Chương 21: Reason
<<Mikasa POV>>
'It's cold…'
That was the first thought I had when I woke up. Lying flat on the ground, I saw a dark and unfamiliar ceiling with the air containing horrible smell.
Slowly fluttering my eyes open, I observed the place I was in. It was a fairly furnished room with a table having two people seated on the chairs.
'Where…?'
With another quick peek, I could see those two uncles. One was fat and short, while the other one was tall. Wondering who these people were, I tried to recollect the last thing I could remember…
'I…I remember having a bad dream.' In the dream, everyone I knew left me behind, as I chased after them desperately. Mom, Dad, Uncle Grisha, Eren and even Karl walked away, ignoring my cries…
Waking up from that nightmare, I wiped my eyes, realizing that I had cried a little. Checking that the sky was still dark, I felt thirsty all of a sudden. So, I got out of my bed and headed to the door.
Holding the knob, I tried to open it, only to stop suddenly. I didn't know why, but for some reason, I had a feeling that I shouldn't open these doors.
'Why am I...?' I tried, trying to shake off the feeling. Yet, it only grew stronger, urging me to run away. To hide somewhere I couldn't be seen…
Just then, the door opened with a bang and a strange man with an odd smile barged in. Stepping back, I tried to hide as I suddenly felt a throbbing pain.
Feeling drowsy, I fell on the floor, realizing that he hit me in the head. But, just before I fell asleep again, I could see Dad seated on the floor in the living room.
"Da-!!" I tried to call out, stopping just as I saw a large pool of blood. I began feeling strange as my eyes grew increasingly heavier, with an uncontrollable urge to cry…
Yet, I didn't understand why…
Somehow, I couldn't help but feel that Dad would never talk to me again… That he'd go to a faraway place, just like in my dream…
And then, I woke up here. Trying to move, I realized that I was tied up, just as I was assaulted by a bad headache.
I wanted to sit up, but I felt that odd feeling once again, trying to control my actions. I kept fighting against that feeling, until I heard the bad men talking again.
"But boss, do you think it's okay to cut Ethel out?" The fairly skinny man said with a weird grin.
"Its better this way. He messed up the last few jobs, killing anyone that didn't comply instead of knocking them out." He said, pointing right above my head.
"I couldn't let him do the same to them. They're quite important goods." He continued as I snuck a peek upwards, only to see Mom tied up as well! Even Arran was there too, sleeping on a blanket!
'They're okay…!' I sighed in relief until a painful scene played in my mind. The scene of Dad… N-no, he'll be here any minute now. D-Dad is just busy…
'But, what were they talking about just now? He pointed to Mom and called her goods….? Is he talking about us…?' I thought, trying to understand my situation...
"Boss, what about the whore I found?" The skinny man said as his smile seemed like… it was twisting?
"That slut? I paid her off to kill him after her 'sessions' tomorrow. I even gave her some poison and a bit of cash, so she'll do it." The fat man replied with another equally weird smile…
"As expected of Boss! Now, all of us will be rich and…" He said as they continued their ramblings. Leaving them be, my eyes were drawn to the source of coldness in this room. A single open window, that showed the dark night sky.
A pitch black sky with an occasional white dot, with a large moon and it's soft light taking over the earth. It was the same scene I saw with my family everyday...
Entranced by the dark night, I continued staring at it, doing my best to ignore the wound on my head. It was a beautiful sight, just like yesterday and yet, it felt cold and distant.
'Where is Dad…?' The question popped in my head again, as I convinced myself that he was late. Sure, Dad would never leave us now, would he?
"Waaahhhh!!!"
I was woken from my thoughts by the familiar sound of crying. Quickly turning towards it, I could see my brother tossing and turning.
"Eh? Arran..?" I spoke by mistake, causing the fat man to glance at me for a second. He then turned to the tall man and ordered him.
"Shut the baby up."
"But Boss, the mother's still out. What should I do?" He scratched his face with a confused expression, slowly walking to my brother. He did some funny faces, yet, looking at him, I couldn't help but feel… hatred?
