Pain That Won't Heal, But Can Fade

by lulumagic

Emma Herz is rated 14th in the 104th Trainees Squad which means she can't go to the Military Police, the safest place in the military. After Trost falls and Emma witnesses Marco Bodt's dead body, can she recover? Can she rebuild the world that is crumbled to her? What branch will she join? Can she survive?

1. Prelude: Ranking

"1, Ackerman Mikasa. 2, Braun Reiner. 3, Fubar Bertholdt. 4, Leonhardt Annie. 5, Jeager Eren. 6, Kirschtein Jean. 7, Bodt Marco. 8, Springer Connie. 9, Braus Sasha. 10, Renz Christa." They listed off the names of the top ten. They were going to list until the top 20 but only the top ten would have a place in the Military Police, the safest place in the military. I stood there gritting my teeth. I wasn't safe.

"Dang." I whisper under my breath listening to the rest of the names being listed. I want to be in the top 20. That much and it proves that I am worth being here.

"… 14, Herz Emma..." 14. I was 14th. 4 away from the top ten. I look at the ground.

"Hey congrats on 14th!" Philomena said with a smile. Her wavy brown hair falling to her shoulder. She was quite tiny, not height wise, her figure was small and was a few inches smaller than my 5'9" height. After taking a moment to look on my face she understood the situation. "You thought you would actually be in the top ten? Wow, come on. My name wasn't even called!" she said in an effort to comfort me.

"Yeah well its not my fault we had machines in our training squad." I say rolling my eyes. Philomena just chuckles and focuses her energy on thought. She does that sometimes, she will just stand there with her eyes open and her mind someplace else. "Whatever." I say half to my self and turn to grab some refreshments.

Turning I trip on my own feet. As I fall forward I pray no one sees me. Just before I hit the ground an arm wraps around me pulling me back to the upright position. "Sorry..." I mumble looking up. A blush crosses my cheeks as Marco holds my waist.

"Are you okay?" Marco says smiling. His eyes shine as his freckles dance on his face.

"Yeah, thanks." I manage to say. "Congrats on getting 7th." I say trying to get away from the situation I put myself in.

"Oh, thank you." Marco says his cheeks turning a faint pink color which causes mine to grow a darker shade of pink. "Congrats on 14th Emma." he says sweetly.

"You know my name?" I say flustered. He just laughs lightly and smiles.

"Hey Marco, come on over here I have some bread for you!" Jean calls across the room.

"Well, thank you." I say as he waves and returns to his friends.

"What was that?" Philomena asks a smile playing on her lips.

"Nothing." I sneer and head out to my room.