Attack on Titan: Bloodline – Chapter 9 (April 29, 2019)
"So, what happened to them?"
Lorraine looked up into the sky. Raindrops trickled gently down her face as she thought back to that awful day back in 844.
"Finished," Mikasa exclaimed happily, "Look, Mama!" The older girl held up her handiwork to show her mother, who sat between her and Lorraine, teaching them the art of embroidery. Lorraine scoffed lightly, struggling with the thread, which had somehow ended up tangled into several knots. Mrs. Ackerman smiled brightly and said to Mikasa, "Oh, darling, it looks beautiful! Excellent work, Mikasa!" Lorraine's brows were furrowed in concentration. She tugged at the lavender-coloured thread in annoyance and grumbled unintelligibly.
"It's alright, Lorraine! You just have to be more patient and gentle with the threads. Take your time and don't rush it."
Lorraine sighed, "But, Mama, Mika's looks so perfect!" Mikasa's expression fell and Mrs. Ackerman said sweetly, "Lo, don't you worry about that. You'll catch on, too. Just be patient and learn at your own pace." The younger daughter put her embroidery hoop and needle down, letting out another sigh. Mrs. Ackerman said softly, "You know, girls, when your little brother or sister arrives, you'll get to help me teach them how to do this, too. Not to mention, it'll be your turn to pass it on when you have children of your own." Lorraine smiled brightly at the mention of their unborn baby sibling. Mikasa asked curiously, "I don't get it. How can we have children?" Lorraine looked up inquisitively. Mrs. Ackerman stammered a little, nervous and slightly embarrassed, but said, "Wh-why don't you ask your father about that?" Lorraine looked over at Mr. Ackerman, who was drying dishes at the time.
"Well, Daddy?"
His face flushed a bright red, obviously uncomfortable with sharing how babies were made with two nine-year-old girls. He stuttered and stumbled his way through, but managed to say, "Oh, uh, I-I-I d-don't really know, either!" He laughed nervously, then said, avoiding the question, "Wait, I know! That nice Dr. Jaeger is scheduled to be here soon! Wh-why don't we ask him?" Upon hearing the good doctor's name, Mrs. Ackerman said, "Oh, yes! Lorraine, would you be a dear and go to the well to fetch us some water for tea?" Lorraine jumped up, beaming, and ran out the back door to go to the well, which was a good distance away, grabbing a small, metal bucket. Mrs. Ackerman turned to her older daughter and said, "Mikasa, would you make sure the table is set for teatime? Dr. Jaeger should be here any time-"
"Oh," Mrs. Ackerman said softly as her husband walked to the door, "That must be him, now."
Lorraine explained solemnly, "Little did I know, soon after I went to get the water, these...human traffickers...showed up. They killed Mom and Dad and...and they took Mikasa." Reiner sat with his legs crossed and his arms folded. He let out a sigh. Lorraine continued, "When I got back, I couldn't believe what I was seeing..."
Lorraine trotted back to the house as quickly as she could without tripping, carrying the heavy bucket of water and trying not to spill it on her light blue dress. She heard the distinct sounds of thunder rolling in as the sky grew dark and grey. She felt the light pitter-patter of rain hitting her head and shoulders as she walked quickly back. As she opened the door, holding the bucket of water, what greeted her was horrifying. The metallic scent of blood assaulted her nose, causing her to reel slightly. Her eyes fell upon the gory sight of her parents lying in pools of their own blood. Her father was lying on his back with a single stab wound in his stomach. Blood had soaked his light yellow shirt, staining it a dark shade of red, and he had a light stream of blood from the corner of his mouth. Her mother had a horrific gash in her shoulder and had bled out. Her long, black hair was left as a sticky mass by her head and she was holding a pair of shears in her right hand. Lorraine dropped the bucket in a state of shock, sending water splashing across the floor. She began to shake, then fell to the floor, vomiting violently, coughing and sputtering.
"J-just like that...my family was gone."
Lorraine fell silent. Thunder rolled through the heavy silence. The sounds of the rain hitting stone grew louder as the rain picked up. She took a shaking breath and continued her story.
Lorraine ran through the house, calling out in a panic to Mikasa, looking everywhere for her, finally breaking down beside her mother's body. She sobbed, curling up next to her, avoiding the pool of blood around her corpse. After what seemed like an eternity, there was a loud knock at the door.
