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No home. Levi didn’t have an home. It’s not like he’d never had one. He had had a home until his mom died. Then he’d lived with his uncle on the streets for a while, but the old man got himself killed leaving his, back then 13 years old, nephew behind. Levi tried to make a living using everything his uncle taught him, but it was far from easy. The streets were dangerous all the time and stealing wasn’t as easy as it used to be anymore. The last thing he wanted was to end up in prison and end up being executed. In the last couple of years they got more strict because the underground was out of control. It still was and it always would be because well, people didn’t want to live like this.
Though had home ever been home? Home had more been his mothers office than an actual home. She worked as a prostitute, unable to find any other job. The apartment they lived in had been very small. There was a living room with a kitchen connected to it and two separate bedrooms. Levi would be forced to stay in his own bedroom and be quiet while his mother “worked” in her own. Levi didn’t know who his father was, but at a cetain age figured out it could possibly be one of the men walking into their house on a daily basis. His mom made sure to keep him hidden from her costumers however, scared that if she’d get on bad terms with them they’d use Levi to get to her. Levi had been the only thing she cared about. At least he’d known what it was like to be loved.
It was unfair. People that were born here would most likely die without ever seeing day light. To go above ground you had to pay a high price and most people returned to the underground anyways because they were not given permission to stay above. They only were allowed to if they were needed and well, the skills most people knew of in the underground weren’t things they wanted above.
When stealing wasn’t an option anymore, Levi rolled into prostitution at the age of 15. Now 18, that was still his life and it was absolutely horrible. He carried a book around with names and addresses for where he had to be at what time to get used and mostly abused as well. He’d receive some money and if he was lucky he was allowed to stay the night and didn’t have to sleep on the streets. Sometimes he wondered why he was still trying to survive. He disgusted himself, being used by at least 12 people a day, being forced into things he didn’t want to do, having no home or no one that cared about him. He wasn’t sure if he even cared about himself anymore.. So what was the point? He didn’t quite understand.
He was wandering the streets, trying to kill time seeing he didn’t have an appointment until 10 o’clock which was still 3 hours away. He was starving, yet didn’t have any money to buy some food and eventually ended up sitting in an alley as he slept away some time. Sleeping was something he liked. His mind would take him away from this horrible place and imagine what the above ground would be like. He’d picture the sky and imagine running through grass. Titans didn’t exist despite the fact he knew they would be there, behind the walls. But it was okay, when he was dreaming, everything was okay. Until he woke up and reality came knocking at his door again.
Waking up he realized he slept in and was late. “Shit.” He cursed to himself as he stood up and brushed the dirt from his clothes. It didn’t make much sense however. His clothes were pretty much always dirty and even if his clothes were to be clean, he’d still feel dirty. Truth be told, Levi absolutely hated to be touched. Not just in a sexual way, a hand on his shoulder was already too much. It would send shivers down his spine and anxiety through his bones. Doing the job he did, the anxiety was always there putting him in some kind of daze that somewhat made it easier to get the job done. It still scarred and hurt him however.
He started to walk into the direction of his costumers house on a steady pace. He’d probably receive less money now he was late, but hopefully, the man wouldn’t send him away and search for someone to fuck. That would mean he wouldn’t be able to buy food until tomorrow and he wasn’t sure whether he’d be able to handle that seeing he hadn’t eaten in almost 1 ½ days and he hadn’t paid for the apple he stole knowing the risk. He didn’t steal often anymore, but he’d felt like he had no other option even though Levi was aware you always had an option.
Levi was skinny. Extremely skinny. It was pretty clear he was poor and lived on the streets. He was small as well, only 160 cm’s long which due his skinny figure gave him a child like appearance if you didn’t look at the sharp features in his face. His childlike appearance however was what got him many costumers, which was pretty sick in a way. It only made him feel worse about the people that touched him. They were truly disgusting.
“Hey you!” Levi slowed his walking, somehow knowing whoever was calling out was calling out for him and he knew who the voice belonged too. The guy who owned the shop he stole from a couple of days ago. He decided to pretend he didn’t hear anything and kept walking, but listening closely he knew the man wasn’t alone. He cursed under his breathe and stared walking faster yet knew they’d soon catch up with him if he didn’t start running already. So that’s what he did.
He was fast, but weak. At some point, his legs gave out which didn’t surprise him. People living underground often seemed to get problems with their legs and Levi was no different. He couldn’t afford surgery and knew it would only get worse. “Gotcha.” The man said, pulling his head up by yanking at his hair causing Levi to wince. “Is it him?” Someone else aksed. “Yeah it is.” The man huffed. “You’ve got a debt to pay boy.” He spat at Levi who tried to squirm away yet couldn’t. His body was letting him down. His legs refused to move and his arms felt like there was no strength left in them. He managed to turn around and tried to crawl away, but the man tightened his grip. The other 2 men gathered around him. “Now I know how you make your money, so how about you settle your debt that way huh?” He asked, yanking Levi’s pants down.
He didn’t want this. He absolutely didn’t want this, but he wouldn’t tell them or start crying. Despite having to do low things like selling his body to men he still had some pride left in him and even though it was about to be taken away he wouldn’t let go of it just yet.
The man was about to yank his pants down further when Levi watched one of the other two guys get hit and fall on the ground in front of him. The next one quickly followed. Then the man on top of him got pulled off him. “How about you pick on someone your own size?” A low voice stated, before slamming his fist in the guys face. Levi turned around and faced a blonde man who’s hair was far to neat for him to live around here.
He slowly walked over to Levi and helped him stand up, actually pulling up his pants as Levi stood there on trembling legs. The man wasn’t wearing an uniform, but he wasn’t from here either, Levi was sure of that. He was probably trying to blend in for some reason, not knowing his hair pretty much gave it all away.
“Are you okay?” He asked looking down at Levi. Levi looked up, realizing how tall the man was. “I’m fine.” He said quietly before scoffing. “Why don’t you mind your own business?” The man seemed surprised by his blunt reaction. “Excuse me?” “Why did you interfere? Things were totally fine.” “No they weren’t.” “I stole from him, he got back at me. It’s how things go around here.” Levi pointed out, glaring at the guy who (literally) just saved his ass. “How about a thank you?” “Tch.” Levi scoffed. “I don’t thank brats from above ground.” The guy frowned, probably wondering what gave him away. “Your hair, dipshit.” Levi stated, answering the unasked question. The man sighed. “You should go home before they wake up.” “Like they won’t get to me another time.” The way the man eyed him.. It was strange. “Besides, I have work.” Levi said, turning around, but the man grabbed his wrist. Levi groaned and turned around. “You wanna die or something?!” He yelled, pissed off at this point. This man saw his vulnerable side and he absolutely hated it. The man turned his hand around and put money in it, pretty much the amount that could keep him alive for a week here. “Let me have you for 2 hours.” He said. “That should be enough to take you to the city up those stairs..” He pointed at the stairs everyone hoped to climb today. “And get you a new job..” Levi chuckled sarcastically. “Very funny. And what would that job be?”
“I’m going to make a soldier out of you.”
He was so taken aback by the response he didn’t answer.