CHAPTER 3

Though most of the tiny village was still habitable, we decided it would be best to leave this village. We didn't know if there would be more titans lurking around, given that two had already found us. Levi decided it would probably be best to keep going. We had some food in Levi's back, which could last us for a few days maybe if we rationed it correctly.

Levi grabbed the reins of his horse, and I walked beside him, the wind blowing in our faces. The village was now littered with the steaming carcasses of the titans, slowly going away. We had no time to spare. We could either try to find our comrades or go back to the walls, but playing hide-and-seek with the rest of our legion would mean suicide. We had to make our way back to the walls on our own.

I have to admit, I was scared shit. I was shivering slightly as we walked towards what seemed to be the walls. Levi held a map in his hands, consulting it, and I gripped the compass firmly, shaking. We decided it would be best to save the horse until we actually needed it.

"Besen will most likely be tired out if she has to carry the weight of two people, and in the likely event that we run into a titan, we don't want her to give out on us." I had nodded when he told me that, but now, I couldn't stop thinking about how much more comforted I would feel to be riding on a horse. The chances of surviving a titan attack is already slim, but on foot…

I had my blades out, not knowing when a titan would come, and when I would need to switch the 3D Maneuver Gear.

We approached the end of the town, which eventually opened up to the wide expanse of plains, with nothing else.

I was still covered in the saliva of the titan, and I couldn't feel more uncomfortable. The only things reassuring me was that we had enough supplies to last a few days, we had one horse, our equipment was fine, and…I was with Levi.

He looked completely calm, expressionless almost, but I could tell that something was wrong with him. Normally he'd be gazing around, taking in our surroundings, but I could tell that he was nervous. He clutched the map tightly, to the point that I thought that he might rip through the thin yellow paper.

I took a deep breath. "Don't worry, Levi." I said. "We'll survive. Being outside the walls, I couldn't ask for a better companion."

He glanced over at me, but didn't smile. However, the change of expression on his face—his eyebrows unknitting, the rest of his face gradually loosening up a bit—was evidence enough that my small comment had calmed him a bit. I smiled at him, then turned back to the world in front of me.
The saliva gradually started to come off of me, and although the wind was picking up, it was still a really hot day. The sun beat down on us, and though our stamina had proven fair in the past, I felt my energy reserves dwindling down.

Levi too was starting to be taxed. At this rate, if titans came to attack us…I don't know how well we'd fare.

The day continued on, and we walked for hours. At times we would spot a titan a little ways off, and the best we could do was try to avoid it. We looped around, even if it meant losing time, it was still better than having to fight.

Levi continued on without complain, occasionally stopping to consult the map.

A few hours past noon, maybe around three, we found a nice group of trees where we would be able to battle titans, and headed deep inside.

I sighed as we stepped in, the trees shielding us a bit from the sun's rays, lowering the

temperature. We settled down at the fork in the forest, where the path split into two. I slammed myself against the tree trunk, slumping down to the ground. Levi threw me a piece of bread, and I began to nibble at it. I had the urge to shove it into my mouth, and eat it all in one bite. I ignored it, and forced myself to take a little piece of food at a time. Levi took a swig of water, then sat down next to me. Besen chewed at the grass surrounding us.

Levi passed me his pouch of water, and I took a grateful sip. I never thought that I'd be in this predicament. As much as they prepared us for this situation, I always thought that I'd at least be on horseback, and that I'd be able to find everyone else. Learning to survive a night outside the walls compared to actually doing it was a lot different.

I capped the pouch, and passed it back to Levi, who held it idly in his hand.

I was breathing a little hard, thinking that it would be nice to have more water, but I knew that it could be a bit of time before we got to the walls.

My head fell onto Levi's shoulder, and before I could lift it back up, he placed his hand on

top of it. I buried my face into his brown jacket, taking deep breaths, trying to calm myself. This situation was so unreal…how could this be happening.

He stroked my hair, pulling it behind my ear. "Don't worry Petra." he said softly. "We'll be perfectly fine. I'll protect you no matter what. As long as I'm with you, I won't let anything hurt you."

I held my blades lamely by my sides, and I felt myself shaking slightly. Was I crying? I shouldn't be crying. I should be stronger than this. But something inside me just…something just broke.

I felt Levi lift my hands up gently, and place my blades back inside the holders resting by me. "Don't worry about me too much." I said, my voice muffled by Levi's jacket.

"Rest." Levi told me, once again. "We'll try to make our way back to the walls after night has fallen. It'll be cooler, and we can ride on horseback if you want." his tone was soothing, but I wasn't sleepy. Fear had taken hold of me, and I knew that it would let go of me until I was back inside those walls. I clenched my fists, and moved my face off of Levi's shoulder. To my surprise, I had wet it with my tears.

"I'll be fine," I whispered. "You should rest, you know. Did you sleep last night?"

Levi started to nod, but I looked back at him. "Don't lie, I know you didn't sleep."

