Secrets and Lies (Aurani Aot/Snk) Book One

Five

(Annie)

I defeated Yeager boy once again with one of my kicks to his knee. He fell down hard, and sat up. I noticed something was up.

"Eren." I said. I know I'm very unsocial, but I couldn't lie that I was a bit curious about the boy. "Are you alright?"

"No." He said out of breath.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked. Eren shook his head.

"No. I don't wanna go into a mental breakdown in front of everyone." He said. Eren finally stood up, and looked at me. He sniffed before he asked, "What's next?"

"Well, more of doing that kick." I said. I turned around. "I saw you use it three days ago. You did it wrong. Now come on."

I started to walk, and Eren followed me slowly. I know something was up. But what?

Five days passed, and the question was filling my head over and over and over. Eren kept disappearing and coming out of nowhere.

Something about him makes me fill funny. This wasn't not the Eren I knew. He now became less of the chatter, and now I'm the chatty.

I watched him from the corner of my eye, in the mess hall. My head was turned, he was as usual sitting by Mikasa and Jean. But a space was missing.

I turned my head back around, and took a drink of my well, drink. Something was up with Reiner as well. Bertholdt seemed fine, but Reiner made me curious. Eren and him made me curious.

It has been 15 days now, and I believe I am closer to the truth. In the mess hall, that one space remains empty. Eren is still less of the chatter, and Reiner has became more suspicious.

It has something to do with 15 days ago. But I don't seem to remember when.

Come on stupid brain. Work!

As the day went into nighttime, I was walking to my cabin from the showers when I saw Eren walk into a room where they keep the sick and injured.

I stopped at the corner, and blended in with the shadows thanks to my black hoodie I was wearing.

I peaked from the corner, and waited for Eren to come back out. He was holding something, but I didn't know what.

I know I'm spying, and it's none of my business but I just was curious. Like there was a rule saying I can't be curious, or anything. Wait...was there?

I don't know, the point is I just wanna see what was happening so it can all end and go back to normal.

"What are you doing?" Someone behind me asked. I actually jumped, and found Mikasa looking at me in concerned.

Great. Not her.

I had to make up an excuse.

"I just saw Bertholdt walk into the room where they keep the sick and injured, and I wanted to scare him." I lied.

"That wasn't Bertholdt. That was Eren." Mikasa told me. I knew that. Of course. But eventually she didn't know, that I knew.

"Oh." I said.

"Bertholdt is a lot taller than Eren. And muscular. You knew him for so long, I believe you know the difference." Mikasa said.

"It's just that when I turned, Eren might've looked taller and I miss seen. Anyway, see you later Mikasa." I said walking off.

"I know, you know it was Eren." She said. I stopped in my tracks.

Hint. Never lie to Mikasa. I turned back around.

"Everything seems different. I just want to know what's going on, so everything can go back to normal." I said. "Please tell me what happened 15 nights ago."

Mikasa wrapped her scarf more around her. She slowly blinked.

"Okay." She said. Mikasa took a deep breath. "15 nights ago, Armin walked out of the mess hall because he wasn't that hungry. It was around midnight when he came back. Armin was beaten brutally, and was raped violently."

I froze. Armin was raped?

Mikasa continued. "Eren ran over to him, and held him. When the trainer came, Armin didn't want to leave Eren. Then Jean stabbed Armin in the neck with a syringe. When I arrived Eren told me everything, and was afraid that Armin wouldn't make it. Now everyday whenever he has the chance, he sneaks away just to go see him. Armin hasn't awoke since."

Mikasa looked behind me. I blinked and slowly turned my head. Eren was behind me.

Was he there the whole time?

Eren didn't say a word. He just stood there. He then took a deep breath.

"You wanna see him?" He asked. I turned my whole body around.

After when I walked through the door, Eren closed it behind me. The first thing I saw was Armin sleeping on the bed, his wrists, and head bandaged up.

He was wearing a white blue shirt, and in dark gray sweat pants. I walked closer and sat on the small bench. It was still warm. Thanks Eren.

He was breathing so soft I could barley hear him. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. Hoping he would squeeze back. But he didn't.

"Armin." I whispered. "Oh Armin." I covered my mouth. "Armin come on we need you. I need you."

I got up, and put my forehead against his. Our noses touched, and almost our lips.

"Armin please. Please wake up." I whispered. I softly kissed his lips. Still holding his hand softly.

(Eren)

15 days and nothing. I was getting worried and less of a dick. I know Annie is getting on to me. And I don't care. She's gonna find out. I know she will.

It was at the end of the day, and I walked into the room Armin was in. He was still sleeping. I walked closer and sat on the bench. It was still warm from my previous visits.

I wanted to be there when he opens his eyes. So when he wakes up, he won't find himself alone and feel forgotten.

I placed the fresh flowers - I picked for him - in the vase.

When I heard voices outside, I walked out when I heard someone say Armin's name. And mine.

I creaked open the door and found Annie and Mikasa talking. Well that's the first without fights.

I walked closer. Standing behind Annie. Eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Eren ran over to him, and held him. When the trainer came, Armin didn't want to leave Eren. Then Jean stabbed Armin in the neck with a syringe. When I arrived Eren told me everything, and was afraid that Armin wouldn't make it. Now everyday whenever he has the chance, he sneaks away just to go see him. Armin hasn't awoke since."

Mikasa then noticed me standing behind Annie, and listening in the conversation.

I asked Annie if she wanted to see Armin. Annie turned around and followed me to Armin.

I closed the door behind her, and sat on the steps next to Mikasa. Mikasa looked at me, and blink.

"Still no response?" She asked. I buried my face in my hands and shook my head.

"No." I replied. "Nothing by the past 15 days." Mikasa moved closer to me, and grabbed my hands. My cold hands were against her warm ones.

"Eren." She said. I looked at her.

"He's gonna be fine? Right?" I asked her. Mikasa blinked again.

"Eren. I wish I could tell you, 'yes' but....I don't think it is." She said. I broke into her arms. Armin was my first friend. And always will be. And now he's gone.

Forever.