A/N: HELLO! YES IT'S BACK! And this chapter is QUITE long, so you guys are in for treat. I'd like to thank EVERYONE that reviewed my last chapter, you guys seem very interested in the story, it makes me really happy!

In light of recent snk spoilers, Enjoy the chapter folks.

The Devil comes to Town

Annie fumed, her cheeks were blossoming red. Whether she was angry, embarrassed, or both, Eren couldn't tell, but he had kept a fair distance from her as they'd both silently made their way back to the outdoor Cafeteria; though she had insisted he walk in front of her.

Despite their crude encounter, Eren was relieved to see she'd awaken so soon, he asked her about the surgery, but she only grunted in response, strayed her blue eyes away from his concerned expression as she hobbled behind him.

That's fair. He thought, his face hot. She did just see my whole package.

He kept sneaking glances over his shoulder before they arrived at the Cafeteria. A line of children, and townsfolk grasping empty bowls blocked their path, many had taken their seats at the benches surrounding the small kitchen space, digging into their supper like they hadn't eaten in days.

Eren spotted Sasha among a crowded table, all of them were an assortment of men and women sporting furs, leather boots, and mini daggers strapped to their thighs. Hunters. He observed them, though he didn't see Daryl anywhere in sight, even though he said he'd be there. Nor Connie.

The kitchen was being tended to by three older women, the area was just a cleared space, safe for a huge boiling pot extended over a bonfire, and two stone-made grills, Eren's stomach growled menacingly as he caught sight of the slab of sizzling pork on top a metal rack, placed above the blazing rocks. The meat was being forked at by a red-haired woman, an elderly woman sliced vegetables on a crate, while a straw-colored hair woman filled the bowls of the hungry with soup broth.

Annie kept tight by Eren's side as they waited patiently in line, around children, and people hovering with their bowls. He recognized that woman dipping the ladle into the soup, Connie's mother, Carol. If it hadn't been for her healing hands, Annie would have surely died of a hemorrhagic shock. He should thank Carol more thoroughly this time.

"Ya'll finally made it to supper!" Eren whirled around whilst Annie merely glanced behind her to see Connie's beaming grin. Clutching at his elbow was the tiniest child Eren's ever seen, well, he would be exaggerating. But Connie barely brushed by his nose, meanwhile this little girl came to his hips.

Was Connie's entire family on the short side?

"Miss Annie!" The girl's grin matched Connie's, though her missing baby teeth differed their smiles. She bounded up to Annie, Eren's presence caught her curious wide amber eyes.

"Miss Annie is this ya' pardner?" She pointed to him, her head tilted curiously his way.

"He doesn't look dirty at all!" The little girl gaped. Eren raised an eyebrow.

"Sunny!" Connie came up to the little girl, dragging her back to his side, "Have some manners!" he flashed his teeth at Annie, "I was lookin' for ya' by the way! Sasha said ya' turned tail on her."

"Had to get a hold of this guy." Annie jerked her head Eren's way, "I also wanted to have a quick look around."

"Yeah? Whatcha' think of the place?"

"it's spacious." Annie shrugged, "I noticed a crop field far back, I'm a bit curious as to how you people go about agriculture, since you have horses. Do you bring in the animals you find out there?"

"We have chickens too!" Sunny exclaimed, "I have a pet chicken, his name is O'Malley!"

"Naw'" Connie scratched the back of his head, "My ma, n' Sasha's pop's both owned farms back in Dauper, right across the road from each other. That's why me n' Sasha we're tight like that, but my ma used to grow greens, ya' know, tomatoes n' such, but Sash' n her dad used to breed cows, and bulls."

"What happened to the cows?" Eren asked.

"Whatdya' think happened?" Connie snorted, Sunny swung his arm around playfully. "We saved 'lot of females, but Sasha couldn't save the breedin' bulls, they was locked up in the barn by the time those crazies reached our part o' town. But it ain't like all that beef n' milk went to waste, we ate good here for the first couple o' years, though it was still rough, lost 'lot folk to sickness."

"And Nana." Sunny whispered, tugging at his hand.

Connie glanced down at her for a second, sharing the same frown. "Yeah, many of the old folk died of natural causes, some of sickness, 'specially during the winter. We hadn't had these walls yet ya'see, our grandparents passed a year after we started buildin'."

A lanky hunter behind Connie tapped at his shoulder with an ugly grimace. "Ya'll are holdin' up the line, c'mon, I'm starvin'!"

Sunny stuck her tongue out at the elder, Connie waved him off, then huddled Sunny to stand in front of him, still talking of the early days, Annie and Eren moved up in line, not wanting to keep the hungry waiting.

"Wasn't all bad though," He said, following behind them. "then when push came to shove, we started huntin'."

"If I recall, in the forest, Sasha said you weren't a hunter." Annie peered over her shoulder. Connie's cheeks flushed. "Well, no, M'not... But-"

"He's a gatherer!" Sunny stuck her fist up, "He finds plants for ma n' papa to use in medicine!"

"Yeah, what Sunny said. New Dauper is divided into people suitable for certain thangs, like hunters, gatherers, builders, healers, ya'll know the system." Connie sighed, "Everybody that lives here s'gotta be doin' somethin', ain't no restin' less it's ya' turn too, y'know, like in the ol' days."

Eren recalled Daryl's bargain, the leader allowed Annie and him to stay at Dauper, only if Eren lended a hand in aiding the builders on the walls. New Dauper had so few people within these walls, and yet they thrived, they survived because they worked as a unit, they all contributed to their small haven. Eren wondered if there could be other places in Maria just like this one, Havens run only by survivors- not by the military, not by the police—that came into existence after the Fall of Humanity. There just had to be.

As the line dwindled down, Sunny grew too restless, slipping out of Connie's hold, she ran up to her mother, who held a giant ladle of steaming stew at shoulder height. Carol fortunately noticed her daughter, placing the ladle back into stew pot before any accidents could happen.

"Sunny, where were ya'?! Supper started an an hour ago!"

"I was with Connie mama!"

Eren let Annie skip him in line, she hobbled slowly in front of him, stopping short of a luncheon cart, the kind one would've seen in a fancy hotel suite. Slices of pork was strewn on a metal plate, along with some old-fashioned baked bread, slightly charred at the edges, but the fresh scent, and the view of cooked food made Annie's mouth water.

"Good af'ther noon!" The red-haired woman who had tended to the pork greeted them, she, like Sunny also had two missing front teeth. Her hair was a mass of crimson curls all tucked into a tidy bun at the back of her head, much like the other two women; they kept the kitchen space as clean as possible.

"What can I get ya'?"

