Left Behind (Erwin Smith X Reader)

Chapter 7: Breathe

Authors Note: Hello ahaha like I said I wont be updating as much now that school is back. Also anyone who is reading this that is around the DC area I hope you are safe and doing ok. Today was crazy and lets hope it does not get worse. (Jan 6 2021)

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

3rd Person POV

Albert was left to go find his two previous comrades by himself. Against his captains request of course. Albert was never the type of guy to follow orders unless there was good cause. Even though he never vocally objected when it came time he went with his gut. He would often leave other garrison soldiers to sit and drink while he tried to do paperwork because of a gut feeling. Later on these soldiers would get caught and reprimanded. His gut was normally right. As for now though it may have been poison. He felt anxiousness ooze through him as he retraced his steps to try to find at least Leon or Ingrid. As he swung around a corner that consisted of a destroyed house he noticed a trail of blood. Landing on the ground he sees ODM gear laying on the ground as well as the half eaten entrails of someone. He picked up the ODM gear and took a look at the area in which a name tag was located.  He didn't even need to fully look at the full name to realize that those entrails that was quietly sitting next to his boot were in fact his friend's. Albert's face didn't move a muscle even though he felt his chest squeeze and the pure amount of panic that seized his body in that moment. Instead he tore the name tag off best he could and stuffed it in his pocket as remembrance.  The tall emotionless male continued to retrace his step as he flew over Trost. Eventually though he met his doom just like the two ill fated soldiers before him.

A titan was ogling from below as Albert's large frame came into view. And almost as a shark jumps out of the water to catch its prey the titan did the same. Jumping up it managed to snatch Albert's lower half as he screamed out in pain. A shrill of a sad man had came out from him. Thus attracting titans who were locally in the area. Two other titans had joined in on the meal. Ripping Albert to shreds. Firstly his elbow down was bit off. Causing the man to cry out even more than he already had. As the titans continued to tear him apart Albert was the loudest he had ever been in his life. Eventually his screams turned into hoarse sobs as his vocal chords became damaged. He was sad that not only he lost a friend, he lost his friends name tag as he will now be forgotten. Just another number in a statistic of lives lost. So sickening how life must be so unfair. Someone once said that "It is only through the eyes of others that our lives have any meaning" and in this moment Albert never felt it to be more true. As others had seen him as quiet, maybe not even seen him at all. Thus his life was meaningless.  But in his final moments he was loud, maybe if he had been like this his whole life he would have some kind of meaning and not just another one of humanity's sacrifices.

On the other side of Trost Natalie and (Y/N) had finally stopped for a break. Both were bruised scratched and traumatized but still ready to continue. (Y/N) took a few steps and was ready to come off the roof of the building she was occupying until one of the basics of cadet training crossed her mind. Her gas. She realized at this moment her gas tank was nearly empty and with none to spare she would need to find a way to refuel. Same with Natalie. As both women pondered how to solve this idea Cadets came flying by. Noticing they were headed towards the HQ she decided her and her counterpart would storm it as well. Even though titans crawled on the outside it was possible they could make it. So after taking a 5 second breather (Y/N) spoke " We are going to head for HQ we need supplies as well as to support the Cadets." (Y/N) stared away from Natalie towards the HQ. Meanwhile the short curly haired girl bandaged up some wounds she had sustained blocking out what her captain had just said.

"Hey soldier did you hear what I said?" (Y/N) commanded strongly

Natalie's head popped up as she realized what was happening. She walked over to the older woman and staired in the same spot as the other female.

"Of course captain." With that Natalie fired off a hook and so did (Y/N) making their way towards the HQ. Eventually along their travels both ladies were faced with seeing  Cadets try to fight their way out of the titans mouths and as elders both of them tried to cut down the beasts. Resulting in less gas and blades to spare. As well as all of the half eaten teenagers not making it. At one point they stopped. (Y/N)'s legs were burning and Natalie's wound started to seep through the bandage.

(Y/N)'s POV

I look to the side of me to noticed a hunched over Natalie. Her face was tainted with pain. But it was obvious she was trying not to show it. I looked around her as my hamstrings were screaming for a break. Something they haven't done since the first year in the academy and yet here we are. I looked around and noticed hardly any titans within range of us and decided to plop down on the roof of the building we were on with a huff.

"Captain this isn't the time for a break we need to keep movin-" I dismissed her with the wave of my hand "Take a seat it won't hurt." She looked at me reluctantly. Her blue eyes studied my expression then the town. She was obviously worried but once again tried not to show it. Finally she sat down next to me only to eventually laid flat so she faced the sky. We sat in the silence of death and destruction. 

"You know Captain the sky is pretty when its not littered in blood." 

I sighed and stared up. The pure about of times I have seen the crimson red color being splattered upwords could not be counted by a rational person.

"Have you ever seen the sky at night Natalie?" I responded as another scream rang from some direction that I didn't seem interested in finding out about.

"Yes but only surrounded by walls and in the middle of lights. It is not that great as everyone says." She smiled and continued " You know I wanted to join the scouts when I was younger, I wanted to see everything this world had to offer. But ever since the day Shiganshina  fell I felt like I needed to stay here. At the time I was a cadet and heard how the Garrison handled the situation and only felt guilt. Guilt for all the people they didn't save. So in the end I decided I wanted to join the Garrison to at least give one more person a chance at life even if I die in the process." I simply hummed as a response.

"Captain have you ever seen the sky at night?"

"Well kid I haven't. I never look up enough to take it in. At night the only thing I see is comfort for a few hours until hellish heat rises and starts these beasts back up again. But since it gives me comfort I bet it is beautiful."

Her voice died down as she asked me the last question."Captain would you say anything that gives you comfort is beautiful?" I put my hands behind my head and laid back.

"Of course."