Chapter 11

With her surroundings pitch black, Elise frantically searched for any light. She had no success. The air around her was hot and stunk to the point of nausea.

The ground she put her hands on was warm, squishy, and wet. Something sticky stuck to her hands as she pulled them away. Her face fell into terror as the answer to her situation came to mind.

'This can't be... The area was clear of titans... Wasn't it?' her thoughts were interrupted by what felt like an earthquake.

The sound of a building breaking could be heard through the barrier she was behind. She grabbed wooden planks that were beside her for stability. Slowly, light began to shine in. It seeped in from behind her as the titans mouth pulled away from the building.

She watched as she got higher and higher into the air. Her opportunity of jumping out to safety we slipping through her fingers. Elise forced her paralyzed body to move. She pulled herself forward to the edge of it's mouth. Grabbing it's teeth to pull herself.

But she was stuck. A large wooden beam held her left foot down. It did not crush or break her foot but pinned it solid so she could not move it.

She rolled onto her back. She feared the titan would close his mouth at any moment. With her head resting on it's bottom teeth she shook with horror.

Elise finally reached down and grabbed a hold of a blade to her side. She held it vertically and shoved it into the nook between two of it's teeth. She knew it wouldn't hold for long but it was better than nothing. Wasting no time she tried setting her foot free. She pulled, thrashed, wiggled, but nothing prevailed.

From below her she could hear her name being called out by the female soldier. When Elise looked back up the blade started bending under the pressure. With no other ideas left she brought her right leg up and placed the bottom of her boot to the titans teeth. Using all the Strength she had to hold the titans mouth open.

Through gritted teeth she grunted and held back a scream that built up in her throat. She told herself there was no getting out of this one. Not with her given situation. And that this was it. Her life would end right here, in vain, with no real contribution to humanity.

The blade she held to it's teeth shattered to pieces. A small scream escaped from surprise. Her leg started bending further and further. Forcing her body to fold and curl together.

Elise's mouth came open and only a short scream came at first from pain, then an ear piercing screech from desperation as the titans mouth came further down.

"Heichou!" The female soldier called to him as he approached the scene. Before she could blink, the corporal was behind the titan and slicing his blades through it's neck.

Elise felt the titans weight shift as it swayed to it's left. She pulled herself fully inside the titans mouth and covered her head with both arms. Her body flew to the left as the titan fell.

When the titan crashed, so did she. Her body smashing into the side of the titans cheek. The rumble and debris that was inside crashed with her, moving the beam that held her leg and setting it free.

She opened her clenched eyes.

Light came in from above through an opening between the titans teeth. Suddenly a shadow blocked that light. The figure dropped down to their knees and leaned forward to peer into the mouth. "Elise! Are you okay?"

Elise squinted her eyes, trying her best to peer through the darkness, with a shaky voice she asked, "Rivaille?" She attempted to push herself up but her hands slipped from underneath her from the saliva. "Rivaille. Get me out of here!"

"Grab my hand," Rivaille extended his arm into the mouth of the titan. Leaning in as far as he could.

Elise tried standing herself up again. This time using the debris to her advantage for keeping balance. Once upright she looked above towards Rivaille's extended hand, which was far above her. Pushing up on her tip toes, she reached as high as she could.

Their fingertips brushed, her fingers sliding off the end of his. Elise strained her calves more to push herself up. This time their hands folded into each others but the saliva on her hand caused them to slip apart. She pushed up again immediately and grabbed as tight as she could. Rivaille did the same and squeezed tight so she didn't fall again.

When Rivaille pulled her high enough up she used her other hand to latch onto the fabric on his jacket, while simultaneously he reached under her armpit and around to her back to pull her all the way out.

Elise launched herself forward and around Rivaille. Her arms squeezing him tight as she buried her face into his chest. "Rivaille," She sobbed. "I was so scared. I thought I was going to die."

The corporal who was hesitant at first placed a hand on her back. Then slowly placed one on her head, holding her in place.

A sigh escaped his lips, "Stupid, girl. Am I going to have to save you every mission?"

Elise's shaking body clung to him tighter. She recalled seeing her life flash before her eyes, giving up all hope she would have made it out alive. She thought for sure there was no surviving this one. But then a miracle came, and saved her. And for that, she would be forever grateful.

P.S.

Elise's big secret is going to be revealed very soon! ~~~ 3