Beyond The Walls (AOT x OC Fanfic)

First Steps Toward Freedom

The morning sun filtered through the small infirmary window, casting soft beams of light across the room. It was quiet, peaceful, and Jeiden—now growing accustomed to thinking of herself by that name—lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind restless. She had hardly slept after her encounter with Commander Erwin the day before, her thoughts consumed with the name she had finally remembered. It was just one small fragment of her identity, but it felt monumental, like the first step toward uncovering the person she used to be.

Still, the hours ticked by slowly, and the confines of the bed felt more like a cage with each passing moment. The sterile walls of the infirmary were beginning to close in on her, and she longed for something—anything—outside of this room that could help her make sense of who she was.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden and unmistakable sound of the infirmary door swinging open, followed by a familiar, lively voice.

"Good morning, Jeiden!" Hange practically sang as she burst into the room, her voice filled with energy and excitement. She didn't wait for an invitation, striding over to the bed with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. "I heard the most *fascinating* news—I couldn't believe it when Erwin told me. You *remembered your name!*"

Jeiden blinked, taken aback by Hange's enthusiasm. She had only just gotten used to the quiet of the morning, and Hange's vibrant presence felt like a whirlwind crashing through the stillness. But despite the overwhelming energy, there was something warm and comforting about Hange. She was... different. And in a strange way, Jeiden found herself appreciating that.

Hange perched herself on the edge of the chair next to Jeiden's bed, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she leaned in slightly, as if waiting for Jeiden to spill some new revelation. "So, tell me, how did it happen? Was it a sudden flash of memory? Did you dream about it? Was it a feeling, a word, a vision? Come on, I need details!"

Jeiden couldn't help but smile a little at Hange's excitement. The woman was certainly a lot to take in—her energy seemingly boundless—but it wasn't overwhelming in a bad way. If anything, it was refreshing to have someone around who wasn't treating her like a fragile mystery to be solved. Hange seemed more interested in *learning* from her than *fixing* her, and that made Jeiden feel... more human.

"It... wasn't really like that," Jeiden said softly, her voice still a bit shaky as she tried to find the right words. "I had this dream... I saw two children. A boy and a girl, and they were playing together. The boy said a name—Jeiden. It felt familiar, like it was supposed to be mine. I don't know for sure, but... I think that's who I am."

Hange's eyes widened, and she clasped her hands together as if she were watching something miraculous unfold. "A dream! How fascinating! Oh, dreams are so interesting, don't you think? The way the brain processes memories, subconscious thoughts, things we don't even realize we've experienced—maybe that dream was a key unlocking something deeper inside you. It could be a memory, or a piece of a memory! We'll have to explore this further."

Jeiden smiled faintly, though she couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by Hange's excitement. "I... I don't know if it was a memory or just something my mind made up," she admitted. "But hearing that name... it felt right."

"That's all that matters!" Hange declared, her voice filled with certainty. "If it feels right, then it's something worth holding onto. Trust your instincts. They'll guide you, even when your memory is playing tricks on you." She paused, her gaze softening a little. "It's a big step, Jeiden. You're making progress, even if it doesn't feel like it yet."

Jeiden nodded slowly, feeling a small surge of hope. It *did* feel like progress. She had spent so long in this fog of confusion, with no anchor to hold onto. Now, she had something—however small—that was hers.