Invisible String

CHAPTER 1

I saw the old man earlier at a corner, Kenny, looking at us. He was smiling. I wasn't sure if it was at the family beside me, or at me.

*Knock* *knock*

The woman named Selena gave me some clothes, saying I should change into clean ones. The man got a clean towel and a bowl with water.

*Knock* *knock*

Hannah just kept talking, saying we should play this and that. She kept on explaining how to do these so called games while she's eating, it's quite disgusting.

"Hannah sweetheart, slow down. And don't talk while you're chewing, you don't want to choke on your food, do you?" Her father asks while wiping my arms with the clean wet towel.

She giggled before swallowing her food and replying, "Sorry, father." Then she looked at me and smiled.

*Knock* *knock*

"Tch"

I opened my eyes, annoyed by the constant knocking on my door.

"Heichou? Are you there?"

"Tch. Come in."

The door opened revealing Petra carrying more paperwork. Great.

"Heichou, Commander Erwin wanted to give you this."

"Put it on that table."

"Is there anything you need, Heichou?" She asks after placing the damn papers on my side table.

"No, you may leave."

She saluted before leaving my office.

I let out a sigh, dropping the pen I've been holding. I ran my fingers to my hair, feeling the sudden frustration.

"So it was just a dream. Why am I suddenly remembering that memory? Is it because of this mission?" I murmured before my thoughts got distracted by a loud bang of my door opening.

"LEVIIIIIII~"

"Oi, shitty glasses. Shut the fuck up before I slit your throat." Yup, just a loud idiot and a bunch of stupid paperwork is what I need.

"Eh. You're so weird. Why were you talking to yourself before I went in? I was so worried you're going crazy so I had to bring you back to reality. Did you miss me?" Hange asked, irritating me more.

"Tch. What do you want?" I still don't know where I get my patience for this shitty glassed idiot.

"Weeeeell, how are you feeling?" She asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, irritated.

"About your mission tomorrow, idiot. You're going to the Underground. You haven't visited it since you joined the regiment." She asked as she leans on the doorframe.

Ever since I left that place, I also left some memories I had there. Some specific memories that I try hard enough to forget. But fate is being such an ass and brings them back.

"So what? It's just a mission. I'm not going there to make a fucking tour."

"Well, I was just checking. I'll leave you now. I've got some experiments left to do. You better get rest, and I mean real rest. Geez, get some sleep, will ya? You won't be having reinforcements for tomorrow, it's just you and your squad so you better have enough strength to face the worst. Bye, shorty!" She says as she leaves the door open.

Damn that idiot. Never knew how to knock and still doesn't know how to close doors.

I started working on some paperwork left on my table, ignoring the thought and dream I had earlier.

———THE NEXT DAY———

I got ready earlier than usual to prepare everything we needed for today's mission. Me and my squad will be scanning the Underground. The goal is to find a perfect spot to test the new equipments to be developed for the regiment. Since we don't have enough time to dig up on other places inside the wall, Erwin proposed to use the Underground for this activity. My team won't be having reinforcements for this mission to lessen the attention we'll get from the residents of the Underground.

"We're ready to go, Captain." Eld Jinn, the second-in-command in this team stated as he loaded the last gears we needed.

The team lined up in front of me waiting for orders.

"Alright, listen up! The Underground is dark and full of dirt, not to mention criminals lurking around. So I need all of you to be extra careful and alert at all times. We are to scan the place individually so if you get in trouble, fire the red flare and the nearest scout should go to that direction while the others continue the mission." I saw Erwin and Hange walking towards us, I continued giving orders to my team, completely ignoring them. "You are not allowed to hurt any civilian and avoid making a scene if not necessary. We'll meet by the entrance after an hour to discuss before we leave. Is everything clear?"

"Hai!" Everyone answered while saluting.

"I see you're all ready to go." Erwin joins along with Hange with her stupid glasses.

"Hai! Good morning, Commander Erwin and Section Commander Hange." The team saluted.

"We'll be leaving now before sunrise to maximize the time. So if you got some last minute commands, you better spill it out now." I retort towards Erwin.

"You are all dismissed. We'll be waiting for your reports." He said smiling to the squad.

I mounted my horse and the rest followed. We started our way to the gate of the Underground.

———At the Underground———

We entered the place, the filthy smell lingered to our noses making everyone grimace in disgust. I looked at it, certain memories started flashing in my head. I shrugged it off.

We made our way near the center of the Underground to put on our gears. I designated one of my scouts to a certain part of the place and we started our tasks.

Not knowing, someone was already watching us...