The night had a suffocating quiet about it, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the distant crackle of firelight. Annie crouched behind a stack of crates, her sharp eyes scanning the camp through the gaps in the wood. From here, she had the perfect view of the barracks and the fire where Mikasa, Eren, and Armin were seated.
She had been here for hours, observing, listening. As a traitor, she had learned to be patient, to blend into the shadows — to stay unnoticed. The less anyone saw of her, the better.
Her mission was clear: learn the movements of the 104th, report back, and wait for the perfect moment. But tonight, the tension in the air was palpable. Mikasa's presence always seemed to gnaw at her, a reminder of the woman who could unravel everything with a single glance.
Eren's voice broke through the quiet, loud and brash, even from this distance. "You sure this is the best plan, Mikasa? I mean, we're risking a lot."
Mikasa's voice, though quieter, carried the same intensity it always did. "We don't have a choice, Eren. If we don't move first, they'll move against us. It's the only way."
Annie's fingers tightened around the rough wood of the crates, her gaze narrowing on Mikasa. The woman exuded control — in every gesture, every word. It made Annie's chest tighten. Mikasa wasn't like the others; she wasn't a fool. If Mikasa ever figured out that she was a traitor, Annie wouldn't have time to think.
"I still don't like it," Armin's voice added, filled with uncertainty. "What if we're making a mistake? What if there's more at stake than we know?"
Mikasa didn't answer immediately. She simply stared into the fire, her expression unreadable. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice even and steady. "Then we deal with it. Together. We'll figure it out."
Annie's breath caught in her throat. The ease with which Mikasa spoke of "figuring things out" made her stomach churn. What would happen if Mikasa figured out that Annie was the one feeding information to the enemy?
As the conversation continued, Annie's mind wandered, trying to anticipate their next move. The tension in the camp was building. Mikasa, Eren, and Armin were always a step ahead, but Annie had her own plans. She couldn't afford to make a mistake. She knew how to cover her tracks. Or she thought she did.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a rustle of movement behind her. She spun around, her body tensing, but saw only shadows. For a split second, Annie's mind raced. Had someone heard her? Her heartbeat quickened as she turned back toward the fire.
There — in the corner of her vision, the shadows flickered, and she saw Mikasa's silhouette moving toward the edge of the camp. She was alone, walking toward the woods. Annie's pulse quickened, and without thinking, she followed.
The night air was cool as Annie slipped through the trees, staying low and hidden. Mikasa's steps were measured, deliberate. She knew Annie was following. It was impossible for someone as sharp as Mikasa to not sense another's presence in the woods.
Annie kept her distance, doing her best to stay out of view. She had to be careful. If Mikasa saw her, she was done for.
Just as Annie thought she was safe, her foot caught on a branch, snapping it loudly underfoot. Her heart stopped. Mikasa froze, her head snapping toward the sound.
For a moment, the world stood still. Annie's throat tightened as Mikasa's piercing gaze swept the area, eyes narrowing as though she was sensing something — someone — nearby. Annie stayed as still as possible, her breath shallow, hoping to go unnoticed.
Then, Mikasa's gaze lingered for a moment longer. Annie's heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel the air thick with tension. But then Mikasa's attention shifted, and she turned back, walking further into the trees.
Annie exhaled shakily, but she didn't move. She knew the danger wasn't over yet.
As Mikasa disappeared deeper into the forest, Annie finally dared to step forward. But before she could move, a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Annie," Armin's voice was low, but unmistakable.
Annie's stomach dropped. She turned slowly, her eyes widening for a fraction of a second.
Armin stood there, just a few steps away, his blue eyes wide with suspicion. He had caught her.
"I... I didn't mean to—" Annie began, her words faltering. She knew she had been caught. There was no escaping this. If Armin spoke, if Mikasa found out…
Armin took a cautious step toward her. "What are you doing out here, Annie? You were supposed to be with the others."
Annie swallowed, her mind racing. She couldn't give herself away. She couldn't afford to. She had to lie, to play this off.
"I was just... taking a walk," she said, her voice steady, though her insides were a whirlwind. "I couldn't sleep."
Armin's brow furrowed. He didn't seem entirely convinced, but he nodded slowly. "Alright, but you should be careful. The last thing we need is someone wandering around out here in the dark."
Annie gave a tight smile. "I'll be fine."
As Armin turned and walked away, Annie took a moment to breathe. She had narrowly escaped — for now. But the mistake she had made tonight would stay with her. Mikasa was too sharp. Armin was too observant. Sooner or later, they would piece things together.
Annie could only hope it wasn't sooner.