The Devil is Watching You

•24•

The city of Trost was much like Liberio, so it was nice to be somewhere that felt similar to where you grew up. Armin was also right about arriving around dinner time. The sun is just starting to set.

Your stomach is currently rumbling quietly, but due to being nervous about getting transferred inside the walls and worrying about where the kids are, you have no appetite.

"They have the best tea," Armin leans down into your shoulder, pointing towards a small shop on the side of the street with pretty red flowers sitting in boxes outside the large windows.

You want to focus on what he's saying, but you're distracted by his shoulder brushing against yours. The close proximity making your thoughts get all clouded.

"Maybe I can take you there this week," he smiles warmly.

"Oh, sure..." you nod absentmindedly.

Armin leans away and gazes to his right, watching the people we pass on the way towards the Headquarters. You take note of all the small groups of people gathered by businesses, ranting on about how the government has locked away "Paradis' Savior".

Hange lowers herself into the wagon, obviously trying to hide from the complainers. It must be stressful for her right now, having to be the Commander during this time.

"Here," Armin shrugs off his green jacket and wraps it around you, pulling the hood up. He faces you head on and closes the sides of the hood around your face to conceal your identity. "It's best no one realizes who you are. Everyone's on edge and I don't want them taking it out on you. Just keep your head down."

You hug your arms around your waist and tilt your head down, staring at your brown lace up boots that hit your mid shin. There's a little bit of dirt on the sides and you make a mental note to clean them later.

"Not too much longer," Armin reassures you. "We're almost there."

"Okay," your eyes drift out towards the buildings lining the street, admiring them. Back home you weren't allowed to wonder around outside your designated zone, so you were stuck seeing the same buildings everyday. It's refreshing to see new things.

Another few minutes pass and you start to realize that there's shouting up ahead. You try to look out of the corner of your eye to peak at what's going on, doing your best to keep your head down.

"It's the Commander!" Someone shouts and the wagon we're riding on comes to a stop.

"Stay back," Jean orders the crowd that is in the middle of the street, blocking our way. There's probably a dozen or so citizens with angry faces directed at the scouts.

"We have the right for answers!" A women shouts up at Jean as he towers over her on his horse.

"You'll get all the answers when we have them," Connie steps in. "We ask that you please move out of the way so we can continue."

"We are tax payers, we are entitled to know what our money is being wasted on. Apparently it's going towards sticking innocent people in jail," the burley looking man at the front scoffs.

"Please be patient," Hange stands. "We're in the dark just like you. Once we know more we'll let you in on everything, but for now I need you to step aside so we can get through."

"Why the hurry?" The man looks into the wagon, first at Hange, then Armin, and finally his eyes land on yours. You look back down, trying to avoid his gaze. "You hiding something?"

"No," Hange stands and stares at the mob. "Let us pass."

"Why the rush, Commander?" Another man steps forward.