Chapter 3: Unsettling Presence

The dim fluorescent lights above flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls as I lay on the examination table. The medical team moved with quiet efficiency, their faces etched with concern as they worked to stabilize my condition. Hange's hand remained clasped in mine, her eyes fixed on mine with a fierce determination. As I tried to process the events that had transpired, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. The presence I had sensed outside the room lingered, making my skin crawl. I attempted to sit up again, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the table. "Who's there?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. The medical team exchanged worried glances, but Hange's grip on my hand tightened. "I don't see anyone," she whispered back. Just then, the door to the examination room creaked open, and a figure stood in the doorway. The flickering lights made it difficult to discern their features, but I could sense their eyes on me. Erwin's voice cut through the tension. "We've got a situation here. Report." He stood in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto mine. The figure stepped forward, and I recognized the imposing figure of Dr. Kyubey, his eyes fixed intently on me. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense a sense of unease emanating from him. "What do you want, Doctor?" Hange asked, her voice low and protective. Dr. Kyubey's gaze lingered on my belly before shifting to Hange's face. "I've been informed of the situation," he said, his voice measured. "The Survey Corps needs to discuss the implications of...your condition." I felt a surge of unease as he approached the examination table. His eyes seemed to bore into my very soul, as if searching for something. "I'm not sure I understand," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Dr. Kyubey's expression turned somber. "As a half-human, half-Titan hybrid, your...condition presents a unique challenge. We need to consider the potential risks and consequences of having a child with...uncertain heritage." Hange's grip on my hand tightened. "What are you suggesting, Doctor?" Dr. Kyubey's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing. "I'm suggesting that we may need to take certain...precautions. To ensure the safety of both you and the child." A shiver ran down my spine as I realized what he was implying. "What kind of precautions?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. The doctor's expression turned guarded. "We'll need to discuss this further with Commander Dot Pixis. But for now, let's just say that...certain measures will be necessary to protect the child and the people of the walls." As he turned to leave, I felt a chill run down my spine. What did he mean by "certain measures"? And what exactly did he plan to do to protect the child and the people of the walls? I knew that I had to be vigilant, to protect not just myself, but also Hange and our unborn child. The world outside was already complicated enough; I couldn't shake the feeling that Dr. Kyubey's presence was only the beginning of a new set of challenges. Hange's voice cut through my thoughts, her tone firm. "We'll face this together, as a family. Whatever it takes to keep our child safe." I smiled weakly, grateful for her support. But as I looked into her eyes, I knew that our journey was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning. The doctor's departure left an unsettING silence in the room. Hange's hand remained clasped in mine, a reassuring presence in the midst of uncertainty. As I lay there, trying to process the events that had transpired, I couldn't shake off the feeling that our world was about to become even more complicated. And I was right. The door to the examination room burst open, and a flustered-looking messenger entered, out of breath. "What is it?" Erwin asked, his voice firm. The messenger's eyes darted between Hange and me before he spoke. "It's Commander Dot Pixis. He requests to see you immediately." I exchanged a worried glance with Hange. What did the commander want to discuss? And what did it have to do with our unborn child? With a newfound sense of trepidation, I realized that our lives were about to change in ways we never could have imagined. Dr. Kyubey's parting words lingered in my mind: "We'll need to discuss this further with Commander Dot Pixis." The commander. What did he have planned for us? And with that question hanging in the air, I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead.