My Hero

Chapter 1

The Survey Corps were finally back from their expedition outside the walls! My heart felt like it might explode from excitement.
"Mommy, mommy, look!" I pulled my mom by the sleeve.
"Yes, dear, I know." She looked at me with a smile and eyes that said 'Here we go again'.
My gaze was wandering around, until I finally found him. Erwin Smith - the man, who had become my hero ever since I first laid eyes on him. A big smile formed on my lips. I couldn't hold my excitement back anymore, so I ran towards the Survey Corps. My mom tried to stop me, but failed, and was forced to run after me. I stopped upon reaching his horse and said (or more like shouted) the first silly thought that is swimming around my mind. "You are very beautiful!"
Erwin Smith stopped his horse and turned to look at me. He was dumbfounded at first, not sure how to react. But then he smiled warmly and responded. "Not as beautiful as you, Young Lady."
At that point a blush had already spread across my whole face and I completely lost the ability to speak. My mom caught up to me and immediately started to apologize for my behavior. "Please, forgive my daughter for bothering you like this."
"There is no need to apologize. I'm not bothered at all." Erwin turned to look at me once more. "What is your name?"
"It's Desi." I somehow remembered in my half-dazed state.
"That is a very nice name. I am sure you will grow up to be a very beautiful lady."
And that is when I decided that this was the perfect moment to let my painfully honest side out once more. "I want to be in the Survey Corps when I grow up!"
Quite a few people from the crowd around us looked at me and scoffed. But Erwin Smith wasn't one of them. The smile didn't leave his face when he told me the words I later swore to never forget.
"In that case, I will be waiting for you."
"Oi, Erwin, time to go!" A raven-haired man spoke up. He was the well-known Levi, humanity's strongest. I admired him, but he sometimes gave me the creeps. My eyes followed Erwin as he moved away. This could easily be described as the happiest moment of my short life. It was, of course, rudely interrupted by a few townsfolk, who, as usual, decided to badmouth the members of the Survey Corps. "Are they crazy? They keep going outside the walls, where the Titans are. And for what? To die like complete idiots."
"I swear, it's like the taxes we pay go for Titan food."
A rage storm was brewing inside of me. How dare they speak such nonsense? Could they be any more ignorant? "Shut up, you jerks! Show some respect!" I shouted at them, which earned me a lot of angry looks, and my mom was quick to take me away before something worse happened.
"I swear, someday you will get yourself in a lot of trouble!" Once we were back home, my mom made sure to scold me, like every other time I played a fearless hero. But that's okay. I was used to it, and besides, I knew something many people weren't even aware of. I might have been just a little kid, but unlike many, I was able to see the bigger picture. I understood the importance of the Survey Corps and their mission, and my true desire was to be like them one day—to be like him, or at the very least serve under his command. Yes, these were the thoughts of a 10-year-old.

Two years later at Shiganshina District, Year 845

I would remember this day for as long as I lived, as would the rest of humanity. It was the beginning of the end: the giant red hand up on the wall, which led to the deaths of many. On this day, mankind remembered the fear of oppression under them and the humiliation of being caged like birds.

My whole body was shaking, but I willed myself to keep running as fast as I can. Just a little more, and we would be safe. We had almost reached the ship that would take us to the inner walls. I was running right next to my mom, but the crowd was too big, and I felt people pushing me from all sides. In one dreadful moment, I got separated from my family as a man literally shoved my body away and I fell down, my head hitting the ground hard. I could barely make out my mother's voice while she tried to find me in the sea of people, as the last of my consciousness slipped away and everything went dark.

---

I was awoken by a loud crash. Aside from that, my surroundings seemed way too quiet. My head was throbbing from the pain, my view was blurry and I struggled to focus my eyes. When I finally succeeded to do so, a silent scream hitched in my throat. I was faced with a Titan. I couldn't help but notice its unusual armor like skin, but what really struck me is the fact I was not approached, or attacked in any way. Before I could make more sense of my situation, someone wrapped an arm around my small body and we took off in the air. As confused as my state of mind currently was, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of excitement. My body felt weightless. I turned my head around to look at my savior and a warm wave enveloped my whole being. Blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. They somehow felt familiar, but I couldn't quite grasp why. So I simply closed my eyes and enjoyed the blissful feelings of security and warmth, emitted from this person.

When we finally touched the ground, he put me down. My legs were still quite shaky, both from the terrifying experience and the time I spent in his arms.
"Are you alright? You don't seem to be hurt anywhere." He studied my body and I couldn't help but avert my eyes.
"Yes, I'm fine." I mumbled. "But I think I hit my head."
"I see. We need to find your family. Tell me your name."
"My...name?" I struggled to remember, but a strong headache threatened to split my head open. "I'm sorry...I have no idea..."
"Hmm, in that case I will take you to where the rest of the refugees are. You might find your parents there. Follow me."
"Excuse me, ummm, where are we now?" I couldn't help but ask. The man stopped.
"We are inside Wall Rose. Wall Maria was overtaken by titans and all survivors were escorted here."
"I...see..."
He started walking once more and I followed close behind. It wasn't long before we made it to our destination.
"We're here." He informed me and called out to a younger man. "This girl was alone when I found her. She says she hit her head bad and doesn't seem to remember who she is. Help her find her family, if possible."
"Yes, Sir."
As the man was about to leave, I quickly grabbed him by his sleeve. "Umm...thank you...for saving me..." was all I could manage with a trembling voice.
He turned around, smiled at me, and in no time was on his way. That was the last I saw of my mysterious savior, at least for a while.