p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Later that night, I went back to the shack where Mira slept. I stepped into the room and glanced over to her; there was Con with his head resting on the bed./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Hey Con," I whispered./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con opened his eyes and shifted his head slightly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Hey buddy," I shook his shoulder lightly, "you alright?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con brought his elbows to the bed and stood them to provide a rest for his head, "Yah, I guess I dozed off."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I sat down next to him and kept my hand on his shoulder, "She's going to be alright."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I know..." he muttered, "but I still worry."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I understand," I replied, "she really means a lot to you."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "She and Juju are the only blood related family I have. If I lost either one... I'd probably go insane," Con commented./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Juju, that boy sure is something," I sighed, "he ought to make a great asset to the Elites when he masters the ability to shift."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I'm sure he will," Con commented, "Ever since he could crawl, he was determined to walk. Once he mastered to walk he was determined to run. Now that he knows how to run, he wants to run with the Elites, specifically with your pack."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Juju Wells was Con and Mira's little brother. He's a robin breed slayer. Something about the Wells blood was extremely compatible with the slayer injection so they became quite popular among the scientists. However unlike his siblings, Juju wasn't an elite since he couldn't shift properly; only half of his body would shift./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Say," Con eagerly asked, "are they still serving dinner?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I shook my head, "Sorry, they stopped serving five minutes ago. They ran out of food."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" The expression on Con's face almost visualized his heart shattering, "All of it?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Afraid so."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "And it all smelled so good too," he whined./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He whimpered slightly as he rested his head back on the bed./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I patted his back, "There there now, don't feel bad. Take a quick smell around you."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con's entire body froze expect his nose that wiggled with every breath he inhaled. He rose his head up and let his nose lead him. He pointed his nose to the direction of my bag and went wide-eyed./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "You got food!"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He reached into my bag, "Why yes I do."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I pulled out a sandwich wrapped in paper. Con dove for it but I raised it above my head. He went onto his knees./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "June please don't tease me!" he begged./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Well this is also my food as well. I didn't grab it just for you," I replied while breaking it into two uneven pieces, handing him the larger piece, "so here."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con's eyes brightened up as he accepted the sandwich. He stared at it as if it was a baby bird or a block of gold, possibly both. However, the minute he was done gawking at it, he devoured it. I smiled and nibbled on my sandwich. The sound of feet stomping against the mud drew my attention to the doorway. A man, with his green cloak hop up, stood outside the doorway, brushing his feet on the dry ground. He walked in and lowered his soaked hood. Erwin wore a disappointed look on his face. I stood up from my chair and nodded in greeting./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Good evening Commander," I greeted./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He looked over to me, "I've been looking for you Alpha June."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "What's the matter?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He sighed, "We were expecting this rainstorm to happen next week, but it seems Mother Nature decided to suprise us. It's most likely going to last for four days straight and we can't advance while its pouring this hard."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "So… what does that mean…?" I asked hesitantly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I'm afraid we're going to have to head back to the walls and call this mission a failure," Erwin answered with a disappointed tone of voice./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Go back to the walls!" I countered, "We can't go back yet! You've guys come so close and the slayers have done a great job protecting you guys. Couldn't we just wait the storm out?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "We only have the supplies to last us two more days. We couldn't go scavenge for more food because the rain washed away whatever food was hanging on the trees. Besides the ground would be too wet to ride on," he explained./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Oh…"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Erwin grabbed his hood, "I came by to tell you that we will be leaving in the morning. When we reach the walls, we'll split ways."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He pulled the hood over his blonde locks and turned around. He walked out into the rain until finally disappearing into the another building./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "But after all that work…" Con muttered, "That isn't fair…"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I sighed, " That's just life. We can't fight Mother Nature; our lives revolve around her."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Con leaned over onto Mira's bed and sneered, "What's Rent gonna think of this?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I shrugged, "Let's just hope he feels understanding that day."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"***/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""We're leaving in five minutes!" Erwin called out to the busy crowd of people./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Everyone was running around getting ready for the mission to come home. Although the slayers were with them, they were all still nervous about the trip back home. I wouldn't blame them either. I was nervous as well; the rain messed with the slayers senses which is what they relied on the most./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"The slayers all stood by while I checked in and out with each of them to makes sure they could shift yet. Mira had still not awakened, but I knew she would wake soon./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""It seems even more intense than when we were beginning to leave," Slane commented. We took cover under a shade. He leaned against the wood post with his arms crossed. His bangs dripped from the rain and landed on his shirt./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Well when we left, it wasn't pouring a river," I replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""What do you think is going to happen to us when we get back home?" Slane asked./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I looked up at him and he stared at me. I couldn't tell whether he was staring at me intently for an answer or with no interest because of his bangs./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I shrugged, "I don't know. It all depends on what the scientists think."