Flashback

"Woah you can talk to dead people?!"

Quincy exclaimed.  His (e/c) eyes as wide as saucers under a teacup.

"That's so cool!  What does grandpa say?!  Can you talk to the old king?"

I simply looked at my brother as he asked me all kinds of questions.  I had just told my dad last month that I was seeing weird people.  Specifically grandpa even though he died years ago.

My dad didn't believe me, not surprised there, and didn't say anything to the boys just yet.  He wanted to make sure I wasn't full of baloney like most children are.

After my visit with Dr. Jaeger, my dad was floored and decided that maaaybe he should listen to me and the doctor.  He was a professional, after all.

So here we are now.  My dad finally sat us all down and said I was strange, letting me explain what I could do.

"Um... I don't know..."

I only mumble, twiddling my thumbs.  I thought it was normal!  I couldn't even differ what was normal to me and to other people.

"Grandpa just visits me sometimes.  At nighttime.  And he just talks about whatever."

I shrug, looking between Tristan and Quincy.  T looked the most skeptical about it.

"But grandpa died. There's no way you can even see or talk to him!"

Tristan states, looking up at our dad.  He only shrugged as well.

"She proved Dr. Jaeger and I both wrong. I wouldn't call anything fake.  How else would she know?"

I nod a bit, pursing my lips as I swing my short legs around the chair.

"So now what?"

Quincy asks.

My dad sighs a little, reclining back in his own chair.

"We don't tell anyone.  Got it?"

"Why not?"

We all ask.

"It could be dangerous... the wrong person might find out and manipulate her."

"Oh..."

I look down at the mahogany stained table.

"Just... pretend like you don't have it?"

My dad suggests.

"But that's hard!  I always see them and it doesn't stop!"

"Surely it has to..."

"It doesn't!"

I whine, getting up to go back to my room.

I then sat down on my puffy mattress, covered with a large and thick quilt.  It seems like everyone thought I was some freak.

I didn't wanna be like this anymore.  I just wished I wasn't born like this and that I couldn't see the things that others couldn't.  Even if it meant no chance at seeing my mom from something that wasn't a picture. I was beginning to think I was cursed.  This sucked.

Flashback End

Ever since we trained out in the forest a few weeks ago, I kept having visions.  I mean, I always do, but about Captain Levi.

That red headed girl with the short pigtails was coming to me almost every day now.  I couldn't stop it!

She wanted me to talk to the Corporal for her but I was a bit hesitant.  Why would some random cadet in your squad walk into your office, asking about someone they used to know when no one else does.

Uh... kinda creepy if you ask me.  I don't want to sound like a stalker or accidentally get in trouble.  Anyone outside of my family finding out would be the equivalent of hell.  Aka life, I guess.

But you know what.  I was going to anyway.  I trust my Captain.  Maybe he wouldn't even answer the door anyway?  Who knows what will happen.

On my way to his office, an even better idea sparked.

What if I "got in trouble." I'd for sure have an excuse to be around him then!

But now the question was... how would I get in trouble. Maybe Jean would have an answer to that since he's always getting in trouble.

Time skip

After training, I met up with Jean during our break to brainstorm some ideas.

"Maybe you could..."

Jean thinks, bringing a finger up to his chin.

I watch him as he gathers ideas on how I can get in trouble.  This is so much easier when you're not actually trying.  Who knew this was so hard!

"Trash his office!"

He exclaims, waiting for my reaction.

"I think that's a little too extreme, horsey."

I only chuckle, waving it off.

Jean hums, nodding.

"Yeah... Well then how about you-"

"Go into the boy's dorms after sundown?"

We both sat in unison.  Eventually we started laughing.

"I think that could work.  God I hate those rules.  Isn't it strange?"

I sigh, sitting down on a pile of logs.

"It is.  Which is why it'll work!"

"Should we have a backup plan in case it doesn't work?"

I suggest.

Jean sits down with me.

"Not a bad idea.  Trash his office.  It's the most guaranteed one."

"Jean..."

I roll my eyes, laughing.  I couldn't help it.

