Chapter 3: Burden / Red / Inebriated (Part 1)
A/N: So I decided to combine all this three prompts together (burden was meant for day 2 and the others are meant for day 3) because it fits, kinda. I've actually written this a few weeks ago and after reading through it, I decided to just post it up.
Thank you for the reviews for the previous chapter! It really means a lot to me that you took your time to just drop a few words of encouragement.
Okay, on to the story!
Red.
That was what she saw. What she could remember. What she wanted to remember. She wanted so much to forget what transpired earlier today, thus the empty bottles of vodka by her feet and a half-emptied one in her hand.
She had traded a week's worth of dinner to Sasha in order to get the alcohol. If that potato girl could steal meat from the officer's barack, Mikasa was damn sure she could steal a few bottles of alcohol.
Unfortunately, the more she drank, the more vivid her memories became.
"Dammit!"
She punched the wall with her free hand. The skin on her fist broke and she bled.
Red.
"Alright you damn rookies! I know you still have months before your graduation but if you don't help us fight this battle, there won't be any graduation for you!"
Their trainer barked. Fear was imminent on their faces. There were still cadets, what can they possibly do to ward off the titans? As their trainer continued to divide the cadets into their squads and briefed them of their duties, Mikasa bit her nail anxiously.
She was the top of her class but this would be the first time she would have to face a titan. She could feel the unspoken responsibilities that was on her shoulders.
Ackerman is one of the best we had in years! With her around, we'll be okay!
"Mikasa," the blond haired boy called out to her quietly. "Calm down."
"I am calm, Armin."
"Then stop biting your nails or you'll bite into your thumb."
Mikasa begrudgingly lowered her hand and looked around to distract herself. Everyone in her squad was grim. Sasha was shaking in her boots, and so was Christa. Even the annoying Jean was silent. She would expect Eren to be at least a little bit enthusiastic but she was wrong. Instead, he was staring at his boots with his fist clenched.
"Let's go," Armin said when the crowd began to disperse to their respective stations. Mikasa nodded and took a deep breath. Here goes.
-x0x-
The first time she struck someone, she felt a rush of adrenaline like never before. It was exhilarating and right now, as she zipped past the buildings with her 3D Maneuver Gear, that same feeling came rushing into her core.
It only took her one strike to kill the first titan. Her very first kill. Before she knew it, she had taken 3 titans down.
"Good job, Ackerman!"
She heard someone said as someone flew past her. Mikasa just shrugged it off and disposed her dull blades. It was then she realized she was down to only two blades.
"Shit."
"Mikasa!"
She looked up and saw two of her squad members coming towards her.
"Connie. Armin."
"Whoa, you took down a few titans by yourself," Connie remarked and walked towards her. "Anyway, I heard the Scouting Legion has arrived so we need to regroup."
"Do you still have enough gas to go back?" Armin asked. Mikasa knocked her gas tanks and the hollow sound made the pit in her stomach deepened. The place they had to go to regroup was at least 10 blocks away, maybe more, depending if there was a titan in their way. And the amount of gas she had would only be able to take her halfway.
Connie and Armin knew what was on her mind. But the leisure to think of a better plan was not in their favour at the moment when a 5-metre class titan appeared 2 blocks away from them. Armin was about to offer his tank to Mikasa when she stopped him.
"I have a better chance on foot than you."
"Then...take our blades at least."
Armin offered one of his blade and Connie, two.
"Thanks. Now go! Before the titans spot you!"
Was what she said but now she had been running away from the same 5 meter class titan, distracting it from pursuing Connie and Armin.
She fought the feeling to use her 3DM as she turned around the corner. Even with the Scouting Legion around to help - she could see their green cloaks in the distance - it was not easy for her to regroup with the rest of the squad. In the dark corner of her mind, she even wondered if anyone had died but she shook the thought away. Now was not the time to think of such grim thoughts!
She could hear the titan closing in and with calculated timing, she ran out and sliced the back of the titan's ankle. Unfortunately it was deep enough and the titan kicked her. Mikasa flew a few feet behind, the street breaking her fall and after a few roll, she finally stopped.
