Attack on Titan: Bloodline – Chapter 3 (SEPT. 10, 2018)
Eren stood in the orange-cast training ground, attached to the ODM gear training device. He sighed deeply and said, "Alright, one more try. If this doesn't work, then I guess...I guess it's over." Lorraine said sharply, "No, Eren. You can't give up that easily." She mimicked him in a teasing voice, "What happened to 'I'm gonna kill them all, even if it kills me. Every last one!'" Eren growled lightly at her. Mikasa said calmly, "Lorraine, that's enough. Eren, focus. Just remember the basics and you'll be fine. No need to try anything fancy. Just focus on your balance. Then, distribute your weight between the belts on your waist and your legs." Armin spoke up, "Loosen up your stance a little bit. Hey, if I could do it, I know you can." Eren nodded and reaffirmed, "Right. Loose stance, focus on balance. Alright, Armin. Raise me up."
Off in the distance, standing on the edge of the sharp cliff overlooking the training ground, Reiner watched, arms folded, a stern look on his face. He thought to himself, "Is this kid for real? I mean, he's got a fire lit under his ass, but it's not enough to just want to be a soldier."
Armin gripped the handlebar of the device and with a small grunt, rotated the crank, lifting Eren up slowly. Eren's brows furrowed as he felt his feet leave the ground. Almost as soon as his feet were less than an inch off the ground, he shook and fell forward, his head hitting the ground with a sickening crack. Lorraine clapped her hands to her mouth with a shriek.
Reiner grimaced, seeing Eren's head hit the ground.
"When is this kid ever going to give up?" he thought, "I hope that fall is enough to knock some sense into him."
"Eren!"
Lorraine and Mikasa rushed to his side as Armin lowered the rest of his body to the ground. Lorraine flipped him onto his back and gasped. When his head hit the ground, he had hit a small stone, slicing his forehead open and pouring blood over his face. She stood up and said, "Oh my God! Lie still, Eren! Mikasa, wait with him! I'll be right back!" She jogged off to the supply cabin, searching high and low, grabbing bandages, a roll of medical tape, and a small cloth, making sure to soak the cloth in water from the wash trough before returning to Eren. She quickly made her way back to Eren and, using the damp cloth to clean the blood from his skin and the huge gash in his forehead, bandaged him up, being extra careful not to shake him around too much.
Reiner watched the scene unfold in the distance, his eyes being drawn to the young, caring girl. He watched her clean his head and bandage him up, being ever so gentle with him. He couldn't help but feel something as she stroked Eren's cheek softly. His cheeks flushed pink, but he shook his head with a grimace and walked back to the cabin, sighing heavily. "What the hell am I thinking," he wondered, "Why does she make me feel like this?"
Lorraine put her hand gently on Eren's cheek and scolded him softly, "Eren, you've got to be more careful." She sighed and pulled his arm over her shoulder. She said calmly, "Come on, Mikasa. Armin. Help me get him back to the mess hall." Eren groaned in pain, but reluctantly allowed the girls to help him to the cabin with Armin in tow.
Inside, Lorraine sat Eren down while Mikasa walked off to get his food. Eren sighed and grumbled, holding his head, "Damn it. Why can't I seem to get it right?" Lorraine sat across from him and said, leaning closer, "Hey. Don't worry about it. It's going to be okay. Tomorrow, everything will turn out fine. R-right, Armin?" Armin, sitting next to her, nodded and said, as unconfidently as Lorraine, "Sure. I-I mean, maybe it'll just come to you tomorrow." Eren groaned loudly, but fell silent as an older Cadet's voice rang loud and clear from the next table over, "Hey, Daz, he was talking about butchering all the Titans yesterday, but he got real quiet after ODM training, didn't he?" Eren's face had glossed over as he listened to the whispers and murmurs. Daz chuckled, "Yeah, you're right. Well, looks like it's off to the fields with him tomorrow." Lorraine looked at Eren and opened her mouth to say something, but she frowned a little when she saw something.
"Can't keep wasting food on the useless."
