Attack on Titan: A Blacksmith's Tale

Chapter 26: Project Psion

One of the definitions of awkward was causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience. For Annie, sitting in a carriage with a boy, who also happened to be shackled, that she betrayed in the most horrendous way possible, the father of said boy who had an axe to grind with her, and the captain of a squad that was permanently short one member because of her seemed to go beyond awkward. Levi had ordered her to be shackled and gagged as to prevent her from trying anything. Not that she would, but he wasn't taking any chances after everything that happened. It didn't help matters that Matthew kept glaring at her as if he was contemplating killing her with his mind. After all, he did promise to make her life a living hell if she hurt his son. Dillon was the only one that didn't look at her, too wrapped up in his own thoughts. She didn't blame him. If her mother was still alive and she was taken, she'd feel the same way before turning the entire country upside down trying to find her.

Despite all this, Annie was partially surprised that she was given over to the Scout Regiment. They were so desperate to seek the aide of a mass murdering monster like her if it meant winning this war. That being said, she knew very well that this didn't mean she was free. Far from it. Just as she was used to complete a mission, the people here was doing the same thing. She was a tool, a weapon to be used against their enemies. "Right side" or "wrong side" made little difference.

Soon enough, the carriage came to a halt, prompting Matthew to open the door and step out without a word. Levi grabbed Dillon and practically tossed him into his father, which left Annie alone with the captain. A shiver went down her spine as he advanced on her, knowing full well this man could slice her into ribbons if he wanted to. He stared at her without saying a word, but she saw the barely-concealed fury in his eyes. Then, he grabbed her by the throat and threw her out of the carriage where she fell face-first into the ground.

"Annie!" Dillon almost ran to her aide, but Levi stopped him.

"Stand down, Amsdale," he said, hoisting the Shifter to her feet while keeping a tight grip on her. "Shut up and follow."

As Levi took them towards the castle, Annie noticed more than a few Scouts cease whatever they were doing to glare at her. The cold reception was to be expected, but she kept an eye on them. Everyone from the veterans to the rookies were all potential assassins. No way in hell she was gonna let her guard down.

Inside, they were led to the meeting room, a place with only a single entrance and no windows. Perfect for keeping dangerous individuals in check.

"There will be guards stationed outside this door," Levi warned as he freed Dillon. "Don't do anything stupid. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," the boy replied.

"Got it," Matthew said.

Once the gag came off, Annie coughed harshly once she was finally able to breathe normally.

"You two have a lot of explaining to do," Levi said as he walked to the door. "Don't take too long.

Once the door was shut, Dillon immediately rounded on his father. "We don't have time for this. We need to go after Kyler!"

"You think we're here for the sake of sitting on our hands, Dillon?" Matthew asked pointedly. "We need to make a solid plan to rescue your mother and in order to do that, you need to know the truth."

"Truth? What truth?"

He hesitated, for it pained him to start down this path. "You have no idea just how ignorant you are to reality, how blind this country has made you."

"What are you talking about?" Dillon was on the verge of begging. "Dad, what have you been keeping from me?"

Matthew gripped Dillon's shoulders. "Dillon, look at me." Once his son did that, he continued. "I need you to take a deep breath and calm down. I know this whole thing is overwhelming, but I'm going to explain everything. You just need to focus on what I'm going to tell you, alright?"