I force myself not to dwell on my childish acts four days prior. After what I said to Levi I couldn't stop thinking about it. I won't admit it was wrong of me to say such things but, there was that sour feeling devouring me from the inside.

I did my best to rid those thoughts but to no avail. I was plagued by Levi's deep tone and the words he spoke before storming out that cabin. Yet I was till debating if I took it too far with him.

I rub my left temple in hopes to calm my beating headache. Tomorrow was our mission with the twenty Cadets. I had complete faith most will make it out alive but then again, how many times was I wrong about this sort of thing?

"We have to regroup the squads ," I hear Erwin mutter to himself. Presently, I was at a meeting with Erwin and the officers attending this mission.

Erwin was studying a few papers with names on all of them. Spread about on his map table he leans over the papers as he studies the papers more carefully. I stood in a line with all the high ranking officers.

I stood at the end of the line with Levi surprisingly on my right. The silence between us ever since we arrived back to Trost was starting to become unbearable. Was he truly taking what I said to heart?

I suck in a breath, taking a chance to glance at him. He doesn't look back.

"Emma."

Startled by the sound of my name, I quickly stand straighter with my feet planted firmly besides each other.

"Yes, sir!" I reply too loudly. Erwin doesn't seem to notice and beckons me over. Striding to his side I also gaze down at his papers.

"This is the number of veteran troops we have. And also the number of Cadets," he informs while pointing to his work. "Is it possible to use our Long-Distance formation with just fifteen groups?"

I stare at the names and numbers, my mind speeding through many possibilities. Five in each squad would be enough in this case, if we're considering the Scout Regiment presently only has four hundred soldiers then my calculations would be--

"I don't advise fifteen groups, sir," I say at last. "It's too small, it'll be inefficient and would draw in more Titans."

"Then what do you suggest?" He questions with a glance.

"Twenty-six groups," I reply. "With five in each squad." He holds my stare for a moment before looking away.

"Twenty-six, huh?" He murmurs. "Then that means a few of the Cadets would have to lead those groups."

I nod gravely, "It's a risk since they're still inexperienced but, if you wish to use our tactic then this the best way. We'll cover more land." Erwin nods thoughtfully debating if my advise was worth going for.

"Alright," he breathes. "Twenty-six it is." He turns back to his fellow soldiers with his lips pressed in a firm line. "Hanji, Levi, I need you two to give me at least nine Cadets who can handle being Squad Leader for this mission. I'll pick the others."

Nodding they both stride towards the table and scan the papers as well. I take a step back knowing I wasn't needed at the moment. Erwin gestures his hand to the others.

"Inform everyone of the preparations and make sure we have enough supplies." I listen to the soft yes sir's and the clopping of their heels against the wood.

When the door closes Erwin, Hanji, and Levi got to work. I watch them trade ideas and suggestions for those being picked. I only placed in my opinions when necessary.

With the information I gathered during the short week of training, Erwin was sure the Cadets are more than ready for this upcoming mission.

"That leaves us with one more group," Levi announces with a sigh. I now leaned against a wall as I gaze outside into the streets.

I decide not to comment for there was no need to. I was only there to make sure the calculations were correct. Yet, that didn't stop me from listening in.

"It's just, putting another Cadet as leader is too much," Erwin sighs. "We can't afford to lose half of the new Scouts. We need one with experience."

"Yes, but most of the veteran Scouts refuse to be leader," Hanji states while rubbing the back of her head. "We might have to recount the groups."

"No."

I turn to them meeting their questioning gazes. I shrug with a frown.

"If we regroup again then the Squad Leaders will have too much to handle," I stated plainly. "Leaving it at five is enough. Putting six in a group would only cause miscommunication." Levi crosses his arms and cocks his head.

"How so?" he questions. I almost stumble over my words when I hear him speak. Despite it being days he addressed me civilly, it felt like forever.

"Do you know how far each group will be from another?" I reply with a question. I walk to the the table and point at the distance of two blocks on paper. "Ten miles," I state. "With that much distance anything could happen to just one group. Hypothetically, if a Titan approaches one group the Squad Leader only has mere seconds to make orders. It's more than likely a basic plan would be put into action."

I hold up three fingers, locking eyes with Levi. I want to show him he shouldn't question my ideas.

"Three would attack the Titan and two would hold flank on horseback for an emergency. That way, one could flee to the other group if needed while the other stays to fight with the rest."

"I get that," Levi snaps. "So why not have six members? The numbers would be efficient."

"It would," I agree solemnly. "But you're forgetting one thing; abnormal Titans. We don't know much about them, only they're unlike the normal ones. Some jump while others run. There's a possibility they might have some sort of intelligence as well. Like all Titans they're drawn to humans. If two flee from the fight it might capture an abnormal's attention leaving that group to be eliminated in minutes."

When I finish, Levi seemed outraged. His nostrils flare while he tightly clamps down his jaw. I hold his fury glare with my own.

Despite what I felt, I couldn't stand him. I couldn't stand how angry he because I spoke the truth. Maybe I did take it far but it doesn't mean he can be an ass about it.

"Emma has a point," Erwin pipes up before either of us would start a banter. "Sticking to the original amount will do us good."

"But that doesn't answer our question," Hanji blurts. "Who'll lead the other squad?"

We stand around the table in silence. I thought of every Scout I know but, none were willing to do the task. My heart sinks at the thought and my bottom lips pushes out into a frown.

"Emma."

At the sound of my name my insides turn cold. I couldn't feel my heartbeat. I couldn't recall the previous thoughts I had. Nothing seemed to function when I heard Erwin whisper my name.

Gravely, with horror striking my core like a sword, I turn to my Commander. My eyes wide enough to make a stranger worry if my eyes would fall out its sockets. And that moment, I wished they did.

That way I didn't have to see the startling horror painted across Erwin's face. Yet, he masked it perfectly in that one second after I caught a glimpse. His face hardens, his hair cascading a shadow over his eyes. He didn't look at me.

"You'll lead the last group," he says in a low tone. My breath hitches to my throat. Suddenly, I found it harder to breathe.

I try to compose myself, I attempted to calm the thundering of my heartbeat and the sudden heaviness of my body.

"Erwin," I breathe. "You know that's impossible."

I couldn't be Squad Leader. No matter how much he wants me to, I can't. I already proved myself to be the worst at it.

"It's not. You've done it before," he replies.

I was stunned by his unusual bluntness. It triggered something inside me. Like a dam being broken that I desperately built for the past two years. Sucking in a shaky breath I find the courage to release what little anger I kept in store.

"How--how can you say that with such ease?" I question tightly. "After what happened. . . After that nightmare of a mission you have the audacity to speak like that?!"

I had slammed a fist on the table. My mind was racing as I try to push those wretched memories back to where I drowned them. My teeth grinds over one another with a vein pulsing over my temple.

"Don't you remember?" I demand. "Don't you remember the lives that were lost during that mission? You have no right to give me the position of--"

"LIEUTENANT WOLFRAM!"

I jump to the rumble of Erwin's voice. I blink twice before noticing how Erwin towered over me. Still, I bared my teeth and glare daggers at him. He doesn't seem to mind as he does the same. It brought a cold shiver down my back.

"You are a Scout of the Survey Corps!" He yells in anger. "I don't care how you feel about that mission, you are a solider. A Scout. Act like it! If I say you're Squad Leader, then you are!"

I could feel my face become pale and my palms becoming clammy. His words struck me like a fist into my face. That mission.

How can he say with such ease? Like that entire plan didn't go to hell. I wasn't sure what I felt.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to punch him. I wanted to ball myself into a corner hoping those memories would disappear.

Such a wide range of emotions swirled inside me that I could only mask my face into perfect blankness.

"Oi, Erwin."

Levi's voice brought me back to reality. I hadn't realized he now stood between Erwin and I. My gaze moves to Levi with his back to me. He stares up at Erwin as though he could reason with him.

"That's a little too far," He warns. I stare at him with crinkled brows. I don't understand why he was doing this.

Was he going to defy his Commander just because I couldn't get over a mission? A sudden burst of anger surges through me. This was downright pitiful. To have Levi stand up for me is a disgrace.

"Look, let's reconsider the others," Levi reasons with a firm tone. "Emma is not in the state to--"

"I'll do it." He whirls his head to me, stunned by my proclamation. I ignore his questioning gaze. It only kindled the fire in my veins. Erwin inspects me as though I was under evaluation. I stand up straighter holding my chin high.

"You're right," I deliver loudly. "I'm a Scout and I should start acting like one. I'll take up the position." Hanji start to panic, her expression didn't help me either.

"Emma, now just hold on a second!" She shouts. "I may have someone who can--"

"I'm doing it!" I repeat with a snip in my tone. I send her a threatening glare gaining her stunned silence in return. "My Commander ordered this from me and I'll do it!" It seems to satisfy Erwin for he sends me a curt nod.

"I'll give you the names of your squad members by the end of the day."

I nod tightly to his words and watch him turn back to the papers on his desk. I notice the way Hanji stares at me yet, I don't meet her gaze. She awkwardly turns away.

Only Levi was left to gawk. I meet his stare, his silver eyes piercing into mine. I couldn't understand what he was thinking, many things clouded his eyes.

Only anger coated my eyes. I was tired of Levi being there. Tired of these selfless acts he's been performing ever since I ended up at the Medical Center.

His motives are unknown but does it matter? I turn away with a scowl and my fists tighter behind my back. It was the only way for me to not crumble to the floor.

Yet, it didn't go pass Levi when I felt his unnerving eyes notice my shaking body.

/\/\/\/\/\

I'm the type of person who likes to spoil things for myself when I get impatient over an unfinished anime.

Regret doing that for AOT
(T^T)

....If you're tempted, do not do it!
The results is something you'll never believe.

Buuut if you're dying to know like me then I much oblige you to😂

Anyway, enough of that!

Vote and Comment, lovelies!♥️♥️