She couldn't tell if she was just seeing things, but she could swear she saw what appeared to be smoke rising from the top of Eren's head.
"Eren."
Mikasa roughly set both of their trays on the table, startling both Lorraine and Eren. Lorraine looked back at Eren, but the smoke was gone.
"It must be in my head. The stress of all this is surely getting to me."
She shook her head and inquired, "S-so, what exactly are you going to do, Eren?" Armin cut in, "Well, for one, worrying isn't going to solve anything. It's okay. There's still some time to get some practice in tomorrow morning." Eren muttered, "How pathetic. How the hell am I supposed to kill them if I can't even stand up straight?" Mikasa said quietly, "Eren. It might be time to let that dream die." Lorraine, Armin, and Eren looked at Mikasa questioningly. She continued, "I think you should give up this attempt to be a soldier. There's so much more to fighting and combat than just throwing your life away in vain." Eren asked accusingly, "What are you saying? Listen to yourself! You're telling me to just roll over and give up after everything we saw that day? After what happened to my mom? You're insane to think that's going to happen!"
"Look, I get it," Mikasa said in an annoyed tone, "but it doesn't matter how determined you are. Whether you're fit to be a soldier or not isn't your decision." The group fell silent.
Mikasa looked down at the table and sighed. The Cadets stood up, hearing the curfew bell ringing, and grabbed their trays. Mikasa added, "Eren, don't take this the wrong way. I'd never dream of having you return to the fields alone. I just want you to know that wherever you go, I go." Eren, Armin, and Lorraine stood up, rattling their plates and silverware as they took them up to the front, leaving Mikasa talking alone. Lorraine sighed. She and her two friends returned to the dormitories, surrounded by a veil of disappointment.
"Good night, Eren. Armin. See you two in the morning."
Both said simultaneously, "Night, Lorraine." As Lorraine went inside the girls' dorm, Eren looked around the boys' room. He spotted Jean and Connie talking and said, "Armin. Come with me." Armin followed Eren reluctantly.
Lorraine went inside, but as she sat on Mikasa's bunk, dressed in her delicate, pale blue nightgown, she looked out the window. The moon was big and full, lighting up the outside world. She sighed and walked back out the door to stand on the balcony. She walked all the way to the end of the patio, by the dorm window by her and Mikasa's bunks, and leaned over the edge, running her hands through her hair. Lorraine buried her face in her hands, thinking to herself, "If Eren gets booted, then Mikasa's going to leave, too. What then? What should I do? God, why did I think signing up for this was a good idea? Maybe I should just give-"
"Hey."
Lorraine jumped and gasped, surprised by the sudden presence of Annie. She whipped around to face the blonde. She asked, "What are you doing out here, Annie? E-enjoying the moonlight, too?" Annie sighed, "I suppose. Maybe I thought you looked lonely and needed some company." Lorraine watched silently as Annie leaned on the balcony as she had before, looking out into the distance. Lorraine joined her. She couldn't help but glance over at Annie. Her short, blonde hair was down, pulled out of its usual updo, and she was in grey lounge pants paired with her white hooded sweatshirt. After several moments of silence, Annie asked, "So. Your friend Eren. Is he always so incompetent?" Lorraine said quickly, "No- er...well, kind of. I mean, he doesn't always think before he acts, so...he...he often gets into pretty sticky situations." Annie nodded and said, "I see. Let me guess, you, your sister, and your friend always have to get him out of trouble. Am I wrong?" Lorraine smiled a little and shook her head.
"You're not wrong. It happens more often than we care to admit."
Annie said, her gaze unwavering, "That's a shame." Lorraine nodded in agreement. Lorraine peeked at Annie out of the corner of her eye and asked quietly, "Annie? I-if you don't mind me asking, what...what brings you here? To Cadet Corps, I mean." Annie thought for a moment, then explained, "My father." Lorraine cocked her head to the side curiously. Annie explained, "I was from a small mountain village just Southeast of Wall Maria. Unlike some of the more prosperous towns, we had very little warning of the Titans' imminent approach. Before we knew it, Titans had swarmed our village." Lorraine covered her mouth, trembling slightly.
