"Focus on what's in front of you." Oluo says and I tore my gaze away from behind.
"I thought I heard something." I mutter as I follow him.
Levi had paired us in two groups. He went with Petra, me and Oluo together and Gunther and Eld formed a duo.
"Fire a yellow smoke round when you've found a Titan that matches the description. Hanji will fire a green one as a confirmation; you will have to lure it to where Hanji's shot was fired. When you've seen both the yellow and green smoke everyone must return." Levi had explained before we went opposite directions.
"Hey old man, are we just moving around in circles hoping to stumble upon a Titan?" I say bored. It might be the first time I passed this spot or the hundredth, everything looks exactly the same.
He lands on a branch and turns around. "You have much to learn." He says as he puts his hands onto his hips.
"I guess I can learn much from an old man hmm? You must have a lot of experience." I joke and his face goes red again. At least I can entertain myself messing around with him.
I plan jumping on a branch, I stretch my uninjured leg out, ready to land, but but when I look down I stare into a black hole.
A black hole that wants to eat me.
"Watch out!" Oluo shouts and I launch my cables just in time as I'm being lifted.
"Whoa! Calm down big boy!" I say as it swallows the branch whole. "Since when are Titans able to jump?" I ask Oluo but he shrugs, not knowing the answer himself. Maybe it is another aberrant?
With a loud bang the Titan falls back on its feet while staring at us. "Would Hanji approve of this one?" I ask as I make my way down, its eyes follow my movements closely, entirely fixated on me.
"She would like anything really, but this one is too short, probably a 7 meter."
"Too bad, I like this one." I opined. I notice it is squatting, ready to jump again. Quickly I move out of the way and indeed, the Titan launches itself meters high as it swallows and destroys everything in its path.
"Huh? Are you starting to go mad? You sound like Hanji." He quipped and crosses his arms. "Come on, we need to move."
I nod as I follow Oluo, leaving the Titan behind while on the search for a suitable one that matches the type Hanji is looking for.
"This is monotonous, so boring." I yawn as another ten minutes pass by. "But boring is a good sign, it means we're save and sound." I add and Oluo agrees.
Out of nowhere I hear a scream in the distance and this time it definitely came from a human. It sounded desperate, a cry for help. I swiftly exchange glances with Oluo and both rush towards the direction the voice came from.
I stop moving mid-air when I lay my eyes on the scene before me. The soil and surrounding trees are colored bright red, human limbs are spread across the ground as Titans walk up to them and slowly munch their meal away.
"Don't lose focus!" Oluo alerts me and I blink a few times, realizing if I don't do anything soon I'll crash into a tree.
"Any survivors?" I shout while frantically glancing around. Three Titans are facing the ground and standing with their backs to us, seemingly too occupied with eating to notice us. Abruptly one of the Titans turns around and stares straight at me. I gape open-mouthed while I hold my breath.
"Help." A young woman softly pleads as she chokes on what are probably her last breaths. She's in her twenties with short blonde hair and her eyes widen when hers meet mine. Silent tears fall to her ears and she reaches her arm out to me. "Help me." She says just above a whisper. Her body is stuck between its teeth and blood gushes from her stomach as if there's no end to it.
Ten seconds have past and I have already thought a million things as my brain is going in overdrive. When we rushed towards the scene I had no idea what to expect but it would never come close to this. "Oluo shoot the black flare!" I yell and without much thought launch myself forward. "You bastard!" I shout as I fly over the Titan, hitting the cables in the neck. With a facile movement I sliced it and the Titans blood splatters all over my face. I land back on the branch and wiped my bloodied face before I realized I was too late. Terror was all written over her face and her body has gone motionless; the Titan had already bit her in half before I got the chance to kill it.
Oluo stands next to me as he had killed the other two. I sit on the branch, facing the gruesome scene before me. Steam evaporates into thin air as the bodies of the Titans disappear within minutes; only blood and limbs of humans remain lying on the ground.
"You couldn't save her." Oluo says. I think he tries to comfort me, resting his hand on my shoulder. I look up to him and he was also glancing down, grimacing. "You won't be seeing something like this for the last time." He remarks and I slowly nod.
From the body parts spread out across the place I count up to five people, surely there were more victims that were eaten before we got here. That's the size of an entire squad, wiped out in an instant. I didn't expect it to be pretty, but I wouldn't ever think it would be like this. People dying just like insignificant beings as if it's nothing. I've noticed Oluo has kept his cool all this time, he has seen it before and is more prepared than me.
