Resistance

Chapter 16

Driving down a deserted dirt road in an armored car was sure to draw attention to us. It was only a matter of time before the human soldiers found us and attacked. After all, we weren't trying to stay hidden. The whole point of coming out here was to lure them away from the sanctuary. So where were they? We were close to the place Erwin said his foot soldiers had spotted them. Shouldn't they be surrounding us by now?

Something about this felt wrong.

In the backseat, I turned my head and peered out the tinted window. On either side of us were miles upon miles of uninhabited land. Being out here surrounded by nothing, I was struck by how alone we truly were. Humans had made us out to be the enemy and were pushing us into extinction. And no one, not a single soul, cared that we were out here dying off like animals. That's what they saw us as. To them, being hunted down like vermin befitted us. We were pests they longed to eradicate. It didn't matter how inhumanly it was done.

Beside me, Jean said, "I don't like this. We've been driving for half an hour and haven't seen anyone."

Up front, Eren let out a low growl. "If this is a trap—"

"Erwin wouldn't be that stupid," Hanji intervened. "Aside from Mike, all his best soldiers are in this car. He wouldn't risk all of you for nothing."

I leaned forward in my seat and tapped on Petra's shoulder. When she looked at me, I said, "Pull over. We need to get out and scan the area. If they're near, I'll be able to smell them." Driving around was getting us nowhere.

As she steered the car onto the side of the road, Eren pushed open his door and stepped out before any of us could. He walked out into the middle of the road, and then tilted his head back. I watched him close his eyes, brows knitting together as the wind carried scents to him. A few seconds later, his eyes flew open and his head snapped to the right.

"They're closing in on us," he said. "They're on foot. That's why we haven't been able to see them. They're hiding in the field of corn."

"Get back in the car," I ordered.

He shook his head. "It's me that they want. I'll lead them away."

"Eren!" I shouted, already panicking.

He turned around, but didn't look at me. He regarded Petra. "I'm in charge here, so you will listen to me." His eyes flashed to silver. "I want you to keep on driving until you reach the mountain up ahead. I don't want you to stop for anything. As for the two of you." His eyes flicked to Farlan and Jean, who both sat beside me. "Don't let Levi out of your sight, and don't let him come after me. That's an order."

"This is bullshit," Jean said in defiance. "You may be some royal prince, or whatever, but it's senseless to go alone. Let me come with you. Farlan over here can stay with your mate."

"I'm just as useful as you are," Farlan retorted. "Why don't you stay behind?"

"Enough." Eren held up his hand to silence both of them. "I'll only tell you this once more. Both of you are to remain here and guard Levi. I don't need your help."

Jean sneered. "You overly smug bastard. You're going to get yourself killed."

While Eren's attention was on someone else, I weaseled my way into the front seat. I didn't give him the opportunity to stop me. I sprang out of the car and grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands. If he wanted to, he could break my hold with ease, but he didn't. He placed his hands over mine and the gentleness of his touch told me he wasn't going to budge on this. He was going to leave me behind. He was going to take all those soldiers on by himself.