[On the screen, they're nine years old. There's a commotion - young voices, shouting.]
Leave him alone!
[Eren Jaeger, knee high to a cricket, rushes a group of older boys, growling as he pounds his tiny, weak fists into whatever he can reach. The older boys cackle and sneer, picking him up by his collar and tossing him carelessly to the side. Armin cowers with his hands covering his head, sniffling back tears.
[Eren can't be kept down for long. He launches himself up from the ground and continues the pathetic onslaught. The bullies pick him off every time, even as he screams and rages. Armin is covered in bruises.]
You piece of shit - I'LL KILL YOU!
[His voice is too young to sound the way it sounds, but he's got fresh tears in his eyes as well. They're all on behalf of his friend. One of the older boys slams his fist into Eren's face, sending him backwards, dazed, into a wall. He cracks his head on the brick and slumps to the ground, a small whimper escaping him.]
"It's useless, Jaeger. You're too weak. Too bad Mikasa's not here to pick your fights for you."
[Eren pushes himself up. It's shaky. His nose is bleeding. With a sudden growl, he's on his feet again, running toward the group of boys.
[Armin jumps up. He runs between Eren and the boys.]
"Eren! Stop! You can't! They'll kill y--"
[Eren doesn't see him in time. His fist collides with Armin's face, knocking him onto the ground. Eren's face drops into horrified shock. It's about then that Mikasa shows up; the group of boys flee instantly.]
Armin!
[Eren slides down onto his knees, taking the boy's face in his hands. Fat tears roll down Armin's cheeks as he begins to sob again. Eren's looks like he's about to start crying himself.]
No! I'm-- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Armin...Armin...
[He throws his arms around his best friend's neck, clutching his head protectively.]
I-I really didn't mean to. W-we'll get you all cleaned up, okay? I was just trying to help. I wouldn't hurt you on purpose - not in a million years!
[Armin hiccups, wiping at his swollen eyes.]
"I-I-I...I kn-know you...d-didn't mean to, you...you were just trying...t-to save me."
[The screen goes black. In its reflection, Eren Jaeger, behind them, both hands chained to one of the displays.
[He stares, eyes wide with shock - at the screen, at Aubrey--]
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1/2 talk about a novel
Leave him alone!
[Eren Jaeger, knee high to a cricket, rushes a group of older boys, growling as he pounds his tiny, weak fists into whatever he can reach. The older boys cackle and sneer, picking him up by his collar and tossing him carelessly to the side. Armin cowers with his hands covering his head, sniffling back tears.
[Eren can't be kept down for long. He launches himself up from the ground and continues the pathetic onslaught. The bullies pick him off every time, even as he screams and rages. Armin is covered in bruises.]
You piece of shit - I'LL KILL YOU!
[His voice is too young to sound the way it sounds, but he's got fresh tears in his eyes as well. They're all on behalf of his friend. One of the older boys slams his fist into Eren's face, sending him backwards, dazed, into a wall. He cracks his head on the brick and slumps to the ground, a small whimper escaping him.]
"It's useless, Jaeger. You're too weak. Too bad Mikasa's not here to pick your fights for you."
[Eren pushes himself up. It's shaky. His nose is bleeding. With a sudden growl, he's on his feet again, running toward the group of boys.
[Armin jumps up. He runs between Eren and the boys.]
"Eren! Stop! You can't! They'll kill y--"
[Eren doesn't see him in time. His fist collides with Armin's face, knocking him onto the ground. Eren's face drops into horrified shock. It's about then that Mikasa shows up; the group of boys flee instantly.]
Armin!
[Eren slides down onto his knees, taking the boy's face in his hands. Fat tears roll down Armin's cheeks as he begins to sob again. Eren's looks like he's about to start crying himself.]
No! I'm-- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Armin...Armin...
[He throws his arms around his best friend's neck, clutching his head protectively.]
I-I really didn't mean to. W-we'll get you all cleaned up, okay? I was just trying to help. I wouldn't hurt you on purpose - not in a million years!
[Armin hiccups, wiping at his swollen eyes.]
"I-I-I...I kn-know you...d-didn't mean to, you...you were just trying...t-to save me."
[The screen goes black. In its reflection, Eren Jaeger, behind them, both hands chained to one of the displays.
[He stares, eyes wide with shock - at the screen, at Aubrey--]