Hey Everyone!

It sure has been a while, huh?

Well, I got a kick of inspiration and decided to give this story another update. I lost all my previous notes about this, so I just sorta went with what I felt. Anyway, you will notice I attempted to write this chapter a tad different. The main character is going to have a more mature voice, as it makes for writing a tad smoother. She's still her age, nonetheless.

Also, wanted to give a huge thank you and shout out to Nikkilovescandy for making some amazing fan art of Elke and also promoting this spontaneous chapter. You will notice one of you drawings is hitting towards an upcoming event for the next chapter. My Terrible Art :')

P.S.. Sorry this chapter has a weird format, google drive never transfers properly.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!

/

After the storm, things just weren't the same anymore. Levi looked at me different. He spoke more formally. He addressed me as though I was a distant acquaintance, rather than a friend. It had been a few months since that night, and the coldness carried from my caretaker to other Scouts. It became painful to exist. The air was thick. The food was sour. The time spent alone was constant.

Everyday the rountie became the same. Levi would wake at five and he would shake me from my sleep a few moments later. My head would pound and my neck would be stiff, but somehow I would manage to pull myself from my bed. Perhaps it was Levi's ridge footsteps or his hasty movements, either way, I would have my teeth brushed and clothes fastened at the same time as him. We would open the door at five-fifteen and be on the courtyard at five-twenty. And everyday, Levi would pass me off to another person who would fasten a cuff around my wrist and hold onto the rope at the other end.

"It's so you feel safer."

I wasn't so sure Levi was telling the truth. "Sure." I would reply, monotoned. Levi would attempt at a kind gesture by lecturing me about posture or fastening the eye-patch tighter. Lately, I had decided saying less was more. Sometimes I wouldn't even wave Levi off. I didn't think he cared anyway.

The soldier who was on duty with me, decided to take a break and head for the restroom. It was normal. And it was also normal for them to leave me tied to a post until they returned. I sat baking under the sun, while Mister Levi was off being important. I couldn't even see him, until lunch, and even then he sometimes wouldn't come. I moved my stick in the dirt some more, hoping to dull the heat wave washing over me. I made a few things like food and some stick-horses. As I peered to my right, I noticed I had drawn a needle and a sad face with it. Memories were hard to stomach lately. Eventually I realized my drawings weren't cutting it and the scorching burns from the sun were starting to override my distraction.

I tried to pull myself toward some nearby shade, but the rope yanked me back. There wasn't enough length to allow me any flexibility. My throat began to become noticeably dry and I desperately smacked my cracked lips hoping to taste some moisture. I shook off some sweat and to my relief their were some soldiers nearby, propped against a tree.

I choked out some hoarse words. "He-hey. Ex-cuse me." They heard and turned, with non-too welcoming faces.

"The heck do you want?" One snapped.

The other pipped, "Can't you see we're on break?" I was taken aback and slumped further into my dirt hole. People were starting to see me different too. That was no guilty judgement either.

"I was just... just wanting some water. Um..."

I heard a loud snort and caught the man swinging his canteen in front of him. "As though you deserve water, kid. Soldiers who follow orders and work diligently, are the ones rewarded with water. You do nothin', so you get nothin'." He brought the container to his lips and lapped up his drink, and made sure to purposeful spill some over his chin. He wiped his mouth before spitting in my direction. "You and that asshole daddy of yours ought to just die in the gutters. You're lives aren't worth the cost."

Another blow to the gut. I was told something awful by someone nearly every time I set foot in that courtyard. I was given disgusted looks. I was taunted and battered with hateful words and it was starting to wear. There was a darkness, a terrible anger brewing. I clenched my jaw and sent them a glaring eye and a snarled lip. My limbs felt on fire as my heart began to quicken. "You're the assholes!"

Their chuckles were cut the moment the words flew from my lips. I felt myself shrink as I realized, I had accidently said what I thought. "What did you say, you little twirp…?" They were coming my way with their hands rolled tight.

I got to my feet and staggered backwards. "I-I-I didn't mean it. I swear! I'm sorry…" I defended. The two were far from convinced. They advanced upon me like dogs over a butcher's stand. "Really, I didn't mean it. I just sorta slipped. I hear th-that word a lot." I shrugged up my shoulders and pulled my lip downwards.

"So, that's what that shortie thinks of us, huh?"

"Stupid, gutter rats."

I shook my head. "No-no-no...I didn't mean it like that either!"

One of them brought his hands towards his chest. A few knuckles popped and I grew tense. "Guess, we'll just have to clear things up."

"Agreed."

First, I took a blow to my cheek. A sound cracked through the air followed by my neck swiveling in the opposite direction. I hit the ground, tasting blood and feeling it coming up and over my lip.

"That's for that disrespectful mouth of yours." I grimaced when I saw the other man come at me, this time, with a kick. My stomach exploded with agony after his foot pulled back. My arms trembled as I tried to catch my breath. "Not so smart now, huh?" He laughed, laughed as though this had been a punchline to a good joke. Was it a joke? Had I been living a dream all this time? This reality was starting to become a nightmare, like so many other times before.

Another series of kicks came barreling my way. My sides screamed. But in my mind, I wandered to lands away from where I was. I pretended I was anywhere, but there. In my heart, I begged for Farlan and Isabel. I could see them, but I could never touch them. Even when they reached me, their fingers, their hands, never made contact. They were ghosts and unable to deliver what I so desperately wanted—comfort.

"And those," the soldier said, "were for believing you belonged here, rat. 'Cause of you, we lost our friends."

"They died because of you!" More than the hits, those words were stuffed hard down my throat making me gag. I was suffocating. Choking.

I stuttered, "It-it was an accident." I met their eyes. "It's not my fa-fault. Mister Levi, he to-told me...it just happened.

"Missstteeer Leeeviii," The one mocked in my tone. "That short bastard doesn't know two shits about anythin' in this world. He and you are scum. Lowlifes. You were born into dirt and you will remain as dirt. Your lives don't amount to shit. Get that through your head, rat."

"But-but...we're…"

"Worthless!"

"Murderers!"

In that moment, a flame inside of me ignited. Sparks ran from my chest and outwards down my limbs. A deep line of hatred cracked open from the depths of my heart. I felt the aches in my muscles ripple as I pulled myself up from the earth. My parched mouth dried into a growl.

"Well, well would ya look at that? Haven't learned your lesson yet, have you?" His fingers eagerly rolled. I didn't flinch, not this time. Without hesitating I swallowed another punch, before throwing myself into him. I came out on top, and to my great pleasure fed him what he had dished out to me. My arms went swinging and my knees nailed his stomach effortlessly, as though I had been hitting flour bags.

"Get off of him!" The other soldier yelled. I felt a yank as I was reeled backwards off the groaning man. My face skid across the dirt, until I was released. I wasn't done though. "Crazy kid! The hell's wrong with you?" I caught sight of rock and like so many times before, I gripped it. The hardness was encased in my fingers as I took aim.

"You and that freak, Ackerman, can just rot in hell!"

I came at him, screaming, and with full intentions of hammering that rock into his skull. Another slam and again we wrestled. He couldn't peel me away. I dug my nails into his clothes and held on until I was able to pull my shoulder back and hit him square in the face. I did it again, and finally I saw the damage. I felt better. I felt more in control. I felt as though, I couldn't be hurt anymore and that the deep pain was starting to fade. I had been holding it in for so long, I couldn't stomach it any longer. Again and again, I battered that rock into that man's face. With a sharp turn with his elbow, he dislodged the tool from my hand. Didn't matter. Without much thought, I opened my mouth wide and latched onto his arm. I sunk my teeth into his skin, letting my molars anchor pass the flesh and into the muscle. The man underneath me, hollered in agony. His free fist found an opening to my chin. Knuckles to bone, hurt. In the moment of pain, I bit harder hoping to numb what I felt. The soldier kept screaming and thrashing. I wasn't going to let go. He was going to feel what I had been tearing me apart. Even as I felt arms around my body and even though I heard voices commanding me to stop...I just couldn't. After a lengthy time, my jaw was unlocked.

"Lememe' go!" I shouted. "It's not fair, it's not fair! We didn't do anythin'!" I was pulled off the man's body and then roughly dragged aside. I twisted and fought against their hold, until hands gripped the side of my face roughly. They focused me to them, their stare hard and stern.

"Look at me! Stop it, Elke! Look at me! "

I did and saw the person I didn't want to see in that moment. "Mis-Mister Levi…" I gulped. His hands gripped me tighter. I shuttered in response.

"What happened…?" He pressed. I glanced around to see several gathered trainees with open mouths. Their eyes stared at me, some disgusted and some terrified. Levi shook me back to him. "Tch, give me a damn answer!" It was then I realized I had been crying. Tears rolled down and tickled the scraped skin around my lip. My ribcage constricted and the pain came flooding back. I was alone, hurt, and scared again.

I tried to put my hands on Levi's, but I was shaking so badly I couldn't stabilize myself very well. My breathing was labored and I felt hot and sick. Was it the heat? My stomach clenched itself and my knees became weak. My mouth was sore and it was an effort to scrape some bloody saliva together, just to get some words out. "It was an accident…" I said, tearfully.

"What?" Levi barked. "How is this an accident? Look at him...look at you!" His hands jerked my head, forcing me to level with his eyes. "Stop avoiding my question, Elke. Tell me, what happened. Quite making me wait, damnit."

I licked the wound outside my mouth. It was salty and lumpy, and also, it was cold, sore, and leaking. "You told me, it was an accident. You said," I sniffed, "that, what happened to Farlan and Isabel wasn't my fault. It was the Titans that killed'em...not me! Re-remember? You said, it wasn't my fault…"

Levi hesitated for a moment. "We've been over this. Of course you had nothing to do with that. You—"

"—Then why am I ignored?" My face scrunched together, making the tears welp more. "Why am I hated, Mister Levi? If it's not my fault...then why...then why am I the bad guy?" Levi let out a long sigh. He brought his hands down from my face and placed them on my shoulders. My insides became hollow.

"Elke, being angry doesn't fix what happened. Let it go. There isn't more that needs to be said. It's over. They're gone. They're dead."

I stuffed a hard swallow. "I know that…" I said, rather angry.

"Levi!" A man called, from over my guardian's shoulder. "Levi…" It was Commander Erwin. "I'll be needing to speak with you."

Levi clicked his tongue. "Just give me a second—"

"—Immediately." Erwin retorted, his word quick. He stared down at me. I was tired of it. All of it.

"I didn't do anything wrong." I defended. Erwin didn't even raise a brow as he passed his sight over me and toward the soldier who was being treated by the others. There were sprinkles of blood around the ground and the rock that helped the skeptics.

"The hell's wrong with that kid?" A member from the group sneered.

"It's no wonder they were ambushed on the last expedition."

"This is crazy, she's dangerous."

Erwin turned back to me, allowing the growing remarks to flourish. I felt their eyes on me and their hatred burning like the sun. "Levi, I suggest you take her bellow. She can not be left alone, unsupervised. This has gotten out of hand. If anyone hears about this outside of the Scouts, I can't promise any security for anyone."

Levi addressed him a blank look before getting to his feet. "I can escort her to our room. She won't leave there, I will make certain of it."

