AoT SnK: (Jean x OC) Something worth fighting for

Chapter Fifteen

                The clean up operation was a sad silent event. It took two days, two days of finding  the dead bodies and telling the soldiers with the white boards their names. I had a whit rag tied over my face, blocking out the scent of rotting flesh. I kept a dull demeaner as i came upon body after body. The second day i found Gem's body, in the same position as i had left her when she passed away. I told myself i would be strong, that i wouldnt cry again, but i lied to myself. Tears rolled down my cheek as her dead body lay on the ground. I held my hands up to my eyes and fell to my knees. 

                One of the workers with a clipboard came up behind me. "Do you know her?" she asked with a dull voice. I nodded as i sobbed over her dead body. "G-Gem Teslow" I murmured. "related to Kat Teslow of the 104th trainee sqaud.." The worker nodded and walked on. I held Gem's cold hand one more time before i placed it gently over her stomach.  Gem...I miss you..

                I walked on and found Jean looking at a corpse with wide eyes. I followed his gaze to a half eaten corpse that belonged to none other  than Marco Bodt. I stood there shocked as I saw Marco's corpse rot away. I felt my feet walk up to Jean, i began to remember the times Marco, Jean, and I had spent. Marco was always such a good kid, always keeping Jean calm and helping others. Your death won't be in vain Marco...I swear it! 

                Standing behind Jean i whispered. "Marco too....oh Jean I'm so sorry.." I slowly wrapped my arms around his torso clinging to his back, silently crying for my fallen comrad, my friend. Jean put his hand over mine and looked up at the sky, forcing himself to stay strong. I admired Jean for his strength, just like i admired everything else about him. We stood there for a minute, taking in each other's comfort. I felt so at home near Jean, he fet safe, he was now my pillar of strength when i couldn't stay strong.  I thanked him for it everyday. 

                I was the first to step back. Jean dropped his hand and looked back at Marco's corpse. I walked up to the body and put a shaking hand ove Marco's remaining hand.  "I'll watch over him, i promise.." I smiled sadly at the corpse. Jean looked down at me with sad eyes. I stood up and looked back at him. "We have to stay strong for him..."I murmured through my tears. "but...Its okay to cry once in a while Jean..he was your friend.." i finished and walked away. Jean looked at me with wide eyes, replaying the words i had just said.

                That night everyone sat around the bonfire, the fire roared as it burned the bodies of the fallen. I sat next to the fire, watching the flames dance with the tears of our comrads  to fuel it. Gem's tears were amongst them. Rose sat next to me watching the flames with dull eyes. I looked away when i realized Jean was talking to the others. "I'm going to join the Survey Corps.." he murmured before bringing his hands to his face as he silently cried over his friend's death. I wanted to give him a hug, or rub his back, anything to comfort him, but i decided against it. Leave him be..he needs to let it out. 

                I watched the fire again before i spoke up. "I'm joining the Scout regiment too..." I said. Everyone had turned to me, some with tears, others with very sad eyes. "First it was because I wanted to avenge my family...Now...I want to make sure no one has to live through the horror we just experienced.." I whispered. Everyone looked at the fire in a silent agreement. What happened at the Trost district was terrifying, depressing, it nearly killed me and it shattered my heart to pieces..but, it had made me stronger at the same time. I now have the strength to fight the titans once more, and kill them all without hesitation.

                I saw something move out of the corner of my eye, I looked away from the fire and saw a flash of white. When i blinked it was gone. I knew at that moment Gem's spirit wasn't right next to me anymore, because that white light resembled a little girl with a tuff of hair sticking out, freckles spread across her face, and dark green eyes that hid happiness behind them. The light waved at me before running off and dissappearing in the distance. I can't dwell in the past now...I promised them i would stay strong, and thats exactly what i was going to do.

                We stayed by the fire late that night, but eventually went to bed with heavy hearts. I didn't have any trouble sleeping that night, but I had plenty of nightmares, all of them i couldn't wake up from. Nightmare after nightmare, corpse after corpse, titan after titan. I couldn't escape these nightmares, but i endured them. I knew at some point i would awake and choose which branch i wanted to join. It was just a matter of time..

                                *Author's Note* 

                Sorry this chapter was so short, The next chapter might be short to but they are just leading up to the big chapters! Get ready for some more Jean x Kat Teslow! Stay tuned for more! i hope to update soon! also don't forget to give me some feedback! I want to know if the story is good or not ^_^ so i can improve. Thanks to all the readers! Hope you enjoy!