Arran just continued crying as the tall man shook his hands. Suddenly, the fat man turned towards me with a cold expression.
"You're awake, aren't you? Now, shut the baby up or I'll kill both of you." He said with a scary face, yet for some reason, I didn't even flinch. I felt as if I couldn't even be bothered by his threats.
The tall man then cut my bindings, pushing Arran in my arms. Yet, all I could do was blankly stare at my crying brother, unable to comfort him…
Even though I could do it just fine until a few hours ago, I couldn't feel that way now. So, Arran continued crying as I cradled him in my arms.
Looking at his tear stained cheeks, I slowly set him on the floor board, right beside me. Slowly caressing his face, I felt lost in my thoughts.
'Arran, I don't think Dad is coming for us… I think he's already left us and gone to a faraway place… But…'
I looked at the child, who still refused to stop crying. My younger brother, who probably didn't know what was happening to us and neither did I…
'D… Did you... already know that…?' I looked at him for an answer, knowing full well that I wouldn't get one. It was already too late now anyway…
No matter how much I tried to deny it, the truth still remains… Dad is dea-no, they killed Dad... And now, they're going to kill the both of us...
I wondered what death would feel like... Would I feel relieved or would I feel angry? Would I feel liberated or would I feel nothing? Did I really want to die?
'Would I finally meet Dad...?' I thought, feeling that would actually be nice.
'Then, what would happen to Mom? What about Arran? They'd probably die as well… Then we can all meet Dad together!' Just as the thought surfaced in my mind, I felt a sharp stinging pain in my chest.
'But… Why? Why do I not want that to happen?' I tried to make sense of my own feelings, but I just couldn't… I felt confused…
'I… What should I do…? What am I supposed to do Dad…?' At such a thought, I felt a lump in my throat helping to keep my tears at bay…
"Eh? Can't you hear us? Little shit, Boss said shut the baby up!" The tall man said, as he squatted before me and slapped my cheek. As I woke up from my thoughts, I had a weird feeling.
It felt almost as if the world had lost it's color as a cold feeling shook my chest, growing colder by the minute. Looking up at the tall man, it felt like something was writhing inside me, struggling to be free.
'You… This man is the reason why Dad died… Why Mom is still suffering… Why Arran is crying…' I clenched my fists as my breath felt cold.
'This man is… my enemy...' With that, something cracked inside me, as I suddenly felt different. With much difficulty, I mouthed the phrase that was throbbing in my head, demanding it's release.
"I…"
"Eh? What was that?" He said, leaning in closer.
"I… will…"
"Speak up little bitch!" He raised him arms, to slap me again.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"
I screamed at the top of my lungs as I felt devoid of all emotion. I felt my body brimming with energy as an overwhelming amount of strength welled up in me, completely shattering the shackles I never knew I had.
I felt like I could control every part of my body as I ducked under the man's slap almost subconsciously. Uncertain of what I should do next, I thought for a second as an old memory played in my mind.
Back when Karl told me about how he beat the bullies, who were older than him, into complete submission, I felt thrilled. It felt like a heroic tale, where a person saved a friend in need!
"Can I do it too...?" I asked back then, wondering if I could ever match his prowess.
"Yes, you can! You just need to take note on three important parts of the body…" He said, as I focused on following his words.
'First, the Nose.'
Charging under the man's figure, I punched him in the nose, making sure I heard a crack. But, before he was able to fall on his ass, I rushed at him with my elbow out.
'Secondly, the Chest.'
Landing a perfect blow on his chest, I watched him fall back. Yet, I didn't stop as I got ready for the last move. Pivoting my left foot, I got ready to deliver the blow as an incredible power coursed through me, cracking the floorboards.
'Lastly, the Groin.'
With the power welling in me, I thrust my feet onto his groin, feeling something soft burst under it. The tall man began writhed in pain with a shriek, as tears flowed down his sunken cheeks. Yet, I felt nothing as I watched him suffer…
"Little bitch!" The fat man screamed, pulling out a blood stained metal bat from his side. Uncaring of that, I followed my instincts and picked up momentum, running to his side as I swung my fist.