Erwin nodded. "Very well, but just in case." He motioned for another soldier and they shyly came forth, in their hands heavy metal rings hung.

"She doesn't need that, Erwin. It will only make things worse." Levi argued. I watched as I stood behind him. Everyone was whispering and staring. My eyes continued to water as the shame bashed me from all directions. "I'm telling you, just let me take her myself."

Another person came forth, glaring and heated. "If you can't follow Commander Erwin's orders, than I'll just do it myself! Move aside!"

Levi took his stance, square and confidently. "You want to run your shitty mouth again?" His tone dropped another notch. "Because...I'll wipe the floor with it." Again, another soldier stepped up.

"Give me the cuffs, I'll do it. This nonsense is enough! She's a danger and shouldn't even be outside a cell!"

"Yeah!"

"Agreed!"

The group was in a chant and closing in. I was behind Levi, but people were behind me as well. Levi laid his hand on his blade and ready himself. He was fixed on the crowd. "Erwin, I'm not going say it again." The Commander thought, I could tell, because he looked between Levi and myself—my crying self.

"Stand down—"

"—Commander," a trainee intervened, "with all due respect...this no longer is just a simple situation. This involves everyone. Our lives could be at risk! Sir, it's a necessary precaution."

"I'm aware of that, soldier. But Levi is right. Things need to be handled differently." Erwin looked to Levi and gave a nod. But behind me, things had not been settled.

"I'm not agreeing to this." A man sneered. His hand caught my wrist like a bite and had me thrown backwards before I could catch my breath. He engulfed me in a hold, choking my airway as he squeezed me against his chest. "You're not going anywhere, brat." His words stung my already tearing eyes.

"Le-Levi," I gasped. A blow was brought to the man strangling me. As Levi came and nailed his chin, I felt the release and hit the ground. Shoes scuffled around me as Levi tangled with a group of angry trainees. Everyone was hollering. Punches, kicks, cries were all happening as I tried to avoid the fight. As I crawled, my hands earned several stomps and a few legs hit against my head. I couldn't see around the group, my entire line of sight was blocked my bodies, some standing and others laying flat with bruised eyes and missing teeth. I ducked around a few incoming feet when I pushed to the ground by an unexpected force. The wind left my lungs and I tasted the soil's surface. Panic rose inside of me as I recalled a familiar memory. To my eyes, the training ground became drenched in a strawberry colored syrup with mangled bodies scattered over it like extra toppings. In that moment, I saw the sky turn dark and I heard the moans of Titan's hitting the earth with their enormous limbs. I felt clammy as I laid against the ground, unable to forgot the horrible sight of Isabel and Farlan dying on that rainy day.

I heard my name being called, over and over. I knew it was Levi. But I couldn't bring myself to answer. I was frozen in time, not relating to any event that was happening. It was flight that consumed me. I squeezed myself out from the weight of the fallen body and bolted from the grounds. I fought past the crowd and hurled myself toward the clearing, where a fence was blocking my exit. Didn't matter. I hooked my fingers into the metal wire and clawed my way through. Razor cuts ate into my skin as I dug my way to the other side. The fighting became a distant noise as I tore out from the main training center and into the open streets of the town.

Numbness carried me from block to block. And lack of sense, made me blind to anyone in my path. I crashed into strangers and tripped over uneven stones. I wasn't sure I was ever going to tire. My legs kept running even though they were bleeding. I rounded out from a corner, and hit square into crates of housed chickens. Feathers flew and eggs cracked next to me as I laid sprawled out, around the mess. The shop keeper, a short fat man, came shuffling at me. Once again, I was greeted to an angry face and forced to pull my weak self to my knees. Covered in leftover bird wings and smeared yokes, I faced the reality that was staring back at me.

The world hated me, that much was clear.

"Elke! Elke where are you?"

It was probably Levi. As I turned to leave, something caught me.

The shop owner grabbed a mess of my hair. A yelp escaped my throat before I let it turn to a growl. This was growing tiresome. "Not so fast, you little runt. You're going to pay for this mess, damnit!"

"It was an accident..." I spat, but meekly.

The owner huffed. "That's what everyone says. Where's your parent?"

I wanted to say couldn't tell you. I was born into a vague and hazy life that was nothing but trauma and agonizing stress. Levi wasn't a parent. He was just another adult leading me through a forest of uncertainty and hoping to avoid problems. "Get away from me." I threatened. Just as I tossed that sentence out;I twisted around and bit his forearm. That again, did the trick and I was on my way and leaving behind the attention I had caused.

Eventually, I ran myself to the point of exhaustion. I leaned against the entrance of where it all began. The underground city was just a few steps bellow. Why did I bring myself here? The top was unguarded, the patrol happened further down. Anyone was welcomed to give themselves up to the depths of misery. I guess, I really thought that was my home. Home was that small shack built into the side of the cave walls. Home was sleeping on that flattened mattress and hearing Isabel fighting with Farlan every morning. Home was walking the streets late at night and looking up at the flickering street lights that were about to die.

The smell of warm earth and clamour of hustling carts were familiar charms. I missed the taste of burnt bread and waiting for the kettle to finish steaming. But mostly, I just wanted my family again, the three of us meshed together in that tiny place. Our days were joyful. I hated what I couldn't understand. Death. Why was it so greedy?

"Hmph," A voice echoed. A man emerged from the corner of the staircase. I tensed and took a step back, his presence was intimidating as he came forth. He reached the top step and stopped. I peered upwards and to his towering height. He was an unusual character with a long square face dressed with his flared hat. A trench coat tailored down to his ankles where thick boots were lanced tight. Back up my eyes rested on his mouth. "You remind me of some kid I once look't after. Just as runt-like. What's with ya kids these days, none of ya know how to grow?"