Eren couldn't recall the last time he had seen so much food; nor even had a cooked meal. He didn't want to impose on these people, however, he could sense Annie felt the same way, from the way she shifted awkwardly on her crutches.

"They'll have one of everythin' Ruthie!" Carol strolled up to the gap-toothed lady, with Sunny clinging to her hip. She smiled. "They're special guests."

Annie may have been unconsciousness during the surgery, but her eyes lit with recognition as Carol took over the luncheon cart, the gap-toothed lady, Ruthie, went to prepare their meals.

"You're the woman that treated me."

Carol gave an affirmative nod. "I am," she held out her hand, and Annie took it without hesitation, "Name's Carol, how's that leg feelin', hon'?"

Annie tested her leg, putting a bit more weight on it. "Not bad… It's aching a bit, feels tight."

"I bet, you were bleedin' all over my floors when my husband brought you in." Carol tutted, "Lord that wound was gapin'! Ya' poor thang, I hoped Sasha apologized, that girl's gotta' bit of a temper ya' know, just like her father."

"It's fine." Annie shook her head. "She did give us a surprise. Though, in her defense we did overreact a bit."

"Huntin' drama." Carol huffed. "Ain't the first time a scuffle happened, can't get in the way o' them hunters are out there, savages I tell ya', least they have respect here in the settlement." She craned her neck to peer at Eren. "Ah! Hello again. Didn't recognize ya' without the facial hair! Eren, was it?"

"Yes." Eren cleared his throat. "I don't think I thanked you enough, before, I mean—" He glanced to Annie momentarily—"For saving my partner's life, and for using your resources on us. It's actually been awhile since I've encountered a group of non-infected people."

"I'm sure ya'll encountered them, they just weren't live people." Connie piped up from the back.

Carol tutted once more. "The dead ain't nothing to joke about, boy, have some respect."

Connie shrunk behind Eren. "Yes, mama."

Carol patted Sunny's head as the girl buried her face into her mother's apron. "Well, if that's the case, I'm glad ya'll found yer' way to our lil' haven." Ruthie came back with two steaming hot plates of food than, Carol carefully took each one, she held both plates out to Eren, with a wink and a nod to Annie she said, "How'bout you help the lil' lady over here, don't want her trippin' or havin' any accidents."

Annie blinked, "Oh, I'm fine, actually, I don't need—"

"Sure." Eren took both plates—god, the scent of meat, of vegetables, and baked bread, right under his nose was making him dizzy.

"Aye, now, don't forget 'bout me!" Mr. Blouse came ambling through the last bit settlers waiting in line, oddly enough they didn't seem to mind him skipping, Eren stepped to the side as the older man came through, Annie hobbled next to him. That must be the perks of being a leader.

"Well if it ain't Ol' Blouse," Carol drawled, "Just as early as his pride n' joy."

He chuckled. "First come, first serve." Though he'd arrived late.

Carol rolled her eyes, her hands already working to prepare another dish. "Uh-huh, I heard that."

Mr. Blouse chatted animatedly with Connie as they both awaited their food, Eren and Annie stood awkwardly off to the side, seeing as how many of the tables were already occupied, and nobody looked as if they'd be moving anytime soon.

Connie noticed this as his mother fixed a plate of meat and potatoes, he nudged the elder hunter with his elbow. Mr. Blouse thanked Carol as he took his food, he strode passed the young pair, "C'mon, ya'll can sit with me." Eren shared a look with Annie, but the two followed him anyway, they stopped by the table of loud hollering hunters, where Sasha sat at the front.

"ALRIGHT!" Mr. Blouse's booming voice broke through the chatter, Eren flinched at the volume.

"IF NONE YA'LL ARE STUFFIN' YER FACES THEN GET THE HELL UP N' GET TA' DOIN' THEM DISHES!"

Immediately several men and two women stood from the table, grabbing their empty plates, mugs, and other silverware. They all left to do their own dishes by the waterhole at the kitchen space. Sasha remained seated at the front of the table, calmly drinking her ale.

"Hey daddy'o." She greeted, Mr. Blouse took the empty chair closest to her, plopping himself down.

"Well, c'mon now, sit!" He waved his hand over to Eren and Annie, "Don't be shy."

The two sat across from Mr. Blouse, Eren was surprised to see Sasha had gone through three plates of stew already.

"Benefits of bein' the one that brings in the bacon." Sasha grinned cheekily, biting into a large piece of pork. "Ya' get to have seconds n' thirds."

Mr. Blouse scoffed, "She's the main reason why we constantly have food shortages in the first place!" He turned to Eren, breaking off a piece of baked bread then dunking into the stew. "So, how'd ya like workin' on the wall, hope my men didn't scare ya' too much. I know Mrs. Didley's boys like to play pranks on newcomers."

Eren stirred his stew, he felt Annie's eyes on him, studious as ever. Even she was sitting right next to him, it was still a bit unsettling. "Ah, well it was labor, and it's been awhile since I've lifted anything over ninety pounds, but I could get used to it."

"Bet ya' gonna put on some more muscle if ya' keep at it, those skinny arms of yer's need some meat on em'!" Mr. Blouse chortled, he bit off a piece of soup-soaked bread, "Don't ya' think he could use some muscle on em', lil lady?"

Annie merely shrugged, bored. Her attention went to her meal, while Eren went red in the cheeks, he rubbed awkwardly at his neck. "Ha, ha… Yeah."

"By the way, how're ya' feelin' uh—Ann-Marie?"

"Annie."

"Right, right. Ya' doin' okay now that ya got all rested?"

"Somewhat."

Sasha piped up. "So! Eren, didja' tell her 'bout that trip ya plan on makin' back to Sina?"

At that outburst, Annie's head shot up. The spoonful of soup she held, halted partway to her mouth. She didn't bother to face him. "What trip back to Sina?"

The weather was breezy and warm, but even so, Eren could feel sweat beading at his nape. He turned his head to her, "Uh—yeah, I was going to let you know about that later." Eren cleared his throat, shortly glaring daggers at the loud-mouth of the table. Sasha pretended not to notice as she sipped at her ale.

"Daryl and some other hunters made us a map of all the Military Police havens in Sina." Eren briefly recalled Annie's words in the forest as they hid from a pair of strangers, how she had mouthed the letters 'MP', he cocked his head, curious. "I think you've heard of them before, haven't you?"

Annie said nothing. But she focused on him now, while still feeding herself. She was more intent on listening to his so-called plan.

"Well, I asked for the map anyway, because it was my idea… I'm thinking the friends that I got separated from, could be in one of those havens."

