Untold Secrets

Armin already has a hard enough time fitting in when everyone knew about his family, but what made it worse for him was the fact that he was looked down upon for having his own thoughts, his own mind.

In the Shingashina District there was only one place Armin felt even remotely safe and accepted for who he was and that was in the library. Now here's the thing the "Library" was just a small building full of books about how people should be living their lifes and Armin hated those books but, Armin absolutely loved the solitude of that building. Armin entered and was greeted by the guard.

"Why hello there Armin, Back again?"
"Yes sir, Gordon."
"Well you can look but I doubt there are any books left for you too read, hahaha."
"Haha good one, Sir"
Armin has really only talked to Gordon on a few occasions.Y'see Gordon isn't the keeper of the library he just over sees it to make sure only certain material is brought into the library when the Garrison is done sweeping peoples homes to make sure no one has anything illegal in their possession.

Armin is once again scanning the many shelves of books for the umpteenth time trying not to stay idle. As he's walking down the isle he sees his usual tormentors gang up on a small boy about his age with emerald green eyes and a choppy mop of brown hair. 'The poor kid' Armin mumbled to himself. As he tried concentrate on getting a book to read for the day while he holes himself up in his house, Armin noticed the bullies grab his shirt and push the kid down. He thought the poor boy should just make a break for it, he looked lean enough to run fast, but the kid stood up dusted himself off and here's what really surprised Armin is the out-rightly punched the biggest one square in the jaw.

The bully grabbed his jaw and howled in pain while yelling at his friends to get him and the kid just kept throwing punches one after another just trying to keep his ground and stay fighting. To Armins dismay the kid couldn't fight three at once and the two boys got his arms and legs and pinned him down.

"I refuse to live by your rules, Damieon"
"SHUT IT YEAGER, Tim, Harold hold him tight."
"Got it." They said in unison.

Damieon started to punch and kick this Yeager kid repeatedly until he started coughing up blood. The kid still refused to kneel to them so Damieon shared one look with his friends and they understood. They both kicked one leg at the same time and he fell hard on his knees. Harold grabbed his hair and held his head back so that Damieon could ram his knee into Erens jaw.

"We worked the heretic enough for now".
"Speaking of which where's the small blonde? He's normally here by around this time of day." Harold pointed out. Armin could over hear them and quickly tip-toed over to the end of the library. He could see through the window that Damieon was talking with Gordon,

"Have you seen Armin today yet, Sir?"
"Yeah he came in just a bit ago". And with that note the boys started walking into the library, and Armin was trying to sneak around them. Just as he was getting around a shelf to the exit, a book fell and the boys saw him. Armin did the only thing he thought he could do, stand up to them.

"Oh-ho, look what we have here another little heretic."
"I'm not a heretic Damieon. I just have my own ideas thoughts and beliefs, and that's just me being human."
"Okay, I hear you, I honestly do. But many kids follow their parents ideals and beliefs and we all know what happened to yours, and you still want to believe they are coming back for you. They aren't get that through your skull. They didn't love you enough to stay here and raise you, and they don't love you enough to come back to their pathetic child.

Armin absolutely hated it when people talked about his parents, they couldn't ever just let it drop. Armin did what anyone would have, he picked up the fallen book and threw it towards the boys. He had never been very athletic but he was really hopeful in this throw. The book did hit Damieon but didn't hurt him like Armin had hoped... He tried to run but was quickly caught much to his dismay. Damieon grabbed his collar and roughly shoved him up against the brick wall of the library.

"Why can't you just accept the fact that no one will ever love you, will ever want you. You need to learn this Arlert." Damieon threw him down and walked away, his entourage following his lead and leaving Eren to his self.

Armin slowly started getting up, and gathered his book and was going to walk away when he noticed the kid, what did they say his name was again? Oh yes Yeager, he realized he was still face down in the dirt. Armin walked over to him and put his hand over his face, relieved to know he was in fact still breathing but now he was faced with the problem of trying to wake him up...Armin put his hand on his face again and this time added pressure. Eren flew up with a gasp.

"Sorry, I just wasn't sure what to do to help you..."
"Thanks, Uh Arlert,right? Where did they go anyway?"
"Call me Armin, I'm not sure they kind of just walked away, I wasn't keen on knowing where."
"Okay, Armin, I'm Eren,Where do you live? I can take you home."

"A bit closer to the town."
"Okay, Let's go."

As they walked they talked a bit about anything they could think of. And it was nice for Armin, he has never had a friend before. Most kids look down at him for wanting to know more and learn, since 80% of kids are illiterate in this district.

"Well here is your home Armin. See you later." Eren waved to Armin as he turned to run back home to his family.