We Are All Killers [Snk ~ Reiner x Bertolt]

Chapter 14: Unanswered

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Bertolt's POV

When we woke up the next day, the tension we held from the previous day still lingered in the air. He asked me that question many times already, but I never fully answered it.

Why did I care that he was alive?

Yesterday, I was so close to telling him everything. I was so close to him, but I didn't say it. I couldn't. For his sake and mine. He already told me that he cares about me, and I cared about him as well. But if we both had human emotions toward each other, who will be willing to pull the trigger? I had to keep that in mind at all costs.

The minute we were about to eat breakfast, there was a violent pounding at my door. It was Annie. She stormed in and immediately turned the TV on without saying anything. Reiner heard the commotion and joined us as well.

"Look," she ordered from us. She pointed to the TV.

"So this "rebellion" or so they called it was a major failure," the reporter stated. "There were hardly any survivors and one of the leaders who were caught is to be hanged today. However, one is still in hiding."

"That is right, Rico," the other reporter said. "The other organizer of this event is still out there and is also potentially dangerous. However, we have no lead to what he actually looks like. All we know is that he is a male. And he is someone among us."

"If you see anything suspicious, contact the authorities immediately," Rico stated. "Do not approach the suspect yourself. Tell a patrolman and please stay safe. We will now switch to the Death Square where they are executing one of the criminals."

The screen displayed a view of the Death Square. There were more citizens there then I had ever seen in my life. They were all chanting and howling in rage as an adolescent, teenage boy stepped up onto the platform.

"They have Eren," Reiner said quietly to himself.

The boy struggled as he was pushed onto the platform, but it was no use. He was bound by tight, restricting ropes that allowed little movement. His hands were tied behind his back.

I knew he had a lot to say. However, even if he was free to say whatever he wanted. There was no way that the crowd would listen to him. They barely even listened to the patrolmen who was bellowing over the crowd.

"This man is a criminal!" the patrolman screeched. "He has went against the rules established by our beloved founder and our current leader. This man had committed the crimes of disobedience, murder, insurgence, and the disruption of civilian peace. He will be hanged as a punishment for his crime."

The crowd began to grow in volume as Zackley stepped out onto his balcony. "I would like to say a few words!" Zackley stated, and the entire crowd grew silent. "I am simply here to establish order and peace. I am aware that many might not agree with my ways, but if you do not agree, then there is no need to disrupt the lives of other civilians. The posters you put up were cunning, yet unbelievably absurd. If you question my power, you question the power of the fathers who came before me as well as the future. I hope you understand that this is necessary and is not just something I do for my entertainment, Mr. Jaeger." He raised his wine glass to the skies. "To the future, which will be bright."

"To the future!" Everyone cheered in the crowd. They screamed ravenously for death towards the skies.

A patrolman stepped onto the platform and hung the rope around Eren's neck. He stepped over to the lever, placing his hands on it. At this moment, the crowd went wild. They anticipated the moment that Eren Jaeger falls and is dangling by a thick cord.