FicWad

CHAPTER III
The next morning I woke up inspired. Strangely enough, I had a good feeling about what’s about to happen. During breakfast, Reiner and Bertholdt joined me at the table.
«Morning, Al,» they greeted simultaneously.
«Greetings, fellas,» I smiled at them.
«Feeling good, I see?» Reiner asked.
«Believe it or not, but I do. I feel like nothing can stop us now!»
«That’s the attitude!» Reiner laughed. «And I know how to make you feel even better. Bertholdt will be joining us today.»
«Really?» I glanced at Bertholdt. «Was it that good with Annie yesterday?»
«Huh? N-no, it wasn’t.» he replied with visible sadness on his face. «So I thought it would be a good idea to distract myself.»
«Oh, shit. I’m sorry, Berth.» I felt bad for my assumption. «But that is the right decision! What else could raise your spirits, but a good and adequately risky adventure?»
«Adequately risky?» Reiner laughed even louder. «If you ask me that’s complete madness. But you’re right, we all could use a distraction. Don’t worry, Bertholdt, someday she’ll see a worthy man in you.»
«Q-quit it, Reiner.» Bertholdt said with a faint smile.
I was done with my plate and got up to leave.
«All right, fellas, I’ll be on my way. Be ready, we’re starting at eight in the evening.»
«Got it, boss,» Reiner said.
«Okay, Al,» Berthold replied.
Since there wasn’t much to do for now, I decided to visit the training ground. Eren was there, as usual, though Mikasa was nowhere to be seen. She must be thinking what to cook for Eren. The latter was hanging upside down on the trainer. I approached him.
«New day – new record, aye?» I couldn’t help but smile at him.
«Hey, Al,» he replied trying to get on his feet. «Actually, yes! Today I could stay in the air for several seconds!»
«You serious?» I frowned. «You decided to get good on the very day we need you to screw up?»
«What? No, I mean...» Eren began.
«Relax, I’m kidding,» I interrupted him. «That’s great, really. Just don’t forget to embarrass yourself before Shadis today. Imagine his face during the exam though! He’ll be amazed!»
«If I could stay longer than 3 seconds, yes,» Eren let out a sad laugh.
«You will, I’m telling. We’re all rooting for you. So, about the plan. We’re starting today at eight in the evening. I’ll see you later, so be ready to call Shadis.»
«Got it. I’ll stay here until then.»
«Good luck, Eren.»
«Yeah, see you,» he nodded.
I still had nothing to do, so I was just fooling around the camp trying my best not to get caught by the instructors. Then it was lunchtime so I went to the dining hall. I took my portion and went to the table. It ain’t that bad, honestly, but comparing to what we’re about to make here – it’s nothing. Not trying to offend local cooks, though. Dreaming about what I’ll be lucky to try today, I missed Ymir joining me at the table.
«You’re pulling Christa into some risky stuff, you know?» Of course, she would start with a complaint.
Can’t say we’re on good terms with her. Or on any terms. What she does all the time is that she protects Christa from excessive attention of the local fellows and I was never among them. However, now she thinks we’re putting Christa in danger.
«Greetings to you as well, Ymir,» I replied calmly. «A knight guarding his princess, aye?»
«Shut it, witling,» she said angrily. «You’re both goners if something happens to Christa, got it?»
«Relax, nothing happens to her. She’ll be at the dining hall. The worst case scenario is that she gets scolded a bit. We’re doing the most dangerous part after all.»
«That’s how it’s supposed to be. I don’t care what will become of you, morons, but you could ruin it for her,» she rose up.
«Yeah, have a great day.»
What a bitch. That’s why she has no friends other than Christa, treating people like that. What if that’s another potential couple? She’d destroy Reiner if she saw him. We did not invite her, but she might barge in on herself... I guess I’d better warn Sasha about the potential threat. Speaking of her, she’s not present which is weird. I should find her. Finishing my meal, I went to look for her.
First things first I went to her barrack. That’s where I found her, nothing so strange about it. What was strange, however, is that she was talking to Annie. They never really talked to each other, they’re a bit too much different. Quite the opposite, I’d say. Always positive and optimistic Sasha didn’t match well with permanently grumpy and sarcastic Annie. I decided that it would be better not to interfere, so I stood behind the corner, eavesdropping on their dialogue.
«What’s it to you?» Annie spoke angrily.
