Chapter 1
I crouched down next to Eren's sleeping body and sighed heavily. "Hey Mika, how long is Eren gonna sleep for?" The girl in question stood behind me, "Who knows. Eren is… well, he's Eren." I shrugged and poked the boy's relaxed face. Eren suddenly gasped and lurched forward causing me to fall backwards and smack my head on the ground. "Ouch!" I held my throbbing head. "Mikasa, Alister… hey." I stood up, rubbing my head. "We should head back." Mikasa suggested. "Where are we?" I facepalm at Eren's question and reply, "Look around you, maybe you'll be smart enough to figure it out." Mikasa looked at me with a stern face. I shrugged my shoulders and picked up the sticks that lay discarded on the floor. "Eren, have you been crying?" I looked up at Eren's face to see tear stains. Eren stood abruptly and snatched the sticks from my hands.
"Guys, don't let anyone know that I was crying." I snorted, "Yeah, ok." Mikasa spoke quietly, "Still, you can't even remember why? You should have your dad check that out." Eren glared at her, "Right, because tearing up is usually a medical thing." A large shadow cast over us. "Is somebody picking on you Eren?" I looked up to see a drunk Hannes. I instantly cringed at the sight. "Hello." Eren's greeting went unnoticed as Hannes continued talking, "Or, did you get on Mikasa and Ali's bad side?" The comment seemed to irritate Eren, "No! What are you even saying? Ugh, you smell!" Hannes and his other Garrison buddies laughed loudly. "Do you kids want some?" My eye twitched repeatedly, "Aren't you guys supposed to be, I don't know, making sure that titans don't break into the walls and murder us?" Hannes laughed and patted my head, "Don't worry about it Ali! They haven't ever gotten in, the most they've done in the past 100 years is scratch at the wall." Eren lightly shoved me aside and yelled, "Yeah, and what if they do manage to get in!? What have you actually even done to prepare yourselves?! My dad says that you have to stay sharp!" I nodded in agreement. Hannes sighed, "Ah, . Yeah, well, can't argue with him but, he's talking about medical stuff. We've been outside the wall, that kinda changes your overall perspective. They're mindless beings. All they do is grope around." Eren's eyes widened, "You don't think they're all that dangerous, do you?" Hannes shrugged in response. "Great! At least have the decency to stop calling yourselves a garrison! People might get the wrong idea!" I sighed. "Well, personally, I like being called a freeloader. It means things are going good. I get a piece of mind." Eren clenched his fist tightly, "We live in a cage. All we do is eat and sleep. That's it. We have the peace of mind of livestock." Hannes' face sobered and his friends laughed, "The kid does have fire. Careful not to cry it out!" I stepped forward slightly with a dark glare. Mikasa held onto my shoulder in an attempt to calm me. We followed after Eren as he stormed off.
"Eren, I think you should let the whole Scout Regiment thing go." Eren gaped at Mikasa. "Seriously, why do you all think they're a joke?" I sighed for the umpteenth time that day, "Eren, that isn't the point. What Mikasa means is-" The sound of a bell ringing loudly cut me off. "They're back! Come on! If we hurry, we'll be able to see them!" A smile spread onto my face at his enthusiasm. 'He's so childish sometimes.' Eren grabbed our hands and began dragging us towards the gates.
The three of us climbed atop some crates that were lying on the ground. The scouts pulled through, bringing a cloud of deep depression with them. I frowned. 'So many lives were lost.' One of the soldiers looked over at us and I stared at him with a solemn look. All of the soldiers looked so guilty. They all came to a stop when a woman ran out in front and addressed Commander Shadis. "Where is my son? He should be here. Please… tell me he made it!" The Commander stared at her blankly, "I wish that I had better news. Give it to her." The soldier next to him handed a dirty cloth to the woman. She hastily unwrapped it and let out a loud sob. In the cloth was an arm. I looked down. "I'm sorry." The woman was hectic, "Tell me his death meant something!" The Commander looked sad, "He was brave. But, his sacrifice meant nothing. We have nothing! Your son died because of me! I sent all of them to their deaths!" Soon after, the soldiers left. I looked at Eren, only to see him hitting a man with one of the sticks that we had gathered. Mikasa pulled him quickly around the corner and I followed. "Let me go Mikasa!" She threw him into the wall and the sticks scattered across the floor. I quietly picked up the sticks as Eren was scolded.
