I WILL PROTECT YOU

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖

3rd POV

  A Military Police officer checked the writing from a paper he had been given. He then read one of the scripted questions, "When did you last change shafts?"

Sasha answered, the main unit of her maneuvering gear set in front of her. "Six days ago. After the clean-up operation."

Another officer, a woman, checked her clipboard. "Just as the records say." The man shifted his gaze to the next person. Asking for their name the short blonde responded.

"Krista Lenz, squad 42." Her gear was also set in front of her on the table. After the deaths of Sawney and Bean, the Military Police started their investigation to find who had killed them. Gathering all the cadets they checked their main unit gear to see when they last used it. A couple of cadets were nervous about this investigation, others were annoyed.

"Guess you can be punished for killing titans..." Someone said. Beside them, another spoke, "It's weird, but those were valuable test subjects."

"Sure, But why look for the culprit among us cadets?"

"Yeah. We just finished the battlefield clean-up today. Everyone's exhausted."

Armin stood silently, to his right was Annie, to his left was Connie. "They must've really hated titans." Connie said.

"Yeah. But in reality, they've ended up helping the titans...Their desire for vengeance may have been fulfilled, but it's a blow to humanity." Armin responded.

"I think I kind of get why they did it because I'm also an idiot. Before I saw the titans, I seriously planned to join the Scout Regiment. But I never want to see another. And today, we have to decide which force to join." Connie said. Looking over to the side he saw Jean. His posture was stiff and his arm was shaking. Taking his gaze down he noticed Jean clenching his hand in a fist. Even Jean's seriously...

-

People gathered around the large fires that burned the bodies of their fallen friends. Connie sat on the ground, sobbing at the horrors that led up to this. A short distance from him Jean watched him.

'Everyone's regretting it. If I'd known it'd be this hellish, I'd have never chosen to be a soldier. Now that I'm exhausted, it's all I can think about...'

Walking forward, closer to the fire he squatted down in front of a small pile of burnt bones. Reaching down he grabbed a couple into his palm. "Hey, Marco...I can't even tell which are your bones anymore." The memory of finding Marco's body flashed in his mind.

'If I hadn't become a soldier, I wouldn't have to think about who'll be on that pile next.'

Remembering what Eren said during the graduation celebration not even a few days ago, Jean sighed.

'I know we have to fight...But not everyone is as eager to die as you.'

Hearing footsteps get closer to him Jean looked up. His breath hitched. In bright light, he saw Marco standing there. A smile on his freckled features.

"I hope you won't get mad when I say this...But you aren't a strong person. So you can relate to how the weak feel."

Jean stared at his hallucination, the words that came from Marco were something he said during the Trost battle. When they succeeded at taking HQ back into their control.

"In addition, you excel in sizing up any situation. Isn't that why you immediately know what should be done?"

Furrowing his brows he stared into the fire. 'What should be done...'