𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 ||【 𝕃𝕖𝕧𝕚 𝕏 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕏 𝔼𝕣𝕨𝕚𝕟】

|3| The Walls ✔️

I held a torch in one hand, leading the group across the open plains. The kids were on the horse with me, while Aaron—Velvet's boyfriend—guided the reins with a steady grip.

The horse was burdened with bags of food, and behind us, Patrick, the father, carried a heavy pack on his back. He held his own torch, and his wife walked beside him, lugging another load. Tension clung to the air—everyone was on edge.

Beside me rode Darick, a seasoned Scout and our veteran guide. We pressed forward together, our eyes fixed on the distant silhouette of the Wall of Trost rising on the horizon.

But we weren't going to make it before dawn.

Still, we'd gotten close enough to be seen. That was the goal.

As I scanned the landscape, I spotted Titans—motionless for now—scattered across the plains like grotesque statues.

"Everyone, inside," the older man barked, snapping me out of my thoughts. He gestured toward a cluster of houses. The group didn't hesitate. Aaron quickly helped the kids off the horse and ushered them in.

"I'm going to hide the horse. I'll be back. Stay quiet," I whispered to Velvet. She gave me a firm nod as I mounted the animal.

A gentle kick to her flank sent her trotting. The first rays of sunlight were breaking the horizon—if any Titans started to stir, I needed to be gone before they noticed.

"Stay here," I murmured to the horse, tying her behind a house. I could already feel faint tremors in the ground—their footsteps. They were waking up.

I'd killed three before, but I wasn't suicidal—not like a certain someone.

Peeking around the corner, I saw nothing. I exhaled, barely a breath, then turned back toward the house.

And froze.

A 14-meter Titan loomed in front of the building where the others were hiding. It was walking past. If they stayed silent, they might make it.

I prayed for silence.

Then I heard it—high-pitched, panicked. 

The little girl was screaming.

"I told them to tape her damn mouth shut," I muttered, launching myself onto a nearby rooftop.

"Hey!! You ugly sack of shit! Over here!" I shouted, waving a sword wildly in the air. 

The Titan turned, eyes locking onto me.

And then others began to move.

"God damn it," I hissed, pivoting and sprinting toward the horse.

She neighed anxiously as I approached, Titans closing in.

"It's okay, girl. They don't want you. Me, though..." I trailed off as I untied her and leapt into the saddle.

"You better stay alive until I get back—or I'll kill you myself!" I yelled over my shoulder, loud enough for even the Wall guards to most likely hear.

"Let's go!" I kicked her sides, and she reared, letting out a sharp cry that echoed off stone and wood alike before breaking into a full gallop.

Behind us, the horde was forming. Even the ones clawing at the Walls had turned to join the chase.

I glanced at my gear—three blades, a little more than half a tank of gas. Nothing around me to latch onto. Open plains.

No cover.

"Alright... we're doing this the dangerous way."

I couldn't risk those Titans circling back toward the group. I couldn't look back. But I knew—I knew—the Garrison soldiers on the Wall had their eyes on me now.