His voice was husky and he smelled of gun powered. I didn't say a word. "Tsk, another damn mute." He kicked his hat with his finger and shook his head. "You won't last a day down there, kid. Best you turn around and go home to your mamma. Little wusses like yourself would just be a quick kill for some lucky bastard." With that he turned and vanished into the crowd. How strange.

The stranger was right. Descending down to that city was a death sentence to someone like me. I may have learned the art of biting, but it wouldn't do any good against a pistol or a knife. Defeated, I decided to walk along the Wall. I had nowhere else to go. I figured the entire Scouting regimen was asking the town my whereabouts. It as only a matter of time before I was hauled away to some scary place. Levi was never going to forgive me. And I started to wonder if it would be better to just leave this life.

I came to clearing to another part of town, the space was occupied by cargo haulers. They had stacked crates and supplies onto multiple wagons and were busy detailing plans. I stumbled closer, hoping to catch what they were muttering about. From the sounds of it, they were going to the other end of Wall Maria. "We will move out in a few minutes. Need to drop off these supplies and then should be able to sell the other stuff off to commoners. No time to waste." It wasn't a secure plan, but I thought it was my best option. A few of the men went off, leaving some areas uncovered. Even tired, I did fairly well getting to the wagons without much trouble. I snooped around for a bit, making sure no one was nearby. A man was at the front, backwards, and not in the least concerned. Another quick look around, and I bounced up the step foot and into back of the covered wooden cart. It was tight. The heavy boxes had me cramped in all sorts of odd ways. It took a moment for me to pull my arms and then my legs forward and head further into the back, where, I was able to rest comfortable. My shoulders dropped and then my stomach rumbled.

After some time, the wagon began to move. I felt the horse's weight pull from the front and the creaky wheels followed. It wasn't smooth ride, but it was better than running. I was squeezed between some produce, I could see some of the leafy greens poking through on one side and I heard the bouncing of soft edged potatoes on the other. I was so hungry. As I sat, I wondered what I was doing. Funny thing to start asking after I decided to "runaway". In a strange twist of fate, I had begun to regret what I had been feeling. I left Levi by himself. And I also realized, I was alone too. The cart squeaked across the pavement bricks and the sounds of new commotion could be heard. It was still the peak of the afternoon, people were enjoying the hussle of a busy day. I stayed quiet and started to wedge my hands through the open sided crates. After much effort, I seized what I could grab and pulled out...a tomato. Disgust ran across my face. The most acidic food an on an empty stomach. I held it in my grimy hand with its juice spilling from a torn side.

"Could be worse…" I told myself. I held my breath and sampled the food. The runny texture coated my tongue, making me wince before swallowing. It ran down with a slight burn. "Could be...worse…" I kept saying as I took bite after bite. It must not have been too awful because I did finish it. My stomach made satisfactory noises but my mind told me it was wrong. I stole and that wasn't something to be proud of. Levi wouldn't be happy.

I felt ashamed as I stuffed a few more under my shirt for later. Their juice was enough to wet my thirst for the time being. I decided to camp out away from the Scouts for a while. I wasn't prepared to face what terrible punishment awaited me. As if on cue, the wagon slowed to a halt. The men that had been loaded on, made their exit, and I knew I should make mine. I was planning a surprise jump, but luckily they were distracted by something else. I was able to pull myself (and the tomatoes) back to the small opening and climb out. I dropped to the ground, hid underneath for a moment, before trotting out on sore legs to another area. This town didn't seem as cramped as where I had come from. People were just casually walking about, with baskets while laughing. Kids were running loose in the streets, playing with sticks. And most of the men were doing their part, by standing by their markets and greeting others.

I felt comfortable enough to settle in wide alley, where the sun came from overhead and warmed my worn out body. I pulled the tomatoes from under my shirt and gladly helped myself. Eating gave me time to watch—to study—what it was like for others. I saw mostly people buying things. And kids being scolded by adults. I was all too familiar with that. I turned away from the streets and looked further down the alley to my right. A few older kids were roughing up some blonde shotie. I gulped down the last bite of my food.

They were hitting him and calling him names, but he just stood there just muttering some weird thing about, "being better than them." or something like that. People were strange, some fought and some were cowards. It never made sense. What was the better way to be? The one who could throw the punch or the one that could take it? I felt that was a fine line to walk—even Levi didn't seem to have an answer.

Just as I started missing him, a pounding of footsteps came roaring down the path. My heart skipped a beat, fearing it was the Scouts, but with luck it was just another two kids running down to the scene. I leaned over, and watched the bullies from earlier fleeing. The newcomers, at least one, was rejoicing. He had regular drabby brown hair and wasn't much taller than the other two, but he was sure flaunting his strength—something that I didn't see happen. Over time, they must have caught my curiosity because their attention was called to me.

"Hey kid," the brunette said. "Need somethin'? You don't look so good."

I pulled myself back, embarrassed and uneasy. Another chimed in.

"It's okay, we aren't that scary! My name's Armin. And this is Eren and Mikasa. Do you need help finding your parents?" I dropped my head and clenched my jaw. Why is that the question asked whenever someone sees me? I don't have any parents. I don't have a caretaker. I don't have anyone. It's all a farce. I got up and didn't look in their direction. I did the best thing and ignored them. I moved on to yet another spot, hoping to be left to myself.

It seemed forever, but not much time had passed. I did find a rain filled bucket and used it to clean up. I pulled feathers from my hair and clothes. Dirt rinsed off well. The yokes, however had dried around my face and took some elbow grease to get it off. The blood around my legs and hands was somewhat fresh, no amount of washing was going to get it perfect. I clotted what I could and let the rest be. I would have to remain a beaten mess. At least, my purple eye matched the rest of me.

