*WARNING* Any Gabi haters, this chapter might piss you off. But I don't care, and I don't want to hear any of y'all in the comments. You can hate what she did, but she's still a kid who was raised and manipulated by bad influences. 

---

Remnants of the Wall: CH.VII

And so, a group called the Yeagerists began their uprising. Their goal? To bring together Eren and Zeke, reforming the military with Eren at the top. The scouts were put at a position where anyone could be a suspect. We had no other choice but to surrender to the Jeager brothers. A decision no one wanted to make, but what other choice do we have–

*SLAM*

You didn't even realize you were holding your breath until you slammed your pen down against the table. You let out a shaky breath as you ran your hand through your disheveled hair. You were quickly stressed and tired from all the events happening. Having to struggle with all the news and recording everything done was not easy.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked. You were startled a bit by the sudden voice, now looking up. You found everyone in the entire room to be staring at you.

Well, everyone being your friends, Hange, and Niccolo who was for some reason being pulled by the collar of the shirt by Jean. Niccolo was grasping a wine bottle in his hands. It seems like slamming your pen against the table got everyone's attention for a potential feud.

"What...?" was the only word you were able to muster. Everything was suddenly a blur. You looked around the room, wondering when the surroundings changed.

"Where...are we?" you looked down at your seat. Since when did you sat down?

"We came here to visit Nicolo about the detainment. Have you forgotten?" Hange explained. You only stared at her with a somewhat blank expression, you blinked a few times before everything came flooding back.

"Ooooh, I remember now. Sorry. It's just..." you rubbed your head a bit.

"Everything's been so surreal lately..." you answered tiredly.

With everyone distracted, Nicolo got out of Jean's grip, looking at him with a somewhat crazed expression.

"A filthy captive, huh? Guess that makes us even, Eldian." he says before storming off. Jean and Connie were taken back by that comment.

"The hell was his problem?" Jean asked.

"I don't know." Connie replied.

Your eyes remained on the closed door that Niccolo just walked out of. You began to get an uneasy feeling in your stomach.

"There's something in that wine bottle..." you thought. You were tempted to get up from your chair and follow him out, but Mikasa's voice stopped you.

"You've been stressed lately." Mikasa spoke.

"Well yeah, given with everything that's been happening, who wouldn't be?" you replied. You winced at your response, that sounded mean.

"I'm sorry." you quickly apologized. Mikasa, however, was unfazed with the attitude. You went to pick up your pen.

"...!" you gasped softly as Mikasa's hand gripped yours, stopping you from picking up the pen.

"Don't. You should rest a bit."

"But I–"

"She's right, Y/N. You should take it easy for a while. You've been writing and interviewing almost non-stop since the attack in Liberio and...everything after that." Jean's voice caught in his throat when he said the last part.

"..." you closed your eyes, the hand that Mikasa was holding tightened into a fist before slowly relaxing. With Mikasa being closer to you, she was able to read your expression.

"Something's bothering you." she bluntly said. That sentence alone made you stand up abruptly, knocking the chair you were sitting on to the ground. This startled everyone.

"Shit!" you cursed, shakily going to pick up the chair.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Your friends already raised concerns. That reaction alone was an answer that something was indeed bothering you.

"That question just threw me off guard. I'm surprised you were even able to catch that." you laughed dryly.

"When something is internally bothering you, your eyebrows crease a certain way. You used to do it when we were younger and I've noticed you've been doing it a lot more."

"..." You didn't know how to respond to that. Mikasa's been watching you. You could feel your face becoming hot and for entirely different reasons.

Everyone's eyes remained on you, waiting for whatever you had to say. You held your tongue, trying your best to fight back tears. You wanted there in that moment you spilled everything, but you couldn't.

You couldn't break your promise to Eren...

"Like I said, with everything that's been happening. I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything. But I'll be okay, please don't worry about me. I'll get over it eventually." you looked over to Hange.

"Is it okay if I step out for a bit? I need to clear my head." you asked.

"Of course." You closed your journal and quickly made your way out, fast enough so that no one would try to stop you.

