The next day Imelda wasn't allowed out of her cabin, or the day after that, they didn't even leave her any food to eat or water to drink. She had woken up expecting the clicking of the lock and the door opening…but nobody appeared. She could hear the guards outside shuffling about as she sat on her bed, her mind as messy as her hair. Everything was gone; every friendship she built up and every alliance of trust she'd given had gone in under 3 minutes. Is this what it was like, to be treated as a monster up in the world? She knew the life of being kept in a cell but there had been no need for her to worry about the terrified, disgusted, judging eyes of others. But her world she'd created with her Scout family had been destroyed, of course nobody would like her, of course they'd all be scared…why should she have thought any differently.
"Of course…" she whispered through dry lips, "I'm nothing but a monster."
It was well past curfew before Shardis entered her room again. He held a bread role in his hand and a cup of water in the other. Imelda's stomach grumbled as she fought the desire to lick her lips. Shardis looked at her nastily before dropping the food onto the floor. Before Imelda could stop herself she pounced on it, ripping into the stale bread role and glugging down the remains of the water that hadn't splashed on the floor.
"And you call yourself a human," Shardis sneered, "but here you are, on the ground like an animal fighting to survive."
He bent down and grabbed Imelda by the hair making her yelp in pain as he forced her to look into his eyes.
"One more wrong move and you'll be dead…got it?" He hissed as the child nodded. He smirked before dropping her and leaving the room again. Imelda looked up from the floor, hatred burning in her brown eyes. She could rip that man apart- no…she would rip him apart, that son of a bitch knew nothing-. Imelda's eyes widened; why was she thinking about killing him? Yes she hated his guts but why was she imagining his death? She firmly shook her head, coming to her senses; if she killed them Papa and Daddy would never forgive her…but they said Shardis could kill her if she did anything wrong. She was so confused…nothing made sense anymore.
The next day Imelda was marched to the mess hall after everyone else had gone, was made to eat before being taken out to train with the others. The weather was grey and cold; perfect for a training run through the forest. Imelda was placed at the back of the group where Shardis and a few other instructors would be so they could an eye on her. All the other soldiers looked at her with distrust or fear…she ignored them all as they set off. A few hours into the exercise and the heavens had opened up; freezing cold rain poured down onto the soldier's bodies, Mother Nature could be so cruel. Because Imelda had super strength the pack on her back made no difference to the run; she was panting but wasn't at her limit. When you've had Levi as a mentor in training exercises since the age of six you can practically go on forever. Just behind Imelda was Armin, his whole body was shaking and his breath was ragged. Shardis was riding next to him shouting harsh motivation at him but it made no difference. Imelda could see he was about to collapse from exhaustion and the group was getting further and further away. The instructors rode on ahead, as if forgetting about the two stragglers. Time to re-build a few friendships, Imelda thought as she slowed down to Armin's pace, which was now almost a walking pace. When the blonde boy realised that Imelda was next to him her practically squeaked in fear at the sight of her.
"Y-you" he panted "don't... have to … to walk with….me"
But the girl didn't listen as she pulled him up onto her back and began to run after the group which now was only a tiny shadow in the rain. Armin flushed with embarrassment as he put his arms around Imelda's neck.
"I'm not going to carry you forever Armin" Imelda stated, "but I won't leave a friend behind."
If Imelda knew a person who would understand, it would Armin. She felt his arm squeeze around her shoulders as an expression of thanks. As the group came into view Armin got off Imelda's back and they ran together, their mud splattered faces filled with determination. Shardis felt almost irritated when he saw the two 12 year olds running past him to the others. He hadn't expected them to catch up so fast or at least for the Artlet boy to catch up so fast.
When they reached the camp again everyone was utterly exhausted and didn't even bother to look scathingly at Imelda as she entered the mess hall with them. Taking her food she sat down at a lone table in the corner of the room; to her surprise several people came to sit with her. Reiner, Berthold and Annie.
"Wow, you put on quite a show three days go, that was impressive." Reiner commented when Imelda gave none of them a greeting.
"Yeah I guess…why are you sitting with me? I'm a monster that shouldn't be approached by anyone."
Imelda said playing with her stew, Annie groaned and grabbed Imelda's hand forcing her to look at her. They stared for a few moments before Annie spoke,
"We all have monsters inside us Imelda; yours just has an unfortunate way of showing its self-"
"But it didn't show its self, that cut" she showed her arm, which had several scars all about 10 cm long, "That cut was less than 10 cm, that's why it healed leaving no scar; but of course they hadn't bothered to read the information pack from Hange so…"
She trailed off looking back down at the table again,
"So they restrained and locked you up for three days."
Reiner finished, Imelda nodded before her nose caught the scent of Shardis and she grimaced, speak of the devil. But that wasn't bothering everyone else; no they were all paying attention to Eren and Jean, a horse faced boy with sandy hair and an undercut. They'd been yelling at each other for a considerable amount of time, though Imelda had chosen to ignore this; and they were now holding onto each other's shirts. Well this should be interesting, she thought as she turned to look like the others. But Eren didn't seem to want to carry the argument on any further and before she knew it Jean was on the floor, his face a perfect image of shock. And then she saw Shardis' eyes pepeping through the door,
"And what" he asked, "is all the noise about?"
The room was deathly silent as everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say; until Mikasa put her hand up saying,
"Sasha just let a massive one rip, sir."
The look of utter horror on the girls face was hilarious as Shardis gave a disgusted grunt,
"I see, for goodness sake control yourself."
And then he left, Imelda had thought he was coming to get her; guess not. But to be honest she didn't care as she was the first to crack up and most of the others went after her. She really felt for the potato girl but that was quite funny. Getting up Imelda stretched yawning loudly and rubbing her head, she might just go to her cabin without escort tonight.