Ya'll the stress that FF has put me through these past three days has me with a glass of wine. I lost the original chapter I posted then it became impossible to update.

Levi stayed a step behind Elsie on their way up the spiral staircase. She caught sight of soldiers bidding good night with squinted, stressed expressions before disappearing into their rooms. Ymir leaned out her door and waved obnoxiously at Elsie as she grabbed the railing to head up to the third floor, Sasha yelling her good nights to the entire Regiment before slamming the door shut. Shira, blushing, scuttled in after her roommate, no doubt to tie her down as she apparently did every night.

Elsie immediately kicked her boots off once they made it to their room. She sighed from her position on the couch, leaning back to watch Levi tug his long sleeved shirt off. He grabbed it from the back of the collar, she noted, and dragged it from the back.

"Do it slower." Elsie demanded when he plucked his belt loop free.

Levi laughed in astonishment, "What did you just say?"

"Go slower." She pronounced her words wickedly slow.

He evaluated her, leveling her with straight lips and furrowed brows. She suddenly second guessed her actions, breaking eye contact and looking away in shame. Suddenly she thought back to their afternoon rendezvous, how he'd stiffened in shock when she'd dropped to her knees. How his hand never truly tightened on her throat until she grabbed him, how he had looked at her with pure disbelief and confusion, much like the one he wore at this moment.

Levi moved while she was distracted. His hand on the crown of her head made her blink back into awareness, tilting to meet his light grey eyes. No, she had no reason to be embarrassed, but something had caused him to consider how to move forward.

"Was I too much?" She asked softly, scared.

Levi crouched, grabbing her cheeks and kissing her with such intensity that she didn't know anything besides him. He held her still, his lips brushing hers with each word, "I worry that I'll be too much. I've been told that I can be rough."

He didn't want to talk to her about it. His voice was tight, restrained, lips tense against her own. She kissed him again, her tongue licking and tasting, and Levi's grip tightened on her cheeks.

"I'll tell you when you are," Elsie promised, holding his gaze. He grinned, relaxed, and Elsie wrapped her arms around his neck. "Now can you please keep taking your clothes off."

She didn't want to think about Petra now, of all times. She wanted Levi standing and using those slender fingers to pull his pants down, to expose the pale skin of his thighs that she wanted to kiss, and not how Petra had probably done it all before. That Petra had sat on this couch one time, just as Elsie was, and watched Levi undress and beckoned him over for kisses. That once upon a time Petra had slept in Elsie's spot. She hated it. Despised, agonized, enraged over whether if he was even referring to Petra or another lover. She hated that they said something about him in bed.

"You're in no position to be making demands," Levi said. Elsie pulled back, frowning at the continued dead tone he used. "You weren't very good today."

Elsie couldn't breathe. Levi stayed impassive, straight lips, pale skin, stormy grey eyes picking at the sudden stiffness in her shoulders. Taking notice that her thighs clenched and the pads of her fingers dragged slightly on his bare shoulders. Suddenly Elsie became highly aware of the fact that Levi had only called her a good girl twice and she would do anything to hear it again.

"That depends on your definition of good." Elsie said testily, keeping her chin straight, watching for a twitch on his frozen features.

The only person to crack was Elsie, who gasped awfully loud when his hand - who had been resting beside her thigh - suddenly shot up to fist her hair. He yanked her head back, Elsie's body arching to keep herself together.

Fuck. She was so in for it.

"Tch, that damn mouth of yours always has something to say," Levi kept her hair fisted as he stood. "You always do what you want to do and it's beginning to piss me off. Barging into my office, speaking to prisoners," He jerked her head, making sure she was listening. Elsie's eyes were no doubt blown, her thoughts gone to the wind. "Oi, shithead, are you paying attention?"

She nodded, restrained in his hand. Levi scoffed and used her hair to lift her. Elsie moaned and went where he directed, spinning so she faced him and his knees hit the back of the couch. He sat spread legged and Elsie fell to her knees between him, spreading her eager palms over his clothed knee caps. The cotton sparked beneath her sweaty skin and she ran them forward only to be jerked back. She whined, resting on her heels, pouting at Levi's stoic face.

"I never told you to sit."

