Chapter Six ~ Let the 23rd Recon mission commence!

Reader's prov.

I cracked my eyes open gingerly, the low rising sun attacking my eyes with a vicious onslaught of bright rays. I tried to move my body gently but everything felt very sore and stiff from the combination of my evening activities with Levi and spending all night on the cold, hard roof floor. I sat up, my fingers tracing my lips, my jawline, my neck as I remembered those warm full lips pressing their scorching kisses into my skin. I smiled gently at the memory, a blush rising up from my neck over my cheeks as I remembered his body blanketing mine with his warmth. But even through all that good, Furlan's heartbroken, wounded features flashed across my mind, slashing through my reverie. My heart seized as I recalled Levi leaving me for him. To go and see if the mousy brown haired man was okay. Not bothering to check if I was okay before he left, not allowing his cold hard glare to change as his eyes had slid over to me and regarded me as if I were nothing to him. In my subconscious mind, I reprimanded myself for being so selfish, after all Furlan was his friend and he deserved attention as well as me. But another part of me was deeply wounded and hurt. I felt like I had been used. I needed to find Levi, to ask him what the hell all of this meant. But first I needed to talk to Furlan, explain to him what happened.

Standing up on wobbly legs, my joints popped loudly. My body incredibly stiff, my groin feeling raw and sore, however it was a good kind of sore. I couldn't believe that I had lost my virginity to a man like Levi. It wasn't a bad thing, but I expected that I would lose my purity to someone who I would love to spend the rest of my life with. And I don't know if I could have that kind of life with him, or if he would want that kind of life with me. I chuckled lightly at the thought of tying Levi down to me, marrying him and having children. But that just made my heart break even more. I know it had only been a few weeks, but after last night my feelings were now crystal clear. I was in love with Levi Ackerman.

My eyes fell to the ground where Levi's silk cravat laid. It was still completely clean and pristine so I knelt down and picked up the fabric. I let the snowy white material trail through my fingers as I held it up to my nose. It smelt like him, of cleaning supplies and lemon, with a hind of his natural sent. It smelt like Levi. I sighed, breathing deeply before wrapping the cravat around my neck, not to take the piss, but to hide the bruise that was surely present on my neck from where he had attacked my pulse point. I then proceeded to button up my collar so it covered my neck completely before dusting myself off and making my way down to the barracks.

...

It was like the first day all over again, whispers from the other side of the door. Again I pressed my ear to the door, hearing the hushed voices of Furlan and Isabel.

"I'm sure you are just overreacting," her disembodied voice reassured.

"No Isabel! I am not overreacting, he was taking advantage of her. He needs to know what he's done is wrong!" Furlan's strong voice warned.

I sighed and knocked quietly on the door before opening it gingerly. Furlan was sitting on his bed next to Isabel, her hand over his shoulders while his head rested in his hands.

"Hey," I smiled a small, shy smile. I self consciously walked into the room, removing my jacket before sliding my shirt off, leaving the cravat in place.

"Are you okay?" A voice said behind me. I slipped into a grey shirt, buttoning it all the way up to cover my neck once more before turning to meet Furlan's concerned gaze. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, one hand behind his back as his eyes swept up and down me, checking me over.

"I should be asking you that," I said flatly.

Furlan sighed heavily, scrubbing his face with his hand, his bleak eyes worried, "I'm fine. Did he hurt you?" He questioned, stepping closer to me and running his large hands down my arms. I flinched at the touch, sending the hairs on the nape of my neck up on high alert. This was the first time Furlan had ever touched me besides the hug at the training grounds, and I didn't like it one bit. His icy hands sending a shiver up my spine.

"No he didn't," I mumbled, not wanting to bring the subject up, "Look Furlan, I am sorry. I don't know what to say to you," I tried to explain. The words I wanted to say to him stumbling over each other, never making it past my tongue.

Furlan smiled a weak smile that didn't reach his eyes. His pale blue eyes crinkled lightly at the corners, his jaw tense and his brows raised far too much as he tried to smile naturally, "It's okay. You don't need to justify your actions. He tried to take advantage of you."

My eyes widened, that's the second time he had mentioned that Levi was just taking advantage of me. Is that really what he thought? That I would let a man, like Levi, take advantage of me? Surely he didn't know me very well. My subconscious perked up, a nasty thought creeping up into my mind. Maybe he did take advantage of me. Maybe all he wanted from me was the sex. Maybe he doesn't care about me at all and he just wanted to get his fix of a woman before the likely hood of him getting killed by a lumbering great big humanoid the next day. I shoved that thought to the back of my mind, refusing to believe that someone could be that heartless and cruel. However my chest felt like it was being stabbed at with a shard of ice, pain searing across my upper region at the terrifying thought.

