The scent of dirt and dust filled my nostrils each time I breathe. Specks of sand were thrown at me, but my short hair which reached right below my jaw line covered my face with my long fringe covering it entirely.

"Witch!"

"Get out of here!"

The little kids yelled. The youngsters of my age led them and continued throwing anything they could get their hands on. Through the little gaps of my hair, I took silent steps until I heard a noise nearby.

Being curious, I took some turns with a quicken pace and came across a dead end. What lies there is a short guy with undercut pitch black hair and narrow eyes. Due to the distance, I could not make out the colour of his irises. Deciding to help, I dashed into the fight and kicked the man who wanted to launch a surprise attack.

"What is a little girl doing here?!" A voice gasped from above.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I spotted a young man with dark blonde hair. I focused on the fight and swiftly beat them up until they retreat in fear.

"You okay?" I asked the man behind me.

He nodded, but did not say anything.

'Geez.. A thank you would be nice.' I mentally rolled my eyes. 'Rude.'

"HEY! THE MILITARY POLICE IS HERE! THEY HEARD ABOUT THE RUCKUS HERE AND THEY'RE COMING SOON!" The guy with the dark blonde hair shouted. He then continued again while holding a rope,"If you stay, you'll get caught! Here, use this rope to run from the roof!"

"The fight finished a few seconds ago and not much people are here to witness it. I'm pretty sure the Military Police won't hear about this so soon." I replied with a raised eyebrow.

Almost instantly after hearing my reply, his face turned pale as if he was caught red handed.

"Why would I want a suspicious looking guy like you to help me?" The guy with black hair said.

♘♘

"Whoah! This is fun!" Farlan shouted in the air.

We flew up into the air, trying out the 3D Manuever Gears we stole from the Military Police earlier. I had my pale coloured hair all around my face. I pulled my fringe to cover my eyes protectively before shouting back at Farlan.

"Definitely! I can never get tired of it!" I grinned happily.

"Eh? Have you tried this before??"

At that moment, I thought I almost spilled my secret.

"W-What? N-No! Of course not!" I giggle sheepishly.

"Enough. We will run out of gas soon, lets return." Levi said and immediately turned back sharply.

"Last to return must do the dishes!" I shouted and immediately sped up, passing Levi in the process.

Thanks to my experience and practice, I was the first to reach. I placed my 3D Manuever Gear to where it will not be seen easily and waited patiently for the two boys' return with a playful smile on my face.

I laid on the couch of our home and felt my hair brushing my shoulders.

'I should cut my hair soon..' I sighed.

As soon as I got up from the couch, the door slammed open to reveal the only friends I ever had in my whole life.

"I can't believe I'm the last... Last by a few seconds.." Farlan groaned.

I giggled at his antiques and proceeded to the kitchen for dinner.

"You're doing the dishes, Farlan!"

He groaned again and lazily walked into the kitchen, clearly defeated.

I moved around the kitchen, ensuring my hair is covering my face all the time; especially my eyes. I ordered Farlan around to wash and prepare the utensils.

"Mae.."

"Yeah?" I asked while preparing the ingredients.

"Why do you always cover your face? It's like I've never seen your face before."

The moment he asked that question, I accidentally cut my finger. I winced and put down the knife and the potato.

"You're bleeding!" Farlan gasped and grabbed a first aid kit nearby.

"It's nothing serious."

"Nonsense! A wound is a wound."

He cleaned my wound and applied some cream before wrapping up the wound to prevent infection. After he put the first aid kit in place, he pulled me away from doing what I was doing.

"I'll do it. I don't want you to hurt yourself again."

After he was done, I boiled the peeled potatoes and carrots, then drained it. Afterwards, I mashed it together and mixed in some melted butter, plenty amount of salt and black pepper for taste. Lastly, I minced a fair amount of fresh parsleys and mixed it into the mashed potato.

"I'm done!" I chirped happily.

"Here are the plates." Farlan handed me three plates for me to serve.

I put three scoops each and handed them to Farlan. He brought it to the table which was nicely arranged with spoons and napkins. We ate our dinner in silence and of course, Farlan did the dishes which I laughed at.

I left the table to my room afterwards and sat in front of my mirror with a pair of scissors in my hand. Before I manage to snip my hair, my door opened just enough for Levi to come in.

"Hi.. Levi..?" I was surprised to see him enter my room.

"Why do you always cut your hair this way?" He asked and stood next to me, taking my scissors away.

'What..? Why is he randomly bringing this up?' I pressed my lips together, remembering the reason for doing so.

'Because I hate my hair.. I hate how it is an abnormal colour.'

"..I prefer it this way.." I answered with a barely audible voice, avoiding to look into his eyes because I know how bad of a liar I am.

"What about your eyes? You always cover it."

'I hate it too.. No one ever has these eyes in this shade of colour.'

He sighed and set the scissors on the table.

"I heard about a rumour which involves a certain girl with unusual hair and eyes. They call her a witch." He began.

I listened in silence, unable to figure out why he bothered to listen to rumours. I tried to calm my heartbeat when he start talking about it.

"That's you isn't it?"

Still, I refused to say anything.

He pulled the left side of my fringe and pinned it up with a pair of white clips. My eyes widened in surprise and attempted to slap my eyes close. Literally. However, Levi caught my wrist before I could do it. I refused to meet his gaze and closed my eyes tightly.

He let out an exasperated sigh and said,"I've seen how the citizens treat you whenever Farlan and I aren't by your side. Even when we are, we could see the way they stare at you and whisper some bullshits."

He let go of my wrist and grabbed both of my shoulders gently.

"Why can't you fight for yourself like how you fight for others? You don't have to fucking care about what they say. Don't you know what kind of people Farlan and I are? Be proud of yourself. Be brave. You're unique and you're special. There is only one you, so don't waste your qualities only you have. Make everyone regret to have ever treated you like shit."

Who knew the guy who always acted tough and always had that none-of-my-business persona would actually encourage me to appreciate my odd appearance better.

His steel grey irises and his tiny pupil stared into one of my eyes which is exposed, those pink orbs which is unseen by the world.

"Your eyes...are beautiful." He stated in a voice barely a whisper.

My heart skipped a beat when he said that and a light blush spread across my pale cheeks.

'He really isn't such a heartless guy as everyone says. He cares.'

"Come." He dragged me out of my room and released my hand, leaving it cold and oddly enough, I immediately missed his warm touch.

"Oh, there you are." Farlan exclaimed when he saw Levi and I.

I blushed and hid behind Levi, still uncomfortable with half of my face exposed. He must have noticed this because he immediately moved out of the way, leaving me vulnerable even though I'm perfectly hidden to the public eyes.

"M-M-Mae..!" Farlan stuttered while blushing with his gaze befall upon me.

My face too flushed a bright red as I covered my face like a child.

"Don't look!"

For once, I actually felt embarrassed instead of hatred for exposing my face. In the pool of embarrassment, there was a tint of relief.

♘♘

Ever since then, I have never cut my hair anymore except for my fringe which is always kept right below my eyebrows. The left side of my fringe is always clipped up exactly like how Levi clipped it that day with the exact same clip. When I leave our little home, the rumours of me being a witch has slowly vanished; it only being a topic among the elders and a small portion of little children. Instead of being hated like before, I have become the centre or attention among the adolescents.

My hair has grown past my collarbone. I now wear a long sleeved soft pink button up blouse which is folded above my elbows and a pair of midnight blue pants. Over my blouse is a red jacket with white linings. Around my collar is a red ribbon given by my father. My blouse is untucked, so around my waist is a belt with a small pouch of essential first aid equipments. As for my boots, it is a dark brown colour with thick soles.

On my way home, I met a girl who was leaning against the door to my house. She looked troubled and in her hands is an injured bird. I approached her with a gentle smile on my face, telling her that I wish to help her. She nodded and smiled a wide grin as a thank you.

The moment I unlocked the door and swing it open, a knife almost stabbed my face which I caught swiftly.

"What the hell, Levi?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh, it's you Mae!" Farlan stated from his left.

Levi's eyes widened a little at the sight of me, but moved his gaze to the girl whom I pushed in.

Before I could start talking, a man approached from behind and interrupted my attempted speech.

"I found her!" He exclaimed with his eyes glued to the girl next to me, then moved his gaze to me with a dirty smirk plastered on his face. "Oh, aren't you a pretty one? Want to spend a night together with me?"

"I'd rather spend my night with the people who lives by the sidewalk." I spat with a disgusted expression.

He grunted in response and said,"Hmph. Whatever. I'm taking this girl with me for passing through the 11th Staircase without paying, but if you don't want to hand her over; then, I suggest you come with me."

He walked closer and was going to grab me when Levi snatched his knife from my hand and slashed the man's ugly hand.

"AHHH!!" He cried in pain and held his injured hand tightly. His men immediately came to his assistance.

"Don't touch her with your filthy hands." He growled lowly.

"If you want to come here, make sure you clean yourself first." Farlan smirked as he said that.

"C'mon, these people are dangerous." One of his men said and ran away with the injured man.

♘♘

It has been some time after Isabel joined our group; my hair is now in mid back length. I sat below a hole on the ceiling of the underground which reveals the sky; however, my view was limited. It is already past midnight, so I thought it should be safe for me to move out now. I stood from my place and looked around me.

I made sure this was a place no one would find, so I grabbed what my father left me and put it on like a back pack. I strapped it together exactly below my chest and spread the mechanical wings from the back. I used the 3D Manuever Gear to give me a boost out of the hole and use my wings to soar in the sky. I only had two choices since it is basically illegal to escape from the underground and that I must keep this a secret.

One, I soar high up into the sky to the point where I cannot be seen or take advantage of the dark clouds to hide in.

Or.

Two, I fly in a very short distance in this limited space with buildings surrounding me.

Choosing the first of course I flew high up where the breeze is gentle, so my speed is pretty slow.

How these wings work?

I will explain that another time.

How did I get these wings?

It was from my father.

No, he did not invent this thing.

♘♘

"YAHOOOOOO!" Isabel screamed excitedly.

We cut through the air and sped up in our 3D Manuever Gears. My mid back hair pushed back by the strong force of the wind in silver flocks.

"They're here! The pursuers!" Farlan warned.

"The Military Police never learn, do they?" Isabel smirked while looking back.

I followed a gaze and found something wrong.

"I don't think they're from the Military Police, these people move faster and more skilfully." I stated and picked up my pace. "C'mon."

"It's the Scouting Legion. That man was right. Now let's see what they've got." Levi said and we immediately took action.

Farlan and Isabel separated to left and right while Levi and I flew straight ahead. Once there is a place where a building is in the middle, we separated too.

All four of us stood below the stairs; in front of us is a carriage where inside sat man which we could hardly catch a glimpse of.

"A man from the Scouting Legion will come after you. One of their names is Erwin Smith." He started with a commanding voice. "I want you to join him, take the chance to steal a document from him; then, finish him off."

"Why should we?" I asked suspiciously.

"You'll receive a large sum of money and...you'll gain citizenship on the surface."

This is my chance!

A man with blonde hair chased after me, but I was way faster. I was careful to not enter any narrow places in case they have more allies to sabotage us. I flew until a tall building with a huge distance between us and did a sharp turn. After three buildings, I did a sharp turn again, so he couldn't see me now.

I followed my pace and sped to help the others. Unfortunately, Farlan and Isabel were captured. As for Levi, he was pinned by one of the men. I stood there dumbfounded at how easily they were all defeated and I was the only who could escape.

"Ah.. Looks like this is the most skilled." The man who pinned Levi securely spoke. "I believe you know what situation this is, so I suggest that you surrender."

I frowned and narrowed my eyes at him. After a moment, the man who was chasing me returned and immediately took the chance to lock my wrists together which I complied to.

All four of us kneeled in front of the man with blonde hair, the one who pinned Levi. It seems he is the leader of this group.

"How did you get your hands on these 3D Manuever Gears?" He questioned with a stern voice.

Levi kept his gaze on the ground with his hair casting a shadow over his eyes.

Farlan stared at who knows what behind the man in boredom.

Isabel simply stared at the man with a defeated look of unsatisfactory.

I brought my gaze up to the roof of the underground, imagining the clear blue sky with white puffy clouds.

"Who taught you how to use it?" He asked again.

Silence.

Suddenly, the man who chased me before pushed Levi's face into the muddy puddle in front of him.

"Urgh." He groaned and glared daggers at the blonde man with incredibly thick eyebrows.

"What is your name?" The man asked as Levi's head is lifted up.

"...Levi.."

"And you, girl?" He looked over at me.

"Isabel!" Isabel exclaimed proudly, honoured to be asked for her name.

The intimidating man kept his gaze on me and I on him.

"Mae." I let out as a sigh, it felt as though I've muttered nothing.

But the echo of my name certainly proved that I've said something.

"I want all of you to join me in the Scouting Legion."

♘♘

We went for our first expedition outside the walls which excites us greatly. This is also to try out the new strategy planned by Erwin called,'The Long Distance Scouting Formation.' Coincidentally, I was in the same group as Levi, Farlan and Isabel.

We rode on our horses and my hair was pulled up into a high ponytail with the pink ribbon I usually tie around my collar. My hair whipped behind me as the wind slapped my face. I stared at the sky in awe and it never cease to fascinate me every single time. I looked over at the other three of my friends to catch the same expression. Levi looked awestruck as well, although he kept himself composed unlike Isabel who yelled aloud.

A total of four Titans came our way which of course, we straight away signalled to the other teams by using flare guns. The Titans were taken down by all four of us each. As the new recruits, we were very skilled and even praised by the superiors.

As expected, it began to pour because of the dark skies above us. Our field of visions has also greatly decreased.

"Stay together!" I shouted to everybody, especially to my dear friends.

All four of us closed in with me guarding the back, Levi at the front, Farlan and Isabel on each side.

"Ah.. This isn't looking good, guys." Farlan spoke loudly through the loud rain. "If Erwin gets eaten up by the Titans, there's no way we can get our hands on the documents."

"If we catch with Erwin, we could use this rain as our advantage." I stated.

NEIGHHHHH!!!

"I heard a horse's sound! Is it from our squad?" Isabel pointed out.

"It doesn't seem too far." Farlan said.

"I'm going alone." Levi suddenly said.

"To steal the document? No way!" I yelled.

"All of you catch up with Flagon." He ordered.

"Hey.." Farlan called in worry.

"I'll get my hands on those documents. Besides, the one who's going to kill him is me." Levi said sternly. "I'm not letting a damn Titan get him first."

"...But–"Farlan growled.

"Levi-bro! I'm going with you too!" Isabel interrupted.

"Don't be a fool, Levi! Are you trying to get yourself killed?! ESPECIALLY IN THIS WEATHER?!?" I hissed angrily.

"Isabel.. Mae, between Flagon and Sayram and me alone, who is most likely to become Titan food?" Levi asked with a more gentle voice.

"But still, I WON'T LET YOU GO ALONE!"

"Let Isabel tag along with you. I'll stay with Mae to group up with Flagon and Sayram. You know Mae's abilities. We'll be okay. At least take Isabel with you."

"Yeah, Levi-aniki. Let me follow you."

"At least let us know you'll be safe, so is Isabel. She'll be safe with you.. Right?" I said softly with a hint of worry in my voice.

"...Alright." Levi said and stared into my pink eyes. "Be careful."

He galloped on his horse and called out for Isabel to catch up with him which she happily obliged. Not even a minute has passed when they utterly disappear from our sight.

"Come, let's regroup with Flagon." Farlan said and turned his horse towards the source of noise earlier.

I followed suit and dashed along with him in our fastest speed. Finally, two figures were seen before us in the mist of the rain.

"Flagon! Sayram!" I shouted happily.

Both of the figures looked back and I could finally see their faces which showed relief.

"Mae! Farlan! Both of you are alright!" Sayram exclaimed with a tint of happiness, but kept is expression stoic.

"Where's Levi and Isabel?" Flagon asked.

"We lost them.." Lied Farlan.

Suddenly, Sayram's eyes widened in utter horror.

"BEHIND YOU!" He screamed in pure terror with.

Farlan and I became highly alerted and whipped our heads around to be shocked at the unexpected sight.

"What the shit..?" I gasped.

"Oh my God.." Farlan whispered with his eyes wide open.

Well, the good things is the rain became light and the heavy mist cleared.

However..

Standing before us are three 6 metre Titans, two 12 metre Titans and one 15 metre Titan.

We are doomed.

Published: January 2016
Edited: 18 January 2017