He released the tangle of hair and it fell against her back. Elsie exhaled shakily, hating that her game turned on her. She stood under Levi's penetrating gaze, hands shaking with anticipation, but not moving until he directed.

Levi shifted in the couch cushion, getting comfortable. His hair fell over his eyes, skin begging for Elsie's lips, and his belt buckle glinted in the candle light. It dimmed as the candle died but neither cared to light another. Too focused on Elsie standing before Levi, barefooted and trembling.

"Take your shirt off."

Never before had Elsie done this. Levi was the only one to tell Elsie what to do, to make her wet and excited with one look, who made it so difficult to focus with his unreadable grey stare. Elsie slowly, as a point to Levi on how she'd wanted it done, gathered the hem of black off-duty shirt and lifted it over her head. Her hair fell against her bare spine, knotted silk, and she let the fabric fall to her ankles.

Levi's head fell against the back of the couch, enjoying the show, "Pants."

She leaned back, her stomach flexing, and pushed her pants to her thighs. She bent without using her knees to remove them. Now she stood with only her white military issued bra and underwear, knees knocking and breasts bouncing with her rapid breaths. Levi barely blinked and she saw his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

"Hmm," He murmured. "Now what to do with you?"

Bend me over the coffee table. Let me ride you again. Gods, tell me to get back on my knees.

Levi clicked his tongue, "Bra."

This time Elsie made sure to hide her pout. She deftly plucked the bra off and tossed it aside, fearlessly meeting Levi's devouring gaze. He looked at his lap, "Take my belt off."

He didn't clarify how. Elsie knew to take what she wanted when she had the chance. She fell into his lap before he could realize her plan, sighing as she ground herself just perfectly against the bulge growing beneath his pants. Elsie took no time to truly enjoy the feeling as she had work to do - she deftly plucked his belt off and pulled it free from the belt loops. It snapped in release and the black leather fell limp against the cushion.

"I did it," She whispered sweetly, trailing her fingers over his stomach. "Am I good girl now?"

Levi wrapped his fingers around her wrists, gathering him in one strong grip. He grabbed the belt and looped it around her wrists, tightening it as he pushed Elsie off of him. She slid off the couch and back between his legs, her arms held across his stomach, the excess of his belt wrapped in his knuckles. Elsie's lips parted in euphoria at this situation, heart hammering against her chest, wide eyed between his legs.

He pushed his pants to his ankles and Elsie's mouth watered at his slightly stiffened dick. She'd never had the moment to truly appreciate him, thick and curved with trimmed black hair coating the base. Levi gave her only a moment before he pulled the belt to his chin, an ache burning in her arms, and Elsie moaned as she hazily focused on his grin.

"You talk too much," Levi said, tugging on the belt once more to make the erotic sound escape her parched lips. "But those fucking lips are like velvet," He thumbed her bottom lip. "Still can't believe you let me fuck your mouth, pretty girl. You shouldn't have, I don't think I'll let you go a day without getting on your knees for me now."

Elsie moaned, "Levi-"

He pinched her lip and she whimpered, jerking in shock but leaning instantly into his palm for his soothing rub, "If you're a good girl maybe I'll put the belt around your throat. You like it when I choke you, huh?"

Her underwear were thoroughly soaked. Her fingers twitched in their hold, scratching at the skin between his pecs. Levi suddenly yanked the belt and she leaned on her heels. She didn't instantly swallow him as she had earlier, no, this time she had to take her time. She licked a fat stripe beneath his shift, his breath catching and her arms raising. She kissed his swollen, red head and kitten licked her way down before returning to suck. Levi once more used the belt to pull her forward and Elsie slid down, gagging as he fully pushed into the back of her throat.

"That's right, stay there," Levi growled, pulling the belt, her arms burning, her eyes watering, the salty taste of him making her pussy spasm. "Fuck." He released with a grunt and Elsie fell back, panting for air, saliva connecting her lips and his glistening dick.

Elsie waited for him to pull her forward before swallowing him again. She hollowed her cheeks and dragged her tongue along him, gags and moans falling from her lips like an Orchestra. At first Levi let Elsie make her own, slow and precise, pace with only a few tugs on the belt. Suddenly, when Elsie suckled on the head, Levi dug his feet into the ground and thrusted his hips up. She gagged, her knees digging into the floor, trying to lift, and Levi yanked her arms further than before, taking away all her support. She choked, tears streaming down her red blotched cheeks, trying to calm her throat, and after a moment Levi pulled her off.