"There are the help troops." He notices and I stand up. "We should move again." He says and when the others arrive, searching if they can recover anything to bring home, Oluo and I continue. We cross countless Titans but they're either too tall, short, or too much of an eyesore. Roughly another fifteen minutes pass and I think Oluo and I found the perfect candidate.
"I think this one will do?" I look over to him and he has his arms crossed as he observes the Titan.
"Perfect match." He smirks.
"So..." I begin but when Oluo keeps his smug face, I think I realize what he means. "Why me?!" I ask and I cross my arms, looking away.
"I hate to admit it but somehow you're faster with the maneuver gear, therefore I'll leave it to you."
For him to give up his pride and admit something like that... "Fine then." I jump in the air and I land on top of the Titan's head. I give a firm kick when it doesn't respond and suddenly he slams his hand on his head.
"That was close." I say as I just escaped in time.
"Don't play around." Oluo says seriously.
I let myself hang in the air before the Titan. "Over here!" I say as I the Titan slowly starts following me and then gradually increases its pace up to a sprint.
I keep a reasonable distance between myself and the Titan as I'm leading it straight into the trap. Hanji is waving and shouting she's ready to capture it. Since we fired the green flare I see that the other squads have already gathered.
"Jaclyn, move!" Hanji yells and I launch my cables far above me and within an instant I'm lifted, leaving the Titan behind while it is staring up to me.
Then what seems like a hundred cables are shot and the deafening sound of shots fired fill the air. When I land on a branch and glare down, I see the Titan is completely stuck, held into place by iron cables.
"Good job."
"What?!" I shriek and take a step back when I suddenly see Levi standing beside me, for a moment I forgot there's no place to put my foot and I step onto… nothing. I fall backwards but Levi grabs me just in time and pulls me forward as I fall into his chest.
"Don't let your guard down." He whispers as he's clutching me, his arms keeping me in place. I peer over his shoulder, noticing that everyone is occupied by the Titan.
"What do you mean? Titans don't come up this high and suddenly appear next to you. Jeez. Don't scare me like that." I say and pull away, crossing my arms.
He only huffs and turns around. "Anything happened on the way?" He then asks seriously.
"I was nearly devoured by this Titan that suddenly jumped out of nowhere." I say like it's a daily occurrence. "And then..." I stop mid-sentence when the images flash before me again.
He slightly turns his head to look at me. "Then what?"
"We came across what I think were five people. One of them was still alive, her body half inside the Titan's mouth. She called for help... but, I was too late killing it." I say looking down and softly let out a sigh.
"I see." He responds.
The mood had changed within an instant and when I look up to him he had already turned his back to me.
"Oluo isn't that bad though." I try to lighten the mood and Levi turns around with a faint smile as he nods.
"I didn't put you two together by coincidence." He says and does a step towards me and I looked into those deep greyish eyes. His eyes shifted between my eyes and my lips when I licked them. When he talks again his voice is low and deep, sending shivers down my spine. "But next time, I'll make sure to pair you up with me." He whispers into my ear. When he slightly backs away and his eyes once again meet mine, a smirk marks his face. "If you don't mind." He softly adds.
"Who would mind to be teamed up with Mr. Humanity's Strongest?" I say jokingly and he simpers at my comment.
"That's settled then." He turns around and crouches, peering down to Hanji who is busy commanding everyone around.
I glance over to Erwin who has two men standing beside him, his face looks serious as they're discussing something. Erwin looks up and his eyes meet Levi before they swiftly shift to me.
"We should meet Erwin." Levi says before jumping down as I follow him.
I stand a few meters away from them as they discuss what seems like important matters. The humongous Titan is standing only meters away from me, completely still as only its eyes are able to shift. Hanji's voice is present above all and soldiers are running around obeying her commands.
I rest against a tree as I lean my hands onto my knees and observe the structural chaos around me. It's as if only a short amount of time has passed since we've reached the forest but I know the day isn't over yet. That Titan still has to be tied up and transported, we still have to safely reach the walls.
When I focus on the people before me I realize it's my squad and Jonah who's walking with them. Even his buoyant frame is now gloomy and I realize I hate to see him like this, but at least he's alive and conveys the impression to be unharmed.
"Jaclyn." Levi calls me and I stand up, walking over to him and Erwin as the rest also joined.
"We just completed a headcount. From the 116 that joined today 21 are confirmed dead. Here with us right now are 78 soldiers, that means 17 are missing. Petra, Jaclyn and Eld, Levi chose you three to take part in the search." Erwin informs us and I already feel strangely uncomfortable. Wandering around means I might stumble upon more dead bodies.
