A disgusting feeling filled your chest and throat as your eyes slid open, glancing up into the sky. It seemed like a beautiful day, the sun shining as a few birds flew overhead. In your last scraps of memory, you knew you hadn't been here before. Your arm twisted as you tried to lift it into the sky, though the sore pain that shot through you stopped you. Gritting your teeth softly, you managed to turn your head, looking around to see other people. These... weren't your friends... who were they? 

(Y/n): Am...

You muttered out a word, the dryness of your throat contorting the word badly as your throat felt shredded. You took in a breath and spotted the Garrison logo on someone walking past. Then your eyes directed to your right just long enough to spot the wall... the outside of it, or was it the inside? 

(Y/n): Trost...

It seems you had made it outside of the city or was that just your mind trying to paint something hopeful as your body shut down. Two Garrison members shuffled past you, carrying a stretcher as they placed it down next to you. You didn't know how to react as your eyes widened. 

(Y/n): E-Erika...

The girl from before now laid beside you, her face turned to you though she was very much asleep, or dead. Her upper half had a few specks of blood and tatters, while her lower half was mangled. She seemed to be breathing at least which sent a chilling sense of joy and relief. So you weren't the only survivor. You couldn't help as your eyes slowly watered, the pain and soreness egging you on as your emotions seemed to finally wake up. 

(Y/n): I'm... definitely... dead...

You spoke with a chuckle, not sure if you wanted to believe that statement as the Garrison arrived once more. They were in a haste, picking up your stretcher as your fingers struggled to reach out toward Erika, your arm falling down off the stretcher. You didn't know where you were going, though it seemed you were one of a few lucky survivors that left an encounter with titans as wounded. It certainly wasn't a nice feeling though. The glass in your side was gone, the wound feeling stiff and uncomfortable from the signs of hasty field stitching. It felt immeasurably better, though the pain and cold feeling from the lost fluid were still taxing on your brain. As they moved forward, the sun coated your face, your eyes closing instinctively to shield them from the light. You were carried out to the cart filled with wounded, the older garrison members cringing softly at the sight of you, a young cadet ripped open. You were slid into the cart slowly, the Garrison members at least making sure you were comfortable as someone in the cart placed a comforting hand against your booted calf. You didn't want to quite leave yet though... where was everyone? Where were your friends? You needed to be there for them. You forced your hand to raise through the pain, gripping the side of the cart to raise yourself enough for your pained expression to look over the side. It was then your eyes met the familiar chocolate ones of one of your friends. 

Sasha: (Y-Y/n)...

For once the usually hungry girl seemed quiet, her eyes wide as she clutched at her stomach. She lifted herself off of her seat and took a step toward you. You couldn't hold it anymore as you thumped back onto your own stretcher. Sasha took the opportunity to move closer, quickly approaching the side to try and peer over the side through it was just a bit too tall, so she slinked to the end of the cart. 

Sasha: (Y/n)!

She spoke softly, your head rolling back to look at the girl in an upside-down view. You couldn't find the will to speak, the soreness of your throat adding to your general discomfort as you lifted your right hand once more and stretched it over your head, offering it to the girl. Her eyes stared at you in disbelief. 

Sasha: You shouldn't be moving like that...

She spoke, taking your hand as her fingers caressed your knuckle softly. Sasha's presence seemed to draw the attention of the others, a few of them already moving toward the cart only to pause as another stretcher was brought forward. Sasha jumped out of the way as another stretcher was slid in place next to yours and with your luck, it just so happened to be the critically injured Erika. One of the Garrison members took your hand and draped it back over your chest before knocking on the back of the cart, the driver whipping at the reins of a horse to get the cart moving. You certainly had no idea where you were going, though you could guess it was probably a proper medical facility a few miles away. Your head slowly turned to the left, your eyes drinking in the sight of Erika as she was this close. She was beautiful, no doubt about it. Her fair skin and blonde hair were a bit disheveled due to obvious reasons. 

(Y/n): I... tried...

You sputtered out, wanting to let the girl know in case this truly was the last ride for one of the two of you. You still had no plans to die, but from how mangled the young girl seemed, you weren't sure if she would pull through, and the thought weighed heavily on your heart. You managed to gulp, wincing a bit s your head flopped onto the stretcher. 

???: I knew you could...

Your head turned back to the girl in time to see a smug little grin on her face, her eyes still closed. You couldn't help but feel a smile pull to your face.

Erika: I can't see... or really move... but, don't give up yet. 

(Y/n): I... will... protect you... Erika...

You spoke with a bit of confidence though your ego instantly deflated.

Erika: Nah I don't need it...

You pouted a bit, your body warming a bit as the bumps of the road serenaded you, trying to lull you once more to sleep.

Erika: Though... if you... hang around I suppose... I can't stop you.

You wanted to retort back, but what little energy you had left was gone, your body shutting down to try and speed up the recovery process as you and Erika traveled to a new area, away from your friends and the traumatic events of Trost. Whether they would survive scared you to no end, though you would be much angrier if any of your fools didn't make it back, you had a new purpose and you weren't going t let anything mess it up before it can even start...