Hey there reader, thanks for looking into this piece. Please review, either positive or negative; i'm here to learn. Thank you very much, I hope you enjoy! - Fran

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan, I'm just having fun with characters etc.

Set after Trost/courtroom occurrance. Shifters have only just been discovered. This will very LOOSELY follow the anime for the time being. Though I will always warn for spoilers from the manga.

NOTE: for those of you re-reading to find the differences, I have made minor changes throughout, but these first few chapters are MINOR in their alterations really. But anyway... on with the show.

The green canopy whirls past me, the big ass trees are my playground and I cheer as the air swirls my short brown hair around. This was freedom. My heart pounds in my ears as I swoop down, watching a seventeen meter Titan dawdle through the undergrowth. It lazily steps here, then lazily steps over there. It pays me no heed and I do the same to it. It exists, I exist. Simple.

My base comes into view, my little haven, going on ten years I'd been here. Long may it continue. Those rats are happy with their 100 years of peace? Little do they know that it's only 100 years of imprisonment. I aim and shoot the wire once again, getting ready for a fresh swing of momentum. I was like a bird, I was free.

I wonder when I should next properly stretch my legs. Hadn't properly done that in a while. Perhaps I could see how fast I really could run. Or even see if I could find that place they called the ocean? Though I'd have to steal a map. That could cause complications. Of course, before I did anything, I'd have to check the Scouting Legion wasn't on the war path. I laugh, what fools they were. I flip round, and sigh as the cold wind whips past me. I had strong wings, and I had even stronger possibilities. Yes, I would stretch those muscles again, and soon. A smile spreads over my face as I sink below the canopy, green flickering past my slightly ajar eyelids.

Bliss.

"Wake up."

Pain engulfs my mind. The trees and freedom; it's stripped away. I'm falling, the canopy getting further and further away as I descend towards the unforgiving earth. It's all gone; my freedom, my wings, my possibilities. It's all smothered into darkness, and I feel blood spill down my chin. Again. I'm dragged back to reality, and stare at the cold cell floor. It's rough, and unforgiving against my knees as they quiver a little, droplets of blood pattering against the stone like new rain. My cell is small, though big enough for this prick to get a good swing of his leg. Then again he didn't need much room.

Little legs, for a little midget.

At least this time I hadn't gone deaf in one ear. I shift my weight a little, my handcuffs rubbing against the open flesh on my wrists. Ugh, just heal already, this was getting tedious. I can't even heal properly right now; exhaustion, and blood loss were a damned inconvenience I was growing weary of.

"I said, wake the fuck up."

"No, you only said wake up." I tried to use his low voice, but the fact I hadn't had water in several days, meant I only squeak and crackle. Still, it was clearly annoying enough to justify another kick. It was probably the only breakfast I was going to get, so I savour the pain as it echoes through my gut. Delicious. Nutritious.

"Cut the shit, brat. Give it up, tell us who you are." He growls and I sigh, the taste of iron coating my tongue from blood.

This prat really wasn't going to let up, but really I had no other answer to give. Not to him anyway. I look up, and grimace at his lack of expression. At least look angry, hateful, happy, something! But no expression just underlines the fact I mean nothing, it demonstrates the fact I can rot here, and no one will know. Ah. I see why he holds no expression; that's exactly how he wants me to feel. I clear my throat, and continue my crackling.

"I already told you."

"'I'm nobody', is not an answer."

"Well… it's mine."

"Name. Full name."

"You have no god damned right to keep me here."

"Well we don't think that's true. Now give us your name or I swear—"

"You'll what?" I hiss, looking up at him as I strain against my cuffs, anger spilling over. "Kick me in the face? The stomach? Whip me? Hang me? Just get the fuck on with it then. I have done nothing wrong, and yet you lot seem to think you have the authority to drag me back inside this cage and torture me? Wings of freedom my ass, wings of suppression and pain more fucking like it."

I ignore the fire singing my nerves, fresh blood trickling over my hands as I sit up and bare my bloodied teeth at him. If only I wasn't so damned weak right now; I'd show you, I'd show you what real fear is. You prick. Those steel grey eyes would snap wide open, you'd see your pathetic little shit of a life flash before you as it's reflected in my rage.

I'll show you.

You just wait.

