(AN: I am still alive! I won't bore you with my reasons so I'll just say thank you to everyone who reads, follows, favorite and comment on this story! I've been crushed by the recent manga chapters because !*SPOILER*! Erwin might just say goodbye. Anyhow, please, please, please talk to me! I'm on tumblr [AndixxYukie] and comment please... Your feedback means a lot, especially now that Levi is here. Speaking of Levi, forgive me because I might go ooc in the future. I will write about my version of Levi, the same way I wrote about Erwin.., That's that... Please enjoy this chapter, I know it's overdue forgive me.)
"This place is so … dystopian." I whispered to Erwin as we continued our stroll in what was known as the "underground city. It's only been two days since the expedition where I almost died, yet we're scouting this shady place already. Apparently, Erwin wants me to see for myself this "criminal" that we're going to recruit tomorrow.
We donned some pitiful clothes – the kind even humble soldiers like us throw away. And it sadly helped us fit in. I still can't believe that this is a literal underground city, I mean when I hear underground I mostly think of trains and shady deals.
Speaking of shadiness, this underground is exactly just like that – literally! There are just some scattered lamps which are dimly lit. You can't get a ray of sunshine here. Looking around, everyone is almost paler than me. I guess they all have vitamin D deficiency. Oh, and vitamin S – as in sunlight! Badumtiss.
"Who are we looking for again?" I asked Erwin as we continue trudging through muddy streets. Instead of answering, he just looked at me for a bit, then continued his gaze forward. Ugh. He is so paranoid.
To be fair, though, you would be in a place like this. I mean, the streets are filled with people begging for food, and there are thugs in just about every alley. Even someone like me who has dealt with titans find this creepy.
"Well this is just depressing. How did you hear about that person anyway?" I asked, because seriously, Erwin, how? Do you like, roam these streets every once in a while? I looked at the man I'm with but found that there's no one in front of me. The hell?
I turned a full circle looking for him, but I just can't see him anywhere. The fuck? Is this some kind of Hansel and Gretel-ish thing? Erwin brought me here to lose me? No. I'm thinking too much. I'm sure I was just too engrossed with my surroundings and he was to focused on finding our target.
Taking deep breaths to combat the rising panic that I'm feeling, I decided to turn left. Because when lost, always go left. Or was it the right? I don't know. Anyhow, I pressed on, significantly more alert now as I am scared as hell and am looking for Erwin. It's too bad I don't really have a sense of direction; I can't tell anymore where the entrance is.
I also get the feeling that I'm being watched. Street thugs are suddenly gathering all around, looking at me like I'm some kind of candy. I already said that I was wearing the kinds of clothes that I'd say aren't even fit to be hand-me-downs, right? Sad thing, it still looked a little fabulous down here. What's more, I'm a little too clean as well.
It seems me and Erwin are not as smart as I think we are.
I went on, power-walking, towards who-knows-where. The cluster of villain-y guys is getting thicker around me, and I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen. And was I right.
"You seem lost, little kitten." A creepy looking guy called out to me. I cringed at the way he referred to me as "kitten", but victims can't be choosy, can they? Now, I definitely know self defense. I am also carrying a dagger. This guy is with four other men, and they're not big guys as they're a bit skinny, so I could totally make a run for it. Though, I am unfamiliar with the area and am sure to be caught in a dead end somewhere.
Also, I can't exactly wave my dagger around and boast my soldier skills as that would only draw attention to me. What to do? Should I just scream "Erwin"?
"Why don't you just move along and bother someone else?"
Huh? It wasn't just me who were surprised. The thugs around me focused on the one who spoke, who was apparently behind me. Curiosity got the best of me and I turned to look. It was a boy, well not a boy. It was a guy my age with dark, blonde hair with weird ass bangs that hung over his forehead dead center. It's like a hair version of Aang's head arrow.
"If someone is to leave, it should be you. This is our territory, boy!" One of my tormentors said, but they seemed a bit too ready to run – and not to run and attack the stranger, but to run away from him. I rolled my eyes as I realized that these men surrounding me are not the hardcore thugs in this area. As they and the bangs guy stare each other down, I try to quietly walk away and continue my search for Erwin.
Just when I thought I was completely out of the circle, a hand wrapped itself on my wrist and yanked me back. "Ouch! Let go!"
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. We'll kick that boy's ass, then we're gonna have fun."
Oh, fuck it. I don't care anymore. I'll cause a ruckus if that's what it takes to get out of here. I was about to bitch-slap the hell out of this asshole but someone beat me to it. Yep, it was bangs dude. Too bad he's a little dumb, because he went straight to the man who have an iron grip on my wrist. Why was it a dumb-dumb move? Well, the punch got him off balance and he fell over – dragging me with him to the ground.
"Ungh!..." This is really not my day.
"Get up. Come!" Bangs dude said, offering a hand to me. I guess he's not a patient person, because he just grabbed my hand and dragged me off. The thug gang ran after us, yelling all the way. Bangs dude led me to a dark alley, and the thugs ran past it. When they were far enough that we couldn't hear them anymore, bangs dude finally let go of my hand. I then tried to walk away – better get out of here as fast as I could.