Lorraine's eyes widened and her heart beat faster. She panicked and grabbed her mother's shears and bolted into the kitchen, taking up refuge in one of the lower cabinets. Her breathing was ragged from crying, but she tried her best to stay quiet.
"Mr. Ackerman?"
"Mr. Ackerman, it's Dr. Jaeger! Is anyone home?"
Lorraine heard the front door open. She stayed inside the cabinet, clutching the shears with shaking hands. She heard Dr. Grisha Jaeger clearly now.
"Mr. Ackerm- Oh, God...!"
His footsteps were quick and deliberate. She peeked out of the cupboard, being extremely cautious. She felt like her heart might explode from fear. As her eyes adjusted to the outside, she recognized Dr. Jaeger. Her amber eyes filled with tears and she dropped the shears. The clang of the metal on the hard, stone floor caused the doctor to jump, startled. She ran to him and clutched him tightly, sobbing hysterically. He held her close, attempting to comfort the poor girl, and asked, "Lorraine? What happened here?!" Lorraine cried, "I-I don't know! I-I was out...collecting water...and when I came back...!" She bawled into his chest unintelligibly. He ran his hand gently over the girl's hair, calmly saying, "Hush, now. It's alright. I know this is very difficult for you, Lorraine." Her grip on his coat tightened and he turned to his young son, who was standing in the doorway, staring at the scene in shock.
"Eren, have you seen the other girl? Have you seen Mikasa?"
Eren shook his head, his blue-green eyes glazed over as he looked at the scene. Grisha sighed, taking off his coat and draping it over Lorraine's shoulders. He sternly said, "I see. I'll have to get the Military Police and have them conduct a search. Eren, I need you to wait with Lorraine at the foot of the mountain. Is that clear? Eren!" Eren shakily nodded. Grisha gently gripped Lorraine's tiny shoulders and said, "Lorraine, everything is going to be okay. We'll find your sister. For now, I need you to go with my son until I can get help. Okay?" Lorraine nodded, tears still streaming down her face.
Lorraine reached up and pulled her long hair out of its ponytail, shaking her head and sweeping all of her hair, dripping wet, to the left. She draped it over her shoulder. A tear, blended with the rainwater trickling down her face, fell to the ground below. Marco said, stunned by Lorraine's tragic tale, "My God, you and Mikasa have had a rough childhood." Lorraine sniffled, wiping her eyes on her sleeve, and said, "Yeah. You got that right." Connie interrupted, "So, what happened next?"
Eren and Lorraine stood at the base of the mountain, near the house. Grisha sprinted to get the Military Police. Several long minutes pass. Eren finally grunted and said, "It's taking too long...! I'm going to find her myself." Lorraine whimpered, "W-wait! Y-your dad said-" Eren snapped at her, "I know! I have to do this, though. If someone doesn't go now, it'll be too late!" Lorraine fell silent. Eren said confidently, "Lorraine...right?" She nodded. He said, "I will bring your sister back alive. Trust me." She nodded again. She gripped the edge of Grisha's coat, watching worriedly as Eren ran into the woods. She didn't know how, but she had a feeling he knew what he was doing.
Minutes passed. Lorraine sat under a nearby tree, her legs tucked as close to her body as she could, wrapped in Grisha's rather large coat, protecting her from the chilly air. She soon heard the sounds of Grisha's voice and several Military Police soldiers coming her way. They ran quickly over the hill and the soldiers entered the house. Lorraine could tell that Dr. Jaeger was explaining what happened, but he still didn't notice that Eren had gone. She looked back towards the forest. Grisha came back and said calmly, cleaning his round, wire-framed glasses with the bottom of his shirt, "We'll just have to hope they can find where the culprit went-" His eyes grew wide.
"Where's Eren?"
Lorraine's lip quivered. She pointed in the direction he went and shakily said, "H-he went to look for Mikasa." He suddenly picked her up, keeping her wrapped tightly in his coat. He shouted to the Military Police, who had just exited the house, "Hey! This way! My son followed them into the woods!" Lorraine whimpered helplessly, holding onto Grisha's shoulders as he and the MPs searched the forest for any signs of Eren or Mikasa. Grisha and Lorraine wandered in one direction while the soldiers fanned out in search of the kids. The rain slowed and eventually stopped. It was almost an hour before finally, one officer called from up ahead, "Dr. Jaeger! We've found them!"