Of course he just stares down at me, those grey eyes, unmoved as always. This man was made of stone, and I was sick of being in the path of his rock-slide. I was used to being the main force of nature in my life; and I didn't play well with others. He kneels down slowly, grabs my hair and wrenches my head back till I'm sure he'll snap it clean off. I wonder if he could. I also wonder what would happen if he really tried.

He tightens his grip in my hair, pain splintering over my skull but I just grit my teeth.

"You claim you haven't done anything, you little shit."

"What am I meant to have done? Other than living outside the fucking walls. Didn't think that was illegal." I spit blood at him, and it lands on his cheek. He drops me, grunting as he straightens up, and kicks me once more.

"Fucking disgusting rat." I look up through a curtain of hair as he pulls out a crisp white handkerchief, and wipes his face. I just sneer. "You're suspected of being the Colossal Titan, you know this, brat."

"And as I said, that makes no fucking sense. Humans can't turn into Titans you crazy bastard."

"We have recently learned otherwise."

"You keep saying that, as if I'm meant to understand it!"

"I do believe I'm speaking the same language." He hisses, kneeing the side of my head with a grunt.

"A slightly rougher dialect, but yeah, the same language. Look… If I was the Colossal Titan, then why wouldn't I have changed already?!" I cough as blood fills my mouth, and gasp for the bitter air. I can feel him smirking. "Also, I would point out, I'm female? That fucker was a man if I recall correctly."

"The sheer size of that thing could well render that a moot point."

"Mm… I suppose a pair of jugs that fucking big would be fairly hilarious." I cackle as my consciousness ebbs a little. Damn this pain was ridiculous. He presses his foot down on my knee, and I clench my jaw against the yelps in my throat. Sadistic bastard.

"You won't risk getting stuck, that's why you haven't changed."

"Or I haven't, because I can't."

"Yeah, yeah."

"I'm not the Colossal!" I shriek, my cuffs rattling against the pole as I lean forward.

"I don't believe you." He hisses. I huff, and sit back against the pole I'm attached to.

"Evidently." I say through my teeth, looking across the splattered ground. The pattern of my fallen blood, criss-crossing all across as I'm kicked from left to right, up and down. I had a lot of flair with my blood distribution. I wondered what I could see there, hidden in the random splodges and stains. What did it say about me if I saw a long, serrated blade that would be perfect for slitting his skinny throat? Nothing good, that was for sure.

I sigh into the momentary quiet, this was pointless.

"Don't push me, brat. You will explain yourself. No one lives beyond the walls."

"It doesn't matter what I fucking say you prick," I say quietly, calmly and with my eyes closed.

I lean against the pole, and try to move my wrists away from the harsh metal. It doesn't work. He waits for me to continue as I draw a careful breath, not drawing too deeply as my ribs flare angrily.

"You want someone to blame besides yourself for the people you weren't around to save. And you're determined for it to be me, because that's easier than accepting the fact you don't know who it was. But I'm sorry… it wasn't me."

"So you—"

"So beat me, kill me, leave me here to die, whatever the fuck you want. But I didn't do it, and no amount of my blood covering the floor and your boot, is going to change that. Pig."

I keep my voice calm and level, I can sense him tensing but I just stay still. If he was going to beat the life out of me, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of watching me flinch. Not if I could help it at all.

"You—"

"Levi..." A new voice rumbles into the air, but I remain unchanged, guessing that this is the voice of his superior. It has that arrogant slant to it. Nice of you to show up, you chump. Don't want to dirty your own hands, but you'll gladly leave this animal to beat your prisoners to death. Makes you no better. Just makes you a coward, as well as heartless. Not that I'm all cuddles, sunshine and rainbows; but I at least don't hide behind a bullshit crest and false promises. Instead I had an entirely different facade, only it wasn't used to hide. Not often anyway. I fight a smile, the taste of blood ringing in my memory.

"Commander." My tormentor's voice is strained, I almost look up to see if his face is matching the emotion. But I know it won't be. So I just stay as I am, I can tell it's annoying him, so it just makes it better for me.

"You're obviously not getting anywhere with her, just leave it for the day. I'll send Hanji in to clean her up."

