Dangerous Territory

Abschiedsgeschenk

It was the morning of November 8th. To the east, the Americans were dropping bombs beyond the Seille. In his room, Eren still felt drugged as he lay in bed, staring straight up at the ceiling. He could hear the deep rumbles of the battle that was nearly at their doorstep.

Part of him wished one of those bombs would hit this hotel and end it all.

He realized it was nearly nine o'clock, so he forced himself to sit up in bed. Normally, he could drink the whole night and not feel sick in the morning. Now, his head throbbed, although he was unsure if that was from all the wine, or the crash of emotions.

He made a call to the barracks. Jarnach reported no issues and no changes. He urged Eren to rest and heal before they got sent out tomorrow.

Tomorrow!

This was his last full day in this city.

He felt so hollow inside.

Eren bathed, shaved, brushed his teeth, combed out his hair, and decided he really should go to the army's barber today. He had been putting it off, since Levi seemed to like playing with his longer hair.

That had been nice, but it was time to go back to being a soldier!

He dressed, pinned on his medals, tied the Knight's Cross around his neck, stomped his feet into his boots, tugged his cap on, and took a glance in the mirror.

That wasn't him looking back. It was some Nazi. Some mindless, faceless, generic Nazi.

Good! Hide everything!

He stepped out into the hallway and nearly ran into Jean.

"Oh! Kirschtein, good morning. How did you sleep?"

Jean rolled his bloodshot eyes and grumbled. "Worst night of my life. How about you?"

"I took one of Carly's pills that she gave me yesterday, slept like the dead, then woke up wishing I could join them. Are you heading out?"

"Yeah. It looks like the worst of the storm has passed. I'm going to get some food, then check on my men, make sure none of them caught a cold. How about you?"

Eren shook his head. "Jarnach reports that all are fine. I was thinking about going to see Armin." He glanced up and down the hall, but it was empty and the rooms quiet. "For one," he whispered, "let him know I'm not leaving."

"He knew?" asked Jean, and Eren nodded. "Of course you'd tell him. Were you planning to tell me?"

"Hell no."

"Bastard."

"I considered it," Eren admitted, "but I figured you'd talk me out of it."

Jean sighed and also glanced up and down the hall. "No, I might have asked to join you," he mumbled. "I'll check on my men, then look for the maps you were talking about last night."

Eren silently nodded. "I know where he will be, but I don't know how long he will stay there."

"Skip Armin for now. We'll both go to see him after I have stuff to show him. Find your little friend, tell him I will help. The sooner, the better. I don't even like knowing that they spent the night in that prison."

"There is some good news," said Eren. "I asked around last night. Trains aren't running. That's why supplies are so low. So at least they haven't already been deported to a camp."

"Shh!" Jean's ear shifted. Eren heard nothing, but he had learned to trust Jean's instincts. After a few seconds, Eren finally caught the sound of footsteps. "Let's go. If we need to talk more, we'll do it somewhere safe. Come on. I'll take you out for breakfast."