The soap has a calming scent, like a subtle blend of fruit and freshly-picked flowers, lulling you into a false sense of security. Though the faucet water runs cold, it’s comfortably warm inside the small house, heated by the fresh firewood Eren had gathered earlier burning bright in the brazier. You scrub diligently at the plates and pans, trying to remove every trace of food stains with bubbles and water. Beside you, Mrs. Jaeger mops up the soapy mess that you’ve been contributing to the countertop, an indulgent smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“D’you eat uhready?” Eren calls over from his perch by the tableside, with a mouthful of food muffling what otherwise will have been a coherent question.
“Yes she did,” his mother answers for you. “And don’t talk with your mouth full.”
It’s so warm and safe inside, surrounded by family. Your old life, you’ve long forgotten. At the moment, you think nothing can take this feeling away from you. Not even —
“Eren wants to join the Scouting Legion.” Mikasa’s quiet voice carries through the still air and douses the room in icy silence. You drop the half-cleaned dish that you are supposed to be washing into the sink where it is met with a loud splash. It shatters. A feeling of icy terror grips your heart.
“Mikasa, you traitor!” Eren cries indignantly. You hear a loud clang as he drops his plate to the table. You suspect he has dropped his fork as well.
But Mrs. Jaeger has already left your side, sending the sopping rag on the counter flying in her haste. You tilt your head slightly, following her movements with your eyes. You watch as she places her hands firmly on her son’s shoulders and meets his defiant gaze, her eyes full of undisguised fear.
“Eren, what are you thinking? Do you know how many people die outside those walls?”
“I do!”
“You clearly don’t!” she retorts, her expression uncharacteristically fierce. She’s always gentle, your foster mother, one who rarely raises her voice. You see that Mikasa has averted her eyes. You understand where she is coming from, but the question is, will you have done the same?
“Eren,” Dr. Jaeger interrupts, cutting across both his son and wife. “Why do you want to go outside?”
“I don’t want to die inside these walls without knowing what’s out there,” he says, sounding almost angry at himself. “And if no one takes their jobs,” he adds defiantly, “then those who lost their lives will have died in vain!”
“I see.”
You bend down to retrieve the rag Eren’s mother has dropped and wring the cloth mechanically, letting the icy water trickle down your fingers.
“Mrs. Jaeger,” you say timidly, breaking the short silence, “I broke the plate by accident.”
As she comes over by the sink to fuss over you, her husband stands up.
“My ship is here. I must get going.”
“Just throw it away, [Name],” Mrs. Jaeger says quickly, sounding flustered. She leaves your side again, rushing over to the door as Eren’s father dons his hat. “Wait, dear! Help me convince Eren!”
As Dr. Jaeger reassures his wife of the nature of human curiosity, he turns to his son. “Eren. After I’ve returned, I’ll show you the basement I’ve been keeping you away from.” He reaches into his coat, pulling out a large, gold key from its depths. Eren’s previously sour expression melts off his face in an instant. He looks far happier than you have seen him in a long time.
It’s after his father is out of earshot that Eren’s mother returns to scolding her son. “I won’t allow it. You’re not joining something as stupid as the Scouting Legion.”
“Stupid?” Eren repeats incredulously. “People who are content living like livestock are stupid!” He throws his mother another angry glare before running off through a narrow alley, disappearing around a corner before she can stop him. She lets out a sigh and turns to Mikasa, who has stepped quietly off the porch.
“Mikasa, he’s truly a reckless boy. When trouble comes, be sure to help each other out,” Mrs. Jaeger says pleadingly.
She nods, then goes after Eren.
Get going. Follow Mikasa. Go to Chapter 6.
Go back into the house. It’s cold out. Go to Chapter 7.
YOU ARE READING
Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust
Fanfiction[SNK CYOA reader-insert] …and wall to wall. In this harsh, merciless world the strong feed upon the weak. It’s a vicious cycle, with no beginning and no end. You’re not given a choice about being born to this world, but you do choose what you make...
