Petrichor

Chapter 15- Adalynn (Battle For Trost)

"NFWMB" Hozier 

By the time Rory had collapsed, I was already at her nape. She wasn't out of her titan yet, just slumped over, hanging there lifelessly.

I swung around to her face, using my filled tanks of gas to give me a boost. "Come on, Rory. Get out of there." I clung to a strand of her hair, gently poking her face with one of my blades. She gave no response to the stimuli. "If you don't exit this titan right now I will cut you out," I warned, but my lips formed a frown when she didn't answer.

I wasn't going to let her stay stuck in the meat suit. I replaced myself at her nape, eyeing it. If I cut too high I could sever her head. It didn't seem likely she'd survive something like that. I had to be careful and calculated. But I was at a loss.

I hope this works. Gingerly, I sunk a blade into her nape. A low grumble sounded from the depths of her chest as jolted and convulsed under me. Shit. I continued working, and with a final slice, she was exposed. Steam hit me like a brick, burning my now unprotected hands and face. The bandages had fallen off over the course of fighting. I endured the scorch, reaching straight for Rory. It took immense effort to pull her from the stringy flesh, but when I had, we tumbled back and off the titan body. I cradled her to my body, taking the impact of the hit against the ground.

Her eyes, stained with titan marks, fluttered open slowly. I sat myself up, holding her on my lap. "Did you get the gas?" Her voice was hoarse and strained.

I nodded. "And you," I pointed out. She stretched her neck to look at her body, gaze lingering on her missing pant leg.

"Good," she murmured, eyes closing as she pressed her face against me. I looked over at her, taking every inch of her body in to ensure she was alright. My eyes almost drifted past her hands, but quickly returned. On her right hand she was missing half of her pinky, ring, and middle fingers. I drew in a sharp breath between my teeth.

"Oh, shit... Sorry, Ror. Be glad you're not conscious." My grip tightened around her as I began to stand, lifting her up and over my shoulder.

Directly ahead of me, Mikasa and other cadets swarmed around another titan's body. From it, Eren emerged. Mikasa shot down from a rooftop, clashing against him in a desperate hug. I knew there were others. What the fuck is going on?

--- CANNONS BITCH ---

Much to my dismay, we were at the disadvantage. Cannons hung deviously above, waiting to obliterate us. I shifted Rory against my back to redistribute her weight. Her arms slung off my shoulders and the reminder of my faulty swordsmanship laid limp, seven total fingers. My attention landed on the trio. Eren was in similar condition to Rory. Mikasa and Armin stood in front of the delirious boy, guarding him from the vulturine gazes. The panic-stricken men stood before us, afraid of any attempts we may make on their lives. They were threatening the lives of children. I would die before that happened.

"One more time! Are you a human being or a titan?" A petrified man with too much power only ever ended with useless death. A man named Kitz Woerman, someone I respectfully despised.

"I'm human!" Of course either choice for Eren was the wrong one. These children were terrified of their fate that rested in Kitz's palm. Mikasa failed to maintain her calm composure as worry oozed from her. Armin was an open book. His eyes welled with tears that promised to spill. The utter look of fear that stained his face hurt.

I leaned down, settling Rory by Armin's feet. His brows furrowed as I gained his attention."Watch her." I demand, slightly coating my voice with reassurance. He nodded furiously, finding himself a brief distraction. I walked to stand ahead of the kids, taking a defense stance.