// ALEX

The three of them walked down the long hallway in silence. Alex glanced over to the girl, Diana.

She kept her head down, but seemed to sense Alex’s eyes on her. Glancing up through her curtain of hair, she locked eyes with Alex. Alex felt a pang of guilt that he couldn’t help the poor girl. He struggled to keep his mind from slipping into the past, from when he was in a very similar situation.

Levi finally reached his destination. He opened the door, and shoved Diana into the room.

“Alright, my dear. I’ll see you later. You know the rules.”

She didn’t respond.

Levi shut the door behind him, leaving him and Alex alone standing in the hallway.

Levi sighed and gestured for Alex to follow him. The two walked down the hallway, then turned a corner. Alex quickly realized he had no idea where he was, but Levi seemed to know. Not wanting to be further lost, he followed.

Eventually, Levi stopped in front of a door that led outside. They were on the third floor, and the door led to a balcony.

Levi nudged the door open and the two walked onto the balcony. It was silent for a moment, and Alex took the moment to admire the view of Unsolan in all its glory. The sun was setting over his city, and he watched as birds flew above.

“So,” Levi said, breaking the silence. “What brings you here, Alexandra?”

Alex whirled around. “I’m sorry?”

Levi leaned against the railing, seemingly relaxed. He smiled. “It’s been a while since I last saw you. I was worried I’d never see you again.”

“I-- I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Alex stuttered.

Levi sighed. “You can pretend all you want, love, but we both remember. It was only a few years ago, after all.”

“What, when you kidnapped me?” Alex snapped, before realizing his mistake.

Levi’s grin widened. “Oh, good! So you DO remember!”

“The only thing I remember is you torturing me and abusing me for months,” Alex retorted.

Levi frowned. “You seem to be misremembering. I saved you, Lexi.”

“Don’t call me that,” Alex hissed.

Levi raised an eyebrow. “Why not? Oh, that reminds me. Why are you pretending to be a boy?”

“I’m not pretending,” Alex said softly. “This is who I am.”

“I’ve seen evidence otherwise, love.”

“I’ve changed, Levi, and you’d do well to remember that. I’m not a little kid anymore. I’m not the frightened girl you kidnapped after you killed her parents. I’ve changed. I’m a guy now. And nothing you say will convince me otherwise.”

“I never said I would try to change you,” Levi said.

Alex blinked.

“In fact, I don’t care. You’re still the Alexandra--Alex, whatever--that I remember from six years ago.”

Levi reached out to touch Alex’s arm. Alex jerked away.

“Don’t touch me,” he hissed. “You lost that right when you-- when you--”

Levi frowned but said nothing. They both remembered.

After a few seconds of Alex glaring at Levi, and Levi staring sadly back, Levi sighed. “I’m sorry, Lexi. You leave me with no choice.” He pulled out his phone, and started texting someone.

“What are you doing?”

Levi glanced up sadly. “I’m sorry. You wouldn’t listen or tell me why you’re here. Your friends are being taken care of.”

Alex froze. What?!

“Wait!” He shouted. Alex cleared his throat and spoke softer. “What-- what do I need to do?”

Levi looked up again, a thoughtful look on his face. “They matter a lot to you, don’t they?”

“Y-- yeah,” Alex muttered.

“Hm. Okay. Tell me why you’re here.”

“Oh,” Alex said, thinking quickly. “We just-- I remembered it was your birthday soon and figured you were throwing a party.” He rubbed his arm and looked to the ground. “I’m… not really sure, honestly.” I asked around and then figured I could get revenge, somehow. I-- I don’t know.”

Levi studied his face for a few seconds.

“Please…” Alex muttered. “Just leave them alone.”

“I know you’re lying,” Levi said. “But I’ll let it slide. On one condition.”

“...What is it?”

“Stay with me tonight?”

Alex couldn’t move. He knew what Levi was asking. He knew that this would end badly either way. Either he’d stay with Levi for a night (and who knows what would happen) or Cheri and Saren could possibly get killed.

Actually, when he put it that way in his head, that was an easy choice.

“Okay.”