Mikasa hurried down the school hallway, her black hair breezing behind her as she saw the classroom ahead. She had missed the bus this morning since her parents slept in, naturally exhausted from the new baby.
It also didn't help Sebastian had colic, so he was crying all hours of the night nonstop. Akane decided to buy earplugs for Mikasa so the poor thing could sleep at night.
Since she missed the bus today, Mikasa didn't know yet if Eren was still absent. She held onto hope as soon as she entered the classroom, she'd see him sitting there by her desk.
He had to be there...he just had to. She ran inside the classroom, and as she skidded to a stop she looked all around the room.
He wasn't there...he wasn't at his desk or anywhere in the classroom. Mikasa panted as she caught her breath from running...and then she felt a heavy cloud of sadness over her.
It had been three whole days, and Eren was still absent. Mikasa didn't understand...did she..hurt him that badly? But...all she did was show worry...he had snapped so badly at her. She spent three days trying to figure it out, but was unable to.
Mikasa swallowed hard as she sat at her desk, giving a soft sigh. She rested her chin to her arms on the desk, wishing he would just appear.
"Eren...", she whimpered, on the verge of tears at this point. Just as she closed her eyes and was about to start crying, not caring if she was in a classroom full of other kids, she heard a voice.
"Um...excuse me...is it alright if I sit here?", it asked. Mikasa looked up, seeing a boy her age. He had blonde hair and blue eyes, looking on the frail side.
Mikasa blinked softly and then her eyes widened, recognizing him from a photo Eren showed her. "Armin?", she asked.
He had been absent this entire time, his health wasn't the best so he had been in and out of the hospital so much the passed several months, his parents decided to keep him out of school until he was feeling much better.
Armin blinked, but then smiled. "You must be Mikasa", he realized, sitting down beside her. Mikasa gave a small nod.
"How are you feeling...?", she asked him softly. "I'm much better now...", he looked around. "Where's Eren?", he asked then.
Mikasa's eyes saddened, as she looked down. "He's been absent for three days", she replied. "Really?", Armin looked surprised, along with worried.
"You mean you haven't heard from him?", asked Mikasa, surprised. "I haven't..I thought maybe at least you had", Armin said.
Mikasa bit her lip, she looked down worriedly. "Hey, but don't worry..I'm sure Eren will be back by tomorrow", Armin tried to assure her, seeing how sad she looked.
Mikasa didn't say anything..she could feel something was very wrong, she just didn't know what. The class went by fairly slowly, and Armin decided to give Mikasa some company at lunch and recess.
Even though the two got along pretty well, Mikasa couldn't stop thinking of Eren, continuing to hope he'd just come in to school.
But...as usual, he didn't. By the end of the day and after she arrived back home, she almost immediately went to her bedroom. She told her parents she wanted to get homework done early, though that was only half true.
She finished her homework within the hour, but spent the rest of the afternoon laying down in bed under the covers.
She hugged the teddy bear her dad bought her, and for the first time she felt...miserable. Even depressed...she missed Eren so much, and he was starting to feel more like a ghost at this point.
It was almost like she simply dreamed about him for the passed several months. The very thought of that made her sick, as she curled up in bed, letting some tears sparkle in her eyes.
Had Eren vanished from her life forever? Would she ever see him again? Why...why couldn't she just make other friends? Why did it have to be Eren?
Her chest actually began to hurt, the more she thought about never being able to see him again.
"Please...let me see Eren again..", she pleaded, burying her face into her pillow.
"Mikasa? Sweetie, dinner's ready...", Akane gently opened her daughter's bedroom door and then paused, her expression changing to worry.
"Baby, what happened?", she cried worriedly, hurrying over and gently sitting on the edge of her daughter's bed, stroking her hair.
Mikasa released a shaky sob, not looking at her mother. "Honey, look at me...did someone at school bully you?", Akane pressed worriedly, placing a hand to her daughter's shoulder.
Mikasa sniffled, as she finally sat up letting her blanket fall off. She wiped her eyes. "I..I want to see Eren, mommy..I miss him...so much", she revealed.
Akane's eyes softened. "He's still absent, angel?", she asked worriedly. "Mmhmm...", Mikasa nodded, tears still sparkling in her eyes.
"Will...will I ever see him again, mommy?", she asked. "Oh baby girl, come here", Akane pulled her daughter close into her arms, stroking her hair as Mikasa cuddled into her arms, crying softly.