"No. Leave her to stew." The voice hisses before the bars are slammed closed again. The lock clangs into place, and I just hear a heavy sigh before heavier footsteps walk away. Upstairs? I can hear slightly forced breaths in front of me, beyond the door of my cell as he watches me. Seemed odd that it was the animal looking into the cage.

I just wait.

I can crumble once those grey gimlets aren't watching.

Beyond the fact that he had just tortured me for three hours straight, prior to my passing out, I had to admire his passion. He was clearly dedicated. He was an asshole, who I would enjoy choking the life out of, but he had a small touch of my respect.

Prick.

"You going to leave me to stew, or are you going to stand there watching me all night?"

"This isn't over, you little shit."

"Oh really? I thought the whole situation was resolved. My mistake."

"Fucking brat."

"Have a good night Corporal, enjoy the company of your demons."

He storms away, muttering under his breath. I'm sure I hear his noises ascend. So I'm definitely underground. Well, information was information. It seemed my exhaustion and inability to use my potential, wasn't so much of a loss. It wouldn't do me any good down here anyway. Not without causing a lot of irritating bruising. Finally a door slams shut, and another lock is put in place, echoing down into my lonely tomb.

I carefully open my eyes, and wearily look around my abandoned cell. Only lit by a small lantern on the far wall it is grimy, cold and lonely. But the solitude means I can finally give in a little. I let my head hang forward as I breathe deeply against the searing pain. Small whimpers escape me. My whole body is screaming at me, every muscle sore from being kept in this awkward position, my skin is raw from beatings, and my mind is scattered. This was one hell of a day.

I shouldn't have fucking stuck around, but I couldn't help it.

It had been about two years since I moved within the walls of Maria, having previously been outside those before the Colossal turned up to the party. Being a little closer to civilisation made resupplying less of a chore. It meant I was technically inside a wall, but I was still out-with that caged society. It was something.

When I finally gave in and headed for supplies, I waited till dusk had come and gone. Darkness made the Titans weary, slower and easier to dodge, but it also meant I would go unseen by the idiotic humans. Really they were the ones I wanted to avoid. They were the real enemy. I checked my gear, and took a deep breath, time to fly. I fired up, and began my ascent. The wall was cracked and worn, but I figured they hadn't seen the need to maintain this wall with Maria in place. Now it was a different story. I'd have to find a new spot to go over once they began their work. That was tedious.

As my thoughts are jumbled up, I rather stupidly don't notice the small group of soldiers watching me. Waiting for me. And little did I know the little grey eyed ninja was amongst them. A boot, probably his, swung round into my temple as soon as I stand atop the wall. I stumbled a little, swinging my blades around blindly as I tried to back away, but soon found myself just falling towards the city below. Well… shit. The ground is rushing up to meet me, like an overly attached Aunt desperate for affection. This hug would hurt.

And then I stop.

I'm suspended mid-air, arms reaching towards the ground's embrace. Blood rushed to my head as I hung there, confused and weary. And then I felt it. Warmth is spreading down from my calf, and I scream as the pain hits me. Some bastard had shot his wire down to catch me. In that moment I wished he'd had the good grace to hit me in the head, or through the chest. Then it would have been quick at least. And not even I had the self-control to avoid using my potential then. But no, the damn leg. On the pain goes, burning as they hoist me up clumsily. I sob and wail, pride long gone as agony thrashes my body with each tug. Damn them. Why couldn't they just leave me be?

In my cell I shift till I'm sat on the floor, my legs finally stretched out in front of me. My bandaged leg aches, but after three weeks it was beginning to heal properly. I had wanted to let that heal straight away, but as I'd already decided, if they knew… I'd be proper fucked. Though I definitely needed a fresh bandage. Not much chance of that, I was being left to stew after all.

A door opens. The sound trickles down to me.

I quickly right myself, back into my original, and painful, position. Light footsteps head my way, and I stare blankly at the door. They wouldn't know my cracks were showing. This was one prisoner they weren't going to fucking break. They could torture me, question me, even kill me. But they wouldn't break me.

The lantern light flashes off a pair of glasses, and I tense.

Not this woman again.

I don't show it on my face of course, but as she enters my cell, I wish I could break this pole free of the ground and swing it in front of me as defence. She rambles a lot about Titans, and whilst I care little about the monsters anymore, her fascination is a little unnerving. And the fact she studies them makes me wary, she might well figure me out. But that was a stretch. Damn cell was making me paranoid.