"And what makes you think that?" Annie met his eyes. Eren sighed under the weight of her own incredulity, he had to believe it himself if he were going to make it to Sina. Even when no one else would.

"... It's just a hunch, but it's all I've got for now, so I'm clinging to it."

Annie stared him down hard, truly wondering if he were as foolish as his ill-advised out-of-the-blue plan. Eren quickly took a bite of his bread, wanting to break the contact. He knew he shouldn't care so much for her approval. It was his own goal to see Mikasa and Armin again, after all. He knew them, they were family. She didn't. And Annie was still as much a stranger to him as all New Dauper's residents. Despite her coldness, Eren desperately wanted to change that.

Sasha chuckled, slapping her palm down on the table. "Ya' see?! I told ya' she wasn't gonna' follow through on yer' gamble of a plan!"

"That's fine by me," Eren grumbled, washing down the bread with two big spoonful's of stew, the taste of beef, potatoes and carrots distracting him from lashing out at the huntress. He disregarded her, turning the conversation to Annie instead. "You can stay here if you want, since you do need to heal, I can go by myself."

Annie paid him no mind, but she did seem to be lost in a thought. Mr. Blouse, though he had given Eren the map in the first place and agreed with his plan to an extent, shook his head, "S'dangerous out there without a pardner to have yer' back."

"Oh, I know the dangers!" Eren leaned back into his seat. "Trust me, staying in Shigansina where all those deviants infested, I know how to, at least, evade those monsters."

"Oh yeah?" Mr. Blouse snorted. "And what if ya' need to fend one off?"

Some of the hunters seated at the table eavesdropped in on the conversation.

Eren shrugged, "If it comes down to it, then I'll do it. it's survival of the fittest after all."

Sasha butted in. "What if ya' don't have any weapons, like ya' lose'em suddenly, and there's this big ol' nasty comin' at ya'?"

Eren smirked. "Then I'll fight it with my bare hands."

There was silence safe for the occasional scraping of forks and spoons on metal, and the chatter of townsfolk seated on the other benches. Until a hoot at the end of their table reached his ears.

"Aye I like this kid! He ain't afraid o' nothin', ain't ya' boy!" Laughter from the elder hunters of the table followed, Eren flushed from the attention. Mr. Blouse smiled, tight-lipped, he rubbed at his temple, because even he knew the risk Eren would be taking by venturing forth alone.

"Gotta' grab the bull by the balls they say!" Sasha hollered. More raucous laughter roared in Eren's ears, making him burn a darker shade of tan.

"If that's what it takes." He said, though quietly under his breath. Only Annie heard him.

As the afternoon daylight gave away to dusk, and the crickets began chirping their song, the residents of New Dauper took to showing their young newcomers around their home, just to get them settled in. It was a tour of a sort. Annie, having had a bit of a previous tour herself, lagged. Her eyes never left the back of Eren's head though. He probably knew she was staring at him anyway, from the way he'd glance back at her every so often.

She wasn't an inconspicuous person, Annie couldn't help but stare, really. Eren was a specimen to be observed. She couldn't understand it, was he truly one of them? She'd been so sure, he had to be. He was infected, and there existed intelligent infected in this world.

But he wasn't a deviant. Or was he?

She just didn't know anymore, the more she looked at him, the more she saw the lost human boy she'd met at the school, especially now that he had cleaned up.

No, that's what he wanted her to believe.

But he hadn't attacked anyone while she was comatose, and she didn't pick up any signs of creature activity coming from him—there was no growling, no salivating nor twitching, his eyes weren't beet red, or a rotted yellow, they were a beautiful teal, sometimes they looked as green as nature.

So, was he dangerous as she believed prior? Or was he truly, just a harmless miracle. She'd have to find out on her own.

Annie sighed, irritably, as she stood behind Eren and Mr. Springer, Connie's step-father. The keys in his hand jingled together as he unlocked one of the spare rooms of the Springer home. The smell of wax-cleaner, and dust hit her face as the door creaked open.

"I'm sorry we don't have lot' space… This used to be my younger son's room." Mr. Springer stepped to the side, allowing them entry. "That couch over there's a pull-out," he pointed to a torn recliner situated at the corner of the room. The bedroom itself was quite small for two people, but Annie felt this was perfect to keep an eye on Eren. She had turned down Sasha's offer of allowing the blonde to sleep in her father's cabin. Annie couldn't let Eren out of her sight, not just yet.

"So, one of ya'll could sleep on that." Mr. Springer shrugged, "Though I reckon' you let the lil' lady have the bed, it's only outta' courtesy, and better to rest that leg on."

"Of course." Eren nodded, looking around him. Annie did the same. She noticed the locked wooden toy box near the window next to the couch. A lit candle was placed on the nightstand at the beds side, dripping wax into its holder. The bed in general was twin-sized, stripped bare, but they'd been provided with two duvets, three blankets, and a single pillow. The springers were a generous bunch, the couple probably had this room ready for them the moment they had arrived. Though Annie couldn't help but wonder what happened to Connie's little brother. She held her tongue on asking, however.

"Breakfast starts at six o' clock in mornin'," Mr springer gestured to Annie, "My wife gave ya' some leisure however, ya' can rest as much as ya' want, she'll save ya' a bowl of oats."

Annie couldn't fathom this hospitality. "Thank you."

Mr Springer nodded. "Right then, I'll leave ya'll be, sleep tight." He turned, and left the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

Eren stood in the middle of the room, rubbing at his neck. He cleared his throat, walking over to the bed to grab some sheets, "So, I guess I'll take the couch and uh—" He looked over, Annie had already seated herself on the couch, stretching over the armrest to lean her crutch against the wall.

Eren blinked, "You… Don't want to sleep on the bed?"

"I'm fine here."

Eren opened his mouth to rebuttal but decided against it. He sighed, "Okay then." He tossed her the sheets he was holding, and even offered her the pillow, which she thankfully took.

"Man," The metal springs of the bed whined as Eren sat down, "it's been so long since I slept on something this soft."

Annie had to silently agree with that. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd ever slept in an actual room, it was always some abandoned factory, or an empty market, or a car, or… Outside. It was so different, traveling alone, sleeping alone, hearing creatures in the distance, and not the lively whispers of her friends.

It was… Frightening, sometimes. Just being on her own. She once been a person that craved solitude, preferring quiet places with fewer people to loud bustling areas; and now, quiet places agitated her, because it almost always meant danger.

Annie used to groan about having to be dragged to a party, or an event where she was forced to talk with people. She disliked people, when the living thrived, she was once so anti-social to the point where she only had one friend, and even than Annie felt she had hardly tried to fit in.

