Chapter 7: Nice and Snug

(A/N: hello people! Don't worry I'm not dead, I've just been sitting around racking my brain for any more ideas about how I want this story to go, but here's chapter 7! Hopefully this chapter doesn't suck)

It was 1:00AM and Mikasa was helping Sasha and her boyfriend Connie close up Starbucks for tonight. No matter how much she tried she couldn't stop thinking about the doll in Annie's closet. What was his name again? Aardvark? No..that wasn't it..Armin she believed it was. She knew that dolls couldn't just get up and walk around, but at the same time it was just felt like too much of a coincidence to her.

"Hey Mikasa, are you sure you're alright? You've been zoning out all day" Sasha asked munching on a donut. "Yeah what's up with that?" Connie chimed in. The raven haired girl snapped out of train of thought and looked up from her coffee to the goofy couple in front of her. "I'm okay, it's just..you know Annie's boyfriend Reiner? The one on our softball team at school?" She asked. Connie and Sasha nodded.

"He got killed today" she said. Connie and Sasha were quiet for a moment before one of them have a nervous laugh and spoke up. " y-you're just pulling our legs aren't you? There's no way that he could actually be dead " Connie said. Mikasa's face stayed a serious grim expression."I never joke Connie" the two teens went quiet again but this time with a look of shock and horror etched on their faces.

"Oh my God..." Sasha Whispered in disbelief."R-really?" She asked. "I saw it happen" Mikasa replied darkly. "Damn.." Connie muttered. "Will Annie be okay?" Sasha Asked. "Truth be told, I honestly don't know.." Mikasa sighed. "But let's just pray that she is" taking her coffee cup, she got up and walked over to the door." See you guys later"

After saying their goodbyes, they clocked out, closed up shop, and went home. On her way home however in the dimly lit streets, Mikasa zipped up her red jacket and decided to take a shortcut to her apartment, not wanting to be in this brisk cold air anymore than she had to. She began to walk down a darkened alley and everything was fine until she started to hear footsteps behind her. She stopped and looked around for a second to see if anyone was behind her, but found no one there.

After a moment she continued her walk but once again found herself listening to the sounds of footsteps echoing off the walls behind her. Gripping the small can of pepper spray in her pocket, she turned around only to still see no one there. An icy chill crept up her spine as fear worked it's way into her.'calm down Mikasa,' she thought. 'Nobody's here except for you'.

"I like your scarf" Mikasa jumped in alarm at the sudden voice. Whipping around to see the source of the sound her heart nearly stopped at the sight of an all too frighteningly familiar face. It shouldn't be possible, but here was Annie's pretty doll, standing in front of her smiling sweetly at her. "Hello Mikasa, my name is Armin, but you probably already knew that" He greeted politely as he walked towards her "It's nice to finally meet you properly".

Mikasa backed away from the boy as he came closer to her. Despite the rosy baby fat cheeks and his convincing sweet smile, the look in his eyes was threatening. " what's the matter? You look as if you've just seen a ghost" Armin said fake pouting. "That really hurts my feelings Mikasa, I only wanted to play with you" Armin was now a foot away from her with his black hood over his face giggling in an odd childish manner and reaching a hand out to her.

"Like hell you are!"Reacting quickly, she pepper sprayed him right in the eyes and roundhouse kicked kim in the face, causing his neck to twist at an unnatural angle and stumble back into the brick wall behind him. Mikasa quickly attempted to make a run for it to her house but not even a few blocks later she felt something tugging at the back of her neck, yanking her backwards violently.

Her blood ran cold at the sound of soft giggling behind her .Armin stood right behind her while keeping a rather tight death grip on her scarf, causing her to choke and gasp for air. " wow Mikasa you're really strong being able to kick me like that" Armin spoke . "Just about as strong as Annie! You're even pretty like her too!" He said squeezing the scarf around her throat tighter.

Mikasa clawed at the other teen's hands but to no avail. Her vision was getting hazy and she couldn't breathe. "You...little shit...Mikasa gasped still trying to fight him. " what the FUCK are you? Why.. are you... doing this? " she hissed. "Why Mikasa, a lady shouldn't cuss like that, and as for what I aM isn't it obvious? I'm just a good little doll who doesn't want anything or anyone to come between him and his master's love and affection. He grinned psychotically. " and I can't afford to have you blabbing anymore about what you saw earlier. You know too much"

Armin continued to strangle her with the red garment and before long Mikasa's vision went black, her body fell limp and her face had developed a bluish tint to it. Armin had let go of his hold on the scarf making the lifeless girl drop to the ground. "I must say Mikasa, although I'm more of a ribbon and lace type of person, I think this scarf looks lovely on you" Armin cooed lifting her up and sitting her up against the cold brick walls of the alley. " it makes you look so nice and snug" he then knelt down and straightened out her scarf and hair making her look more neater. When he was done, he went back home humming the nursery rhyme "Ring around the rosy"

xxxx with Anniexxxx

Armin quietly made his way back into Annie's room where she was still sleeping with all of his stuffed animals and fluffy blankets in his spacious closet. Slipping out of his tight black outfit, he slipped on a loose fitting silky white tank top over his silky black briefs to sleep in and curled back up next to Annie, stirring her awake."hnn..Armin?" Annie asked lifting her head up a bit rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Is that you?"

"Oops, sorry Annie, I didn't mean to wake you." Armin said rubbing her head, "I was just changing into something more comfortable to sleep in" he said gesturing to his change of clothes. He could see that her eyes were still a bit puffy from crying earlier. Annie sat up and noticed Armin's lack of sleeves and stockings and eyed his his arms and legs, staring at the ball jointed limbs that were now exposed. Armin noticed this and coughed a bit snapping Annie out of her daze. "It's rude to stare Annie" Armin said pulling Annie into his lap.

"oh!..I'm sorry Armin, it's just that.. it's sometimes easy for me to forget that you're a doll whenever your arms and legs are covered" she replied. "Really?" Armin asked smiling softly and raising an eyebrow." Yeah" Annie nodded,"If it wasn't for that wind up key sticking out of your back and giving you away, you would look like an ordinary boy" she said yawning. Armin took this as a compliment and kissed her cheek.

"How do you feel?" He asked her. Annie was silent for a minute as if in thought. Although she was still grieving for Reiner, and attempting to come to terms with his death, it felt nice having her doll to confide in. "I guess I feel a little better knowing that you're here comforting me like this" she finally said. Armin nodded in understanding at this."Well, you should go back to bed and get some sleep" Armin yawned pulling his blankets over them. His wind up key was slowly beginning to stop winding and he was getting rather sleepy." Good night Annie" Armin said. "Good night Armin" Annie replied.

(A/N: God..I almost feel bad for making this story so dark...almost..but it wouldn't be as interesting if it wasn't now would it?so...I knowvthat this seems a little too soon, but if Annie were to ever find out about Armin's true nature, how would you want it to be done? I'm open to some suggestions)