That evening

As I walked the halls, I couldn't help but notice a thickness to the atmosphere.

Was there a window or door left open?  I didn't think it would be humid outside.

Before long, that heaviness got stronger and my head felt slightly off.

This is weird... a pinnacle of weird.

Suddenly I stumble to the wooden floor, violently coughing and choking.  Where did all of the oxygen go?  Why can't I breathe?

My skin was hot and red, splotches took form on my flesh as it burned and stung my nose.  My arms had strange marks on them. Like... chains. I could feel the pain seething into my bones.

Looking up with what little energy I had, the ceiling was gone.  It was pitch black above.  Where the hell did I go?

Before I could suffocate further, a rough grasp to my arm pulled me up, nearly giving me whiplash.

"What's gotten into you?!"

A familiar voice breaks through my hyperventilating.

"J-Jean...?"

I was able to answer, panting.

"(F/n) what the hell? You're supposed to be at the Corporal's office, not laying in the hallway, sounding like you ran a marathon!"

He snaps, clearly annoyed with me.

"J-Jean!"

I only repeat myself, latching myself to the taller/shorter man.

Jean was taken aback by my action, hesitantly putting a hand on my back.

"What's going on with you? You never do weird shit like this. At least in front of me."

He mutters.

"Sorry... I'm sorry..."

I whisper, looking back into his eyes.

"I don't know what happened... I was just strolling along... I... then I couldn't breathe anymore. It's like... I think someone was telling me they died in a fire?"

"Well who would tell you that?"

Jean makes a puzzled face, pulling back from me. I did the same, feeling bad for doing that to him.

"I don't know... I really don't know. But it was terrifying. I never want to go through that again. Hopefully whoever it was won't give me another flashback to their death."

Jean nods, rubbing the nape of his neck.

"We better get you back to your dorm then."

He suggests, looking around.

"It's almost nine anyway, they'll be doing a walk through to make sure we're all in bed and not messing around like us."

I inhale a deep breath and let it out slowly, nodding in agreement.

"You're right... your dorm is closer right? Can we stop there?"

I look back towards my friend.

"Um... sure? How come?"

"I need a distraction. And you're the person who's good at that. Plus I like different scenery."

Jean rolls his eyes, leading the way afterwards.

I really didn't want to bring up the fact that I saw a spider in my dorm before I left and lost it.

His light eyes pierced the woman's own terrified ones. The dim room cold, acting frozen.

Only sound of their shaking breaths filtered the air, sniffles every so often.

"I-I'm scared."

The woman confesses, shivering as she swallowed.

"I know... just let me help. Please let me help."

The man responds, hesitant to touch her.

"Y-You can't... you can't help me."

She struggled to stay conscious by now, the only warmth to her body was in her legs.

"Hey, hey don't do that! Stay up! Stay awake!"

The man snaps, heart racing as he quickly moved closer, lifting her upper body up.

"D-Don't... p-please stop!"

She gasps with a tiny, hurt voice.

"I'm sorry! You can't go now, stay here and I'll find help!"

Where's all this smoke coming from?

I lost track of time when hanging out with Jean in his and Conny's dorm. Conny had fallen asleep earlier while Jean and I continued to talk quietly.

"Sorry I flaked on your master plan."

I mention.

Jeans shakes it off.

"Don't worry.  You've got plenty of time anyway."

"What do you want to get out of this? Being in the Scouts?"

I change the subject, crossing my legs under me.

Jean thinks for a moment, pulling his legs up to his chest.

"I never even planned on joining this branch. I was set and ready to go into the MP. Then, I wound up here."

He shrugs, looking over at me.

"You never told me why, though."

I mention.

"Marco and I were supposed to go together."

He explains simply.

I nod, understanding now. I should have known it had to do with Marco.

"Right. That makes sense. It would suck going somewhere without that person. So... why not the Garrison then? That's the closest thing to it."

I chuckle.

Jean hums, shaking his head with a small crack of a smile.

"I hate to admit it but someone inspired me."

I look at Jean and nod again, finally seeing a boy with green eyes appear in my mind.

"Gotcha."

