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

Chapter 26 - The sounds of screeching

A breath escapes my mouth, bringing me back to the present, the metallic taste of blood lingers in my mouth. My body feels ready to die, but my soul egers me to keep fighting, like Nick said 'I'm too stubborn to die, not until see what's past those damned walls that is.' And ever since I got my first taste, there is no way I'm going to die before I go back to see more, more sunsets, more forests, more rivers, more stars, more of everything. Nick is at the core of my motivation, I want to, need to keep going for him. He is the reason I have made it this far, so there is no way in hell I'm going to give up now. I need to evolve, move forward, and leave the traumatic memories of the past in the past. He is gone and I'll never see him again, but his memory will keep on living in my head, and right now that is all I need to keep fighting.

"I told you, you shouldn't be here," Rosette mutters next to me. I'm back, back from my last memory of Nick, back from that day. I realise I'm in Armin arms, however he slowly lowers me onto the rooftop with my head resting on some sort of pillow.

"Stop, I'm fine." I mumble frustratedly wiping my face with my good arm which feels stronger than before. It feels as though that flash back of Nick has given me the energy I need to keep going.

"Until you can stand up on your own for ten minutes minimum, you will lie here like this. I also need to tighten the belt around your arm." Rosette demands. Shit. I roll my eyes with a scoff, she notices, I was hoping to deal with that without involving anyone else.

A shadow casts over me making me look up to see Gen hovering over my side, the sight of a more familiar face gives me some reassurance.

"You're going to be ok." She whispers quietly, placing her hand on my knee.

"Oh my god," I hiss at everyone irritated, no longer caring that they are just trying to help, I'm done being weak.

"I don't need everyone's sympathy or pity." I snap at no one in particular.

"You're not weak, Zariya, if that's what you're worried about. You're one of the strongest and bravest people I've ever met." Armin states quietly.

"Tsk, sure I am. This is totally what a strong person looks like." I whine. I know what they are doing, Armin is trying to distract me so Rosette can fix my belt but it's definitely not working.

I lie there complaisantly, not bothering to scold them again. I look at Armin beside me, his golden blonde hair has fallen in front of his face so I can't see his eyes as he studies Rosette's handy work. He looks over to me but I quickly move my gaze, I jump in my skin as I feel Armin gently place his hand atop my clenched fist. His hands are ice cold, making my hands feel like fire against his. I quickly intertwine my fingers with his trying to take away some of the coldness from him. In response he holds my hand tightly, reassuringly, I look up from our hands to see Armin already staring back at me. He gives me a comforting smile, trying to put me at ease, however I know my pain is far from over.

"I'm really sorry about this Zariya." Rosette apologies, adjusting her grip on the belt around my arm but my eyes are still locked with Armin's. I tear my eyes away from the ocean of blue that lies in his iris before looking at Rosette.

"I can do it myself." I demand, reluctantly pulling my hand from Armin's reaching for the belt. However before I can reach it, Rosette quickly grasps the belt pulling it towards herself overwhelming me with pain. My hand slams into the roof and I clench my teeth as hard as I can to keep the tears away. I have cried enough for one day. Regardless of how hard I clench my teeth or how many times I smash my fist into the ground, I fail to not cry. The agony from my arm eats me whole, there is nothing else I can think about. I try to think about Nick or Armin or anything, but nothing works, my mind continues to return to the pain.