Chapter 20

Present.

_Ajay! -the girl begged- Please wake up!

Panic filled her mind when he didn't react, Annie's hands shaking as she tried to think what to do; by pure instinct she placed her ear on his chest, feeling a tiny bit of relaxation when she heard his heartbeat. Then she checked his breathing, and to her relief it was normal and steady; not knowing what else to do she touched his forehead and was surprised by how hot he was, as of he had a fever. The blonde bit her lip breathing fast and sobbing, not knowing how to help and out of impulse pulled his pants up; she felt stupid for doing it, but just couldn't leave him like that. Then she remembered her phone and was about to stand up when he suddenly groaned low, as if in pain, and opened his eyes a little frowning at the lights.

_What... What happened? -he mumbled- Where am i?

_Oh thank goodness! -the girl said in a mix of relief and panic, covering her eyes- You scared me so much!

_Annie? What... we're at the gym?

He tried to get up but as soon as he straightened a bit he felt dizzy, shaking like a leaf, and then felt her warm hands holding him and helping him sit on the ring.

_You fainted. -she told him, holding back her sobs- We... we were... shit, i can't!

He looked at her, breathing deep and slow to calm himself as his mind began to work properly.

_Last thing i remember is us sparring. -he said rubbing his eyes, not noticing her shocked look- Was it then?

The girl swallowed, lips tight, and nodded but he wasn't eyeing her so she forced herself to speak.

_Y-yes. You suddenly f-felt bad and sat, th-then you fell on the ring. B-but it was just a few seconds.

He nodded with a hum, his trembling reduced with each second. Ajay licked his lips, a slight pain on his temples making him close his eyes and frown.

_Sorry about that. It's the first time this happens to me.

_It's okay. I mean, you're fine and that's what matters.

_Yeah... can you give me a hand?

The girl nodded and helped him stand up; Cross leaned on her a bit to steady himself. Annie carefully saw him down the ring and out the gym; he sat on the steps while she went in to take her things and locked the doors.

_Thank you Annie. -he said a bit weakly once he stood- I owe you one.

_Don't m-mention it. -she said blushing and looking down- C-can you drive home?

_Yeah, i think i... gah!

His legs gave up and he had to hold on her shoulders, whispering apologies, and she shook her head.

_No, you can't drive like this. -he eyed her and she spoke firmly- I'll do it, i know how to.

_Annie...

_No, don't speak. -she said harshly, surprising him- Ajay, you are weak now. You need to get home and rest.

She didn't know if it was her tone or his state but the man gave a little sigh and nodded, letting her take him to the car and watching as she took the driver's seat. He guided her towards his home, glancing at the girl from time to time on the way; Ajay lived about ten minutes away from the gym.

_Are you familiar with this part of the city? -he asked and she shrugged.

_Not really. I don't come this way very often.

_Sorry for troubling you with all this.

_No, it's not a problem. You need help, and i can help.

_Still, i'm in your debt. I'll make up for it one day.

She nodded, not managing to supress a little smile and blushing; they spent the rest of the time in silence, until they arrived and she helped him out the car. Even as his strength returned Ajay didn't object, looking how she seemed more decided than ever and feeling it would be good for Annie to let her be in charge for a little while. Once inside he pointed the way to his room and fell on the bed with a sigh.

_Thank you Annie. -he said sitting on the matress- You're an amazing girl.

Leonhardt looked down, smiling shyly at his kind tone and fidgeting with her fingers.

_Will you be alright? -she asked, looking at him a bit anxious- Do you need anything else?

_I'm sure some sleep will do me good. -he looked at his night table and frowned, pointing at a small flask- Now i think of it... perhaps that is related to what happened.

She followed his finger and looked at the flask he had near the bed, taking it and reading.

_Sleeping pills?

_Yeah, i've been having problems to sleep lately. -he said- Strange dreams, very vivid nightmares... i bought those in an impulse, but maybe should have consulted with a doctor. I'm not taking them now, that's for sure.

_I see. Well, if that's it i'll... i'll go home.

_Don't tell me you'll walk! -he said worried- It's getting late, not to mention it's kind of far from here.

