Glory For Mankind | AOT [book 1]

Ch.18:The Lone Ranger

It wasn't long before other cadets joined them on the roof or the surrounding are, taking in the situation. Only a hand full of them remained, and that thought alone made Ruvik sick to his stomach.

Ruvik observed that cadets cautiously, all of them in distress and horror. They've witnessed several of their friends die, right in front of them. The images in their heads more than likely to haunt them for the rest of their lives. That is, if they get to live at all.

"Armin! Hey, Armin!" Connie shook the blond boy put of his trance. "You with me? You okay?!"

Armin didn't respond to Connie, but was more aware of his surroundings now.

Connie noticed the odd substance on his his that he used to grab Armin's shoulder. "You're all slimy...What the hell happened?"

That happened to trigger Armin.

He instantly relived everything he experienced before Ruvik rescued him. Eren's death, his squad's massacre, all of it. Armin gripped his blond hair and started screaming. "You're so useless! Just die already!"

"Whoa! Calm down, Armin!" Connie exclaimed. "C'mon, where is everyone?"

"Give it a break Connie," Ymir sighed. "They've been wiped out--all but him.

Connie glared at her. "Shut up! Armin hasn't even said anything!"

"Look around, it's obvious." Ymir glanced over her shoulder. "We don't have anytime to waste on him."

"Why is he the only one okay?"

Ymir pointed her thumb in Ruvik's direction. "Why not ask our dear Captain over there. No doubt he was in the right place at the right time. Am I right?"

Ruvik wasn't in the mood for pointless banter and just continued observing the town, taking in what was left of the city.

"You bitch..." Connie growled. "You want me to make it so you can never speak again?!"

"Stop it you two!" Christa intervened quickly. "We're all shaken up here! All of our friends are dying left and right! It's natural that we're all upset!"

After her little speech, Ruvik walked over to Armin, crouching to the quivering cadet and placing a hand on his head. Armin's blue eyes, filled with terror, stared into his brown stoic ones, before Ruvik stood back up. "We can't stay here."

Connie took Ruvik's place, kneeling next to Armin. "Captain's right, Armin. Do you think you can stand?"

Armin clenched his teeth and got up. "I-I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll rendezvous with the rear guard."

He took off, Connie shouting at him to be careful. Ruvik placed his hand on Connie's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll go with him."

"Y-Yes, sir."

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Ruvik followed closely behind Armin. As they were moving through the streets and above the rooftops of buildings, Ruvik glanced down. Everywhere he looked, blood could be found. Bodies of the cadets he and Shadis trained to take on situations like this, we're lying lifeless in the city streets.

It pained him to see this, more than he ever thought possible.

Before the scene of his fallen cadets could affect him anymore than it already has, he quickly did what Shadis taught him to do.

Just think of someplace else where you would rather be...

Home.