Lorraine said calmly, "They had killed the three men. I couldn't believe it." Annie stared at her. Lorraine said, "I was just glad they were safe."
Grisha set Lorraine down and she ran to her sister, crying. They held each other in a tight embrace, Lorraine hysterically bawling. Mikasa ran her hand through Lorraine's short, wet, black hair. Mikasa's eyes were blank and she still looked like she was in shock. Grisha shouted at Eren while the girls had their moment.
"Eren. I told you to wait with Lorraine at the foot of the mountain! Do you have any idea what you did?!"
Eren retaliated, "I got rid of some dangerous animals! They just happened to look like people!" Grisha snapped, "Eren! Not only did you deliberately disobey me, but you left Lorraine by herself-" Lorraine ran over and said, "B-but, Dr. Jaeger! I-if Eren hadn't gone, M-Mikasa would've...i-it would have been too late!" Grisha said sternly, "That may be, Lorraine, but even so, Eren, you just got lucky. You're too damn young to be gambling with your life!" Lorraine, still wrapped up in Grisha's coat, looked at the ground sadly. Grisha walked over to Mikasa, "Mikasa? Do you remember me?" The older girl nodded.
"S-sorry, but...where do we go now? I-it's cold..."
Eren took his red scarf off and tossed it carelessly around her neck and head. He said gently, "Here. You can keep this. It's warm, right?" Mikasa put her fingers gently up to the scarf, feeling the soft material, and muttered, "Yeah...it is..." Lorraine walked up to her sister and hugged her arm, a tear escaping her amber eyes. Grisha thought for a moment, then said, "You two have been through a lot. Mikasa. Lorraine. How would you two like to come and live with us?" Lorraine and Mikasa both looked up, surprised. Mikasa asked under her breath, "R-really?" Eren grabbed Mikasa by the jacket sleeve and said, "Come on. Let's go home." Lorraine smiled and nodded, her eyes filled with tears once again. Mikasa whimpered a little, but held her little sister's hand tightly and followed Eren and Grisha.
"That's how Mikasa and I came to live with Eren's family."
The other squad members were in shocked silence, but storytime was interrupted when Mikasa called to them, "Lorraine! There you are!" Mikasa landed on the roof, her cables retracting while she ran towards her little sister's squad. Lorraine asked, grabbing Mikasa's hand, "Mikasa? I thought you were with the Elite Squadron!" Mikasa nodded and said, "I was, but I had to find you and the others. I know it's selfish, putting personal matters first, but I have to know. Where's Armin? What about Eren?" Lorraine shrugged and said, "I-I'm not sure. We were waiting for the signal to withdraw, but I think squad 34 was supposed to be in that direction." She pointed off to another section of town. Mikasa's eyes narrowed.
"Mikasa...? Did you...feel it, too?"
Mikasa said softly, "Something's wrong. I have to know that everyone's okay." Lorraine sighed. She reached up and cradled Mikasa's cheek in the palm of her hand. Mikasa said, "Alright. Let's go." She and Lorraine took the lead, swinging through the streets, looking around for their friends. Lorraine swooped down on a small, 6-meter Titan that had been missed, spraying blood into the air and onto her face. Finally, she saw a familiar head of blonde hair, tucked away in a crevice on a nearby rooftop. She landed and called out as the blood on her face and clothes evaporated, "Guys! Over here!" Mikasa and the others joined her and she ran to Armin.
"Armin! Armin, it's me! Lorraine!"
Armin was shaking. He refused to look up at the girls. Mikasa knelt down and grabbed his hand.
"Armin? Are you alright?"
He nodded. Lorraine stood there, a light smile of relief on her face. Mikasa asked, "Where is Eren? Armin, where-" He sobbed loudly, his blue eyes wide and full of tears. Lorraine's smile fell rapidly. Mikasa gasped.
"Eren...! Oh, God, no...not Eren!"
