Thanatophobia |Levi Ackerman|

Chapter 2

We had sailed through the canal and the gate shut shortly after. I could hear the chaos growing quieter as we got deeper behind the wall. Eren and Mikasa had come over once they realized we were also on the boat. We all hugged for what felt like hours because we were so thankful just to have even been alive. Eren had told us his mom was eaten by a Titan, he and Mikasa had to watch the whole thing before a member of the Garrison unit had taken them back.

No one had any words for comfort, Armin's grandmother didn't appear to be on the boat so just like that we all had been missing someone. Over half of Shiganshina had been locked inside the outer wall to be left for dead. Thousands of people were now locked into a cage left for Titan food. My skin wanted to crawl at the mere thought.

I hardly processed much of anything by the time we made it to Wall Rose. The sun was setting and I could see many others fast asleep on the boat. Open fields stretched out for miles and I only worried about if they'd be left peaceful like this. I had no idea how long it would be before they made their way into this wall too.

My mind thought back to my home. My bedroom was a safe place where I could hide from the reality and thoughts I faced. Before a bad grade, a scary dream, or missed arrival of my father could make or break my day, but I could always go to my room and that's where I was safe and calm. Now it was surely buried under rubble and bloodshed.

I almost chuckled at how foolish it all seemed now. How I had sat still for so long, thinking foolish things like that we're all I had to worry about. Meanwhile Titans constantly stood outside the walls I called home. They sat waiting ready to destroy my home in a matter of minutes. Now I was left alone with no one but my 3 friends and the clothing on my back. I had no idea where my father was or where I'd even begin to start trying to find him.

"Hey, I think we're close." Eren said solemnly as he looked over the edge of the boat towards the wall I could only assume was Wall Rose.

"It's taller than I thought." I said flatly.

"Hopefully tall enough." He said looking down at the blood still on his hands.

"You okay?" I asked him a little unsure if I should press with that question so soon.

"I don't know." He said shaking his head looking back out at the scenery.

Mikasa had fallen asleep beside Eren and her head rested on his lap as her messy and soot filled hair sprawled around her. Armin had made another round on the boat trying to find his grandmother, but this was his third attempt. If she was here he would have found her hours ago.

"I saw my mom eaten alive by a Titan. She was stuck under the house and I tried to get her out but- I don't want to talk about it." He said clearly getting overwhelmed by it all.

"I'm sorry Eren." I said nudging him.

"I'm joining the Scouts, when we're old enough I'm signing up." He said and I was confused.

"Eren, you just saw what the Titans could do. You can't actually want to join them still." I said sitting forward.

"I have to, I can't let the Titans take away my home ever again. Not like they did today." He said balling a his fists up in his lap.

"Eren we have 3 years until we even need-"

"I've made up my mind Akira, I made my choice before today even happened. What they did to my home today just lit a fire under me." He said and I couldn't see his eyes, they were focused. "It switched something inside of me."

"Mikasa wouldn't let you." I said looking down at her sleeping peacefully.

"I don't plan on asking for permission. I'd rather ask for forgiveness." He said looking down at her. "You're telling me today made you change your mind about joining?"