Always want to be WITH YOU || Reiner x Historia

Chapter 21

"So, Bauer. Can you tell us the details of what happened?"

I still ignored the questions of the soldiers in front of me. Even when Mr. Mayvey asked, I didn't respond. As many times as Bertholdt tried to answer, they always said, 'we can't listen to the same person's story. Someone else must be a victim/witness for us to know the truth.'

So, where is Annie? She didn't elaborate, just said that she was kidnapped and rescued by someone she didn't know and returned to the dormitory. Bertholdt, on the other hand, told the truth, that he saved Annie and suffered internal injuries. Because of Annie's ambiguous answers, they became suspicious and questioned me every day. Talking about the same things, making me sick.

".... "

The contents of my brain felt empty. So empty that I don't feel anything. Have you ever thought that you are floating? I mean even when you're sitting down, the awareness of your body decreases and you feel like you're floating. Yes, something like that. But I don't know, I can't express it.

"... We'll come back tomorrow." The soldiers finally gave up and got up from their seats, nodding to us. 

Only Bertholdt returned their nods. Not long after, instructor Keith walked in, looking at me. "Still not speaking up?"

"...."

"Sorry, sir ..."

Yes, it was Bertholdt who apologized, not me. A tired sigh was clearly heard in response, from instructor Keith. He just patted my shoulder briefly, "You'll have to explain later, cadet Bauer. You're my third best student. I believe in you, and so do we. Believe that we'll always be on your side. At least appreciate your seniors for taking the time to help you."

".... "

He sighed again, "I'll tell them to give you some time. Since tomorrow is the weekend, so I hope you'll want to clear your head somewhere with Bertholdt."

".... "

"... I'll excuse myself."

"Yes, sir. Thank you for visiting us ..." Bertholdt nodded politely, and finally the door closed.

The silence, this comfortable silence, made me quietly close my eyes. I wondered, where were the noises that disturbed my mind every day? They suddenly disappeared. It was just a heavy feeling in my chest that was getting bigger by the day. It was like there was a gaping hole there. It was painful at times, but it was also comforting because of this silence.

I felt Bertholdt's gaze, those thin interlocked eyebrows dipping gently upwards. A worried expression that he couldn't even hide even though I saw it faintly out of the corner of my eye.

"... Reiner... You have to explain it to them. If it continues like this, we will be the ones who will be suspected ..."

"... Karannese," I muttered.

"Yes?"

"I want ... to Karannese... "

Bertholdt looked panicked, "B-but that district is already-... "

"...."

"... Alright. Let's leave tomorrow."

I didn't respond to anything. Just confirmed my seat while working on the assignment given by Keith's instructor. Three months had passed, but we were still not allowed into the classroom. We were fully recovered, but we still had to be interrogated. I rarely even saw Christa. It was as if the rope that originally kept me connected to her, disappeared without a trace. I unconsciously kept avoiding her, and the classmates as well.