"I had to keep an eye on you. After all…you did almost…die."

I smiled at him, and clutched onto his arm tightly. "I'll never leave you." I said softly. I leaned back onto his shoulder, watching the rays of light pass through the trees shielding us.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself to a certain extent. If a titan comes, I'll fight it. Don't worry."

"To a certain extent…" Levi murmured as he fell asleep. His head shifted onto my own, and I couldn't help but think about how beautiful this moment could be if it weren't for the titans lurking nearby. Why must they ruin everything?

My thoughts turned bitter for a brief moment, and I saw my brother flash in front of me.

"Petra," he smiled to me. He walked towards us, and suddenly, Levi and Besen disappeared. The trees shifted around us, and although the real world was slipping away from me, I couldn't help but feel entranced by this new thing that was coming to me. "Come on, Petra." he beckoned me forth lending me his hand.

I looked up at him, almost curiously. The sound of the river flowing was loud. I looked over the brick wall, standing on my tiptoes to see the river passing below us. It was so cold outside…so cold. It was a light drizzle, and I felt it hit my red knit hat. I pulled on my long brown hair, tied up into two loose ponytails. My white dress hardly kept me warm, so I was hugging myself.

"I bet you wouldn't jump into the river." he said.

I stared hard at Carter. "I bet I wouldn't."

"That's 'cause she's a chicken." Alexander jeered at me.

I clenched my small fists tightly. "And you aren't? Would you jump into that river?" I demanded furiously, motioning with my brittle hand at the water below.

"Sure, but only if you'd pay me."

"I'd never pay you."

"But I'd pay you if you jumped in." My eyes widened, and immediately I gripped at the bricks again, looking down at the flow of water. It didn't seem that bad.

"How much?" I asked.

"Ten."

"Ten?" Ten? I could buy at least two books with that money. I tried not to look too excited, as I glanced from Carter, to Alexander, and finally to Brigit. She had this half scared expression on her face. She didn't look cold, wrapped in so many layers.

"Don't do it." she stated firmly, her gloved hands clenched.

I cocked my head to one side. "Why not?"

"You'll get terribly sick! Don't do anything stupid!"

"It's not stupid!" Carter chided.

"Yeah, I bet you'd never be brave enough to do it Brigit." Alexander rebuked.

Brigit turned red, and looked back down to the stone bridge. "Fine…" she muttered. "It's true that I'd never be brave enough to do such a deed, but it is not only bravery you're proving." she said, looking up at me. "You're also proving your stupidity, Petra." she spit at me. And she stormed off, her blond hair whipping behind her.

"Baby." Alexander said under his breath when she was out of earshot.

"So, what do you say?" Carter asked again. I had to admit, it was definitely tantalizing. Even if I didn't buy books, I could still buy so many other things…

"I'll do it." I said. Alexander cheered, and I pulled off my thin jacket, and shoved it at Carter. "Hold this." I ordered. "Give it to me as soon as I come out of the water."

"Yes ma'am." he said, saluting me. I pulled off my hat, shoes, and socks, shoving them all into Carter's arms.

I pushed myself onto the thick side of the bridge, sitting down on it. It was so cold…so cold. The rain began to fall down harder, as if it didn't want me to jump in…but I did.

I dropped myself down into the river, falling into the water like a rock. It was freezing. I almost felt paralyzed, and I could actually feel myself shivering. I resurfaced, and I saw Carter and Alexander's faces pop over the bridge.

Quickly, I made my way over to the shore, but I was still so cold…freezing. My limbs felt frigid, and I almost felt like I couldn't move. In fact, I didn't want to move, at all…

Carter and Alexander noticed, and quickly made their way over to me. But they didn't reach me. I saw my brother come towards me, looking like a giant compared to the trailing Brigit behind him.

"Ben…" I murmured under my breath, my lips numb.

"Dammit, Petra, you idiot!" quickly, he grabbed my clothing from Carter, then scooped me up like a little puppy. He began to dry my off with my jacket, then placed my hat on my head.

"Ben…it's so cold…" I murmured.

"Damn, I know Petra, but it looks like you didn't!" Brigit ran beside us, breathing hard.

"Will she be okay?" she asked, her voice full of worry.

"She should be, but you should probably go back home. It'd be bad if your parents found out you got a cold too."

"Fine." she said, splitting off from us.

Ben took off his own hat, and placed it over my chest. "We have to tell mother you need new clothing for this winter, otherwise you'll die!"

"I won't die on you Ben…" I said.

"Just, stay up, Petra. We're almost home."

"Okay…"

I looked back up, and I saw Ben turn his back on me. "Wait, stop, please don't go!" I screamed out. He turned back, and smiled at me. It was so kind, and full of the warmest memories and feelings. I felt tears come to my eyes. "Please, don't leave me again!" he walked away, into the sunlight. Tears traced down my face, and I was back in the forest. In this miserable world.

I wrapped my arms around Levi, and buried my face back into Levi's shoulder. Don't leave me too.