When we arrived home, I helped Eren put the gathered sticks away. walked over to Eren and grabbed his ear tightly causing Eren to flinch, "What was that for?" smiled, "Your earlobe is red, you're hiding something. Mikasa and Ali helped you, didn't they?" Eren groaned and I laughed. "Yeah, we did."
We all sat around the dinner table, besides , who got started on the dishes. "Hey dad, do you have another patient?" Mr. Jaeger nodded, "Yes, some folks in the interior. I should be back in about a week." Mikasa spoke hesitantly, "So, umm, Eren's thinking about joining the scouts." Everyone froze for a minute. 'Shit, Mikasa, what have you done?' Eren was angry, "Way to keep a secret!"
Mrs. Jaeger hurried over and grabbed Eren by the shoulders, " Get that stupid thought out of your head! You are not joining the scouts, do I make myself clear?!" Eren shot back, "Stop yelling at me!" intercepted, "Eren, it's a nightmare. The outside. You have no idea." Eren calmed down. "I know, but, it's better than staying here. I'm not stupid, I know what could happen but, we can't just give up. Otherwise, this nightmare will never end!" stood and walked to the door. "Mere words won't hold back his curiosity, dear. Eren, behave and i'll let you in on what i've been doing in the cellar." Eren beamed, "Yes, sir!" I ran up and hugged him.
" Have a nice trip sir." He patted my head and left. We waved him off. continued scolding Eren and he ran off. She turned around and looked at us pleadingly. "Girls, no matter what, promise me that you will protect Eren." We nodded "With my life !" I said and followed after him.
We saw Armin, our other friend, being beat up by three other boys. "Back off!" Eren was furious, he ran towards them with us right behind him, glaring at the bullies. Once they saw us they ran off. We came to a stop in front of Armin. Eren laughs, "Wow, one look and they run. I'm just that scary." I sigh and shake my head at his arrogant attitude. "Well some of you are." Armin says quietly. He attempts to stand, but falls back. I step forward and help him up. "It's alright. Thank you." He gently pushes away from me and we walk.
"They heard me talking about mankind's future lying beyond the walls. I doubt they understood any of it but, still."Eren chucked a rock into the water, "Idiots, why does it have to be this way? Why can't people just let us dream?" I sighed and stood, "Because Eren, for one, we're kids. Two, people are afraid of what they don't understand, and that's a fact that we can't change." Eren nodded, "Yeah but, Ali, it's not fair. To hell with them." I smiled. "Keep it down. Someone's gonna hear you three." I sat down shamefully. 'I don't like it when Mikasa scolds me. Oh god, is she mad at me?!' "What do I care? You tell on me either way" Armin looked confused. "I never promised you anything." Armin spoke up, "Your parents know about the scouts?" Eren nodded.
Armin began a big monologue, I tried to listen but, I got a bad feeling, and it wasn't comforting. In fact, it felt terrifying. A large sound was heard and we went flying forward. Shock filled my features and I clung to Eren in fear. 'What's happening? I'm scared.' He looked down at me, "It's ok Alister." I nodded. We ran into the town center to see what was going on. There was a large crowd, they were all looking at the wall in fear. I looked up and gasped. A huge red hand clung to the top of the wall. "Oh my god, that wall is 50 meters. How the hell is this happening?" The titan's head peaked over the wall. He stared at us with dead eyes. All of a sudden, there was a large gust of air. Rocks and debris flew through the air, crushing and killing people. 'Oh no, the titans will get inside!' Mikasa grabbed my arm as Eren ran towards his house.
We arrived and I cried out in shock. The house had collapsed and was trapped underneath it. We ran over and attempted to lift the house off of her. "No, you guys have to leave!" yelled at us pleadingly. We heard loud stomping and looked over. A tita- no hundreds of titans were filling into the walls! We began to pull harder. "You have to go! Eren, just take Mikasa and Ali and run! Now!" Eren cried in desperation, "No, i'll get you out and and we'll carry you!" continued, "Just listen to me Eren!Mikasa, make him!" She shook her head as tears streamed down her face. A titan began to near us. Hannes swooped in with a grin plastered on his face, "Carla, don't worry, i'll take care of the titan!" He ran off, "No Hannes! Just take the children and go!" He ignored her.A few moments later he appeared back and grabbed the three of us, running in the other direction. "Stay alive!" I looked back and screamed desperately. The titan had picked up. I screamed once more as the titan ate her. "No!"