Chapter 5: Captive
Somewhere in Wall Maria. Year 842, three years before Wall Maria was breached. It was storming badly; the wind was moving blowing violently and lightning would flash across the sky every few seconds. The only thing in sight was a small boy, who was struggling to move in the storm. He was wearing a green raincoat, which wasn't very effective because he his clothes were soaking wet. He was also carrying a huge backpack, which was most likely slowing him down. After he had been walking in the rain for about an hour, he came across a small village. He decided he would wait out the storm in one of the houses of the village, but of course, he would have to sneak in. When he arrived at the village, other than the storm there village was pretty quiet silence, the place almost seemed abandoned. He came across a house with a small shed next to it, he decided it would be the best place for him to stay. After all, if he snuck into a house he'd risk getting caught, and who knows how that situation would turn out.
He arrived at the entrance of the shed, he lifted the latch and opened the door. The wind swung the door open causing it to smash again the side of the house. He quickly entered the shed, and with all his might he closed the door. He took a good look around the shed, there was a bunch of hay, some tools, and suprsingly a foldable bed. He took off his raincoat and backpack and tossed them near the bed. He gradually laid down on the bed and closed his eyes. After walking in the rain for about an hour, he was finally at peace, until he heard the door latch. He opened his eyes and looked at the door, but nothing happened. He assumed that it was the storm that made the noise, he then he closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Then he heard the sound again, only this time it was the sound of the door latch being opened. He quickly sprung up from the bed, but he didn't know what to do. Should he hide, or should he grab a weapon? But it was too late to decide, the door swung opened and a man with an ax was standing in the doorway. The man made eye contact with the boy, and they both stared at each other. The man looked around shed, then spoke.
"You're not trying to steal from me, are you?" He Said.
"No." Replied the boy.
"Then what the hell are you doing?" Asked the man.
"It's raining outside." Replied the boy.
"You're not on drugs, are you?" Said the man
"No." Replied the boy.
The man put down his ax and sighed. "Well, you look harmless. Come inside the house, it's warmer." Said the man.
He left the shed door open and rushed back inside the house. The boy was still sitting on the bed, he was surprised that the man was so open to letting him come inside his house. The boy got up and decided to go inside the house, he collected his things and left the shed. When he entered the house, warm air brushed against his face.
"Have a seat." Said the man.
The boy put his things down and took a seat at the dining table. He examined the house, there was a fireplace, which explained why it was so warm. There was a small metal box, which was probably a meat locker. The house was somewhat vacant, very dull, but nothing out of the ordinary was noticed.
"Would you like some tea?" Asked the man.
"Sure." Replied the boy.
"By the way." Said the man. "My name is Henry. Henry Balter."
Henry poured tea into a cup and handed it to the boy, he then took a seat at the dining table, across from the boy. He took a sip of tea and spoke.
"So, what's your deal?" Said Henry.
"What do you mean?" Asked the boy.
"I mean why are you out here all alone?" Asked Henry
"I left my home." Replied the boy.
"So, you ran away?" Asked Henry.
"Basically." Replied the boy.
"Why?" Asked Henry. "I mean, you're some six-year-old kid."
The boy chuckled and responded. "Well I'm not six, I'm eight." Replied the boy. "I left because I didn't agree with the people in charge."
"So, you got tired of listening to your folks huh?" Said Henry.
"I guess you could say that." Replied the boy.
"So, what's your plan kid?" Asked Henry.
"What do you mean?" Asked the boy.
"Don't you have a plan of what you're going to do, where you're going to stay, how you're going to eat." Said Henry.
"Of course, I have a plan." Replied the boy. "It's pretty simple actually. I'm basically going to live in the wild."
"Seriously?" Said Henry. "That's your master plan?"
"Don't underestimate me." Said the boy. "I got a bag full of food, along with a tent for me to sleep in. I also know how to set up traps for any animals that come my way."
"Wow, you're pretty bright for an eight-year-old kid." Said Henry.
"Thanks." Replied the boy.
The house began to get darker, then they releazied that it was fire from the fireplace, it started to weaken. Henry got up and started put some more wood in the firplace.
"So what's up with this village?" Asked the boy.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Replied Henry.
"I mean this village is dead, it's like the place is abandoned." Said the boy.
"That's cause it storming." Said Henry. "Some light rain wouldn't be to bad, but it's strong storm.
"Yea, I was planning to wait it out." Said the boy. "
There was a moment of silence, the boy sipped his tea then spoke.
"So what about." Said the boy. "What do you do?
"I'm a hunter, nothing to explain there. Replied Henry.
"What type of rifle do you have?" Asked the boy.