As soon as you left the room, Mikasa opened her mouth.

"She's hiding something." she said.

"What? Mikasa, why do you–?" Armin asked.

"Come on, Armin! You can't be the only one who doesn't know! A simple question like that and she knocked down a chair. I'm with Mikasa, she's definitely hiding something." Jean argued.

"I'm with Jean. I may not be as close to her as you guys, but even I can tell she never acts like that. She usually keeps a clear mind and tries to stay on top of things. She gets lost in her thoughts but at least she knows what's going on." Connie added.

"...I know that." Armin spoke.

"Then why are you pretending to act like there's nothing wrong!? It's like ever since she started talking to Eren back in Marley, she hasn't been the same!" Jean mentioned.

It was then the room went quiet. A realization that dawned on them.

"She wouldn't..." Connie spoke.

"No." Mikasa quickly shut that down.

"You don't think she–" Jean began to say.

"No, she wouldn't. She's not a Yeagerist! Why would you even think that!?" Armin argued.

"I noticed her face when we heard the news when Eren escaped. She wasn't surprised at all! It's like she knew he was going to get out!" Connie argued.

"Okay, let's not jump to conclusions. We're accusing someone we all know to be part of an uprising. This is serious!" Hange interrupted. Everyone went quiet, tension brewing in the air.

—

You took some deep breaths in as you made your way down the hall. Maybe you can ask Nicolo or one of the chefs there to give you a glass of water or whatever remedy tea they have. You let out a heavy sigh, bringing your attention forward towards the kitchen.

That's when you froze. Your eyes widened as you saw two children sneakily entering a room. Two children that look highly familiar.

Gabi and Falco.

Your breath caught in your throat as you covered your mouth. Luckily, they didn't notice you coming down the hall as they softly closed the door behind them.

What the hell were they doing here!? You heard they were on the run but never expected them to be here of all places! Your mind was racing. This wasn't good! Should you alert the others!? No...not right now. Best plan now was to corner them somewhere until you figure out what to do with them.

Your feelings about Falco and Gabi were complicated right now. You can't forgive Gabi for what she's done. But (as much as you hated to admit it and push them down) your morals got the better of you. They were still kids. Misguided kids who were raised in an environment that they were better than their people here on the islands. You couldn't hate them for being raised the way they were.

Cautiously, you slowly made your way towards the room they entered. Checking to make sure no one was around; you went to open the door. But you stopped once you heard faint voices.

Curiously, you pressed your ear against the door. You couldn't make out what they were saying, but you were hearing familiar voices. Gabi and Falco were talking to someone. Was that...Nicolo? You then remembered the bottle he was holding earlier.

Oh no...

Nicolo doesn't know that Gabi is the one responsible for Sasha's death! They're going to get themselves killed!

*CRASH*

Your fears manifested as you heard what sounded like glass breaking. On instinct, you threw open the door and ran down the steps.

"NICOLO!!" you shouted. You halted in your tracks. You smelled wine and...BLOOD!

"OH MY–!" you shrieked at the sight in front of you. 

Falco was lying in a pool of wine and his blood, there were glass pieces stuck in his hair. Near him was Gabi laying on the floor, she was going in and out consciousness, you can make out her nose bleeding.

Nicolo was staring at you with an expression you can't describe. Just a raw bundle of emotions, trying to come to terms to what he just done and being filled with anger. You saw him holding a broken wine bottle.  

"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" you shouted. You ran to Falco. You winced as you felt pieces of glass cutting at you, but you didn't care. 

"Falco! Falco?!" you checked for a pulse. You sighed in relief; he was still alive.

"Y/N–" Nicolo began to speak.

"SHUT UP! You stay away from them!" you wasted no time picking up Falco into your arms, supporting his head carefully. You grabbed onto Gabi and held her towards your side. 

"You come near me; I'll knock your fucking teeth out!" you threatened as Nicolo tried to take a step towards you. You began making your way up the steps.

"STOP!" Nicolo attempted to grab you. You dodged with ease. 

"Do not touch me!"

