50 Miles South Of Tokyo

Unnamed Forest

April 18th, 2018

6:49 PM

It was early in the evening, sunset had passed along with the rain. And now it was nearly pitch dark. It was especially dark in the forest, up high in the mountains, far away from the city and any sort of civilization.

The stars were bright in the clear sky, and the sounds of water flowing in a nearby creek was followed by cicadas and crickets.

There was an occasional owl hoot, and the nearby cry of a fox. A rabbit hurried into its burrow, while two does pranced away from the creek, getting startled by a frog leaping from the water, and onto a lily pad.

The air was crisp, and fresh. The peace of nature was interrupted by the sound of a loud motorcycle, and was quickly followed by the loud truck.

Headlights lit up the clearing in the forest by the creek, as animals scattered. A family of raccoon's retreated up a tree, while a fox darted for its burrow.

The motorcycle slowed down, coming to a stop near the creek, as the loud roaring of the bike silenced. The truck parked right behind it, its own engine remaining on for the headlights.

The doors to the truck opened, as Historia and Sebastian got out quickly, hurrying to the back of the pickup truck.

"What happened back there?!", Eren asked urgently, as he and Mikasa got off the motorcycle. "We heard gunshots!", Mikasa added anxiously, the two hurrying over.

All of them froze in shock, seeing Jean's body. "They shot him...", Armin said grimly. Eren swallowed hard, as Mikasa quickly shielded Sebastian from the gruesome sight.

"Sasha..?!", cried Historia then. "I'm alive if that's what you're wondering...", Sasha winced, Connie was pressing his shirt against her open wound.

"She was shot as well, she's losing a lot of blood", he explained quickly and fearfully. "We have a first aid kit!", Historia hurried, and got it from inside the truck.

The group moved quickly, Mikasa and Historia carefully began helping Sasha, while Connie and Eren moved Jean's body off of the truck.

Armin and Sebastian hurried to gather fire wood and water from the creek. "I can carry her Historia, its okay", Mikasa assured the much smaller girl.

Historia helped Sasha shift to the end of the truck. Sasha weakly wrapped her arms around Mikasa's neck, as Mikasa held onto her with ease.

Those months training in that lab, in that cell seemed to have paid off, despite her injury and lack of food.

"Guys, we'll need water by the camp sight!", Mikasa told them urgently, as she carried Sasha by the camp fire.

She gently lay her down on the ground by the fire with Sebastian and Armin, while Historia followed closely behind.

They used Connie's shirt, and folded it as a pillow for her head, as Historia began working on the bullet wound.

"We're coming!", Sebastian hurried over with Armin, having gotten water from the creek. Mikasa knelt down by Sasha, as the injured girl squeezed Mikasa's hand tightly.

"It looks like the bullet went right through..I can clean the wound and stitch it", Historia concluded. "What about pain medicine?", asked Mikasa worriedly.

"There's a few in here, but its limited...we'll need more supplies than this", Historia admitted, as she began cleaning the wound.

Sasha winced, gritting her teeth painfully, her grip tightening on Mikasa's hand. "There's a lot of supplies we need, aside from medical..", Connie stated as he and Eren came over.

"Where's...Jean?", asked Armin grimly. "We hid him...so the animals didn't eat him. We'll bury him in the morning, how's Sasha?", asked Eren.

"She lost a lot of blood, and she's in a lot of pain...we'll need more supplies if she'll survive..", Historia admitted.

Mikasa ripped a piece of her shirt, and wet it with one of the water bottles, gently wiping Sasha's forehead.

As she leaned down closer, she noticed Sasha's eyes were out of focus. "She's really..lost a lot of blood. If we don't get her more help, she's going to die...", Mikasa said, her tone more urgent.

She could tell Sasha was growing light headed, and faint. "So..we need a plan", said Armin. Mikasa stayed at Sasha's side, while Sebastian sat by her. Eren sat near her with Historia, who was stitching Sasha's wound, while Connie and Armin sat across the fire.

"If we're going to try to steal supplies, we should do it at night...its still only dinner time..", Eren pointed out.

"But do any of us have the energy for a night raid already? And...how much gas do the vehicles still have?", asked Connie nervously.

"The truck has enough to get to another town...but not back", Historia answered. "We can't go into Tokyo, they'll be on us like mosquitos", said Mikasa.

"Maybe we can sneak into another smaller town...", said Sebastian. Mikasa looked around their surroundings for a moment.

