"One hut is not gonna cut it" Ymir said, once the cheering subsided "we have to build at least two…"
"Do you always have to ruin the fun?" Connie asked, a little bit annoyed at the freckled female.
The older girl just shrugged at that. She slowly walked over to Eren.
As Ymir was standing right in front of him, in a way, he felt intimidated. The girl was older than them all and a little taller as well. So far, her thoughts remained a mystery to everyone, but looking directly into her eyes right now, he could see the same adventurous glint that he had, the first day he woke up here.
She extended her hand to him. As he was staring at her in a dumbfounded way, he finally understood what this was about. Slapping his forehead in embarrassment, he gave the conch over to her.
"There are fifteen of us" she started explaining "there isn't enough room inside to fit us all. We need a second hut."
Upon hearing that, the boys lowered their heads down. For the past two days, they've been working hard to achieve this and now, it wasn't even good enough.
"With that being said" Ymir continued "we have to decide what shall be done, for tonight."
It was only then, that they realized the sun was getting lower and lower by the minute. The daylight was slowly dying and the cool breeze coming from the sea, was slowly starting to lower the temperature of the air around the island.
Instantly, the discussion on what to do spurred up.
"The hut was built by everyone…"
"But we were the ones who did most of the work…"
Soon, the group divided into two obvious camps. The boys and the girls…
"We worked on the hut too" Pieck exclaimed.
"Yeah, you made the roof, so what?" Jean retorted.
"We are frailer than you guys" Mina tried to argue "we need that protection more than you do…"
"Well, if we fall ill no second hut will be built" Porco said, trying to counter the argument.
"What about Armin?" Annie asked, with a tone of annoyance "he didn't do much work. Why should he get the same prize?"
"Hey!" Marcel spoke in defence of the blonde boy "he was crucial in many things…"
"Like what?"
Now, this was getting out of control. Eren wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but even to him, it was obvious that divisions in this small group could be truly devastating. He looked towards Ymir, who was currently trying to cool the situation down. The freckled girl clearly did not intend to create this commotion. This was something that needed to be brought up anyway.
One thing was obvious. If he didn't act quick, there could be a disaster.
So, he did the only thing that came to his mind. He had done so, before and now he could say that he was pretty good at that.
Eren took a deep breath.
"EVERYONE!" He exclaimed at the top of his lungs "SHUT UP!"
Just like before, it worked. Now, he had the attention of everyone.
Eren took out his bayonet to look more commanding.
"Thank you" he said "tonight, we will all sleep inside the hut. We don't have much space inside, but I assure you all, we can manage."
"But…"
"It won't be comfortable" he continued, not caring about being interrupted "I know many of you may feel uneasy with this idea. But this is what we have to do. We have to stay together."
His speech coincided with the sunset. Everyone was listening to him, because they felt compelled to. He was the chief and chief always constituted the most important person around. Not only that, but his authority was also enforced by a bayonet and the tone he was using.
"Everyone, we need to do this now" Eren spoke with confidence "cease your stupid arguments and get in the hut."
And so, they did just what he had said. It didn't even take them too long. The arrangements were mostly random, but it was clear that many were playing favourites.
He stood in front of the hut, watching as they were moving into the shelter. All of a sudden, he felt someone grab his hand.
"Come on, Eren" Mikasa murmured as she led him inside.
The young chief suddenly remembered Armin's words from earlier. The girl must've grown restless and now, she was taking her chance.
The two sat on the very opposite of the entrance. It seemed that the rest of the group collectively assumed that this place was reserved for the chief.
It was cramped in here. None of them were able to lay inside and most just settled on clinging to the walls in a sitting position. While it wasn't comfortable, for now it would protect them from the harsh weather that was soon to come.
"Goodnight" Mikasa said as she nuzzled into his side.
"Yes, goodnight" Eren responded.
He sought Historia out. The blonde was sitting next to Ymir. Her eyes spoke of disappointment and a weird semblance of sadness. Looking at this somehow made him feel even worse. Not knowing what exactly caused such a feeling, he closed his eyes, hoping that tomorrow, things would turn out for the better.
The animosity from that day could still be felt the following morning. The boys were looking at girls with a little dose of anger when they were departing for work and the girls were hastily trying to find more leaves, vines, grass and other materials for the thatch. It was clear that the sooner they would build the second hut, the better.
As Eren worked in the woods with the rest of the boys, he could see frustration gradually appear on their faces.
Suddenly, Jean threw his makeshift flint axe against the trunk he was working on.
"What's gotten into you?" Armin asked walking up to the angered teen.
"We've been working so hard for this" the frustrated boy said "I've literally cut my fingers three times today. My back hurts like hell…"
"Hey" Eren exclaimed, stepping into the situation "at least you're not ill…"
"Yeah" Jean replied "suck up to them all you want…"
"What did you…?"
"Just drop it" Armin spoke, placing his hand on Eren's shoulder "he'll come around."
The young chief looked towards his bespectacled friend.
"It was a good decision" the blonde affirmed with a smile "I'm glad you made up with Mikasa, too…"
Eren simply nodded at that. Making up, wasn't exactly the phrase he would use in relation to Mikasa's actions yesterday. Nevertheless, he was glad they were good all over again.
They've decided to place the second hut on the opposite side of the grove. The distance wasn't too great, but far enough that the two groups could live next to each other in relative peace. Ymir and Eren agreed that the next hut would be reserved for the boys, but girls would be helping them until it was complete.
This time, the atmosphere around wasn't joyous and happy like before. The boys simply wanted to be done with the task as soon as possible and they even started being a little harsh to the girls.
It happened just as they were about to be finished with the roof…
"Ow!" Historia wailed as she nearly fell from Jean's shoulders.
"Can't you hurry up?!" The boy asked in annoyance.
"I'm sorry!" The blonde replied as she was hurriedly tying the last piece of thatch to the central pole.
"You don't know how to do anything right" Jean growled.
Eren followed the situation with watchful eyes. The banter here was something ordinary, but right now with everyone so on edge…
"Ouch!" Jean yelled as the blonde dropped the piece of roofing on his head "that does it!"
And then, he did something unthinkable…
"Aah!" The girl yelled as she fell to the ground.
Not a second had passed, before Eren's bayonet was brought to Jean's throat.
"Hey…!" The other boy exclaimed in fear, while raising his arms defensively.
But the only thing the young chief had in his eyes, was pure rage from seeing Historia suffer at Jean's hands.
A drop of blood fell down from the glistening blade…