Good morning, everyone! Happy Thursday! Happy September too, it's so nice out today, not balls hot/humid for the first time in recent memory, BLESS. Still too hot for pumpkin spice though... BUT SOON.

Anyway, how are you all? Well, I hope! Recovered from last chapter I extra hope! Before I start rambling too badly I just want to say the biggest thank you in the world to everyone who read and left me comments on the last chapter. I don't know if it was clear how bad I was feeling about chapter 17. Seriously, I had no confidence at all and I was tired and feeling a little... unhinged, I guess. But then I was in Penn Station waiting for my train to my dead Vega's city and I got the mostly lovely comment from a reader and it was such a relief I cannot even tell you. I was crying in the middle of the train station, I must have looked a mess! Then throughout the wonderful day with my friend I got more comments and kudos and it was the most uplifting thing ever. Seriously, I'm so grateful to you all, thank you so so much!

Now, that being said, I hope you all aren't too mad at me after this chapter. There isn't much to it, but that's by design. Think of it as a teaser to the next chapter where we tie everything up in a nice bow.

FOR THE VIBES! Listen to Helplessly Hoping by Of Mice & Men. The Crosby, Stills and Nash version is fantastic, obviously, but it's me and Eren so we'll go with Of Mice & Men's version, naturally. You know what's crazy? I actually heard Of Mice & Men for the first time a year ago today (I know, I'm a poser) and they've brought me nothing but good things ever since. I remember the first time I heard this song, I was on a break at work walking up Park Avenue and listening to Echo which had come out that day, and literally stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared up at the sky like an asshole and started to cry. I couldn't help it, it's such a beautiful album closer and I just love Aaron Pauley's voice! It was cool too, the second I heard it I pictured perfectly the scene you're about to read. I owe this band a lot, is where I'm going with this.

"They are one person, they are two alone, they are three together, they are four each other..."

When I have spare cash I'm getting a tattoo that includes those lyrics.

Okay, that's enough of me. Enjoy!

Flashing red and blue lights… Blaring, discordant noise… Upside down with many hands supporting him… Was he at a show? No, he could smell gasoline and… was that the ocean?

"Hey, can you hear me?" Eren opened his eyes, but everything was blurry.

"Am I dead?"

"No, and we're trying to keep it that way."

"Oh…" There was a great, metallic crunching.

"That's it! We've got him!"

"Stay with us, now." More yelling and crunching noises.

"Yeah…"

However, the next thing Eren knew was bright lights rushing overhead, commanding voices, harsh beeping and his own breathing into a plastic mask over his nose and mouth. The sound might have been waves, except he couldn't smell the ocean anymore. He closed his eyes again.

When he next came to, he was surrounded by more white light, though it was still this time. He blinked and tried to figure out where he was, but he couldn't turn his head because it was heavily bandaged and his neck was held in place. However, his eyes drifted down and he saw his arms resting limp on either side of him, also wrapped in bandages and hooked up to an IV. He blinked again, and realized the room he was in was full of people. He began to cry.

"EREN!"

"He's awake!"

"Shh, it's all right, it's all right."

"Oh thank god!"

"Eren?"

Eren forced his eyes to stay open and took deep, painful breaths behind his mask, clawing his way back to consciousness until finally an image appeared clearly before him.

"Ar…min?"

"I'm here!" Eren began to cry harder, and it made his chest spasm with pain.

"Armin, I… I need help…" But Eren couldn't keep his eyes open. "There's… something wrong…"

And all was blackness once more.

You all knew I wouldn't kill Eren off, I love him way too much.

What do you all think will happen though? How optimistic are you feeling? Let me know what you think!

and... I'll see you all next week for the FINAL CHAPTER?! WHAT?! I'm in complete denial, tbh.

Leave me a review and I'll dedicate my heart to you!