Attack on Titan / Interactive Story

65

"Today's the day, L/N."

Ballard's smile widened as he nudged you with his fist playfully. Winona stood next to him, a mix of sadness and joy in her brown eyes. You knew she didn't want to continue on after the training, but she was determined to stick with Ballard, who'd surely choose the Military Police.

Ballard's light hair was messy and his clothes were crinkled along the edges. He smiled at everyone, even Calum, to which he tried making conversation with.

"You ready?" Ballard asked to no one in particular. The group followed his pace, Valencia in the far back.

You never did find more information about the Valencia-and-Calum incident. You decided now wasn't the time.

Everyone joined in a crowd, surrounding the base of a stage where the Captain would stand and the speakers would go. You scanned the swarm of people and faces, getting one last look at the people you grew around.

Ballard suddenly pulled the group into a big hug, holding everyone against him tightly. He was full of uncontrolled emotions - something you thought you'd never see.

"Wherever you choose to go," he began, "I want you all to know I'm glad I met you."

Calum looked uncomfortable, squished between Valencia and you, but he said nothing. Winona, by your side, chose to stay quiet, too. Her face had turned soft and motherly for the first time. She looked as fragile as a porcelain doll under Ballard's arms, surrounded by everyone. She smiled slightly, a dimple digging into her cinnamon skin.

"Here's the top ten from lowest to highest:" the Captain began, initiating the end of the hug. The cold night air hit your skin like a slap on the face.

"Devlon Zeek, Kaiyo Nakada, Isaiah Goman, Frudman Weber, Seung Kym..."

The crowd turned their heads to Seung, mystified and curious as to how such a young kid had the ability to get seventh out of ten.

"...Blake Schmitt, Cadence Caverly..."

Ballard kept his eyes forward, Winona giving him glances of worry occasionally.

"...Calum Buhari, Winona Wolfe and Ballard Jesperson. The names listed have the ability to join the Military Police."

Valencia congratulated everyone and smiled to herself. The Captain brought up speakers for all of the branches. A part of your heart sunk. Even if you didn't want to join the Military Police, you knew Ballard and Winona would, and without being in the top ten, you didn't even have the option to join. You probably wouldn't ever see them again.

You avoided their eyes to prevent the dread from filling in your stomach. Each branch commander went up onto the stage to convince the crowd, ending with the Scouting Legion pleading for soldiers.

The Captain called out to the trainees, "Anyone wishing to join the Scouting Legion, stay. Anyone wishing to join one of the other branches, line up with the commanders."

This was it. This was everything you had been working towards - the final decision. It could make your life amazing or completely destroy it.

Which branch do you join?

Join the Garrison (Chapter 70)
Join the Scouts (Chapter 71)