I WILL PROTECT YOU

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟎𝟗

3rd POV

Armin sat in place, not moving a single muscle from being in shock. He couldn't believe what he witnessed. Did it happen just now? Or did it happen minutes ago? He couldn't remember, he lost his sense of time since his head kept repeating the same scene over and over again.

Eren was reaching out to him, he didn't want to die like this. He wanted to see the outside world like they promised to do. Armin was ready to grab Eren and pull him into safety when the titan shut its mouth. Trapping Eren in its mouth and swallowing him to his death.

"Hey! Armin! Wake up!"

A voice from outside was calling out to him but Armin wasn't able to hear it. He stared down at the ground.

"Armin!" Now being shaken by the shoulder Armin seemed to snap out of his mind. Looking up to see Connie pulling away from his hand and stretching out his fingers.

"Why are you so slimy? What happened?"

Memories of the day ran through his mind, the death of every member of squad 34 replayed itself until it stopped on Eren's death. Screaming, Armin held his head in pain.

"I'm worthless! Why can't I just die?!" Yelling out he kept his eyes shut until he heard Connie. It wasn't Connie who stopped Armin from yelling rather Armin stopped himself when realizing that one twin was still alive. Not knowing that their brother was now gone from this world.

"Leave it, Connie. Other than him, they're all dead." Ymir said. Standing at the top of the building she was looking away in the other direction.

"Shut up! Armin didn't say that!"

"Take a look around you, isn't it obvious? We can't waste any more time here with him. We have to get going." Looking back in the corner of her eye Ymir couldn't help but notice Armin shaking.

"If that's the case then why the hell would the titans ignore Armin?!" Arguing back at the teenage girl he was beginning to get annoyed by her.

"Don't know. Must've thought he was already dead or something. It was unfortunate they encountered titans, I can't say much about Eren and his squadron if only Armin survived."

"You've said too much. I'm going to shut your mouth." Pissing him off Connie was getting ready to charge towards the taller woman. That's when Krista sensed the tension and ran in front of Ymir. Spreading her arms out in a protective manner.

"Both of you stop it already! We're all in a state of shock. We saw our friends being killed like animals. You can't help it!" Tears on the edge of eyes Ymir suddenly wrapped an arm around Krista.

"That's my Krista! When this battle is over you must marry me!" Laughing like the lives of others weren't in danger Connie only got madder.

"She's joking a lot more than usual," Bending down Connie went back to Armin. "Whatever the case we have to get going. Can you stand up, Armin?" Reaching out his hand to help the blonde stand up it snapped something in Armin. Remembering all the times someone reached down to him.

Standing up on his own he apologized.

"I'll rendezvous with the rearguard." Walking to the edge of the building he didn't listen to Connie who called out his name. Jumping off he was already a fair distance away with the help of his maneuvering gear. The boy watched Armin get further and further away. He thought about going after him...it was too dangerous. Sighing he turned back towards his squadron when hearing them calling him.

-

This is hell. No. The world hasn't gone to hell. I've just always had it wrong. This world has always been hell.