The Girl Next Door (AOT/SNK ~ Eremin Fanfiction)

Chapter 21 ~ Selfishness

(the pic is random XD) Armin POV

"D-Dad?"

I stepped into the kitchen doorway to see my father crouched over my mother's body who was sprawled across the floor. My father was a calm and collected man, very shy too; but when he turned around to face me, I saw no resemblence. His eyes had constricted, allowing his bloodshot sclera to become more noticable, and he held the most horrifying smile I had ever seen in his life.

I gulped and took a step back from him, who was staring at me like a mental patient.

"My daughter has finally returned from school." His grin turned from pure physcotic to an innocent sweet smile.

"D-Daughter?" I questioned, still standing back. What was he going on about? "M-Mum?" I looked down at my mother who wasn't moving.

"Unfortunately, your mother had a heart attack earlier this morning, and by the time I came downstairs and saw, it was too late." Dad sighed, looking at the limp, cold body below him.

I was dazed, hit by this shocking news. "Why... why is she still here?" I quivered, my eyes filling with tears as I dropped my school laptop case.

"I didn't want anyone to take her away and treat her carelessly. Don't worry, we can bury her ourselves." He smiled, as if the situation didn't bother him at all. "So how was school?"

"How could you ask me a question like that at a time like this!?" I broke down, tears streaming down my face as I ran to his dead mothers side. What was wrong with dad? Why was he acting like this? His wife was lying here dead and it didn't even bother him!!

"Armin, its in the past now. You can take up yours mothers job of woman of the household." He smiled weakly at me, which I returned with a confused, horrified expression.

"But I'm a... T-This doesn't matter right now!! Call someone, dad!" I pleaded.

"Don't be ridiculous." He laughed, standing up and walking away.

"What's ridiculous!? Dad, we can't just leave her here! What's wrong with you!?" I yelled. He turned around and gave me a strained, death stare.

"Don't speak to me that way young lady." He growled, his mood turning violent.

"I'm not a girl! Dad, snap out of it!! W-What's wrong with-" I choked, my emotions jumbling up together. I was feeling depressed for the death of my mother but all at the same time I was confused, angry and scared from my father. He was usually so normal, calm and kind. What had happened to him?

Father walked up to me and grabbed me by the collar, lifting me into the air as I struggled.

"Don't. Yell. At. Me." He hissed, throwing me against the nearest wall. I smashed into the wall and cried out in pain as I slowly regained myself, looking up at my dad from my helpless position on the floor whose expression had changed again from anger to kindness. "Now be a good girl and go get dressed into a pretty dress. We have to go do a proper burial for your mother and I want you looking nice." He smiled before walking away.

It was then that I had realised exactly what had happened. My father had snapped. After seeing his dead wife, something had just snapped. After all, they had both always wanted a girl...

I was like a disappointment...

I woke up abrubtly with cold sweat dripping down my forehead. Where was I?

"Are you okay?" I heard a female voice say. I sat up on the bench I seemed to be lying down on and looked around to see I was in the nurses office.