It had been a week since the ground had stopped shaking from the march of the Colossal Titans, now the only steps that could be heard were quiet and resigned. The sun was beginning to rise as Annie and her father slowly made their way to where their home once was.
After their reunion, that consisted of many apologies from her father and Annie repeatedly saying that she understands and she forgives him. Later on that day, he had suggested they go see what was left of their home and Annie agreed even though she felt apprehensive about returning now.
The walk to Libero took two hours due to her father's bad leg but Annie didn't mind, life has always been so chaotic for her, so a slow walk was a welcomed change. As they got closer Annie found herself picturing how the land used to look. What once was rich with livestock, crops, and other Eldians, was now barren and devoid of life.
But when they finally arrived at their destination, Annie felt the air leave her lungs. Where a house and training grounds once stood tall, was now all reduced to nothing but rubble and ash. Annie had more bad than good memories at this home but she had always wanted to return one day, never like this though.
"I guess this was to be expected, I always hoped we could live here again someday. I kept your room the same way you left it" Her father said with a sigh, as he peered down at the remnants of their home.
"I thought one of the privileges you gained was a nicer place to live, why did you stay here?" Annie asked him, surprised at what she heard.
"It didn't feel right capitalizing off your sacrifice, and I wanted you to have a familiar place waiting for you when you came home" He explained before adding, "Maybe if we look around we'll be able to find something salvageable".
Annie nodded in agreement even though she was doubtful they'd find anything worthwhile. Her father moved around the lighter rubble with his cane and free hand, while Annie handled the large pieces of roof and walls that had caved in.
After about thirty minutes of digging, their search was beginning to feel hopeless til something caught Annie's eye. There was a corner of what appeared to be a picture that was sticking out from underneath a large wooden beam.
Annie quickly lifted the beam just enough to grab the picture before letting it fall again. The picture was coated in dust and dirt, and was frayed around the edges. Annie did her best to clean it and once the image was clearer, she realized that she had never seen it before.
It was of her father who was about twenty years younger and in his arms was a small baby with blonde hair that was wrapped in a pink blanket. Annie walked over to her father and got his attention, "Did you find something?" He asked, while wiping the sweat from his brow.
Annie said nothing but held out the photo for him, he took it and his eyes went wide once he realized what it was.
"I haven't looked at this in years, this is from the day I adopted you. It was surprising but the woman working there wanted a picture of us" He said, while running his thumb over the old photo.
"I had no idea" Annie said back, her facial expression not giving anything away.
"There's a lot of photos I should have shown you sooner, so much I wish I could go back and change" He said quietly, but Annie saw his shaking hand that revealed his inner turmoil.
"We're here now and that's what matters" Annie said, not only for him but herself as well.
He thought over her words before saying, "I suppose you're right, but I want you to keep this. If you ever have children one day they'll surely want to know what you looked like as a baby" He said with a small laugh, as he handed the picture back to her.
"Thank you, but I don't see that happening" Annie replied back, as she safely tucked the photo into the pocket of her pants.
"You say that now, but I see how you look at that boy Armin from Paradis" Her dad said, with a knowing look on his face.
This time Annie couldn't control her facial expression as she became flustered from his statement. She couldn't believe that after everything her father was teasing her about liking a boy.
But it was normal, and she was grateful for it.
"Could you tell me more from that day?" Annie asked quietly, hoping he would understand.
"Well I had been thinking about adopting for a while and when I went to the center and was being shown around the nursery, it was so loud. All the babies were crying for one reason or another, but there you were, laying there quietly with no tears in your eyes".
Annie acknowledged him but didn't speak yet, knowing her father had more to say.
"As I was filling out the paperwork, my stomach was in knots, I knew what I was doing was wrong but I didn't feel like I had any other choice at that time. I knew you wouldn't have a normal childhood but I went through with it nonetheless, and I hope you can forgive me someday" He said, while reaching out and giving her shoulder a squeeze.
"I forgive you, you were doing what you needed to survive. Regardless, I'm glad you chose me that day. Even though you were always so hard on me, and the training was tortuous, I was always content when you praised me" Annie admitted, before continuing, "I was in shock on the day I left when you hugged me and said you'd always be on my side".
"I know it was wrong of me to say those words just before you left when you deserved to hear them sooner. But the gravity of the situation hit me in the moment and I couldn't let you leave without hearing that" He told her honestly, his chest still heavy with guilt.
They spent the rest of the walk in silence, both of them too engrossed with their own thoughts to speak.
When they arrived back to the camp everyone was eating breakfast and talking quietly with each other, and getting ready to start another day of rebuilding. They went to get in line but a loud voice interrupted them, "Annie! The meeting is about to start" came from a voice Annie knew all too well.
She and her father turned around and saw Armin motioning for her to come over to the tent. "Go ahead, they need you" Her father said, knowing how much her opinion was valued among her peers.
"Okay, I will see you this afternoon" Annie said back with a small smile, before heading towards the other most important person in her life.