"Calm it, kiddo." She sings wandering over, a tray of food and supplies in her hands. I look her up and down, still leaning back as she kneels down, and sets everything in front of her. The food makes my mouth water, and stomach give a traitorous tell-tale grumble. A weird look comes over her. Is it pity? She slowly raises the bread to my lips. "Here, take a bite."

I hate that I do it, but I bite into the bread, and greedily chew it down, choking a little as my dry throat tries to deny the food passage. She holds up the cup of water and I sip, careful not to gulp in case I puke from the shock. This continues for a few minutes till the ache in my gut is dulled, and I can see clearer. Damn this place was even grottier than I thought.

She was mad, but right now she was my angel of mercy.

She sits down with legs crossed, watching me as I lick the blood from my lips. The box next to her snaps open, and she begins to gather medical supplies together. Along with a few damp cloths. I lean back.

"I thought short-ass said I wasn't to get cleaned up."

"And you care about his orders?"

"I do if I'm the one who gets the punishment for them being ignored." I mutter, flinching as she dabs at my forehead first. Again the glasses flash, and a grin spreads across her face. Despite being an angel, she was damned creepy too.

"I told him where to shove it."

"Brave."

"As far as I'm concerned you're innocent till proven guilty."

"Aren't you the forward thinking one…" I hiss through my teeth as she catches the bruising on my cheek. "Sorry… I appreciate it, really. I do."

"You're allowed to be a bit grumpy."

"Yeah but you're not the one pummelling me for something I didn't do."

I wasn't planning on making friends, and braiding the woman's hair, but I could at least appreciate the fact she wasn't as awful as the rest. She wasn't perfect, but then again, she was human. I try a smile, but flinch against the blossoming bruise. I wonder how swollen I am. Do I even look like myself right now? Not that I really know what that is anymore, I haven't had a mirror in a decade. She pats my leg, and I shift myself awkwardly to sitting position, she begins to unravel the bandage, and smiles a little to herself.

"I may be able to help you out with that."

"Excuse me?" I lean away a little, does she want to be the one hurting me? The one pummelling me into the stone floor, and spreading my blood like jam. I think she feels me quiver beneath her touch, and she looks up with an apologetic look.

"Sorry, let me be clear. I meant, I think I can convince shorty that you're telling the truth."

"How?"

"Can I take a sample of your blood?"

"Uhm… well there's plenty on the floor?" I say, still confused, but as she takes out a syringe I cringe but nod. She jabs my arm, and draws out my blood, holding a swab to my skin afterwards. She then returns to her work on my leg. "So how is that going to help me?"

"We've recently acquired a Titan shifter,"

"Acquired?"

"Yeah… it's the reason you're a suspect in the first place."

"Oh… great… I'll have to thank that person."

"Well, we didn't know humans could potentially do such things till he came along, but now that we have him on our side and in our regiment I can—"

"Compare our blood." I sigh as the bandage falls away and the cold air caresses my leg softly. It's the best feeling, it makes a real smile break across my lips. And then makes me flinch against my bruising. Worth it. Though of course, with this new found bliss is the unbridled panic. Problem is, I could hardly refuse her taking my blood, could I? Then I'm just holding up a big ass sign, and proclaiming it to the world. Problem was. I was 'shifter' as they called it, but I wasn't any damn Colossal. What the hell do I do now? She sees none of this panic on my face. Just smiles.

"Before I do compare this though… can I just as you outright? Are you the Colossal?"

"No." I notice she didn't ask if I was a shifter. She was very specific. Could I maybe persuade her that I wasn't a threat? I hold her gaze, and let her read the honesty there. She has such big, open eyes, I see no malice there. Only curiosity. Perhaps I could strike some kind of deal, let her study me, in exchange for her silence. I just had to ask her right. I just had to suck it up, and be brave enough to take the chance. It was either that, or hope she was shit at her job.

"I believe you." She sighs, sounding almost disappointed.

"Sorry?" I laugh, and she waves a dismissive hand. "So that'll clear me, if you find that I'm not a… shifter was it?"

"Yeah, that'd do it… of course…"

"Of course what?" I encourage, hoping she might even come up with the solution herself. Come on Glasses, figure it out. Help me, and even help yourself.