"Rifles are too expensive for someone like me, I use a bow and arrow.
"Maybe you can teach me." Said James sarcasticaly.
"If you want, you can stay here." Said Henry.
"Really?" Asked the boy.
"Yea." Replied Henry. "I don't mind, there's an extra bedroom that isn't being used, you can sleep there."
"I just met you, why are so open to letting stay here?" Asked the boy.
"I don't know." Said Henry. "Something tells me that I can trust you. Besides how much harm could an eight-year-old boy cause?"
"You'd be surprised at what I can do." Replied the boy.
They both laughed and finished their tea. Later that night James had made his decision.
"Alright, I guess I'll stay." Said the boy.
"Great, you can unpack your things and get settled in. I'll be upstairs if you need me." Said Henry.
As Henry began to go upstairs he stopped and slapped himself on the head and turned around. "Wow, I'm sorry, I didn't even ask for your name."
The boy turned to Henry and sighed, then spoke. "My name is James. James Herrmann."
James woke up. The first thing he saw was the bright blue sky, it's was late in the afternoon. He then realized that he was laying down on his back, he turned his head to the left and saw the landscape. It's seemed odd to him, he could see the top of trees as if he was floating. He then heard voices, so he turned to the right and saw two soldiers standing next to him. He quickly sat up and realized where he was.
"Wait. I'm on the wall?" James thought.
The soldiers then realized James was awake and they began to panic.
"Go get the commander said!" The first soldier.
The second solider ran off to go get the commander while yelling "He's awake!" The first soldier grabbed his gun and pointed it at James.
"Don't move a muscle asshole!" He yelled. James attempted to move, but he realized that he was handcuffed.
"Damn it." James thought. "How the hell did I get here?"
As James was sitting in a daze, more and more soldiers surrounded him until there a small crowd of people standing around him. Erwin made his way to the front, along with Levi and Hanji's squad. Erwin knelt in front of James and spoke.
"My name is Erwin Smith, and yours is?"
"My name is James." He replied hesitantly. "How did I get here?"
"We brought you here from the forest." Replied Erwin.
"Now I remember." Thought James. "I was attacked by that boy and girl. I was about to kill the girl, then everything went black."
"I'm going to ask a couple of questions and they need to be answered." Said Erwin.
"I gotta get out of here." Thought James. "I'm surrounded though, I'll have to wait for an opening. Until then, I'll just play along."
"Where did you get the ODM Gear?" Asked Erwin.
"Found it on a dead soldier." Replied James.
"And I'll assume you're self-taught." Said Erwin.
"Yea." Replied James. "Those big ass trees make a great practice field."
"Is that so?" Said Erwin. "You're obviously not a soldier, so where are you from."
"I'm from Dunwich, a small village that was in Wall Maria." Replied James
"You obviously know this is Titan territory. What are you doing outside of the wall?" Asked Erwin
"I live in that forest" Replied James.
The group of soldiers broke into commotion. "There no way he's living in the forest." "He's obviously lying." "Of course he's not telling the truth, how would he avoid Titans." "Does he think we're that stupid?" Having a puzzled look on her face, Hanji spoke.
"There's no way you could live in that forest." Said Hanji.
"She's right." Said Erwin. "You would've been dead by now."
"I'd be dead if I wasn't smart." Said James. "I made a little bunker where Titans can't get me."
There was a moment of silence, so quiet you could hear the gentle wind flowing. It seemed that everyone was confused at the situation.
"Well get back to you." Said Erwin.
Erwin walked away with Levi and Hanji, while a couple of soldiers stayed with James. Erwin, Hanji, and Levi grouped up in a circle.
"What do you make of this?" Asked Erwin.
"Do you really think he could be living in the forest?" Asked Hanji.
"Of course he's lying." Said Levi. "But you're forgetting the main question. Is he with the enemy?"
"He hasn't shown any connection to them." Said Hanji.
"He's not going to show any connection unless he's an idiot." Said Levi. "But that doesn't matter he could be with the Beast Titan."
"If he's an ally of the Beast Titan, do you think he can turn into a Titan?" Asked Hanji.
"If he could turn into a Titan I think he would have done it." Said Levi.
"Still, we don't know anything for sure." Said Erwin.
While Erwin, Hanji, and Levi were talking, James was planning his escape.
"Damn, they're still too many soldiers around me." Thought James. "That's not even my biggest problem, even if I get out of these handcuffs, there's only one way to escape."
James glanced at his surroundings, everything was normal, but one soldier was looking at him with a revolting face, it was Eren.
"Geez, what the hell is his problem?" Thought James. "You know what, let me have some fun."
