Chapter 1

Footsteps... Is someone here to visit me? I was encaged in a caliginous, dusty cell underground for many days now. Rusty shackles constricted my chaffed wrists and ankles as I inhaled the murky air daily. Brittle, stale bread and watery soup were my only sources of nutrition. A dim light that hovered right outside of the metal bars was the only origin of illumination and the keeper of my sanity. I was kept entertained by listening to the music of my heart and breathing. Sometimes, I would hear guards outside having a nonchalant talk. The topic would usually be about Ria and... me. It had been so long that I almost regained my full humanity, understanding, and fluency of words and thoughts. Finally, a couple moments later, I matched the footsteps with a person, no people. The footsteps belonged to a short man with black hair and two men with brown hair. The man with black hair already visited me before to take me to interrogation but as for the other two...

"Do you remember anything?" the short man questioned, narrowing his eyes.

N-no. Was what I wanted to say but it seems that it was hard to connect my thoughts to spoken words. I was locked away in a world filled with only thoughts so the ability to speak is new for me. Think, think, think... how many thoughts have I thought this far into my life? As a titan, thinking was all I could do for I couldn't match my wishes with actions and move the way I wanted to. It was all predetermined; whether I killed the person or died... or so I thought.

"We're not going to hurt you," a voice reassured.

"What is this? Is the new boy shy? Don't worry, we're here to get you out," someone laughed.

I didn't know how to respond. Correction: I knew how I wanted to but I didn't react the way I wanted to. I guess this idea of choices and moving your own body was still something I'm not used to yet. The only thing I did was stare back, puzzled, with my faint, painted brown eyes. Shaking my chains, I hinted that I wanted to escape from this prison.

"But still, I don't know why we had to keep you here for so long. I mean, if you think about it, this is so similar to when Ria came here. You guys even look alike; if Arthur was a real person and not just Ria in disguise, then he would look like you. On looks, you're like a reincarnation of her..." a man reminisced, "Oh, I'm Lukas by the way."

"Still talking about Ria I see. I don't think we can ever forget her. But don't creep this guy out. We just met and now you're talking about how he looks like Ria... don't turn gay for him, Lukas! Anyway, do you have a girlfriend? If you need some advice - "

"You don't even have one!" Lukas interrupted, slighting punching the other man with brown hair, "And I'm not turning gay for anyone!"

"That's a shame, it would've been interesting to have some things changed up in here," the man remarked, grinning. Lukas sighed at the man's stupidity.

"Don't mind him. Actually, make sure to keep your eyes on him, you never know what he'll do since Lukas is a very suspicious man. I think after that incident, he turned gay and he has his eyes on you. But enough of that, I'm Erik!" the flamboyant man introduced, smiling.

"Like I said, I'm not gay!" Lukas shouted back.

"Really? Then why are you calling him a reincarnation of Ria, your past lover?" Erik teased, nudging Lukas.

"Ria wasn't my lover either!"

"Are you sure? I remember it getting heated up in the room when you two were together. It was interesting, seeing the two lovers, you and Levi battle for my sister's heart."

"Not with your lame love show again..."

"What are you calling lame?"

"You guys," a voice threatened. The shorter man with black hair was gripping both Lukas's arm in one hand and Erik's arm in the other. "Did you forget why we came here? I didn't come here to listen to your sh*t about gay love."

"Correction, you didn't come to listen to our sh*t about Lukas bashing on my love show and Lukas turning gay - "

"I called your show lame and it's not like this is the first time I insulted it - "

The short man tightened his grip around their arms and growled, "I said, I didn't come here to listen to your sh*t. Ever since Ria died, both of your attitudes and skills turned to sh*t. Will it make you feel better if we release this, reincarnation of Ria, and turn him into a member of your squad? You guys must be having a sh*tty day and I don't mind making it worse." Both of the guys gulped and silenced their mouths. The man turned to look at me.

"I'm Levi. Call me heichou. We already cleared up your name and you're free to go... on one condition. You are to join the Survey Corps and become a member of Lukas's squad. Obey all his orders and don't become sh*t like them if something happens," Levi muttered, unlocking the cage. He walked over to me and unlocked my shackles and left the cage, wiping off his clothes of dust. "Tch, filthy..."

I haggardly stumbled outside and stared at Lukas and Erik with sleepy eyes. I wasn't sure if I was fond of their happy attitudes; it's the most I've heard since my arrival here. What was the Survey Corps anyway? A memory flashed before me and recollection punched me in the head. Oh... were the people attacking me with uniforms part of the Survey Corps? Ria must've been a part of them too then. If Ria was a part of me, it would probably make her happy if I joined the Survey Corps, wouldn't it?