Elsie coughed, spit dribbling down her chin, red eyes begging for more when she met Levi's calculated stare. He was testing her, she realized, from the clenched jaw and narrowed eyes. Trying to see if she would tell him something. Elsie panted for air, unable to wipe her tears and spit, and only licked at her lips to clean herself.

"Can't talk now, can you pretty?"

He pulled her back one last time. Elsie's throat burned when she deep throated him once more, and even though his grunt sent waves of arousal through her, she needed a break. She licked her way down further to suck at his forgotten balls and Levi moaned obscenely loud - louder than she'd ever heard beside his breathless grunts and animalistic growls. Elsie returned to swallow his dick and Levi thrusted, disregarding the tremble in her body, and he didn't stop until he pushed to the deepest part he could and spilled his salty cum in the back of her throat. She choked and swallowed, white drops following his dick out of her mouth.

Levi's thumb caught the excess and pushed it back into her mouth, running along her wet tongue.

Elsie gasped for air once she swallowed. He looked as wrecked as her throat felt, sweat on his eyebrow, chest glistening with red marks from her fingernails that had dug unknowingly deeper into him over time, eyes hungry for more. He released the belt to help her stand and lead her to the bed. Elsie held onto his muscular arms, terrified that he'd leave her unfinished, but he soothed her by pushing her back into the bed and crawling over her.

He pressed into her, weighing her down and heating her up, their bare skin dragging tantalizingly together as he kissed her. Feeling was still numb in her hands and they stayed limp along his back, slowly scratching. They dug into his skin when Levi trailed his lips further down her chin, down her neck, and to her stomach. He pushed himself back until he laid between her legs, kissing her thighs as he spread them to view her aching pussy.

Elsie sighed, her hands having fallen perfectly safe in his hair, and slowly twirled a strand around her fingers. Grey eyes hovered over her pelvis and Elsie smiled a dazed smile. His fingers tightened beneath her thighs and he bent, swiping his tongue boldly across her dripping folds. They both moaned, deep and hungry, and Elsie keened when Levi pushed his tongue into her. So thick and smooth, he flicked his tongue and pulled out to suck on her clit. Repeat and continue, Elsie shivered and shook, her fingers tightening until she was viciously pulling his hair from the roots. Levi held her shifting hips still, his nose digging into her as she pulled him further into her legs, her mouth open but no sound escaping. She couldn't be as loud here as she had in the office.

Her head fell back, her hair swept like a golden halo on the comforter, her legs looking lewd hanging over Levi's shifting shoulders. He pushed his tongue further into her, one hand leaving her thigh to slowly drag his pointer finger down the soaking folds. Elsie gasped, unable to control it at the excitement of being touched. It's been over a year since she'd been touched like this, even by herself, and with Levi's devious finger slowly joining his tongue, Elsie moans long and loud.

Levi released his hold on her hip to clench her throat extremely tight. She choked, trying to swallow, lost in the feeling of him curling his finger and dragging it out only to return it with his middle finger. Much like he'd fucked her mouth, Levi thrusted relentlessly into her. She lifted her hips, eyes rolling into the back of her head, her hands raising to wrap around his arm to keep herself sane. She tried to push herself further onto Levi but he held her down, using his own knees to spread her legs so that she couldn't lift her hips anymore. Fully spread and open to Levi, he licked and nipped and thrusted his fingers into her, and Elsie's pleasure sky rocketed. Her stomach tightened, that euphoric coil returning, and Levi sat up, taking his tongue and fingers with him.

Elsie gasped in anguish, opening her eyes and trying to lift her head. Her thighs tried to squeeze shut and give herself friction but Levi kept them open. She could see now that he was hard again and he wasted no time in pushing himself into her. She arched, heels digging into the mattress, and Levi's arms wrapped around her waist. He pushed them into the mattress, suffocating Elsie, but she didn't care because he pushed into her so deep and so good that all she could think about was wrapping her legs around him to push him along to a faster beat. Her nails dragged along his shoulder blades and over his collar bone, down to his chest and stomach, remembering the shape of his body. His hair swayed between them and Elsie's shaky hand pushed it back, twisting it in her palm as Levi suddenly pushed deep into her and stilled.

