CHAPTER VI | ALTERCATION
Swords drawn to difference

I pry my eyes open to catch sight of a long white bonnet above me, side boards on both sides where I lay. My body quivers from a familiar surface, a rocky road. Am I one of the several dead soldiers in this expedition, watching themselves being transferred for incineration? I recall the blood running down my head. Could that have declared my death?

The wagon halts abruptly sending my body to slide forward, hitting my upper head on the front board. I fiercely rub the sharp pain off my head. "Bloody hell." I curse. Seems my nerve and muscular system remain active and intact, not suffering from paralysis.

I hear several horse hooves outside and familiar veterans murmur around the wagon. Are we still outside the walls?

"Unload the cargo before night wins us over." I hear Ferno Delasty order from afar. Someone who I didn't expect enters the wagon.

"You're finally awake." Levi says.

"What happen?" I run my fingers on my forehead. No blood, stains my fingers. Levi kneels in front of me.

He inspects my head in a gentle manner. "The impact from the horse fall could have been the cause of your blackout." His mysteries blue eyes veer towards my own. "How's your vision?" He leans forward until the tip of our noses are only a few centimeters apart.

"Perfect." I gulp silently. I can smell his fresh scent mixed with the iron of blood. I quickly scan his features, red stains his cheek and forehead with his raven hair straighter than the normal. Still alluring and attractive. "Where are we?" I stand upright in a scheme to impede any emotions to arise within me.

"Headquarters." He rises from the wooden board, dusting his knees.

I gasp. "Headquarters?" I jump off the wagon to indeed be inside our secured premises. A four story building surrounds the main area I'm standing in, into a perfect square. I see the familiar fifteen-meter statue placed in the center, proving once again its beauty of detailed expressions. Levi holds my arms for balance. "I'm alright now." I beckon him to release me. "Thanks." I roll my shoulders and massage my neck. "How long was I out?

"A week."

"A week?!" I rub my wrist and hands. I can feel the hairs growing already. "That was quite a blackout." I discretely touch my cheek in need of the same treatment. "Who found me?" I avoid eye contact.

"I did. Your horse was being too rowdy. I went to calm the obnoxious creature to a minimal level but discovered you..." He removes his green coat. "...in the brink of death." He lifts his eyebrows meanwhile folding the sweater. "A filthy mess you were."

"Nice description, Sir." I send him a fake smile.

"Well, heads up. You're back in the Special Operation Squad." He leaves me widely in shock.

"Since when?" I whisper to myself. "How? Why?" I stutter in disbelief. Did my absence in the expedition prove my incompetence towards Erwin's squad? Did I disappoint Erwin Smith for injuring myself so foolishly? I turn to ask Captain Levi but he's already gone to help the veterans unload the cargo. I grumble. "Dammit Sam."

"Why blaming the horse, Divergent?" Zack Henderson, my ex-squad captain who died three months ago appears beside me.

I take a step back. "So I wasn't hallucinating before I blacked out?" I rest my hand on my forehead. "Or am I hallucinating right now?"

"I wouldn't call it that way." Zack attempts to casually kick a rock. Not much luck.

"I guess..." I eye the premises. "...nitpicking seems accurate for the moment." I say discretely.

Zack chuckles. "Sure seems."

"I'm sorry Zack but I need to find the Commander." I scan for any signs of the Commander. "Commander Erwin!" I catch him dismount his white stallion. I run by several deceased piled in parallel rows.

"Glad you've awaken." Erwin hands the horse reins to a young woman and walks towards me.

"So am I." I nervously smile. I take a deep breathe before speaking. "I understand my position and I know this may be inconvenient but there's an important question I must ask." I play with my fingers.

"Then do so." Erwin straightens his posture, a grave expression soon appearing.

"Captain Levi has informed me of my transfer back to his squad. Is this correct?" I plea in my mind that Levi was lying.

"Will you like that Athena?"

"I prefer serving in your squad, Sir."

"You are aware that Levi is consistent in having you in his squad?"