Now that the worlds turned on its back. She too, had turned from the aloof girl she had been. Of course, she kept to her cautious nature, though even that could be questionable seeing how as she's acquainted herself with an infected. She failed to see the irony in that. Despite the hostility of their first encounter, she'd secretly been so relieved to see Eren. Even if it was short-lived.

Annie glanced to Eren, he had taken off the boots she'd given him, and bunched up the blankets to cushion his head. One hand rested on his stomach, while the other was placed at the back of his head. He stared absent-mindedly at the ceiling, he wasn't asleep, not yet. Could he even sleep?

"Eren." His eyes were on her in a second.

She chose her next words carefully, gauging his reaction. "Thank you for stopping Sasha back there, in the forest."

"That uh—" He sat up, "Of course! I mean, yeah, you're welcome." Again, he rubbed at his nape, a nervous tick of his, maybe. "Wasn't going to let you just bleed out like that, y'know?"

"Hm, yes, I was afraid of that, If Sasha had just left with Connie, I wonder what would've happened..." Annie carefully lifted her injured leg onto the couch cushions, she heard him snort, then snapped her head to him to find what was so funny. Though he hadn't been smiling, his face was stern.

"I would've tried to save you."

"Would you?" Annie narrowed her eyes.

"Yes."

Annie held his gaze for a while, but he severed the contact, keeping his head down as tucked in his long legs to sit pretzel-like. "I know Sasha's a bit of a hard ass, but she's not that cruel, I don't think she would've abandoned us… Anyway, um—about going to Sina…"

Eren shifted, "I know that I said… I was alright with traveling to Sina by myself but, the truth is…" He looked up, anxious. "Honestly, you're such a resourceful person you've got experience being on your own," he cleared his throat again, "Surviving out there I mean, what I'm saying is, I'd feel we should stay together to—nothat's not what I mean, I… Shit—what I meant was…"

"You need me to come with you?"

Eren sighed. "I wouldn't say need, but I'd like you to. Because I know I can count on someone like you to have my back."

"But can I count on you to have mine?" Annie raised a brow

"Of course!" Eren leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, a smile played at the corner of his lips. "I mean, we already made it this far together right? It's only been two days, Well, technically three now, but I think you and I, can be a pretty kick ass team."

"Kick ass?"

Eren nodded happily, his smile lasted for no more than ten seconds before he grew serious again, he wrung his hands together.

Yet another thing on his mind he was willing to share with her.

"... Can I ask you something?" Eren pursed his lips, swinging his legs over the bed, he didn't face her.

"This… This has been nagging me since we left the sewers but, I get this feeling that you still don't trust me, or… You refuse too." He turned to her then. "Why is that? I'm just curious, is all."

Annie toyed with the bandages of her cast. She didn't feel threatened by him, not now, not like she supposed she would if he confronted her. But she was uncomfortable. Not what she expected to feel from a creature.

"I'm just being cautious." She told him truthfully. And a thought hit her then, that perhaps Eren did not know he was infected. That perhaps, he carried that virus, unaware of what he had become.

"But why? I'm not dangerous… At least to you." He mumbled.

"But you can be." Annie glared coldly, "I'm not willing to put all of my trust into a dev—into a guy I'd just met." Annie added on, "I still don't fully trust these people, even if they did save my life."

The last bit was to dissuade Eren from thinking she was suspicious of him, of his true nature. Eren shook his head, throwing his hands up into the air.

"If that's the case, then why did you say trusted me back at the school?"

"I said no such thing."

"Don't bullshit me."

The conversation continued like that for another hour or so. Eren attempting to pry into Annie, and her giving the vaguest of answers. She avoided telling him of how she really felt. Soon Eren grew fed up, deciding to sleep it off, instead. Annie stayed awake, watching as his chest rose than fell, hearing the soft snores coming from him.

What was with this guy?

Annie reached over, grabbing onto her crutch. Then stuck her hand between the cushions, she pulled out a small knife, about the size of a pencil, but still very sharp. She had taken it from the table during lunch hour while everyone was busy chatting.

Annie stood, lopsided but straightened herself with the crutch, she approached Eren's bedside. His cheek was pressed to the sheets, mouth partly open, with his hands resting on his stomach. Annie stared down at him like she'd done in the sewers.

This was the only way.

She brought up the knife, then dragged the sharp end of the blade across the palm of her right hand, hissing softly.

This way, Annie would test Eren's humanity, by provoking his deviant side. If he were pretending to act humane, the scent of her blood should drive him into a restless state of hunger, until he would be forced to act on his impulses. If he were simply oblivious of what he'd become, then there should be no reaction. Annie deduced, but she still wasn't quite so sure.

So, she waited, one hand clenched the knife, ready to be plunged into Eren's jugular, should he wake up, and the other, she held up, oozing a pool of blood into her palm, as she did not want to stain the waxed floors, that would only cause more problems for the Springers.

Annie waited. She waited and waited. But… There was nothing. Eren did not snap his eyes open, he did not pounce at her, he did not grow long claws or teeth, or grotesque tumors. He slept peacefully, like he hadn't in ages. Snoring and all.

Her stomach twisted itself into a knot. She dropped the knife momentarily, too distraught with this outcome, the sound of metal clattering on wood made her flinch. Eren stirred in his slumber.

Annie breathed out, shakily, her eyes trained on his face. His human face.

"Just, what the hell are you?"

Eren adjusted the hood his long cloak, given to him by one of the elder hunters of New Dauper, it first reeked of sweat, blood, and alcohol, and bore old vomit stains. But after a good thorough wash, and leaving it to soak through many nights, it was eventually wearable. The cloak was earth-colored, much like Connie's and Sasha's, the hem fell to his knees, and the hood was large enough to shield his entire head.

He cherished it. Much like he cherished the scarf wrapped around his neck, which he had also scrubbed down until it was it was its faded maroon color once more. Eren even let the barber of New Dauper cut his hair some so that his bangs weren't obscuring his vision, Eren took to styling it in a tight bun, much like Annie prefers.

It's been three weeks since he had come to this settlement. The people of New Dauper were friendly, but fierce when need be. He fell into their routine like clockwork, while Annie healed. Eren worked various jobs, he helped stack wood for the walls, he sharpened blades, and cleaned grime, and gore off arrows (courtesy of Sasha), he even aided the ladies who manned the kitchen space. To which Carol was more than giddy about. She had taught him to skin, gut, and butcher game that the hunters brought in.

In the short time he spent around these people, he had learned so much. Survival was crucial in this new world, but it wasn't just finding food and a water source. It was the harsh ways these people spoke, the way Sasha's eyes gleamed when speaking of meat, and hunting. How Connie would whistle a chipper tune as he washed the plants he had picked for his parents.

