Jean's Journal

Entry 103/A Ghost in the Fire

Day: 10th
Month: May
Year: 857

Our ships crew agrees to extend our time on Paradis to one day longer. It's been a day and a half since we left Mikasa's house. Still no answer.

Pieck doesn't think she will leave. Going on about how Mikasa will never let Eren go.

In a sense I could understand that. In my heart I could never let Marco go. Not that the two of us could have been together publicly. Plus I would have never ended up in the Scouts. But thinking of being in a nice cozy house in the woods, makes the hard days easier. But I also cared deeply for Mikasa. Maybe we could both share our loneliness one day.

Jean

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Armin and Jean decided to ride out to Mikasa's that evening, just as the sun had set. They were armed, just to be safe.

They rode in silence. Wanting to avoid any patrols or civilians. Unfortunately Jean and Armin were well recognized. Before the Blaus family defected from Paradis, Kaya had written Connie. She described the raids on the former Scouts headquarters and the military headquarters, she had watched them burn the portraits of all the Survey Corps commanders, and the copies of newspapers with Armin's face plastered on it, "15th Commander traitor to Eldia".

Upon hearing the news, Jean remembered Levi shutting himself in his room. Levi had wanted Hange's portrait.

As the approached the slopping hill, the could see smoke on the horizon.

Armin shot Jean and panicked look.

"Something's on fire" he said and the pair  set their horses to a full gallop.

Their eyes widened with horror as Mikasa small house was up in flames. The windows were broken. There were items strewn about the lawn. Her paintings, a trunk, some clothes, sparing them from the flames.

"Mikasa!!!!" Armin began sprint towards the house. Jean pulled out his pistol. Whoever had set the fire, may still be around.

Armin made his way into the smoke filled house, covering his mouth and nose with his handkerchief. "Mikasa are you in here?!?"

"Armin, I'm in my bedroom, I'm stuck!" Mikasa cried out. One of the first times that I've heard true terror in her voice.

Armin found Mikasa with a wooden beam on her leg, trapping her. Armin grabbed the charred beam and began to lift. But a gunshot and the shattering of her window had him on the ground.

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Jean heard the gun shot. He ran towards the back of the house. In the glow of the flames he was able to see the shooter. He was about to fire again, then he dropped dead and Jeans bullet went into his skull. Jean continued to search around the house. He didn't have time to feel regret or sorrow.

"Armin I got the shooter!" He shouted towards the broken window.

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Hearing he had some coverage, Armin got up again, starting to lift the beam.

He was struggling, and starting to panic. He heard more gunshots in the distance. He hoped it was Jean's gun he was hearing.

"Armin hurry!!" Mikasa cried out as the flames were spreading.

Armin put all his strength into knees. He had seen too many friends die, he wasn't about to let Mikasa die.

Soon he felt his load lighten. "Jean you're ok"

But Jean did answer.

As the beam was lifted off Mikasa's leg, Armin looked to see who was helping him.

Maybe it was the smoke fogging his head.

"E-Eren?" Mikasa choked out.

Armin looked to his right, there he was, gripping the beam. He looked at his two friends and smiled.

Armin was stunned, with tears in his eyes. "Eren...."

He was almost glowing, and he had his short hair, but he looked older, like a version of what Eren could have been.

They lifted together, freeing Mikasa. She crawled out, her ankle clearly broken.

Armin got her on her feet. Both still starring at Eren.

"It's ok Mikasa, you can go. I'll be ok" Eren said softly. "Take care of her Armin"

Just like that he was gone.

The heat of the flames knocked Armin back to reality. He helped Mikasa hobble out of the house.

They were met at gun point.

Jean was on his knees, the barrel of a pistol pressed into his left temple.

"She won't hesitate to shoot", said the young man holding the rifle.

"What do you want?" Armin asked.

"The traitors of Paradis, the she-devil" he said point his rifle at Mikasa. "Your boy here is a good shot, took out the other 2 in our squad, but we don't plan of leaving empty handed"

"So you tried to flush her out, but setting her house on fire" Armin spat.

"You're as smart as they say you are". He sneered.

"Look, I'll go with you ok, just let these two go. I'm the one who killed Eren, not Armin" Mikasa said coughing.

"Nah I think I want the both of you, could earn a promotion for myself"

"If you promise to let Jean go", Armin said.

"Armin, Mikasa I'm not worth-" there was a crack in the air as Jean was pistol whipped. He laid on the ground, groaning in pain.

"I told you to stay quite" the young lady said.

Armin felt trapped. They had no choice. They should have come with some more force. He knew that even if they went with the Jeagerists. They would either wait until they were out of sight and shoot Jean, or follow him back to the ship, leading to more deaths.

Then something caught Armin's eye in the shadows of the night.

"So what's it going to be Armin?? Or should I call you Command—" he was cut off as he skull exploded, and he dropped to the ground.

The girl turned to fire at the intruder, but only managed to get half way turned around before a bullet struck through her neck. She dropped to the ground, making a sickening gurgling sound.

Armin used his free had to pull his pistol out, aiming at the darkness.

"Relax....it's just me", Pieck walked out from behind the big tree, holding a rifle.

"You're a good shot" Mikasa said.

"Gabi isn't the only one good with a rifle" Pieck said. "I'm sorry that wasn't the best thing to say" she said after catching the look on Armin's face. "But I did more than carry the Panzar unit. I trained with them. Glad I got her in time".

She knelt by Jean, and helped him sit up.

"What are you doing here?" He said groggily.

"Saving you apparently" she said, pulling a handkerchief out of her pants pocket, dabbing at the cut on his forehead.

They all turned to look at Mikasa house. As the flames consumed it. Mikasa didn't even notice the pain in her ankle, all she could think about was Eren.

"Oh Armin..." she turned into his chest and sobbed, the shadows dancing in the light of the flames.