Before I could say anything, Furlan pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his chest. I tried to break free, struggling against him but he just tensed his arms and held me tighter, "You know I would never do that to you," He whispered in my hair, "I would never take advantage of you."

I gave up, leaving my hands by my sides as I didn't want to partake in his embrace, "Furlan, there is nothing between us. You and I do not exist. There will never be anything between us."

As I said the final sentence I heard the door slam against the wall, almost coming off its hinges. The walls quaked at the force of the door slamming into it, as thundering footsteps entered the room. The weak floorboards creaked and groaned as the footsteps were thrown down hard onto the aged wood. I tried to crane my neck over to see who had entered but it didn't take a rocket scientist to work it out.

Levi thundered past Furlan, snatching his clean, pressed uniform from his bed. Stopping just shy of the taller man to regard him, not once glancing at my terrified frame. He looked as handsome as ever, however his face was completely marred with a deep scowl, he was very, very, angry. His eyebrows pulled down deeply over his dark pain stricken eyes. Even in his enraged state he was still devastating, sending my heart crashing against my ribcage. I wanted to throw myself at him and cuddle up to him, wanted for him to reassure me that he at least liked me, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. My heart sinking to my stomach as he paused for a moment. His face contorting as he thought for the right words to say, "If I mean so little to you, then consider your promise revoked bitch!" He seethed, his tone harsh and venomous as he stalked back out of the room and slammed the door behind him.

Oh shit! He thought I was talking about him. My heart shattering as the dam that was holding back my tears burst. The tears breaking free as I pulled on Furlan's clothing, not caring that he obviously knew Levi was there. I sobbed, Levi had well and truly smashed and stomped all over my heart as I rested my forehead against his chest. Furlan's hand rubbing my back softly as I wrenched the cravat away from my neck and threw it down on the floor. I knew whatever we had was over, Levi took that misunderstanding and completely bashed me around the head with it. My chest felt like a hole had been punched through it, leaving nothing but a raw, empty, broken pain. I felt the pain continue to crash over me in waves as I replayed the words over in my head. Shit, what have I done?

Levi's prov.

I stood against the other side of the wall, hearing her strangled cries behind the door. My heart clattered against my ribs in a painful fashion as her words replayed in my mind over and over again, There is nothing between us. There will never be anything between us. How could she after last night? How could she think that there wouldn't be anything between us? Since that day in the Underground there has been nothing but tension between us, drawing us together. So why would she say that to Furlan? Did she enjoy playing with a man's feelings? Or was this to get back at me for what I did in the sparring session weeks before hand?

I growled as I ripped my hand through my hair and stomped down the corridor, finding the next empty room before slamming the door shut and sitting down on the bed. My breathing coming in heavy gasps as I tried to comprehend what the hell I was going to do. I could still hear her cries, even half way down the damn corridor, haunting me. I instantly regretted revoking my promise, my words tearing at the already open wound on my heart as her face came into mind. Although I didn't look at her directly, I could visibly see from the corner of my eye how I broke her heart completely. I groaned and tugged at my hair, pulling it until I felt the roots scream at me to stop, a single tear trickling out of the corner of my eye. Shit, what have I done?

...

Minutes passed, although they felt like hours. Time seemed to stand still in the event of heart break and betrayal. I thought Furlan understood that I had feelings for her, despite the fact that I would dispute it every time either one of them brought the subject up. I've changed in the mere short month that I have been here. I've become soft, not taking heed of my old methods. Well that's what you get for letting them in. You get hurt like last time. I snarled at myself.

I sighed, standing and ripping the shirt over my head. I walked over to my neat pile of clothes and rifled through them until I found my pale blue/grey shirt and pulled it over my shoulders, my fingers quickly fastening the buttons as my mind wandered to last night. Remembering a certain (H/C) haired woman undoing these buttons. Remembering how her fingertips glided over the flesh of my abdominal muscles. I shivered lightly at the memory, Oh for fuck sakes, get a damn grip! I chastised. My fingers slipped through the pile, tossing them over my shoulder, throwing the belts to the floor as I frantically searched for my cravat.

"Where the hell is it?" I cursed, not hearing faint steps behind me.

"Here it is bro."

