The Walls We've Built - ◈ ARMIN ARLERT X OC ◈

Chapter 18 - Confrontation

{Hello, this is quite a long chapter, so sorry in advance :)}

The dim candle lights cast shadows across everyone's faces as we stand silently in the spacious dining hall. I stare down Gen and Jacob who share a series of confused looks, as if they are having a conversation of their own in their mind. I return my attention to Commander Erwin and Reiner, "So, Reiner, is it fair for us to assume that Rosette and Krista came from a direction in close relation to the one the Female Titan fleed in?" Erwin ponders, staring at Reiner. "Y-Yes," he hesitates, "Yes. That would be correct." He finally finishes assure of himself. I scoff under my breath knowing that he is lying, he has to know he is as well but why?

"No." I say quietly, but loud enough for Erwin to hear me, his head snaps in my direction searching everyone's faces. I step forward with my head down so I am standing in front of Reiner. When I finally look up, Erwin's eyes narrow looking directly at me. "I'm sorry, but Reiner is wrong." I say putting my hands down on the table looking back at him, Erwin looks over his shoulder to Hange whispering something to her. He looks back at me and raises his hand gesturing to me, "and why would that be Miss Whitlock?" He questions me further, I go to speak but he cuts me off. "Unless you have physical proof that this potential accusation is wrong. Everything said will just be your word against Reiner's. In other words, meaningless." Erwin finishes boldly.

"But that's not fair!" Krista cries from behind me. How do I explain that I remember where they came from like a photo in my mind, I know what direction it was I could draw the scene but to them my memory is not solid enough evidence. Jacob shakes his head, "This isn't a matter of what's fair, Krista. It's a matter of who is a threat to our regiment and our mission and how we plan on...removing them from the equation." He says with a smug smirk on his face, "I swear to every god you believe in, if you lay a hand on her-" Jean begins filled with anger moving towards Jacob. Rosette quickly grabs his arm pulling him back.

"Surely there is a more civilised way of dealing with the situation at hand." Armin explains, stepping forward next to me. "I don't know how to explain it but I can see where they came from in my head! It's like a photograph that stays in my mind! I could show you the exact place they came from but-" I cry but no one seems to believe me, they all stare at me with blank expressions on their faces. Erwin eyebrows burrow as he looks at me with an expression of utter confusion. I look over to Armin who has the same look across his face, does no one understand what I am seeing? I look down at the ground standing back allowing Erwin to continue. "I am not the type of commander who simply accuses my Scouts for the fun of it Miss Whitlock, I have considered all the facts of this situation and have decided to make an educated guess of where this threat is coming from." He says to everyone but directs his words to me, I quickly nod my head forcing the lump in my throat to stop from rising any high.

"Shouldn't I be able to say something?" Rosette exclaims, pushing past Jean but still keeping hold of his wrist, but Erwin brushes her off. "We are not asking for your version of the story, Rosette." He says getting frustrated. "I get why you're asking the others and all, but don't you think I should be explaining where I was? Or, better yet," She scoffs, "the person who was assigned with me?!" She argues. "And what if she is your ally? Her word is just as meaningless as yours!" A faceless person challenges from the shadows of the group. "Exactly my point." Erwin gestures to the direction the voice came from, I am just about ready to search the group of people myself to find that imbecile. "Well you're being biassed." Gen states abruptly, everyone's attention shifts to her.

"Excuse me?" Levi says standing in front of Erwin, "What did you just say about your commander?" He asks defensively. Gen steps forward from her side of the table "I'm saying, 'your' commander is wrong. This is not how you deal with this type of situation. If he is going to accuse his own Scouts for the fun of it like he said he doesn't, he should at least do it tastefully. Which isn't done by attacking a 15 year old girl without any physical proof like he required from Zariya." She continues confidently. "If you think this behaviour is acceptable, you are dearly mistaken," Levi threatens moving towards her but Hange pulls him back. "I understand what you are saying but I was never asking Zariya, I directed my question to Reiner. She chose to answer." Erwin rebuts.

"You obviously don't understand what I am saying, because if you did you wouldn't be contradicting everything you have said." Gen spits at Erwin leaving him speechless. "And besides, hasn't anyone noticed the biggest elephant in the room? My goodness, how blind can everyone be?" She marches over to Rosette, my eyes follow her every move. Stopping in front of Rosette "This," she gestures to the gash across her face. "Titans, as we know, have the ability to heal their wounds. While you may say 'she could just not heal it', this is where we ask Krista." Looking over her shoulder to Krista with a blank expression on her face she continues. "Krista, do you know how this happened?" Krista's eyes widened, shifting her posture before answering in an assertive tone, "Yes. She was riding with Jean's horse attached to her own, when things got out of hand. She was thrown off and hit the ground." Gen nods her head with a smirk, I see where she is going with this, she is gonna show Erwin and the others that Rosette is not the Female Titan with her wound!

"Ok, thank you Krista," she pauses and turns, pointing at Jacob and the other Scouts. "Now, no one can say otherwise, since no one else was there. Also, do you mind taking off the dressing?" Gen addresses Rosette directly. Rosette quickly nods in response, peeling back the bandage on her face. Gen moves closer to her inspecting the wound thoroughly, her nose is practically touching Rosette's cheek making her move away a bit. I told her she needs glasses, she is actually blind. I roll my eyes, scoffing under my breath. Gen quickly pulls away from Rosette's face, making her jump. "Logically, would that not be a little more healed inside if she was a titan?" She finishes, clasping her hands together rightfully, strolling back to her side of the table.

"I see. It's a piece of evidence, but I wouldn't say it's a very solid one." Erwin lets out a long breath but his posture remains intact. I eye him down, how can he still think that! That's the most solid piece of evidence anyone has presented! My gaze drifts to Mikasa who is standing behind Hange with Sasha and the others. I search their faces for Eren but he isn't anywhere to be found. Considering his condition when I last saw him, I assume he is in the recovery ward fast asleep.

"I need some air." Rosette whispers to no one in particular, exasperated. I look away from Mikasa returning my attention to her. She lets go of Jean's wrist, which I didn't know she was holding, and turns back towards a different door from the one we entered. She reached the door knob when I hear Levi from over my shoulder, "Where are you going?" He asks bluntly, I look back at Rosette to see her leaving the room. Levi moves forward to follow her but I step forward with a hand up to stop him. "I think you have asked enough questions, Captain." I snap at him, I am done with their bullshit tonight. I look over at Gen who is staring at me, I jolt my head in the direction Rosette left and she nods in response. "Thanks for the great conversation, Commander." Gen calls over her shoulder as we walk towards the door.

I catch Armin's ocean blue eyes, he looks at me with awe or disgust, I can't really tell. He opens his mouth to speak but I turn away before he can say anything. We reach the door and I pull it open gesturing for Gen to go first, she slightly bows before continuing through, "Why thank you my kind lady." My eyes widen and I can feel heat rapidly rising to my cheeks, I look back at Erwin to see Hange next to him with a wide smile across her face, amused. I look back at Gen aggressively pushing her through the door and quickly slipping through it after her.