Enjoy!

My throat thickened against the shame. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Ah. I suppose I never did introduce myself, did I?" She straightened up and dipped into a low curtsey. "A commander from within the White Cloak ranks, a royal by blood, and a true believer in the glorious cycle of our paradise, Valerie."

"Last name?" I spat, unsure on which supposed branch of 'royal' she might be claiming to have dropped off of. Not that it mattered. Historia was our queen. She had the hearts of the people and their minds alike; no one would see her dethroned by some shady shit from the shadows. That was what we had fought so hard to eradicate.

The woman from my nightmares winked. "Not something you need to know. Now then, lay down your arms and this doesn't need to get ugly. We'll take our things back and be on our way."

"Children." I corrected gritting my teeth. "And they're free of you. Last thing I'm about to do is let you play with more lives. They'll be under the protection of the queen and her subjects, you even think about coming to get them? We'll have your head–"

"Queen Historia, ah yes. What a sham." Valerie cackled, shaking her head. "Care to come and make yourself useful, Kenny?"

A cigar glowed from back where we had come from, and he stepped into view. At first, he seemed as arrogant as ever, but there was something shining in his eyes as he came closer, a cowed look. Whatever had happened between us leaving him in the street and now, he was shaken. His masters had come to call. Likely far quicker than he expected. So not only had he been likely demeaned by this Valerie woman, she had full on yanked his leash and reminded him of her control. So Kenny was about as much a wounded animal as he ever had been. And cornered.

He dipped his head. "Can't seem to get away from you lot at the moment, can I?"

Levi sunk low in a defensive stance, and I mirrored him.

Valerie clicked her fingers and her thugs stepped forward as well, but again I didn't recognise their faces. She hadn't brought those ones with her at least. But still, two large White Cloak thugs, and the Ripper? This could be tricky.

Except we also had our ace up our sleeve.

And she had pinpoint instincts.

A swishing sound came. Kenny ducked. A swishing sound left. Two heavy thuds landed beside Valerie, her 'boys' slumping into view. One definitely dead, one halfway there. Valerie kept the mask in place well enough, her dark eyes flitting to the no longer viable henchmen, and then to where the wires continued to zip past. Mikasa.

She landed beside me and sheathed her blades. "Figured they might cause problems, sir."

Levi nodded. "Good work Ackerman."

"Apologies I missed the Ripper though." She added, cold eyes honed on the old man who straightened up and grinned at the challenge.

Valerie angled back, eyes darting between us all. "Kenny, time to prove we were right not to leave you drowning in your own fluids. Agreed?"

"Ma'am." He snubbed his cigar out and gestured away. "Feel free to cease to exist."

"A thug and a gentleman." Valerie darted back into the shadows and a door clicked closed in the darkness. There would be no catching her. And we had heard no commotion from up top – I just hoped that meant that Jean and Connie were fine up there with the kids. But where was Eren? Maybe up there too. Recovering. But still, it stung for that bitch slip away. No justice. At least, not yet.

Even the thought made me want to vomit. Without even meaning to, I took a step forward, as if about to give chase.

But then I had to stop.

I stopped and stared.

Kenny stepped into my path, with an expression that stopped me more than any gun or blade could have. He looked eager. Giddy even. Like a child readying to play with a new toy. Clearly he had been on the brink of being 'done away with,' that had certainly been her tone, so what had he done to regain favour?

Perhaps promised to use the phrase?

Perhaps simply hinted at knowing it?

Risky. It would only mean he was further in their sights, closer to his own noose, but maybe it had been for a ticket back upstairs. For that, he would likely do anything. Even turn a human being into a puppet.

Levi cleared his throat. "Sanshi, Ackerman, make your ways to the sunwells and get out. Ensure Jaeger is up there as well. I'll deal with this–"

"Rat?" Kenny spat. "Or thug? Or monster even? What lovely terminology you gonna grace me with today, runt?"

"Piece of shit." Levi drew his blades and angled himself between me and Kenny. "You have your orders, you two."

I couldn't move though, leaving Levi here with Kenny? When he was so utterly under the White Cloaks thumbs?

But it seemed Mikasa was of the same thought. "Not an order I can follow sir, we leave together. Splitting the squad helps no one, and the squad needs you."

Outright admitting it? Shit. She had to be worried. That or she didn't want to have to deal with my crazy arse on her own. Entirely valid.

And then Kenny began to mutter.

I could barely hear it, yet I felt a tingle run along my spine. Like someone threading wire along my bones. On one hand, reacting would confirm once and for all that Kenny had the correct phrase. But not reacting might give him enough time to take control. That couldn't happen. I gave a small gasp and clamped my hands over my ears, giving a sudden yell to drown out anything else before my palms had sealed into place. My legs wavered. My mind swam. Even with those few whispered notes, something had draped over me, something so strong it was like lead chains. Mikasa and Levi had both looked to me, though Levi had only done so for a split second, keeping his gaze fixed on his damned Uncle.

"S'fine." I yelled, keeping my eyes on Kenny but not on his continuously whispering lips.