"You will, lovebug, you will. Mommy promises...I'll try calling Carla after dinner, how about that?", Akane suggested softly.
Mikasa nodded, nuzzling against her mother. "Baby...don't ever hesitate to come to me or daddy when you feel upset, okay? We love you, and don't want you crying alone", Akane added, as Mikasa looked up at her.
Akane gently cupped her daughter's face, and pressed her forehead against hers. "Okay mommy..", Mikasa nodded, sniffling.
After dinner, Mikasa had went to get a bubble bath while Herrick cleared the table. Akane was holding Sebastian, who was asleep against her shoulder.
"Don't you think its weird Eren hasn't been in school for this long?", Akane asked, as she gently bounced Sebastian when he made any whimpering noises.
"It is weird the teacher hasn't been given a proper excuse...have you heard from Carla?", asked Herrick as he began washing the dishes.
"I haven't...that's another reason I'm worried. She usually calls to check in with me", Akane admitted, looking down.
Herrick dried his hands and gently took Sebastian. "I'll take this little guy, you go try calling her sweetie", he decided, holding Sebastian close. The baby yawned, nuzzling against the crook of his father's neck.
"Thank you honey", Akane hurried to the phone and dialed the Jaegers residence. She waited, leaning against the wall but after five rings, she got an answering machine.
She sighed worried, deciding to leave a message.
"Hey Carla, its me Akane...I'm sorry for calling you at dinner time but I was just wondering if you could give me a call back? We're just a little worried, Mikasa came home and told us Eren's still absent, and we haven't heard much from you since I had Sebastian...we just want to make sure you're all alright and nothing's happened. We're friends and honestly we consider you family, so if you need us for anything please don't hesitate to call or visit...alright, I'll talk to you later", she left the message and hung the phone up.
"It's really weird no one is answering at this hour..", Herrick admitted worriedly, as Akane looked down, biting her lip.
With nothing more they could do tonight, Akane and Herrick retired to bed after Mikasa was tucked in for the night, along with Sebastian.
Everyone in the house were fast asleep, Sam was sleeping in the kitchen under the table while the animals inside the barn were also resting comfortably.
Mikasa was woken from her deep slumber when she heard some footsteps in the hallway. She opened her eyes, noticing the hall light was on. She blinked, lifting her head up.
She didn't hear her brother crying, so it wasn't that. She got up, and entered the hallway. She walked down it slowly, hearing voices.
"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...!", it sounded like Carla's voice...Mikasa's heart sunk, the woman sounded hysterical.
"No, no please, don't apologize dear, talk to us, what happened?", Akane sounded worried. "You're injured...", Herrick added anxiously.
Mikasa peered from the hallway, to see Carla on her knees in their doorway. She was trembling violently, tears in her eyes. Mikasa's eyes widened as she gasped softly.
Eren was there, he was standing beside his mother. He had a fresh bruise on her face, along with a black eye and his nose was a bit bloody.
Carla had bruises on her face as well, and she looked paler than normal.
"He...he won't stop...please...please call the police...he'll never stop..!", Carla pleaded, sobbing shakily. "Grisha...Grisha did this to you both..?!", cried Akane, mortified.
Grisha was their doctor after all, and he had never come across as a violent man to the Ackermans before.
"I'll call the police, sit tight", Herrick said, as he quickly hurried to the phone. Mikasa heard her father in the kitchen.
"Yes, I want to report an assault...", he started. "Come in out of the cold Carla, easy, take it slow...", Akane helped Carla inside fully, helping her sit down on the sofa.
"We'll get you both something to drink and I'll drive you to the hospital", she added, as Carla hugged herself, shaking badly as Eren walked in.
Mikasa stepped out from the hallway as her mother hurried to make them some hot tea. Eren glanced over seeing her.
"Mikasa...", he said, a look of regret on his face for the other day, looking ashamed. He looked down, swallowing hard.
Mikasa walked up to him, biting her lip. "I'm sorry Mikasa...for..", Eren started but then he stopped, as Mikasa wrapped her arms around him carefully in a hug.
Eren went quiet, as he eyes softened, hugging her back with his right arm, since his left was broken.
"Eren...", Mikasa sniffled against the crook of his neck, hugging him close.
The following morning, Eren and Carla returned to the Ackermans home after being at the hospital. They had both been treated, Eren's arm in a sling.
Grisha had been arrested and put in the county jail for the time being. He didn't resist arrest, and strangely he seemed to almost be confused as if he didn't remember what he did or what happened.
