~Chapter 11 - Ruins~
The long lines of soldiers were exhausted, just like me. The sky was just as heavenly as this morning and the clouds were just as peaceful. We were riding uphill to an old ruin that was located right on top of the hill. One side of the hill was a steep which lead to more grass plains. Small bushes were seen and the sun was hiding behind the cloud.
If only I could hide behind the clouds. I thought miserably to myself.
The outside world was just as bad as the underground, at least in the underground we didn't need to be afraid of being eaten alive.
The ruins neared and the mumbles around me got louder. People were started to get worried, especially the newbies. They wondered if they really could be safe in a ruin.
You're not safe anywhere, my friend. I thought and snorted.
When we reached the ruins, I got off my horse and tied him to a wooden pillar so he wouldn't be able to run away. I filled a bucket with water and laid it in front of him. Farlan, Isabel and Levi did the same. After that, we went into the ruins to find ourselves a decent place to spend the night. After a nearly half an hour of searching and Isabel disapproving all of the places, we settled down on one side of the wall right under a window.
We each pulled out a blanket and neatly placed it on the hard stone floor; we sat down on the blankets and sighed of relief. We survived.
The others were sitting in groups talking and laughing with each other, as if what happened a few hours ago had no significance.
What SHOULD they do then? Mourn? Then the whole Recon Corps would spend the whole time mourning the dead. You have to push on and use their sacrifice to gain what we want. I snorted loudly at my own thought.
Levi gave me a confused look but I waved it away.
"Anyways, Farlan, are you sure that blondie is carrying the documents?" Levi asked after a while of silence.
We have known Erwin for a few months now, but Levi never bothered using his real name and called him Blondie, but only with us, of course.
"Yes, I'm sure of it." Farlan lowered his voice. "Before when I snuck into his room, I searched all suspicious places, but nothing was found. I then saw a desk that opens with a key; I opened it with a tool. It was full secret documents, but the one we needed was not there. So he has to be carrying it around with him."
Farlan gestured with his finger to make us move closer.
"I just saw Erwin and the commander go that way" He pointed at a corridor. "Isabel and I will search through his belongings when he is away. I want you and (f/n) to watch that corridor and keep them busy if they come this way until I give you a signal. Ok?"
"Busy…" Levi said and put on a fake thoughtful look "Even if it means fighting?"
"Don't cause a ruckus. And no matter what happens, don't kill anyone. If we lose the commander on an expedition it'll be a big problem for all of us." Farlan said as he rose to his feet and left me and Levi alone.
Levi and I leaned against the said corridor with our heads hanging down to our chests. Footsteps where heard and we both rose our head to identify who it was. Erwin. Dammit, couldn't he just do whatever he was doing for a few more minutes? I'm really not in the mood to entertain someone right now.
Erwin walked up to us with a folder tucked under his right arm.
"What are you two doing here? Where are your other subordinates?" He asked.
"They are not my subordinates." Levi answered simply and went back to starring the floor.
"I see." Erwin replied.
A pregnant silence taking place in the corridor and the fact that Farlan and Isabel wasn't here made it worse.
"What do you think so far? Getting used to the Recon Corps?" Erwin asked trying to start a small conversation.
"Everyone is hot-faced and won't shut the hell up about titans." Levi said.
When the word 'titan' was pronounced by Levi, it felt like a sword just stabbed me in my chest.
"Are you alright, (f/n)?" Erwin asked seeing me flinch.
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking." I said casually, I pulled both my arms to my back and my right hand grasped tightly at my left wrist.
"Ok. Back to what you said Levi, of course, the Recon corps appeals and is made up with those kinds of people."
Silence, again. The pain in my chest caused by the overwhelming emotions grew for every second that went. The room started to turn and my body was heating up.
"Are you sure you're alright? You look awfully pale…" Erwin asked.
"I-I'm fine. Just a bit dehydrated. I'll go drink, sir." I said and managed to plaster on a convincing smile.
I gave Levi an apologizing look and left the two of them alone behind me as I hurried away. I didn't go to the food and water supply room. Instead, I ran up the stairs as fast as I could and as soon as the cold breeze hit my face, a single tear dropped to the stone floor.