lover's trail | annie leonhart

3 | discovery

LOVER'S TRIAL
chapter 3

TRIGGER WARNING:
• mentions of suicide

it's been two hours since niko had ran away. soren and yourself have been running around trost, searching from him. but he is no where to be seen. there was only one place you haven't checked yet. it was near one of the corners of the wall, it had a small, sturdy tree and a run down fountain. dashing towards said location it got quieter and quieter as you made the way towards your destination. the only sound that could be heard was yours and soren's soft pants and the pitter patter of footsteps.

you could faintly make out the silhouette of the tree. nearing towards the tree you could make out a long floating shadow. your heart began to pound faster in your chest, fearing for what was about to be discovered. slowing down and eventually skidding to a stop, your heart ached. there, on the tree branch was niko hanging. looking away you turned to set your gaze on soren. his eyes were wide and mouth agape he soon made eye contact with you. sending a message with your eyes, you both decided to alert a soldier of what had happened.

a layer of silence took over the atmosphere as you both mindlessly walked. soren cleared his throat and asked a question in a shaky tone. "why would he tell us what happened before he would do that?" "maybe he wanted to get it out of his chest. i understand why he would do what he did, he lost everything. still, i hoped to at least get to know him a bit." you explained as you exhaled deeply. "the titans are horrible....they'll take away your family and leave you with nothing. that's a lie. they'll leave you with a load of trauma." he explained as his eyes went downcast. reaching a hand out to soothe him, he abruptly looked up and made a shaky declaration. "i'm going to join the military police." his eyes held hope, you shook your head. "you know that they're just a bunch of free loaders, right?" you questioned, eyebrows furrowing. he only nodded his head. "of course i do. they live in the luxury of the interior, and i'll do the same. i'll make sure to get my family in there somehow." "what! soren. your intentions are pure but why the military police? you know they're good for nothing and corrupt. why would you wanna become apart of them?" a look of disbelief presented itself on your face. soren's tongue clicked in annoyance. "i don't want anybody in my family to face what niko did, alright? if being shipped off into the safest parts of the wall is the way to do it, i'll do it." he said with a voice of determination.

"soren. you'll have to do cadet training." "i know." "you know how dangerous it could be." "i know." "you know how much of an oaf and dummy you are, right?" "i know." "and you still wanna go?" "i do." reaching over to him and slapping your hand lightly on his chest he stopped walking and turned to face you. presenting a soft smile on his face you pat his head. "than i'll go to!" a small smile broke out on his face. "that's great. one more year and we can sign up!" "i wonder how we'll tell our families." "hopefully we won't get yelled out."

TROST NEWS

a body of a refugee has been discovered by two kids. the body was recovered and identified as fourteen year old, niko, last name unknown. may he rest in peace.