Her toes curled, "Levi, fuck, you're so deep." She whimpered softly.

Levi kissed the underside of her chin, "Turn over."

Elsie rolled onto her stomach, feeling terribly empty for only three seconds before Levi pushed into her. She gasped and bit into the mattress, wet spots forming on the sheets as Levi picked up his speed. His knees dug on either side of her waist, their skin slapping ridiculously good together, his open mouth dragging across her shoulder with each furious thrust. As if trying to get through to her, as if trying to make her understand that he was rough and mean and not a good lover and she should run for the hills and find someone else who would rock her to sleep every night.

His hand tangled in her hair and his nose rutted against her temple. Elsie heard a tear in the room and Levi grabbed her right hand, entwining their fingers for her to release the ripped sheets and grip him instead. Her legs shook, her toes curling, Elsie's moans becoming a breathless 'o' on her lips as the coil suddenly appeared and released. She spasmed beneath Levi and his free hand gripped her left ankle, making her leg bend at her side, letting him fuck deeper into her.

She couldn't breathe and Levi was grunting into her ear, "So fucking tight, pretty, such a good girl."

Elsie yanked their entwined hands to her mouth to cover her scream as she orgasmed. Levi did not relent, vicious and rough and deep, and Elsie's legs couldn't stop shaking, the coil staying and growing. Everything was so sensitive, she could feel his hair against her, the sweat between their bodies, the rough feel of the cotton, and Levi hitting that spot in her that had her clenching and him growling. Levi kept his pace, repeatedly grinding into her, his hands releasing her to grip and squeeze at her ass and Elsie cried into the blankets as she felt her second orgasm set her in a fire of pleasure. She shivered in emptiness when Levi suddenly pulled away from her, and she turned to rest on her cheek in time to see him finish warm and sticky on her pale butt.

"Good girl." Levi repeated, breathless.

Elsie smiled tiredly, out of breath.

Elsie sipped her tea as she watched Eren try to mount his horse. He was absent minded - as expected - and had missed sliding his foot into the stirrup two times. On his third attempt Eren glowered at his foot, daring it to miss, and successfully lifted himself up. He exhaled, closing his eyes and trying to shake away the fear.

"Tch, just what are you going to do with that cup?"

Elsie turned with her nose raised, "I'm keeping it."

"It'll break. Go put it back before we leave." Levi ordered, tugging Noir's reigns when he got distracted by Suni shaking her white mane.

The pinto blinked slowly at Levi just as Elsie did, "It'll be fine. It's so I don't get home sick."

Levi's lip curled, "I'm the reason you don't get home sick, shithead. Put it back."

"Aw, Levi, that was so sweet!" She gushed, one hand cupping her cheek as she cooed and stepped a tad bit closer as if to pinch his cheek. She laughed when he slapped her away with a scoff. "But I'm still bringing it." Honestly, she didn't want to ask crazy eyed Erwin to unlock the castle doors to put it in the kitchen.

"Shithead."

"Dick."

The entire Scout Regiment waited on the lawn. Three carriages were lined and readied, soldiers stationed on either side to guard the cargo from titans, and the morning sun rising over Wall Rose. The birds chirped and sang, soldiers talking amongst their squads, and Elsie thought back to Gunther double checking her gear before the last mission. He'd been so worried about her that he hadn't thought about himself. But now, now that wouldn't be a problem. Any surprise that came, they would face it together. There would be no separating today.

The tea had kept her hands busy. She'd brewed a pot while Sasha cried in the kitchen corner. She stirred the honey into the black mug when Jean came in three times asking if she'd seen his cloak, the very one hanging snug over his shoulders. She sipped as Eren couldn't mount his horse. Elsie thought she'd functioned the best out of all them.

"All are accounted for, Commander!" Squad Leader Klaus called from the middle of the convey. He'd brought the rising sun with him when he'd arrived at Levi's castle. It had been a last minute change in plans - after Caven's imprisonment it was better for the leader to stay at the castle. His squad would be sent along to Shiganshina.