_No, i'll call my dad and... oh shit! -she remembered slapping her forehead- Our car is in the workshop!

_Take mine. -she stared at him and he lifted a hand to stop her protest- Don't worry about it, i'll be by your house tomorrow and take it; i'm sure your dad will understand.

_Uh, alright then. -she said with a nod and an awkward smile- I'll see you tomorrow then.

_Yeah. And thank you Annie, you're a reliable person.

The girl's smile widened and she left, taking the keys and driving back home; once there, she checked her phone and saw a couple messages from Bertholdt asking where she was, and noticed she had arrived about half an hour later than usual so she hurried to get off the car. Annie took a deep breath in front of the door and opened.

_I'm back! -she announced loudly- Sorry for ignoring the messages, i didn't see them i was busy!

_There you are! -her dad said from the living- I was beginning to worry about you! What were you doing that took you so long?

_Did you come in a car? -Hoover asked looking through the window- Wait, isn't that...?

_Ajay's, yeah. Listen, this is what happened...

Once she took a seat on the table she explained how Cross had fainted, and how she'd helped and drove him to his house; both her parents and Bert listened attentively, exchanging glances from time to time.

_Poor boy, having to go through that. -her mom said- And you too, what a fright it must have been!

_For a second i thought he'd died. -she sighed- Luckily it was just a moment.

_You know, it's kinda curious. -her stepbrother said- A while after you left for the class, i got a message from Jean saying Eren had collapsed while they were playing videogames.

_Really? -she said shocked- Did he tell you anything?

_Apparently they were just doing fine, when suddenly Eren started looking around asking about Mina for some reason, then mumbled something about "they come from beyond the walls" and then bam! Fainted. It scared the crap out of them.

The girl felt her pulse accelerate after the story. Walls? Hadn't she dreamt about something like that once?

_How... how is Eren?

_He's fine. His mom forbid him to play for a while, but the others said he never did more than them; also it seems whatever happened it affected his memory.

_What do you mean? -she asked almost scared, and Bertholdt eyed her a bit surprised.

_It's nothing serious, really, but apparently he didn't remember what he was doing a little while before he had his "attack". His last memories where from about fifteen minutes earlier, but the other guys have been checking on him and about an hour later he begun to remember, and a little later everything had come back to him, so it seems he's fine... Annie? What's wrong?

Leonhardt swallowed thickly, feeling how her hands and chin began to tremble and a chill ran down her spine. She eyed her brother and shook her head.

_It's nothing, just feeling a bit shaken now everything's over. -she stood up, unable to remain in the room with her family- Sorry, but i think it's better if i straight to bed.

_It's alright sweetie. -her mom said with a smile- You need to rest after such an experience. Don't worry, i'm sure Ajay will be fine.

The girl nodded absently and went to her room, trying not to walk too fast; once there she sat on the bed, cold sweat running down her body. If Ajay ended up remembering... what would he do? Her mind played all kind of scenarios, from the man avoiding her to Ajay turning himself in to the police because he thought he was an insane rapist.

I must be insane to think all this! she chastised herself I'll see him again, and i'll explain

What? That both had allucinated and screwed like no tomorrow? She huffed in impotence and got under the blankets, hoping to see him soon and clarify everything. Somehow.

_Don't freak out now. -she said to herself- Come on Annie, you can do this!

Past.

Mounted men and women awaited in silence, barely aware of the mumbling of people as they looked at the gates about to open. Some were veterans, some were rookies but all had that spark of fear mixed with excitement before going into the outside. Every now and then someone looked around, checking on her comrades and the people gathered nearby.

Ajay looked behind himself, seeing Mina's focused expression and clenched jaw; the girl made eye contact with him and gave a weak smile. The meaning was clear.

No turning back now.

He answered in kind, then sharply turned forward when the grating of stone announced the moment to depart, followed by absolute silence. And then, Smith's clear voice thundering from the head of the formation.

_SCOUTING LEGION, ADVANCE!

That was it, what he'd been waiting for. An opportunity to be part of something greater than himself. It was time to face the unknown. Time to fight his fear. Time to fullfill his promise.

_I'll return, Annie. -he whispered- Wait for me.

End of chapter.

Shorter than usual, i know.