I turned sharply to find Isabel, holding my snowy white cravat in her hands. Her emerald eyes casted downwards, her features sorrowful. She straightened up, looking me dead in the eye, "I know you didn't hurt her physically..." She trailed off, wrapping the silk around my neck, standing on her tip toes to smooth out any creases, "But whatever that promise was...whatever that whole conversation was about, you have completely shattered her heart."

I stopped her, throwing my arms up in the air with frustration. I didn't need this, not right now, "I don't give a flying fuck what I have done to her," My voice harsh and completely unrecognisable, "Let's just get this one fact straight. We are here to get a job done, so let's finish it so we can start out lives on the surface," I spat, tying the cravat neatly around my neck. Thing was, I did care about what I had done. My words a complete lie, a rancid taste rising up the back of my throat. How could I say something like that when the truth is, if I didn't care, why was I so angry about the whole situation?

"But..."

"No buts Isabel. I didn't come here to fall in love with a bratty bitch. The sooner we finish the mission, the sooner we can forget about her and get as far away from here as possible!" I roared, pointing at the door for her to get out, "END OF!"

I shifted my leather saddle back slightly, the horse snorting as I tightened the girth and adjusted the reins in my hands as I hoisted myself over the horse's back. The saddle was comfy enough, but I couldn't imagine having to stay in the damn thing for hours on end. My eyes fixated on her back, begging her to at least look at me. I was feeling awful for the pain I had caused her, making me feel sick to my stomach, even if I didn't look like it. She hadn't spoken a word to me, not even as she had handed me my horse.

My horse, Dynamite, was near enough exactly like hers apart from mine had dark (your E/C) instead of the stormy blue of hers. I had tried to speak to her, but before I could get the words out of my mouth, she was already in the saddle and trotting over to join the formation. I scowled, Furlan and Isabel flanking her, leaving me behind them. They had both told me to leave her alone and give her some space, even though I knew it was just so I couldn't cause her anymore pain. I just wanted her to at least acknowledge my existence. But now I just wanted to complete the job so I could drown my sorrows away from the Scouting Regiment.

The Commander began shouting, but I wasn't listening. I couldn't give two shits what he was saying. I just wanted him to shut his damn mouth and hurry up. God only knows how long it would be before I could actually break away from the formation to kill Erwin. Before long he thrust one of his pairing blades in the air and shouted, "FORWARD!"

Finally, stupid bastard. I squeezed Dynamite's sides gently and he surged forward, his strong legs carrying him with ease through the cobbled streets. In the corner of my eye I caught a glance at a small boy of around nine, his wide teal green eyes stared through me, wide with hope and excitement. His mouth held open wide in a massive grin. I threw a scowl towards the boy, relishing the image of him shrinking back in submission. Tch... stupid fool. I focused my eyes back onto her back, covered by her bottle green cloak and wings.

Just do me a favour and don't die brat!

Reader's prov.

The large stone gates lifted lazily, dirt and rock falling from the spikes and fell to the ground below as it was hoisted into the air. The Commander leant forward, thrusting one of his blades high into the air. Many of the squad leaders and soldiers thrusting their own blades in the air, hollering and giving off battle cries as they surged forward on their horses. I nudged my horse into gear, leaning forward slightly as I sat into his rear as he threw himself towards the open gateway. Although it wasn't my first mission, it would be my first time outside the walls, and I knew of three others who would be amazed by the sight that awaited us.

I shielded my face from the bright rays as I galloped out from the gate, leaving the Shiganshina district behind. The azure sky cloudless, birds soared through the air, diving on each other as their wings fluttered. Small animals ran between the stampede of horse hooves. Rabbits, foxes and in the distance, I could make out a sizable herd of deer. The stag lifting his magnificent head, an impressive rack of antlers upon his head as he stared directly at us. The ground below sprinkled with dustings of flowers of all colours and types. The air smelt so pure, clean and completely untouched. My breath hitched in my throat as I took in the marvellous sight.

"It's beautiful."

I heard three voices behind me. I casually glanced back, my (H/C) hair whipping around my shoulders, my cloak fluttering in the wind. Furlan had a smile from ear-to-ear on his face, his eyes brightening as the sunlight hit his features. Enhancing his rugged features, his gaze flitting all around him as he took in the outside world. His smile only growing as he glanced over at me. I shifted my gaze onto the fiery redhead. Her emerald eyes were open wide and her mouth held agape. I stifled a laugh as Furlan slapped her mouth shut and she grumbled, rubbing her chin furiously. I kicked myself as I stole a glance at Levi. His eyes staring up at the sky, his features completely emotionless as his eyebrows pulled back down. His mouth set in a grim line, "Not bad," he whispered.

