A Little Bit Human (Erwin x OC)

10: End of Prologue

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As soon as the sun was up, so was Lillian. Now that she had ditched the crutch, every morning she couldn't help but go on a run. It felt freeing to jog through the forest without a thought in her mind or a crutch slowing her down. Her leg still ached if she overdid it some days, but she needed to prepare for the recon mission that was soon. Too soon. Two days too soon. The last mission she had gone on Isabel and Furlan died. Not to mention she wasn't thrilled about going out in general.

However she couldn't fight the sense of freedom she felt as she left the walls for the second time. The way the land around them seemed to go on forever, or that animals they saw doubled, no tripled, and of course titans. Unlike last time Lillian didn't freeze. All she saw were the faces of her dead friends. Isabel's smile would never return to her face. And Furlan's blue eyes would never gaze at her.

Lillian shook her head and focused ahead. Their main goal for this mission was to secure a stronghold beyond the wall. It's what the Scouts have been working on these past missions. But just like before it started to rain. The memories of that day came flooding back to Lillian. But she was a true Scout now, not a fake one. So were her friends, they were true Scouts. And so was Levi. As they rode into a forest Lillian gripped her reins tighter, hands ready to let go at any minute and grab her ODM gear. So when she finally got the signal from Commander Shadis to engage ODM gear Lillian flew off her horse and into the trees.

They hadn't been at all successful with the reconnaissance mission. More dead and injured than last time, maybe even the time before that. Even worse, they hadn't even left the wall for more than two, three days and they were already back.

Lillian sighed a breath of relief when she saw the wall. She was tired and her muscles were aching, but she still had a job to do. Her, Levi, and Mike all rode their horses ahead of everyone else's. There were always titans by the gates, their job was to clear the gate so the Scouts could get through and shut it without one slipping in.

Once the rest of the Scouts were in Lillian, Levi, and Mike used their ODM gear to get over the wall. The gate had been closed and their horses were waiting for them on the other side of the wall. The three of them mounted their horses and rode off to catch up with the group.

"Do you guys always receive welcomes like this?" Lillian asked, looking at the crowds of people who were glaring at them.

"Lots of people think like Lovof, that the Scouts should be terminated, and that their taxes should go to something better." Mike explained to her. "Most people think it would be safer for mankind if we just close and block the gates forever."

Lillian scrunched up her nose. She couldn't help but agree. Why would they waste all this time and people's lives just for them to learn nothing?

"Have the Scouts ever tried to capture one?"

Mike laughed. "Ask Hange. I'm sure she would love your help."

The three of them caught up with the other Scouts and rode back to the castle. The Scouts started to unpack and take care of their horses when a rider came galloping in from the South.

"Titans!" He screamed. "They've breached Wall Maria!" The blood in Lillian's veins ran cold. Please let this be some sick joke.

Erwin came out from wherever he was hiding and went to the rider.

"Where did they breach the wall?"

"First in Shiganshina, then another one came and went through Wall Maria." The rider fell from his horse, trying to catch his breath.