How Sunny would chase her Chicken, O'Malley, across town, Daryl's rumbling laughter and red cheeks as he tried to outdrink his hunter brethren, and the lively crowd of supper time. No one here was ever alone. Everyone was one big family. That's what Eren sought for. What he'd fight for. What he'd protect no matter what.

But, he knew deep down, he'd have to leave this settlement soon. It's been a month, and though he felt at home there, his true home was with his longtime friends.

Mikasa. Armin.

Their names never left his head, and oftentimes he became distracted while he worked, but he had faith he'd find them. They just must wait a little while longer. Wherever they were.

Sasha came skipping to his side suddenly, she nudged Eren from his thoughts with her elbow, gazing at the gates of New Dauper as he were.

She grinned, "Exciting ain't it, ya' finally goin' on yer' first hunt after lazin' round all day!"

Eren scoffed, nudging her back. "Lazing around?! I've been working on those walls several hours a day!"

"Oh, psshaw! That ain't nothin', ya'll wanna' know real labor?" Sasha whirled around, arms outstretched as if to give him a hug. "It's huntin' baby!"

Eren laughed, giving the huntress a little shove. From the corner of his eye he spotted Connie approaching them with the reins of two gorgeous beasts. His mare Trudy, and Sasha's golden beauty, Honeybun, walking carefully alongside him and the horses, was Annie.

"Yo! Look who's comin' with!" Connie hollered. Annie's thigh wound had thankfully scarred over, it was still difficult for her to stand on her feet for a prolonged period, but she was walking on her own now, without having to lean on something.

Still, Eren felt uneasy with her coming along on a hunting trip. His worried expression spoke volumes as she strode up to him, he saw the slight stagger in her gait.

"Annie? You sure about this?" Eren gestured to her leg.

She shrugged, "It aches like a bitch, but I'm tired of being cooped in here." She nodded over to Sasha. "I promise not to slow you guys down."

"You sure, I mean, we're not using our guns. If we run into anything out there…"

Sasha reached up, slinging her arm around Eren's shoulders, bringing him down to her height, she grinned cheekily. "Aw! Don't ya' worry Er', we'll keep her safe!"

She laughed, "Right'o Connie?!"

"Right'o!" Connie sniggered. Eren scoffed, shaking her off. Already used to their teasing since he had put up with it for three weeks.

Glancing to Annie, he noticed the cloak she donned was tailored different from his, and the ones that Connie and Sasha wore. It was dyed a dark green and fell to her hips instead of her knees. Probably the most efficient way for her to wear it since she was so short; he couldn't help but notice, that it also complimented her figure as well.

He wanted to tell her as such, but one look at her passive face warded him off. It's been like that for a while now. Eren wanting to reach out to her, wanting to speak with her, but instantly retreating. Ever since that chat they had when they spent their first night in New Dauper, Annie had gotten… A little less cold with him. At the very least, she was more open to others, and to him, well, she regarded him as she did when they had first met. Eren would rather have her irritableness than not having her trust him at all.

While Sasha, and Connie readied the horses for their trip, Mr. Blouse, and some of the other elder hunters prepared their rations, and weapons. A group of them approached the gate, Mr. Blouse at the front.

"Now remember!" He handed Sasha her bow, and a sleeve of arrows after she had mounted Honeybun.

"Only big game, we gotta' lot mouths to feed here, and don't go shootin' at stragglers again." He shook his head, grumbling. "Might actually kill someone one these days!"

"O'course, daddy."

Eren clumsily mounted Honeybun after, still not so used to riding a horse. He opted to keep his legs hanging off one side this time. Connie helped Annie onto Trudy, mounting his mare after. He put his arms around Annie to hold onto the reins, the position might have been better for her, since her leg was still tense, and it could be difficult for her to balance herself—yet, Eren felt this strange tug in his chest from watching them.

He decided not to pay it any mind.

"Eren," Mr. Blouse walked over to him, he presented Eren a rusted swiss army knife. "My daughter knows these woods like the back of her hand, ya' stick tight by her side, ya'hear?"

Eren nodded, pocketing the swiss army knife. Mr. Blouse approached Connie and Annie next, handing Connie his hunting dagger, a pouch, and a heavy looking satchel, which Connie slung over his shoulders.

One of the other hunters came up to Mr. Blouse, shining a weapon then handing it to him. Mr. Blouse took it, holding it up to Annie. "Lil' lady, here, take this, we managed to salvage two bullets from where ya' first shot in the forest, but that's 'bout it."

Annie's mouth fell open. "My pistol?"

Eren's pistol, more likely. Eren narrowed his eyes.

"Yup, normally I don't allow my hunters to use loud firearms, but , seein' as ya might be slower than the rest," He unhooked an empty gun holster from his thigh, offering it to her. Annie took it, quietly thanking him.

"In the case ya' get left behind, and there's somethin' that ain't human comin' after ya… Ya' shoot to kill, ya'hear?"

"I hear." Annie was smiling slightly.

Connie grinned. "Don't worry Daryl, I'mma' keep her safe!"

"Boy, ya' can't even keep yer' pants up!"

The elder hunters behind him howled with laughter. Connie's ears burned bright red. Daryl took a few steps back. He waved to the gatekeeper. "Alright, Baron! OPEN THEM GATES!"

The soft crackling of the fire, buzzing of insects, and the warm spring breeze whooshing through the trees, all played a rhythm in Annie's ears. It's been a month since she had encountered the residents of New Dauper, Connie and Sasha, a month since she had met Eren, and nine months she had lost the group she once traveled with.

Annie never believed in miracles; they were just random occurrences that would happen in the most convenient way to a person.

Coincidence that's all anything ever was. Right? Right?

So, in this case that'd she just so happened to meet an infected… Yet non-infected guy; who just so happened to be unaware that he was, in fact, infected. What would that be called?

Annie had done the same test, for nearly six days. Nicking herself in areas people wouldn't see just to draw some blood, just to provoke him, just to have an excuse to kill him right then, and there. But after the sixth day, Connie took notice of the scabs on her hands, and along her forearms. Annie decided she'd give up than. Eren proved himself to be more human by doing absolutely nothing, and everything at once.

That didn't erase the fact that he still carried the virus; and was therefore still a danger to her and these people. if he did not know of his condition, then she would have to be the one to show him what he really was.