Then Levi continues. "Hanji will be done in approximately half an hour, when a green signal flare is fired it means you will have to return. Somewhere within these woods there might be seventeen people still alive, it's our job to find them. Understood?"
"Yes!" Petra and Eld say in unison as I simply nod.
"Wait! May I join?" Jonah asks with pleading eyes and Levi looks over to Erwin.
"It's too dangerous for you to go alone." Erwin concludes and Jonah glances down in disappointment.
"What if he goes with me, it will be alright." I suggest and his face immediately lit up. Erwin sighs inaudible and waves his hand a single time in agreement.
Levi, Petra and Eld go separate ways as Jonah and I leave together, goal-orientated we head out on the search for survivors.
"Just don't leave my side, no matter what!" I warn Jonah and he nods, knowing I'll kill him if he disobeys. We search the forest grounds and listen intently for any signs of humans. Suddenly a black flare is fired just in front of us and we reach the spot a minute later.
I glance over to Jonah and see that all color has drained from his face. Everything within me tells me to leave, to not face this, but right now I am wearing the Survey Corps uniform. I am seen as a soldier and people count on me, weirdly I feel a sense of responsibility and I race to the people down.
Once again I see Titans chow down on humans with gear and all as bloods splatters and gushes from their mouths. Three people are standing together with their backs against a tree, holding their blades in front of them as four Titans approach.
"Stay there!" I yell to them and their teary faces look up shocked to me and Jonah.
"Jaclyn, commands?" He asks, his voice slightly shaking.
"You protect them, check if their gear works and if not then bring them up to the branches. Shoot your flare afterwards for backup, I'll kill the Titans!" I hastily come up with a plan and he immediately heads for the three people as I go after the Titan that would reach them first.
When I launch forward to kill the Titan I see one of the soldiers running away, trying to escape, but while doing that he just brought more Titans their way. The two Titans that were busy eating, now started walking up to the other two who still stood against the tree.
"Moron, I said stay there." I murmured angrily. He runs further away and the Titan quickly catches up, he is no match for their speed.
I retreat the cables and let myself fall down, when I nearly hit the ground I put on full gas and tackle the guy and the Titan just crosses us. Harshly we both land on the ground and turn a couple of times before coming to a halt. Quickly I stand up and only then realize the Titan is already before us, slamming its hand onto the ground and due the force my body is thrown against a tree. My vision is blurred by dust and I cough, trying to catch my breath.
"Damn it." I mutter. I stand up and want to run away but my injured ankle causes me to fall down again. When I look up I see the Titan's fist coming down for me again and it's slammed against the tree.
I barely escaped it but somehow did. The other soldier is already running towards Jonah and I see the black flare being fired, that must mean the other two are already safe.
"Jonah, help him!" I yell when I see him coming my way. "His gear doesn't work!" I shout and I see the dubious look on his face, with a grimace he listens and turns around to rescue the man.
I launch my cables and they hit the branch above me and just in time I'm brought to safety before I'm being hit by a fatal blow. I see the three frightened soldiers standing with Jonah and in the mean time I slice two napes, killing the remaining Titans.
I land on the branch were the three of them are sitting while Jonah is looking them over for any injury. I'm trying to hold my anger back but still furious I walk up to the blond haired male who had just risked everybody's life in his stupid attempt to run away.
He avoids my eyes as he looks away from me when our eyes briefly met. I grab him by his collar and lift him, demanding to look at me. "What the fuck did you think you were doing?!" I yell. "Are you trying to get us all killed?" I look at him but he's till avoiding my gaze, not replying either.
"Hey, Jaclyn." Jonah starts but stops when I glance up to him.
"I can't go any further." He softly mutters.
"What was that?" I tighten my grip. "How dare you give up when you still have a chance of making it out alive! Will it be okay for their lives to be in vain?" I point to the bloody scene below us and when his eyes reach it, tears start to form.
"We can't win from such monsters!" He suddenly shouts as his voice echoes through the forest. Taken aback I stare at him.
"Look at you, just like a trampled flower." I let go of his collar and he falls back down. "Tell me, will you die here? Will you become their next meal?" I ask, but get no reply. "Fine then."
I turn around and Jonah looks at me wordlessly as the other two soldiers also do. "Is your gear still working?" I ask them and one nods as the other shakes her head. Then a shot is heard and a green flare stains the blue skies. Hanji has everything set and they're ready to go, so we must return now.
