Chapter 4: Ambulance

"Marco!" Armin shouted as he stumbled over to his wounded friend, judging by the blade in his hand and the cuts the wound was self inflicted. 'Stay calm, stay calm' Armin thought to himself. He looked around, most people went home by now, Eren and Mikasa might come back but they only had a phone back at the apartment. He'd have to risk leaving Marco here for a little bit. Armin shot a quick glance at his friend before running off.

Armin didn't know if any teachers would be staying after so he just ran around peering into the classrooms until he finally spotted a teacher. She wasn't to certain what was going on but followed Armin who made it clear a student's life was in danger. When they got to the restroom the woman screamed and fainted. "Oh not now!" Armin shouted as he begun to panic. However he then noticed a cell phone in the teacher's pocket. "Thank God!" Armin said as he grabbed the phone and quickly dialed 9-1-1. "911 what is your emergency?" The operator asked as Armin took a deep breath.

Armin was almost certain it was too late. He tried to lie to himself that it wasn't, but his brain knew better. Armin was a realist not an optimist like Eren. He shook violently as he pressed the cloth of his coat harder on the wound. The blood that flowed out was dark for the first few moments, meaning the blood wasn't coming from the heart, which was good. He wished he could say the same about Marco. His body was limp and pale and his breathing was labored, Armin had no idea when he lost consciousness but it worried him. "Come on, hurry up" he muttered as he looked over at the fainted teacher, who was starting to stir.

Moment later she was up, but didn't faint like last time. "Oh dear..." She said as she examined Marco. "Have you contacted help?" She asked. Armin nodded and the lady bent down by Marco, "Okay, then wait outside so you can show the paramedics where to go. After that you can leaveyou've already done enough." She said. Armin stood but shook his head, "I'd rather stay, he's my friend." Armin said before leaving.

Outside it was chilly without his jacket, but he brushed it off. It felt like ages waiting there and he wondered if the teacher fainted again. The thought would've made him laugh if he was in another situation. A gust of wind made Armin remember how cold he was and he hoped he wouldn't catch a cold. He suddenly perked up upon hearing sirens, it was the ambulance, Armin let out a sigh of relief. The paramedics got out and quickly followed Armin not needing any explanation.

When they got to the bathroom Armin was relieved to find Marco was still alive and the paramedics quickly got to work. Another one came in after they stabilized the bleeding boy and put him on a gurney. Armin and the teacher wordlessly followed them out of the buildings and the teacher asked if one of them could come along. They said yes, and Armin's heart sank a little. He wanted to go but they would most likely not let him. However the teacher had other plans.

"You go, I have a daughter to pick up and he seems important to you. Hope he gets better." the teacher said as she walked away. Armin got in the back, feeling a bit better ands at by his friend. "Don't worry Marco, we'll save you." Armin said as he held back the urge to cry. He made it this far without crying then he should be able to handle it.

Armin sat there thinking. Why would Marco attempt to kill himself? It had to do with Jean didn't it, but what? Armin furrowed his brow and tried to put together possible scenarios. He wasn't confident in any of them. "Excuse me" a kind voice said to Armin, who snapped of of his thoughts. "You may go see the patient now, but only for a few minutes. Visiting hours will be over soon." A nurse said. "Thank you!" Armin said as he raced into the room. It was dim but you could still make out everything. Armin took a seat by Marco's bed and carefully grabbed a bandaged hand.

"I'm glad your alive Marco..." Armin said. "I'm so glad..." He said. Tears fell down his cheeks and Armin was glad no one could see them. "But, why'd you do it? It doesn't make sense..." Armin would've continued but he was crying to hard to do so. He had been so scared that his friend would die, it was just to much. He didn't know what his parent's would do when they found out their son tried to take his own life. And what about Jean? Certainly he was still Marco's friend. Friend...friend...Armin bolted upright. His friends, they were probably worried sick, not to ,emotion he missed his shift at the library. The latter he wasn't as worried about since the Librarian would understand, but Eren and Mikasa...they'd have his head!

Armin left the hospital and frowned seeing as the sun was almost set. It was colder and Armon wished he had his jacket. He also wished for a ride, but neither he nor his roommates owned one, and they didn't have money for a cab. Armin cursed his luck as he ran home on foot, which was about twenty minutes away, by car.

Eren and Mikasa where worried sick. Mikasa paced around the room while Eren resisted the urge to punch the wall, again. Armin wasn't at work and school was long closed. They called the police who didn't do crap and they already searched around twice. "I'm going to look for him again." Mikasa said as she stood up, a dangerous aura emanating from her. Eren would've gone, but Mikasa most likely would not let him incase he went missing too. She put on her coat and was about to place her hand on the door when another opened it.

Mikasa followed the hand up to the face to find it was Armin. Armin opened his mouth to speak but the girl tugged him into a tight embrace. "Armin" she said as she let out a breathy sigh of relieve. Eren bolted over and joined the suffocation of Armin with a hug and was also relieved. Both let go of him and the relief turned to demanding of an explanation, with Mikasa tapping her foot.

Armin took a deep breath, "I have some bad news..."