"Nothing. You'll just have to be patient, but that'll be helped by this…"

"By what… ow… what the fuck was that?" I hiss as another pinch goes into my arm, and she gives me a slightly unnerving smile.

My vision blurs a little, and I make to throw another curse her way but my jaw feels slack. God damn it. A sleeping agent? Suddenly my angel has become a demon. I mumble, and feel my world turn to darkness. Though at least I can't feel the pain anymore.

Silver linings were important when left in a shit-storm.

I can hear echoes around me, the clang of metal and clink of chain. But then I'm lifted by my arms, I'm being dragged? I try to ask where we're going but can't. I can't move a damned muscle. My heartbeat is slow as it drums in my mind, my breathing deep, whilst stairs catch against my feet. More jostles and echoes swirl around, and I feel the darkness deepen a little more. It's like I'm in a weird bath, sloshing in and out of consciousness.

But soon I feel a chill run over me, I give a gasp as the icy air nips at my nerves, but soon I feel a blanket thrown over me, covering my head as well as my body. Not exactly caring, but it shielded me from the harsh wind.

Did I hear the rattle of a cart? Was I in a cart? Where the hell was I being taken?

Hands grab my arms again, and once more I'm dragged along, unable to ask or move. I listen to stone, and steel moving. Another cell? I feel a soft mattress beneath me, but soon realise its thin and worn, but still it was an improvement. And then the shackles return. They're thicker than the other ones, harder against my skin, but I think they move less. I might actually be able to heal a little. How gracious of the bastards. Heavy chains slide into place, and I feel them tug my arms down a little. I'm lying on my side, knees tucked up to my chest, arms held outstretched crucifix style, but not tightly. A little freedom was being given. I wouldn't voice it even when able, but I was grateful. I felt a little less like an animal. Not much, but a little.

"I don't know if you can hear me kiddo, but I hope you know that you need to start co-operating."

Not fucking likely, love.

"Shorty has a temper suiting his stature. You're only harming yourself."

It was sweet, such affection for someone she didn't even know. For all this woman knew I was a crazed psychopath, and was the creature who decimated the 100 years of peace. They didn't know I wasn't yet. I knew I wasn't. But it was sweet that she had such faith. I hoped she wasn't as naïve in all areas, otherwise she'd end up dead pretty fucking quick. And annoying. Naïve people were fine in small doses, anything more, they made you sick. Plus, if she was as stupid as the rest, then as soon as she looked at my blood, she'd fly off the handle and have me burned at the stake. She seemed manic enough. But not stupid enough, from what I'd seen.

"I think you'll have the Commander down here soon enough offering you a choice."

What choice? Live or die?

She then redoes my bandaging, cleaning the scarring flesh, and replacing with fresh linen. I can't move, but I hope my smile shows.

"He'll ask if you're willing to join the regiment. He's impressed with your use of the 3D gear, plus the fact you survived out there so long… he's eager to recruit you."

And the other option is? I'm guessing I can't just return home?

"And just so you know, it's not likely he'll let you go home. Sees it as irresponsible or something. I know you'll be enraged by all this… to be fair I haven't really seen you soon anything else… understandably so, but still, just so you know, I'd love to have you on board. Even if you're not a shifter!" she whispers this into my ear, and I further believed the fact she's mad.

Brilliant.

But mad.

And potentially a useful ally. I feel a little less worried about her finding my blood as abnormal, as their 'acquired' shifter friend. It might just make her day. She was already assured I wasn't the Colossal, so she might just want to find out what I am instead. Now it was a case of how brave she was. Or how much she cared about her military career.

What a prat this Commander sounded though.

Basically join up or stay in prison? Great. One cage for another.

"It really isn't so bad, Kiddo. I promise… plus you're hardly going to object to dealing with the Titans right?"

No, but I object to being given orders.

"Ah… still, you'll prove amusing." I can hear her grin, and imagine her glasses flash as my regard for the woman grows. She was clearly a few hens short of a roost, but she seems well intentioned. I also wondered if she was psychic, or was so used to talking to herself, she was imagining my responses. Either way, she was growing on me.

A little like a weed.

Time is fluid. I have no idea how long I sleep for; days, weeks, months? Echoes come and go, footsteps, grunts and the sputtering of the lanterns. As my muscles ache I shift a little, surprised to find I can. It must have been a day or so, the way my bones creak as I roll over and stretch out. A yawn breaks my lips, and I cough a little as the musty air swirls down my parched throat.