The Ackermans stayed with Carla and Eren in the hospital the night before. Carla had over 50 bruises on her body, along with over a dozen scars.
Eren was a lot worse, with a broken nose, a black eye, dozens of bruises, a twisted ankle and a broken arm.
Herrick, Akane and Carla were sitting in the living room while Eren and Mikasa were upstairs. Eren was fast asleep while Mikasa watched over him.
"It started when Eren was 8 years old...about two years ago now", Carla began, looking down. Eren and Mikasa were both 10 at this point.
"My husband suddenly suffered these...episodes. Where he'd seem to forget where he was or who he was...he'd shout things that made no sense to me...and when I tried to calm him down, he'd lash out at me...it started off as just yelling but...", Carla bit her lip.
"He eventually hit me...in front of Eren. By the time I fell to the ground, Eren was attacking his father. The two got into a fight, and it led to Eren's wrist getting broken...when Grisha finally snapped out of it he claimed to have no memory of what happened...", she continued.
"Has your husband ever been diagnosed with mental disorders...?", Herrick asked worriedly, as Akane soothingly rubbed Carla's back.
"Not prior...but after the first episode, I insisted he see another doctor. But Grisha's...very prideful. He's a doctor himself and he insisted he could treat himself", Carla replied.
"He diagnosed himself as having intermittent explosive disorder, along with some form of delusions...it had been dormant most of his life it seems. He promised me he was taking his medication..and it seemed that way for a while", she added.
"But it didn't last...", Akane realized. "He stopped taking the medication after the first six months...I don't know why. His outbursts have become more common this passed year...I should have left sooner..for my son's sake but...", Carla trembled.
"I was honestly afraid of what he'd do if he knew we left...he threatened me once if we ever left... he'd find us and kill us...", she said shakily.
"Oh Carla...", Akane said softly. "But that's no excuse...for my son's sake..I should have...", Carla tensed.
"You were frightened...you did nothing wrong, I know Eren understands that", Herrick assured her.
Carla wiped her eyes as she exhaled shakily. "The house is in Grisha's name...if he isn't willing to get proper help on his own...they'll have to put him away for a while...", she started. "Carla..", Akane gently took her friend's hands.
Carla looked at her weakly. "Our home is your home. Eren and you are more than welcomed to stay for as long as you need to", Akane assured her.
"Oh Akane...but we don't want to be a burden. You just had a baby, I know your hands are full...", Carla said worriedly.
Akane smiled warmly. "Then maybe in return you can be our babysitter on the weekends, we'd pay you as well...and if Eren wants he could help Mikasa around the farm", she offered.
"We don't expect you to pitch in Carla, but if it makes you feel better, that would be great", Herrick added kindly.
Carla looked down softly. She gave a small nod, giving in. "Thank you both...so much", she said.
By the following day, Mikasa and Eren were taking a short walk around the farm. Eren's arm was still in a sling, but he was feeling slightly better.
Carla was sleeping in, naturally exhausted while Herrick tended to the farm animals and Akane took care of Sebastian.
Sam padded alongside Eren and Mikasa, sniffing at every tree and barking at some chipmunks.
"I knew...something was wrong with my dad. But even though he was sick...I still...hated him. When I saw him hit my mom that hard...all I could see was red. I just...wanted to strangle him", Eren confessed as they continued to walk.
Mikasa remained quiet, her little hand over her heart. "It was even worse when I caught my mom crying in bed...I didn't even want the son of a bitch near people at the hospital...", Eren growled.
"Eren...what he did was horrible...but..he's sick, right? Couldn't he get better?", asked Mikasa quietly. "Seems like he doesn't want to...only if people force him to he'll do it...so I guess he enjoys hurting others", Eren replied bitterly.
Sam ran over to them, holding a stick and dropping it. Eren picked it up with his good arm and threw it hard. Sam chased after it happily.
"People like my dad...they're cowards. What kind of man beats on his own wife...", Eren growled as they stopped walking, standing on the pathway.
Sam came running back with the stick, wagging his tail. Eren picked it up and threw it again for the Foxhound.
Mikasa looked down sadly. Eren looked at her softly then. "I'm sorry Mikasa...for the other day. When I shoved you...you were just worried about me...", he said, his tone more gentle.
