Chapter 4: Spaced Out
Reiner woke first and took in his surroundings. He saw Annie first whose eyes were already on him. Then further by the door was Ymir, who was watching him as well with her arms crossed. His face turned stern as he took in a deep breath.
"Annie, explain yourself." Reiner spoke, Ymir rolled her eyes as she walked toward a window and peered outside.
"Here we go" Ymir muttered as she saw nothing but empty streets. Reiner stifled a growl at Ymir's words, Annie squatted down being level with him.
"I tried getting him, but I wasn't expecting Ymir. Titans came and they got the upper hand. If it wasn't for them there's no telling what would've happened to me." Annie explained, Reiner nodded but it didn't calm him any less.
"Where's Eren? We'll grab him and Bertholdt and move out." Reiner informed her, Ymir chuckled at that before turning around. Annie stood up, Reiner furrowed his brow at Ymir.
"You think we're going to let you take Eren? You and Bertholdt can definitely take your leave though." Ymir said, Reiner then looked back at Annie with a puzzled expression. "Your welcome by the way, pretty sure Her and saved you two's sorry butts." Ymir chided, Reiner was about to get ticked off again but was more concerned with a more pressing matter.
"We?" Reiner asked Annie looking at her, Annie looked away crossing her arms as well.
"Ymir is going back to our village, she's also pointed out facts that I can't ignore. Reiner, I know you and Bertholdt-."
"Annie hold on, what in the hell did you just say?" Reiner said, the door then swung open and Eren stood in the doorway. He looked down to Reiner with an intense gaze. Reiner eyed him as well before turning back to Annie. Ymir reached out and grabbed Eren's arm, pulling him close to her.
"Reiner, you know this isn't what I want to do. I'm not a warrior, truthfully we're just his slaves." Annie spoke, meanwhile Ymir got close to Eren's ear.
"I don't think this is going the way she thought it was. Reiner's not having it, so if I give you the signal be prepared to break." Ymir whispered to him, Eren didn't respond simply nodding his head while still watching them talk.
"You talk to the bitch that killed Marcel and all of a sudden you speak these traitorous thoughts?" Reiner exclaimed, Annie, discerned him for a bit before glancing at Ymir and Eren. They stood by not commenting just studying the scene. She then realized the spotlight was on her. That damn near everything was riding on what she was about to say.
"... Reiner, just hear me out, we have Eren he'll be with us-."
"No, Eren's not yours, don't lie to him Annie tell him what it is really. The path we're walking can't afford uncertainty in any area. If they're going to be a part of us they need to know what's going on." Ymir told her, Annie's expression stayed emotionless as she turned back to Reiner. He awaited her answer patiently as he placed his hands on the ground.
"Reiner I-." Annie cut herself off as she noticed Reiners's hands start to shake.
"Annie...Choose your next words carefully." Reiner whispered as he regained eye contact with her. Eren clenched his fists as he took a step forward.
"Who the hell does he think he is?" Eren grunted to himself as Ymir grabbed his arm.
"Eren we have to let this happen, so we can know what side she's on. Dumbass!" Ymir yelled whispered, Eren looked over his shoulder at her with a glare on his face.
"And I don't give a fuck! She can decide what she wants after I kill them!" Eren yelled whispered back, Ymir gripped his arm tighter and scowled him.
"If she joins up with them we need to run! You gotta death wish or something?!" Ymir shot back at him, Reiner awaited the answer Annie was still blank-faced.
"What's going to happen when we return Eren?" Annie asked, Eren and Ymir quit they're bickering to look at the situation further unfold. Reiner raised an eyebrow a little confused about the question.
"What do you mean?" Reiner asked, Annie took a step toward him.
"When we give Eren to Chief what's going to happen after that. We're free to go?" Annie explained Reiner's expression was even as he sat up straight.
"We can take some time off then-." Reiner started but was cut off by Annie.
"Some? We're supposed to be done." Annie said calmly, Reiner remained silent and looked at Ymir and Eren. "Reiner, that wasn't the plan." Reiner's face then turned sour as he pointed a finger at Ymir.
"This is your fault, you poisoned Annie's mind!" Reiner shouted, Eren took a step in front of Ymir putting an arm out in front of her.
"Eren let's go-."
"If you want a piece of her your gonna have to go through you RAT BASTARDS!" Eren exclaimed cutting off Ymir, he was about to bite his hand but Ymir stopped him. She then pulled him outside the door. Reiner sat there, mouth agape before realizing they were leaving. He started to scramble to get up but Annie kicked behind his knee as he tried to stand. He dropped back to the ground landing on his hands. He looked up to see Annie staring blankly at him.
"You knew I was being lied to then." Annie spoke, Reiner scrounged his face up as he looked away.
"I mean I-."
"It was more of a statement rather than a question." Annie said stopping him mid-sentence, Annie discerned him for a moment. "Bertolt know too?" Reiner turned and glanced at his resting co warrior. He turned back to her and he saw a look of disappointment on her face. "That's a real shame, you were just all threats, and watch what you say a few moments ago. Now you can't even speak." Annie spoke evenly, Reiner raised a hand.
"Annie don't make this mistake, you know we possess the Titans. How could you not know that getting Eren wasn't going to be the end of it? Speaking of which we can talk more about it later. Right now we need to go get Eren before they get too far!" Reiner said trying to switch gears quickly, he went to get up but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Annie staring at the doorway.
"No you don't have to worry about me, I'm putting my life in my hands now. If you want Eren you'll have to get through me. Go tell your Chief that you lost two. Good luck." Annie spoke before releasing his shoulder and beginning to walk away. Reiner grunted before starting to rise but then he saw Bertolt still unconscious. He was at a crossroads that he had to decide on now. 'I can't take all 3 of them at once, on top of that Bertolt's still down. If anything the only choice I have is escape.' Reiner thought as he watched Annie open the door.
"Annie wait!" Reiner called out, Annie paused before looking over her shoulder to him. They locked eyes for a few moments before Reiner spoke. "If you leave now the next time we see each other I won't hesitate-."
"Save it, I already know" Annie spoke cutting him off before walking out the door leaving her two ex comrades. She looked out and saw Eren and Ymir standing off not too far from her. They were watching her as she approached them. Ymir had her arms crossed as she gave the young woman a grin.
"You did the right thing, Annie, I'm telling you." Ymir said glad Annie chose their path. Annie remained indifferent as she looked to Eren. Who was still staring at the house where Reiner and Bertholdt were.
"I say we kill those bastards before they give us any trouble down the line." Eren said, Ymir shook her head as she turned around beginning to walk.
"The odds are in our favor of winning but Bertholdt being the colossal Titan would prove rather troublesome. Plus you still need to get used to your Titan form. We'll probably see them in the future, hopefully, we'll be ready." Ymir said, Eren grunted before him and Annie followed behind her. "For now we head to Annie's village, that'll be the basis of our operations for a while."
"Wouldn't that be dangerous since Reiner and Bertholdt are from there as well?" Eren asked, Ymir waved it off.
"We're not going to worry about those two cause as you said they're from there too. Our main concern is the chief which Annie can tell us all about." Ymir said glancing at her, Annie shrugged her arms.
"I don't know too much, except that he's the beast Titan and he's better than all of us. He can summon and create Titans somehow." Annie informed them, Ymir frowned at the revelation.
"Then Eren we have to figure out how you can control Titans as well. You possess the coordinate, so you have that power as well." Ymir spoke, they kept their eyes peeled for any Titans in the area as they continued to walk. "We're coming up on wall Maria we'll scale it and make our way to Annie's village." They all looked at the wall they were coming upon.
"How far is this village Annie?" Eren asked, Annie, looked at him.
"About a two and half-day journey." Annie replied, Eren deadpanned at her answer.
"Well, that sounds like fun." Eren said sarcastically, Ymir smiled as she nodded.
"Seems about right, we'll get as far as we can before setting up camp." Ymir told them before they continued.
—
Once over the wall, the trio had got a ways away from the walls before setting up camp. Three tents were set up around a small fire. Eren was tending the fire while Ymir was out looking for something for them to eat. Annie watched in front of her tent as Eren mended the fire. After a while he felt her staring at him, so he looked back and locked eyes with her.
"Having second thoughts this soon?" Eren asked half-joked not knowing what Annie was thinking at the moment. Annie remained quiet for a few seconds before responding.
"... No but you are obviously" Annie called him out, Eren went back to tending to the fire shrugging.
"No, not really, I honestly don't know how to feel about all this. Things have been happening so fast these past few days. Too much to process at one time." Eren spoke as truthfully as he felt, Annie remained quiet still watching him. "... What about you? This has to be a little taxing on you since you betrayed your comrades." Annie then stiffened at his words.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked in rebuttal, Eren glanced at her with a 'you should know' expression.
"I mean you've only spent the last few years dealing with those bastards just for you to dump them. This is just like a humongous change of pace for you as it is for me." Eren stated truthfully, Annie clenched her fists as she continued to stare.
"I found out the truth that's why it was so easy for me." Annie replied, Eren then shook his head as he put the stick he was mending the fire with to the side.
"It took Ymir telling you for you to figure that out?" Eren asked, Annie, felt her ire rise but didn't show it.
"What's your problem? You need an attitude adjustment or something?" Annie asked him, Eren merely rolled his eyes her words not phasing him.
"All I'm saying is you should've known what was up in the beginning. I know why you did it but was what Ymir told you really that hard to figure out?" Eren proposed, Annie was feeling her anger get the better of her as she simply wanted to punch him in his mouth.
"There you go again judging something you know nothing about." Annie shot back, Eren shrugged once more.
"It's not me judging, it's just a question, I know this has phased you in some way. I told you earlier that you can't pull the nonemotional bullshit on me. I know it's affecting you, there's nothing wrong with that."
"And what makes you think you know me so well?" Annie replied as he turned around to face her.
"I didn't say I did, but you're still human at the end of the day. I'm not saying we have to be best friends but looks like we're going to be together for a while. So I'd like to have a better relationship with you rather than Reiner and Bertholdt. Especially with the whole, you betraying them thing." Eren spoke, Annie then raised a brow at his accusation.
"I was the one who was betrayed." Annie said, Eren then raised a finger.
"No, you just chose to overlook the truth." Eren pointed out, Annie then stood up she went over to him and jabbed a finger in his chest.
"What do you know Yeager!? You still don't know me, you don't have the right." Annie exclaimed, Eren then smirked which ticked her off. 'That's right, show me your emotions.' Eren thought to himself as he grabbed her hand, she yanked it back quicker than he could process before replying.
"I know those thoughts crossed your mind, Annie, you can't tell me otherwise! I'm trying to get you to understand!" Eren exclaimed back at her, they both locked eyes for a few moments before Annie regained her composure.
"What are you trying to gain Eren? I'm not your friend you've said it yourself. I also don't plan to be." Annie said coldly, Eren didn't falter.
"I'm not asking you to be either, but we have to have some sort of understanding mutually. I've got your story and I'm sure you know mine. I just wanted to give you some sort of closure or ear for you to vent to is all. We're both in a situation where we starting from square one again. You don't have to act so toughly all the time." Eren explained, Annie listened to his words and discerned him a few moments before backing away from him. She felt a different type of emotion when she knew he was being genuine. Eren watched her for a few moments before diverting his gaze back to the fire.
"... I didn't want to believe it at first." Annie spoke out, Eren looked back to her having barely caught what she said for it was barely over a whisper. "I thought that maybe I could find some solace in going back home. It was already bad enough I was forced to do this. Whether I liked it or not I had to do it, the only thing that got me through was the hope of going back home. Even though I knew a life where I could truly be free was already out of my grasp." Annie told him, Eren could tell that she was struggling with this. He felt a little guilty for what he said back inside the walls about here even more. He then closed the distance between them as he could tell she was fighting back tears.
"I understand Annie, I could only imagine how you must've felt about that. But now you have the chance to get your freedom back. Sure you've got to fight hard for it, but at least now it's on your terms." Eren told her, hopefully in comfort he wished. Annie looked up to him with glassy eyes, she disliked being vulnerable like this to anybody. Though she felt as if she could be with Eren, this was the second time she let him in on her and how she felt.
"How could you be so certain? Eren it's just us three, there's no guarantee you'll be able to master the coordinate. Then on top of that, the Chief is not going to take kindly that I betrayed them. He's still going to be after you as well, there are so many odds stacked against us." Annie said, Eren took in her words and shocked her when he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You have to have hope Annie, how do you think the people in the walls continue knowing that they're trapped within the walls. They have the hope of knowing that there is a way that we can win. Sure the odds might be stacked against us, but we have the hope and will to fight and continue. I got your back Annie, I'll fight just as hard to make sure you achieve that freedom." Eren promised her, Annie slowly returned his hug finding some peace of mind with his soothing words. She then let go of him with a blush present on her cheeks, she then met his gaze.
"... Thanks for that, it's been a long road, I'm guessing this is going to be an even longer one." She spoke, Eren nodded already knowing that this journey was a long one filled with all sorts of obstacles. Though he believed they could get through it, they just had to keep fighting.
"For sure, but we can make it, we just got to keep pushing forward." Eren stated, Annie, nodded in agreement. "Get some rest, I'll take first watch." Eren told her, Annie looked at him for a few moments.
"Are you sure? I'm not really tired." Annie asked him, Eren gave her a thumbs up with a small grin.
"Definitely" He insisted, Annie nodded before turning around she glanced over her shoulder to him.
