Trust ~ Jean Kirschtein x Reader/OC

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ~ Taken

The small forest now begins to come into view. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, and I could feel it in my throat as if it would burst right out of my mouth. Flares are shot left and right as we continue to ride at full speed with only mere hopes of getting back Eren and Ymir - there is no telling what could happen in these next few seconds, minutes, hours. Not even I could begin to overthink this situation, there is too much uncertainty in the air that I was breathing in, every few seconds digging my nails further into the palms of my hands. I look down at Status' mane, shining in the sunlight. When I joined the cadets, even if it was for the redemption of my family, I thought I would go out on an exhibition and die right away. I don't think I ever thought that I'd get this far, let alone with what is going on now.

I snap my head back up as another flare is shot in the air to the right of me. It is weird that we were yet to be interrupted by something, and we hadn't seen a normal titan in what feels like some form of forever. Whatever is going on, it's not normal. Something is different. Something feels wrong.

Even if it wasn't for finding out that Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie were all titan shifters within the same few days, there is still something that isn't sitting right with me.

"You look scared, what's wrong?" Monique's voice comes into earshot beside me. I look up at her with worried eyes, maybe I am the only one thinking this.

"It's just that we are yet to see a single normal titan. We're out in this-" I turn my upper body and gesture to the wide open area, "-huge open field. And yet there has been not a single sign of any titans. It's way too normal, which may sound strange but it just is. I have no idea if it's also just me thinking about this as well, so I probably sound insane or as if I'm hoping that something will go wrong."

Monique straightens her posture and looks around the field herself, "you're right. This is really strange, it did feel like something was off..."

I turn my head to the other side of me, finding Historia looking sadly down at her horse. I know automatically that she is feeling terrible about Ymir and what has happened, she hasn't spoken since we left the wall. Her mind is obviously too preoccupied with Ymir to think of anything else.

"We'll find her and take her back," I mutter quietly to her, to which she lifts her head up to look at me, her bright blue eyes losing the thrill they once held, "no matter what."

She quietly sighs, "remember that day on the rooftop, back in Trost? When we found Armin all alone, with his entire squad dead? Well, except for Eren."

I nod, remembering back to our first exhibition. Back when we were just cadets, completely blind to the mess that we're in now.

"Ymir said she would marry me after it was over," her voice quivers slightly, "I have no idea if she was being serious or if it was a joke... but... I need her to stay."

"We may not be as close to Ymir as you are," Monique adds, "but we want her to stay too. Regardless if she is a titan. We'll do whatever we can, so you two can get that wedding."

Historia laughs somberly at Monique's joke, both finding the humour in it but also being filled with worry at the same time. Our conversation quickly falls into silence as we all feel the increasing sadness of losing Ymir. She means so much to all of us, especially Historia, and I really don't need to lose another friend.

"Oh... crap," Monique mutters, "I think... I think I've found where the titans have been."

I turn my head slowly towards her, confused on what she means. She stares ahead at the cluster of trees, hovering slightly out of her saddle, gripping onto her reins for dear life.