"Mom, do we really have to leave the border?" Eren asked, his voice filled with uncertainty as they moved steadily toward the gate. He glanced at the boats ferrying people across the river and others disappearing beyond the gates nearby.
Carla gave him a reassuring smile, but the worry in her eyes betrayed her. "I'm not sure, honey. This is the first time we've had a drill like this." She tightened her hold on Eren and Mikasa's hands as they followed closely behind Captain Hannes.
"Hannes, what's really going on here? Can you tell me?" Carla asked quietly, her voice laced with concern.
Hannes hesitated, his brows furrowed as he glanced back at her. Lowering his voice, he whispered, "I'm not entirely sure either, but…" He leaned closer, speaking so only Carla could hear. "I heard from another officer that there might be a hole in the wall. They think it needs to be fixed from the outside. This evacuation is just a precaution."
Eren and Mikasa caught the tail end of the conversation. Eren's eyes widened in shock. "What?! There's a hole in the wall?" he blurted out.
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Hannes hissed, turning sharply toward the boy. "We need to get out of here fast."
Eren's voice rose again, his frustration bubbling over. "Wait, how is that even possible? The wall has stood strong for a hundred years! Why would it happen now?"
"Eren, calm down," Mikasa said softly, releasing Carla's hand and stepping closer to him. Her calm tone didn't mask the urgency in her expression.
Carla frowned, her voice stern. "Eren! Captain Hannes already said he doesn't know for sure. Don't make a scene."
"But—" Eren stopped mid-sentence, his gaze suddenly drawn upward. His jaw dropped in awe as he spotted Scout Regiment soldiers darting through the air with their maneuver gear, heading toward the wall.
"Woah…" he breathed, mesmerized.
Carla followed his gaze and sighed, her son's reaction reminding her of their breakfast conversation the day before. "No, Eren. I still don't agree with you joining the Scout Regiment," she said firmly.
"But Mom!" Eren protested, snapping his head back toward her.
Their exchange didn't go unnoticed. High above, Captain Levi stood silently on a rooftop, watching the small family from afar. Mikasa's sharp eyes caught sight of him, and she subtly glanced in his direction. Her movement caught Eren's attention, and he followed her gaze.
"Captain Levi!" Petra's voice broke the silence as she reached him with her maneuver gear, landing gracefully on the same rooftop. "Reinforcements from Captain Erwin's unit will arrive by early tomorrow morning."
Levi didn't acknowledge her fully, keeping his eyes fixed on the family below. "Copy that," he replied curtly.
Petra tilted her head, noticing his unusual focus. "Do you know them, Captain?" she asked, curiosity in her voice.
"No," Levi said flatly, his tone leaving no room for further questions. "Let's go." Without another word, he launched off the roof, his maneuver gear propelling him gracefully toward the wall.
Petra hesitated for a moment before following. As they soared through the air, Levi's effortless movements caught Eren's attention once again.
"Woah…" Eren whispered, his awe doubling as he watched the captain in action.