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"He sneered, "It always depends on them. What if we wanted to decide our fates for ourselves?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I rose an eyebrow, "That's strange coming from you Slane."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""What do you mean?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Usually you don't care about the scientists, as long as you're with the slayers you're fine," I explained, "That's what you always tell me."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"He shrugged, "I guess you can say this experience with the humans made me rethink some things."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Petra Ral ran by with her hood up. Slane's face followed her as she ran past and he pushed himself from his leaning position, "I'll see you back home June."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"He ran after the girl and began to talk to her as they ran along. I stared at them as they ran away./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Does Slane have a..." my eyes widened in realization, "Well, damn, I didn't think it was possible."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"***/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I rode my horse alongside the cart that carried the resting Mira. Alph guarded the front of the cart while Con guarded the backside. Slane and Ace's packs spread out across the field in order to cover the ground we were meant to. I had to stay by Mira's side in order to protect her, and Con and Alph insisted to stay with her as well. It also would've been easier to manage the two since they're senses were altered in the rain. I glanced down at Mira from the top of my horse. Her body rocked and jumped with each bump the cart hit. I then observed to area surrounding me. Without signal flares, it would be harder to tell when an aberrant or titan was coming our way. In times like these, as much as I hate people seeing me with it, my eye would be mandatory to use./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" We kept riding and running along the soaked plain. Nothing was happening. The fact that nothing was happening made me uncomfortable. If Slane were here, we'd have no problem seeing through this fog, but he wasn't. All I and the cart driver could rely on was Alph and Con's eyes. That's when I heard a loud moan in the distance./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Titans?!" the driver asked nervously./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I focused my attention in the direction the moan came from. It was silent again and Con and Alph growled at the unknown presence. An aberrant bolted at us at high speeds, too close to us for us to even react. I slid off the cloth that covered my eye and activated its power. Everything around me moved a thousand times slower. The titan was one step away from crushing the cart and Mira. The driver was slowly moving his arms to protect himself. Con and Alph were turning on their heels to go after the titan but the wet mud and pounding rain caused their feet to slip. I jumped off my horse unto the cart. Seeing the titan about to step on Mira, I acted fast by pulling out my pistol and shooting a bullet straight into its heel. The titan slowly drew its foot back and stumbled back. I jumped up after it and drew my sword out. I sliced deep into its nape and killed it. The titan fell back and I jumped back onto the cart as fast as the slowed time would let me. I landed gracefully and turned off the power. Time ran normally again and the slayers got back on their feet and caught up with us. The driver looked straight out, his life still flashing before his eyes. I glanced down at Mira whose eyelids were twitching about to wake up. I whistled for the slayers and caught their eyes./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "We have to be more alert from now on! Be wary!" I ordered./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Yes Alpha!" Alph replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Alpha, is Mira alright?" Con asked./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "She's fine. It looks like she's about to wake up," I replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Hey Con," I whispered./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con opened his eyes and shifted his head slightly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Hey buddy," I shook his shoulder lightly, "you alright?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con brought his elbows to the bed and stood them to provide a rest for his head, "Yah, I guess I dozed off."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I sat down next to him and kept my hand on his shoulder, "She's going to be alright."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I know..." he muttered, "but I still worry."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I understand," I replied, "she really means a lot to you."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "She and Juju are the only blood related family I have. If I lost either one... I'd probably go insane," Con commented./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Juju, that boy sure is something," I sighed, "he ought to make a great asset to the Elites when he masters the ability to shift."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I'm sure he will," Con commented, "Ever since he could crawl, he was determined to walk. Once he mastered to walk he was determined to run. Now that he knows how to run, he wants to run with the Elites, specifically with your pack."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Juju Wells was Con and Mira's little brother. He's a robin breed slayer. Something about the Wells blood was extremely compatible with the slayer injection so they became quite popular among the scientists. However unlike his siblings, Juju wasn't an elite since he couldn't shift properly; only half of his body would shift./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Say," Con eagerly asked, "are they still serving dinner?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I shook my head, "Sorry, they stopped serving five minutes ago. They ran out of food."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" The expression on Con's face almost visualized his heart shattering, "All of it?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Afraid so."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "And it all smelled so good too," he whined./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He whimpered slightly as he rested his head back on the bed./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I patted his back, "There there now, don't feel bad. Take a quick smell around you."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con's entire body froze expect his nose that wiggled with every breath he inhaled. He rose his head up and let his nose lead him. He pointed his nose to the direction of my bag and went wide-eyed./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "You got food!"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He reached into my bag, "Why yes I do."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I pulled out a sandwich wrapped in paper. Con dove for it but I raised it above my head. He went onto his knees./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "June please don't tease me!" he begged./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Well this is also my food as well. I didn't grab it just for you," I replied while breaking it into two uneven pieces, handing him the larger piece, "so here."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Con's eyes brightened up as he accepted the sandwich. He stared at it as if it was a baby bird or a block of gold, possibly both. However, the minute he was done gawking at it, he devoured it. I smiled and nibbled on my sandwich. The sound of feet stomping against the mud drew my attention to the doorway. A man, with his green cloak hop up, stood outside the doorway, brushing his feet on the dry ground. He walked in and lowered his soaked hood. Erwin wore a disappointed look on his face. I stood up from my chair and nodded in greeting./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Good evening Commander," I greeted./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He looked over to me, "I've been looking for you Alpha June."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "What's the matter?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He sighed, "We were expecting this rainstorm to happen next week, but it seems Mother Nature decided to suprise us. It's most likely going to last for four days straight and we can't advance while its pouring this hard."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "So… what does that mean…?" I asked hesitantly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "I'm afraid we're going to have to head back to the walls and call this mission a failure," Erwin answered with a disappointed tone of voice./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Go back to the walls!" I countered, "We can't go back yet! You've guys come so close and the slayers have done a great job protecting you guys. Couldn't we just wait the storm out?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "We only have the supplies to last us two more days. We couldn't go scavenge for more food because the rain washed away whatever food was hanging on the trees. Besides the ground would be too wet to ride on," he explained./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Oh…"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" Erwin grabbed his hood, "I came by to tell you that we will be leaving in the morning. When we reach the walls, we'll split ways."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" He pulled the hood over his blonde locks and turned around. He walked out into the rain until finally disappearing into the another building./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "But after all that work…" Con muttered, "That isn't fair…"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I sighed, " That's just life. We can't fight Mother Nature; our lives revolve around her."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Con leaned over onto Mira's bed and sneered, "What's Rent gonna think of this?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I shrugged, "Let's just hope he feels understanding that day."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"***/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""We're leaving in five minutes!" Erwin called out to the busy crowd of people./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Everyone was running around getting ready for the mission to come home. Although the slayers were with them, they were all still nervous about the trip back home. I wouldn't blame them either. I was nervous as well; the rain messed with the slayers senses which is what they relied on the most./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"The slayers all stood by while I checked in and out with each of them to makes sure they could shift yet. Mira had still not awakened, but I knew she would wake soon./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""It seems even more intense than when we were beginning to leave," Slane commented. We took cover under a shade. He leaned against the wood post with his arms crossed. His bangs dripped from the rain and landed on his shirt./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Well when we left, it wasn't pouring a river," I replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""What do you think is going to happen to us when we get back home?" Slane asked./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I looked up at him and he stared at me. I couldn't tell whether he was staring at me intently for an answer or with no interest because of his bangs./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I shrugged, "I don't know. It all depends on what the scientists think."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"He sneered, "It always depends on them. What if we wanted to decide our fates for ourselves?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I rose an eyebrow, "That's strange coming from you Slane."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""What do you mean?"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Usually you don't care about the scientists, as long as you're with the slayers you're fine," I explained, "That's what you always tell me."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"He shrugged, "I guess you can say this experience with the humans made me rethink some things."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Petra Ral ran by with her hood up. Slane's face followed her as she ran past and he pushed himself from his leaning position, "I'll see you back home June."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"He ran after the girl and began to talk to her as they ran along. I stared at them as they ran away./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Does Slane have a..." my eyes widened in realization, "Well, damn, I didn't think it was possible."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"***/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I rode my horse alongside the cart that carried the resting Mira. Alph guarded the front of the cart while Con guarded the backside. Slane and Ace's packs spread out across the field in order to cover the ground we were meant to. I had to stay by Mira's side in order to protect her, and Con and Alph insisted to stay with her as well. It also would've been easier to manage the two since they're senses were altered in the rain. I glanced down at Mira from the top of my horse. Her body rocked and jumped with each bump the cart hit. I then observed to area surrounding me. Without signal flares, it would be harder to tell when an aberrant or titan was coming our way. In times like these, as much as I hate people seeing me with it, my eye would be mandatory to use./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" We kept riding and running along the soaked plain. Nothing was happening. The fact that nothing was happening made me uncomfortable. If Slane were here, we'd have no problem seeing through this fog, but he wasn't. All I and the cart driver could rely on was Alph and Con's eyes. That's when I heard a loud moan in the distance./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Titans?!" the driver asked nervously./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" I focused my attention in the direction the moan came from. It was silent again and Con and Alph growled at the unknown presence. An aberrant bolted at us at high speeds, too close to us for us to even react. I slid off the cloth that covered my eye and activated its power. Everything around me moved a thousand times slower. The titan was one step away from crushing the cart and Mira. The driver was slowly moving his arms to protect himself. Con and Alph were turning on their heels to go after the titan but the wet mud and pounding rain caused their feet to slip. I jumped off my horse unto the cart. Seeing the titan about to step on Mira, I acted fast by pulling out my pistol and shooting a bullet straight into its heel. The titan slowly drew its foot back and stumbled back. I jumped up after it and drew my sword out. I sliced deep into its nape and killed it. The titan fell back and I jumped back onto the cart as fast as the slowed time would let me. I landed gracefully and turned off the power. Time ran normally again and the slayers got back on their feet and caught up with us. The driver looked straight out, his life still flashing before his eyes. I glanced down at Mira whose eyelids were twitching about to wake up. I whistled for the slayers and caught their eyes./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "We have to be more alert from now on! Be wary!" I ordered./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Yes Alpha!" Alph replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "Alpha, is Mira alright?" Con asked./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" "She's fine. It looks like she's about to wake up," I replied./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /p