Flashback

"Should we really be doing this?"

"Do you not trust me?"

"No, I do. I just don't want to get caught..."

"What would happen if we were caught?"

"Even more chores.  Or risk getting arrested by the MP."

"Fair enough.  But we're going anyway."

"...Fine."

"Isn't this fun!"

He looks back over his shoulder.

*SNAP*

"Hey, where'd you go?"

He lands on a roof and looks around.

*CRASH*

"What was that?"

He ran to the edge and took off to see what the loud noise was.

She lay there on the ground, weakened and crippled. Blood pooling underneath her body as many cuts were made to her waist, head, arms, and legs.

"Oh my god what happened?!"

He ran to the younger's side, dropping to his knees.

"What happened?! Oh my god... shit, shit, shit!"

He cursed under his breath, scooping his hands under her head to gently lift it up from the cold ground.

"N-...No..."

She whispers, struggling to steady her voice.

"Shit- sorry! I'll go get someone!"

He got up and ran off, leaving the girl to lay alone in the cool dark night, bleeding from almost every inch of her body.

Please come back.

Flashback End

I hopped back on my horse, snapping the reins and looking for a way out of here. I can't believe I never made it back to HQ last night. Corporal Levi will have my head before I step through the front doors.

I try looking for anything familiar to ring a bell. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Where the hell am I?

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

I call out, making sure I wasn't alone. Maybe someone was nearby and could help me get out of this place.

I let (h/n) lead me anywhere since I had no sense of direction in these woods.

What felt like hours but were really only a matter of minutes, we came across an abandoned cabin.

After taking a minute or so to debate on my next course of action, I decided to climb off my horse and approach the cabin. First tying (h/n)'s reins to a nearby tree of course.

I gently knock on the worn brown door with my knuckles.  A few seconds go by without an answer so I test the brass knob and it fell to the floor of the porch.

"Huh... guess I should fix that before I leave."

I mutter to myself, pushing the door inward.  The door creaks slowly as it opens up to a large dark room.

"Hello?"

My voice echoes throughout the cabin.

Weird.

I step in further, looking at the torn up walls.  Wallpaper was peeling and there were several holes exposing the beams inside the walls.

The home was dark and dusty, cobwebs covering the place from floor to ceiling.  I squint my eyes as I travel through, looking for someone.  Or anything at the very least.

"Is anyone in here?"

I look inside a small room near the entrance.

The only window in the room was boarded up, just a few rays of light peeking through the cracks of wood and trees outside.

Inside the room there was an old broken bed and matching dresser.  Of course I was curious and started opening some of the drawers.  Completely empty.

Bugs started crawling out of the drawers as I went through them though.  Nasty.

"Maybe they've moved out...?"

Just suddenly I come across a sheet of paper, folded quite terribly in the back left corner of one of the drawers.

I reach inside and pull it out, unfolding the half burned half shredded page.  Blank.  Just my luck.  I turn it over and aha!  Words!  Everything was smudged and written very small, I couldn't tell what the note said.

Throwing the paper back in the drawer and closing it, I sigh and look up at the ceiling.  An attic entrance.

Huh.  Definitely didn't see that before.

Curiosity struck again and I had found myself climbing up to the attic, coughing roughly from the heavy layer of dust coating the room.

"God, it's so dark up here."

Unfortunately I didn't have any matches on hand so I could see better.

I push myself up and sit on the edge, legs dangling down the door.

I scope around before getting up, swatting away cobwebs that had latched itself to my clothes.  I start to notice even more holes in the floor boards and beams.

I pause just as a breeze blows through the cabin, slamming the front door shut.  Then it got quiet.

Something creaks on the floor behind me.  I stay still, slowly looking over my shoulder.

*BANG*

I feel myself falling, but for longer than usual.  I don't remember being so far from the floor.

*CRASH*

My body finally meets a solid surface. My heart is racing and filling my ears, I don't know where I'm at. I'm clearly not in the attic anymore.

There was a warm sensation traveling down my right arm. I built up the strength to push myself up a bit, checking my arm. Blood was dripping from what looked to be a scratch just under my shoulder.

That's no scratch...

The creaking continues until it's right in front of me. The cabin felt even darker now if possible.

"Qui es-tu?"

"W-What...?"

I look up, seeing nothing in front of me.

"Where are you?"

I ask, looking over my shoulder. Nothing was there either.

"Pourquoi es-tu ici?"

"I don't speak whatever you're saying... ma'am?"

Who is this person and where the hell is she?

Then it hit me.

"Have you passed on?"

I whisper, waiting for an answer.

"Oui, je suis morte."

The voice says quietly.

"What was that?"

I reply.

"Oui."

"Yes?  I can't really understand what you're saying..."

As I finish my sentence, something grabs my arm and starts pulling me back.

"Hey! Let me go! Who are you?!"

I shout, trying to break from the grip.

"Shh!"

A voice shuts me up, pushing me to a wall.

"Who are you?!"

I look up, seeing a young man covered in thick fabrics.

"You can hear her too...?"

He asks, shutting the door of the room we were in.

"Yeah...? What do you mean?"

I ask confused.

"I've been trying to get her to answer me for weeks now!"

He says, sitting across from me, keeping some distance.

"Why...? Okay but first, who the hell are you?"

I wasn't sure if I could trust him or not.

"(F/n)?"

"How do you know my name...?"

"Wake up!"

"What?"

My eyes open to a wood panel ceiling, the sun shining in through a window.

Great. Now where am I at?

"Jeez! You've been sleeping forever! You gotta get up now!"

Jean? Thank god!

"Jean... what day is it?"

I look up at him as I sit up.

"Um... our day off. Remember?"

Jean raised an eyebrow.

"...Huh? That was yesterday, Jean."

Now we both look equally confused.

"No... it's today. I swear it is. Almost everyone has left already."

Jean groans, ripping my blanket off. I start to shiver from the lack of fabric now.

"I'm so confused... we went out yesterday and I got lost and then I found a cabin and got shot in the arm?"

"You have some weird ass dreams."

The horse man chuckles, walking out of my room.

"Meet you outside!"

"Okay."

I mumble back, looking down at my shitty bed.

I decide that maybe another five minutes wouldn't hurt.

Dream

We walk along the dimly lit streets of a small district within Wall Sina.  My family received a letter a few days prior and we decided to come and visit.

My brother's been promoted in the MP's, but hasn't told us what position he has now.  Maybe he was planning on surprising us?

Quincy and I, along with our dad, make it to his house. We've never actually been here before, considering he's lived here a few years now.

My dad knocks and we wait. Tristan answers the door with a smile, greeting us.

"Hey! Come on in!"

He steps aside, letting us enter his home.

"Wow, cool place. Mind if I move in?"

Quincy says right off the bat.

"Um... I don't think..."

Tristan laughs awkwardly, shutting the door.

"So you've been promoted!"

Dad changes the subject, taking a seat on one of the small sofas in the living room.

"Yeah, I'm a sergeant now."

Tristan nods, sitting on the other sofa parallel to the one dad was on.

"That's great!"

Dad smiles, Quincy nodding.

"Think you can get to sergeant major some day?"

I ask, sitting next to T.

"Well I wouldn't think too far ahead now..."

He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Why're you so nervous dude."

Quincy butts in.

"Nervous?"

Tristan questions.

"Yeah, you're never on edge like this. Maybe the MP has really gotten to you. Or we just haven't seen each other in so long."

Quince leans back into the sofa, crossing his arms behind his head.

"Well... you got me there."

Tristan sighs, tapping his fingers.

"What did you do."

Dad looks at him sternly.

"No one's pregnant, dad. Don't worry."

Tristan reassures him.

"Not yet at least."

"WhAT?"

I nearly choked on air.

"Does Tristy have a dirty little secret?"

Quincy teases and T starts to blush.

"I-I have a fiancée."

"Who is it?!"

We all ask, shock on our faces.

"Is it who I think it is?"

I start to grin excitedly.

"Yep. It is."

Tristan smiles faintly.

"Oh my god I thought you two broke up a long time ago?!"

I bounce on the sofa and Tristan laughs again.

"Well... we just had a dumb argument and forgave each other a few days later."

He explains.

"Well where is she? We want to see the fat diamond you picked out!"

Dad slaps his knees.

"She's working at the shop today. She's planning on moving in within the next six months."

"Wow.  When are you planning to elope?"

Dad asks, leaning forward.

"Well we don't want to rush into things but I know she wants to settle down soon.  So maybe in a year or so?"

T answers.

My thoughts start to wander off, dancing into another world almost.  Everyone's voices were fading away, sounding as if I were underwater, listening to a group speak on a shore not too far.

My body becomes light and numb, everything in my field of vision turned to white.  This world felt calm.  Safe.  As if no evil existed.

My family's voices were long gone, replaced by a continuous buzzing noise that got louder and louder.  What was this noise?  Why is it disturbing my peaceful world?

The buzzing changes to a woman's voice.  Her words foreign to me.  It almost sounded familiar.

"Tell me who you are."

My voice asks softly.

"I promise I won't tell anybody.  This can stay between us.  Let me help you."

"You know who I am?"

An elder woman's voice mumbles.

"I don't.  That's why I'm asking you."

"I must tell you about your mother."

"You know my mother?"

I ask, wondering what she meant.

"Yes. Follow me, child."

"I can't see you..."

"(F/n), I'm sure she'll love to have you apart of the wedding."

Tristan interrupts.

"Huh? Sorry... I wasn't listening."

I mumble, looking up at him.

"...I said we'd like to have you apart of our ceremony."

He repeats.

"Oh... yeah. If I can get out of the Scouts for one day, I'm sure I could."

I nod, reaching out for a cup of tea our dad brought out.

Tristan grins and grabs a cup as well, stirring in some sugar.

"Don't worry, quiche, you can be my best man."

"Ah yes! I knew I was the best one in the family!"

Quincy fist pumps the air.

Dad chuckles and rolls his eyes.

"I'd like to believe you on that."

He sighs, taking a seat again.

We all catch up for a bit, deciding to go outside and sit by the river for a bit. Dad and T fish while Quince and I dangle our legs over the cobblestone wall.

"(F/n), do you even like boys?"

He asks out of nowhere.

"Pardon?"

I give him a look.

"You know. You've never had a boyfriend so it only makes sense to ask what your preferences are."

He shrugs.

"I'm not answering."

I mutter, rolling my eyes just like dad. He says the stupidest things sometimes. Well,,, always.

"Anyway, how's (dog's name)?"

"He's been better.  I think he's starting to show his age though."

Quincy replies, leaning into his fists as he stares out across the river to the east side of town.

"Poor baby... haven't seen him in a few months.  I hope he doesn't miss me too much."

I hum quietly, looking to my side and spotting a pebble so I toss it into the water, watching it skip once before sinking.

"You're awful."

Quince snorts, throwing his own in.  Two skips.

"Can I ask you something though?"

"Shoot me."

I toss another in.

"How long is (dog's name) gonna live anyway?  You can tell right?  I mean, how couldn't you?"

"Q, I don't know.  Nor do I want to know."

"You're such a terrible liar."

"Don't even..."

"If I ask you how long I'll live, you won't hesitate."

"Six more years."

I say nonchalantly.

"SEE!"

He shouts, startling Tristan and dad.

"Hey you little fucker you owe me a fish!"

Dad curses, reeling his line back in.

"You heard him.  You owe a fish."

I get up, tipping Quincy into the water.

He screams and fell in forward, causing a loud SMACK!

Everyone around the river started laughing, except for Quincy when he surfaced the water, yelling at me again.

I only laugh, walking away.

I woke up again.  I really startled myself awake though but we're not gonna talk about that.  I quickly look out the window and notice the sun is a lot higher than it was earlier.  Shit!  I had forgotten all about Jean!

I scramble out of bed, jumping into my casual clothes and running out my door.

"Jean I'm so sorry!  I fell back asleep and forgot you were waiting on me!"

I yell as I make it outside, almost knocking into the front doors.

I was already out of breath by the time I made it out, hanging over my knees to catch my breath.

"You need to chill out.  It's only been an hour, now go get your horse.  I was grooming mine anyway, knowing you'd do this to me."

Jean chuckles, mounting his horse.  This is weird why is a horse on a horse.

I shake my head from the weird thoughts and go to do as he said.

Grabbing the reins and leading (h/n) out of his stall, we make our way out of the stables and out of the courtyard to leave.

While riding towards the end of town, I stare at the back of Jean's dirty blonde hair. This red started to dust over my vision, eventually pooling down, covering my sight.

"Jean... you're bleeding."

I say softly, my tone normal.

"I am? I don't remember hurting myself?"

Jean stops his horse, feeling around himself.

"Where?"

"Everywhere..."

I mumble.

"What do you mean?"

The male stops his horse, looking over his shoulder with a confused expression on his face.

"I... I just see it. There's blood all over you and I don't know why."

I explain softly, my stoic face not changing.

Jean's brows stitch together, staring at me for a few silent moments.

"You're... weirding me out, (f/n). I've never seen you... act like this?"

He mutters, slowly turning to face forward again, giving his reins a small whip.

My pink lips purse together, following suit momentarily.

We rode in silence for the remaining length of our trip.

Jean tried to make small talk as we made it to my home village.  But I blatantly ignored. Not on purpose, but because screams and cries were clogging my hearing. It was all in my head though.

Maybe that's why I saw blood covering Jean...

Once the screams faded into oblivion, it was replaced by familiar foreign whispers.

Whoever is there, you know I can't understand you.

The whispers continued, getting quieter and quieter.

"Jean..."

I mumble, staring at the cobblestone road as the horses clicked their way through.

"Hm?"

The blond hums, keeping his eyes forward.

"Do you speak French? Or understand any of it?"

"...Why? You like bilingual guys? If that's the case, then sure. I also speak Mandarin."

"Jean that's not why I'm asking..."

I shake my head, not helping the small chuckle that escaped my lips.  I really needed that dumb joke to at least relieve some of the trauma going on.

"I mean... there's this voice in my head. A whisper, really. I don't understand what it's saying."

"Well... I'm not fluent. But I know just a few key words."

"Ah. Okay."

I nod.

"Need me to translate something for-"

"Shh!"

I quickly hush Jean before he could finish.

A sudden thought crosses my mind.  I saw myself... running down a hall.  It looked to be one at HQ.  I was searching for something frantically, almost looking terrified.

What am I doing?  Why am I in a hurry?

The thought soon disappears and Jean's snapping his fingers in front of my face.

"Hey!  We're here."

He sighs once he got my attention back.

"Oh- right.  That was quick."

I note, hopping off my horse and tying him to a nearby post.

"Well... let's get this over with."

I mumble, taking a deep breath.

I suddenly startle awake, launching upwards from my once peaceful slumber.  My chest is falling and rising at an alarming rate, my heart beating rapidly beneath my skin.

Another awful nightmare, I suppose.  What was it about this time?

The next moment I find myself scurrying from the cheap bed, making a beeline for the door.  Once out, my feet carry me down the dimly lit hall, leading to somewhere I'm not even sure at the moment.

With my heart still racing and flooding my ears, everything is a confused blur.

I feel my voice rock from my throat, but nothing sounded remotely able to comprehend.  I thought I was underwater but I was most certainly above on the surface, almost running for my life.

Eventually I meet another door, raising my fists and pounding them both on the red wood.

Is this Captain Levi's office?

(Almost) all my questions were answered when he did in fact open the door, a scowl growing on his face.

"What is it cadet, go back to bed."

He snaps.

"Sir you don't understand!"

I interrupt, panting as my hands brace my knees.

"T-Titans!  Colossal!  It's back!"

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

『Word Count:』3,145

Wow it has been a MINUTE I swear it hasn't been that long???

Sorry this chapter is literally all over the place and just plain awful, I've just been itching to get a new chapter up forever and I just dunno what to do, I need fillers between my main plots 😔

/Speaking of plots, (f/n) gets trapped in her subconscious a lot lol/

Also this chapter is about 400 words shorter but I was just trying to at least get to 3,000 before ending it.

Hopefully I can start making some more decent chapters in the future and not go all over the place and actually have structured ideas, not just making up as I go along which I've been doing 😔😔

Anyway I won't keep you's here any longer, I hope you guys have a great summer if I don't update before then!

~AlpineBreadStick