I kicked a stone down the road, hoping to clear my mind. I felt guilty and bothered by the fact that I had been unable to control my emotions. Levi controlled his. Everyday he probably wanted to dispose of me, but he kept himself in check and still provided. I always had food, water, and a good bed. Sure, he didn't read to me anymore. And sure, lunch time wasn't the same. Okay, sure, lately he had forgotten I couldn't hold it that long and I needed bathroom breaks more than three times a day. Even though I was saddled with nightmares, Levi was always there. I stopped and remembered. So many nights I had kept him awake with my frantic cries. Anyone else probably would have just shut the door. Levi offered me reassurance every time.

I heard yelling and turned around hopeful it was him. "Mister Levi…?" I called. But saw, I wasn't the one being addressed. Deflated, I wondered what I could do to say sorry. At this point, I wasn't sure Levi was even looking for me. Why should he? I had done nothing to help the situation—I ran away. That was like saying, I hate you. If only he knew that wasn't reason. I was just hurt—scared.

Tears came again, but this time out of regret. "I'm sorry... Mister Levi." I wiped my sleeve on my cheeks. "I'm so sorry. You-you were right. I was wrong. Being brave...being brave is hard." Someone took pity on me, a women with a child herself, came next to me.

"Oh honey," she said, kindly. "Are you okay? Sweetie are you lost?" I stared at her for a moment, not sure about this welcoming vibe. "Do you need help finding your parent?" With a sad smile, I nodded.

"Yeah," I finally admitted. "I want to go home. Can you please, help me get home?" The women actually grinned. She knelt down to my level and put a hand to my face.

"Of course, dear. It's scary being out here all by yourself. I'm sure your family is worried sick. Can you tell me, hun, where you last saw them?"

"I—"

That's as much as I was able to say before a streak of lighting came shooting out of the sky. A monstrous roar exploded and along with it came gusts of powerful winds. The woman beside me stood up, holding her small child close. I felt a wave of heat wash over me as the clouds circled above. An ominous gloom draped over the town. Everyone was frozen—locked onto the Wall where the bolt had struck. A silence stilled the air, until another loud groan covered the land and then...a titan, massive in height and skin as red as fire lifted from the outside. It's scalped face and fingers were on the edge of the Wall and watching us as we all stood in horror. The sense of doom returned inside of me. A titan this close to home made my stomach turn.

One second ticked, a baby cried, and next came a tremendous force and a deafening bang that blew windows to bits and wood to splinters. We screamed and took cover as tiles flew off roofs and loose debris came flying. I ducked behind a nearby building, just as a boulder came plowing down the road. People became frantic as blood began to spill. Innocent lives were being crushed by collapsing buildings and falling rocks. I stayed, crouched with my arms covering my head. I felt pebbles and sticks hitting me from above. The town was crying and footsteps were running towards the back, from where I came. I pulled myself up and from around the corner to see people laying bleeding in the street. Their faces absence of life.

"Titans!"

I looked down to my left to see massive clusters of people running towards me. They were all yelling and stumbling over the loose materials in their way. Many of them were crying about…

"Titans!"

"They're inside the Wall!"

"They've broken through, run for your lives!"

Titans? I questioned. Were they sure? Shaking, I held my place away from the stampede to see if they were telling the truth. Titans. No way. Those monsters couldn't have gotten in. I've seen them before, those mindless eating creatures couldn't have found a way. My doubts were cut when I saw the first batch of them coming through. One in particular, smiled delightfully as it descended on its prey.

I coward. "Ho-how?" There wasn't time to wonder. Like everyone else, I reeled myself back and worked up the strength to break into a run. The pounding stomps from the Titans had the ground shaking as I went. I kept passing corpses, those crushed by rocks and others speared by wooden planks. I flew by those who were knelt crying and I bypassed anyone who was slow. I figured if I kept heading straight, I would run right into the Scouts. I just had to keep on the path. I had to stay focus. "It's all going to be okay." I chanted to myself.

Things however, never seem to go as planned.

Titans have their own minds. They came from around another line of buildings, several of them, and their hands began to reach out and snatch all those around me. I couldn't run that direction and found myself backpedaling in the opposite way. I was having to maneuver around weaving bodies and monsters who kept appearing from all corners. Houses were toppling as Titan's were leveling things in their way. Bricks were now falling from the above. People were still screaming. I had taken so many different routes, I was no longer sure where I was. I stopped along the side of shop, out of wind. My back was against the wall. I was panting so hard, I starting to choke. I watched as the town began to empty next to me. Their cries of pain had me plugging my ears and shying away.

"There's nothing I can do…" I remained shaking, unable to drown out the nightmare. "Le-Levi I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" Kids were crying across the street. Their mother trapped under rubble and they were doing all they could to get her free. I couldn't help them. I was a coward. "Please make it stop…"

A warm wetness dripped around my my neckline. It felt like sweat, except thicker. I held my tears and dared to look. I put a hand to the substance that was slimming down into my shirt. With a dab of my fingers, a sample was scooped onto the tips and brought under my eyes. It was a bright red watery mess. "Blood…" A presence loomed from above and my eyes rolled to the top. Fear struck a cord as the beast hung its massive head just a few feet from my own. Between its teeth a leg dangled and clots of red came loose and rained over my face as it did. The tension grew as neither of us moved. I felt the weight of a thousand brinks in my feet but the jitteriness of frantic butterflies in my gut. The mix of emotions were clashing throughout my veins and making my heart crazy.

Dealing with one Titan was enough to make me melt, but I was sure my airway had been severed when I saw several more advance and begin to crowd around me. In the alley a cat scampered by knocking trash over and making my skin crawl. The titans drooled with their mouths slowly opening to there full extent. I couldn't look for an exit, I was fixed to their unpredictable wide eyes.

