dusk. l.a

chapter two.

The journey back to wherever their base was wasn't so gruesome. I forced myself to sit in silence and allowed them the space to do their thing, despite me being tied to the back of a teenager. However, the only thing that was scaring the ever-living hell out of me was flinging through the trees. The girl, whose name I'd learned to be Mikasa, flew with such ease and poise, pivoting swiftly through the air, was certainly in a mood. I couldn't fully understand as to why, but I assumed it was probably my behavior appearing suspicious.

Trying to assess each of their situations proved to be rather difficult, but from Jean's actions, I came to the conclusion that he must have had a small crush on her. She was another story, because she rather obviously did not reciprocate those feelings.

As afraid as I was of falling, I learned to trust Jean's movements and tried to help by maneuvering myself in the same directions as him, that way I wasn't sagging down and causing more extra weight than necessary to be dragged around. It did prove to be difficult though, as I was facing backwards.

Eventually, we arrived at some sort of base. Behind me, I could hear idle chatter of what must've been their fellow peers, and then it abruptly stopped. From then on, I could see them and they could see me. Many of them also appeared to be teenagers in the same uniform as Jean and Mikasa. Why are all of these kids soldiers?

"I'll be right back, I'm going inside to tell the Commander about this," I heard Mikasa say, my stomach twisting in knots as Jean stopped moving. "Okay, well, hurry, she could hurt just as many people out here."

My face fell into a worried frown. I had no idea what I was going to do or what I was going to say to these people. Clearly, they had no reason to believe I wasn't a threat to them. I did ultimately decide, though, that I would tell the truth.

The idea sprang to me that perhaps I would know someone here. Fading light offered no help whatsoever, as the sun was mere minutes of being completely gone for the night. Still, I searched the faces of these young people, that ogled back at me just as curiously.

"Jean, what do you have there?"

"Finally over Mikasa?"

"Shut up," Jean barked. "It's classified as of right now," he huffed.

The lanky boy shrugged and turned back to the brunette girl he'd been speaking to.

I kept my mouth shut still, looking left and right into the little gated area. Not a soul was ringing any bells for me. I nearly sighed, but I didn't think that Jean would appreciate that. So again, I remained silent for my best interest.

We waited a little while, and it was now fully dark and beginning to get chilly. The boy had been losing his patience. "What is taking so damn long?" he huffed.

He hadn't uttered a word to me, and for that I was glad. I didn't want to set him off. Staying alive was a priority, and that was all I was certain of. Though, this kind of situation did promise to be a long night ahead.

There were so many questions I had. Perhaps if I cooperated these people would answer them, and hopefully the authority over these kids would be of good help.

"Thank god," I heard Jean mutter. Ever so slightly, I turned and craned my neck to see what or who was approaching, but within seconds he stood in front of me.

A tall, broad-shouldered blond man towered over me with a stoic expression, though it wasn't so unfriendly. I could tell he was serious but also wasn't one with malicious intent. "Hello."

Anxiously, I met his gaze and saw nothing but blue. "Hello," I replied, slightly less monotonous.

Narrowing his eyes, the man seemingly studied me for a few moments. "Jean, you may unlink yourself. I can take this from here."