Left Behind (Erwin Smith X Reader)

Chapter 15

Thumping of horse hooves became a war cry on this day. Maybe not exactly a war cry but more of a sounding of all the soldiers heartbeats as we rode across the mostly empty green field. Every once in awhile the sound and smoke of a flare when off making a pfft as it reached its max height and came back down. It was the 57th expedition behind the walls for the survey corps. And I was unfortunately named to the very back. I was the bait, the messenger, and the knight in shining armor for some, rolled into one person. At least that's basically what Erwin said.

"Erwin are you trying to kill me by putting me in the back?" His eyes widened and his face flushed as the sentenced finished. I had asked this question to him and he almost looked guilty  of what I was accusing him.
"(Y/n) you are going to be bait so yes, but your job isn't to die out there, if anything suspicious happens you come straight to me and report it, if you notice someone is in trouble, you go and help, if there are 20 Titans nearby I hate to say it but you need to draw their attention." He had become silent and sat on his words, almost wanting to add a reason on why I needed to do this, but like the analytical leader he is, he kept his lips sealed.
And so here I was, at the back of the survey corps taking in the sights and views of beyond the walls before my obviously untimely meeting with the grim reaper arrived. If only I could die without regrets, and not being used like a pawn in your gale. Being able to sit with you like in the cadet days. Seeing the way your cadet uniform was a tad too small, threatening with every hardy laugh to come apart somewhere.And the one time where the seam actually ripped up your armpit after you turned too quickly during odm training. The way your face got red as you laughed along at yourself. The good times when self loathing never existed and the light wrinkles that danced on your skin were only on your smiling eyes and not between your creased eyebrows. When we acted like an old couple rather then a couple of strangers. The times when we took a sip of alcohol from the captains office and acted drunk, tripping and laughing as you stumbled to the old piano in the building. Pulling the seat out and gesturing me to sit down only for you to pull it out under me and sit on it yourself. Afterwards taking your hand in mine and helping me up onto the two person seat. When you cracked your knuckles and smiled at me before your hands danced on the keyboard, making a gorgeous melody linger in my ears. The tune oddly hummable. When you used to assure me that if we went into the survey corpse together I would always be by your side. But now that was obviously a lie.
Titans we're starting to come as more smoke signals disrupted the blue sky. I took a glance behind me noticing none were particularly following me. Until a light rumble grew heavier, it continued until a shadow loomed over me. Looking up I was faced with a titan. One of tall stature with blonde hair and dull cold eyes. One oddly shaped like a female. She lifted her leg and kicked. Sending my horse and I flying, hearing the gut wrenching cracks of bones from my horse as we took off was enough to think I was already dead. But I wasn't as I was dismounted from my horse and heading for the ground. Quickly bringing myself out of my shock I shot both hooks in front of me pushing myself forward with  gas hoping the new angle and momentum would help my fall. It did but a few brusies scratches and swollen spots had quickly formed at I thudded on the grass. The impact pushing air out of my lungs and feeling pops in my back. The aggressive female titan kept running not giving injured me a single glance. I started to make my way up from laying to sitting. Pain shooting down my whole body as I tried to regain balance and understand my surroundings. I had no way to get to the front, my horse was gone and I was half alive. I slipped a flare from out of my half tattered cape. It was given to me the night before. Given to me with one condition to use it.

"If you are in a position where you cant move quick enough to the front, set this off." 

I lifted the flare and plugged my ears. Pulling the trigger as the female titan left my view. A loud bang shook my body as purple smoke lit through the sky. After the smell of gunpowder and smoke fully filled my lungs, I dropped the empty flare and dropped to my knees. Exhausted and defeated. Heat started to radiate from my back and all developing bruises. Finally making the decision if I was going to die or die trying I stood up. Regaining my balance and starting to walk I followed the large footprints that had been formed in the ground.