"At dawn, the livestock all went crazy and there were these odd rumblings that just got louder and louder. I was practicing combat when I saw the first one. It was huge. Its body looked deformed, as though it was malnourished. Reiner, Bertholdt, and I made it out, but few others survived. It's a miracle we even made it."
Lorraine looked at Annie's face. She was stone-cold, never wavering as she recounted her story. Lorraine swallowed the lump in her throat, brought on by memories of Shiganshina. Annie said softly, "My father...he wanted me to be a soldier. I'm here to become a member of the Military Police." Lorraine smiled.
"You'll make him proud, Annie. I know you can do it."
Annie looked up out of the corner of her eyes and asked, "So, why are you here? You're not as strong as the rest of us and you don't seem like the soldier type." Lorraine furrowed her brow. Annie said, her voice low, "You're from Shiganshina, right?" Lorraine nodded and explained, "See, when I was a little girl, I was always afraid of the Titans. I heard stories of soldiers going outside the walls and being eaten alive. Seeing the Scouts return in ruins was always such a horrible experience. Not to mention, Armin's parents once tried to go outside, but they...they didn't come back. I never thought...I-I never thought I'd ever have to see a Titan in real life. When the Colossal Titan attacked Shiganshina, I...I-I was...I was terrified. I had brushed off the thought that they could break through at any time. I didn't know what to do, standing there as people around me ran. I really didn't think we would live through that hell." Annie watched silently, her crystalline eyes glimmering in the light of the full moon.
"My fear...i-it crippled me. If it weren't for Armin, I...may not have made it. He stayed by my side the entire time. Eren and Mikasa...they were brave. They went back for his mom, but..."
Lorraine wiped a tear from her face with the back of her long nightgown sleeve and continued, "I-I want to be as brave and strong as them...just like Eren and Armin and my sister. I want to help humanity fight back, too." Annie looked up at her. Lorraine had put on a brave face, holding back her tears. Annie sighed lightly and said, "I see. So basically, you're here to prove yourself." Lorraine looked at Annie for a moment. Annie sighed and said, changing the subject, "Come on, Lorraine. It's getting chilly out here. Let's go back inside." Lorraine nodded. The girls walked back into the dorm and climbed into their bunks. Lorraine lay awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. She sat up and ran her hands through her hair.
"Annie's right. I'm...I'm here to prove myself. It's selfish, really. But, it's true." She thought, shaking her head, "Alright. Even if Eren and Mikasa drop out tomorrow...I'm staying. I will become a Scout." She laid back onto her pillow and looked out the window at the moonlit field outside. The sky was full of stars, all twinkling in the distance. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, feeling a new sense of purpose and determination.
The next morning, Lorraine heard the sound of the bell ringing and slid tiredly out of bed. She slipped out of her nightgown and into her Cadet Corps uniform and she walked outside. She grumbled, rubbing her eyes tiredly. She squinted, looking around the brightly lit courtyard, and saw Eren, Mikasa, and Armin standing by the mess hall cabin stairs, talking and waiting for Lorraine to join them. As she spotted them, she noticed Annie walking past her. Lorraine watched her walk up the stairs and into the mess hall without acknowledging anyone. She sighed and joined Eren, Armin, and Mikasa.
"Good morning, guys. Feeling up for more practice, Eren?"
Eren sighed. He shook his head and said under his breath, "No. There's no sense in beating a dead horse. Either I get it today or I'm out." Lorraine sighed. Armin grabbed Eren's upper arm and said confidently, "You will get it! I know you will." Mikasa said bluntly, "I hope you're right, Armin." Lorraine said confidently as the group walked inside, "Well, whether you get it today or not, I'm staying." Mikasa looked at her and asked, "What? Why?" Lorraine paused, glancing at Annie and smiling.
"Because I have something to prove."
