You're Not Alone

•15•

I look up and to the side, seeing Jean. He staring at the scene in front of us. His eyes are worried, but he's confident in Armin. I am too.

"You don't need any proof!" Armin yells. " The fact of the matter, is it doesn't matter what we perceive him to be!"

"What?" Woerman questions.

" The report say hundreds of soldiers saw him. And those who say they saw him fighting other titans! And that means they saw him get swarmed by the Titans as well. To put it plainly, the Titans saw him the same way they see each and every human being; as pray! And it doesn't matter how you look at it! That is an irrefutable fact!"

Armin has everyone's attention. He's right. I was there... Eren was being treated as an enemy to the Titans. I feel Jeans hands tighten on my waist. I hadn't realized he was still holding me.

"Kids got a point," a guy from the Garrison agrees.

I watch as the soldiers begin to relax and bring their blades down. Realizing they know he isn't a threat to humanity. No one was attacked by him... he only went after other Titans. What about that speaks threat? These people have no reason to not trust Armins words.

"Prepare to attack!" Woerman yells an order. "Don't let yourself be swayed by his cunning lies! The Titans behavior has always been beyond our comprehension. I wouldn't put it past 'em to assume human form. He's speaking our language in an attempt to deceive us! I refuse to let them constitute this behavior unchecked!"

The guards raise their blades again, feeding into what the captain is saying. How could they just go with his orders? They know what's right! These soldiers are bigger idiots than the guy holding me from behind.

I kick Jean in the shin and let's me go. His breath hisses as he grabs onto his leg. I stumble forward and run past the captain and the other Garrison members. They gasp at the suddenness of my presence.

I run towards Armin, joining him by his side. He stares at me, his eyes wide and worried, but he seems relieved to see me. I look at Eren behind the blonde boy, Mikasa sitting next to my brother. I give them a nod and face the crowd of soldiers. All of them ready to kill on Woermans command.

My right hand cross over to my heart with a fist;

"I am a soldier!" I yell as loudly and as confident as possible. I see Jean staring at me, his eyes pleading me to stop. "And I have dedicated my heart to the restoration of humanity, sir! Nothing could make me prouder than dying for such a noble cause! If we were to use his Titan ability and combine it with the man power we have left, I believe we can do it! We can retake this city! For humanity's glory, in what little time I have left to live, I will advocate his strategic value!"

My throat burns from the screaming and the pleading for my brothers life. My body is shaking from adrenaline. Armin places his hand on my shoulder, showing he's right here with me.

I can't tell them I can also shift... not yet. Not until I know Eren is safe. I watch as they talk amongst themselves. I can't hear anything... but I pray it's to help Eren.

The Garrison have their guns pointed at me, but I'm not afraid. Not anymore. I'm ready to die... again... for my brother.

Jean has joined the others back on the roof. I make eye contact with them. Jean and Marco both look at me with worried and expecting expressions. I know they're on my side... but I also know they won't defend this cause. Not now. They have their own lives to look out for. Who's to blame them? We're all just strangers looking out for ourselves. But not me... I'm looking out for my family.

I watch Woerman raise his hand to signal the attack on us. My heart stops and I close my eyes, ready for death, but nothing happens. My eyes open again and I see a tall bald man holding onto Woermans arm.