Annie awoke to the sound of metal on metal.
“Oi! Big nose, time to get up!” a guard shouted gruffly.
Annie’s head hurt; she wiped her eyes hoping to wipe away the horrible nightmare she had.
My nose was like two feet long…everyone was laughing at me
Annie got up and made her way to the small sink, the cold water was invigorating on her tired skin. Annie was feeling more at ease until she looked up into the dirty mirror.
A horrified screamed rang out through the dungeons.
Annie pawed at her face as she felt her heart begin to race.
Oh my god, it wasn’t a dream!
Annie’s mouth hung agape as she stared at her fuzzy reflection, her blue eyes, blond hair, and her long nose.
Has is gotten bigger since yesterday?!?
The guard laughed, “guess it might be a good idea to start telling the truth then traitor.”
“Hey, lay off her.” A familiar voice called out.
“What’s it to you rookie? You give a d*nm about this traitor to humanity?”
“Look, she was captured before she could do anything detrimental so…”
The guard grunted, “well, at least she didn’t break the walls…if I could get my hands on that f*cker…. anyways you can watch her while she eats breakfast. Even though I think food is too good for her.”
Annie felt a wave of relief wash over her as the cold face of the guard was replaced by the familiar face of Bertholdt, holding a small tray of food.
“It’s not much but…” he opened the little slot built into the bars of the cell and handed Annie the meager breakfast.
He sat down on a stool as Annie just looked at the food.
“You gonna eat?”
“Not really hungry.” Annie said flatly.
Bertholdt let out a sigh, “come on Annie, you need to keep your strength up.”
Annie took a small bite of the hard bread, forcing herself to swallow. She noticed Bertholdt staring at her.
“Is it that bad?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Die lie to me Bert, you were never that great at it.” Annie said with a small smile.
“I think I’m doing ok…”
“Fair, you aren’t the one in the cell.” Annie replied. “So, how bad is it?”
“Some birds could perch nicely on it.” Bertholdt said trying to lighten the mood. “But not matter what size your nose is…I still think you look…pretty.”
Annie felt her face flush a bit. She wasn’t ignorant of how Bertholdt felt about her, she just wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to explore her own feelings. She had been wondering what the point would be since they were basically on a suicide mission. By the time they got back to Marley they wouldn’t have much time left.
Even so, Annie couldn’t help but smile at Bertholdt’s sweet words.
“You could be like one of those princesses in the folk stories that can talk to animals.”
Annie laughed, “I’m far from a princess.”
“I’d disagree.”
“Of course you would.”
A comfortable silence fell over them as Annie slowly ate. She was missing the better food that the MPs got, but she was grateful for the company. It beat hearing Hitch talk about what she was going to wear to the tavern that night.
“Annie…you shouldn’t be facing this alone.” Bertholdt said breaking the silence. “We came here as a team, and it’s not fair that Reiner and I are free while you are Hange’s guinea pig.”
“And what good would that do?”
Bertholdt shrugged.
“They could have killed me…so at least I’m still alive.”
Bertholdt nodded in agreement.
“And you and Reiner are free to find a way to get Eren, get him back to Marley.”
“Without you?!” Bertholdt said jumping up.
“Shhhh, you don’t want to draw attention to yourself.”
“Annie, I’m not leaving you behind and I won’t let Reiner do that either.”
“You might have to…” Annie said quietly.
Bertholdt gripped the bars of the cell. “We came here together, we leave together.”
Annie set the tray aside, placing her hands over his. “I just don’t see how that’s possible. You and Reiner can’t take on the whole Paradis military.”
“I would for you.”
Annie shook her head. “Don’t get yourself hurt for my sake. You must think about your father.”
Bertholdt thought for a moment. “Then give me up.”
“What?”
“Today, tell them about me. Tell them I’m the Colossal. Reiner can get Eren back to Marley and-“
He stopped at the sound of footsteps echoing down the stone corridor.
“Mealtime is over. Hoover your squad leader wants you in his office.”
“Yessir” Bertholdt nodded. Giving one last look to Annie as he walked away.
“You, let’s go…Captain Hange wants to see you.”
Oh joy.
************************************
“Annie! It’s so good to see you again!” Hange cried out as the guards led Annie into her lab.
