Chapter Two: The Saviours

"RECRUIT EEEE-RIKKKK!"

It happened within seconds – the loud declaration of my companion's name, fully furnished with his rank in the military, followed by the slamming of the door as it hit the wall of my house. 6 feet tall, his face distorted with a menacing grin – Kenneth Aldridge. Despite his vicious appearance, his usual tendencies to bully new recruits in the area and generally all unpleasant traits you could think of that a bully typically possesses, Kenneth is kind deep inside. The compassion that resided within the guy though, is usually hidden behind false pretence of nonchalance, his aloof behaviour as a protection from this cruel world.

In summary, I've once described him as a giant cuddly bear with an unfortunate appearance.

"Y–Ye–Yes Sir!" In a moment of haste, the chair was tipped over by Erik's sudden movement – his posture now at attention with a fist over his heart in salute.

"What good life you're having eh, Recruit Erik? Drinking tea and getting served by our prisoner while I was out on the street? You know that taking bribes from the imprisoned is an offense, don't you?" Kenneth taunted, his arm slung over Erik, trapping him in a head lock while the latter found beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"I– I did not, Sir! Sir, I– I would n–never!" While the sight of a frantic Erik was amusing, qualifying perfectly as the highlight of my day (so far, at least), the giggle that I had been suppressing bursts out into a laughter.

"Ay, Kenneth. Stop teasing him. He's going to wet himself, you know." There were times I forgot that I was being held captive by the government for a crime I did not commit, times like these when I had people who were genuinely willing to befriend me despite the situation I had managed to find myself in. It felt almost normal – though normalcy had long erased itself from my books and from the world.

But life hadn't always been this easy to get by, and nothing has changed since my capture five years ago. The only view allowed within the compounds of my home was that of the streets outside, through the two-panel window by the side of my door – and even that was not something given willingly by the authorities – they had to allow this window to be unobstructed by wood panels so the guards outside of my home could monitor any dangerous activities I might be up to.

Besides, if they didn't allow at least a view into my house, their decision to keep me captive in my home would be useless. After all, if they didn't do this, my parents – if they are still alive – will not be able to check in on me, and they will not be able to capture them in the act.

Except as I've said, nothing has happened thus far.

"But seriously, Yuka." Kenneth's eyes shuffled to me, narrowing his eyes in concern, his gaze was stern. It wasn't difficult to sense that the conversation was about to take a turn for the worse – it wasn't the first time this has happened. The first, I would never forget. For the first time it happened, the order for my execution summoned, it was three years ago. Yet, for some reason, there were people who thought my life was worth salvaging.

I wonder how they're doing.

"Yuka." Kenneth's voice broke my chain of thoughts, his hands slamming deafeningly against the wooden dining table as my body jolted, spine straightened, back to reality. "Y–Yes, Kenneth?" Was this how Erik felt when Kenneth came barging in? Probably. The stutter in my voice complemented the rate of my heart – pounding against my chest so quick and hard that it almost hurt. Even the two words took effort to spill with the tightening of my throat.

I didn't like this, I didn't like it at all. I didn't like not knowing how the world was like out there, nor being kept away from information about the future I may or may not have on a daily basis.

"There's an attack, like the last time." He started, his voice low and slow as he waited for me to catch on. His eyes lacing with an element of concern before continuing following the signal of my nod. "The gate of Trost has been breached, they are speculating that it's the same titan that did it five years ago. Troops have been sent out to evacuate the residences, and they are almost done. Some trainees have already arrived, and they should be resting around the area outside your house." His speech was took a pick of pace as his eyes darted to the window behind and at the arriving troops who were rapidly increasing in numbers – none of whom looked alive anymore despite their physical conditions

Even after surviving, they have lost way too many people and friends to feel alive. These expressions I have witnessed and decoded countless times, and it never gets easier to observe from the last.

"Why are you telling me this?" Hanging my head as I picked at the spot on my dress, my eyes did their best to avoid contact with the Corporal in front of me, the voice was dropped to a near whisper. Kenneth's sigh only served as an indication of his despair over my reaction, before footsteps of two soldiers echoed further and further away from me.

"You know why I'm telling you this, Yuka. Do not act recklessly, you promised them." And with that, Kenneth slammed the door shut again with Erik trailing behind in confusion, returning to their posts on the other side of the wall, guarding and cutting me off from the world.

