Attack on Titan: Secrets of Marley (SNK x OC)

Chapter 22: Links in the Chain

5 years earlier, in 845 :

The dim light of an oil lamp barely illuminated the filthy interior of the house where the four young people had taken refuge. Reiner, Annie, Bertolt and Gray had presented themselves as refugees, fleeing the outlying regions in search of safety. The owner of the house, a middle-aged man with a protruding belly and a slimy smile, had accepted them, but his intentions were hardly benevolent. Beside him, his wife, equally unpleasant, watched them with sharp, calculating eyes, a cigarette between her teeth.

- We ain't got much cash, but if ya wanna stick around, you'll have to graft for it, the man growled, dragging a chair over and sitting down in front of them.

Annie crossed her arms, looking away with disdain. Reiner, for his part, adopted a submissive expression, while keeping a discreet vigilance, calculating his every move. Gray, sitting by the door, kept his thoughts focused, without showing the slightest sign of annoyance, while Bertolt glanced nervously at his companions.

- We'll do what we have to do, Reiner replied gravely, bowing his head slightly to hide the tension in his features.

Over the next few days, everyone found themselves assigned to the most thankless tasks. Gray spent his days in the overgrown garden, his back arched as he weeded in the blazing sun, keeping an eye on the road to watch out for people coming and going. Annie and Bertolt cleaned the interior, scrubbing the floors covered in the grime that had accumulated over the months, while Reiner repaired the cracked walls and dilapidated shutters, under the inquisitive eye of the owner.

As the days went by, the tension grew, fuelled by the couple's insidious remarks and dubious allusions. One night, after a long day of chores, they met in a small shed at the back of the house to exchange information.

- They're using us like slaves, murmured Annie, her cold gaze fixed on Reiner. We could leave. Find somewhere else.

Reiner shock his head.

- No. We've gotta keep a low profile for a while longer. This couple, as awful as they are, give us an alibi. And people in the town see us here, in this house. If we suddenly disappear, they'll start to wonder.

Bertolt, who had been silent until then, nodded.

- It's not... ideal, but it allows us to go unnoticed, he murmured. We can't risk being spotted so soon.

Gray remained silent, but the look in his eyes, a mixture of contempt and determination, betrayed what he really thought of this fake do-gooder couple.

- For the moment, we're doin' what they ask, concluded Reiner, with implacable calm. But as soon as we get the chance, we're leaving this place. Together.

They all nodded, resigned but united, well aware that this infiltration was just another stage in their mission on this hostile island.

***

- Gray, you listenin'? growled the Captain's voice.

Gray looked up sharply at Levi, who was staring at him with extremely angry eyes. Despite the fact that the carriage they were in was shaking and moving, the Captain's gaze still held his, never wavering.

Gray didn't know why these memories were coming back to him now. He couldn't even remember properly most of the time he'd been on the island. But, in any case, he had to answer the Captain.

- Er... No, Captain. Excuse me, he admitted, deciding that one more lie wouldn't do him any good.

- Tss, muttered Levi. I won't say it a second time.

- Understood, Chief.

- As I was saying, if Kenny the ripper is where we're heading, he'll be the biggest threat. To give you an idea, think of it as me you're up against. Several of me at the same time.