Because Of You

Chapter 7

As figured, Carmens mission was on a standstill. No strides were made. No secrets learned. Everyone was still alive.

A month had passed and she'd chosen to be selfish. The shrinking walls of her prison cell were awaiting her, so she stalled, deciding that when the time was right, she'd kill Levi. However, she didn't want to leave her friends, to abandon the freedom she'd acquired. This was her life, and she enjoyed it.

The training was different to the exercises they were used to. Instead, they'd been focusing on scouting formations with the horses and studying in a classroom. It was easy, but Carmen hated being called on for questions. She was smart, but a drawback was the length of time she took to answer. Others acknowledged this too, her thinking face was known to almost all the instructors.

That led to Carmens current position. Mounting Bowie in the scouting formation they'd practiced for weeks. This was their first expedition outside the walls, her moment to shine. She'd killed titans before, but no one knew that, she intended to keep it that way.

From the centre of the formation, she heard the commander shout, although she was too far away to fully understand him, she did manage to make out the odd word. Such as 'mission' and 'begin'. This was enough confirmation, along with the motion of other horses, to tell her it was time to go.

"Carmen, aren't you nervous?" Petra asked, her knuckles turning white around her horses reigns.

"We've trained for this, we'll be fine." She assured, trusting her own words too much.

"Are you sure? What if-"

"If anything happens, I'll protect you. I promise." Carmen looked at Petra, she was still doubtful. "Plus, Oruo said he'd look out for us. Remember?" The blonde realised her friends worry continue. "A joke." She confirmed, making her face light up.

The two continued their journey on horseback, encountering a few titans along the way, which the scouts handled. Until finally, they'd arrived at the base outside of the walls. Well, more like inside wall Maria, because now, that was titan territory.

"Rookies, I want you on the roof, keep watch for any movement in the trees. Do not engage." It was the same scout who'd been introducing them to the ropes, she knew his name now. Dita Ness. He was nicer as time went by, but favoured Carmen because of their mutual respect for horses. Even if she had denied most his attempts of friendship.

"Yes sir." Carmen answered and swung onto a roof of the old, abandoned village.

"This is insane." Petra worried.

"Don't worry, I'm here." Oruo smirked, causing Petra to roll her eyes. "See, you're not scared anymore."

"Maybe because the titans will go for their competition. Also known as the scout with the biggest mouth." Carmen looked at the two. "A joke."

"Ha, ha, ha." Oruo said sarcastically. "That's sarcasm."

"I'm well aware."

"Less talking, more looking." Dita ordered.

"Wonder why they can't get humanities strongest to do this." Oruo remarked, eyeing the house that all the higher ups resided in.

"Because clearly, you're the strongest here." Oruo gasped, was that a compliment from Carmen? "Sarcasm." No, it wasn't.

Suddenly, Carmen saw birds fly from the trees, squawking to eagerly fly away from whatever disturbed it. To Carmen, it was obvious. Titans.

"Titans, behind the trees." She stated.

"I can't see anything." Petra squinted her eyes.

"They're behind the trees, trust me."

Before a comment could arise, everyone saw them. There were almost a dozen, running towards them with murderous intent. The large group of people and noise must have somehow attracted them, it was inevitable really.