny was always out of their hideout, I suddenly had an idea on where he might be. It is a place that only his previous gang members know, including me of course.

"How many will you need?" Erwin asked and I kmow that at the other line, he is currently grinning. Despite the way he look, Erwin actually gets excited by this kinds of stuff.

"As many as you can" I answered "I'll send you the coordinates after the call" I said finally ending the call, just before Erwin could affirm. I then texted him the location before I finally placed my phone back to my pocket, turning it off first so no disturbance will interfere me later.

I put the hood better on my head before I started walking again, and then I directed myself to the place where I know Kenny will go. To the place where he once told me it was our territory and our society, to the area where he trained me since I was a kid. Kenny is quite sentimental despite being a killer so if he will spend his hours in a different place other than their current base, it will most probably be on our previous hideout which he introduced to me as home.

Traute's POV

"To our incoming victory!" I yelled, raising my bottle of booze as the other gang members raised their's too and cheered. We have already taken out Hanji Zoe, his nephews lover, so we must have definitely killed his spirit as of this moment. And with Levi Ackerman being dominated with agony, it will be easy for my boss to finally end him. But since I don't want him to do any more jobs because he did the most to the girl after all, I sent a member to hunt his traitorous nephew even without his command. I made sure to deploy one of our strongest assassin so that the operation will be done smoothly and right now, I am sure that he is already on his way back.

When Kenny introduced Levi to me thru his pictures and his past, I kinda grasp the purpose of why my boss wanted us to look for him. It can either be because he wishes for that man to come back in the gang or he wanted to end his life since his existence is a danger to us. Levi Ackerman is quite skilled in this field since he really took after Kenny and when he stumble at one of us in the future, it will definitely be the end of our gang since we'll meet the same fate as the previous one. My boss is probably thinking about the latter so as his second-in-command I carried out the other missions such as sending the threats to attract the curious Hanji to our hideout and to end Levi Ackerman's life when he is at his weakest state.

I gulped the booze in my hand, feeling its yeasty flavor in my throat as I watched my gang celebrate. It was good and fun not until the doors suddenly bursted open. It wasn't Kenny nor my previous gang member who came in but an unfamiliar man with blonde hair and notably thick eyebrows. He was serious looking as he scanned the room and once my eyes met his, he smirked slightly. My eyes widened as I realized who that person was and I immediately threw my bottle at the side. I crouched my body low and tapped the under of our bar counter to look for a certain gun. I know him. He is with Levi Ackerman when they captured the gang before and if I am not mistaken, he was the man with a really powerful family. It is quite a shock for me to see him here right now but I put all aside and just focused on the gun. I need to end him before he can even get out of this place.

I tapped till I felt a hard metallic object covered in tape. I immediately dettached it and with quick hands, I removed the tape around it. I checked the clip and once I have seen it's enough, I immediately pulled the slide and stood up, pointing the gun on him.

"What are you doing here Smith?" I asked with gritted teeth. When my other gang members noticed my tone and the way I pointed my gun at him, they reverted back to their fighting modes and also got ready to launch at the man in front of us.

"A certain friend of mine told me that this place would be fun" He answered, darting his eyes at mine as he placed his hands in his pocket. "But to be honest, I am quite disappointed with this" Smith said with a straight face

I glared at him and placed my index finger to the trigger. "You are such a brave man for going in here alone. But don't worry. That will just make it easier for me to end you" I grinned as readied to pull the trigger.

"Who said that I came alone?" Erwin asked me and I suddenly felt myself freeze. A second after, unknown men in uniform started pooling the place, taking down each of my members easily. From Erwin, I aimed my gun to the men but before I can even shoot, someone tackled me from behind and twisted my arms. I yelped in pain and my grasp on the gun loosened because of it. Then the person grabbed both of my arms behind me before kicking me on the back of my knee, thus making my legs feel weak. I fell down kneeling in front of Erwin as the person behind me still held my arms tight.

"Fuck you Smith!" I yelled at him as I glared underneath the bangs that fell in front of my face. "KENNY WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN! HE WILL DEFINITELY HUNT YOU EVEN WHEN YOU'RE DEAD!" I told him while fighting off the grasp in my arms. I suddenly felt a huge pain at the back of my neck when the person who's holding me hit me on my vital.

"No. It will be you and your boss who's gonna get hunted down" He told me, kneeling in front of me so our faces will be on the same height. "You angered a demon in the name of Levi after all" Erwin said as he smirked by the end of his sentence. My eyes widened as I realized a few things. Erwin Smith got in here because Levi Ackerman told him to do so. But it will only be possible if he got an information about our location so does it mean that my member was defeated? It should be impossible since we took out Levi's lover so he should be devastated right now. Why is he fighting back?

I suddenly felt fear emerging in my heart. What kind of person is this Levi that he was still able to do this much? Could it be that Kenny was actually threatened about his nephew that is why he is trying to look for him? Is he that strong?

Thousands of questions circled my mind, making me suddenly doubt my boss. But none of it will probably be answered cause as Smith took hold of us, Levi is probably on his way to my boss. And judging by the course of this events, there's a huge disadvantage on our side right now.