Chapter 7: Sefina
Menace guides my head into a better drooling position against the mound of his pec and speaks with an approaching Titan. I see it in the way their eyes flash. Morbid glances at me then ahead again. They walk and talk in complete silence.
The tunnel is full of whispers, lit with the light from Titan eyes, digibadges, and periodic lanterns carried by humans. I can tell by the way the group moves that something is wrong.
“Wha—?”
Morbid glances at me. He’s a hair thinner than Menace with red eyes and smoky synthskin. “Change of plans. We’re loading into the BlazeStar directly. The Welvirs have caused us to close off too many tunnels. We’re going to end up surrounded and unable to escape if we stick with the plan. And…”
“Don’t.” Menace sways his head. “Not right now.”
Morbid closes his mouth.
“Tell—ee.”
“It’s not a good time.” Menace is stern.
Morbid rubs his neck like it aches. With the number of bags he carries, I’m not surprised. “You would deny her the truth?”
“She needs time.”
“We don’t have that.”
Menace fumes. “We must give her as much time to heal as possible.”
“I don—wan—ime.”
Menace sighs through his nose like he’s beyond irritated with both of us. “Your incision is still bleeding. The mission must wait if I am to take you with me.”
I don’t want to go with Menace on any mission anywhere and wriggle myself free from his arms. I fall to the dirt and land on my hands and knees, but it’s my head that hurts the most. I wince and brace my throbbing temples.
Menace crouches beside me. He’s nearly three times my size. But I’m bigger and taller than most of the women here. “Get up since you’re so hell-bent on walking on your own two feet.”
I get an unstable foot under me and waver as I push myself up. Blood leaves my head and makes my vision blackout for a few seconds. Menace has me in his arms again when I wake as if I never left.
“Do you really think you can fight a welvir off in this condition?” Menace challenges while Morbid watches.
“I f—king hate this.”
“You’re a real piss ant, you know that?” Menace jabs me with another needle. A flare of panic races through me as I melt into his arms.
He is such an ass. I hate being vulnerable, weak, injured. I hate that I’m not strong enough to protect others or myself and thatIneed help. And I need it—badly.
The pounding in my head makes me curl up in his arms. I can’t hold back the tears. They come from pains too powerful to think through. So I listen to Menace and Morbid talk.
“Savage will send coordinates based on what Clover believes is the part she needs,” Morbid continues.
“And I have to take Sefi, why?” Menace asks the question on my mind.
“You know, it’s odd you gave her a pet name when you supposedly dislike her so much.”
I already like Morbid.Yeah, Menace. Why?
“Shut up. I—” Menace doesn’t finish. He growls so deeply that I can feel it in his ribs.
Morbid sighs. “Anyway, it’s because it’s a Titan communication module, a range extender for tracking Titans in battle.Sefinacan probably sense it like us, especially now with that hindrance out of her head.
“We are stretched thin for help. We have to move the shield units from the deep valley since our loading zone has changed. Just get her topside. I’m forwarding the map now. Kelta will pick you up in the FeatherLite and get you to the location.”
