Hellfire • L.A.

Beautiful Scar

It was early when we reached Trost. When we arrived at the gate, we split up. Hanje's squad entered earlier, then the wagon, and the rest of us are sat outside waiting for a good time slot to slip through. Carefully I watch Bran from the side of my eye. He's been untied and all of his weapons were removed long ago, but having him stand here before me with no way backup plan is making me feel uneasy.

Next to me Levi doesn't budge. His eyes stay trained on the wagon as it slips through the gate.

"Levi, are you sure this plan will work?" I ask him while we watch the wagon carrying Historia and Eren away.

"Even if it doesn't, it will buy us time." He grunts. Then, he turns around to face the small group of cadets left with us. "Hanje's squad have already spread out in the city's highest points to give us an advantage. The rest of you are to follow me and Commander Lux through the city to the headquarters. It's not too far from the gate but still, stay alert."

The cadets all nod. When I look at Jean and Armin, I notice the pensive frowns and anxious expressions on their faces. I try to give them a hopeful smile to lighten the mood, but all I get in return is two blank stares and an eye roll.

Our small group huddles together, Bran shoved in the middle in case he tries to make a run for it. As we make our way through the city I recognize the flags of the king, and notice colorful decorations hanging from rooftops. There are streamers dangling from vendors' tents and along the cobbled streets people are talking excitedly.

"It's the Kings coronation anniversary!" Sasha looks around with wonder. Beside me Levi grumbles about keeping a low profile.

I judge him with my elbow. "Maybe relaxing a little bit will help keep a low profile. This is the first time any of the kids have been in the city recently, is it not?"

I know he's still upset with me from last night's discussion. He doesn't even look at me, and continues to look straight ahead.

"The King is very generous to be giving out all of his reserves." Sasha points out again.

"He has more than he knows what to do with. People are starving, he'd have to be an idiot to sit on all of that." Levi scoffs.

Suddenly, he stops walking.

"Levi? Why are we stopping?" I look around in front of us, worried that someone may have tipped somebody else off.

"Everyone down!" Without blinking he turns around to face me and grabs my waist. Flashing by us is a rickety cart, and before it can hit either of us he dives into the pavement right next to us.

Levi's arm keeps my head from hitting the concrete, but I still groan when I feel the pressure of his body on my torso. Even though my ribs are technically healed, there's still a strain whenever too much pull or push is applied to my waist.

"Arm- I mean Historia and Eren! They've been snatched!" Sasha yelps.

Levi pushes himself off the ground and helps me up as well. "Follow that cart!"

I scan the faces of our group and do a headcount before silently screaming to myself. "Levi, Bran got away. He must've made a run for it when the cart came through."

"Shit," he spits. "Okay, you go search for him. Me and the cadets are going after that wagon."

I nod and take off into the streets. It's only when I'm separated from the group do I realize I have no idea which direction Bran would have headed in. Cursing under my breath, I begin to search the crowds of people for anything familiar or any kind of sign. Luckily enough I spot Bran's y'all frame swimming upstream in the crowd, his brown hair sticking up above everyone's heads.