"Finally awake. Took your fucking time."

I let myself fall limp, of all the things to wake up to, I was waking up to this prat? My bruising has died down, but it isn't healed by a long shot. That concerns me, even at my state of exhaustion and weakness, this should have healed by now. What was holding me back? I guess it didn't really matter, I couldn't do anything about it from here. Shit… Another round with him, wasn't something I imagined would do me any good. Hanji pops into my brain, and I will her to come by and visit. To stop whatever this madman was about to do.

But she won't.

That would be too damned convenient, and helpful. I need an escape, I need something other than stone walls and pain. This wasn't what I'd wanted out of life, and for ten years I'd lived simply and free. So why was I being punished for that? I imagine myself back home, high in the canopy, or prowling like the formidable hunter I was. All in all; free from this bullshit. Out there the biggest issue was whether to gut the dear on the ground or not. Drag its carcass up whole, or take all the little bits separately? Here though? Things got messy all on their own.

I hear the door open.

I hear the door close.

I hear him approach.

I hear him pause.

I brace, but it makes little difference.

He drags me off the bed, and throws me onto the cold floor. The best way to start the day. I accept the fact that this is likely to continue for a while, so I remain quiet, and carefully look up. I can't make out what non-expression he's wearing, and can only see a slight shine against his heavy lidded eyes. What was this guy's problem with me? To have such hatred towards someone you don't even know. It was incomprehensible. Even for a human. When he just stands there, looming over me as I fight the urge to get up, I feel my patience slipping away. If you're going to torture someone, then just do it? I give in, he wants me to start this dance. I make my curtsey.

"What can I do for you today, Captain?"

"You can tell me who you are."

"Already done that."

"Everyone is someone, no one is nobody."

"How philosophical of you."

"Name. Now."

"Or what?"

"You know what." He growls, kneeling down and taking a handful of my hair. He wrenches me upright, and bends back my head till I'm looking at the ceiling. I breathe through clenched teeth but make no move. There was no point, I was trapped, and he was freakishly strong, even for me. This wasn't a fight I would bother with. "If you're not even going to fight back, comply."

"Why fight back? What would be the point, you psycho?"

"It's called dignity, you rat."

"I have dignity, but I'm fully aware I can't beat you right now. So I'm maintaining said dignity, by just letting you vent whatever frustration it is today that has you here, beating on an innocent woman. Such a proud man you must be."

"I'm only here to get information. That's it."

"Sure it is, it's not in any way some sick form of therapy for you."

"You don't know me, rat." He pulls my hair even further, and I grasp his hand in an attempt to alleviate some pressure. He was going to rip all my hair out. I suited short hair, I wasn't so sure I'd suit being bald. I force my eyes open, and stare him down.

"Whose face do you see when you hit me, Captain? Hm? Whose voice do you imagine when you make me yelp in pain? Commander Erwin? Your wife? Your boyfriend?"

His hand is at my throat, and tightening.

I sense I hit a nerve, but I don't know when. I spoke quickly, knowing full well my speech time was limited, and if I had the opportunity to piss this guy off. I would take it. It was more than likely I would die in this place. Yet the sooner I got him mad beyond reason, the sooner I would be free.

Dead, but free.

"Boyfriend-it-is."

"None of this is your business, rat."

"I have nothing better to do."

"All you need to concern yourself with, is how many times it'll take for me to kick right through your gut."

"Judging from last time?" I cough, when he finally lets go, "About 43. Give or take a couple."

"Better get started then."

And on he goes. 1,2,3,4…

I feel old wounds be swaddled by new ones. I feel old breaks become new ones, and I once again seek the solace of my delusional daydreaming. I imagine myself having lost balance, and all that's happening is that I'm falling down a tree, hitting branches on the way down. Ow. But it was fine, I had plenty medical supplies, and a good store of food. I could stand a few weeks held up at home. It'd be boring, but peaceful.

Damn this was a tall tree.

But even then my mind revolts. It doesn't make sense. I'd have transformed by now, I'd have saved myself from this pain. I wasn't afraid of pain, but I knew how to avoid it. As the deluge continues, I long for my power. It was the first time I'd felt truly helpless in a long time.

