She felt weightless, young and happy as she spun around. Her mother praising her as she tried on one of normal village dresses. She was so young. Big innocent eyes, she had just turned 8, her training was going so well with her father.
That was before he patted her shoulder, "Annie, I want to show you to some of daddy's co-workers." He said as if joy wasn't a real thing. He sounded so emotionless as tears slowly came from his eyes. She tilted her head "OK." She said, scared seeing a strong person fall into tears.
He grabbed the sleeve of her jacket, big eyes filled with confusion as they came to a door at Wall Maria. Her father pulled out a key and opened the door. It reeked inside of it. "Come on darling, they are going to help you." He said, not turning his head as she spewed questions. She could see two boys her age, one with dark brown hair almost black and the other with blonde hair like hers. They were both wearing simple shirts and patted on the back and hugged by their parents. Covered in bruises and cuts of plenty.
The one with darker hair turned to her with a wide smile. "Annie!" She could hear that voice, the smile it seemed to carry in his young voice. "Bertholdt.." She said as she could see a woman so faintly, her arms wrapped around them with tears." Her dad dragged her farther back. She could see giant monsters that reached out to her in cages, she dared not to look in their way.
—-
Slowly it faded away, her 'friends' she spent 3 years training with were all gathered around her. Bertholdt and Reiner were together. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin were together. Ymir, Sasha, and Christa were together. Marco, Jean, and Conny were together. Everyone found some group to go too.
She stood back before Armin walked towards her. She felt stiff, her body couldn't move as the weight of chains of thick leather held her down as she fell to her knees. The room was dark and blades were pointed at her, her friends she once knew. Reiner and Bertholdt were shaking as they wanted to drop their weapons but she knew they couldn't. Armin was now in-front of her.
Kneeling down to her level he lifted her face by her chin. Words came from his mouth but she couldn't make any of it out. She felt helpless and weak as he slowly pecked her lips.
—
Her eyes shot open as she awoke inside the crystal. Shards slowly falling to the ground as it released her. She tried to recreate her only means of safety, yet it failed.