*Knock, knock, knock*

Shit.

"And there they are. Guess we're in trouble now."

Jean and I quietly laugh, the both of us getting up.

"Night, Pegasus."

I wave, heading towards the door.

"Pegasus?"

Jean tilts his head.

"That a new one."

"Yeah. I just figured a new nickname could be issued. Plus you look pretty when you actually fix your hair."

I snicker, turning the knob.

Jean's jaw hangs open, brows furrowed. I laugh again and exit, admitting to the hall monitor at the door that I broke a rule.

"What's my punishment?"

I woke up the next morning to rain tapping against my window. Rolling over, I opened my (e/c) eyes to see the rain drops racing each other down the glass.

I did/n't (your preference) like the rain, honestly.

It took everything out of me to sit up and leave my bed. It may be stiff and uncomfortable but I still enjoyed my sleep when I got it.

Sleep...

Huh, I didn't have a night terror/nightmare thing it seems. At least that I can remember of. When does that happen?

A smile slides across my face as I go over to the small dresser to pull out my uniform for the day.

Now that I think about it, not having a bad dream is probably not a good sign. What's going to come now?

On cue, I felt a presence behind me. I turn around to greet whoever was here today.

"Isabel?"

I ask, seeing her redhead come into vision once I made contact.

"Hiya!"

She exclaims, skipping over to me with a bright smile. Even gone from this Earth, she was still cheerful.

"What are you doing here so early?"

I ask, glancing back into my drawer to pick up my belts and set them on top of the dresser.

"I heard you're going to see my big bro today! Will you tell him hi for me finally?"

Oh. Right.

"Um... maybe."

I hesitate.

"Maybe?"

Isabel repeats, confused.

"I don't know yet, Isabel. I don't know if I should do that."

Isabel didn't look pleased with my answer. She crosses her arms over her chest, pouting.

"I'm sorry. Maybe one day I can. But I don't know if that should be today."

I try to make light of it. I hoped she would understand.

"But... you always say that to me.  I don't get it? You can talk to me for a reason and you won't help me?"

"Isabel, it's not..."

I bite my bottom lip, thinking.

"I can't risk my life at this time... right now.  Trust me, I want to help!  But I can't... I just can't tell him yet.  I thought I told you this already?"

I answer sincerely.

Isabel had her lips pursed, arms still crossed over her chest. She wasn't making any eye contact for the longest time.

Finally when I blinked, she was gone.

"I'm sorry, Isabel."

I mumble, returning to my uniform to change before I head to breakfast.

When I open my door to leave, Jean's already there, fist up and ready to knock.

"Oh, hey! So what trouble are you in?"

He asks, stepping aside for me.

"Well, I have to see the Corporal for that info. I just know I have chores."

I shrug with a chuckle.

Jean nods, leading the way to the mess hall.  I follow suit, walking alongside him.

"Who were you talking to?"

Jean nudges my arm with his elbow.

I look up/down at him, laughing at his dumb side smile.

"A girl-"

"A giiiirl?  Is she cute?"

"Jean!"

I laugh, elbowing him back but in the ribs.

"Ow!  I was just curious!"

Jean frowns, rubbing his side.

"No, I mean, ugh it's none of your business."

I chuckle again, continuing on.

"A girl who shows up every so often to talk to me."

"Oh, oooh... you mean like... one of those... people?"

Jean makes a face.

I nod my head, looking to him.

"Yeah. Her name's Isabel.  I think she's fairly young, I don't know exactly.  She's nice and very energetic.  Cheerful too."

Jean was listening intently.

We both make it to the mess hall and he pushes the door open with his back, stepping in.  I come in after, looking around.

"Hm.  Smells like the usual moldy bread and gross soup."

Jean remarks, scrunching his nose.

"I thought you liked the potato soup though?"

"That's the only decent thing we have."

He sighs, heading up to the counter where some people were already in line to get their breakfast.

We each grab a tray and pick a slice of bread, apple, and tomato soup.  I honestly miss home-cooked meals.

"How is this not a health code violation?"

I ask, not looking forward to the food at all.