Just kill me.

"Just answer me dammit. This is getting boring." Though his voice sounds more invested than ever, like he's enjoying his work a little too much. This isn't very surprising. "You stubborn, bitch. No one survives out there, and no one just disappears without a trace. Someone knows you. We'll find them."

I wonder if he thinks this is a trigger for me. Will I have someone I need to protect? Well, no, sorry little man, I don't. The emotional connection route is another, dusty dead end. I wipe blood from my eye, and grin.

"Good luck. Check the pubs." I spit, letting the bloodied spittle dribble down my bruising chin. He pauses, narrowing his eyes at my words, but he knows there's nothing much to be deciphered from them. I'm playing with him, as much as he's punishing me.

"Little sob story is it?" he mutters, stepping on my hand and pressing down, I wail and claw at his leg, leaving bloody fingerprints against his white trousers. He presses harder before kicking me away with a disgusted grunt. "Filthy rat like you… I bet you're from the underground."

"Gambler are you?"

"No, but I get the feeling I'm right."

"Used to being wrong then?" I chuckle, and attempt to get up.

Amazingly enough he lets me, and he stands watching me as I right myself, and brush off the debris of my cell. Despite its cleanliness, I had managed to get filthy. It seemed to be a talent of mine. He's looking me up and down, brow ever-so-slightly furrowed. He probably doesn't understand how I'm standing, and quite frankly I don't either. My healing isn't working, and yet I endured. But if it makes him pause, I'd keep it up without question.

"My story is just that, mate. Mine. And you, with your damned capes and hypocritical morals, cannot demand it from me. I have done nothing wrong, okay… I stole a few supplies here and there… but otherwise I am completely innocent."

"No one is innocent."

"My, my, you must have one fucker of a sob story yourself, small-fry. Funny thing is though, I couldn't care less about yours. Yet you're oh-so-interested in mine. And why?" I lean back, and crack my back before stretching out, and cracking my arms too. "Because I lived outside the walls. Who gives a fuck? One less body to keep fed and watered inside the pen. And—"

"One less person controlled."

Despite the fact I hate him, and despite the fact I have found no redeeming quality other than his blind determination or passion; I sense these aren't his words. I have no idea what kind of leader this man is, and in all honesty I can't comprehend why he was ever put in charge of anyone else's life but his own. However. There was a definitive sense of disgust there, he says the words, but he hates them. I spit out some more blood, and shrug at him.

"Well I'm here now, penned in, and controlled. Job done."

"You're in a cage, that doesn't make you tamed." He snarls, striding towards me. I hate that I do it, but my instincts send me tumbling back against the wall. My entire damn body is quivering. Shit. My mind is being obstinate, refusing to let fear in, but my body is not so strong willed. I'm shivering and gasping for air as my heart races off without me, but he doesn't seem to notice as he pins me by the throat. "I will break you, and you will obey me."

"You fucking wish."

"I fucking know."

"The day you break me? Is the day you literally break every bone in this body. And then what's the use?" I hiss and he tightens his grip. The room swims, and I breathe thinly, eyes rolling back. "You'll be controlling a corpse."

"Mankind needs saving, Erwin seems to think you can help with that. I would rather get straight to killing you. However, he's in charge. So for now, we'll be going down his path. Once he gets bored of you?" he murmurs in my ear, hot breath making goose-bumps spring up across my flesh. "And he will. On that day? I will break you apart, and I will fucking enjoy it. I don't trust you, but I will kill you. That's a promise." He speaks so harshly, short little bursts of hate as he speaks past those thin, pale lips and sharp little teeth.

He then chucks me onto the bed. I hear him wipe his hands on the sheets before marching out, and slamming the cell door shut. Without another poisoned word, he storms off. Once the far away door also slams shut, silence returns to my humble abode and I begin to weep. I clasp my burning through, and let the bitter tears fall.

Damn them.

Damn them all.

Hope you enjoyed!

If you like the Shifter side of the story, and want to read a GREAT shifter story, one that inspired me to go ahead and use the Shifter aspect of this story, check out Adishailan, and her BRILLIANT story "The Hunter" I'm BETA reading for it, and I'm having so much fun doing so. Really, she's a great writer, with a great concept. Check it out!