Birdie (Levi x OC)

seven

Chapter 7

We had made it outside of the forest soon after hearing Eren scream in anger, clearly now in his titan form. We all stopped our horses and caught our breath as we joined up with the rest of the Scouts who had been waiting for our return.

If Eren transformed, something must have gone horribly wrong.

"Commander Erwin," I began to plead as we got off our horses. "Shouldn't we go back and help them? Clearly, something happened if Eren had to transform."

"I understand how you feel Birdie, but we should put our trust in Captain Levi and his squad. I'm not putting any more men at risk," Commander Erwin stated, clearly not planning on changing his mind.

"But sir-" I began, following the Commander as we walked towards a group of Scouts.

"Come on, Birdie. Let's go rest our horses and prepare to set off again. We've got to look after the injured and the dead before we head back to Karanes District anyways," Hange interrupted, allowing Commander Erwin to escape from my pleading.

"Don't worry too much Birdie, if anyone can take down that bastard of a titan, it's Levi and his squad," Hange said.

I knew she was trying to be reassuring, but I doubted her words.

The rest of the Scouts had been getting ready to head back to Karanes District. They were milling about whilst tending to wounds and wrapping up the dead to bring back to the families of our fallen comrades. There were so many...and there were probably more which couldn't be recovered. There were a few wagons that had stayed outside the forest that were used to transport medical supplies and the injured. Most of these wagons were being filled with the dead bodies of the Scouts who had fallen by the hands of the Female Titan before she had been trapped in the forest.

I grimaced at the sight. All these people died...and for what? Never had I been so close to this amount of death.

"Hange...I gotta take a breather," I looked over at her.

"Okay, Birdie...Moblit and I will be over here," she nodded at me and gave me a sympathetic look.

I walked off, back towards the tree line where I could escape the watchful eyes of my fellow Scouts. The grass felt soft beneath my feet as I walked towards the giant trees. When we had first entered the forest I had little time to take in its beauty. The trees were huge, some probably reaching a height of 80 meters. The sunlight leaked through the leaves of the trees, creating a beautiful mixture of shadow and light.

It was unfortunate that the forest's beauty was marred by the titans. 

Once I reached a somewhat isolated patch of grass, I lied myself down, splaying my arms out beside my body. I breathed in the fresh, outside air, hoping it would calm my anxieties.

I was upset about the unnecessary loss of life. I was upset that our plan had failed and the Female Titan had gotten away. And finally, I was upset that Commander Erwin wouldn't go back to help Squad Levi when they were clearly in distress. I knew that Eren wouldn't transform unless something was seriously wrong. He still didn't know how to fully use or control his abilities, and I assumed that he was only planning on transforming as a last resort.

I sighed and rubbed my face in an attempt to refocus myself.

I rolled my head to the side and scanned my surroundings. Groups of Scouts clustered around the wounded and the dead. Others were seated on the grass, drinking water from their canteens. I looked up to the sky, using my hand as a shield to protect my eyes. It was hot against my skin, especially without the protection of the giant trees, causing me to feel sticky with sweat. Thankfully, there was a slight breeze blowing through the air, providing temporary relief from the heat.