Eren's face paled. Elsie gulped the last of her tea, safety burying it into Suni's satchel, and hoisting herself onto the pinto. The mare raised her head up and down in excitement, encouraging Noir to snort and paw at the ground. Levi pushed himself onto the saddle, grumpily fixing the reigns instead of meeting Elsie's proud gaze.

Erwin's golden stallion trots along the hundred souls. He nodded as he passed Klaus, who seemed forlorn to send his squad off. Elsie twisted the leather reigns in her grip as Erwin passed, his brown gaze empty, before he raised his arm and bellowed, "To Trost!"

Trost was closest to Shiganshina. It took eight hours to get to the gates of Trost, two looming pillars with bored guards standing at the pulleys. They talked briefly to Erwin and Miche at the head, and from afar it looked rather disdainful. Levi shifted on his saddle, slit eyes watching as the guards shook their head and Miche said something with a sneer on his lips. The gate opened and Levi relaxed. Elsie kicked Suni into a small trot, swallowing nervously as she had to face the after effects of her decisions.

She hadn't returned to Trost since Eren had been discovered. The streets were cleared of fallen pieces of wall and rock, swept and some what pot hole free. The roof tops had yet to be touched, at least the ones that had lost shingles, while other buildings had plywood nailed for temporary protection. Elsie's heart fell to her stomach as the Regiment passed Main and 3rd, where on the corner once gleamed Trost Public School but now only an empty lot greeted her. She faced forward, kicking Suni to a trot.

"They would've been evacuated first." Levi said from her left.

Elsie knew there hadn't been time for evacuation. The kids had ran blindly. They probably ran home, just as Eren and Mikasa had done, and had probably watched their mothers and fathers get eaten. All because their teacher didn't try harder to stop it. But then she looked behind her, to slumped Eren with petrified wide eyes, and knows that it had to happen. He had to see the horrors of the world and Elsie couldn't save him just as she couldn't save her students.

For the greater good, right?

The sickness didn't truly set in until Elsie stood at the top of the wall. She stared dauntingly down the other side. It felt like a thousand foot drop, if not more, and the trees looked like ants to her. She felt like she was on a hot air balloon - safe and high above the dangers of the toxicity below. Yet a shout came from down the line to lower and Elsie had to drop to the unknown.

Elsie took a deep breath and pulled her gears out. She looked to her right, Levi at her side, Mikasa on her other, and he nodded at her. Together Squad Levi pushed off of Wall Rose. Using their ODM gear they easily glided to the bottom where other members had taken the elevators down with the carriages and horses.

There was urgency as everyone found their horses and regrouped, racing for the fading horizon. The sun set and that's what made Elsie so nervous, a sudden sick feeling settling in her chest. The safety of sunlight disappeared, her eyesight going and the sight of Levi's back slowly fading. She knew that it was better to move at dark, that the titans would be asleep, but her skin itched without the ability to see more than two feet ahead of her. Only Noir's hooves kicking up dirt allowed Elsie to keep trail of Levi. She could tell the others were having difficulties, shouting out in their own creation of echolocation, and Levi cursed from ahead. He shot a ringing flare to the sky - a call for a meeting.

Sound stopped in the dead of night. All she'd heard for the past hours were horses panting and Sasha's bird calls. Elsie panted, shivering in the sudden cold at the lack in moving. Suni suddenly jerked, raising on her back legs, and Elsie gasped, clinging to Suni's mane.

"Sorry!" Sasha hissed from behind. "Bubba got spooked."

"We can't see shit out here," Levi snarled from the shadows. "What the hell is he thinking?"

"That we probably don't have time to waste." Elsie said, hearing someone's horse shift beside her. She turned, trying to catch sight, but Levi was right. It was near impossible to see anything - what if the Beast titan waited for them? She'd felt horribly ill the further they rode from the walls. She'd itched herself into welts, anxious, knowing that something awaited them.

"Who used the flare?" Erwin's voice boomed.

"We need to move on foot!" Levi bellowed back, Noir snorting as he was jerked in a circle. "Squad Leader's to a lantern!"

"The sun will be up in four hours! Move on!"

"Commander, we can't see! We have no choice!" Miche's voice rang from somewhere.

