Chasing Ghosts [Attack on Titan](Wattys 2014 Winner)

Chapter eleven- Cry sometimes

Chapter eleven

Twenty minutes had passed, and still nothing the others began to grow upset. A few young ladies began to cry. I glared into the horizon, waiting to see someone riding up the grassy fields towards us. Just the growls of the monsters below answered me. Erwin beside me glared into the same spot that I gazed into. Suddenly I felt a snap and looked down, one of the things had begun to climb the tree but it had fallen like the fat idiot it was. I spat on it, the things snarled in response. “Stupid beasts.” I spat “The world was better off without you.” I hissed at them as they fell. I turned back to the angry and upset trainees. “Ok, one of you must have gas. The sooner I kill one the sooner we can leave.” I said to them meeting each and every gaze.

Only averted eyes and silence met my demand. I clenched my teeth and tightened my fists. “I cant very well kill them if we are stuck here!” I barked at them. Suddenly, Petra spoke up “I-I I have a little.” She said. I looked at the auburn haired girl who offered me her canister. I walked as close as I could to her and she threw it. I caught the can this time and hooked it up to mine, tossing the empty one at one of the monsters below. It snarled in pain as the silver canister smacked it in the eye.

I looked down at the three below me walking to the edge and taking a deep breath. I knew what I had to do and it wasn't going to be easy. I removed my swords slowly, giving me time to think then I jumped down using the strings to attach myself to a tree across from me swiping along the tops of the titans leaping up as high as I could using as little gas as possible flipping upward then tucking my swords as close as I could to my chest and spinning down in a blur of red and green. Using the force of gravity to my advantage and sped along the necks of the beasts two down, one had moved out of my path. I leapt to the side of one of the trees then onto the face of the beast. I stared it dead in its lightless eyes then leapt up zipped around it and cut along its neck. They went down with a smashing sound crushing the green foliage below.

I dropped down just a second before the motor puttered out. I looked up at the others with a smile, they all cheered loudly and leapt down with ease. “We should get out of here before more show up.” I said. I would have some disciplining to do when we got back, that Ackerman asshole didn't show up when we needed him.

I remounted lullaby and we headed out. I rode next to Erwin as we neared the gate it opened and we went in the people watched us expectedly. A old looking man came up to Erwin “Is Lenie back?” He asked looking around for what I guessed was his son. Erwin met his gaze “No. I'm sorry.” The man didn't seem to understand for a moment and Erwin rode around him leaving him standing there in shock. “You don’t have his body!?” He cried. I looked back at him, sympathy filling my gaze. I realized, if I were to die there would be no one to morn my body besides the members of the Corp.  We continued looking forward as Erwin spoke. “No. I'm sorry.” We continued. I wondered what was the commanders story, he never seemed to upset over the fact we lost so many good men on this trips. While we accomplished nothing but dying. I clenched my teeth but said nothing, this was not my place. The horse trotted along the cobble stone roads towards the exit of the city out into the wall Maria.

 We left while the mutters of hate continued. I looked towards the forest were we had been, I didn't feel like going and looking for the ones still in there. We entered wall Rose and made for the castle, stopping at the door. I unsaddled my horse who greedily ate a handful of oats Petra had offered her.  “I know your disappointed in Levi…” The sweet girl said. I had really taken a liking to her, she was so surprisingly kind. I said nothing. She sighed quietly looking at the muzzle of my black steed. Running my hand along her silky smooth fur. “I guess I am, I thought he was better than that. He might even have taken the opportunity to run away.” I shrugged “He is two cowardly to return.” I spat. Petra looked at her hands, in no place to defend him. “You and Erwin seem close.” She said changing the subject. I blinked tipping my head slightly. “Well, I've known him for five years. Its hard not to befriend him. And he’s my superior.” I chuckled softly, pretending to be oblivious to what she meant.  She opened her mouth to say that’s not what she meant but she shut it with a smile.