"Hey! You won't even thank me?"
"Uh … Thanks."
"Why are you in such a hurry? They might come back and see you. Why not stay and wait here?"
"Right. For all I know you're another thug. Might even be their leader. But yeah, thanks anyways." I said coolly. Seriously, I should be thankful of this good Samaritan, however I'm underground. I can't help but be suspicious of everyone. I turned to walk away, the guy behind me then just laughed his ass off.
"Well, I can't say that you're wrong. But you can rest assured. I don't bite." He said, following me. Great.
"Oh, sure you don't. But I don't really speak with strangers." I said, trying to walk a little faster. Damn, Erwin. Where the hell are you?
"The name's Farlan. There, I'm no longer a stranger. What's 'yar name?"
Yar? I turned to face him just so I could raise an eyebrow at him. Damn. Up close, he's decent looking. Not exactly a jaw dropper, but not entirely unpleasant to the eyes either. But then there's his hair, and the way he styled his bangs. Is this some kind of way to cover up premature balding?
As I mentally judge him and pick apart his appearance, I seem to have forgotten that time flows whether I'm ready or not.
"Heh. You've been staring for quite a while now. Like what you see that much?" He uttered smugly, walking a little closer to me. Finally snapping out of my judgement bubble, I answered in a thankfully composed manner.
"No. I'm just wondering if the person who cuts your hair is still alive. That's one heck of a grisly crime and should be punished by death."
"Hey! My hair's fine!"
"Okay. If you say so." I then turned around to face the streets once more. I'm just hoping that I am going towards the stairs out of here. I'll just go home on my own. I started walking but hesitated at an intersection. This looks so foreign!
"Heh, you can ask me for directions you know. It's pretty obvious that you're not from here."
"I wonder what gave me away…" I muttered. Sigh. This is hopeless.
"Well, for one you really don't seem like the type who lives here. And you're a little too clean. Also …"
"Stop! I was being sarcastic."
"Alright, alright. So, what do I call you?"
"Andi." I deadpanned. I looked around for a last attempt to look for Erwin. No luck. I guess I have to go along with Farlan. Any funny business I'll slit his throat – or scream Erwin.
"Nice to meet you, Andi!" He said, as if we're on our first day at school, where meeting people is a tad bit exciting. "So, why are you here exactly?"
I was about to sass mouth him and tell him that it's not the Spanish inquisition anymore so he should drop the questions. But obviously, I can't do that. What did I tell him?
"To tour… I mean, to observe you folks." Okay, not the best response. I can feel my blood rush to face in embarrassment. Way to be cool, Andi. I can't help but to facepalm.
"Really? Let me be your guide then." He said, offering me an arm.
"You're not surprised. Do people go down here often?" I asked, still not making a move towards his arm.
"Mostly curious rich kids like you." He said, with a wink. Crap, is he planning to mug me?
"Just so you know, I'm not rich."
"Sure you're not." Sassy, huh? Did I just found my match?
"Ugh, let's get on with this tour, okay?"
There wasn't much to see, really. There aren't exactly an trees or flowers for a lovely park. There aren't even any lakes or ponds. It's just an ugly stretch of mud, dust, trash, ugly houses and people in the streets.
But then he brought me to his "special place". Now, don't ask me why I let him take me to this so-called "special place". During our "tour", I found out that Farlan is actually a pretty decent guy.
"Wow." That was all I can say. It's not exactly an expression of amazement, but it wasn't a bad one either. It was a small "hill", with some grass and wild flowers. And believe me when I say that the sky was beautiful. You heard that right – sky. There is a big hole in the ceiling that allowed us to look outside.
"Aren't you supposed to be used to that view?" Farlan asked.
"I am, it's just … different."
"Oh? I wouldn't know."
"Why don't you go up through here?"
"Citizenship."
Right. The citizenship. It's a really messy thing. I don't know who uncle Keith killed (or paid – hopefully) to give me my papers. FYI, I do have papers. I am officially Andi Frost, from somewhere in Utopia District. Now, how that made me more legit is beyond me. Like, why on earth would I leave freaking UTOPIA for something hellish? But it works.
Anyhow, we continued to stare up in silence. I can't believe I took sunlight for granted. I really should be thankful for everything. I mean, that orange sky is just lovely. Hmm… Orange? Fuck!
"What time is it?" I asked, panic mixed into my voice. It's moments like this that I'm thankful no one here has ever heard of High School Musical, or else I just started a song number.
"I'm not sure. But it's sunset."
"Gee, thanks. I can see that."
"Relax, Andi. I'll walk you to the "Grand Staircase."
Before we can move an inch though, someone approached us… okay, not someone. There were two of them, and Erwin wasn't among them.
"Here you are Farlan! We've been looking for you!" A girl yelled out enthusiastically.
She is my height, and seems to be a couple of years younger than me. Green eyes, and reddish-brown hair in pigtails. With her was a man a couple of inches taller, and a stretch of years older. He looks like he's in his late twenties, and his hair is a really dark black (well okay, I know there is no such thing as "dark black" or "light black").
"Oh, who's your friend?"
"This is Andi. Andi, these are Isabelle and Levi."
Levi? That sounds familiar.