Others

      The first stage went as planned, except that Millius took a little longer. The guy was stubborn and believed in the rightness of his ideas. He didn’t give up on any of his own, even when Kenny inflicted several wounds on the nerve connections, making the guy scream in unbearable pain.He was an ideological fighter, but it was also possible to find methods for such people. When Jarnach could no longer stand with broken knees, smashed face, twisted fingers, and bleeding wounds, Kenny decided to morally finish the stubborn young man. “If you won’t talk, then so be it. I’ll go and do all this to your family, and I’ll torture your little sister for a long time.”       The mention of loved ones made Millius try to stand up, despite the pain, he was breathing raggedly, several very hard blows hitting him in the solar plexus. Ackerman knew, how and where to hit to keep his victim conscious and experiencing everything to the fullest. “No-no,” he whimpered, “just don’t touch them, I’ll tell you everything.”       Kenny grinned, as he thought: the boy had a great love for his kin. It was what was pushing him now to give a damn about the common goal to which he was truly devoted.       How foolish, until people learn to sacrifice something, to reject something, they are doomed to lose to the stronger ones. Ackerman had realized this truth a long time ago, and that was why he was at the pinnacle of life. He squatted down in front of his victim, looking into her eyes: “I hope you won’t lie anywhere and tell me literally everything. Otherwise, your family will suffer.”       Millius understood such a blatant hint, he didn’t even think about whether he himself would survive the night. He told everything he remembered, named everyone he remembered. That was all he had to do. The man slit the young man’s throat, giving him oblivion. Kiva, who had no part in this torture, walked over to Kenny. He rarely made her do that, which she was grateful for. Otherwise, with her tenacious memory, she’d risk a mild mental breakdown. The man was adjusting his coat, shaking the sleeves free of non-existent dirt; there were only small drops of blood, barely noticeable at all. Jarnach gave them the names of two more conspirators.       Kenny had already found a trace of one of them in the evening, but the other was still to be found. They would have to torture again to make sure, that they were the last participants in this farce. They had almost reached the Town Hall when the girl noticed: “As you said, there’s work to be done for a day and a half.” “That’s right, but now come here,” he beckoned her to him, and the girl already knew, what awaited her.       His hand went to the back of her head, pressing and telling her to kneel down. For the next twenty minutes, she took him in her mouth, helping to relieve the tension before further work. She did it without much thought, it was easier that way. She had long since gotten used to it, and Kenny remained satisfied with her actions, though sometimes he wanted and sought emotion from her. All in all, it had become a very frequent manifestation of their lives. After all, the only thing more natural than death, that surrounded them, was sex.       When they entered the Town Hall building, Kenny went to the police commander with a few orders. It was necessary to cordon off a small neighborhood to catch one man, but in certain places. Ackerman was almost furious as he showed the map the right streets, and the policeman struggled to understand, what it was all for. The stupidity of the unwilling subordinates was astounding. But it was also because Kenny didn’t like working in a big group, he was used to Kiva understanding him half-heartedly. Nevertheless, a general agreement was reached. Ackerman went upstairs to take a break, to drink strong tea, because it was too early to drink alcohol. And Kiva stayed behind to ask about the second conspirator. The commander said he would send an aide upstairs with the documentation, it would take time. For lack of anything better to do, the girl followed Kenny.       There was still a night visit to the conspirator to come, and in the morning they would corral the second one using the police. Having studied the reports Kenny knew roughly, where the last victim was located, the animal’s instincts suggested the right direction. They managed to fulfill their time without much tension, but no one was going to fool around. So after a break, having received information and an approximate address, with a description of the man, Kenny and the girl went in search of him. Everything was the same, except that the man cracked at once. His information matched the information they’d gotten out of Millius. That was good, increasing the chances, that this conspiracy would be finished.       