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Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ Eɪɢʜᴛᴇᴇɴ » Tʜᴇ Pʟᴀɴ

"Okay, so how are we gonna do that?" I drop a side-eyed expression at both of them.

They both shrug, "first, we're gonna need a lot of help in doing this because we're most likely going to have to fight our way out." Reiner states.

I effort a lift in my shoulder in the way of shrugging. "Might as well prepare," I conclude, stating for myself. My eyes flicker up to the bar above me, which is constructed between the two walls of my cell. My feet lift off the ground, my hands stretching towards the bar, gaining a grip on it.

Once my hands are curled around the bar, I start using force on all the muscles of my body, pulling myself up. Air drifts out of my lips through short breaths as I repeatedly let my body fall shortly, only to pull myself back up.

"What are you doing?" Reiner chuckles.

I don't even have to switch my eyes over to know that they're watching me. "Working out, what does it look like?" I breathe heavily through the exertion.

"Have you -- done this before?" Bertholdt asks slowly.

"Somewhat," I answer tersely.

"Okay, if we have to fight any Offerees - which is what is most likely gonna happen - are you prepared to take them on?" Reiner asks, slight worry noted in his voice.

"I should be," I breathe out, exerting pressure through my lungs from the workout. After I respond, I simply let go of the bar, dropping until my feet land on the floor.

My hands press up against each other, making a rubbing motion to ease the aching feeling in their muscles.

Bertholdt shoots me a side-eyed look, "that was like, ten pull-ups." He states.

I manage a shrug, "I'll be fine." I assure them.

Reiner exerts air past his lips, puffing his cheeks out. "Okay, we just don't want you fucking up on this, then really getting us confined." He advises.

It was then my turn to shoot a side-eyed expression back. "I've had training, y' know."

Reiner lets his eyes roll around his head, sighing. "Okay, one little training session doesn't prove shit. It depends on how much you've had. If it was just one session, that's going to turn out to not help you much in life." I nod, mentally noting the tip.

Reiner and Bertholdt exchange smirks then cast them over to me. "Looks like you're gonna need more practice."

I quirk a brow at the two, positioning both my hands on my hips. "And how exactly are we gonna do that?"

Reiner directs a finger downward, "you see that dent down there?"

My eyes trail to where he's pointing, and find a ditch beneath the railing so big that someone could lay a body in it.

"Mhm," I nod.

"This is how we'll able to transport between cells. Watch." Reiner states as he bends to all fours, crawling carefully under the ridge of the wall.

Soon enough, all of his body was enveloped in my cell. He stands up, letting a proud grin settle on his face. "Pretty cool, right?" He swanks.

I shrugged a little, "sure," I reply dryly.

He whirls his hand, motioning me behind him. "Well, come on."

My eyes huff into my head as I mirror his actions. I feel the pressure of the iron grit into my skin as I scrape under the railing that is separating our cells.

Reiner has already slid out with ease as I'm still clawing my way through, nearly having all my body inside their cell.

"You need some help?" Bertholdt asks, choking on laughter.

"Nope, I'm good," I assure him, sending him a murderous glare.

Once he notices the dangerous aura veiling my face, his expression pales, all humor wiped off his face. Soon enough, one leg swings after the other - allowing me to whip my body out of the dent in the floor, rolling onto the ground of the cell that belongs to Reiner and Bertholdt.

My cheeks puff out air as I regain my breath, before cranking my knees to help myself up. I slap my hands together, eradicating any dirt or dust that latched onto my skin.

Then once I'm sure they're purified enough, I move them to rest on my hips. "So, what's the plan?" I inquire.

Reiner positions his hands on his hips, inhaling deeply as his eyes were focused on the floor. "If we're going to break out of here, we're going to need some help." He states.

My arms were already crossed, as I let my eyes roll around my head. "No shit," I agree, my tone heavily laced with sarcasm.

Bertholdt rests his back against the wall of the cell, also letting his arms fold. "And how do you suppose we get that help?" He inquired, lifting a brow.

Reiner settles a smirk on his mouth, as his attention finds interest in his best friend. "I know some people who are dying to get out of here as much as we are."

The brows on Bertholdt's head flicker in a manner of interest. "Oh really?"

Reiner makes a nod of his head, "mhm, I'm sure that you know them too."

Bertholdt wrinkles his head, glowering in bewilderment. "And who exactly might want to help us break out of here?"

Reiner once more rolls his eyes, emitting a scowl. "Annie, for one thing."

At the sound of her name echoing through my ears, my eyes lengthen on feeling -- a gnawing feeling erupting in my chest. An uneasy laugh escapes me before I prevent it. "Why her?"

Both of them rotate their bodies to me once I utter the question. "Because for one thing, she's practically family between the both of us and for another thing, she's one of the best fighters we know." Bertholdt quips at me.

My brows flicker as a twitch pulls the corner of my mouth. "Perhaps you should get out more."

This only earns a reaction of disbelieving laughter from Bertholdt and Reiner, as they exchange eyes. "So you think you can fight better than her?" Reiner intrigues.

A little smirk curls my lips, "I have beaten her ass once."

Bertholdt quirks a brow, "oh, really? Interesting." Now it just seems like he's mocking me, undermining my capabilities.

I cross my arms together, letting my eyes slightly narrow. "It's true," I assure him.

A mischievous look paints his expression, "if that is so, then maybe we should put that to the test." He ponders. He jerks his head over to the bulky blonde next to him, "what do you think, Reiner?"

Reiner shifts his eyes from Bertholdt to me, "I think I'd also enjoy how this 'test' plays out." He agrees.

A crinkle formed across my head, "what the fuck exactly are you guys planning?"

They both shift their frames to me, wearing smug expressions. "We're simply going to test your strength. We need to see for ourselves."

My mouth forms a crooked line, "okay then, I'll prove it. Come at me." I challenge, shifting my position into a fighting stance.

"Not us, we won't be fighting you." Reiner corrects.

My serious expression shifts into a bewildered one. "Huh? Who then?"

As if on cue, a blurred figure shifts down from a barred hole in the ceiling, making the door to the vent swing wildly. As the figure rises, it definitely has a feminine frame.

The girl's hair is the sheer color of golden, pulled tightly back into a hassled bun. Her eyes emit a menacing gaze, the color of an icy blue. "Me," she answered, her tone stoic.

"Annie."