Which she still did not know for sure, what he was. A human capable of withstanding the virus, yes. An infected with the intelligence, sensibility, and morality of a human? Well, she tested that theory, but it still stood as a possibility. Infected were once human, after all. But they were dead. From what Annie had learned of the creatures in these past five years since the Fall of Humanity; deviants were humans who were still alive but left to die as the virus burrowed its way into their system, disrupting a part of the hosts brain, and assuming control. That's how they remained aware.

But, their appearances were so much grotesque then that of a normal infected. Often, Annie could tell a deviant from a normal infected just from their bodies alone. Though most of the time, it's the sheer malicious glint of a deviant's eyes that gave them away.

Eren was infected. Had some tendencies of a deviant. But he did not look the part, which meant the virus did not do what it was supposed to do, that meant something had to have stopped it from spreading. Something had to have reverse the tumorous effects of the virus.

Could it be… A cure?

"Hey, Annie."

She looked across the flames, Eren was standing, holding out a stick with a bit of charred meat stuck to the tip. She blinked, taking it from him with a small thank you. She would think about this more later.

For now, if Eren was not a threat to her or New Dauper, then he was not a problem.

"So, isn't a little dangerous for us to make a fire at night?" Eren took a seat on the grassy patch by Connie, watching Sasha skin a squirrel she stuck an arrow through.

Sasha shrugged, "We usually make our fires first, just so we know where we're comin' back too. Also, how else are we gonna' eat?!" She waggled Connie's hunting knife at him, "Less you tryna' get salmonella or somethin', eatin' raw meat!"

"Hey, those creatures do it just fine!" Eren laughed, biting into his own meal that was just cooked rabbit on a stick. He was certainly proud to have caught something today, even if it was small prey.

"Well they already got somethin' wrong wit'em."

Annie interrupted, "Do you guys always stay close by the settlement, have you ever gone hunting outside of the woods?"

Connie stretched his arms up high, "Nngh, What's there to hunt outta' the woods?"

Sasha shook her head, peeling back the skin of the squirrel to harvest the meat, blood stained her leather gloves. Despite being out in the wild for many months prior, Annie couldn't help but feel queasy at the sight.

"S'dangerous to leave the forest, I mean, they're more o' those thangs roamin' the streets then they're roamin' round the trees, know what I mean?"

Annie nodded. That was for sure. She had yet to spot any creature in this forest, besides Eren, of course.

Eren chewed on the rabbit meat, scratching at his nape. "That's not to say there aren't titans in the forest, I mean, Maria is pretty damn big."

Sasha shared a perplexed look with Connie. "Eh, titans?"

"Oh yeah, it's my nickname for those huge creatures, you know Greek mythology?"

Connie kicked out his feet, "Hell! That ain't a bad name for'em! I'll start callin' them that too!"

Sasha got done peeling the skin of the squirrel off, and was now gutting out the insides, making sure to scoop out excess feces from the intestines.

"I call'em crazies," Sasha grunted as she began hacking away at the nimble limbs of the animal, "Since they go crazy and start eaten' people."

"What about deviants?" Annie took a small bite of the rabbit. Sasha cocked her head questionably.

Annie elaborated. "You know, the intelligent ones, those creatures that are aware of what they're doing?"

Sasha shrugged, tossing the tiny animal limbs off to the side for food rations. "I only heard of em', but I ain't never met one, don't think I want to neither."

"What's a deviant, anyway?" Connie turned to Annie, "Like ain't that a person who does tricks on people?"

"Well, they can trick you," Annie smiled slightly, "if you're foolish enough to fall for it, I've heard rumors that they can even mimic their human voices to trick survivors into believing they're still a live person."

Connie shuddered, "Sounds scary, what if it happens that their still alive though, like they retained some their humanity?"

"I've killed deviants before." Annie threw the stick she held into the fire, the flames licked at it eager to burn, she watched as the stick was enveloped into the flames. "They're not at all human, they're just looking to feed like the rest, only they're more cunning."

"Shoot, really?!"

Connie paused for a moment.

"... That sounds kinda' awesome." Connie nudged Eren. "Aye, what if we found one them deviants that could actually talk!" He snickered. "Won't that be something?"

Eren smirked, "They probably wouldn't have much to say either than they're hungry for human flesh."

"Ugh, probably."

"Guys! Shush!" Sasha bolted upright, immediately withdrawing her bow, and an arrow.

"What is it, Connie looked behind him, "ya' tracked somethin'?"

Sasha hushed him, training the point of her arrow at an area above their heads, she stood still, inhaling through her nose, exhaling, only when she released the arrow. There was a distant soft pop of the arrow hitting its mark, and then the distressed noise of an animal whining, the sound of twigs crunching followed as the animal dashed off into the woods.

Sasha swore, taking off after it.

Connie jumped to a stand, grabbing a hold of her elbow before she could make a break for it. "Sash' wait! You should take Honey-bun with ya', last time ya' tracked a deer ya' almost got us lost on the other side of Maria chasin' that thang!"

Sasha fidgeted, her mind solely on harvesting the meat of the animal, Annie could only guess. The huntress sighed. "Ya' right."

Sasha put her fingers to her mouth then whistled, Honey Bun who'd have been grazing some grass in the meadow some yards away, came galloping to her owner's side. Sasha caressed her muzzle, before climbing onto the saddle.

Sasha pulled the reins slightly, ambling into the clearing behind, right outside the woods, Honey Bun kicked up some dirt as she turned to them.

"Alright, which one ya'll are comin' with me?"

All three of them looked at each other. Annie to Eren, Eren to Connie, then Connie to Annie. Connie scratched the back of his head.

"I think I'll stay here with Eren n' watch the camp, Sash, ya' can take Annie instead!"

Annie snapped her head to him. "What?"

"Yeah! it'd be a good huntin' experience for ya', plus Sash' is ace with that bow, ain't nothin' gonna' attack ya'll cuz' she'd down it in a jiff!"

Annie stood, dusting off her cloak. "I don't think…" She looked to Eren once more. He watched her steadily with wide curious teal eyes.

Would it be safe now to leave Eren, even for a moment?

"What?" Connie looked at them both, "Ya' worried 'bout Eren?"

Sasha scoffed. "If she's worried 'bout Eren, then Connie, ya' come with me instead, ya'll are wastin' my time!"

Annie glared at the huntress, "I am not worried, I—" She sighed, "I'll go."

Annie pulled out the pistol from the gun holster Mr. Blouse had given her. "Connie… Here."

She held out the pistol to the younger boy, Connie gawked. "Huh? Why ya' given me this?"

"For safety." Annie stepped closer, nodding over to Sasha. "Plus, you said Sasha is a good shot, well, I'm holding her to that claim."

Connie stared at the pistol a second longer then broke out into a grin. "Ah! I see!" He took the weapon from her. "Right then, I'll keep this gun warm for ya'."

