Birdie (Levi x OC)

twelve

"Here, Birdie, pass me that end," Abel stuck his hand out. I passed him the corner of a sheet we were using to hide the face of the Titan within the Wall.

My squad was ordered to quickly cover the newly revealed Titan until permanent repairs could be made. Nifa, Keiji, Abel, and I hastily tied sheets together to form a large covering for the colossal Titan's face that eerily stared out upon Stohess. Meanwhile, Moblit and Hange had dragged the priest, Pastor Nick, to the top of the Wall to question him.

So far, the interrogation was futile; Pastor Nick said nothing but to keep the Titan covered and out of sunlight.

"Let's cover this bastard," Keiji directed as we lowered the patchwork over the Titan's skinless face. "This will have to be temporary. We'll start permanent repairs before sunrise."

I nodded and maneuvered down the Wall to secure the bottom end. I took one last look at the unnerving expression before the sheets lowered. After a little while, I hammered the last stake into the Wall, securing our makeshift covering. I maneuvered back up and landed beside Hange, who was still talking to the Pastor.

Hange inspected our work. "I guess that's good enough for now..."

She looked at the pastor, kneeling at the edge of the Wall and staring intently at the covered Titan.

"What is it doing inside the Walls?" Hange removed her goggles, revealing a serious expression. "And why did you people keep this a secret all this time? It's obvious you were aware of this."

The priest ignored her. He got up from his kneeling position. "I have work to do! My temple and people have been left in ruins because of you people."

Hange's eyes narrowed. "You will answer me."

"I have nothing more to say to you. Get me down from here," Pastor Nick insisted.

"Certainly," she sighed, grabbing the pastor by his collar and dragging him to the edge. "Will here do?"

Hange draped the older man over the edge; only her firm grip kept him from falling straight down.

"Hange!" I raised my voice.

"Squad Leader!" Moblit yelled.

"All of you, stay back," she warned. Moblit and I reluctantly stepped away. Hange's usual playful demeanor was replaced by stark aggression.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Pastor Nick shrieked, clutching Hange's wrists, hoping to save himself from the fall.

"What do you think you're doing?" Hange snapped back. "Do you understand why the Scouts have shed so much blood? To take back our freedom from these damn Titans! Yet now I'm finding out that one lives within the very walls that are supposed to protect us?"

Pastor Nick remained silent.

"Are you going to continue to play dumb?" Hange hissed. "So many of my comrades have died for this cause, yet we didn't know this vital information until now?" The revelation—that the Walls themselves were compromised—sent a chill down my spine.

She paused, her voice rising. "I'm not asking you to explain this...I'm ordering you. Is that clear?" She pushed Pastor Nick further over the ledge. "Your measly life doesn't mean much to me. If you die, I'll just go to the next person, then the next, until I find the answers I need."

"Let...go of me!" The priest rasped.

Hange raised an eyebrow. "Like this? Right now?"

"Yes!"

"Fine, then. Die."

"Squad Leader, please!" Moblit begged.

"Kill me and learn!" the pastor screeched. "We will fulfill our duty!"