Chapter 21: Time Runs Out
A/N: Thank you so much for waiting! I know it has been really long since I last updated. While it is very true that I have been busy with school, the main reason I haven't been able to update is because I had no idea how to write the following. I tried writing this chapter several times but it never felt right. It wasn't until last night that I figured out how to write the continuation of Behind the Mask. So, without further ado, here is the 21st Chapter of Behind the Mask
Armin lunged forward but was harshly yanked back by Brutus. "Armin!" he hissed into the blond boy's ear, "this is suicide! We agreed that we would wait until tomorrow to storm the mansion." Armin turned around to face the much bigger man. He took a deep breath. The fire that was in his eyes only a few moments ago was gone. "You're right," His voice came out no louder than a whisper, "it is suicide. But we made those plans before we knew what they would do to Mikasa. Mikasa is here, right now. The information we have indicates that tonight they will—" Armin paused, the anger clearly present in his voice. "And in the morning, they will transfer her to a different location. If I can do anything to stop those monsters from hurting her, I will do it, even if it means trading my life for her freedom." Armin took the bigger man's hand and shook it. "Thank you for all your help. I know this isn't what you signed up for. You and you're men don't have to come but I have to go. I know I won't be able to get her out, but I think I can keep them busy long enough for reinforcements to arrive." Brutus looked down at the boy but all he saw was man. Brutus was right in thinking that the fire was gone out of Armin. All that remained was cold determination and the willingness to do anything so that he might save Mikasa. "So long," said Armin and engaged his 3DMG. Again, he was violently yanked back by Brutus. The big man smiled and said, "I said it was suicide, I didn't say I wouldn't come. I can't speak for the others, but I'll go with you. Levi will kill me, if I don't" he said with a smile.
"We're coming too," said the others, "we don't leave our friends behind."
"Let's go." said Armin, they engaged their 3DMG and shot off
"Open the gate!" called out a guard. The gate lifted and Levi and Eren came in on horseback, Wall Sina, behind them. The sun had already set and the rain was pouring hard. A member of the military police came out to meet them. "We've assembled the men you asked for. We'll engage when the rest of Survey Corp gets here."
"We can't wait for them," said Levi, "they're coming off a mission. It will take them too long to get here. We attack in the morning!"
"You may be willing to risk your lives but I'm not willing to risk my life and the life of my men for some girl. We wait for the rest of the Survey Corp. I won't go in there without being heavily prepared." replied the MP
"That girl.." said Eren, "has risked her life countless of times for your life and the life of your men and every citizen here. That girl is a soldier; you are nothing more than a coward."
"I got a messenger pigeon for a Levi Ackerman!" called out another MP
"That's me," said Levi. He and Eren entered a poorly lit building. The man who had called them handed Levi a small piece of paper. It read, "Mikasa in danger/Striking now/Send help fast" Levi crumpled the paper and headed back out into the rain. "I need fresh horses and extra tanks of gas." He said, his voice commanding, "You and your men can wait, but we need to move. We don't make a habit of doing nothing when our fellow soldiers are in need." Fresh horses were brought out and the two soldiers left with haste.
"Armin, what's the plan?"
"Brutus, you're with me. Herb and Sam," continued Armin, calling two of Brutus's men, "head to the kitchen, open all the gas tanks and set the place on fire. Kiro and Zack, sneak into the armory, tamper with their weapons but do not take them. We need them to think they're prepared when all they have are useless toys." Armin continued to give instructions and Brutus's men followed and left as soon as their order was given.
"And us?" asked Brutus, when he and Arimin were the only two left, "Where do we strike?"
The horses were struggling. Levi and Eren had been driving them hard for a few hours. The heavy rain only added to their trouble and made it even more difficult for the horses to continue. Levi tapped his gas tank, he was half-empty. He still had the tank from the MPs but that would also be empty by the time they got to their target. Eren saw Levi fiddle with his equipment.
"What will it be?" asked Eren
"The horses won't be able to maintain this pace for much longer," said Levi, "if we use our gear, we'll be out of gas by the time we arrive." He looked back at Eren
"I trust you." said Eren, the stubborn boy, submitting himself to authority.
"Let's go." said Levi, both soldiers shot off into the distance, leaving their horses behind.
A/N: I'm already working on the next chapter. I'm going to try to finish chapter 22 and 23 before the end of the week.
Coming up:
Chapter 22: The Fire Maiden Emerges
Chapter 23: Thicker than Water