That's when a gunshot woke me. "The hell you doin' kid!" A man yelled, in that hoarse yippy voice. Behind me came those rugged footsteps and in a snap, I was snatched from my spot and hauled off as the savior continued to shoot his gun. Past the Titans and beyond the groups of chaos, the stranger brought me back down to the ground. I was on the verge of puking. "Gettin' sick ain't going to save your ass, kid. You better toughen up if you're going to survive this hell hole."

I swallowed and pulled myself together but with shoulders still slumped. "Can you help me find someone, Mister?" I asked desperately. "Please...?"

The man snorted. "I ain't no delivery boy. To be honest, kid. Your parents are probably dead. Best just head to Wall Rose on your own."

"Wait!" I grabbed his coat and he stopped, looking at me annoyed. "Pl-please, he's not my parent but he's my guardian. He takes care of me. He's a strong person...so I know he's still around. Please Mister, can you help me find him?" The man spiraled his gun's barrel and popped in a few more bullets.

"Doubt you'll find him. Not as though you can put up a notice sign. Finding average folk, ain't easy even on days we aren't under attack." He snapped the barrel back and readied the pisotal with a click.

I looked at him as hopeful as I could. "His name...is Levi Ackerman and he's with the Scouts. Please...please if you can just—"

"—did you just say, Levi Ackerman?" He was interested now.

I cocked my head. "Ye-yes. Do you know him?" The man went quiet. In the distance, the town's distressful sorrows filled the loss of words between us. "Mister?"

The man gave me a harsh look. "He beat you or somethin'? You look like shit. And what's the matta' with your eye, looks whacked." . He changed the subject so quickly I had to do a double take.

I shook my head. "No-No. I'm all scratched up 'cause... " I paused, not wanting to tell the truth that I beat someone with a rock then got myself kicked into the dirt. "Cause…"

"Tsk, don't matter kid. Not my business." The stranger bagan to walk off. Stunned, I blinked a couple times before following.

"You going to help me find him, Sir?" The man kept ahead until we came to a clearing between two crumbled buildings. Around their edges was a gruesome site. I hid beyond the man quietly, not wanting to see all the gutted bodies

"You best just stay here, kid. You're nothin but a runt. Ain't much help in this situation." He went on to check what was waiting. I wilted, knowing he was abandoning me. He didn't say another word before he left. Without any energy, I wasted no effort begging him to stay. Alone again.

The time spent by myself, had me shivering and crammed behind a wall of loose brinks. The wounds around my legs and hands began to dry. They itched and were a throbbing distraction. I kept scanning above, fearful another monster would come prowling. Nothing came wondering near. Only people who were darting by were living things that I saw. My neighbor was a half eaten man. I was upset but unable to cry anymore. My eyes were swollen and my nose had let out its final drip. The clouds were still grey and the air hot and muggy. Flies were swarming around enjoying the feasts.

After much debate, I came to the conclusion that no one was coming. I was on my own. The town had vacated and those who remained were only the dead. I had made another wrong choice. And here I sat, stranded and without a clue what to do. The Titans weren't far off and my options at this point were slim. I could either wait here, praying for some sort of miracle or do something else. Do something else…

"Like what?" I asked myself. Behind me was a house, a barely standing one, but there was still a roof, that much I could see. I wondered if I would be safer inside. I could wait and plan some other escape route from there. At least I would be covered. "Okay." I went with it and headed out. Like the man from earlier, I did a scan of the area to be sure nothing was lingering. I didn't see any Titans. I didn't feel them either. Reassured, I slid along the side of the building to the stone cracked staircase. I stayed low as I climbed upwards and to the front door of the house. It wasn't until I approached the door that a doubt came to mind. This is someone's house. Wouldn't it be rude assume it was empty? I sharply inhaled a ounce of courage before I knocked. My knuckles gently tapped the wooden door. "Excuse me?" I tapped again. "Hello…? Anyone there…?" I waited, but no response. Still unsure, I was careful when turning the knob. The place made an eerie moan when I stepped over the threshold. I let out a tense breath. "Hello?" The main room was quiet and dark. I stepped over a few fallen items and came around to the main table, where dinner had been served not too long ago. The smell of stew still flowed through out the house and a small candle had recently been snuffed. Next to the table, a mess of things had been thrown about and made a trail to the room adjacent to it. I followed and noticed clothes, small ones, with shoes, and toys were leading the way to a window that was shattered with blood. I coiled.

"What happened…?" Had a Titan come? Did it snatch people from the house? My thoughts ran wild, picturing everything that could have possibly happened. Startling whimpers suddenly came from the shadows. Goosebumps ran up my arms, unsure of the new noise. I quivered. "Who's there?" The dark figure was curled in the corner of the room. They were rocking and mumbling gibberish. I gulped and asked again.

The figure hesitated and appeared to lift its head. The sun came through the window and swiped along the person's skin, revealing a man not much older than Levi. His hair was tousled over his sweaty brow. I saw his sorrow-filled eyes as they leaked down his face. His clothes were messed and covered with lines of red. I grew nervous. Had this person killed someone? The broken glass allowed a gust of wind to invade the room, making the house moan as we stared in silence at one another. Unable to handle the tension, I slowly turned away.

"Is that you?" A voice asked. "It is you. Oh, my precious doll, it's Daddy!" The shadow came alive and pulled me into their arms. I yelped at the unexpected action. "She didn't take you with her. Oh thank goodness."

"No, I don't know you." I answered while I tried to put some distance between us. "You're not my dad. I don't have a dad." The person didn't listen, which panicked me further. He kept me close, kept saying comforting words that didn't apply to me.