Mikasa looked at me warily, but then nodded and focused on Kenny again. I retreated a few steps. "I'm just a liability. I'll make for the sunwell. Just get rid of the bastard!"

Kenny grinned and threw his arms out, laughing so loud I felt the noise bubble against my hands. I turned. I ran. The light of the sunwell beyond the small structure was hardly much of a beacon, but in that moment it might as well have been the first sunrise. Without orders I had lashed out at my loved ones. What the hell would Kenny manage to make me do if he got that phrase into my head? I shuddered at the thought and pushed myself faster, tempted to try and listen back, to find out where the old bastard was, but I couldn't risk it.

I clambered over the small rocky hillock and game to the pool of light where Jean was still stood at the bottom, keeping guard. His eyes locked onto me immediately and he looked me over. I had to look half mad – stumbling along with wide eyes and my hands clamped over my ears. But I called out all the same, hoping he might understand.

"Gotta get up top. Get away from Kenny, he has the stinking phrase!"

Jean did a double take and glanced behind me, but I just kept running, my blood pumping so loudly in my ears it was impossible to know if I was being directly followed or not. But I did hear a gunshot. Shit, no there was a second one. I bolted for Jean, hating that I was fleeing from Levi, leaving him and Mikasa alike to clean up my mess. But it was the only way to keep them safe. From me, at least.

Still standing in the pool of light, Jean fired his wires and held his arms out, readying to carry me up instead of me having to move my hands. Brilliant. I nodded and got into position, bracing as best I could while we rose into the air. I looked. Levi and Mikasa were doing their best, of course, but Kenny was wild. He was skilled and insane in that moment, and Levi himself had described Kenny as being as dangerous as Levi, but worse. Because Kenny had no mercy. And it seemed that extended to the likes of Levi as the old bastard swung his blade and fired his gun – leaving evidence of his brutality on their shirts already. So far it seemed to be mere grazes, but that had likely been luck and their impressive speed.

"Get out of there!" I yelled to them, trying to show that I was getting out, that they didn't have to buy as much time. But all it bought us was a couple wild shots from Kenny.

One skimmed my cheek, and sunk into Jean's shoulder. He tensed behind me, and his hold on my middle grew extremely tight, as he likely fought the urge to let go. We were nearly at the top. His blood seeped into my shirt and my tears prickled my eyes. No. Not Jean. Don't you fucking dare take him.

The sun was blinding at first, but soon enough we were jostled onto land and helped by Connie and Eren, at least that was my assumption due to not being able to see or hear anything at all. Jean released his hold on me and I turned, squinting in the new light and then gaping as I saw the blood drenching his shirt. So much. Kenny must have hit something vital. Maybe. Or I was just panicking. I tried to explain to Connie, but my words were getting jumbled. He gestured around, no kids. I frowned, but he gave a thumbs up – presumably everything was okay, and part of the plan.

"The kids are safe?"

He nodded and then pointed to the wagon. I stumbled over there and rolled in, shuffling along on my knees until something moved near me. No doubt I'd shrieked, as I toppled back, but Eren caught me by my wrists. He looked at my hands and then into my eyes.

"Kenny's got the phrase, trying to use it. Levi and Mikasa are buying time, but we need to be ready to move once they get ou–!"

A shot pierced Eren's neck, sprawling him against the floor of the wagon, clutching his throat, the steam already rising. I lunged towards him, hands still clamped in place, but then something strikes my side, hot, scalding even. I looked down and wished I hadn't. Blood spread along my shirt, blossoming from the new bullet wound in my side, but it was a graze I think. Still, it drew my eyes to the back of the wagon, but not fast enough. He was there. Kenny. Looming and terrible. I ignored the wound and tried to blot out the sound. In a split second he was there, kicking me in the face, knocking Eren out, wrenching my hands away from my ears.

"Blood of the Mother. Blood of the father. Red burning blood."

He spoke quick but clear. And that was it. Immediately, at the mention of 'mother', my strength fell away. As 'father' fell into place my mind fizzed with blankness. With 'red', the strings had latched on and I was his threaded puppet, toppling back against the wagon's floor, staring up into those manic eyes. Waiting for my orders. Please. Tell me what to do.

"Don't breathe." He snarled and just like that, no air.

I didn't hold my breath, I simply didn't breathe. Because of course I didn't, there was nothing else to be done. Don't. Breathe. All I knew were those two words, they were the all encompassing world around me. Everything. And as I obeyed? Peace. Total and utter peace. So wonderful. Total contentment flooded my mind and made it hazy with gladness, like I was three wines deep and having just held a loved one close.

Yes.

Obey.

Do not breathe.

Kenny leaned real close, eyes blazing. "Lie still. Don't even blink."

"Kenny!" Levi roared, landing barely a moment later, panting hard, covered in new cuts and grazes. He swung his blade.

"She'll die, boy!" Kenny bellowed, not flinching from the blade, knowing it would stop. Of course it would, Levi would hate to see this, but I can't say no. Can I? Don't breathe. It just makes sense, doesn't it?