Gasping for air, pain shot up every time she took a breath. The titan came towards and she began to panic. She willed her legs to move but it was rooted to the ground. Not knowing what else to do, she held her blade in front of her.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Mikasa turned her head slowly, squinting at the light. She gave a lopsided smile when she saw the familiar frown.
"Are you going to say that it's a cold night and give me your coat again? Though I think I much prefer your cloak."
She let out a small laugh and took another gulp of vodka. She loved what alcohol was doing to her. She was more honest, and fearless. If only they allowed alcohol to be consumed when they had to fight the titans. Perhaps the number of casualties will be less.
"Ackerman, that is enough."
Levi crouched to her level and pried the bottle off her hands. He was mildly surprised that she allowed him to take the bottle away in her inebriated state.
"I'll take you to your room. Get up."
Mikasa ignored him and stared at the bandages around his chest that peeked out through his dress shirt. Guilt and worthlessness washed over her and she resisted his attempt to make her stand.
"I'm sorry…"
Mikasa whispered, tears gathering at the corner of her eyes.
"What was that?"
"I'm useless. I'm so sorry! It should've been me!" She buried her face into her hands and started to sob uncontrollably.
"Ackerman, I've already told you that it's not your fault."
"Sorry...I am so sorry…."
How many times have she contemplated death before. 2 times? 3? It seemed so easy to do it before. Death seems so welcoming a few years back but now, being in the grip of a titan and about to get devoured, she didn't want to die. Not like this. Not now!
Mikasa struggled in the titan's grip and was glad she still had her blade in her hands. She positioned the blades to face away from her body to avoid injuring herself, and swung it hard. She managed to slice off two digits off and quickly pushed herself out of its grasp.
Launching her 3DM, she swung around the titan and with a loud cry, slashed the back of the titan's neck. This time, the cut was deep enough and the titan fell with a loud thud. Not wasting any time, she launched her gear towards the centre of the town, where her squad was supposed to regroup.
The pain in her chest worsen but she kept pressing on. Soon enough, her gas was depleted and she landed on a roof, 5 blocks away from the city centre. Adrenaline began to wear off and her legs gave way.
"You there! Are you okay?"
A green cloaked woman landed next to her. A member of the Scouting Legion.
"You're still a cadet. Why are you so far out?"
Before Mikasa could reply her, another man landed on the roof.
"What do you have there, Petra?"
Mikasa flinched when she heard his voice. Memories of a cold night in a dark street came back to her. The brief eye contact they had on the streets of Shiganshina. Petra explained Mikasa's conditioned to the man, who in turn, was staring at her intently.
"...I've checked her gas tanks and both of them are empty. What should we do, Corporal Levi?"
Not taking his eyes off Mikasa, Levi gave a thought before ordering Petra to cover his back while he carried the girl off to safety.
"What's you name, cadet?" Levi ordered and Mikasa snapped out of her thoughts. She looked up slowly and their eyes met.
"Mikasa...Ackerman…" she said slowly and winced at the pain. Recognition flickered in both Petra and Levi's eyes but they made no comment.
"Listen, Ackerman. You have a broken rib or two and I'm going to carry you to safety. So stay still," Levi said. He ordered her to remove her gear before lifting her onto his shoulder. Mikasa let out a small hiss and bit her inner cheek.
"It's going to hurt like a bitch but bear with it."
"Yes, sir," Mikasa replied weakly and hoped that she would just pass out if it means not feeling any pain.
"Let's go, Petra!"
Levi swung off the roof and Mikasa held onto the back of his jacket as tight as she could. It was one thing to swing across town in your own gear and another on someone's back. She shut her eyes tightly when the blurry images of the city began to make her nauseous.
"3 o'clock!"
Levi shouted and Petra shouted back a reply. Mikasa took a peek, just as Petra swung away from them and towards a titan. Levi made a sharp turn which knocked the wind out of Mikasa and she heard him curse.
"Hang on, Ackerman. It's going to a rough from here but we're almost there."
A/N: Oh my, what is this? Cliffhanger? Ehehehehehehehe!
Reviews are very welcomed and if there is anything you are not clear about, please do ask.