"It's okay. Everything's going to be okay. We will fix things up and I'll never let you out of my sight. Mommy isn't here anymore...but...but that's okay. We will be okay."

"No please, please let me go!" I begged, but the man's grasp only tightened. His hands entangled around my body, like ropes bound to cargo. The more I struggled, the more he clung.

He cried, "Oh my darling, girl!" Then her rubbed his cheek along my head as he hugged me even closer. "I can't believe it's you. You came back...you came home! Oh my sweet baby...Daddy's here. I promise. I will always protect you."

I knew I shouldn't have been afraid, but I was. His erratic behavior had me shaking. No matter how many soothing words he sang or the amount of affection he showed, I wasn't his. I wasn't that little girl that he was crying for. And he wasn't Levi. He wasn't my protector, no matter what he said. "You have to let me go, Mister!" I wormed from his hold and back toward the door from where I came. The man, with sobbing eyes, staggered after me with broken open arms—longing for me to come to them.

"My baby girl...please come to Daddy. I won't let them get you. Those monsters they'll never touch my sweet girl."

I shook my head and backed another step out of his reach. "Don't come near me, please." I kept saying. He didn't listen, his fingers were within inches of latching onto my sleeve. Another step and my heel clipped the back of the doorway and down I went. My legs flew out from underneath me and I tumbled over several stairs. I hit the bottom with a loud thud. My head spun as I pulled at the dirt that was under my nails. More than anything my ankle throbbed while I tried to heave myself into a hunched position. For a moment, I was unaware of what had happened. My mind was treading water and unable to understand why I was on the ground. I peered up and I was instantly flooded with recognition. The father stood over me, with a sympathetic expression on his large lips.

"My darling girl. You fell down. I'll help you. Come here...it's okay." His fingers hung under my arms as he heaved me to my feet. I winced as the pain bounced around my lower leg. He smothered me in another hug and I felt sick, unable to get away. I laid my hands into his stomach and shoved with everything I had left. I pulled back and I fought with little effect. The man kept strangling me with his grieving affection as he sank us to the ground. He sobbed into my shoulder while holding me close. I felt as though I would break in two "I'll never leave you, baby girl! Daddy will always be there for you. You're safe, now!"

"I'm not her!" I said, muffled by his clothes. "I'm not her. I'm Elke. Mister Levi...Levi he's my caretaker. He's my parent. He's looking for me. Please, I need to find him…'cause I want to go home!" In a fit, I put my hands up into the man's face and began to push away. I felt his wet cheeks— his pain. His sorrow ran through my fingertips but at the same time, my misery was just as heavy. The pain of being separated from the my family was making my heart weep.

And just like before, a tingling came over me. The sense of a presence hung beside us. The air began to feel heavy and the area became smaller. I was aware of something even when this man was not. I twisted my head around, paranoid something was watching. Something was there. I didn't see anything, until my eyes stopped on the figure of a Titan who was curiously peeking around a narrow building. He was fixated on us and just staring. Suddenly he licked his lips.

"No...No! Let me go...there's a monster. Monster. There's a Titan coming!" I hollered against the man's chest. After all the fighting I had done, I had accomplished nothing. He still had a firm hold around my body and I was helpless to get away. I was anchored to the ground without any metal restraints but instead by a desperate love. He was going to get me killed. The titan came into view and was headed our way. His giant feet broke the ground as he went and his swinging arms knocked into the remains of houses. Was this man blind? Deaf? How could he not be aware of what was coming our way! I squirmed desperately at any attempt to get free.

"I won't leave you alone, my darling. Daddy's here." He chanted again. The Titan was now over us, with its hands on it's knees, My chest stopped and my eyes grew. My mouth dried as it opened. The monster leaned closer. I choked unable to scream.

Then something stopped it. It's jaws never came. It hung frozen in the air without an ounce of movement. The seconds faded into a heart-pounding minute, until the sound of a swift cable brought the anticipation to an end. The titan let out a weak groan and it's body went down to the side. Steam blew from it's nape as it lay lifeless.

I could breathe again at the sight of the dead monster. The cable came back into view and there stood a soldier, someone I didn't personally know. Regardless, I was grateful.

"Please, Sir...can you help me. Please can you help me? I'm not his. Please I'm with the Scouts. I'm Elke. Levi Ackerman is—" In the mits of my sentence another person yelled over me.

"Remain silent and don't move! If you do not listen to what I have to say...you will be shot down. Do you understand me!?" I didn't know that voice. "Do you understand!?" Was he talking to me? I didn't know. I was just about to be eaten by a Titan. I thought humans helped humans. Why weren't they separating us? Why weren't they helping us?

"Please," I tried again. "Please, I'm not with him. I'm not from here. I'm with the Scouts!"

"Silence!"

"My darling girl, I won't them take you from me. You're safe with me…"

"No!" I growled. "No, I'm not listening to you! Get away from me!"

"I'm ordering you to stop moving. If you do not cooperate we will take aim! You have ten seconds to lay down on the ground with hands behind your head. Do it now!" It wasn't just one man, there was a gang. It was a mass cluster of soldiers, but not just Scouts, there in the main front line were others—others with jackets with the MP. They were saddled with long barreled guns and all pointed in my direction. The man in front had a rusty orange beard with an arm raised into the air, he was the one giving the orders. "Ten...nine…"

I kept fighting with the man. My strength had shriveled. I was exhausted and on my last leg. My feet were swollen and blistered. My shoulders were battered and my eyes were too tight from crying.

"Six...five...four…"

"Please, I'm not with him!" I begged, crying at the top of my lungs. I didn't want to die.

