A losing plan

Chapter 1

"[Name]!"

You turned around, your narrowed eyes soon spotting Lucy. The small girl -no older than twenty, but who knew for sure -frantically waved her hand as she demanded your attention.

"What's wrong, Lucy?"

Lucy came to a stop not two feet from you, her hands on her knees and her back bent. Her breaths were fast and uncontrolled. You frowned. She seriously needed to start training harder if she wished to participate in the upcoming Junkyard Triathlon.

"He ... woke up," Lucy panted.

Your eyes widened and your heart lurched with anticipation and worry. Finally!

"I ..."

You hesitated, shooting Denzel a quick look. The man had requested your presence for a reason and you two were still far from done. Denzel shook his head, clearly knowing how much this meant to you. Had it been that obvious?

"Go, [Name]," Denzel told you, his hand gently squeezing your shoulder. You frowned, still reluctant to leave him. "Lucy can help with the rest."

Lucy perked up at the chance of being helpful. You sighed and shook your head.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," you promised him.

"Take your time. We can handle ourselves. Right, Lucy?"

"Right!" Lucy enthusiastically responded.

The nearly fond smile lifting Denzel's lips spoke volumes about his affection towards Lucy. You grumbled something about old fools and their need to prove the world wrong. Denzel would make sure that Lucy stayed safe since that girl was like the daughter he never had. He had to make sure she stayed safe -no matter what he had originally planned for today.

The moment you reached the hallway, you started running. Your leg cramped up - not ten seconds into your mild jog - but you ignored the slowly growing pain. Time had screwed you over -that and the illegal fighting ring run by a bustard named Ichie Sasaki - and you hated that you weren't in as great a condition as you had once been. You gritted your teeth and kept your strides even and mild. There was no point in ruining your muscles further, but you stubbornly refused to slow down.

"[Name]," Levi greeted flatly.

The man -though an amazing medic -lived without a single emotion interfering with his life. Although the fleeting flash of anger or irritation could appear, Levi was a master of staying level-headed no matter the circumstances. It also made him appear cold to many of your fellow outcasts.

"Levi," you greeted semi-breathlessly.

Levi frowned, his eyes instantly assessing your leg and how you moved it as you walked the last few feet.

"I'm fine," you harshly stated, experience having taught you what the man was thinking.

"If you say so," Levi drawled, clearly not convinced. You rolled your eyes.

"I'm not here for another lecture," you dared warn him.

Heaven forbid the man from actually delivering one today. Levi sighed, shook his head, and turned around.

"Follow me," he merely ordered.

You raised an eyebrow, wondering what had gotten into him. Levi was never this compliant and he never gave up without a fight.

"He woke up not five minutes ago. He's still mostly dazed -which is a good thing," the man drawled absentmindedly.

Levi stopped at a black door that had clearly seen better days and your insides clenched both with anticipation and anxiety at what reached you through the door.