For the morning, Kenny took the position he needed, waiting for the last contestant to show up. Kiva had been given the role of observer again this time, and was on backup in case something did go wrong. The man, as soon as he turned down the familiar alleyway, saw the police officers and turned back, he soon realized, he was at a dead end. He had time to feel the panic rising, when he finally spotted Kenny sitting on a crate. A brief struggle ensued, then torture, spoken words, and death repeated. All three said the same thing, there were no more participants. The case was closed, leaving the paperwork and reporting back to Reiss. The first two murders would be blamed on his work as the Mitra Killer, and the last one on the actions of the police in apprehending the perpetrator. It’s simple, it’s easy.       Kiva filled out a summary report for the statement, while Kenny allowed himself to pour whiskey into a glass. He’d been waiting for this for some time already. The man sat blissfully with his feet on the table, sipping the contents of his glass leisurely. The job was over and there was no hurry, he would be at Reiss' place tonight, but for now he relaxed.The girl delivered the activity report, returned to the office. She wasn’t thirsty, so she reached for the newspaper, they had brought in the morning. One news item caught her eye. “Remember the epidemic in Shiganshina?” “Yeah, it wiped out half the town’s population.” “They managed to stop it, they say Doctor Grisha Yeager. He was able to develop a cure.” “Did that surprise you?”, He gave her a bored look, his whole demeanor showing he didn’t care. “A few, talented doctors and healers are rare, especially near the Wall of Maria.”       Kenny set his glass on the table and looked at Kiva, obviously in the mood for conversation. “They’re not that rare, many of them are hiding. The doctor, who fixed you up, for instance, works with dead bodies. Not many people know, that he can take care of the living.”       The girl unconsciously ran her hand over her stomach, where there were three small scars.       She occasionally thought back to that life and her friends, very glad, that she still remembered, however vaguely. She found the strength to grin: “How convenient, if I had died there, he would have left me.”       Ackerman laughed: “Yes, he himself wasn’t sure you’d live to see the morning, even shared his plans for your body.” “I can understand with some butchers,” the girl said with a laugh, “but healers are very rare. They make medicines out of the simplest things: herbs and extracts.” “It’s just that they’re devoted to their work, like this Yeager, and such people don’t meet very often. And not everyone is in the right line of work.”       They chatted about it for a while longer, until Rod came to pick them up in the carriage. He was so polite, that he decided to take them up on it, or maybe he just wanted to talk about something before they all got to Uri. The three of them were quietly seated in the large carriage, Kiva was uncomfortable, but it was a nice and quick way to travel. On the way, Reiss listened to the brief story, satisfied with it. The job was done, the case closed in short order. No repercussions or threats in the nearest future.       Rod noted Ackerman’s usefulness to himself, but he spoke aloud the thought that was bothering him: “I would ask you not to mention my connection to Alma, it would be better and it wouldn’t affect the case.” “You’re afraid of getting a scolding from your wife? You’ll get over it, you’ll cry into your little pussy’s skirt.”       Kenny sat with his foot on his leg, his hand resting lazily on his head. He wasn’t really interested in any of this, but he liked to mock Rod. “Didn’t you tell your mistress, that yesterday you approved the death sentence for her stupid brother?”       Rod looked tired, struggling to make the next decision. “She doesn’t need it yet. I’ve decided to take Alma home as a housemaid, so she can provide for her family and I can be supportive.” “Wow, you’re a risky guy, Rod. Keeping your two women under the same roof and having them in adjoining rooms. You don’t seem to like your wife at all.”       Kiva got the impression, that Ackerman would have said 'fuck', but since it was also about Elfrida, he didn’t put it so crudely. Rod shook his head, probably needing to talk. “Elfrida was forced on me by my father, I respect her, and she deserves better. But Alma… that’s different. I love her, she’s not like the others. She’s the only one who understands me for who I really am. I’ve never had that with anyone before.”       Kiva had gotten to Kenny before the end of her personality formation, and even at the time of the fracture, so some of her facial expressions matched those of the Reaper himself.       Now they sat with the same squeamishly mocking expression on their faces. They understood, what Rod was trying to say, but it made them dislike and jeer. Kenny couldn’t help but snort: “Does it take a lot of intelligence to understand a womanizer.” Rod looked at his palms and continued talking, absorbed in his own thoughts, rather trying to convince himself. " I will give her a job, because I am responsible for her, including the decision to have her brother die. I don’t know, what the consequences will be. But I feel it’s the right thing to do for her.”       