I groaned and turned back, squeezing my horse's sides, asking him to gallop faster. However basking and admiring the beauty of the terrain around us was short lived as the formation broke up into the Long Range Scouting Formation, aptly named by Erwin himself. The purpose of the Long Range Scouting Formation was to spot titans quickly and shift the whole formation accordingly without having to engage in any attack against titans. However this was all just a theory, which was why we were out here, testing the formation out in the field. Each soldier equipped with flares. I stared at the pack at my side, memorizing the colours. Red for titan spotted, green for formation shift, yellow for mission complete, purple for urgent aid needed, blue for withdrawal and finally black. The one flare that every soldier hopes that they will never have to use. Black, for abnormal titan spotted.

It wasn't long before a plume of red smoke rose into the air, however it was too late to shift the formation to dodge the fast approaching humanoids. Three large figures came into view, my stomach dropping out of my body as I observed soldiers using their ODM against the large forms. Soldier after soldier perished against the hands of these titans, one even flew straight into the giant's mouth. I growled, readying my blades in case I would have to use them. Flagon, the idiot, was leading us straight at them.

"Are those titans?" Furlan asked, startling me as he rode up next to me. I turned my head to see his once rosy features had now paled, the blood draining out of his face completely as he stared at the giant monsters.

"Yes," I said in a hoarse voice.

Flagon tugged on his reins so we caught up with him quickly, the thuds of the titan's footfalls getting closer. Their giant naked forms towering over us, as they eyed us with dead eyes and massive face-splitting smiles.

"(L/N), you think you can cut it down? It's blocking the path to where the other squads had passed through!" he shouted over the wind, that was gradually picking up. Large dark clouds appeared out of nowhere, threatening us with the promise of a fast approaching storm.

I stood up in my stirrups, releasing the reins and sending a grapple into the tree just above the titan's head. I clicked the trigger for the gas and propelled myself out of the saddle. I heard a faint voice asking what I was doing. I turned my head briefly to see Levi's cold, hard glare staring after my retreating form. The titan sneered at me, it's ear-to-ear smile spreading across it's face, sending icy chills down my spine. It made a grab for me, it's large hand inches from snatching me out of the air as I twisted and slipped through the gap of it's massive fingers. I turned sharply, aiming a grapple into the beast's neck. I clicked the gas, twirling as the hook retracted itself, pulling me closer and closer to the titan's nape. I held my blades high as I spiralled for it, slicing open it's vital region. The titan let out a dying cry as it fell to the ground. Hot, bright crimson blood spurting out of it's wound. The ground shuddered violently as it collided with the parched earth. Steam ejecting out of the fallen body.

I landed lightly on my feet as Flagon rode up beside me, handing me my horse. The majestic creature tossed its head, whinnying as it eyed the degrading titan corpse nervously.

"Very well executed, now get on and let's join up with the rest of the formation," He praised, his ever present frown disappearing momentarily as he cantered off. I heaved myself back into the saddle, placing my boots in the stirrup irons before detaching my blades back into the metal canisters at my thighs. I replaced my triggers back into their holsters before grabbing hold of the reins and steering my horse into the direction where Flagon's horse had galloped off in.

"That was so cool (F/N)!" Furlan and Isabel shouted, cheering behind me as we galloped off. Our horses tossing their heads, nickering at each other. Mine placing his ears forward and gave a playful buck at Isabel's horse who retaliated in a mock nip to the shoulder. I tapped the horse with the irons and he snapped back into focus, my eyes travelling behind me to where Levi was gently galloping. His horse as well behaved as its master. Levi didn't say anything or even look at me. He just kept all of his energy on focusing on what was going on ahead of him.

The tree line beside us threw an ominous shadow over us as the sky grew darker, low rumbles of thunder sounding gently in the distance. I pulled my hood up to protect myself from the howling wind...wait...where was the lightning?

I glanced up at the sky, the thunder continuing to rumble above us. My brows furrowed as I stared at the dark clouds, hoping for a flash of lightning that would never come. Warily, I peaked behind me, spotting instantly where the supposed 'thunder' was coming from. Two large fifteen metre titans both running straight for us. One with it's arms crossed over its chest, gripping its sides while the other ran normally, its hands wiggling awkwardly at its side as its head moved from side to side. Their combined grins making me grimace as my hand dipped into my saddle back and pulled out a red flare shell, loading it into the flare gun before placing my hand over one ear as I sent the flare sparking into the sky as a plume rose up.