«But you seem so unhappy all the time, maybe if you give him a chance you’ll feel better here?» Sasha sounded rather depressed.
«If that’s so important to you, go and comfort him yourself and leave me alone.»
«N-no, I’ve already...» Sasha mood swapped to embarrassment.
«Got someone? Then go to him and tell him how unfair our life is. I’ll do just fine without your advices.»
Upon saying that, Annie turned around and moved in my direction. Well, shit. She’s angry already and I don’t want to hear to slam my head against the wall. I ran around the barrack, approaching Sasha from her back. I poked her side which made her jump up a little.
«Ah! Ah... It’s you, Al,» she smiled at me. «You scared me, dummy.»
«You’re easy to scare. Or maybe it was Annie who frightened you?»
«You heard us?»
«I did.»
«She’s weird. She’s always on her own, she never talks to anyone. And every time the only guy who’s interested in her appears in her sight, she ditches him away.»
«And you tried to prove her ways wrong?» I asked with audible sarcasm.
«Well, yes? I thought she might be feeling shy about it because of us, other cadets.»
«There are just people like that, Sasha,» I spoke in a wise voice. «Some people don’t need others, they’re doing just fine on their own.»
«Do you have that need?» she asked.
«Hell yes, I do. I’ve told you what was my life before. A bit more time like that and I would’ve started discussing latest news with the chickens.»
«Exactly! Even chickens live in groups. However, Annie’s always on her own. I don’t know if I could live like this, it’s lame as hell!»
«If I were like, we would never have met, aye? And about that, what were you gonna there? You’ve already what?» I stretched my words.
I noticed Sasha going red as a tomato. I suppose I was correct about the impending love affairs. What if we could discuss our relationship? That would be a nice ending to our feast.
«N-nothing, nevermind.» she jabbered. «A-anyway, what brings you here?»
«Had nothing to do, and didn’t feel like wandering around till evening, so I decided to drop by.»
«Had nothing to do and came to me, huh?» Sasha returned to her usual self. «Come on in then, there’s nobody in here anyway.»
We talked till the very evening. When I’m around this girl time passes unusually fast, even though I can’t recall what we were talking about exactly. We went to the dining hall together. Everyone was already there, except for Eren. Sasha went to other girls and I sat along with Reiner and Bertholdt.
«So, fellas,» I began enthusiastically. «You ready?»
«Ready, Al,» confidently replied Reiner.
«Kind of, yeah,» a bit less confidently replied Berth.
«That’s the spirit. After dinner I’ll visit Eren. Wait for me by the storehouse. And then... And then may Gods help us.»
«Understood,» they both replied.
I ate just a little bit and then went to see Eren. When I was approaching him he was hanging on the ropes, but the moment he saw me he did a flip in the air and slammed his head against the rocks.
«Alive?» I asked him while aiding him to get up.
«Alive,» he answered dusting off. «So, is it time?»
«It is. Bring Shadis here and try to keep him for as long as possible. An hour probably?»
«Shit, that’s a bit too long, but I’ll try. Good luck, guys.»
We shook hands and I moved to the storehouse. It was already dark and I tripped several times, but made it to the spot at last. Everyone was there.
«All right, team,» I began with my commander’s voice. «This is all about stealth. Sasha want us to silently enter this storehouse, grab what we can and get out. The important part? Do NOT set off the alarm. If you do, Reiner’s pulling us out. You ready?»
«Sir, yes, sir!» voices came in unison.
«Move!» I gave an order.
According to my calculations, the hour is even a bit longer than we truly need. We need to check the whole storehouse, find as much food as possible, take some meat off the hanged carcasses, put all that in the bags and get out quietly. Not that hard, aye? I sure hope so. Reiner gave each of us a boost to the always-open window. I wonder how the instructors kept missing it. And usually I served as a stool for Sasha to get in. When we finally got in, we lit up the candles we’ve thrown inside beforehand.
So, what do we have here. Meat, all kinds of vegetables and bread. Nothing special, but enough for all of us. I began putting vegetables in my bag. Sasha though immediately jumped to the meat, while Bertholdt began filling a flask he seemingly brought with him with wine from the barrel. Wait, they got wine here? Gradually filling up the bags, we decided it was time for us to find out what was the top shelf hiding. Upon creating a simple construction made of Bertholdt and Sasha sitting on his shoulders, she managed to snatch the bag of something.