"What the fuck do you…" Levi's blade was barely a breath from his neck, but then Levi's eyes dipped towards me. "Robyn?"

"See, boy?"

"Why isn't she moving?" Levi shoved past and still holding his blades, eyes raking over me, lingering on the blood seeping from the bullet wound presumably. Kenny chuckled. He stood at ease. Levi sheathed his blades and knelt down, cradling me. "She's not breathing. The bullet can't be doing th… Kenny, what have you done?"

"She ain't gonna do a damn thing until I say so. No movin', blinking or breathin'. Now cut your noise and get this wagon moving, boy. Hear me? I gotta get some miles between me and these fuckin' cloaks."

"D-Dammit." Levi pushed my hair back, his image getting blurry as my eyes watered.

But why? Fear? Yes. It's there isn't it. Just out of reach, through a veil of some kind. Afraid that I'll die. But I get to obey, isn't that nice?

"Fine!" Levi yelled, holding me so tight. "Just let her breathe, at least."

"Breathe, Sanshi scum. And forget that phrasing."

Air filled my lungs, crisp, beautiful air, because of course it did. I drank so greedily, my lungs having burned for the air so hard. My vision cleared a little, and my heart slowed to normal rate, panic subsiding. And those words. They fell away, drifting like dust on a sunbeam. Mother… blood? Father… Burning…? What words? And why panic?

I blinked.

A little bird flew overhead.

Wait. None of this was right, I wasn't their damn puppet, I'm me. Robyn. Not some fucking toy strung together on some damned phrasing. Levi. He held me so close, looking me over, holding pressure to my side, teeth grit tightly. Levi was so scared, so worried. So unhappy. Shit. No, wait why had I obeyed? Don't breathe? Are you fucking kidding me? Of course I should be breathing, I need air like anyone else. Kenny, you bastard.

Mikasa limped into view, clutching her arm tightly, her eyes landing on Eren and going wide. She then glared at Kenny, but Levi held his hand out.

"Ackerman, please. Get in. Jaeger's fine, his healing's taking care of it. Tend to Kirschtein instead. Springer, drive the damn wagon."

"Y-Yes, sir!" Connie ran round the side and we started to move, my side still burning but the pressure from Levi helped. And I had air. For now.

The wagon started to move. Soon we were up to speed, Kenny and Levi discussed where to head for and agreed on a location. I stared up at the small tear in the top of the wagon. Someone had tried to stitch it already, but it had come loose. It would need another patch. Just like me I guess. I tried to move my hands, my feet, anything, but not even a wriggle came free. Breathing, yes. But only because it had been 'allowed'. I was at the end of Kenny's leash now, and clearly he was enjoying the power. Not content with waiting for people to uphold their word, he had strong-armed us into helping. And I was his hostage. Bastard. I kept trying to move, my whole mind screaming at my body to do something other than submit to this shit. I had been through worse. Dammit I'd been through hell. From crawling off that basement floor and squeezing through that tiny window, to picking myself back up from the shadows of those vile men that held me down. This wasn't about to beat me. Not now. Not when I could still figh–

Warmth trickled along my upper lip.

Kenny smirked down at me, and Levi did a double take, dabbing there immediately.

I kept trying, eyes beginning to stream as fear crept up my spine.

Levi held the cloth under my nose and looked to Kenny. "Stop it, whatever the hell you're doi–"

"She's doin' that to herself. Fighting me tooth and nail to get some control back, likely turning her own brain to mush in the process." He drew on his cigar, knelt and blew the smoke over me. "Y'can blink, girlie."

I did so, profusely.

Levi shook his head. "Robyn, stop. You already had a big bleed down in the cavern, and your side needs stitches. C'mon just…" He gritted his teeth. "Rest."

At first I just fought harder, but as I saw the pain spark in his eyes, I let my fight lessen bit by bit. All I was accomplishing was hurting him and myself. Weakening myself. Dammit. I had no idea how to break this hold, even though I knew it was there. I knew this wasn't my own will. Had Levi's dream been like this? Watching himself strangle me, begging himself to stop? Shit. No wonder he had been screaming.

He took my hand and muttered 'thank you' under his breath as my nose stopped bleeding. I closed my eyes. Everything ached, the lack of movement, the inability to move, the total helplessness, it weighed on me like a tombstone.

How could this even be broken? It sank through me like cold rain down my collar. We were able to help Levi because there was a clear cut purpose for his conditioning, there was a clear cut plan. He was conditioned to want to kill me, to make the Scouts unstable, to break their ranks. Perhaps, looking back at it, to trigger my own conditioning. Maybe. But the web is too tangled to consider that conclusive yet. But my own conditioning? If those blackout episodes had been a side-effect, and this was the true extent of it, we had no idea why. If it was to help the Royals, to help the White Cloaks, then why the hell had I attacked one of their guards? This wasn't as straight forward, this was messy as hell.

There was no outrunning this.

There was no escape.

Shit… What the hell am I going to do?

Dun dun duuun. Cya next time