"No idea.  But you get used to it.  I don't taste it anymore."

Jean shrugs, scoping around for a table.

We find two open seats across from each other and sit down, ready to indulge.

"Bon appétit."

Jean gives a pursed lip grin.

I raise my slice of bread up, biting into it after.

Mmm.  Almost tastes stale.

Jean and I barely finish our food, clearly wanting to gag than swallow but we had balls so we did it anyway.

I'd rather be face to face with a Titan than eat another one of these meals.

We got up to throw away our leftovers, placing the trays on a separate counter before heading out.

"Hey I'll see you at lunch maybe.  Hopefully my chores aren't too long.  If not, dinner?"

I look over to Jean.

Jean nods, waving.

"Yeah definitely."

We eventually go our separate ways and I start my journey to the Corporal's office.

I make it down the first hallway and to the staircase.  I go up the steps and stop at the second to last one.

Something felt off.

I give it half a second before finishing and climb the last step.  Immediately, I got pulled to the side by my wrist.

I yelp, snapping my gaze up from the floor to see my Corporal.

"C-Captain Levi?"

I pant, my heart still beating fast from the scare it gave me.  Even though I should have been expecting it.

Captain Levi turns back around and pulls me the rest of the way to his office, throwing me inside and letting the door swing shut behind us.

"What the hell- Captain what are you doing?"

I look at him with big eyes, rubbing my red wrist from his death grip once he let go.

"Where the hell did you hear about that."

Was all he answered with, glaring into my soul with his grey eyes.

"Hear what?"

I shake my head, genuinely confused.

"You know what I'm talking about, don't act like a dumbass now, (l/n)."

I stare back at my Corporal with an obscure expression.

It wasn't hard to notice he didn't like where this was going.

"Could you at least tell me what you're talking about...?  Sir, I really don't know."

I try asking calmly, still kind of freaked out.  I had no clue where this would go and how it will affect my career.

Corporal Levi's glare lingers for a moment until he finally, somewhat, breaks his demeanor.

"A girl."

Was all he had to say before it made total sense to me.

Wait, how did he know?

"O-Oh."

Was all I could muster out, my face turning pink from it.

"Who told you about her.  And why would someone tell you."

"Y-You see... um..."

My thoughts were going a hundred different places in every passing second and I couldn't focus on one.

What am I going to tell him?  Fess up and speak the truth, possibly resulting in death?  Lie about it... and also possibly result in death?  I'm in a lose-lose situation...

"I... I heard her name somewhere...?"

"Bullshit."

The Corporal sighs, crossing his arms just like she did.

I couldn't help but giggle.

"What's so funny?"

His sharp eyes narrow even more.

I quickly straighten myself out, clamping my mouth shut.

"You um... you two both do that..."

I answer with a soft tone, unlike him.

A brow of his raises.  My Corporal, confused?  When does that happen?

"Oh- I mean-"

And you've done it now.

I mentally slap myself across the face, cursing out as well.  Dumb idiot.

"How the fuck would you know that either?"

Someone please get a pen and paper so I can write my will.

I bounce my head from left to right, the inside of my cheek sore from previously biting on it as well.

"You should sit down for this."

I finally make eye contact with my Captain again.

Flashback

The man looks down at the small baby laying in the cot. On the side of it was a name tag with other basic information. He glanced to the paper and grins softly, mouthing the name.

"Such a perfect name."

He says quietly, carefully picking up the infant.

The baby whines for a second before settling down on his shoulder.

"Shh, it's alright. We should find your mother."

The man stayed with the infant for awhile until he knew he lost security.  He didn't want to leave, however his sons were still out there waiting.

"Boys we're leaving now."

The man's children look up towards him from their seats.

"Already?"

The youngest asks.

The man nods and quickly walks out the door, the boys following right after.

"Why can't we see..."

Flashback end

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

『Word Count:』3,205

Kind of a short chapter but hey it's something.

I'm really happy to be writing again and finding new ideas! I was worried this book wouldn't survive even though it lost the hype :')

Until next time, loves <3

~AlpineBreadStick