The Loop II

Untitled Part 4

He wakes up and stretches, the light coming in through the bedroom window piercing his eyes.
Squeezing them shut against the glare, he rolls over with a sigh.
And stares right into the face of the woman lying next to him. His arm is draped casually over her, and her head is nestled against his chest.
She looks up at him with a sleepy smile and snuggles in closer.
"Good morning."
"Morning."

He glances appreciatively at the portrait hanging over the bed (their bed!), before slipping out and heading to the kitchen.

Noticing Erwin and Hanji staring dumbfounded in the corner, he gives them a meaningful glance.

"I'll make breakfast", he calls as he disappears around the corner.

She watches him leave with a smile.

A menacing smile.

She slithers out of bed.

"Did you just see that?", Hanji whispers fiercely in Erwin's ear.

"Yes, and I don't ever want to see it again."

They dash from the room to find Levi.

Why didn't he just confront her in the bedroom instead of going through this hellish nightmare again? It feels like an invisible hand is pushing him forward along a predestined path.

'Well,' he thinks with steely resolve, 'I broke the last cycle. I can break this one too.'

Or did he? Maybe every event was exactly as intended. By whom or what though? The thought makes him shudder.

He peeks into the kitchen and pulls back quickly. Trinity is in the kitchen, her back to him and cooking. Gooseflesh begins its rise on his forearms, and he can even feel the hair on his head slowly rising.

She was just in the bedroom.

That's not Trinity.

He nearly jumps out of his skin as someone grabs his arm.

It's Erwin.

"That's not her.", Levi says and nods towards the kitchen.

"No shit", Hanji whispers. "We just saw her slither out of bed like a reptile!"

"Shhh!" Levi looks toward the kitchen again and wonders what to do next.

"Trinity?", he calls out hesitantly.

The light over the stove shatters and the thing that looks like Trinity turns. Its sudden lurching steps cause the trio to jump and back up. It seems all three are rooted to the spot though, they can't seem to stop gawking at what is happening right before their eyes.

It's a profile now as it moves to make its way around the kitchen island. Huge chunks of its Trinity disguise fall away and hit the floor with a meaty squelching sound.

"I thought giant humanoids trying to eat us was the crowning insanity." Hanji whispers and clutches onto both men.

"I think you need Pastor Nick.", Erwin replies.

It's moving towards them now with stuttering static steps. As it moves, all the lights in the house begin to flicker crazily, making it seem as if the creature is disappearing and re-appearing before their eyes.

Large gaping jaws open impossibly, revealing a mouth packed with long, razor-like teeth. It closes its mouth with a snap.

CRUNCH!, It screams, as chunks of its dripping maw go flying in every direction.

CRUNCH! The trio throw their hands up to cover their faces as more teeth and flesh fly in their direction.

CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH! It's mouth moves up and down faster and it emits a gurgling giggle.

"We can't fight this. I don't know what to do."

The idea of Erwin sounding so helpless is terrifying enough.

"Throw your fucking eyebrows at it!" Levi states sarcastically. He's honestly more terrified than he's ever been, and the ludicrous sarcasm is reflexive. Erwin grabs them both and dashes for the bedroom, slamming the door only moments before the thing reaches them.

THUD!

It sounds as if the thing is going to break through any moment, and Levi searches around for something; anything to fend it off. Meanwhile, Hanji and Erwin are trying to move the dresser in front of the door.

"What is this thing made out of?", Erwin grunts and with one last heave, they finally have the dresser in place.

THUD!

They back up cautiously.

THUD!

THUD!THUD!THUD!THUD!

It's head crashes through the barricade and looks slowly at each in turn. Its eyes stop on Levi.

It grins, wicked teeth slick with saliva.

"Lover...", it croaks. "How lovely to bring me these snacks."

"You're not Trinity, you slimy piece shit.", he growls.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Such manners."

Its arms break through the opening and it begins to wiggle its way through.

"I appear to be stuck", it giggles insanely and wriggles some more. "Must be all that baby weight..."

Levi rushes forward with the broken bedpost that he honestly has no clue appeared in his hands. With a mighty swing, he connects with its head. The wet, meaty sound makes him gag.

The creature just laughs.

He bashes it again.

It only laughs harder.

Once again and the creature goes silent.

'I'm going to be a father?', he thinks to himself, trying to wrap his head around it. His musings are interrupted by Erwin, who was apparently on the same track.

"She's carrying your child?"

"I- we only- just the once..."

"Once is all it takes.", Erwin says with a chuckle. "Of course, that thing could have been lying."

Would it? Levi's not so sure. What would this thing gain from lying? Trinity wouldn't know so soon, it must be hiding her somewhere...

Where?

"Guys...", he begins.

"BOO!" The thing pops up behind them causing all three to jump. Hanji screams and Erwin and Levi both emit identical unmanly shrieks.

It chuckles again and lurches forward.

They disappear and reappear back in Levi's quarters.

It looks around the empty room.

"Well, this is troubling...."

It gives a sly look towards the painting and snatches it off the wall.

"Almost time, mother.", It coos. "Almost time for me...."