"Flagon! Two fifteen metres are flanking us!" I shouted over the wind. Flagon glanced behind us, his frown deepening as he scowled at the running beasts.

"Keep going, at this rate the dumb animals will tire before they catch us."

I nodded but out of the corner of my eye I saw a large black shape and a flutter of green race past me and into the direction of the two titans. My heart jumped into my mouth as I realised who it was.

"LEVI! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Flagon yelled, turning his horse around to watch the ravenette gallop off, "GET BACK HERE! THAT'S AN ORDER!"

But Levi didn't pay any attention, his iconic 'tch' carried over the wind as he continued to gallop towards the lumbering beasts.

"Well let's go get some!" Furlan cheered to Isabel as they skidded to a halt and turned their horses around, heading for them as well.

Terror seeped into my veins as I yanked on my reins, my horse twisting into a rear as it faced them. My lungs didn't have enough room to expand in my chest. I was unable to tear my eyes away from the three as they surged forward, Flagon having a temper tantrum beside me. His hands flying in the air and his face turning bright red with fury, muttering something about incapable soldiers.

Levi shot his gear into a small unstable tree behind the titan of his choice, swinging up high behind the titan before gouging out the whole nape in one fell swoop. The beast had no time to react as it dropped to the ground with a thud, my eyes stunned at the sheer speed of which he took the titan down.

Furlan and Isabel weren't having as much luck as Levi. Isabel misplaced her shot and zoomed straight past the titan into its awaiting hand. I chewed on my lip, making it bleed with anticipation and horror. Shit, shit, shit! Was the only thought going through my stunned mind. Isabel remained calm, shouting something at the titan before slicing the fingers that held her off, freeing herself. Blood soaked into her cloak, near enough the same fiery colour as her short bunched up hair. Once she was free and out of the way, Furlan swooped down on the titan's neck, ripping the nape open before stumbling onto the ground.

I sighed in relief as the titan fell dead with a tremendous crash, kicking my horse into a trot as Flagon and I descended upon them. Levi just slowing his horse down as we approached the other two who were clambering onto their steeds.

"Are you guys complete idiots?" I questioned, my voice shrill as my eyes darted between the three.

"What's wrong with you?" Furlan asked, concern flitting through his eyes as he wandered up to me, my horse flattening his ears against his head as he approached.

"Yeah, we took it down. No biggie!" Isabel retorted, her eyebrows furrowing over her sludgy emerald eyes.

"You may have killed them, but next time follow damn orders!" Flagon scolded, his eyes narrowed on Levi as he stared him out.

Levi 'tched' and steered his horse next to Isabel so he was in between the two. His raven hair slightly dishevelled, his cravat swaying gently at the base of his neck. My eyes flying over his features, searching for any injuries, "You could have been killed," I growled, my eyes never leaving the ravenette.

His cold eyes narrowed at me, his voice a harsh low sound, "Like you would have cared either way, bitch!"

I gaped at him, ready to fly off my horse and punch his lights out.

"You would have loved it if we had died wouldn't you?" his voice venomous and dripping with spite.

"How dare you!" I shouted, Levi recoiled slightly. Furlan flinched at my tone, Isabel throwing a death glare at the ravenette.

I was about to continue thrashing the man but was cut off by the sound of horses approaching. Erwin's blonde hair bouncing lightly on his head as his horse slowed into a steady trot before stopping in front of us.

"Impressive, but you used too much gas. And that is a luxury we do not have out here," He scolded the three, his eyebrows pulled down into a frown. Erwin's electrifying blue hues pinning Levi to the spot as he stared him down into submission. Levi however just threw the stare straight back at him, his mouth set into a grim line. I swallowed as the Section Commander turned to me, his eyes instantly softening and a smirk pulled at the corners of his lips, "An excellent display of skill (L/N). These three could learn a great deal from you." At this I heard the three scoff, I just sighed, bowing my head and nodded.

Erwin noting my deflated mood, turned his attention to Flagon, "I need to borrow (L/N). I will return her before the end of the day," He said, taking my horse's reins and steered me away from them as fat rain drops fell from the sky. Flagon shouted at Erwin, yelling at him to return me now but Erwin just pinned him with a sharp scowl and continued away from the squad.

I gazed over my shoulder at Levi's pained face. Have a taste of your own medicine, I thought venomously, snapping my head back to the Section Commander. I nodded at him and gave him a weak smile before I pulled my hood closer to my face, galloping away from the shocked ravenette.