"Kamakura is only an hour's drive away from Tokyo...its a small town. It has small stores, many closed during the night", she said then.

"Have you ever been...?", asked Eren. "My grandparents lived there until they passed away, just two years ago...we visited several times", Mikasa replied.

"Okay..then here's the plan", said Armin. "Eren, Mikasa and Historia, you three will have to go on the raid. Historia's the only one who can drive a stick, and you'll need Mikasa's strength, and her familiarity with the town..and Eren, you should go as well to be safe", he decided.

"Connie and I will stay here with Sasha, along with Sebastian", he added. "I can be more helpful! Sis, let me come!", Sebastian insisted then.

"Sebastian, its too dangerous...besides, someone extra should be here for Sasha", Mikasa told him firmly.

"But are you three okay to leave? I mean, we're all exhausted", Connie pointed out worriedly, as Sebastian went quiet, looking down.

"We don't have a choice...we'll try to be back by sunrise", Eren replied. "We're going to need gas for the truck, food, medical supplies, and some kind of bedding, like sleeping bags", Historia noted.

"There's a gas station not far from a convenient store", Mikasa recalled.

"We'll have to be careful, and not let anyone notice us. It may not be Tokyo, but I'm sure we're all wanted internationally...most likely gonna act like we're zombies, because don't forget, we're still sick. Treated...but sick", Eren added.

Historia stepped back into the driver's seat of the truck. She turned the engine back on, as Eren and Mikasa climbed into the back. Armin, Connie and Sebastian remained seated at the campfire, with Sasha who was unconscious now.

Historia put it in reverse, and drove out. Soon, they had driven down a long hill, and were on a back road to Kamakura.

Mikasa's hair and scarf breezed through the wind as Historia drove, while Eren was sat next to Mikasa. As Mikasa inhaled the cool, crisp air, she felt her mind wander.

She was sure everyone else felt the same way as her. First of all...relief. Relief to be out of that prison...out of those cages. Being able to breathe in fresh air...it actually was amazing.

But...with the relief came confusion, fear, and uncertainty. What...had even happened? Just over a year ago, Mikasa was spending her days going to school, teasing her little brother, helping her mom with chores...living a normal life of any teenager. It even just dawned on her that she was 18...she had turned 18 only a few months ago. Eren was 18 now too.

In only a little over a year...all that happened. The terrorist bombing, losing her parents, her injury, the quarantine, the lab takeover..the experiments..and now..they were on the run.

They were all on their own, with no help. Just the seven of them. And..they had been cut off from the world for nearly seven months in that lab...so more could have happened that they didn't even know about.

There could have been more bombings...the world could have gone to hell for all they knew. Mikasa's deep thoughts were cut off when she heard Eren hiss in pain.

"Eren...?", she blinked worriedly, seeing him wince, clutching his shoulder. "I'm fine Mikasa...", Eren lied.

Mikasa frowned. "No, you're hurt!", she shifted closer, and checked his shoulder. As she got closer, Eren noticed her scar again.

She had gotten it from something sharp in the wreckage, when he ribs were crushed during the terrorist bombing.

It was a deep, thick line under her right eye. Mikasa froze then, seeing a deep cut slashed across Eren's shoulder. It wasn't dangerous or deep enough to become injected, but would leave a scar.

"It's just a graze...from a bullet. During the escape, one of the MP...", Eren started to explain, but he stopped, seeing Mikasa's look of horror.

"Mikasa...?", he asked worriedly, as she sank down beside him, a look of regret on her face. "It's all my fault...I took too long to shoot him...", she realized, her heart sinking.

Eren's eyes widened. "No..no, Mikasa! It's not your fault! You've never used a gun before, hell you did damn good for a first timer!", Eren tried to assure her.

"Eren, you could have been killed because of me! It took me three times to shoot him...what if its Sebastian next time...?", she asked, fearfully.

Eren frowned worriedly, he gently took her hand then. Mikasa looked at him.

"Mikasa...I'm okay. Listen, once we get back to the forest, I'll teach you how to shoot properly...I get the feeling its something we should all learn...", he assured her gently.

Mikasa swallowed hard, she gave a small nod. "I'm sorry Eren...", she said softly. "Don't apologize..I'm just relieved...most of us got out alive...and I'm relieved you're not hurt", Eren said gently.

Mikasa bit her lip, nodding silently again. Eren's eyes softened. "Hey...speaking of...I mean..I know I keep asking but, you're still healed right?", he gestured to her chest.

