Chapter 3

Well, I don't know what I expected when I revealed myself as an intelligent Titan. I felt really stupid for not anticipating them trying to capture me. God, these spikes are really uncomfortable. Unfortunately, struggling only makes it worse. I heard a couple soldiers talking. Something about a scientist? Shit, that's not good. Night was starting to fall, which means I had to either make a break for it, or stay here. I was pinned to the ground, so I couldn't really do much. Why did they have to put so many spikes in my hands?! Even if I did manage to make it out, I would run out of energy really quick. They would probably either kill me or capture me again. Good grief, these guys do not make it easy.

I started to feel sleepy, and shut my eyes for a quick nap. I didn't exactly feel safe around these guys, but I didn't really have a choice in the matter. Before I knew it, I was dreaming away.

"THIS ONE! IS THIS THE TITAN YOU TOLD ME ABOUT?!"

The hell? What was that horrible screech I woke up to? Wait a minute, "Scientist"? Oh god no, they didn't.

"Yes, squad leader. Please don't be so loud…"

"Can I say hi to him?!"

"Uh...knock yourself out?"

I opened my eyes and saw a woman squatting on the ground in front of me. Yup. Hanji, Resident titan enthusiast.

"Hi there, big guy! I'm Hanji Zoe. What's yours?"

I rolled my eyes and made a low grumble.

"He responded! Holy shit he IS intelligent! This is amazing! Can I feel your skin? I've never had a Titan willingly let me touch it!"

I knew Hanji was a bit of a nutcase, but this is ridiculous. Oh god she's actually touching me.

"Oh my, your skin is so smooth for a titan."

Please stop touching me...being poked and prodded by Hanji is a fate worse than death… I let out a long groan, hopefully conveying the fact she was freaking me out. And of course, she didn't listen. I don't know why I expected much else.

"Okay. Now, we're going to see if you can understand me. Close your left eye if you can understand me."

I did as she told, and she reacted with a high pitched squeal. Ow, my ears. She was practically drooling at this point.

"He follows instructions! This is revolutionary for my studies! Oh, the experiments I could perform…"

Experiments? Oh god no. Nope. Fuck that. I've seen what she did to Sonny and Bean, and I ain't having that. Behind her, I saw the two soldiers from earlier. They were watching my every movement very closely. Judging by the looks of dread and confusion on their faces, I'd say they're straight out of the recruits. Poor bastards walked straight into hell…

I heard Hanji snap her fingers, bringing my attention back to her. She probably noticed my sudden lapse in attention. I looked back at her, and she smiled. Not a crazy, mad scientist smile, but a genuinely happy smile. It was surprisingly nice.

I heard the steady galloping of hooves off in the distance. It sounded like multiple horses, judging by the frequency of the noise. There were at least two, possibly more. I tried to turn my head towards the noise, but to no avail. Seriously, why did they have to put spikes all over me? I get that it's restraint, but sheesh. The galloping became louder, closing in on our location. The noise came right alongside me, and I got a glimpse at who arrived. I expected it to be some soldiers who got separated from the formation, but it wasn't. It was so much worse.

Time seemed to slow down in that instant, as I was unfortunate enough to lock eyes with both Commander Erwin smith and Corporal Levi, the devil himself. My eyes widened in horror. I felt my skin crawl and twist. If I could, I would have probably pissed myself right now. Knowing Levi, he'll be the one to end me if I so much as twitch. I just had to hope and pray to whatever god existed here that he wouldn't approach me.

"Commander Smith, Sir!" I heard one of the officers shout. Erwin and Levi dismounted their horses and walked to Hanji, who had taken the time to pull herself away from poking me to greet them. Levi walked up to Hanji and gestured over his shoulder. "Is this the Titan That got up the wall?" He said. So it was true that I had been exposed. Damn garrison, the one time they decide to do their job…

Hanji grabbed Levi's arms and started swinging him around in a circle while giggling like a little kid. "Yes! There's more! He's even intelligent! He can understand human language! Even more amazing, he knows the salute!" Levi broke from Hanji's grip and dusted himself off. Erwin turned his cold, blue gaze to me. I think I felt my Titan heart stop for a moment there.

Erwin walked up to me and sat in front of me. Now that I get a closer look at him, he's got some rather impressive eyebrows. He lowered his head, almost in a menacing or intimidating way, locking eyes with me. "Can you understand me?" I grunted. Yes.

"Do you have any intention of harming us?" Jeez, what kind of question is that? Two deep grunts. No. "Are you a titan shifter?" My heart skipped a beat. So I've been sent at least past the battle of trost. As far as I was aware, I was somehow a pure titan. There could only be nine shifters at any time, so that was impossible. Two deep grunts. No.

After keeping eye contact with me for a minute or so, he stood up and went back over to Hanji. He whispered something in her ear, and she walked over to me and squatted in front of my face. "We're going to release you now. You seem friendly enough. But if you try anything, Levi won't let you have the chance. Okay?" I grunted. Crystal clear. It was frightening what Levi was capable of with the ODM gear, and I didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.

Slowly but surely, I felt spikes and wires being removed. I had regained movement in my left arm, so I tried to get some of the restraints off myself. First the other arm, then the neck brace, a couple spikes in my back, and finally, on to the legs. I stood up and stretched, steam pouring out of the holes in my body. I almost fell over. I guess my leg muscles weren't fully healed yet. I felt many eyes watching me. Turning to the scouts, I bowed to them; a gesture of respect.

If I was going to get on their good side, I better do it fast.

Oh god, it's finally done. Sorry this was so late. I really don't have an excuse why.