Mikasa, Eren, and Armin all gaped at her in disbelief. Eren asked jokingly, "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Lorraine?" Lorraine chuckled lightly and nudged Eren a little with her elbow as they grabbed their meals and sat at a table by the window. The group sat through their meal in silence, eating without saying a word to each other. Lorraine finally broke the silence, saying, "So, are you sure skipping practice was a good idea? I-I mean, what if you can't do it?" Eren snapped at her, "Shut your face, Lorraine." Lorraine sighed disappointedly, "I'm just saying." Mikasa groaned, annoyed, "Both of you lay off." Eren muttered, "Sorry, Lorraine. I guess I'm just a bit anxious." Lorraine nodded and said, "Yeah. I get it."
After breakfast, the Cadets once again gathered in the courtyard to retry the ones who failed the previous day. One by one, the Cadets were re-tested. Some failed. Some succeeded. Some gave up. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Eren stepped up to the device and was soon hooked up, ready to give it another go. Lorraine stood beside Mikasa. Shadis asked sternly, "Eren Jaeger. Are you ready? This is your final chance to prove yourself." Eren nodded and said confidently, "Yes, Sir!" Lorraine watched Eren with anticipation as Thomas slowly hoisted him up into the air. Mikasa held her breath. Eren silently prayed that he would be successful. As he felt his toes slowly leave the ground, he tensed his muscles, straining to stay upright. The Cadets cheered. As he felt the cords stop moving, he celebrated, "Yes! I did it-"
A loud click sounded from Eren's belt and he fell forward, catching himself with his hands. He growled and whined, "P-please! No! I-I can do it! Give me another go! Please!" Shadis said solemnly, "Lower him." Lorraine whimpered. Mikasa grabbed her hand and squeezed. Armin muttered, "H-he couldn't...he couldn't do it..." Lorraine looked at Eren sadly. His blue-green eyes were glistening with tears as he was unhooked from the contraption.
"Wagner."
Everyone looked at Keith, shocked by his unusually calm tone. He stated, "Switch belts with Jaeger." Lorraine and Mikasa exchanged a confused look. Armin wondered aloud, "Why would he...? What is he thinking?" Thomas took off his belt and Eren did the same, handing his to Shadis and clipping Thomas' on, making sure it was secure. Thomas hooked him back up to the device as Shadis looked over the belt in silence. The entire Cadet Corps erupted into confused whispers. Eren looked at Armin, who shrugged. Looking up at Eren, Shadis nodded, signalling Thomas to raise him up. Eren felt himself growing lighter. The cords pulled tight. This time, though, as his feet left the ground, he felt much more stable than before. He still had some difficulty staying upright, but it wasn't nearly as hard as it had been before.
"Your equipment was defective," Keith explained, "If you have functional gear, you may stand a chance after all." He held up the belt and said, "The Quartermaster didn't notice this broken clasp before giving it to you. I'm gonna have to pay a visit to the Supply Depot and personally bash a few skulls." Lorraine grinned cheerily as other Cadets talked among themselves.
"He...he did it. Even with broken equipment."
"That's amazing."
"He's something else."
Lorraine thought to herself, "Wow. He really is something else. I don't think any one of us could have done that." Eren asked, holding his excitement back, "So, you mean I...I didn't fail? I-I didn't wash out?" Keith said, "No. You made the cut. Keep training hard, Cadet!" Lorraine and Armin exploded into cheers. Mikasa simply smiled. Eren threw his fists into the air triumphantly and exclaimed, "Yes! I did it! I really did it!" He beamed at his friends in the front row. Reiner smirked and said, "It looks like things worked out for him." Bertholdt nodded. Lorraine looked up at Reiner as his eyes drifted to hers. Reiner's smirk changed to a softer smile as he looked at the younger Ackerman. Armin said, "Yeah. Look! His eyes are saying, 'check me out'!" Lorraine tore her eyes away from Reiner's and looked back at Eren. Mikasa spoke in a low voice, earning the others' attention.
"No," she said, "His eyes are saying he doesn't have to leave me. Not anymore." Lorraine looked back at Eren. She smiled brightly, seeing that Mikasa was right.