For MagpieQueen444

*****Please bear with me while I figure out why some of my editing does not publish correctly, especially my dialogue punctuation.

My first few days at The Wayside were hard, but you were there to help me every step of the way. In fact, it was almost like you made me your mission or something. You showed me around town, all your favorite restaurants and coffee houses, theaters and museums, the local library and parks. We walked along the creek that ran through town, the sides of which were posh restaurants, and stores with fancy upscale apartments and condos built above them. There were grassy areas and fountains every few hundred feet, along with artsy bridges and benches. It seemed part park and part shopping mall.

While you went off somewhere to get coffee, I sat on a bench watching the rhythmic patterns in one of the fountains. It was mesmerizing and I was so lost in its dance that I didn't even notice you sit down beside me.

"Don't get hypnotized by the waterworks, you might to turn into a fish or something." You said, making me jump slightly, waking me from my aquatic day dream. "Here." You handed me a coffee adding a cute little two finger salute. "Two Splenda, two cream, as ordered."

"Thanks." I smirked. "And Ha Ha."

"I like it here," You said sitting down beside me. "Even though its an urban center, its not usually crowded. I like the water running through the center as well as the water flowers and the ducks; its peaceful. Most of the structures are newly built and its clean. That's what I like the most about this place. Its clean. Almost reminds me of home."

Your phone buzzed before you could elaborate on what home meant, and you reached into your pocket. "Sorry." Looking at your messages you grinned and turned to me. "Its a message from Armin. He lives on the lower level. He says there is a truck waiting and he assumes its for you.  I bet it's your furniture."

"Armin? I think I saw him last night. Blonde hair, kinda greasy looking? Spook-able?"

"Yup, that's Armin. He grew up with Eren, but that was before...before..."  You looked down at the ground seemingly annoyed. "Well, I can't tell you now, you will learn soon enough about all the characters housed at our little annex. Dr. Zoe will be here later today for group therapy."

I nodded. We got up and walked back towards The Wayside. It was at the end of the promenade where the water went under a bridge and disappeared into an undeveloped area. The Wayside looked like a plantation house at the end of a brick road, except now a main road ran right thru the front yard. It was old and yellow, and covered with many windows. My favorite thing about it was the Gone-With-The-Wind like staircase in the front. There were two apartments below it along with the mail boxes and trash. The delivery truck was parked out front and you went directly to the driver to oversee the instructions of how and where it all was to go.

I climbed up the staircase and unlocked the main door, and then went up the other two flights and unlocked my door. I wasn't sure what was being delivered, other than a bed and maybe a dresser, but I was even more surprised that I had a small table with two chairs, a small two seat couch, a kitchen storage cabinet and a TV stand. I had no idea where it was all going to go in my tiny apartment, but you took control and found a place for everything. After helping the delivery men assemble it all, you showed them out.

I walked around the apartment looking at every corner, every crack in the paint, touching the walls and looking out every window. I began reflecting on what my life had become. My chest felt tight and tears began to fall. I sat down on my bed began to feel alone, but then you knocked on my door and reminded me I wasnt.

"Talia?" You called peering around the open door. "Are you alright?" You stepped into the bedroom. "Feeling a bit overwhelmed?" I could only nod; my words seemed to be knotted up in my throat. You sat down on the bed, taking care to put space between us.

"I just cant believe my life has come to this." I swallowed. Everything I use to be is gone. I had to put everything that means anything to me in storage and run. I didnt feel safe. I still don't." I looked up and into the allure of those eyes of yours. "Will I ever?"

"I hope so", you said placing your hand on my shoulder like you did the night before. "But that is up to you. That is what you will find we are all here at the Wayside for; we all want to feel safe." You took my hands in yours and looked me in the eye. "We will also want to help, if you let us."

Suddenly alarm bells went off in the building making me jump out of my skin, but you were calm and still almost like you knew it was going to happen. You put your hands on my shoulders and nodded. "It's okay. Its not a fire. Its just Dr. Zoe. She thinks its funny to rally the troops when its time for group. She says it keeps us on our toes." You shook your head and motioned me to follow.