Erwin considered before relenting, not sounding the least bit pleased with his squad leaders fighting back. Levi's boots crunching were all Elsie had as warning before he lit the lantern, a warm haze growing and encasing the squad of nine. Throughout the length of a mile six other lanterns lit, squads revealing themselves, and a breath of ease running throughout once they could see again. Elsie slid off of Suni, glad to have a minute off the saddle, and looped the reigns in her hand.

"Head for the trees!" Erwin ordered once he lit his own lantern, only Nanaba and Peer at his side, fifty feet ahead.

Elsie clicked her tongue in encouragement and Suni happily walked at her side. The mare needed minimal assistance and Elsie leaned against her once they'd reached the forest.

Mikasa sighed, "We're close. It smells like home."

Elsie could understand. She'd know home the moment she'd smelt it too.

She could see the tree line.

She tried to ignore the feeling.

It only grew the closer they got.

Elsie slowed until she was in the back with Historia and Ymir. They continued to talk, even with Elsie's silent intrusion, and she stared at the ending tree line ahead. Levi's lantern was nearly burnt out but it was perfect timing as the morning sun began to rise. It rose over Wall Maria, a wall that no one has seen in five years, and Levi stopped when Mikasa suddenly gasped.

"We're here!" She raced forward, leaving them behind.

"Mikasa, wait!" Armin called, startled, and took off after her.

Levi snarled, "Fucking brats." And he picked up his pace to breach the end of the forest. She could see the other lanterns flicker out of life as the rest of the squads reached the tree line, no doubt watching Mikasa and Armin racing out. Eren shoved past Jean, tripping the horse boy, and by passed Levi. Not that the man was going to stop them. He seemed to understand just as much as Elsie had.

Elsie wanted to throw up the moment she saw Shiganshina. She held her stomach, praying that she wouldn't in front of her squad, and swallowed. The sickness stayed, slick in her throat, and the despair clawed to tell Levi. But he was ahead, and Ymir and Historia were gathering their reigns to mount their horses. Elsie took a steadying breath before lifting onto Suni, kicking the mare into a fast gallop to catch up with the rest. Jean shouted in annoyance, covered in dirt from the three horses racing past him.

"Levi!" Elsie pulled Suni to a stop next to the man. He threw Noir's reigns over the saddle and glanced at her over his shoulder. "Somethings-"

She coughed, choking as if water had gone down the wrong pipe. Levi pushed away from Noir to grip her leg, holding her elbow, prepared to drag her off the horse if she didn't stop. She inhaled sharply, breaking for air in her drowning, and clutched her throat. She desperately looked at Levi.

His lip curled, "This is why I didn't want you to stay. Fuck."

There wasn't anything they could do. The plan was to always to reach Shiganshina. No matter the secret plots or death toll. She gripped his hand, "I'll be okay. It's the others."

"Fuck them," Levi's nails dug through her tan pants. "You get the fuck out of there once shit hits the fan, do you understand?"

"Yes. I promise." He looked at her with every emotion his face. The fear, the stress, the worry. Elsie didn't like him not being confident.

Levi ran his hands through his hair, something she's never seen him do, and cursed once more before mounting Noir. He snapped at Elsie to stay close and kicked off, racing to reach Mikasa and Armin. A small shabby town had been left to fall apart beside the dried port and the teens had enough sense to stop before reaching the buildings. They panted, out of breath, and their horses trotted at Jean and Sasha's sides. The Regiment gathered and Erwin stared across the buildings before gesturing for them to check the area.

Elsie stayed at Levi's side. The squad flanked their backs as they swept up and down the town, far too fast and easy for Elsie's liking. Her stomach flipped and kicked, her legs numb, her hands shaking, and Levi grew more frustrated with every empty house. The only place they would have to fear is the inside of Shiganshina now.

"All clear!" She heard Erwin's roar from somewhere over the buildings. "Squads Miche and Nanaba head up the wall, the rest take the carriages and horses through the tunnel!"

Elsie whistled and Suni came galloping down the rock covered lane. The rest of the horses followed, shaking their heads and finding their riders, and in no time Levi led them towards the entrance of the tunnel. Erwin waited at the front and Levi snarled, annoyed and wanting to know what was happening, and he kicked Noir just a tad bit faster. The merging of all the squads entering the tunnel condensed them, slowing Elsie down in fear of hitting another person, and Sasha was shouting for Connie somewhere far ahead. The horses hooves echoed off of cobble stoned tunnel, cold shadows suddenly caressing Elsie, a shiver of dread tingling down her spine.

Then bright orange light exploded from behind. Elsie was caught in a wind storm, Suni screaming in her ear, getting hit in the face, spinning, whirling, she saw brown and flickers of blue. She was rolling and suddenly the wind stopped and Elsie fell like a rag doll. She screamed in agony when she landed horribly on a curved rock, her spine cracking and a horrible sensation that sent alarms ringing in her brain. She slumped, sliding to her knees, feeling nothing below her waist, and gasping for air.

She couldn't hear. She'd hit her head, or been hit, and the ringing wasn't stopping. But objects were flying over the sun and she looked up, wide eyed as green Scouts flew in their gear. They shot down the dust hazed street and high into the air, swords glinting, diving like swans, down and down, and a horrible pink monster of flesh was cut down. The ground shook and sound returned.

"Somebody help! Help, help!"

"Oh God, oh God!"

The tunnel Elsie had just ridden through was destroyed. Rocks filled it. Dust hovered over the disaster zone, refusing to settle, and the ground shook from heavy stomps of titans trapped in Shiganshina with the surviving Scout Regiment. She couldn't stay on the ground. Levi had been ahead of her so he was fine. Surely he'd been one of the Scouts to kill the titan closest to them. Three more came down the street, drawn by the tunnel falling apart and anguished screams.

Elsie pushed her soot covered hands on the floor and gasped at trying to stand. Her spine cracked and ached like a sore bone but nothing she couldn't ignore. She stumbled forward, shaky legged, and tried to find Suni. Her horse? She could see figures hunched over boulders through the dust, hear people crying, a curse as someone realized their ODM gear had been broken from their fall. Elsie blindly felt the machines, tripping over pebbles and torn limbs, and they felt fine. She was fine.

"Get out of there!" Someone screamed from above. "Titans everywhere!"

It was a trap. The Beast titan wanted them in Shiganshina, he wanted them surrounded by titans to be devoured. Elsie swayed back and forth, a gust of wind hitting her sandy cheeks from a falling titan. She needed to get going. Where was Suni?

She saw the pinto laying beneath a shattered boulder to the far right of the tunnel entrance. Suni did not blink or breathe when Elsie fell at her side before removing the satchel from her bloated stomach. Elsie bit back her tears, tried not to look at the bloodied disfigured head of her precious horse, and pushed back to race for the wall. She did not look, only felt the ground shake as a titan came forward, and she pulled the trigger to her gear.

She flew straight for the wall - too fast. Her right arm slammed into the wall and Elsie cried out, sore all over, and refusing to die before she killed one titan. How could she die so soon? Elsie finally reached a spot where she was high enough to be safe and looked over Shiganshina, gasping at the multitude of titans lumbering through Shiganshina and the small number of Scouts surviving killing them. How many had made it through the tunnel?

A titan grabbed at the wall beneath Elsie. She had to do her duty even if Levi wasn't there to hold her hand. She'd said she'd be tough about it and she was going to do exactly that. Elsie released her grapple hooks and dived, holding her blades at her side. The titan opened its mouth, flat teeth and ugly tongue sticking out for her. Think again, ugly ass, Elsie thought as she shot her right hook and swung. Her blades sunk deep and long into the folds of its neck. Steam sizzled and exploded from its neck and the titan sunk face first into the wall, falling to its knees. Elsie panted, leaning against the wall and thanking the Gods she'd survived, even going as far as to look at the Heavens to be real appreciative.

A metallic glint shimmered from the top of Wall Maria. Elsie turned, like a crow drawn by shiny jewelry, expecting to see soldiers racing across the top. It is no soldier. It is one person, crouched along Elsie's side of the wall, and fixated with the metal box that had caught her attention. All she could see was the bun of the person, assuming it was a woman, as she played with the contraption before lifting her head, sensing eyes on her. She turned her head.

Elsie met the green, oval eyes of a gas mask.