Shorter Than Me

10 Ecyn

The captain's attack was so sudden, so precise, so flawless. I know that someday, that's the kind of soldier I want to be. Fearless, flawless.

But what I don't want to be is rude, violent, and mean.

I've been able to relax a little seeing that the titans can't climb very well. Some of them look tired while others look completely fine. The huge number of them frightens me, however. I've never seen so many titans in one place. I've never seen so many titans ever. There must be eighty at least.

As the night progresses, more and more of them sit down. Hanji is still as energetic as ever. She tries to approach some of the tired titans, but the others flock to her like birds to breadcrumbs.

Similes!! Smile!!!

I sit on a branch with my legs hanging off of it. They swing mindlessly. Dren sits next to me. The maneuver gear keeps us from being too close, but his presence is comforting. All of the other trainees are in other places.

He strokes my hair and I find myself wanting to sleep. I don't notice my eyes closing until they do. I don't want to open them again. If I fell, Dren would catch me. I won't fall asleep, I'll just relax.

The sounds of the forest and the soft sounds of voices and the loud sound of Hanji's voice quiet into one song that lulls me.

Stay awake.

I'm awake. I'm completely relaxed. Dren is stroking my hair, the breeze blows lightly, voices of the night blur with people and almost glow in my mind.

For some reason, I feel peace outside the Wall.