ONE ʙʏ ONE 𝟸 : ᗩᗷᑌᔕᗴ ᗩᔕƳᒪᑌᗰ

ғᴏᴜʀ

After a long week, Eren had finally gotten used to everybody. He began to tolerate Jean, but it was rare for them to carry on a deep conversation. He stuck close to Zeke more than anyone. Eren was distant from Christa, still not believing anything she said about being a murderer, despite the news confirming it.

The staff weren't nice at all. They'd forget to feed their group often, and some days, they'd skip their medication. The therapist assigned to them would insult them more than offer help. The therapist would come in every other day istead of everyday as he was told.

Eren sat close to Zeke as the therapist got everyone together for a group session. Christa was silently glaring at the man, but Jean's eyes stayed glued on Eren. Zeke felt bad for him, but until Eren remembered, he had to keep Jean at a distance. If Eren lost control, he'd be sedated and put into a straight jacket.

"How are we all doing this morning," The psychiatrist greatly half-cheerful.

Nobody answered.

"Well, our last session, we talked about our upbringing, some talked more than others." He looked towards Zeke and Eren. "But today, I think we should strike the main reason why you're here."

The four teens darted their head up at the man, knowing the name about to slide off his tongue.

"Now, I want you all to stay calm. Saying his name won't bring him here." The psychiatrist snickered. "You guys treat it like taboo."

"I don't know why. Levi has done nothing wrong!" Eren defended, crossing his arms.

Christa shot back, "He murdered Mikasa...and Sasha...a-and Y-Ymir!"

"That wasn't him! I know he's being framed!"

Zeke felt that it was time to admit what he had been holding back. "Eren, he did." Eren gaped at the man. "He was gonna kill me too, but you got out of your binds and saved us."

Zeke tried to reach out and comfort Eren, but the teen stood and shuffled over away from him.

"And to think, I almost considered you a friend. I know Levi's a bit aggressive, but he'd never kill anyone!"

A couple of nurses on stand-by cackled loudly, not caring about the patients hearing them. One rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone to ignore them. Eren glared daggers at them.

Jean quietly wondered, "Eren, what is the last memory you have of Levi?"

Eren thought for a moment. "It's a bit spotty. I remember peices of it, but I think the most recent that's coming to mind is at school. He...He pushed that bookcase onto you...accidentally."

"Jeez, he knocked an entire week back?" Jean gasped.

"What? Who?"

Eren raised a brow at the teen, but instead of telling him, he brushed it off. The psychiatrist finally intervened, kind of hoping that they'd settle down.

"Eren," He began. "How would it feel to know that during Levi's trail, he pled guilty to all accusations."

"W-What?"

"He did. Levi Ackerman admitted to murdering all those people and kidnapping you." The psychiatrist paused. "Eren, do you feel happy hearing Levi's name?"

Eren furrowed his brow, thinking of Levi. His name, his face, his voice, it was calming at first and then a spike of fear would suddenly shoot through him. He remember driving with him, sitting next to him in class, and even when they first met when he moved to Maria. The memories were bouncing between warm and cold.