He fell silent, considering his words. He was interrupted by Kenny, who was tired of thinking about the rightness of bringing home a mistress. “Speaking of business, your cops are useless, they’re only good as live meat. It’ll be easier and more reliable, if I form my own department, which will work the way I need it to.” “That’s a good idea. Let’s do it. Your methods are different from the norm, not everyone will be able to work that way.”       Soon they arrived at the main, and now so familiar, Reiss estate. In the large drawing room Uri played with his nephews, he had no children of his own, so his love was poured out on Rod’s children, who were very fond of their uncle.       The king especially liked Frida, in her he saw a reflection of himself in his youth, in her he saw the potential for strength and the ability to accept the truth. It was too early to think about it, but Uri was sure that she would be the one to gain the power of the Titan-Founder in the future. Imir’s curse did not allow him to live long: thirteen years old, he had ten to live. Uri was happy to see Kenny, the way one is happy to see a very old friend. While they were saying hello, little Frida came closer to Kiva, looking at her curiously. The young woman didn’t know, how to behave with a seven year old girl, or indeed how to behave with children in general. She thought, that at that age she had had a lot of trouble on the streets and had to steal to eat, and at the age of ten Ulkin had already done her first murder. And these two were so unconcerned, that they caused her bewilderment with a slight dislike. But it wasn’t the children’s fault, that they were innocent, what was wrong with that?       The girl squeezed out a smile. Lady Reiss soon appeared as well, greeting the two strangers and smiling warmly at Rod. She was still pretty, but she looked tired, and Kiva could only sympathize with her. Elfrida led the two children away from the adults as well, who were to discuss matters not meant for children’s ears. The four of them proceeded to the library, no one wanting to embarrass the rest of the family, and there was less chance of being disturbed. Uri looked saddened as he listened to the report of the work. It was especially painful for him to hear Millius' reasons for such actions. He would have been happy to change that things, but he couldn’t, just like his father. Even before he became King, he and his brother had often dreamed of making a difference in the lives of humanity. Kiva was embarrassed and even ashamed every time, that they could find no other way than the path of violence to solve the problem. Seeing Uri like this was hard.        Next they chatted about something ordinary, unrelated to work moments. The girl sat on the sofa at a distance, interested in books, but she did not dare even to run her fingers over the spines. The meeting was even domestic; Rod was finally distracted from his problems with women. It was hard to believe, that three such different men could find common topics of conversation, beyond governmental matters. They seemed to have forgotten about her, but she was even more relaxed and used to it. But at one point she caught Uri’s open and understanding gaze. He turned to her, sitting on the chair. “Last time we met, Kenny had mentioned, that you like to read.” Kiva was confused to be spoken to, cast a fleeting glance at Kenny, read the approval unnoticed by anyone else, looked at Uri again. “You can take any book you want from here,” he gave a kind smile, that was impossible not to respond to.       The girl tilted her head in gratitude, and timidly said: “Thank you.”       She wouldn’t take anything today, of course, but next time it was very likely. It was simply impossible to refuse Uri. That was the end of the attention to her, but she was very pleased. She had no doubt, that she would be able to read a lot of interesting things, and it was especially warming to be allowed to take them.       In a few hours they left the estate, and at night they were already at home. Only there Kenny turned to the girl, rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly: “I’ll be gone for two days, I need to check something in the Underground City.” Kiva was a little surprised by this, but after all, the man could have his own personal business to attend to. Kenny wanted to see, how his nephew was coping with life. And it was just about time for a break in business, two days would be enough for that. He wasn’t thinking about Levi, but something inside insisted on this visit, and he was used to listen to his inner voice. Kiva looked at him thoughtfully, but only realized, that Kenny wasn’t in the mood to talk about it now, so she joked back: “You want to dump all the paperwork on me?” “Good thing you remembered. You’ll take care of that too.”       The girl groaned, she, like Kenny, didn’t like all these formalities. But unlike a man, she had no one to do it for her.        