Annie nodded. A bit relieved now that Connie would have a means to defend himself. Just in case. Just in case.

"Be safe." Eren came up her, he touched her shoulder lightly. "Okay?"

Annie looked down. Guiltiness clogged her throat, she only nodded. Sasha hollered at them to hurry it up. Annie bid them farewell, jogging after Sasha, the huntress scooted back so she could mount Honey Bun from the front.

Sasha encircled her arms around Annie's frame, clutching tightly at the reins. "C'mon Honey Bunny! After that deer! Go, go, go!"

She whipped the reins. Honey Bun took off into woods, galloping pass trees so quickly they became a motion blur in Annie's periphery. She hoped they would be able to catch that deer soon. Dusk was upon them already, and midnight was not the best time to be hunting. Even Annie knew that.

Connie and Eren watched them disappear into the woods, until the trees seemed to swallow them both. That horse sure was fast.

Connie sat back down on the log he claimed, sighing. "Oh man, looks like it's just the two o' us!"

Eren took his spot on the grass, near the fire. "Looks like it." He leaned over to grab some more chopped firewood, tossing one into the flames, the fire sparked, and burned brighter, alighting the whole camp in a soft spherical yellow glow.

"So," Eren hunkered down, trying to get comfortable. "how come you didn't want to go with Sasha this time?"

Connie waved a hand. "Eh, I always go with her when she's huntin', I'd like to rest for a bit, now and again."

He paused, before adding. "And—ah, I also just wanted to hang wit'ya, y'know. Just us bros?"

Eren chuckled. "I'm cool with that, bro."

The two watched the fire dance, and crackle as the dusk skies grew to darker shades of purple. Trudy, Connie's mare, settled herself against one of the trees, munching on the bunches of leaves that hung low from the branches. Connie began drawing circles into the dirt with a stick.

"Y'know, I don't actually hang out wit' no one other than Sasha to be frank, and I guess my lil' sister," Connie tapped the stick against the ground, "but she can be annoyin' sometimes."

Eren thought of Mikasa, and how she'd berate him for the littlest things, he smiled fondly. "Well, I know how sisters can be in general."

"Uh, also, not to pry but," Connie pursed his lips, "Well… I just wanted to know, are ya' still thinkin' bout' leavin back to Sina?"

"Yes. I have too, I would have left sooner, but Annie decided she'd come with me, So I had to wait for her leg to heal."

Connie looked down. "Oh… When do ya' plan on leavin' than?"

"Probably a week from now."

It should have been sooner. Eren was not a patient man, but he willed himself to be. Despite his love for New Dauper's people, he was desperate to find his friends. The sooner they left the better chances he had of finding them, or so he believed. He still had Mr. Blouse's map, it was stowed away back in the room he and Annie shared. He had already marked down the bases he would pay a visit to first. Eren only hoped the Military Police weren't as callous as Mr. Blouse explained them to be.

"Well," Connie cleared his throat, holding out his fist. "I wish ya' the best on yer' trip. I hope ya' find yer' friends, Eren. I really do."

"Thanks." Eren bumped fists with the other boy.

"Y'know, I'm gonna' miss ya'll when ya'll leave."

Eren cooed. "Aw, are you getting mushy on me now?"

Connie pushed at Eren's shoulder with his cheeks tinged pink. "Shuddup, it ain't like that!"

"I just liked havin' ya'll round is all." He grumbled.

"When I find my friends, I'll make sure to bring them back here one day. You guys can even take them hunting, Mikasa is pretty much good at any sport."

Connie shook his head. "She can't beat Sasha at huntin', that's fer sure."

Eren grinned. "Oh yeah, want to bet?"

"On huntin'? No doubt, that's Sasha's game. I'll wager my ma's sweet bread on that!"

Eren loved Carol's sweet bread. He laughed, "You're on then, when I find my friends, I'll definitely make sure to bring them back here."

"S' a bet it is!"

They knocked fists again then settled into a comfortable silence with Connie occasionally tossing pebbles into the fire. Eren stood up minutes later to stretch his legs. "Hey' I'm going to take a leak, I'll be right back."

"Watch out for the snakes!" Connie called out after him.

"They're better not be any snakes!" Eren shouted back, lifting one foot to step over the shrubbery that surrounded the small clearing. He walked for about a minute before stopping at a thick tree, the trunk was large, covered in vines and weeds wrapping all the way to the top.

Sorry, nature.

Eren unzipped his pants. Wary of any critters that could be lurking in the dark as he relieved himself. He made sure to be quick about it. Once he was done he retraced his steps back to the camp the way Sasha had taught him; only to notice that light source he had tracked before had diminished.

Eren stopped. Squinting into the vast darkness, the path he was on was the right way back to camp… But the fire should be lit. Did Connie put it out?

Eren continued forward, though with each step he took, he steadily grew more anxious. When he reached the clearing, stepping over the same bounty of bushes, he saw the campfire extinguished, smoke swirled above the simmering sticks and rocks they'd placed. Standing in front of the campfire was Connie, the hood of his cloak thrown up.

Eren cocked his head, stepping forward. "Uh, hey Connie. Why's the fire out, we need to keep it burning for Sasha and Annie to track." Eren came closer towards the other boy, reaching his hand to touch Connie's shoulder. "Hey, Connie—"

The boy wretched free from Eren's touch, whirling around. Eren did not have a second to think before he was yanked forward by his cloak then thrown to the ground, a heavy weight settled on his back, silver glinted against his throat, nicking his flesh some as Eren struggled against the weight. His eyes widened when he realized this was not Connie. He snarled at the stranger that held him down.

"Who the hell are you?!" Eren spat out dirt. "Where's Connie, what did you do to him?!" Eren gave no regard to the knife at his throat and pushed back at the stranger, but then his hand was twisted against his back at a painful angle. Eren gasped.

"Stay down." Said a woman's voice.

Eren growled into the dirt as she shoved his face down. He couldn't see, but he could hear. There was a dry unsettling laugh coming from the darkness of the trees surrounding them. Eren struggled to lift his head up.

"Well, well, well, looks we found ourselves a couple o' stragglers." The dry voice chuckled. From out of the shadows walked a towering slim man, the moonlight caught the ugliest part of his features. That wicked grin stretching from ear to ear, sinister dark eyes, slicked black hair, all hidden beneath a dark colored hat. Eren's eyes landed on Connie who was beating against the arms of the tall man. He was missing the cloak he usually wore, stolen by that woman. Connie looked small compared to the man.

"Get off me ya' bastard!"

"Connie!" Eren jerked against the woman but she slammed his face into the dirt once more.

