Eyes Open | AruAni | Attack on Titan Hunger Games |

12

The sky lit up in shining brights lights as a screen appeared among the million little shiny stars that just aligned. I was nervous as I stared at the screen and listened to the Hunger Games anthem ring through the forest.  My stomach twisted in knots, knowing Armin could be up on the list of fallen tributes tonight. I counted the amount of cannon shots that were fired so symbolize the deaths of these brave tributes. There was four in total. 

The first on the screen was Yelena from District 8, the second was Mina Carolina from District 7. My heart was beginning to pound harder with each tribute shown on the screen. I was relieved that Armin wasn't there yet but there were two other tributes who had yet to be shown. The next person lighting up the sky was Reiner Braun from District 3. I had been there when he died. I wondered how Bertholdt was coping with the death of his friend. If Bertholdt was even alive... 

The final person on the list was about to be revealed. Reiner's face faded from the sky. My hands began to shake. What if Armin had been killed? What if the last fallen tribute was him? I looked up at the sky, waiting. Fear took over me. The lights switched and the soft face of a small, timid girl appeared on the screen. Her raven hair cupped her face. That was Mina Carolina. I sighed with relief. Not because Mina was dead but because Armin was alive and - hopefully - safe. 

Kaya didn't seem to have a specific reaction to any of the people who had died. She didn't have any connection to any of them. She only looked upset that they had to die this way. 

"The girl who killed Sasha is still alive." - She muttered. 

I wasn't sure if I should have apologized or not. In fact, I had no idea what to say. So I kept quiet again.

"Go to sleep." - I said, quietly. - "I'll keep watch." 

"But you need rest too." 

I shrugged. - "I'll be fine." 

The blonde pouted, unamused. - "Promise me you'll wake me up so we can switch." 

I nodded. - "I promise." - That was a promise I wasn't willing to keep. Kaya was a child who needed rest and I wasn't gonna wake her up. She nodded and laid down on the ground. I myself hadn't gotten much sleep the past couple of nights but I was surviving so it was alright. 

The forest was quiet throughout the night. The only sound heard was the rattling of the river next to us and the quiet whispers of the wind flying through the sky. Kaya slept soundly, barely moving. Even when she slept she reminded me of Armin. She was so calm and soft. I needed to protect her at all costs. So, she was coming with me to locate Bertholdt and Armin in the morning. 

I couldn't help but wonder how Armin was doing. Was he scared? Hungry? Tired? Had he had anything to drink recently? Had Bertholdt even reached him? I hope he had. I knew eventually something would happen and I'd have to say goodbye to Bertholdt and Kaya. And then I'd have to abandon Armin as well. But at least as a victor he would be able to see the sea and be free. He would live to see his grandfather again. So it was alright if he didn't have me in his life anymore. He would be just fine. 

A misty morning come again and I couldn't help but wish I could see Armin's face. With the sound of a cannon shot, Kaya was awake. I got up and threw some water on my face, assuring myself that Armin was alright. I didn't let my panickked thoughts take over. Kaya washed her face in the river as well. 

"Ready to go?" - I asked. 

"Where are we going?" 

"To find Armin." - I got up. - "Come on." 

"Are you gonna tell him how you feel?" - Kaya asked, curious. 

I stared at the river for a second. Did I even wanna tell him? I shook my head. - "I might. Let's go."