Mikasa looked at him. "Eren, no...I'm the one who should be saying sorry. You were clearly suffering, and I didn't do a thing..I just acted like a hurt little girl and cried to my parents...", she said then, fighting back tears.
"Mikasa, you are a little girl...please, don't ever blame yourself. It wasn't your fault", Eren insisted.
Mikasa looked down...all this time she had been worried about seeing Eren...when she should have been thinking of what he was going through. She felt so incredibly selfish.
She looked up then, hearing Sam barking. "What's up with Sam?", asked Eren, noticing the dog wasn't returning.
"Sam!", Mikasa whistled for him, but the dog continued barking behind some bushes. The two children decided to follow the dog's barking.
They went through some thick brush and saw Sam was digging at a fallen down tree trunk. His head and front paws were inside the hole, while his back end and tail stuck out.
"Sam!", Mikasa called him, but the dog ignored her, too intrigued with whatever was in the hole. "Same, come here boy", Eren approached the dog from behind.
Mikasa followed, though she kept a safe distance. She knew Sam chased all kinds of different wild animals, so she wanted to make sure it was safe.
Sam's barking only got louder, as Eren attempted to pull the dog by the collar. "Sam! Come on!", he yanked.
"Mikasa, help me out!", Eren grunted, having only one working arm, and the dog was quite strong. "Eren, I don't know...it could be dangerous", Mikasa admitted, hesitant.
"Exactly, what if Sam got bit by something?", Eren pointed out. Mikasa blinked worriedly. "You're right...", she hurried over, pulling the dog's collar with Eren.
As they pulled, Mikasa was able to get a glimpse of the animal inside that Sam was provoking. She sweat dropped then, seeing black and white fur.
It was either a badger...which were insanely rare around here...or it was..
"Eren, let go!", Mikasa tried to warn but then there was a sudden spray noise as Sam yelped snorting and suddenly backing up with such urgency, both Eren and Mikasa fell backward onto the ground.
A fowl smelling mist surrounded that entire area, as a irritated skunk climbed out from the tree trunk and waddled away into the woods.
"Seriously...?!", Eren said against his sleeve as Mikasa coughed. Sam whined and yelped, rubbing his face into the ground, his eyes burning from getting directly sprayed.
The kids got up and walked over to the dog as he squirmed pitifully. "Looks like he got the worst of it..", said Eren.
"And this is the sixth time", Mikasa confessed, frowning at the dog. "What?! For real?!", Eren asked her, surprised.
Mikasa sighed. "He never learns his lesson, though this is the first time I've gotten sprayed along with him", she said.
"That was my fault...", Eren said, embarrassed. "No...you were just trying to make sure he was okay", Mikasa assured him with a small smile.
When they returned home, Herrick instantly prepared a tomato juice bath for both kids and the dog. Sam sat in the middle of the outdoor bath, panting goofily as if proud of his mess.
Eren and Mikasa sat on either side of the dog. They were in swimwear considering they were a boy and a girl having to bathe together.
"Dad, we really should put Sam on a leash", Mikasa said, as her father poured tomato juice over her head as she closed her eyes.
"What kind of farm dog stays on a leash? I'd say he's learned his lesson this time, right Sam?", Herrick chuckled, petting the dog and pouring more tomato juice over him.
"Sorry dear, but I agree with Mikasa. Sam's never going to stop chasing skunks. From now on when we're walking him he stays on a leash", Akane insisted, holding her nose.
"Did you expect to get sprayed by a skunk your first day here, Eren?", Carla asked with a bit of a smile as she poured juice over Eren's head.
"Not really", admitted Eren. He glanced over at Mikasa as she shook her head cutely, trying to get the tomato juice out of her hair.
"Keep it in sweetie, otherwise we won't get the odor out", Akane encouraged softly, pouring more over her daughter's hair.
Eren couldn't help but feel some color reach his cheeks as he watched her, while Mikasa glanced back at him, giving him a smile.
Sam shook his fur then, and suddenly jumped out. "Sam!", Herrick yelled as the dog sprinted into the woods.
"Damn it..!", Herrick hurried after the hound. "If that dog gets sprayed again, he's sleeping in the barn for the rest of his life!", Akane shouted after her husband.
Eren and Mikasa blinked, and then couldn't help but laugh together. Carla smiled softly, seeing her son this happy again...it brought such relief to her.
Despite the embarrassing incident, Mikasa felt so happy...she was finally spending time with Eren again, and would be from now on. Plus...she was happy and relieved to see he was okay and smiling again.