I followed you out the door and as we passed the source of the annoyance, an old metal alarm bell about 7ft high on the wall, you jumped up and slammed it with your fist making it stop. Short as you were I was impressed you could reach that high!

We continued down the stairs until we reached a lower level and a cool dampness and smell of mildew hit my face and nose. I followed you down a narrow hall seeing a laundry room to my right and then a common room containing old dorm style cargo furniture arranged in a circle on my right. There were half basement windows on three white dusty paneled walls that were letting in the hazy mid morning sun.

On the far wall with no window was a brown blank tapestry exactly like the one in your apartment.

Sitting in a far chair was a familiar faced woman with long dirty blonde hair tied up in a messy bun. She wore the same   big round glasses that She always did when I attended sessions with her at the hospital.

She sat with her legs crossed and had a big goofy grin on her face. You crossed into the room and I noticed you made eye contact with her, but all you did was growl and take the seat to her right. I stood at the door as others trickled in around me.

"Come Talia," She padded a seat to her left. "Come sit by me." I looked at the faces of the others as they took their seats, whining and whispering obscenities under their breath. They all looked ragged, and no one seemed pleased to see me. "Dont mind them, Talia. They all just need to take their happy-fiber pills today".

I sat down and looked at you. You just nodded smiled slightly. There were eight seats, and seven were filled by both men and women. One remained empty. Dr. Zoe looked at the empty seat and then at you, prompting you jump up and disappear out the door.

"So, Talia", Dr. Zoe patted my knee." Are you settling in alright? Is Levi taking care of you?" A young man sitting directly in front of me let out a hardy laugh and repeated "Is Levi taking care of you?" Dr. Zoe hissed and shot him a stern look causing him to curl up in his seat and hide his face behind his knees." Oh dont mind Conney. Like the rest of us, hes practically harmless".

There was mumbling of more obscenities floating around the room and I was sure I heard words like bitch and outsider.

"Yes, Im alright." was all I could manage to say before you came barreling in dragging a young disheveled blonde by the collar and tossing him into the empty seat. You looked around menacingly at the rest of the disheveled individuals mumbling around you and firmly said "Shut it!" To which you commanded instant attention and quiet. I was confused, because I thought you were a patient like me and the others, yet they looked at you like you were their military commander or something. You took your seat to Dr. Zoe's right and waited for her to begin.

"Well, Good afternoon soldiers. Welcome back to group." Dr. Zoe said as she folded her hands together and leaned her elbows on her knees and placed her folded hands under her chin. "Now I haven't had a chance to brief our new friend Talia about our little operation here. It was much more critical that I get her here first and settled in."

"Why is she here commander? Asked man an older looking  scruffy  fellow two seats to my right.  "Shes not one of us".

A skinny, dark haired, tan man sitting next to him pipped in "She's an outsider".

"Yeah!" Said a few of the others. "Shes a civilian!"

"Shut it!" You sternly commanded again, causing individuals to shrink back into their seats.

Dr. Zoe turned to me. "Now, Talia, I haven't been completely honest with you about this place and these people. Nor have I been honest with them about why I brought you here. Each person you see seated in this room is a veteran. Each one has seen heavy combat and suffers from PTSD and other wartime related maladies."

My heart sank and I felt disheartened. "Then they are right. I don't belong here. Why am I here?"

"You are here, because you suffered an event that left you fearing for your life and now you are in need of protection from him, it...that thing, that scum that violated you and took your flower from you without consent.."

Dr. Zoe began an angry, hissy rant and I started to feel uncomfortable until you stopped her by clearing your throat loudly. "Oi, Commander."

She glared at you and then back at me. "In other words, honey, you had no options. I am giving you options." After a few moments of dramatic silence she began again.  "Each person here knows how you feel. They know the fear, the irrational thoughts, and the paranoia, the pain that loss and loneliness can bring. That is why you are here."

"Levi called you Commander. Does that mean you are military too?" I asked sheepishly.

"Well yes, I do rank in the military as a commander, and in another time and place I've seen the casualties of war that these ladies and gentleman have experienced, except mine has been through the eyes of a doctor." Dr. Zoe seemed to have been getting wound up and dramatic all of a sudden and I noticed you looking like you wanted to say something. I have seen, heard and felt their losses first hand within several branches of military. I am just as trained as these jarheads so I can kick ass if I need to."

"Talia,"you interjected placing a hand on Dr. Zoe's shoulder, "This is a special ops group. Each member has skills that they bring to the table for whatever mission we have been called upon to carry out. Right now we are on official hiatus, but I am giving them a mission. We are here to protect you."

I looked around at each of the faces, but no one return my gaze. I remember saying to myself, 'These are my protectors? A bunch of broken mental psychosis? Why in the world would you think I belonged here? I was so angry and confused and felt so hopeless; I just got up and ran from the room. I started to head up the dusty dark stairwell, but was grabbed from behind by you. "This is nuts, let me go Levi!"

"Shh. I know you think we are all insane, and yeah, maybe we are. But its all true. We are who we say we are."

"True or not, why would you have interest in me? I'm not like any of them."

"More than you think. We take our orders from the commander. If she thinks you are important enough to need protecting, then you must be." You let go of me and I turned to face you. Have I given you any reason to doubt me thus far, Talia?"

I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath, but before I could get a word out you gently put your hand on my cheek and began making circles with your thumb to sooth me. It was working. "When we get done here, I will take you to my favorite place. Its got a creek we cool off in and its peaceful. I will answer any questions you have about us, okay?"

I nodded and you took my hand leading me back to the room. As we entered I was taken back as they all jumped up at attention, placing their right fist over their hearts with a thump and placing their left arm behind them. Their eyes were focused ahead of them. You led me back to my seat and then returned to yours.

"As you were soldiers." You said as they all sat back down. Each of them had a sheet of paper and I glanced to the one the person to my right was holding. It consisted of some sort of a description and a picture of a man, the man I feared, the man that assaulted me. Suddenly my world went dark and I couldn't breathe. I'm not sure how long this panic attack lasted, but I remember hearing your voice and feeling hands on my shoulders.

"Breathe Talia. Come on. It's okay, you are safe." When I started to come back, I felt you next to me and heard your voice. Looking around there ten pairs of eyes staring back.

"I'm sorry Talia, but when you left the room I began to brief the gang on why you were here." said Dr. Zoe.

"Why are they holding pictures of...of him?" I asked I felt the as if the room had sucked all the air out my chest and my head was about to explode. Each person held a paper with a picture of Frankie. The man that for five minutes I thought was my friend. I thought cared about me. That after a few drinks turned into a monster that violated me. That turned me into everything I hate about myself and my life. Everything I feared.

"I was going to brief you separately, but there is something you need to know." Dr. Zoe frowned and continued. "The man that assaulted you is wanted not just by the state for what he did to you, but is considered a dangerous criminal. While serving in the United States Marines he raped and killed civilian women in several countries."

I was shocked to say the least. I put my hand over my mouth and started to silently cry. I felt your arms around me, but it didn't register fully you were still there.

"This is why I brought you here; Gunnery Sergeant Francis Wright has gone AWOL and I believe he is looking for you."

"But why?" "I cried "What more could he want with me? I'm nothing!"

"My intel tells me otherwise, Hun."  Dr. Zoe's eyes dropped." He is after you because you..."

I noticed you shake your head and glare at Dr. Zoe before you flatly stated "You are the only victim that pressed charges."

"Oh." was all I could get out as I felt like my heart was stuck in my throat and I was going to die at any moment.

"Now there are a few things you need to know about us Talia," you said." Our little band of miscreants has adopted the name and insignia of the Survey Corps. It's not an official military name here, but as you will soon find out, for us it has come to stand for hope."

Suddenly the group stood, resuming their salute and saying in unison: "Hope in Our Darkest Hour, Hope for Our Own Humanity."

Dr. Zoe put her hand on mine. Overwhelmed, I relaxed into your arms and looked around at the room full of solemn young faces. I could see tired, defeat in their eyes, and yet still glimmers of determination. For what, I had no clue.

Damn, was I confused.