Honorary Scout

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Part One

Okay, guys, start gearing up for the last chapter now, which is gonna have three parts. So...here's a triple update! Enjoy!

Evelyn's POV

"Alright, everyone."

Auntie Hange spoke out in a loud voice after a moment and I snapped out of my daze, stunned at how they had suddenly changed the look in their eyes from desperation to determination within milliseconds. Then again, quick adaptation was one of the major traits Auntie Hange had mastered after their many years in the Survey Corps.

"We need to get going. Yelena stays here and Evelyn goes back to Falco and Gabi. The rest of us are gonna go meet up with the others. The flying boat is probably almost ready for take-off by now."

"Wait."

I got off off Dad's lap and stood straight.

"What do you want us kids to do in our room?"

"Well, you're kids, so you're gonna wait in your room until we tell you that the flying boat is ready for take-off. You guys have nothing to do around the preparation works."

I narrowed my eyes when I detected the slight tremor of nervousness in Auntie Hange's voice, becoming further suspicious when they shared a tense glance with Pieck.

"You're gonna lock us in that room until you take off, aren't you?"

"Wh-what?! That's not-"

"You truly live up to the Jaeger name with that sharp brain of yours."

Ms. Yelena cut off Auntie Hange's flustered stammering with a small chuckle, but I ignored her. I kept my intense gaze trained only on Auntie Hange, Armin and Pieck, until Armin finally spoke up.

"It's for your own safety, Evelyn. You three have already been put in enough danger by coming this far. Going after the Founder is just something we can't let you do now."

"And how do you guarantee our safety at sea, Armin? The Colossals can easily swim and cross the sea too."

There was no yelling and crying this time. I knew I needed to keep my tone strong and steady.

"I know."

Armin replied solemnly.

"But you'll still be safer at sea, as far away as possible from Eren."

"Don't imply that my own brother will ever hurt me. At least not on purpose, and I know that. Didn't I say like, only an hour ago, that I will be the one to talk him out of this madness and not let any of you hurt him?"

"Evelyn, we won't hurt him. We just-"

"Dad."

I ignored Armin's baseless explanations and turned around to face Dad instead.

"Back in Paradis, when we met up after the fight in Shiganshina, you promised me that you will never let me be away from you now. What happened to that promise, Dad?"

Dad didn't give me any answer. He simply stared at me, as silent as a dead body. I stared back equally quietly, before sighing. This staring contest was not gonna get either of us anywhere. However, right before I could start arguing again, a small headache zapped through my head and my eyes widened.

Eren.

Listen to what everyone is saying, Evelyn. It's too dangerous for you to come where I am. Stay where you are.

"But, Eren."

My lower lip finally trembled with emotion, and I didn't even care about how creeped out everyone else looked on hearing me suddenly speak my brother's name out loud.