"Come wake me up in three hours and I'll take over." Annie told him, Eren gave a two-finger salute before Annie went off to her tent. Eren then looked out to the miles of earth that were in front of him. His thoughts drifted to his friends from inside the wall.
Annie woke up the next morning with the sunlight shining into her tent. She realized that more than three hours had passed since she left Eren the night prior. She sat up in her cot before looking around and getting up fully. She peered out of her tent and saw Eren still awake sitting down. He had one knee up and an arm hanging over it. She walked up to him and stared down at him. Eren feeling her presence turned his head to face her.
"You didn't come to wake me" She simply said, Eren turned back around and shrugged. There wasn't a sign that he was tired at all.
"I wasn't tired, so I figured you two could enjoy some uninterrupted sleep." Eren said, Annie, frowned at his words. They were supposed to be training today, she didn't want Eren to operate at a lesser level because he was tired.
"You know we're supposed to be training today right?" Annie asked, Eren nodded at the reminder.
"Yeah I know, if you're worried about my performance like I said I'm not tired." Eren said as he then stood up dusting himself off. He turned to face her and saw the look on her face. "I'm fine really, so do you want to start now or do you want to see what we can find to eat?" Eren said switching gears, Annie saw what he did but was still a little invested as to why he stayed up all night. It also was like he hadn't missed any sleep too. She continued to just silently watch him before speaking.
"Where's Ymir?" She asked, as if on cue said woman walked out of her tent. She stretched and yawned with a smile on her face.
"Good morning! Did you guys pull an all-nighter together or something? Nobody came and woke me up for my shift." Ymir said as she walked over to the two. Annie eyed Eren after her words before thumbing toward the raven-haired teen.
"Eren pulled guard all night." Annie informed Ymir, who locked eyes with the teen. Eren shook his head and groaned.
"It's not a big deal I wasn't tired, so are we going to start training or eat?" Eren asked, Ymir mulled over his words before shrugging.
"We can try and find something to eat first, don't want to die of starvation or anything." Ymir said, Eren nodded at her response before grabbing his knife from the place he was sitting at.
"Alright cool, I'm going to see what I can find." Eren said before walking off, both Annie and Ymir watched his retreating form.
"What's up with him?" Ymir asked, Annie, shook her head then shrugged slightly.
"I don't know" she replied simply, Ymir glanced at the blonde. She was up last night when they were having their conversation. She didn't listen to it long and was rather uninterested. Though she wondered if Annie had said anything to piss him off. She had a feeling that she wouldn't tell her the contents of the conversation but decided to press her luck anyway.
"What were you two talking about last night?" Ymir asked, this caught Annie a little off guard but she kept her cool.
"Nothing that concerned you." Annie replied, Ymir gasped before laughing out loud at the snarky remark.
"I'm not trying to intrude on you and his relationship Blondie I was just asking. Cause we both know that something happened. He wasn't like this when it was just me and him. Slept like a log, I heard a little bit of the conversation so the only thing I could infer is it has something to do with that." Ymir explained, Annie was a little heated that Ymir heard their conversation. "Let me guess, did you guys argue and didn't get to have makeup sex?" A light blush appeared on Annie's face glad she was not looking directly at Ymir.
"Your such a child." Annie said before walking in the direction Eren went. Ymir folded her arms and chuckled to herself as she watched the blonde go.
"Of course, I get the dense virgins who don't know the first thing when it comes to things like this." Ymir said to herself as she turned around and walked back toward her tent.
Meanwhile, Eren was surveying the plains for any sign of a rabbit or any other small animal they could eat. Annie had caught up to him about a few yards away. He took notice of her presence but kept his gaze fixed on looking for any movement. Annie stood by idly watching him try and search for an animal.
"You know we'd have to go deeper into the woods to find anything. Open areas such as these won't really be filled with animals. They're looking for places to conceal themselves." Annie spoke, Eren peered over his shoulder to her. He had a blank stare on his face at first but then he cracked a small grin.
"Thanks for the suggestion." He said simply before walking off in the direction of the woods. Annie paused for a few moments debating whether or not she should follow him or not. She decided to trail him, telling herself that he probably hadn't known the first thing when it came to hunting.
Eren heard the footsteps behind himself and figured she wasn't going to leave him be. He knew he had raised somewhat of an alarm in Annie and Ymir given he hadn't gotten any sleep the night prior. Truth be told he just wasn't tired, given the situation at hand it wasn't that easy just leaving everything he had originally known to this outcast lifestyle they were living. He had a lot to think about and it weighed on his mind pretty heavily.