My Hero

Chapter 39

It was Eren's second time in a cell like this one. He remembered the feeling all too well, with the slight difference that he wasn't confused anymore. Eren was painfully aware of everything, and it took his best effort not to let his anger take over. The cell was dark. The only light came from a lit torch on a wall outside. His hands were handcuffed to the wall behind him and secured tightly with bandages, in case he decided to try something funny. Who would even be crazy enough to try and turn into a titan in a small cell like this? To be caged like an animal felt cold and depressing—almost as cold as the floor beneath him. He looked to his left at the other cell, where Desi was still unconscious. She was in the same position as him. He still had so many things to ask her. Eren wondered what would happen to them now. It was impossible to count all the times he cursed his "special" ability.

---

"My beautiful daughter, do Daddy a favor and stand still."

"But, Daddy, I'm scared!"

"There's nothing to be afraid of. It will only hurt a little, and then you'll grow much stronger."

"As strong as Daddy?"

"Haha, yes, as strong as your Daddy. Even stronger. There we go. That's a good girl."

"Daddy, I feel strange."

"It will be alright, my dear. Shortly, everything will be fine."

I watch as the little girl transforms into a titan.

"Wait, no... Don't... Don't do that!"

I close my eyes. It's too gruesome; I can't watch this anymore. What the hell am I seeing?? For some reason, there's a tugging pain in my chest, like I've already seen this before. No, more like I've been here before, like I've experienced it... but that's impossible... Isn't it?

---

I finally started to wake up. Damn, that was a horrible dream, even worse than the usual ones. In my half-awake state, I tried to rub my eyes but quickly realized I couldn't move my hands. I opened my eyes completely. Fear creeped into my whole being when I noticed the iron bars. "Where the hell am I?" I looked up at my hands and saw the handcuffs. My memory was very fuzzy as I tried to recall any events that might have led to the state I'm currently in.

"Desi, you're finally awake."

I heard a voice from my right and turned my attention towards it.

"Eren!" Well, at least I wasn't alone. "What happened? What are we doing here?"

"You don't remember anything?"

"I don't think so, at least not right now."

"You don't remember turning into a titan?"

"What??" But as soon as the question left my lips, the memories came flooding in. Oh, my, I really did turn into a titan. "Now that you mention it, yes, yes, I do remember. But that doesn't explain why we're locked up here."

"We were declared a threat to humanity and arrested as such."

"But that's complete bullshit!"

"Not really. We're not normal, just like Annie, Bertolt, and Reiner."

"Eren..." I gritted my teeth. An unsettling feeling awakened in the pit of my stomach. I felt like crying, but held the tears back. "What happened to the mission? Did we fail?"

"No, or at least not really. We captured Annie, but we can't interrogate her."

"Why not?"

"Once Captain Levi cut her out of the Female Titan, she sealed herself in a crystal block. I don't think it can be broken."

"You've got to be kidding me... All of our efforts were for nothing."

"Desi... How did you do it?"

My first reaction was to ask what he meant, but I knew all too well what he was asking about, so I answered him instead. "I have no idea... I didn't know I could turn into a titan. I learned it by accident, just like you."

"I see..."

"I thought... I would remain blind. I felt desperate that my days as a Scout were suddenly over and that I couldn't fight for humanity anymore. But this is better, isn't it? I mean, I can be useful this way.

"If we don't get executed tomorrow."

"What do you mean?"

"Tomorrow they'll take us to court, along with Commander Smith."

"What??? But why is he... What the hell?"

'This can't be happening.'

---

Levi decided to check up on Erwin Smith. His cell was in a different part of the prison, but other than that, it was the same as all of them.

"Oi, Erwin. Having fun down there?"

Erwin Smith looked up. He was sitting on the ground with his legs crossed, lost in his own thoughts. "Ah, Levi, how nice of you to drop by."

Captain Levi leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "Nice is the mess you got yourself into. But talking about it won't change anything. What are you planning to do now?"

"I'm not really sure."

"I find that hard to believe. But if you're not willing to spill it out, I guess we're in for a big surprise tomorrow." Erwin Smith allowed himself a small smile. "You're very annoying, you know that, Erwin?"

"Yes, I've been told."

"What will happen to Desi and Eren?"

"I'll do my best to get them out of here."

"So you know about them already?"

"Yes, Nile came and told me earlier."

"Did you have any idea about Desi?"

"No, I didn't. I don't think she knew it either."

"Being a titan shifter plus the fact she lost her memory—it's a very suspicious combination, don't you think so?"

"I doubt Desi is capable of such a thing."

"I don't believe it either, but we can never be too careful."

"I trust her completely."

"Alright. I don't like it, but in that case I will trust her as well. I just hope you're not wrong."

"Yes, I hope so, too, Levi." The mere thought of his precious girl being a traitor to humanity left a horrible taste in his mouth. No, he refused to repeat the same mistake twice by doubting her. Erwin would make sure both she and Eren were safe and sound. Whatever were to happen to him wasn't important, as long as they were okay.