"You can go back on your own powers?" I ask the other male with the broken gear and he nods. "Good. Jonah you keep an eye on him." I then turn to the female soldier. "I'll carry you back." I decide.
Abruptly Jonah walks up to me and pushes me against the tree, keeping his arm against my throat to hold me back. "You'll just leave him behind like that?" He asks in disbelief, anger and confusion.
"What do you think you're doing, Jonah?" I question and he looks rather hopeless than angry now. Honestly, I don't understand his reaction at all. "If he wishes to die here there's nothing I can do."
"Don't be stupid! Of course he doesn't wish to die here!" He argues.
"Haven't you heard him? 'I can't go any further, we can't win.' Isn't that what he said?" I say and grab his arm, pushing him off me. When he opens his mouth to shout again I slam my hand over his mouth, hushing him.
"That's enough."
I look up and see Levi, Petra and Eld sitting above, a few branches away. I pull my hand off Jonah's face and walk up to the woman and pull her up. "Hold me tightly." I say as she sits on my back and I'm the first one to leave the scene and I head back.
Shortly after I arrived I see them also returning, including the blond haired man. Jonah swiftly met my gaze before quickly turning away and talking to Petra and Eld.
Levi walks past me. "I need to talk to you." He says as he keeps on walking and reluctant I follow him till he stops and turns around.
"What? If I'm about to be lectured, I think I'm a little too old for that." I say and he shakes his head.
"I've seen everything from the moment Jonah fired the flare. I don't think you're wrong for what you said, but you never… leave a comrade behind if you can save them. Understood?" He eyes me seriously.
"Why, if someone has given up?" I ask.
This is all an act. I'm not really a soldier; I'm here to kill one of them. However, when given the opportunity to save someone I won't hesitate to do so, even if I risk my own life. I just won't waste my time on someone that has given up while I can spend that time rescuing someone else.
"You can be resolute but your spirit can still be vulnerable. It's all in the heat of the moment, don't let them down when they need it the most."
There, he has a point. I just hope, if I one day wish to die, nobody will come rescue me. Things must've really turned to shit if I would give up like that. "I won't let it happen again." I say as I glance over to Jonah who looks rather disappointed at me.
Levi put his hand against my back and we walk over to them. "He'll come around." He says just before we're in earshot and then walks off to Erwin.
I sit again against a tree as I let my head hang. The three that were saved were the only ones to return from the seventeen people missing. After all we only had little over half an hour to search such a large area. That means so far already 45 people have died and we still have to make it all the way back to the walls. Approximately another twenty soldiers will fall in order to protect the Titan and the supply carts.
"Get ready for return!" Erwin's voice booms through the forest and everybody gets to their horse.
The deafening sound of the humongous gate closing filled the air, along with the whispers of the people who gathered to see Survey Corps returning.
The way back to the walls was a nightmare. Apparently, carrying a Titan surrounded by people attracted a lot more Titans. Countless of them approached and since the cart was slower during the weight, we weren't able to outrun them.
For once the Survey Corps is the victor, but at what cost? In my irrelevant oponion, far too many people died. Dying for the sake of protecting the Titan, or as they would say, in the name of humanity.
I saw faces of horror, grief and disgust as we marched through town, horses carrying the piled up dead bodies, ready to be brought to the families for them to say their goodbyes to the corpses. The majority looking beyond recognition and missing a limb or two.
I walked next to Levi with my horse by my side, trying to numb the words spoken from the sidelines. "Am I paying so much for you people to die!" A man yelled. Instantly my fist bawled up painfully, ready to shut his fucking mouth.
"Bear with it." Levi said looking ahead. "They don't know what they're talking about."
He was right that they didn't, I bet no one encountered a Titan before, that's why they won't even think twice about commenting. Experiencing the many deaths of fellow soldiers first hand had left an impact on me for sure.
Whereas I first didn't, I now started seeing them as individuals with feelings, all with their own beating heart. I looked up to Levi who is enduring it without showing his emotions. He didn't seem affected by any remarks as he carries on silently even though his name was mentioned specifically.
"Jaclyn!"
My thoughts shattered to pieces when I heard an all too familiar voice calling out my name. I turned to the right where I saw her rushing out of the crowd, over to me. Anger and hurt was written over her face as she was on the verge of tears, bawling her fists and clenching her jaw tight. Wordlessly she stood before me, her chest rising and falling like mad.
Fuck. How did she find out?
"Go home, April." I demanded.