Attack on Titan / Interactive Story

73

The treatment of the Military Guard was like royalty compared to what you went through as a trainee. You were introduced to your own room down the soldier halls in the castle. You traced your fingers along the smooth paint and crooks of the door, looking into the small mirror placed above your own dresser.

Your eyes, despite being amazed by a room of your own, were weak and tired. You ran your hand through your hair, leaning in closer to analyzing your skin. Placing one finger gently onto the surface of the mirror, you waited just a moment more before releasing it to see one, clear fingerprint.

Your hands then went for the handles of the drawers, tugging at them until you could see the contents inside. Clean uniform shirts and pants sat quaintly as if they were waiting to be used. The new Military Guard badge was stitched into the fabric, little strings seen under the hard colors. You smiled, slowly sitting down onto the wooden floor, pulling the shirt closer to smell the clean cloth.

Someone knocked outside of the room and impulsively opened the door. "Y/N, who's your squad leader?"

It's Ballard, a pair of fuzzy-pink slippers already placed on his bare and pale feet. Winona begins to walk up behind him in a plain white shirt, her long and black hair knitted in wet clumps. She runs a small towel through her hair in an attempt to dry it.

"Um," you pulled the shirt away from your face, tucking it back into the open drawer. You turned your head, looking about the room, "no. Was there a paper or something?"

"Should be." Winona says, peaking over Ballard's shoulder. Her arms are crossed over her stomach, her body tense and stiff despite her tired face. She was always trained to be alert no matter the time of day.

"Check the bottom drawer." Ballard suggests, pointing. You closed the originally opened drawer, bringing your fingers to the bottom of the cupboard. Inside contained a pair of new shoes, a key to a locker and a small slip of paper. On the paper were words written in scribbly handwriting:

Soldier L/N ,  Y/N
Squad Leader Leonhardt, Annie

"I have Annie." You announced, looking to both of them for guidance.

"So do I." Winona replied. She was much too tired to smile, too tired to untangle her arms.

Ballard looked disappointed, he leaned against the doorframe, staring off into a corner.

"Well," Winona perked up, "I need sleep. So, goodnight, Y/N. Night, Ballard."

She waved, trudging out of the doorway, back deep into the hall. Ballard lifted himself up, brushing his fingers through his hair.

"Sleep well, L/N."

"You, too, Ballard."

You could hear the quick shuffle of his pink, fuzzy slippers down the hall. You closed the door behind him and changed, untucking the belts and buckles of your uniform. The sheets  were cold and spacious compared to the bunks you slept in during training, your legs pushing up close to your chest. You listened to the small creaks of the wooden flooring out in the hallway, the soft shuffling sound of Ballard's slippers still echoing inside your head. For once, you were completely happy. For once, you knew you were safe.

Continue (Chapter 80)