The only thing left to do was to do it herself. Kiva cursed, to which Kenny gave her a pat on the head: “You’d have to do it anyway, little girl. And if I’m in the mood, I’ll even tell you why I’m going on this trip. You like to know everything.” “I know roughly enough,” Kiva muttered grudgingly. Ackerman laughed and looked into her eyes with interest. He knew, that his subordinate had an almost unbelievable guessing ability, and he wondered, what she would say now. “You want to visit someone you know, or just see him. And you know him well, if you don’t need a lot of time to look for him. Besides, it’s someone important to you, if you remember him and want to go down to Underground City.” “Not bad, little girl, I’ll have to tell you that story someday. Just in case.”       He was pleased with her logic and her disgruntled face. He knew, how much paperwork and tedious work she’d have to do in his absence.        For the morning, Kenny left on his little journey and the girl headed for the Town Hall, where she was to take part in the formation of a new special internal police department. Another marvelous headache, but it was necessary and promised to be useful in the future. Uri’s safety was also still on her mind, so she had to strain to keep up with everything. The department had been given a name, that made her want to grab her head. The Department for the Anti-Personnel Control Squad. The powers according to the documents were almost limitless, even allowed to recruit their own staff. It was too early to recruit people, and it would be better if Kenny did it himself. On the second day with the finished folder, Kiva went to Rod, who was responsible for such work, and in particular for their activities. He was ready for her arrival and was waiting in his office. He liked working with her? because they treated each other with restraint. The girl did not try to bully him, and he stopped being contemptuous of her.       Kiva was talking in a mundane tone about the form the department would take, that the only person it would report to was King Wall Fritz, when Alma came knocking into the office. She was smiling sincerely at Rod, carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups on saucers. She cast a not entirely friendly glance at the girl, a little jealous and arrogant. But under Kiva’s answering, scanning gaze, she faltered and averted her eyes, setting the contents of the tray on the table. “Alma, you can go, I’ll call you, if I need you,” Rod addressed her with a warm smile.       The woman, dressed in a black dress with a white apron, smiled coquettishly, bowed and left the office. “Her new uniform suits her, but doesn’t suit the look. Let her be careful, if she wants to keep her secret,” Kiva said as she poured herself some tea. Rod sighed, taking the stack of papers in his hands. “I know, she’ll get used to her new surroundings soon enough and stop acting like this.” “She doesn’t seem depressed about her brother’s death, does she?” “She’s already cried to much, pulled herself together, I think. Let’s stop this talk.”       Kiva shrugged, she was just pointing out a slight oddity in this beauty’s behavior. After discussing business, Kiva went down to the library, wanting to look up a book for herself. Rod’s children were spending time there with their mother, she was reading something to them.       Something about Ymir and her deal with the Devil. Mrs. Reiss stopped and looked at the girl, who bowed slightly and said greeting. The woman greeted back without getting up from her chair, and the children stood up and hesitantly said the words of greeting as well. The girl didn’t expect anyone to be in the library, so she faltered, grabbed the first book she could find, and left the library in a hurry. She didn’t see Uri, but he must have had something to do. She was at Kenny’s house before sunset, he was supposed to return from the Underground City today. Kiva prepared for his arrival: she cleaned the house, got clean clothes, washed herself, prepared food. Homework was relaxing. Now she could start reading, for all the chores were done. She could have gotten a better book, of course, but she was satisfied with these myths with fanciful drawings.       As she had expected, Ackerman returned closer to nightfall. He looked tired and content as he took off his coat and hat. First he made his way to the bathroom to wash off the sweat, the fatigue, the dust, while the girl set the table. She didn’t need to ask how it went, it was clear enough for her, that the man was doing quite well and that Kenny was quite pleased with it. After the bath, the man listened to how the job had gone, how everything had happened at the Reisses', snorted contemptuously a couple of times, but remained calm. At dinner, Ackerman told Kiva about the people he had gone to see. He told about his sister Kushel, the man mentioned, how she had become a prostitute only in passing. Told her about Levi, glad he didn’t have to explain to her, why he’d left the boy behind him. Kiva understood him perfectly well, that people like them could not give a normal and decent life. “So, if you hear about him somewhere, try to keep an eye on him,” the man finished his evening of revelations. “Well, I hope, that won’t be necessary.” In the near future there was no heavy work to be done, so they could rest, which they did for the next few days.