We rode in silence for a long while. The fog began to role off the trees, standing the hairs on the back of my neck up in fear. The rain was falling heavily now, churning the once parched ground into a sticky, muddy mess. The brown gloop splashed up the sides of the horses' legs and up their barrels. My boots and stirrup irons caked in the horrible stuff. Oh if Levi were here I bet he would make me clean this mess, I sighed.

"Sir, we can't see anything!" I shouted over the pelting rain.

"I know," the blonde shouted back, sending up a green flare. The coloured smoke washed and blown out of the thunderous grey sky with in a few minutes of it rising into the clouds, "Not an ideal situation. It won't be long before we won't be able to see the flares at all."

I grumbled, my eyes staring down at my hands. Something is wrong. Grunts and growls could be heard in the distance however the owners of the sounds could not be seen through the opaque fog. The wind howled through the trees, causing the branches to thrash violently, slanting the rain so it scalded my face. Something was seriously wrong! I glanced back in the direction we had raced from. I squinted through the pelting rain. Two plumes of purple and black smoke rose into the air. My eyes widened in horror, Flagon squad is in that direction!

I yanked on my horse's reins, causing him to skid through the slippery mud. He turned his head so he could see me, his blue eyes furious as he whinnied at me.

"(L/N), what are you doing?!" Erwin shouted, pulling his horse up. The snowy white animal now had dark brown mud plastered up its sides.

"My squad is back there! They need my help!" I yelled, pointing at the fading flares.

Erwin glanced at the flares, his eyebrows furrowed and a dark smirk appeared on his lips, "There is nothing we can do. We push forward."

I snapped my neck around to look at him, not believing my ears, "NO! I WILL NOT LEAVE THEM TO DIE!"

A dark shadow appeared under Erwin's eyes, the electrifying blue hues practically glowing in the dark light, "What did you just say?"

"I AM NOT GOING TO LEAVE MY FRIENDS TO DIE OUT HERE!" I screamed, throwing my hand in the air to point at the smoke again. My horse stamping and pawing at the sodden ground, his breath clouding in the icy air.

Erwin's jaw clenched, his eyebrows twitching furiously, "We push forward! THAT IS AN ORDER!" his stern voice deadly quiet.

"THEN RUN ME THROUGH FOR FUCKING TREASON AND DISOBEDIANCE! BECAUSE I AM GOING BACK FOR THEM!"

With that said, I kicked my horse, grunting as I flew back into the saddle and galloped off in the direction of the smoke. My breathing harsh as I swiped my hot angry tears away from my face. My heart leaping and performing somersaults in the pit of my stomach as I pelted back. I heard the faint sound of hoof beats to my right, but I couldn't see anything through the shrouded fog.

As I passed through I saw bloodied arms, legs, half eaten torsos. Even the odd head. Blood soaked into the muddy ground. Intestines, hearts and lungs strewn across the field. What happened here? I thought as my eyes widened. I prayed to the three goddesses that none of those body parts belonged to Levi or the others. Tears streamed down my face as I continued to race toward the now disappearing flare.

I jumped off my horse and skidded on the ground, seeing a massive body hunched over. Grunts and growls coming from its huge chest as it crunched on a soldier. My teeth bared at the creature, securing my blades to my triggers. Ready to shoot my grapples into the bastard. As I stepped forward I saw a flicker of red hair...

Her lifeless emerald eyes frozen in fear, stared back into mine.

No, please. No. Not her.

My mouth pressed into a thin white line as I launched a grapple into the bastard titan.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR DOING! ISN'T IT?" I shouted at it, as I spun into the air. My eyes widened as I caught sight of a giant hand heading straight for me.

Fuck!

I tried to move out of the way but it was useless. I was frozen into place. Frozen by fear.

"(F/N)!" I heard him shout.

I didn't see him, but I felt his boot kick into my side, sending my plummeting away from the giant abnormal's hand. Pain seared through my chest as I glanced back, the titan grabbing hold of Furlan, leering at him with menacing blood red eyes. Black straw like hair sprouted from its head like a giant mane.

"NO! FURLAN!" I screamed, thrusting my hand out to him. He just smiled sadly and waved, tears forming in his bleak blue eyes. I tried to shoot my triggers but they wouldn't co-operate. They were stuck! I couldn't use them!

Fuck!

I braced myself as I collided with a tree, feeling my ribs snap as my side connected with the trunk. My eyes heavy and fluttered shut. The last thing I heard was Furlan's choking screams as the titan shoved him inside its mouth...