The man stroked my hair. "It's going to be okay, darling. Daddy loves you—" The sound of the gun fired. The heat from the bullet grazed past my nose. Against my face, a spray of blood misted my skin. The warmth of arms vanished and I watched the body next to me fall. The man had the look of confusion, oblivious that a bullet had entered the muscle of his neck. I grimaced when he hit the ground. Blood ran out from his fatal wound and pooled into the cracks of the street. A whimper bubbled from my throat. I cradled my arms to my chest feeling a unrelatable chill catching me. There wasn't anything to say. So I stood there, slightly bent over, with one leg turned in to avoid the bone aching pain.

"On the ground, now!" The officer ordered. I looked at the line up, completely lost by their unmerciful actions. I was dazed. Confused. They killed someone.

"But...why..why did you..?" The man was dead, completely taken from this world for no logical reason. He had been confused too. A shot was fired at my feet. I jumped at the sound.

"On the ground, monster! Refuse and we will shoot you dead. This is your last warning!"

I gulped. "Monster…?" Is that what they thought of me? I felt the desire to flee. I pictured myself turning and giving it my last burst of energy. They couldn't catch me. No I wouldn't let them.

"Elke!"

My ears burned at the sound of his voice. There he was, the person I had been searching for. The person who I missed more than anyone in the world. The person I wanted to say sorry to. "Levi!" I called energetically. He was there, emerging from the steam and from the crowd of soldiers that had formed. "Levi, Levi!" I went to him and dug myself into this blood-stained clothes. His arms came around me, securing me against his heart-pounding chest and letting his blades clank to the ground.

"Damnit, you crazy brat. Damnit," he said, breathing heavily the entire time. Even chilled his warmth radiated deep into my bones. "Damnit."

"I'm so sorry." Levi kept me close as I apologized relentlessly. I kept rambling about everything I was going to do different. I told him in excited tears, that I wasn't going to be sad anymore. That I would always listen. That I would never doubt him. That he was my par—

"Step away from that monstrous thing!" It was that officer from earlier. The one who had shot the grieving dad just a few moments ago. "I'm giving you a warning. If you do not step away in ten seconds, you will be joining the other ignorant person at your feet. Do you understand?!" The soldiers in the line up, followed orders and brought their guns into alignment with us. Levi pulled me behind him, shielding me from the obvious threat.

"She's not a danger. She's just a regular bratty kid!" Levi retaliated, as he collected his blades. "Those documents you found mean nothing. They're inconclusive!"

"We are not here to discuss your opinions or feelings, soldier. Stand down and allow us full custody of that thing. If you don't we have no choice but assume you are apart of this conspiracy!" Levi didn't say anything. The tension was thick enough to cut. I stood by, terrified and wondering why it had come to this.

"What makes you believe she's a threat?" Levi finally remarked. "Because she got angry? Because she's blind in an eye? You shitheads, don't know anything. You have no idea what this kid has had endured."

The officer gave no thought to Levi's speech. He raised his arm. "I will give you to the count of ten. Resist my word and we will fire!" I yanked at Levi's jacket, begging him to fix the problem. He pulled his arm around and laid his hand over my head.

The countdown started again. "Ten...nine...eight...seven…"

"We're getting out of here." Levi whispered. I looked up to him and caught the sight of his determination. He had something in mind. I kept to his side, believing in him.

"Six…"

Suddenly, we became swarmed by others. Arms went in all directions, shoes scuffed the ground as a wrestling match began to take place. I was thrown backwards while Levi was fighting off those who had gathered around him.

"Get off me!" Levi threatened, but his blades were taken from him and soon he was outnumbered.

"Levi!" I tried to follow, until I was cut off. The end of guns came swinging towards me, their open hole tubes hit hard against my stomach, making me unable to move anymore. In return, it gave the other soldiers a moment to step away and with Levi alone. With a few battered hits, my guardian was to his knees and with a loaded barrel to his neck. My eyes grew wide at the sight.

"Elke," Levi managed to yell. "Do as they say! Don't fight them. It will be alright." I wanted to run to him and disappear from all of this. In his arms, there wasn't fear. We were only separated by a few cobblestones. Maybe I could reach him. I leaned ever so slightly forward and another gunshot fired. I covered my ears and reeled myself back.

"Le-Levi." I trembled.

"Elke! Stop firing that damn gun, you're just scaring her." Levi took a hit to his temple.

"Levi! Levi what's going on?!" I was bawling at that point. My hands were shaking over my eyes. I heard the group starting to stir. Arguments began to break out between everyone involved. I kept my focus on Levi the entire time, hoping that somehow he would come back to me.

"Just listen to them, Elke. They're not lying they will shoot you! Get on the ground." Levi was serious. His tone was harsh. I stood there, too stunned to get my limbs to do anything. I kept my sight blindfolded. I didn't want to see anymore. I kept hoping it would all just go away. "Elke!" I lowered a hand and the entire group let out a gasped.

"Her eye..it's glowing. I knew it, she's one of them!"

"She's a monster...a Titan!"

"Shoot her!"

"Kill her!"

I raised my hand only to wipe my cheek. That's when a blow exploded in my side, it was powerful enough to bring me to my knees. A hot pain clamped underneath my ribs, when I looked, blood had soaked through my shirt. "Le-Levi...Levi what ha-happened?" I knew he couldn't hear me. I could barely hear myself. The words fell off my tongue like tiny drops of water.

In the distance, muffled words tried to reach me. "Elke! God damnit. Elke stay awake! Keep your eyes open!"

"They're open, Levi…" I answered with my voice drifting. My sight began to fade and by then, the group of soldiers had surrounded me before I collapsed. "Levi...I hear you..."

/

Yikes!

This kid is having a rough go.

Come on Levi, we need ya!

Again, thanks for reading :D