It was as if the denial of mine that took place just moments ago was a chore to uphold, energy seeped at a rapid rate from me before my body made contact with the wall, sliding down with my head in my hands. Tears pricked my eyes, and I felt alone once again. Alone and tired from the constant battles I was put through for the five years of my youth; while other children were allowed to retain what little innocence the world allowed, mine was robbed away from me.

Of course I knew what Kenneth was going on about. Two years after the failure of my in-house imprisonment, a ridiculous conjecture invented by some guards claimed that my parents were the titans involved in the attack of Wall Maria. Oddly enough, their efforts to eliminate me came without warning and they were almost impatient to perform the death sentence – though their actions screamed apprehension more than comprehension.

The words from Kenneth, though concise, delivered a few messages. One, the rumour of my parents' apparent betrayal will soon resurface. Two, to anticipate a trial for my execution again – if it would be granted before they perform the deed that was. Three, do not attempt an escape with the use of trainees outside.

And lastly, do not disappoint them with any thoughtless behaviours.

Ah, them. What a convenient time for disaster to strike just as they have left for their latest expedition too. Would Erwin and Levi be disappointed if I did give in to fate, if I stopped escaping from my imminent death?

... I guess.

After all, Erwin was the one who saved me from the hands of Death three years ago. He who convinced the jury of my value, and the research his team may be able to conduct. Or my life, as a snack to the titan should the situation call for a distraction. It sounded heartless at that time, to hear the latter, but his intentions became clear once my life was spared. He did all he could so I was able to survive, pardoned.

But yet now, I'm–

CRAAAAAAAACK

"Wha–" The sound of thunder was proceeded by that of an explosion. What was happening? The noise, what was it? A titan? Here? My legs scrambled towards the window, pounding my fist against the window that separated me and the world, hoping for a source of information. Anything to calm the anxiety that was building up.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" I shouted just as Erik, with his the blood drained from his face, responded to my knocking. His hand merely raising in attempt to calm me down, mouthing the words that I couldn't hear but could decode with the reading of his lips.

Titan smoke.

...

"OY YUKA. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" The voices behind me continued their pursuit, but at this point, none of it matters anymore. If I were to be captured and executed, so be it. The burning curiosity, the slim chance that that my parents may be titans and that they were finally coming for me was worth the risk – or so I convinced myself. Running was always my forte anyway, from blame, from reality and the physical aspects of it.

They will not be able to catch up with me if I continued at this pac–

"Oomph." Hurts. It hurts. My head, I think I've hit my head. Who the hell was blocking my way?!

"Ah! I'm so sorry!" The male figure helped me up, his face decorated with freckles with an attempted smile through the chaos around us. "Are you okay? I don't think it's safe fo– Oh!" Too soon, two arms interlinked with my own before I was hauled up in the air, my legs attempting to resist, flailing and putting up one last fight before I found myself back into the house.

"ARE YOU INSANE?!" Kenneth bellowed, the heat rising to his cheeks as it tinged them in a shade of dark red – anger. "YOU WERE LUCKY IT WAS A TRAINEE YOU BUMPED INTO. WHAT IF IT WAS ONE OF THOSE GUARDS, HUH? WAS THAT WORTH IT? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHIEVE?" It was unclear if his erratic breaths came from the run, or from his rage – neither I was concerned about as I stayed where I landed; my back against the wall, head staring intensely at my hands which have suddenly piqued my interests and legs straightened on the ground.

I saw the shadow move, and the lights in the room shifted – Kenneth was pacing as his fingers ran through his hair. Erik's shadow remained rooted behind him.

"I wanted to see for myself. I wanted to see if they have finally come to get me. " I felt a drop of water sliding down the side of my cheek before staining my dress.

And that was when I realised how selfish I had been. If I did escape, I would not be the only one who had to face the punishment. Erik, and Kenneth will be investigated on their responsibilities in keep me locked up. They believed enough in me to leave the door unlock so I could escape in the face of life and death – they wanted to give me an escape route if the titans infiltrated these walls. Yet I took it for granted and put their lives on the line.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, legs standing unsteadily as I gently pushed the two guards out of the door, catching glimpse of the trainee from earlier as he stared back in confusion – his hand raised in a short wave of acknowledgement before I shut the door back again.

Sigh, I can already hear him at the back of my head even though he's not here. "Oy brat, do not throw another person's life away because of your inability to use a brain."


P.S: You know you've been writing on forums too much when you end up italicising with [i][/i] tags.