The Month Of May

Chapter 12

I WAS PRACTICALLY ALONE IN THE BARRACKS.

It was only me and one other boy with black hair and a kind expression. He had tried to socialize with me, but I had blankly excused myself from the conversation.

Now, I sat on my uncomfortable bed, staring at my hands. They were clean...for now. My father had trained me to take down any soldiers who stood in my way, and I would do just that if need be.

But after knowing Armin...it was obvious just how oblivious they were to Erwin's exploits. I mean, he had no idea what was going on at all. He was just young, innocent, and friendly. He didn't even hesitate when it came to helping me in the streets because this society told him to be kind and help others. I wouldn't have moved a muscle if I saw someone there. The weak fall. The strong live.

I am strong.

But the weak didn't have to die. That was why I was here in the first place, wasn't it...? I turned over in my bed, tired of thinking about my plan. I needed sleep. I closed my eyes and clasped my clean hands together, knowing that one day, they'd be stained with unnecessary blood.

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I awoke the next morning to Shadis screaming.

"Get up, you ragamuffins!" Shadis instructed loudly, and as I opened my eyes, I saw that he wasn't even here. He was just stationed outside the door, yelling. "I expect everyone outside in five minutes!"

Knowing he wasn't here, I rolled my eyes and then got out of bed. I was used to being abruptly awaken and told to get ready quickly because of the extensive training my father had put me through. I had hated him for it, but now I was glad since I was accustomed to this lifestyle.

I quickly put on my clothes, the standard uniform along with my white hoodie before throwing my blonde hair into a bun. After sliding on my boots, I made my way out, ignoring how the black haired boy was scrambling to get ready behind me.

As I made my way to the training grounds, I fiddled with my silvery ring. It was plain, but perfectly suited for my mission.

Speaking of that...all I had to do now was await the signal. It was to happen at night, although I wasn't sure which night. I just needed to wait until six o'clock, and stand in the main yard.

I'd know from there.

The most important part of the mission was resting on my shoulders. Everyone trusted me. Bertolt, Reinhardt, but most importantly, my father. If I could pull this off, I was rewarded with seeing my father again. That was all I really wanted.

If I could make it back to my father, perhaps he'd see me as who I really am. He was never the best father...but that didn't matter. I desperately craved for his approval...and if this mission would secure that, then I'd do anything.

Even if it meant saving a bunch of ignorant people.

"Hey, Annie!" Armin's excited voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to glance at him. He waved, but, much to my exasperation, he was surrounded by his two friends, Eren and Mikasa. "How was it?"

"How was what?" I asked, furrowing my brow in confusion. He shook his head, his blonde hair flying into his face as he chuckled.

"My bad," Armin apologized sheepishly, his features contorted into a awkward grin. So cheerful he was. Ignorance truly was bliss. "How was staying here?"

"Oh. It was alright," I shrugged nonchalantly. Now that I no longer required his assistance, I should shrug him off. I didn't need to see his disappointment once he found out the truth...yet, part of me enjoyed talking to him...or rather, him talking to me. How strange. That was certainly new. "Better than being homeless."

"Fair," He laughed. I glanced at Mikasa and Eren from the corner of my eye. Eren seemed oblivious enough, Mikasa kept side-eyeing me. Suspicious as always...

"I'm surprised you're still here," Mikasa dropped the pleasantries, turning to face me. Eren facepalmed in frustration.

"Mika, she's fine-"

"It's fishy that she turned up all of a sudden," Mikasa narrowed her silvery grey eyes in danger, but I wasn't fazed. I'd been glanced down by a guy who was practically sixteen feet, how could I be intimidated by this little girl? "Who in the world is ever homeless around here?"

"That's enough," Eren stepped in, an apologetic look on his face. "Sorry, Annie. She's always like this."

"I am not. I wasn't like this for any of the other recruits-"

"That's because they've been here the whole time!"

"They...Argue a bit when it comes to other people," Armin said apologetically. "Well? Are you ready start training today?"

I nodded.

"Yes. Let's go."