Although Gabi was mostly out of it, she instantly recognized your voice. Her eyes drifted up to you. She can make out Falco being held in a way that allowed you to support his head and you holding her against her hip. She didn't get it. You were helping them?

"What are you going!?" he asked you. 

"Getting them help!"

"HELP!? You're going to help them!? You realized what these two have done!? What she did!? She killed Sasha!!"

"I know that, DAMMIT!! But they're kids, Nicolo!!"

She can hear you two arguing; her body being jolted about as Nicolo tried to drag you back down into the wine cellar.

"LET GO OF ME!" You almost lost your footing, trying to catch yourself. Nicolo managed to get Gabi out of your grip and shoved past you.

"Dammit!"

"NICOLO! Let her go!!"

Nicolo raced out of the wine cellar, Gabi in his grasp. You chased after him effortlessly while carrying Falco, but he already reached the dining room before you could grab him back. 

Nicolo threw Gabi onto the floor, alerting the people who sat at the table.

"Nicolo–!" you shouted, grabbing onto his shoulder. Your eyes made contact with the family sitting at the table. Your jaw dropped; your expression turned to horror.

Sasha's parents...

"Nicolo! What'd ya doing to Mia!?" Mr. Braus asked, obviously disturbed. His eyes met yours, noticing Falco bleeding in your arms.

"You...Y/N? What happened to Ben!? What's goin' on!?" he demanded an explanation.

You said nothing, your hand gripping Nicolo's shoulder tightly. You weren't going to tell them these kids were responsible for Sasha's death. Luckily you didn't have to, because Nicolo already opened his mouth.

"She's the one who killed Sasha," he answered. Her parents' expressions turned into horror and disbelief.

"She may be a kid, she's a trained Marleyan soldier. She got aboard the airship leaving Marley and shot your daughter. She's the one who shot Sasha." he explained. You were still haunted by that night.

"...!" It was then you noticed that Nicolo was holding a knife this entire time and held it out to Mr. Braus.

"Here, Mr. Braus. If you can't kill her, I will. Is that alright?"

"Nicolo! Don't!"

"Why do you keep trying to stop me, Y/N!? She killed Sasha! Your friend! Or have you forgotten that!?" Nicolo shot at you. That made you snap. 

"Have I forgotten it? You're asking me if I forgotten it? Might I recall you weren't even there when she got shot. You weren't there when she was lying there bleeding to death! You weren't there when I tried to save her! You weren't there when you saw the light leave her eyes! Tell me, Nicolo! WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THAT HAPPENED!?" you exploded. 

You could have sworn Nicolo visibly flinch under your voice and angered expression. 

"Sasha is gone! She's gone and she's not coming back! And maybe if Sasha's murderer wasn't a child, I would have taken that knife from you and slit their throat myself! But even that wouldn't do anything. We can settle this another way, Nicolo!" you continued. 

Nicolo's expression didn't change. You weren't sure if your words even reached him. Or he knows that you're right but refuses to listen. Tough shit. You weren't surprised he wouldn't care at all about you've said. He had murder on his mind. 

"Y/N!? What's going on!?" you heard Armin calling your name. He quickly entered the room.

"I heard you yelling–! What the–!? Hey! Guys, come here!!" He called for the others. It didn't take long for them to arrive.

"The kid who shot Sasha!?" Connie exclaimed.

"Y/N? Nicolo? What's going on? What's she doing here? I heard she was on the run!?" Jean asked. With Nicolo somewhat cornered, you decided to make a break to get Falco somewhere safe.

"AH–!" you yelped as Nicolo grabbed ahold of your shirt and pulled you back. You instinctively tighten your grip around Falco in case Nicolo tries to grab him from you.

"HEY! What are you doing!? Let her go!" Jean shouted as this was occurring. Nicolo pressed the knife against Falco's neck while holding you hostage in the process.

"Don't move! Get back! I'm avenging Sasha! Stay put!"

In reality you could fight your way out of this, but it was risky with Falco in your arms. You decided to stay put for his safety.

You decided to see how everything plays out, waiting for the opportunity to escape Nicolo's grasp.