The Dead Aren't Really Gone, Jean Kirschtein

The Deceased from The Battle of Trost

( Small Author's note here! Marco's thoughts will be in Italic, now!))

Trembling lips joined Marco's somber expression as he made his way after Jean, who sported almost the same expression. Tears rolled down Marco's cheeks, whilst Jean somehow managed to keep them at bay. 

How... How did I die?... I mean, my body... it was like I was burned...

 Marco shook his head, and reached up to wipe away the tears from his no longer physical being, and now celestial form. This was too much for him, and by Jean's broken expression, he was hurt as well. This, this hurt marco too much... It hurt, so bad, to see Jean so sad, expecially when Marco wasn't really  gone, and he was standing mere feet from Jean. Sniffing his tears back, Marco ran up beside the other.

" Jean, please, I'm still here!" He near yelled at the other, trying to get his attention, only to no avail. That's when Marco spotted Connie up ahead, walking down the street with Sasha. Marco almost completely forgot of his current situation, and went to run up to the two. " Sasha! Connie-!!" Marco was surprised when he stopped short infront of the two, and Connie ended up walking right through him. 

Standing, shocked and near breathless, Marco stepped back, looking down with shock at what he had just experienced. When Connie walked through him, it was like... he could feel the other, his heartbeat, his warmth, his thoughts, his pure being, his.. his soul. Marco, turning back to the three who now stood and spoke, he heard Jean speak up. " Marco.... Marco's dead." He told the two, and both seemed shocked.

"W-What?..." Sasha asked, and Connie put his hand over his mouth.

" Oh my god..." 

" He's back there, against the wall..." He closed his eyes, tears finally rolling down his cheeks. 

Marco felt his heart clench, and tears poke at his own eyes at the sight, and he ran over wrapping his arms around Jean in a warm embrace, only for his tackle hug of sort causing him to fall right through Jean, and to the ground with a small thud. 

"o-ow..." He whimpered, sitting up. Rubbing his arm, Looking up to the roof, though, Marco saw Annie, Bertholdt and Reiner, all standing in a small group, whispering quietly to one another. Those three... They were all great fighters, after all they had managed to all be in the top five, Mikasa being the top of them all. 

Though, as Marco found himself staring up at the three, he felt almost paralized as Annie turned and looked down, and he felt as if she was staring right at him, through him, almost. " Annie...?.." He asked quietly, and the other turned back to her companions, and that's when Marco felt a hand on his shoulder. Letting out a gasp, he jumped up and turned, seeing none other than Franz. Eyes wide, Marco is shocked. 

How... How can he see me?....

That's when he spots the blue and white wings on the other's back, and that's when Marco realises, Franz is dead as well.

" Franz..." Marco stood with the other's help, and he gives a small smile. " I..."

" It's hard to see you here, Marco..." Franz frowned a bit. " I was hoping I wouldn't see anymore of my friends, dead..." He let out a small sigh, and Marco nodded, agreeing. He hoped to god, or whatever celestial being that allowed them to stay that none of their other friends were dead. 

" Is... is anyone else dead?..." Marco asked, looking up at the other. He shook his head. " I'm not sure... If so, they may have decided to go to heaven and leave this titan ridden earth..." He laughed a bit, almost awkwardly. " I'm shocked you didn't choose so."

" I'm surprised you didn't...." Marco shot back almost right away. I mean, who wouldn't? Leave the titan filled earth and go to heaven, where they would never have to worry about titans ever again.

" I had to look out for Hannah..." He spoke quietly, looking to the ground. " I... I just can't find her, though..." Marco nodded. He felt he had to do the same, to stay for Jean. He couldn't just leave his best friend.

" Do you want me to help?... Look for her, I mean?..." Franz smiled, and nodded. " Yeah.. That'd be nice." The two, then turning, both walked down the street, in search of Hannah. Though, as they walked away from Jean, Sasha and Connie, Marco couldn't help but feel so disconnected from his friends.