"I...didn't realize." I shrug my shoulders.

"During the expedition I came to notice your skills is needed somewhere else. Your tendencies to be observant is better off in the Special Operations Squad. Despite the incident where your performance could not be evaluated, I trust your abilities are worth with Levi's. That's my verdict and I expect you obey." He turns to leave.

"Sir-"

"Divergent." Zack impedes me from walking any further. "Don't let Levi prevent you from fulfilling your duties." I send Zack an angry scowl and continue with my protest.

"Commander Erwin." I pull onto the Commander's stained green coat. "What if I don't comply?"

"Then resign from the Survey Corps." Levi slaps my hand away from the Commander.

"You'll be transferred out of my squad immediately." Erwin sighs in exhaustion.

"Is there any other squad I may be suitable to be in, Commander?" I insist.

"No!" Erwin shouts. "If your neglect towards my orders continues, you'll be force to abandon this military branch. The file papers may show one thing, but that doesn't mean I consider you my greatest asset."

"Divergent." Zack whispers. "Don't allow your emotions to ruin you." I remain hesitate. If I join the Special Operations Squad my chances of seeing Levi are high and likely. Zack caresses my cheek with the side of his index finger. "What will you do? Fall or rise?" He wraps his arm on my shoulder. Zack is correct. I must not refrain myself from completing my duties because of Levi.

"Yes, Commander. I'll transfer to the Special Operations squad." I reluctantly say, my eyes staring to the Commander's chest.

"Levi. She's all yours." Erwin waves his hand nonchalantly and makes his way to the building. In the side of my vision, I catch sight of the two criminals that dressed as Survey Corps soldiers in this expedition being pulled off a wagon. Surprisingly, the two criminals are well and feisty.

"I want you in my office tomorrow before sunrise." Levi walks beside me.

"Yes, sir." I bob my head in understanding as Levi heads towards the Commander.

"Divergent." Zack circles in front of me with a pitiful expression. I watch Levi leave. I tap my index finger on my thigh meanwhile leaning on my hip, biting my lip in frustration. "Divergent-" He reaches my hand.

"I'm alright." I cut him off. "Simply exhausted." I add.

"Hey!" A young soldier about twenty-years-old yells to my right. The criminal with dark blond hair and tan complexion achieves to knock him out of balance. The criminal cuts the ropes tied around his wrists with a small knife, smiling wickedly. He penetrates the knife inside the young soldier's shoulder. A screech of pain alerts everyone in the area.

"Restrain him!" I sprint to the criminal who doesn't waste a second to charge towards the commander.  

I snatch a blade from a soldier's maneuver gear and with precise calculation throw it to the criminal like if hunting a running rabbit. Wherever it lands is beyond me at this point and the fact I may murder a human being for the first time terrorizes me. "Damn." I mumble as I pray for the blade's safe trip.

The blade stabs the criminal's forearm, falling on his knees. I reach him just in time before he makes another move. I grimace when I yank the blade off his arm.

Profanities escape from his mouth. He strikes for my face. I quickly stab his leg. He screams in pain. "You shit of a slut."

My pupils widen dramatically when he retrieves an upgraded pistol. I hear the noise of a clicking sound coming from the gun. Is this how my life ends?

Not yet. It seems. The sharp pain in my shoulder proves I'm still fully alive. I grab my shoulder, blood already spreading through my clothing. I veer my attention back to the criminal in front of me. Levi has removed the pistol away from the tan man.

"Have they ever taught you to respect a woman?" Levi doesn't allow him to answer. Warm blood splashes on my face and collar shirt. I let gravity take over my legs, and fall on my butt. I do my best to smudge off the warm blood.

"Ease it there." Levi grips my wrist. "You'll only make it worse." He yanks me upright. I face him and he furrows his eyebrows in concern. "Get washed up and immediately head to the infirmary to check your eyes. They look hazy." I remain still, unable to process what just happen. I feel him shake me. "Focus."

Levi saved my life?