James started to look around as if he didn't know Eren was staring at him. Even after a couple of seconds passed, Eren stilled had his eyes locked on James which made James chuckled, he sighed.
"You know starring is rude." Said James.
This made Eren lose his cool, he walked up to James and grabbed him by his clothes.
"You bastard!" Yelled Eren. "Tell us what you know!"
Of course, every soldiers' attention was now on James and Eren. Erwin, Hanji, and Levi returned to the small circle, as Armin and Jean were pulling Eren away.
"Eren, calm down!" Said Armin, as he pulled Eren away from James.
"Calm down Eren." Said Hanji. "We still don't know anything for sure."
"We're wasting time." Said Eren. "He has to be working Reiner and Bertolt."
James gasped. "Reiner and Bertolt? I haven't seen them in years. I mean I know they're here, after Shiganshina fell, there was talk about a Colossal and Armored Titan. Did they get caught? What do these soldiers know?"
James realized everyone was looking at him.
"So, you do know something." Said Levi.
"Shit!" Thought James. "Now everybody thinks I know something."
"There no denying it, he knows something." Said Eren.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Said James.
"Alright, enough of this." Said Levi, as he brought out his blades, he then put a blade to James' throat. "I'll make it simple for you. Tell us what you know or die."
"I'm trapped." Though James. "If I don't tell something, I'm screwed. Wait, this could be my chance to figure out what they know. I mean, it's not like I care what happens to Reiner and Bertolt. Alright, what would you like to know?"
"What can you tell us about the Beast Titan?" Asked Levi.
"Wait, Zeke is here?" Thought James. "That's funny, I was supposed to inherit the Beast Titan, but I guess that doesn't matter now."
"Hurry up." Said Levi. "We don't have all day."
"Well, the Beast Titan isn't an easy opponent." Said James.
"Why?" Asked Levi.
"The Beast Titan possesses a devastating ability to throw objects with great accuracy." Said James.
"He's telling the truth." Said Connie. "When he was at the Utagard Castle, he killed two soldiers with pieces of stone that he threw, and he was pretty far away."
"Alright, what else can you tell us?" Said Levi.
Before James could answer, a soldier intervened in the conversation.
"Sir." Said the soldier. "With all due respect, we shouldn't waste any more time. We're already behind schedule, and we must get to Shiganshina district by nightfall."
"Wait, They're going to Shiganshina district?" Thought James. "Are they planning to seal the hole? Do they even have technology to do that?"
"He's right." Said Erwin. "We still have a long way, let's head out."
"What about our unexpected visitor?" Said Levi.
"He'll be coming with us." Said Erwin. "We'll interrogate him later, until then, he can ride in one of the wagons and he'll be under close supervision.
The soldiers lifted James up, so he was now on his feet.
"This is my chance to escape." Thought James. "I'll need to use someone as a human sheild though."
"Transport him down to the horses by the lift." Said Levi.
While the soldiers were waiting for the lift, James found a soldier to grab, it was Armin.
"That blonde soldier looks weak." Thought James. "I'm going for him."
James balled his fist and began to pull his thumb inward until he felt a crack. Now that his thumb was broken, he was able to slip of his hand out of the handcuffs, which made both of his hands free. He quickly delivered a powerful elbow to the head of the soldier on his right. The other soldier tried to grab him, but he delivered a right hook to his jaw, which cause him to fall. With every soldier alerted, he leaped towards Armin and grabbed him. He then pulled out a knife from his boot and put it to Armin's throat, by now every soldier was surrounding them.
"Don't even think about." Said James. "If anyone moves he dies."
"Let him go!" Yelled Eren.
"I don't think I will." Said James as he moved to the very edge of the wall. "Hey buddy, what's your name?"
"Armin." He replied hestitentaly.
"Hey Armin, do me a favor and take off your ODM Gear." Said James.
"I don't see how that's going to help." Said Hanji. "Even if you put the ODM Gear on there's nowhere to run."
"Don't worry, I have a little "trick" up my sleeve."
Armin had taken off his ODM Gear, using his foot James dragged it to his side.
"I'd love to stay, but I think it's time for me to go." Said James.
"I don't see how you plan on make it alive." Said Eren. "You're surrounded, so tell us, what are going to do?"
"You have no idea what I can do." Said James. "But I guess you're about to find out." James pushed Armin forward, he then grabbed the ODM Gear and jumped off the wall. The soldiers rushed to the edge of the wall to see what would happen.
"He doesn't have time to put on the ODM Gear." Said Hanji. "He's gonna die."
James pulled the ODM Gear in, he then took his knife and cut his hand. A yellow ball of energy emerged, and the body of a Titan began to materialize.
Author's Note: A lot of thinking in this chapter.