runaway • h.z.

chapter twelve: for science

A/N: Hey guys, gals, and nonbinary pals! So sorry for not updating yesterday, I was feeling a tad under the weather and ended up sleeping all day! I'm feeling much better today, and so I shall update twice tonight! <3

"So we're doing what?!" I had exclaimed to the rambunctious scientist, as they pulled me eagerly towards the exit before we hopped on our horses,

"We're seeing how you do with a horde of Titans! For the expedition!" Hanji replied, their glasses glinting in the early morning sun. "We have some scouts already out on the other side of the wall with their gear, gathering the titans as we did in Trost. Your job is to see if you can control more than one at a time."

"I get that, but what if I can't?"

"Can't what? Control the titans, or activate your power?"

"Both" I replied, as I stared at the wall, my stomach filling with butterflies from the nerves.

"I believe in you, Y/N." Is all Hanji replied, as we used our ODM gear to climb the wall, as it seemed that the special ops squad and Hanji's squad were dangling on the other side of the wall, where a group of maybe fifteen titans are clawing at the wall.

"I'll be with you for this experiment, You'll be on a lift, that we use for horses and supplies to get on the other side of the wall. We'll lower it halfway down, so you can get nice and close. I'll be right beside you, in case you faint again." Hanji smiled, as we hopped onto the wooden planks which were connected to metal chains, and as we were on, Hanji gave the signal to lower us.

As soon as the chains started creaking, I began preparing myself mentally. Clear all thoughts, don't think too much. Deep breaths in, and out. I closed my eyes, thinking about nothing in particular. After a few cycles of deep breaths, the chain creaked to a stop.

"Ready whenever you are, Y/N," Hanji stated, as I opened my eyes, seeing the titans all staring at us.

"I'm ready."

"Try getting the titans to do something together. Perhaps start with one, and go from there." At that, Hanji fired off a green flare, signaling the start. "Try to control them without causing self-harm at first."

I did as Hanji asked, focusing on the giant naked titan with brown short hair, and stared at it. I tried imagining the titan doing a simple movement but to no avail.

"Moving onto attempt two," I said out loud, as Hanji wrote something down on their clipboard.

I bit into my thumb and tried to picture the titan moving away from the pack. But again, nothing happened. What was going on? I let out a low growl and I bit harder. I tasted a metallic taste in my mouth and soon felt it dripping down my chin.

"Maybe we should st-" Hanji began,

"Don't you even dare suggest we stop." I took off my brown jacket and put it down, rustling in my pocket for the tiny pocket knife I always carried, ever since I was nearly mugged in the cadet corps.

"What are you-" Hanji began once more before I held out my hand, and sliced into my palm, and didn't even feel the pain, but Hanji gasped, and before she could say anything, I glared at the titan once more and raised my right hand above my hand, and this time, he moved.

The titan slowly raised his right arm above his head, before the titan beside him did the same thing. Like a chain effect, each titan raised their right arm. Once all had done it, I lowered my hand and instead tilted my head to the right, and all the titans immediately moved over to the right.

I couldn't hear anything else other than my heartbeat in my ears, almost like I was in my own world. Like the thoughts I had weren't mine.

I used my hand to signal a circle, and all the titans began spinning in circles.