"Eren!" Connie tried elbowing the man but his arms was yanked back, the man wrapped one large hand around Connie's throat, and the other against his nape.

"Now, now. Don't try anythin' funny. I'm very capable of snappin' necks, y'know, I've done it many times." The tall man walked forward with Connie in tow. Leaves crunched beneath his boots. Connie was so afraid, Eren could hear his quivering breaths.

"Imma' make this quick. I don't want much from ya'll." The tall man drawled, speaking to them both consequently. "Just all your rations, and weapons. Oh, and I'll be takin' that horse too."

"Like hell ya' are!" Connie wriggled against his grip, but a faint squeeze of his throat made his eyes pop, he wheezed, clawing at the tall man's hands. "Easy there ya' runt, I wasn't askin'. I was sayin' Imma' steal all ya' stuff, and yer' gonna' stay nice n' quiet while we do, how bout' that?"

The tall man pushed Connie to the ground near Eren, Connie inhaled, coughing out violently. Eren lifted his head, trying to catch the eyes of this strange man. He seethed, "Who the hell are you?"

The tall man grinned, it reminded Eren of the deviant from the school. He shuddered.

"I'm the boogeyman, kid." The man strode forward, walking the perimeter of the camp. His dark eyes scanned the area, he picked up Sasha's extra sheath of arrows, and Connie's dagger, tossing them into the satchel he carried. Connie's satchel. "Or, ya'll would know us as just some bandits tryin' to make a livin'. Everybody's gotta' survive somehow," the man scoffed, "It's just like that on this bitch of an earth."

As the man talked, Eren turned his head to peer over at Connie. Connie's neck was a blotchy red and he stayed face down on the ground, when Eren locked eyes with him, Connie mouthed something to him, though Eren could barely make it out, as his face was practically hidden by the grass.

Pis… Tol. Pistol.

Eren scrunched his brows. Pistol? Where was it?

The woman was still hunched above him, with the knife now at the side of his neck, grazing slightly. Eren turned his head to the other side, his ear pressing against the dirt to face the campfire. He squinted against the tall grass blocking his view, desperately looking for the pistol Annie had left with Connie. Then, he spotted it, the gun holster was behind the log Connie had sat on, Eren could make out a bit of the handle from between the grass.

He thinned his lips, inhaling in the scent of earth. He had to make a choice. Let these people take what they want, then leave. Or. Gain the upper hand.

If Eren were Annie in that moment, he'd probably think the time to of a less risky plan. But being that he was of a ruthless nature, the latter was always his first choice. So Eren waited until the tall man turned his back to them before using his free hand to push himself up. He screamed. "Now, Connie!"

Connie bolted up, knocking the woman off Eren with a kick to her side. The knife sliced a thin red line across Eren's nape as she was thrown to the ground, but Eren wasn't focused on the slight sting. He jumped to a stand, dashing for the gun before the tall man could react.

He slid to the ground, scooping up the pistol. The woman was fast to get up, her hood was thrown back, revealing blonde hair. She grappled at Eren's back, trying to wrestle the pistol free from his grip. Her long nails dug into his skin, Eren hissed.

He staggered, the woman on his back forced the gun closer to his chin, her fingers so close to the trigger. Sweat beaded down Eren's temple, his grip on the gun tightened, russet knuckles turning white. She intended to shoot him. To kill him. Eren growled, with every ounce of his strength he turned the gun to the side of his head, his grip went slack, but the woman's fingers pressed down on the trigger.

There was an excruciatingly loud bang in his left ear, so loud it was painful. He didn't notice the extra weight slipping from his back, until there was a thud on the ground. Eren fell to his knees, touching his left ear that was now ringing. He felt something wet, and pulled his hand back, his fingers were stained red.

All of this happened in a matter of seconds.

The tall man's voice broke through the tension."Ah shit! TRAUTE! Fuck!"

He ran passed Eren to the woman that was sprawled on the ground, one of her eyes were glassy and opened wide. The other was blown to bits, the bullet taking its place in her bloody eye socket. The tall man stilled as he stared down at his partner, dark eyes hidden beneath his hat. Eren realized then, that he had dropped the pistol.

Connie was frozen in shock in front of it all.

"What the hell did you do?" The man mumbled, he sucked in air through his clenched teeth. Turning from the dead woman. He glared at Eren, only the bright whites of his eyes could be seen in the shadows. Eren couldn't hear him coming, with only one working ear. "You lil' shit, you lil' fuckin'—"

"Eren!"

"SHIT!"The tall man struck the side of Eren's head with his knee, Eren slammed face first into the ground. He scrambled to reach the pistol he'd dropped. But his fingers were crushed beneath the weight of the tall man's boots. Eren yelped as the man grinded his hand into the dirt, he felt something snap.

The weight leaned in on him, "Y'know I didn't think ya' had the balls to shoot n' kill a person," The man bent down, picking up the smoking pistol. He sneered down at Eren, lifting his boot from his hand, only to smash it against Eren's face. Eren was thrown back from the force of the kick, blood spurted from his nose, he choked on something in his throat. Eren got to his hands and knees, coughing it up, red tinged saliva spewed from his lips, he spat out the tooth that clogged his throat.

The man made a disgusted face. Grimacing. "Ya' fuckin' brat. So ya' wanted to know who I am, huh?"

"Please stop hurtin' him! Ya' can take whatever ya' want!" Connie cried out.

"Shut the hell up." The man aimed the pistol at Connie's head, before training it on Eren. His dark eyes never left Eren. Detestable. They spoke. Eren felt like trapped vermin under his gaze.

"They call me Kenny, Kenny the Ripper. And ya' shoulda' stayed on my good side kid. Ya done just killed my partner, one of my own." He cocked the gun. There was one bullet left. Eren felt sick to his stomach, he reached to the man, to the stranger called Kenny with his injured hand, " W-wait…"

"So, I think it's only fair—"

"Wait—"

"That I kill one of yer's!" Kenny whipped his arm back and squeezed the trigger.

"Stop!"

Kenny shot Connie. It was fast. Fast like when he had shot that woman. Connie didn't even comprehend what had happened. Until his quivering amber eyes looked down, to see the blood seep through his shirt, Connie looked at Eren, mouth moving to form words, but no sound came out. He took a step forward, then fell.

Eren felt time had slowed down, the way Connie's body collapsed to the ground like a rag doll. The hole in the boy's stomach drenching his shirt red.

Eren stared, traumatized. No. No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no—

There was a faint voice sobbing, laughing in disbelief, crying. Eren was too mortified to recognize it as his own.

"CONNIE!"