"Yes...but I'll be honest, its easier to breathe out here...", Mikasa admitted softly. "I bet...I know the fresh air is relieving on all of us...but your lung was damaged, I heard you struggled a lot of nights in that cell...you needed fresh air after such an injury", Eren said worriedly.

Mikasa nodded, as she breathed in a bit deeply. "Its like I can actually breathe for real..with no struggling", she admitted in relief. The truck hit a small bump, causing Mikasa to fall into Eren slightly.

They both turned red. "Sorry, speed bump!", Historia called back at them, as she continued driving. "It's fine..!", Eren said back, still red in the face..Mikasa's breast had pressed against his chest for the briefest moment.

Mikasa was just as red, as she sat up, out of his arms. Despite everything they've been through, they still had feelings for each other.

And...being separated through those cells, only made their feelings fester deeper. They had a yearning for each other, naturally.

"S-Sorry...", Eren muttered, nervously. Mikasa gave a very small smile, as she leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder. "It's okay", she whispered.

Eren relaxed a bit, as he gently stroked her hair.

Back in the deep forest, at the camp fire sight, Sasha was still unconscious. Her breathing had grown labored now, she was also grimacing painfully. "She's dripping with sweat...", Armin said worriedly, as he wiped her forehead once again.

"Sis should have let me come with them...I'm going to be 15 this summer! She's treating me like I'm 5!", Sebastian suddenly vented, having been quiet this whole time.

"She's your big sister, she's just trying to protect you...now more than ever", Armin assured him softly. "Yeah...but I should start being able to protect myself...and more importantly her! I couldn't even lift that wreckage off of her that day...if she gets hurt again, I need to be prepared!", Sebastian insisted.

It was obvious what happened to Mikasa really did traumatize him, and made him feel powerless as a brother.

"We'll all have to train to be stronger, for everyone's sake", Connie agreed softly.

Kamakura

8:05 PM

Historia had turned off the headlights so they were more discreet upon driving up to the entrance of the town.

She hit the brakes softly, seeing buildings and houses ahead. "There's lights on in some houses...its safe to say this place is still in tact", Eren said.

Tokyo was like an abandoned ghost town now, apart from the labs in the hospitals.

"Keep your wits about you...MP might be here looking for us", Mikasa reminded him, as she got off the truck. Eren followed, as Historia exited as well.

She quietly closed the truck door. "To get finished faster, we should split up. Historia and I will go to the store, Eren, you get gas for the truck", Mikasa decided.

The three entered the town...once they got further in, they noticed the store was still opened. "Shit...it must have new owners...", Mikasa cursed under her breath.

"Maybe we can still sneak in somehow..", Historia suggested. They were across the street from the store. Mikasa could see inside, the cashier was a young college man. He seemed more concerned with his hentai manga than actually working.

"You think he knows about us..?", asked Historia. "There's a 50/50 chance...but I think not. It hasn't even been 24 hours since we escaped. He looks like the type to be more lost in his manga and anime, rather than watching the news", Mikasa pointed out.

"And there's no TVs in that place...I think you both would be good. But its best not to linger either", Eren added.

"So..what's the plan then? We have no money, how can we steal right under his nose?", asked Historia worriedly. Mikasa's eyes darkened.

"Leave that to me", she then unbuttoned her top, along with removing her jacket, showing quite a bit of cleavage. Eren turned bright red, seeing her quite a lot of her C cup breasts.

"Whoa, whoa, Mikasa! What the hell are you doing?!", he asked her, as he crossed his legs slightly, getting a slight erection that he couldn't exactly control, being an 18 year old guy.

"I'll distract him while Historia grabs what we need", Mikasa replied simply, oblivious to the physical state she just put Eren in.

"That's genius! But have you ever flirted before?", asked Historia. "No, not really...", admitted Mikasa, blushing a bit.

"You got it, you're looks are enough, trust me. Guys always go for big chested girls", Historia assured her, only making Mikasa turn redder.

"Yeah, Historia's right...you're..I mean..you're beautiful and-", Eren stuttered, making Mikasa turn ever redder if that was possible. Eren shook his head, snapping out of it.

"But..look be careful, if that bastard touches you, scream for me", he told her worriedly. "I can handle him Eren, I knocked out a guy back at the lab. I can handle some college kid", Mikasa promised him, but she smiled slightly.

"Okay, the gas station is right over there. Its still open too so you'll have to sneak around", she added, pointing.