Annie scowled at her.
“Come don’t be like that, you are a part of making history.”
“History? By turning my nose into a bird perch!”
Hange’s eyes lit up.
Oh no….
Hange’s excitement grew. Annie was sure she could see some steam coming from her ears. She began to mutter to herself.
Who on earth let this woman have any kind of real responsibility?
“But before all that, let’s take some measurements!” Hange said getting out a ruler.
Annie was tempted to try and fight back, but it was like Hange read her mind.
“I take it you didn’t see my friend here in the corner.” Hange nodded her head towards a scout sitting in the corner of the lab. He had a rifle in his lap.
“You go feral on me; Dylan here is ready to hit you with a tranquilizer that will have you out in seconds.”
Dylan shot a glare at Annie.
“It’s actually a concoction of my own!” Hange said with pride.
“Congratulations” Annie said flatly as she plopped herself down in a chair.
“Now then” Hange laid the ruler against her nose.
“Tell Ms. Leonhart, do you talk in your sleep?”
“Why does that matter?”
“Well, based on my measurements and if my notes are correct from yesterday. Your nose grew two inches last night.” Hange was too giddy for Annie’s liking.
“What!?!”
Hange opened her notebook, looking at her notes from yesterday. “Yep, it was ten inches yesterday and now we are at twelve inches. Which is one foot and convert that to meters…”
The only sound in the room was the scratching of Hange’s pencil.
“Your nose is now point three-oh-five meters!”
Instead on anger, Annie wanted to cry. She felt her nose, noting that it was now becoming harder to reach the end of it.
She bit her lip trying to fight back tears.
I’m not going to give them the satisfaction. I’m not going to give them the satisfaction.
Maybe it was the lack of proper sleep, or the conversation with Bertholdt but the flood gates opened.
Dylan shifted in his seat, unsure of what to do.
The glee that was once on Hange’s face was gone. She looked at Annie as she held her head in her hands and cried. It was the first time Hange saw Annie as a frighted kid, probably far from home, and now with a huge nose.
“Annie…” Hange said in a soft tone. “Why don’t we go outside.”
“Why so you can parade me around?”
“I just think you could use some fresh air, and so could I.”
Annie knew she didn’t have much of a choice, but something about Hange’s sudden change in tone made her feel a bit more trusting.
“Fine.”
Dylan got up from his chair.
“Dylan, your services won’t be needed. You are dismissed.”
“Captain, I insisted.”
“We will be fine.”
********************************
Annie didn’t want to it it, but Hange was right. Annie felt a tad bit better standing in the sun, she noticed that her since of smell was stronger. She could smell the smoke of the armory, the wildflowers growing, the smell of last night’s rain.
They stood in a small clearing out in the woods behind the HQ. Annie was surprised that Hange was taking such a big risk.
“You aren’t going to try anything.” Hange said.
Annie looked at her, her blue eyes still puffy and red.
“You’re not dumb Annie. You are a solider, long before you ed the military here.”
Annie’s eyes widened in surprise. “How?”
“I don’t know where you are from, but I do know that you have military training.”
Hange continued, “I also know that because of that training you won’t make a move when you are emotionally compromised, it’s too risky.”
Annie was stunned, but Hange was right.
“I also have deduced that you aren’t working alone.”
Annie’s heart dropped.
She knows about Bertholdt…and Reiner!
“But I don’t who.”
Annie let out the breath she had been holding in. She suddenly felt a tickle on her nose.
“Well, would you look at that?” Hange said with a whisper.
Annie did her best to look down her nose without going cross eyed. A blue and black butterfly had landed on her nose. It’s wings slowly moving with the gentle breeze.
Annie let out a soft laugh. She had never seen a butterfly this close before. Annie ed chasing them as a young girl, whenever she didn’t have to train with her father. She could never catch them.
The butterfly was soon ed by another, and then another.
“They must be of the same species.” Hange said in a fascinated whisper.
Annie smiled slightly. “They are so beautiful.”
I hope they don’t fly away soon.
It was in this moment; a small crack began to form in the wall Annie had erected.
“You’re right Hange. I’m far from home. A whole ocean away from home.”
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