"Hey, uh, Ria's reincarnation! What are you doing over there staring at the wall? Come over here and we can all eat together!" Erik hollered, signaling the door with his hand. I was lost in thought, I couldn't help it. For all these years I was always thinking, never controlling my actions but now, I could do both. Perhaps thinking carved its way into my personality and being. Had I changed over the years? Was I happy and full of life like them? It would make sense that this isolation from peaceful contact with humans damaged me mentally, twisting and warping my personality and views. But I was still all very confused about the current situation. Can these people be trusted? What are we going to eat? The image of bloody flesh invaded my mind. I instinctively gasped and clutched my oily hair with fists, paranoia and anxiety attacking me. No, I don't want to hurt anyone anymore - I don't want to kill anyone - I don't want to eat anyone!

Something forcefully grabbed my arm and shook it. It wasn't cold like most things were in my life, it was warm, still living.

"Are you okay? Heichou, I think he must've went through some hard times. It seems like he's traumatized. Are you sure we should do this?"

Do what? What are they going to do with me? I was right, I can't trust these people at all. They know. They know everything. They're going to torture me, enjoy my suffering and -

"He'll get over it soon enough. Who knows, maybe he'll take a quick sh*t and feel all better after. Hurry up and get out here."

Something else grabbed my arm. It was also warm, living. Glancing up, I saw a figure. I saw a human. It was Levi. Then, the other person who grabbed my arm was... Lukas. Levi dragged me outside against my will but I stopped resisting half way there. There was light, brighter light outside and a hallway leading somewhere.

While I was dragged, I paid no attention ahead. Instead, I gazed at the scenery of the passing walls. It was a blur of color, bland color. There was the glow of light and it was almost warm, soothing, comforting. There was no misty air anymore, no more dust. It had a floor, walls, ceilings. This was what home would feel like. And yet this was merely a hallway but a hallway was a haven when I've lived as a rogue outside for many years, without control.

"We're here."

Examining my surroundings, we were in a room. There were wooden tables, chairs, people, and food. The food was bread and soup but I would never complain about my food anymore after all I've been through. A group of people sat at a table and they looked up in surprise as they recognized Levi, Lukas, and Erik.

"Who is this?" a girl with dark brown hair and light eyes questioned. She was wolfing down her bread but stopped chewing as she continued to stare. But she wasn't the only one staring, everyone was staring at me.

"This is someone you could call 'Ria's reincarnation' I guess," Lukas explained with an awkward tone. Other people nodded in recognition.

"Hey, hey we should give him a name! What about - " someone started.

"Charles!"

"Vincent!"

"Erik!"

"Hey that's my name - "

"Davis!"

"Jimmy!"

"What about Damon?"

Everyone stopped the auction of names to rate the name that was just said. Who said that last name? I think it was... the girl wolfing down her bread. Damon... That sounds fitting.

"Going once, going twice, sold! That's a good name! Take the o out and it becomes damn!" Erik joked, laughing at his horrible remark. I guess I have to remember that one to see how many times he reuses that bad joke.

"That's great! Can I call you damn?"

"I think we should stop with these jokes. They're getting annoying to the others and they are really immature..." a blonde girl suggested with a kind, frail voice.

"Hey! Says the one who doesn't know anything about love. Talk about naïve," Erik muttered.

"What did you say?" she innocently inquired.

"Don't listen to him, Christa. He's just throwing up some bullsh*t about you," a girl reassured while slinging her arm around Christa.

"Guys, let's introduce ourselves!" Lukas yelled.

One by one, everyone introduced themselves, usually along with a bundle of kind words at the end. Some of them looked like they could care less but I felt that I could possibly get along with everyone. I could make acquaintances, no friends with them if only I could... be normal. It's hard for me to adjust to this new lifestyle. How ironic is it that the creatures who I once ate are now close to me, allowing me to join the group. Should I feel sympathy or pity that I once ate their friends? Should I feel ashamed? Should I embrace this kindness with open arms, forgetting my past? I don't know which I should do...

"Hello! My name is Sasha! Nice to meet you, Damon! As a show of my friendship, would you like a piece of my bread?" Sasha chirped politely, slowly tearing a portion of the bread. I couldn't respond so I took it with no rejection. A part of the bread was a bit wet, probably from her saliva but it was the best she could do. Unconsciously, an unnoticeable smile formed. She gave me a piece of all she had. It's almost funny that this simple gesture led the way. Maybe I do know what to do now. I'll embrace this kindness with open arms, forgetting my past...

~*~

Yipeeeee! First chapter done! It took me a little while to post it, I suddenly got a ton of homework sorry! But this story will have some slow updates. Should I do it? Should I ship him with Sasha? I don't know! >.< Anyway, thanks for the positive feedback! Thank you in general for anyone reading this too. I really appreciate it! I'll be dedicating this to for being supportive of this book and the first book! Well I hope you guys all enjoyed the first chapter. See you next time ^.^