Armin said, attempting to keep his voice steady, "W-we...! The Cadets of Squad 34...! Thomas Wagner...Nack Tierce...M-Milius Zerumuski...Mina C-Carolina...!" Lorraine felt the tears building in her eyes. Her heart started to race and she covered her mouth. Armin sobbed loudly, "Eren Jaeger!" Lorraine reeled in horror. Mikasa's face went pale. Her grey eyes went glassy. Armin continued, weeping, "These brave soldiers...they fulfilled their duties to the very end...and died valiantly on the field of battle!" Lorraine stumbled backwards, her heart pounding. She stared at Armin in shock. Jean said shakily, "Y-you can't be serious...! Squad 34 is basically gone...?" Armin sobbed uncontrollably, "I-I'm so sorry...Mikasa...Lorraine...! I-I should have died...not Eren...! I-I was too cowardly and weak to do a thing!" Lorraine let out a loud sob and collapsed to her knees, covering her mouth with her hand and trying to stifle her tears.
"No...! No! Eren...! Not him! He...he can't be gone!"
Mikasa stood in stunned silence. Armin cried profusely, the rain soaking his hair and running down his face, mixing with his tears. Lorraine sat on her knees, unable to control her tears. As she was crying, Reiner walked over and sat next to her. She sat up and without thinking, wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest, letting her head rest over his heart. She listened to the strong thumping of his heart and let the familiar warmth engulf her as he held her tightly. He stroked her long, dripping-wet hair, rocking gently from side to side as though he were comforting a small child.
"Armin."
Mikasa put her hand on his and said monotonously, "Calm down. Now's not the time to be getting emotional." He looked up at her. Lorraine lifted her head. The whole squad was watching as Mikasa urged Armin to his feet and drew her blades. She walked through the group and said calmly, but with clear intention in her voice, "Marco. If we eliminate the Titans that are currently swarming HQ, we can replenish our supplies and scale the wall. Is that correct?" Marco stammered nervously, "Well, y-yeah, but...but, even with your help, there are just too many-"
"I can do it."
The rain began to slow. Mikasa turned. Lorraine stood up, shaking herself from Reiner's embrace, and said, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her jacket, "Mikasa!? L-look, this is no time to be reckless-" Mikasa interrupted, "I am strong. A lot stronger than any of you cowards."
"Mikasa...? What the hell has gotten into you...?"
Mikasa continued, holding her blade skyward, "I have the power to annihilate all of the Titans! Even if I have to go it alone!" Lorraine ran towards her and shouted, "Mikasa! Stop it! You can't take them alone and you know it!" Mikasa said coldly, "If I can't, then I'll die. It's as simple as that." Lorraine protested, "That's what I'm afraid of! I don't want to lose you!" Mikasa continued, "But, if I win, I'll live. The only way to win is to fight!" She turned and said, "Lorraine, it's your decision. If you want to follow me, then do so. Otherwise, stay here with the rest of these cowards." She pulled the trigger and sped off. Lorraine scoffed. Jean muttered, "Damn. Your way with words is disappointing. I can't believe she considered that motivational." He stood up and shouted at the other Cadets, "Hey! Losers! Since when were we taught to let our comrades fight alone!?" Lorraine wiped her eyes on her sleeve once again. The sun was beginning to peek through the thick, grey clouds, letting beams of light through the air and onto the gloomy city of Trost.
"He's right! Do you want to end up being known as cowards?! Come on! Let's go after her!"
Sasha added to the string of insults, drawing her blades and shouting, "Come on, you bunch of chickens! Let's get going!" Reiner sighed and his mouth turned up into a smirk. Marco sighed, "Alright...I guess we're doing this." Lorraine announced hurriedly, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go after her!" She ran to the edge, turned, and said loudly, "Try to avoid fighting! Save your blades and gas!" The group nodded and took off together, cheering loudly. Jean flew alongside Lorraine and Armin and said under his breath, "Man, Mikasa's incredible! How does she move so fast-" Armin interrupted, "No. She's using too much gas! She'll run out any minute now at this rate!" Mikasa was elegant, slicing through Titans quickly and gracefully. Blood sprayed into the air, raining down into the streets. Chunks of flesh fell to the ground, evaporating rapidly into clouds of hot steam. In an instant, Mikasa's gas stream came to an utter halt, sending her tumbling down into the streets below. Armin shouted and flew in her direction.
"Armin, wait!"
Lorraine growled and shouted, "Jean! Take the lead! I'm going to get Mikasa and Armin!" Jean argued, "No way! Lorraine, I'm not-"
"Jean! Did I stutter?!"
He grumbled and said, "Fine. Go on." Lorraine gave him a nod and flew off to catch up with Armin and Connie, who had gone after Armin.