You're Not Alone

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Today's the day we give our formation a try. I sit on top of Bodt, my horse, her legs bobbing up and down impatiently. I'm surrounded by the other Scouts on horses, the atmosphere is intense.

I hear the bells go off, signaling our departure about to start. My hands hold onto the reigns tighter, my thighs squeezing the saddle.

"Commander, the time approaches," a garrison soldier announces. "Titans in the vicinity have been lured away! Gate opens in thirty seconds!"

Eren and I are in position behind Levi and Petra, Gunther and Eld behind us. I feel Eren tap my leg with his, gesturing to a window where two kids are staring at us.

"Awesome, It's the scouts!" The little girls eyes sparkle.

"See that symbol? They call it the Wings Of Freedom!" Her brother tells her, grinning.

"So cool!" The girl sings.

I smile at her and she hides a little behind her brother. It reminds me of Eren and I when we were kids. He was always excited to see the Scouts and I followed him everywhere he went. We'd watch them ride off on their missions every chance we got.

"This is it! The day has come for humanity to take another step forward!" Darrius, shouts up ahead. He's one of the Scout's higher ups. "Now let's show those Titans exactly what we're made of!"

All of us cheer, excitement and adrenaline forming within us. The gate starts to open and we hear Erwins command to move out. I kick Bodt's side, signaling here to start running. Eren is on my left as we begin our journey.

"It's officially begun. The 57th Recon Mission!" Erwin shouts from his white horse at the head of the group. "Scouts, move out!"

We start our journey through the old ruins of the village outside of Wall Maria. Buildings crumbled and smashed. I look to my left and see a Titan wondering about.

"We've got a ten-meter closing in from the left!" I hear Hange yell from the head of the group.

I watch a two Scouts take off to eliminate if before it can get to us. My hands grip the reigns, urging my horse to stay at the fast pace it's going.

From my left, I see the Scout slice at the nape of the Titan. It's too shallow though and now the Titan is heading right towards us.

I have faith in the Scouts. They aren't going to let the thing get to us. This missions is very important and no one is going to let it go south this soon into it.

"Forward! Ride for all you're worth!" The commander orders.

I know my friends are in this formation. They are behind me somewhere. My prayers go out to them, hoping all come back alive. I'm not ready to lose anyone else.

I think back to Gunthers explanation of the formation:

"They'll only have our back until we're out of the city ruins. Everything behind that will be uninterrupted Titan territory. We'll be more or less on our own. The only thing to fall back in out there is Commander Erwin's long-range scouting formation. The special ops squad'll be positioned here."

My friend will be sent off in their own. This formation calls fro us to be singled out, but still in the vicinity of skilled Scouts.

"Loaded question. Be straight with me," I look at Ouro who's riding between Eren and I. "You think my friends have a chance at taking down a Titan?"

"Really?" His voice high. "I should certainly hope so, otherwise what the hell have they been training for?"

"Right..." I whisper to myself.