Landing a square hit in his pudgy belly, I quickly backed away, as my instincts warned me that it wasn't enough. Putting some distance between us, I observed if I could use the same tactic.
'I can't hit him.' A thought popped itself in my head as we continued to stare at each other, waiting for the other to make a move.
Earlier, I could use Karl's teachings only because the tall man was squatting. Although the fat man was short, I still wouldn't even reach his chest no matter how hard I tried…
'What should I do…?' This man was too tall for me to hit him anywhere except the last spot, which was also partially covered by his belly. In the end, realizing that I had no other choice, I went straight for his groin.
The fat man swung his bat in a seemingly wide arc, as I quickly ducked under it. But, before I knew it, he changed the direction of his swing, landing a direct hit to my side.
Shielding myself with my arms at the very last minute, I was able to block the blow as I was sent flying against the wall.
"Kegh!!!" I coughed as a metallic taste filled my mouth. Spitting out the blood, I turned to look at the fat man, who slowly made his way towards me.
"Little slut, you should've just been obedient." He said, dragging the bat across the floor as it made a screeching sound.
"No...! Not yet…!!" I told myself, staggering back to my feet as I ignored the numbing sensation in my arms. Using the wall as a support, I pressed my feet against it, ready to charge at him again.
Seeing me approach, he just smirked, once again swinging his bat in a wide arc. Noticing that he was doing the same thing, I dodged backward, waiting for the swing to come again.
"Fool." Was the last thing I heard him say, right as he punched my straight in the face. Keeling over in pain, I curled up on the ground, as I tried to move in accordance to the throbbing voice in my head.
Yet, it was of no use... I tried using my arms to get up, only to be pushed back down by an overwhelming force.
"I must say, I was quite impressed. If you were a man, I'd have probably taken you in…" He said, standing tall and out of my range. Stepping on my head, he smacked away my arms with a bat as held me in place.
"With your strength and speed you would've been quite strong in the future." He paused, as he continued with a regretful expression.
"Although I can't kill you and your mother, you will still pay the price for your foolishness." He said, nodding to the tall man who was kneeling in pain, holding his groin with a mad expression.
Looking at the tall man, who had an expression that made me shiver, I continued my efforts to free myself. Instead, he glared at me with hatred and rage, seemingly waiting for the fat man's orders.
"Nero, kill the baby." The fat man said as the tall man gave a creepy smile.
"No! St-!!!" He stepped on me with greater force, as I reached out to my brother. Choking on my words, I switched to my thoughts instead.
'No! No!! Not like this!! Dad!! Please help us!!!' I mind-screamed, but to no avail. The tall man walked to my brother's side with an eerily familiar look. He slowly reached for Arran's throat as he sent me with a wicked smile...
I struggled to get free as he slowly held my brother's throat, continuing to press it with a smile.
"Arran…" I mumbled as my breath quickened, just as a shocking thing took place. The tall man who was smiling, suddenly fell on the floor with blood spurting from his body.
"Wha…?!" Looking closer I could see a familiar arrow protruding from both sides of his neck. A faint sense of relief washed over me as I saw someone familiar enter through the window.
It was a small person, with a black cloth covering his face. Still, I already knew who this person was. There was no way I could ever forget my first and best friend.
"Rest. I'll take care of this." He said in the coldest voice I ever heard from him, as tears welled up in my eyes. Just like that, my eyes felt heavier with each passing moment...
"Karl…" I mumbled softly, before I fell into a deep slumber. I had a feeling, that I could leave the rest to him without even a hint of worry...
***
A/N: 2.5K word count... Had to use vocab suiting that of a child, btw...
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
King_Admiral_
King_Admiral_ Well, this POV switch is the longest single chap I've written.
Wondering why it's late? Let's just say that I needed material for the depressive episodes, so I observed myself in front of a mirror...
Next chap should end this arc.
And, as always,
Like it ? Add to library！
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Do drop some of those sweet and juicy power stones!
Ciao.
P.S. I'm still depressed... :(
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