The truck roared down the empty highway, its headlights slicing through the darkness. The adrenaline from their recent mission still coursed through Kira's veins, the thrill of victory mixing with a sense of foreboding. As the wind whipped through the open windows, she leaned back in her seat, glancing at the faces of her comrades.
Eren sat in the driver's seat, his grip firm on the steering wheel, the muscles in his arms flexing under the strain. The way his hair fell into his eyes gave him a wild look, but Kira could see the focused determination etched on his face. It was a far cry from the playful, easygoing guy she had met months ago. Now, the mission had changed him, sharpened him into something dangerous.
"Are we clear?" Mikasa asked from the back, her voice steady but laced with tension. She was perched on the edge of her seat, her dark eyes scanning the road behind them for any sign of pursuit.
"For now," Jean replied, his brow furrowed. He was reviewing the map, trying to calculate their next move. "But we can't let our guard down. Suna won't take this lightly."
Kira felt the weight of his words settle over the group like a heavy fog. They had stolen a significant cache of weapons, something Suna had worked hard to acquire. He would retaliate, and Kira knew it would be brutal.
"We should lay low for a bit," Sasha chimed in, her voice softer than usual. She was uncharacteristically quiet, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "Let things cool down before making any big moves."
"Yeah, but where do we go?" Connie leaned back, running a hand through his messy hair. "We can't go back home—not yet. Suna has eyes everywhere."
Eren finally spoke, his tone low and serious. "There's a safe house not far from here. We can regroup, lay low, and plan our next steps."
Kira turned to him, her curiosity piqued. "You know it well?"
He nodded. "It's an old hideout from the last job we did. It's off the grid, and no one knows about it but us."
"Then let's go," Kira said, her voice steady. "We need to strategize and figure out our next move."
The group fell silent, each of them lost in their thoughts as they drove through the night. The truck rattled over potholes and uneven asphalt, a constant reminder of the precariousness of their situation.
As they approached the safe house, the atmosphere shifted. It was a small, nondescript building surrounded by dense trees, its weathered exterior blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Eren pulled the truck into the overgrown driveway, the engine sputtering to a stop as they all climbed out.
Kira felt the cool night air wrap around her, a welcome relief from the adrenaline-fueled chaos of the warehouse. She stepped toward the door, glancing back at her friends. Each of them was wearing a mask of determination, but beneath it, Kira could see the fatigue etched in their features. They had fought hard, but the battle was far from over.
Inside, the safe house was dimly lit, the smell of musty wood and stale air hitting her as she stepped over the threshold. A small living area lay ahead, cluttered with old furniture and remnants of past occupants. The air felt heavy, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath in anticipation.
Mikasa moved to the window, peering out into the dark. "I'll keep watch," she said, her voice cool and collected, but Kira could see the tension in her shoulders.
Jean pulled out a flashlight, illuminating the space as he began to survey the area. "We should check for any supplies. If we're going to be here for a while, we need food and water."
