You're Not Alone

•06•

Out of the original Cadets, only 250 graduated. Some of us with honors. Now we are all lined up in front of the Commander, ready for our fate.

"Do you have heart?" The commander starts his speech while we all salute with our right fists on our heart. "As of this moment, you have three options open to you. Choose wisely."

I stand before the higher ups, with the others who earned high ranking on my side. Supposedly only 10 get to go into MP as their first choice, that must be me and the others I'm standing with. I made top 10.

"The Garrison Regiment, whose job is to reinforce the Walls. The Scout Regiment, who rides out into Titan country to take back what was once ours. And the MP regiment, maintaining law and order under orders from His Royal Majesty. This Cadets eligible for the MP have already been named. The rest of you? Take a look. These are the top of your class!"

I stand there, back straight and feeling confident. I ranked 2nd among the 10. Mikasa placed first. Not surprising since she is all around amazing. I didn't do too well in the classroom part of things and I don't lead well.

After the graduation, we all meet back in the dining hall to celebrate. Everyone is talking amongst themselves while I just watch.

"Three meals a day for life!" Sasha cheers.

I'm leaning against the wall near where Jean is seated. He's mumbling to himself.

"How in gods name did I get ranked under Eren?" He take a swig of his drink and scoffs.

I push off the wall while laughing to myself, then walk over to my friends. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are with Wagner and Marco.

I've taken a liking to Marco. He's very sweet and honest. He's someone I can see being my friend. He's loyal.

"You're really going to turn your back on the MP for the scouts?" Marco gapes. "Why in the world would you do that? You're in the top 10!"

"The scouts have always been my goal," Eren looks down at the ground. " I don't want the easy life. Not with all the work I've put in. I trained to fight Titans."

"Are you insane?" Wagner leans forward as he raises his voice.

This causes everyone to look in our direction. Here we go again, Eren is causing a scene. Wagner looks embarrassed, but composes himself.

"How many people have died? We're talking a fifth of the population! If that doesn't paint a picture for you, I don't know what well. This is our life now. We can't beat them."

Everyone takes in what he says and frowns. He's right about part of it, but there might be a way to stop them. We just don't know yet.

"Yeah? So what?" I speak up. This brings everyone focus back. "We buckle? Take it all lying down? Things have changed. Maybe not a helluva lot, but enough. They aren't the mystery they were five years ago. There's still a long way to go, but we've made progress. Every battle we lost, taught us a lesson, gave us the tiniest insight towards something like hope. You're telling me it's better to cut our losses? Let all the death and destruction be meaningless? Just to ball it up and accept it? Not on your life! Humanities future lies outside the walls, and we're going to clear the way! We're going to take back what was ours! We'll drive them out. And as long as at least one of us can say that, we're not done."

I put my hand on Erens shoulder. He smiles at me. This isn't really my opinion, but it's his. Therefore I will fight for him.

Everyone is watching me with intense stares. They are all listening to what I have to say. This feels nice. Growing up I was always in the background. Eren was the outgoing one. I stayed back and observed. That's what I do. I watch.