The Month Of May

Chapter 38

I TOOK OFF RUNNING.

Crap. This wasn't supposed to happen! I had no idea we were going to Erwin's house, I had zero protection against what just happened...Erwin knew exactly what he was doing by trying to force me into that basement. I cursed myself. That military exam must have been what alerted them to my existence, but how? I had used my power. Why did they still remember...?

There was no use dwelling on the past. My skinless feet pounded against the remnants of houses as I did my best to avoid screaming civilians.

Crap, what am I supposed to do...?

I was stuck inside Wall Sina, no matter what, someone would find me no matter where I hid. The plan wasn't supposed to transpire for another two weeks. Reiner and Bertolt couldn't bail me out of this one. What was I supposed to do, what was I supposed to do...?

...There was only one thing I could do.

I had to scale the wall.

...No.

I surprised myself with that response. Why had I said no so quickly? The mission was in danger if I didn't escape right now. Sure, the mission would be a failure if I left, but there would be another way to gain a retry, I was sure. I should just leave.

...No.

Why, why...

I knew exactly why.

I'd be leaving Armin with Erwin...

Armin. Armin...his hurt ocean eyes as he stared at me...

Ocean eyes...

Ocean...eyes...?

Blue eyes...

I was brought back out of my shock as a soldier zipped past me, his blade trying to slash at my neck, which I simply covered with one hand before I swiped at his cord, sending him swinging away from me.

Blue eyes. Armin had blue eyes.

How was the obvious truth literally staring at me directly in the face and I'd never noticed?

Armin had the power, too. Erwin must know, as well. I grit my teeth. Now I was certain. I had to stay and explain everything to him. He...he had to believe me.

I knew that was a lie to try and console myself.

I had seen his reaction once. He only saw me as a murderer, one who took lives for no reason. He had no idea I was doing this for a deeper cause.

Well, he already knew I was a Titan, now...there was no use in trying to mind-wipe him once more, now that I realized he had blue eyes. He would eventually see through any usage of my powers. No, I just...I had to persuade him. That was what I had to do.

I had to tell him the full truth...and hope he understood.

He-He had to, right? He had 'rescued' me without much influence from my eyes, and he had always been so kind to me...I could tell he had been just as affected by our kiss as I was. Surely...Surely he'd believe me...

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't see the tripwire in front of me. As soon as I triggered it, I knew I had fucked up. Sharp spikes enclosed on me from every direction, and my hand instinctively covered my nape as crystals hardened over as much of my body as possible. My head grew heavy as I just barely managed to generate enough to protect me, and I ripped free.

No more distractions. I had to focus on a way out, then I could figure out what I'd say to Armin.

A way out...I had to hide. But where? Erwin's forces would be searching every single square within the wall. Think, Annie, think...

I got something.

This plan wasn't good, but it was the best I had. I shut my eyes tight before I ejected from my Titan, my body falling forward. I held onto my Titan body's nape as it crashed to the ground before I
took off running away as fast as I could. As people gasped, I quickly flashed my eyes, making them forget they even saw me. Soldiers trying to chase me immediately forgot about my existence. My head pounded, threatening to give in on me, but I refused to stop. Eventually, once I had made it all the way across town from my soon disappearing Titan body, I collapsed in a house's old rubble, crawling under so I was hidden from view.

I was..not safe, no. Danger loomed at any second. I could only hope they thought I'd been killed, or else, I was doomed.

Sleep loomed over me, and unable to suppress the exhaustion, I succumbed, leaving myself open to anyone that found me.