"Got it", Eren nodded. The trio split, as Historia and Mikasa walked over to the store. "Just act casual...I'll pretend to ask for directions while you grab what we need", Mikasa whispered. Historia nodded softly.

They entered the brightly lit store, seeing the cashier not look up from his manga.

Mikasa gave a look of disgust, seeing the cover had a fully naked anime girl with unrealistically large breasts and green tentacles on the edges of the cover.

"I don't think I've ever wanted to see a Playboy instead in all my life...", she muttered to Historia, who nodded, also looking uncomfortable.

"Okay, do your thing. I'll be as quick as I can", Historia whispered. Mikasa took a deep breath, nodding. She approached the counter, running a hand through her hair.

Historia went in the back, and grabbed one of their in store tote bags you could buy. She started filling it with canned food, berries, some fish that could be cooked over a fire, along with bottled water.

As Mikasa walked up to the counter, she glanced down, seeing candy bars on display. One was a Crunch bar, Sebastian's favorite. She bit her lip, and sneakily grabbed it, sliding it in her pocket.

"Um...excuse me", she managed to utter out. The cashier glanced up from his manga, and he then grinned, seeing Mikasa...he especially eyed her breasts.

"Well hello there", he put his manga down, red in the face. Mikasa felt a wave of relief, he didn't recognize her...he hadn't seen the news yet.

"I was wondering if I could get directions to Yokohama...my friend and I are traveling", Mikasa asked him casually.

"Well, maps are $10, cutie", he answered slyly, licking his lip subtly. Mikasa sighed, but she leaned over the counter, so her breasts were closer to him.

"I don't have any cash on me...but I could pay you another way...", she said then. He fixed his eyes on her breasts.

In the back, Historia quickly filled the bag with Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandages, rubbing alcohol, cough syrup, and some blankets. As she went to grab some ammo, she knocked over a bug spray can.

"You need some help back there?", the cashier called after her, causing Historia to freeze. "Oh she's fine, she's just clumsy...", Mikasa then placed her hand over his, to extra distract him as she leaned in closer.

The guy turned red, eyeing her breasts closer. "I'll let you have a map for free then...", he grabbed her a copy, that was folded in a newspaper.

"Thank you so much...", Mikasa said, she saw Historia come around, keeping the bag well hidden. "Can I at least get your number?", he asked. "Sure...", Mikasa wrote down a fake number, sliding him the paper.

"I'll be calling..", he said. Mikasa nodded, as she and Historia hurried out, with the bag and map. Once they exited, Mikasa exhaled in relief. "You okay?", asked Historia.

"The plan worked, that's what matters...what all did you get?", asked Mikasa, buttoning her top back up, and slipping her jacket back on.

"We'll count it when we get back, I got a lot though...", Historia replied.

As they hurried away, inside, as the guy went to return to his manga, he suddenly coughed.

His coughing fit didn't stop, and he hurried to the bathroom to vomit.

As Mikasa and Historia hurried to the gas station, Mikasa stopped in her tracks. "Mikasa? What's wrong?", asked Historia worriedly.

Mikasa bit her lip, she looked down at her hand. "I...touched his hand", she started. "And...?", asked Historia.

"Historia...what if I..infected him?", Mikasa asked then, nervously. Historia fell silent, a tense silence. "We can't worry about it right now, he was a pervert anyway..come on", Historia took her hand, as they hurried.

"You girls okay?", asked Eren, meeting them. He had gotten a tank of gas. "We're good, let's hurry", Mikasa insisted.

The trio managed to sneak out, and made it back to the truck. Historia placed the bag in the passenger seat, while Eren filled the tank. Mikasa climbed in the back, and once the tank was filled, Eren climbed in with her.

Historia started up the engine, and began driving back toward the mountain. "You got the newspaper? Let's read it, we should be caught up", Eren said then, just noticing Mikasa was holding it.

"Oh, right", Mikasa opened it up, luckily there was no news about their escape yet...though she was sure the TV and internet had it everywhere.

However, the front cover of the newspaper had something just as alarming on it.

ZETSUMETSU HITS THE BIG APPLE

OVER 50, 000 INFECTED FROM LAST WEEK'S BOMBING

Mikasa's heart dropped, as Eren's eyes widened. The article explained a second terrorist bombing hit New York City, last week, only 5 days ago. The entire state has been shut down, and its believed some tourists spread it to nearby states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio.

"I wonder if it hit anywhere else yet...", Mikasa admitted, as Eren remained dead silent.