The Month Of May

Chapter 17

"WE'LL BE TRAINING AT A FASTER PACE DUE TO THE RECENT COLOSSAL ATTACK, SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED FOR WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!"

I just about died upon hearing those words. The instructor Shadis was already hard enough on us as it was, now he was going to be even tougher? To be fair, it made sense since Officer Nile had been assassinated in cold blood by one of his personal guards while his other guards were gone, but...intense training didn't change how anyone felt about people!

That guard had been executed for treason against the walls. He had begged and pleaded that it hadn't been him, and no one had believed him for obvious reasons. He couldn't lie; it was him. It was his sword and he was one of the only ones to be near Officer Nile at any time...

Yet, hearing the guard beg for his life so desperately sent chills up my spine.

I should have been cold, wishing death upon this guy, but something felt...wrong. He seemed so genuine, but what other explanation was there?

"Armin! Are you listening!" Shadis barked, and I hurriedly nodded even though I had no idea what he was talking about for once. I normally made sure to pay attention during his speeches since I was terrible at actually performing well. "Good. As I was saying! We will administer the test soon to see if you all are eligible to join the military!"

"Wait, we're not guaranteed a spot?" Eren whispered to me, and I just shook my head from side to side. Eren was so clueless sometimes, it made me wonder...

"As for now, we'll begin with the heightened trainings I hope you all are ready!" Shadis exclaimed. I wondered if he enjoyed the thought of tormenting all of us. "Any questions!?"

"What is the test on?" A bald kid by the name of Connie asked, a confused look on his face as he stood next to some girl eating a potato. Shadis' mind just about blew up upon hearing Connie.

"EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE SO FAR!" Shadis screeched, making my ears hurt. Judging by the looks of it, everyone winced except for Annie and Mikasa. "NOW LET'S GET TO WORK, UNLESS YOU WANT TO FAIL!"

Today we were working on fighting smaller cardboard cutouts of that giant monster that had popped up. I thought it was strange that they had managed to replicate it's shape so fast, but I didn't question it.

I should have.

I wasn't very good at this. The main point was to utilize our gear and get comfortable with the swords. I found it hard to move, clunky to do anything. As we landed for a break, I huffed, chugging down water before almost collapsing out of exhaustion.

"Are you alright, Armin?"

Annie swooped down next to me without a hitch. For a moment, I was jealous again...but I let the jealousy slip away. I couldn't think like that. Her icy blue eyes were full of something strange; it wasn't concern, I knew Annie wasn't actually worried, but...I didn't know what was in those blue eyes.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine," I managed to stammer out, straightening up. As I subtly tried to scan her, I realized just how pretty she was. Her blonde hair was tied up messily, but it suited her, her skin was clear, and those icy eyes of hers could chill a room...

Wait, why am I looking at her like that?

"This training is sort of ridiculous," Annie commented while looking off to the distance. I was glad she hadn't seen me. "None of this could stop that massive thing."

"Ah, don't say that! What if people are watching?" I frowned, glancing around. "They shouldn't hear that-"

"I don't care right now. This is the truth," Annie just folded her arms distantly. She seemed like she had more to say, but was holding back. I wanted to know what she was talking about. "We can't stop it."

"We can't think so negatively!" I tried to stop her thought process. "We'll figure something out, I'm sure. We could do it!"

Her eyes met mine once more.

"...Could we really?"

I just stood there, mouth agape, jaw to the floor with no response. She sighed.

"I don't mean to be a buzzkill. I just want to be honest."

I nodded, but I still had no response. She had shut me up pretty well. I could hear Shadis barking for us to get back up in the air already in the distant background.

Annie extended her hand out toward me, and I just stared at her. She gestured for me to take it.

"Come on. I'll help you out."

I nodded, and took her hand. Wow, her hand was freezing against mine...it felt nice, though. I could feel the warmth of my own hand combatting her cold...

Yes, her hand in mine felt nice.