«So, what’s in it?» I whispered.
«These are... Mushrooms?» I could physically sense disappointment in her voice.
«Mushrooms? To hell with it, give it to me, they won’t hurt...» I suddenly stopped hearing to distinct knocks on the storehouse’s wall. This a sign from Reiner, which meant the instructors were coming to us. And that’s where we began panicking. Bertholdt tried to move away from the shelf, but he tripped on the sticking out board and began falling backwards. This guy is high as hell and with Sasha on his shoulders she’s wouldn’t survive such a fall! I hastily stood behind him, assessed the most comfortable, as it seemed to me at the moment, position and prepared for an impact. The human tower collapsed and Sasha flew into my hands with her full weight. Once again, I overestimated my human-holding abilities and felt sharp pain in my shoulder, but stayed on my feet. Bertholdt barely managed to twist around and stopped the fall with his arms. Meanwhile I was getting closer and closer to the ground as Sasha’s weight was pulling me down. Sasha finally understood that the whole situation wasn’t easy for me and jumped off my hands and helped me to get up.
«Oh Gods, Albert! I’m sorry!» she began inspecting me to check if I was okay. «Are you hurt? Where? I’m so sorry!»
«It’s good, it’s good,» I replied trying not to show any signs of pain. «It’s not the time, hide!»
Sasha hid behind some boxes, Bertholdt managed to barely fit in an empty wine barrel and I, having no better option, hung on a meat hook and try to hide myself behind a cow carcass. I hear someone rustle with the lock and then the storehouse’s door opened.
«See anything?» I heard someone speak from behind the doors.
I remember this voice. It was one of Shadis’s assistants.
«I don’t think so...» the second voice replied uncertainly. «Maybe it was just my imagination?»
My arm was hurting more and more, and I knew I couldn’t hold my weight for too long.
«Well, come on then. We’re done with the check-up, time to sleep.»
«Okay-okay, let’s go.»
The door shut and I could hear the lock again. After hanging a bit more on the hook I finally let go of it and landed right on my ass.
«Al, how are you feeling?» she asked
«It’s okay! Just my arm, that’s all,» I smiled at her with a reassuring smile.
«G-guys?» we heard Berth’s voice. «H-help me!»
Approaching one of the barrels we saw Bertholdt stuck inside, trying to wiggle out of it.
«Pull me out!» he whispered anxiously.
«How the hell did you manage to do that?! Okay, hold on. Sasha, you mind landing me a hand?»
«Y-yeah, I’m coming!» Sasha ran up to me.
We turned the barrel on it’s side, placed it against the wall and began pulling Bertholdt by his arms. He was moving slightly and eventually he flew out like a cork out of a bottle, knocking down Sasha and me.
«O-o-oh, it hu-urts,» Bertholdt hissed. «You guys all right?»
«We will be if you get off of us!» Sasha wheezed.
«D-damn, sorry!» Bertholdt said getting to his feet hastily.
Well, it’s never THAT easy. But we’ve still got some time, if I’m correct. Gathering all the strength that was left in us, we began throwing the bags out the window where Reiner, who came back from his cover, was catching them. Because of my injured arm and Bertholdt’s injured Bertholdt we took two less bags than we wanted to, but there was still quite a lot of stuff. We gave Sasha a start to the window and then climbed out ourselves. In the end, we had eight bags of food. Our casualties – my arm and Bertholdt’s skin. Not a bad trade, I’d say. Gathering all the bags, we moved to the dining hall in short dashes so we won’t get caught by the instructors or Shadis. Christa was waiting for us by the door. She let us in where the rest of the girls were. They immediately began throwing questions at us.
«How’d it go? What happened to you? Why it took you so long?» questions were coming one after another.
«Relax, team!» I began. «Though with insignificant troubles, the operation of the greatest heist in the camp’s history was successful!»
Everyone’s joy was interrupted by a knock on the door. I should never have thought that so many people could go silent in a fraction of a second. Everyone held their breath and looked at the door, which began opening slowly. I felt a drop of sweat coming out on my forehead. Are we gonna fuck up after all we’ve went through?
«I’m not too late, guys, am I?» Eren stuck his head in the appeared gap.
«God damn you, Eren,» Sasha sighed with relief.
«Thought this was the end of mine, you dumbass!» Reiner laughed.
I suppose my morning feeling was not so wrong. We’re still alive!