Awakened

Chapter 8

The fight was broken up forcibly, with soldiers coming in to restrain both girls. Though Tauriel landed a few good hits on Annie, the blonde ended up faring better than the brunette.

Right after Tauriel told Annie to beat her in the fight, she had loosened her headlock. It was slight, almost in-perceivable, but it was enough for Annie to know that Tauriel was giving her leeway to get free.

So Annie did, and proceeded on with the fight. But Tauriel didn't really put her all into fighting back, and while Annie knew it was a show, to everyone else it looked like Annie was an animal taking down Tauriel. By the time the other Scouts came and separated them, including Erwin, Tauriels face was covered in blood and open cuts.

Gods, Annie felt terrible. Tauriel could barely open her eyes or walk by herself. Mavick had to help her to the infirmary, all the while sending glares her way.

Annie was grateful that Tauriel did the fight. It got her out of the situation. Now Erwin had to worry about Annie going "rogue" on his Scouts, rather than her shifting. The fight helped set an example that she was not weak, and that if prodded she will fight back.

Tauriel helped Annie get the reputation that she was too dangerous to train, since the aftermath is the beating of another scout. Granted, Annie was provoked, but it helped set the reality to Erwin that Annie could do that whenever she wanted.

Erwin did not ask her to shift after, nor did he try to forcibly cut her. He did however, force her back to the dungeons. She was now chained in her old cell, sitting on the floor with a leg propped up and an arm draped over it.

There was still blood on her knuckles, reminding her of what she did today. Some part of her felt guilty, but another part knew Tauriel willingly did this. She knew what would happen, and had encouraged Annie to do it. Why? Annie didn't know, though she knew she had to ask Tauriel why she helped her. Because even though she was chained down in the dungeon, she was left alone from Erwin, and that was a reward in itself.

The door to the room opened, and Annie frowned at who she saw. The boy from earlier, Mavick, stepped in with another girl who had white hair. Crimson eyes stared back at Annie, and the Blonde felt rather unsettled by them.

"Who are you?" Annie asked, and the girl shut the door.

"I'm Arlise." The white-haired girl answered, but Mavick didn't bother.

He looked pissed. Annie could see how tense his body was under all that clothing. "You have two minutes to explain that shit show out there before I kick your teeth in."

Annie narrowed her eyes. "What makes me think that whatever I say you'll believe? It seems to me like you have your mind made up."

"My friend couldn't even move after all that. I can't even see her!" Mavick's jaw was clenched, his hands turning into fists.

"Mavick..." Arlise warned, putting a hand on his arm, but Mavick shook it off.

"No, she should know what she did to Tauriel." Mavick locked eyes with Annie. "I'm actually going to kill you for that."

Annie stood up from the floor, her chains rattling. Even restrained she would not go down without a fight. She raised her fists. "I'd like to see you try."

Mavi just stepped forward but then Arlise stepped in front of him. "Mavick that is enough."

"Get out of my way Arlise."

"No."

Mavick snarled and put a hand on Arlise's shoulder to move her aside. It took a split second for Arlise to grab it, then twist his arm. She kicked his legs from under him and flipped Mavick. He landed on his back, with Arlise still holding his arm. She bent his hand in a position where a jerk would break it, and she put a foot on his chest, keeping him down.