Inhaling and exhaling the surrounding oxygen filled with harmful toxins. Calming her nerves and the tension she felt through her muscles, adrenaline constantly running through her veins. She tucked her raven spirals behind her ears. Inhaling, exhaling. Every adjective, every descriptive word she heard, cautiously walking down the crumbled alleyway. "Devils daughter" they chanted through the streets, manipulation and ignorance curdling through their narrow minds. She stayed strong knowing the only thing she had besides her appellation was her dignity. Beatings through the streets. Gasping. Sobbing. What was left of the roads was never silent. Constant screams of agony. A frail and weak man dragging his body along the road. Blood leaking through his torn rags. Alana reached down trying to aid the man's wounds with her milky toned hands covered with dirt. Alana looked at the blood trail he left as he crawled away from the harassment. She whispered calming thoughts to him. As his last breaths passed. Inhaled and exhaled. Alana rose from the filthy ground and looked down at the corpse of the man. "Not paradise" She mumbled. Alana walked conserving the energy she had, she hadn't eaten in days. Alana paced down to the river, silently listening for the rushing of water. She kept walking. "Just keep going" she continuously repeated in her head. She made it to the river. It was filled with debris and grains of sand. She whimpered slightly, feeling the lump in her throat rise. She hadn't drunk in days. She collapsed on the ground next to the scraps of metal. She closed and opened her eyes. Alana thought of her little brother who drowned in the river by one of the Marlyan guards his screams piercing through her ears. A tear escaped her almond shaped eyes. She closed her eyes waiting for her end to begin. "Alana" shouted Elijah. Alana opened her eyes and snapped her head towards the sound of her only comrade calling her name. "Elijah" she screamed. Elijah drew closer towards Alana. He found her lying on the ground."Hey, are you okay?" he asked worried. She smiled the only natural dent in her cheek surfacing. "I am now. Thank Eldia you're here." "You look awful" he smirked. "Don't I always?" she questioned. They embraced for a few minutes appreciating the emotional attachment they had towards each in their familiar comforting scents. A few minutes passed by and they slowly separated" Guess what?" Alana closed her eyes. Throwing her head back. Feeling the sun radiate against her petite body. " You know I don't like guessing games." "well this one is good, I promise." " As promising as the empty tinned food can I found earlier." She replied. " I have water " Elijah stated. Alana snapped her head towards him. Searching his hazel eyes for potential fibs. She was speechless. "Is it?" she could barely finish her sentence feeling the thirst raising in her throat. "It's clean." He smiled and held up a rubber water canister. "Can I-"her voice cracked. Elijah handed her the water canister. She slowly held the water canister feeling its cold exterior. She hastily twisted the cap and pressed the object to her lips and lifted her elbow. The chilled liquid filling her mouth as she slowly swallowed. Careful not to drink the entire canister. The water hydrating her entire body. All the cells in her body quickly waking up from its slumber. " Thank you" Alana smiled at her close friend. "Any time, I do need you alive otherwise this place would be unbearable" Elijah replied. "Let's hunt" she smiled.
Inspiration for this book came from the Attack on titan franchise. All credit is due where necessary.