A/N: This is the first chapter story I've ever done that wasn't a oneshot series or a bunch of drabbles. I hope I do okay on it, and I hope you all enjoy it. (I can't count how many times my sister has given me titles for stories... This title is also of her creation.)

Disclaimer: I don't own Shingeki no Kyojin or Tokyo Ghoul. Shingeki no Kyojin is owned by Hajime Isayama and Tokyo Ghoul belongs to Sui Ishida.

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Chapter 1 - Misfortune

This isn't a story where the lead role belongs to the normal college student who likes to read. This is a story about the innocent bystander who played the part of the fool when he thought he could make a difference. They are both, however, tragedies.

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When it came to knowledge, Armin Arlert was the kind of smart that procured straight A's, tests with little to no flaws, and a promising future. It was only when a shortcut through a dark alley came into play that his knowledge and common sense wavered. In the 20th Ward, most gave one of these daunting, narrow paths a raised eyebrow and an unenthusiastic, 'Hell no.' In Armin Arlert's case, a potentially disappointing grade for a monster of a test waited for him.

"I'm just as opposed to the idea as you, but I don't want to get a poor grade just because I was foolish enough to grab one of my textbooks without even looking at the cover," Armin repeated into his cellphone for the third time as he stopped to wait for traffic. He darted across the street when he saw an opening, slowing to a jog as he hurried down the sidewalk. "Eren, I'll be fine. Besides, it's too late for me to turn around now since I'm only a block away." This little bit of information wasn't necessarily true, but Armin didn't want to give his friend any more reason to continue nagging and worrying.

As he continued along, nodding tiredly at his friend's feeble attempts to get him to forget about good grades for once, Armin began running the numbers through his head. Walking home took about a half hour, and he'd already been halfway home when he'd checked to see if he had the right book. Fate had snickered cruelly and he'd given the dusk sky a brief, helpless glance before turning and trudging back in the direction of the school. It was only by chance Eren had called, inquiring if the blonde wanted to quickly head over so they could both study together.

"I'll be getting home at a later time anyway, so what's another minute or two?" Armin now asked weakly, wincing at Eren's cry of indignation. Actually, the time he would arrive at home was truly something to cringe at, hence why Armin's next move was done out of complete desperation.

"Eren, I'm walking up to the school now," Armin lied, stopping just before the opening of a dark, gloomy alley. "I'll let you know when I get back, alright?" His friend mumbled a begrudging, 'Fine,' and Armin swiftly snapped his phone shut, stuffing it into the pocket of his jacket. Before him lay his potential, creepily cliché shortcut, and if Armin had learned anything from the horror movies he always squinted at through splayed fingers, it was that horrid creatures lay in such places. However, as previously stated, his grade was on the line. Cutting through the alley would save time waiting for traffic at busy intersections.

Armin took the first step into the narrow lane, shivered, and continued as hastily and silently as he could. Each footfall sounded like a firecracker in the suddenly quiet night, and his pace quickened. It wasn't until he was halfway through the hellish shortcut that he slowed a mere fraction, willing his racing pulse to cool down. He tried to reassure himself with the fact he hadn't seen any ghoul sightings on the news for awhile, but then remembered he hadn't turned on his TV for a few days. When it came to massive tests, he became the most unsocial butterfly in school, so it was no wonder he hadn't heard of any ghoul activity. Not even from his own friends who chose to avoid such gruesome topics, especially Eren, which was surprising considering how irrational he could get about the smallest things.

Armin breathed a sigh upon seeing the road again along with a handful of cars passing by. Any fear currently threatening to spill over was somewhat unnecessary. He had to keep a death grip on a positive attitude. This wasn't a stupid idea. This wasn't a stupid idea. This wasn't—

Something moved in the shadows and a dumpster lid rattled from the impact of some unknown object. Armin's spine wrenched upwards and refused to let him take another step. He couldn't even turn to look over his shoulder.

That was just a rat, wasn't it? He thought wearily, swallowing. The action felt like a shard of glass inching down his throat. A big rat... I'm not a fan of rats, but it is a good deal more fortunate to come across a rat than a ghoul...It's a rat. Most definitely a rat.

A few blocks away he could hear the train racing by on the tracks, bringing him back to reality. Shaking himself sternly, Armin lifted a stiff foot and took another step forward.

The one motion carried him farther than a mere step would have, and his mouth suddenly overflowed with a mixture of gravel and blood before he could even register the sensation of hitting the side of a blonde cried out in pain as his face slid painfully along the brickwork, sending gashes through his cheek. He hit the pavement hard, shooting sparks of pain up the right side of his body and adding to the flurry of stars behind his eyes.

"Now isn't this a precious, late evening snack," came a cool, smug voice. The words sent a shudder through Armin, and he weakly turned his spinning head, eyes falling upon his attacker. It was a younger woman, probably only five or six years older than himself. She had pale blonde hair that had been viciously tied back, and her mouth was contorted in a wicked sneer as heartless, crimson pupils eyed him from a black abyss.

A ghoul? Armin stared at the creature, too stunned to breath. It can't be a ghoul. These things don't just happen, not as easily and horribly as this.

Unfortunately, though the younger teen tried to convince himself, he knew that wasn't the case. When he did watch TV, ghoul sightings on the news always spoke of sad, unfortunate individuals simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was just another example, another news story. Another tragedy.

His blood curdling scream of pure terror only added to the ghoul's already gleeful expression as she looked down at her cornered, trembling prey. She raised her hands, cracking her fingers grotesquely before calmly advancing on him.

"My boss is quite the inconvenience when it comes to who eats in his territory," the ghoul sighed, crouching down beside her paralyzed catch. "It's been awhile since I caught a meal I didn't have to surrender to his gluttonous appetite. You're an excellent prize."

Armin shrank back, flattening himself against the side of the building and racing through the flurry of thoughts in his head, attempting to seize one that could help. He couldn't make a run for it, that was suicide, yet sitting here like an obedient entree assured a painful death. Fighting was pointless, and who was going to come to his aid if he screamed again—

The teen's eyes widened as he remembered his phone still tucked away in his pocket. He could call someone—anyone, just so long as he got a few brief seconds away from the crazy monster before him.

"Please," Armin began in a quivering voice, raising a hesitant arm as though to wield off the ghoul. His right hand creeped towards his pocket and the reassuring weight of his phone. He didn't even have to pull it out. All he needed was to flip it open and press a few buttons...

The ghoul's head twisted sharply and her red pupils dilated, instantly fixating on the movements of his right hand. With a growl, she lashed out, catching his arm and tearing it from his coat pocket, watching with smug satisfaction as his cell phone was ripped from his grasp. It soared momentarily through the night sky before clattering next to the dumpster, far out of Armin's desperate reach.

"Trying to call for help?" the ghoul inquired, focusing a wretched smile on the teenager once more. "Perhaps you should try screaming again."

In an instant she lunged for him, one arm extended as though she intended to tear his skin from throat to ribs. Armin took heed to her advice, crying out a second time and threw himself to the side. The ghoul missed his neck, catching his jawline instead and creating a ragged gash up to his temple.

Armin slapped a hand to his wound, gritting his teeth as blood ran between his fingers. Frantically, he struggled to his knees, screaming once more as a sharp pain exploded throughout his right calf. Crashing to the ground, he turned and fought down a sob upon seeing the ghoul's kagune twisting into his muscle. The golden tentacle stuck to him like a parasite, breaking through the other side of his calf and writhing about, shooting blood, skin, and muscle tissue about like confetti.

Before he could howl in pain, the ghoul wrenched her fist into his mouth, hissing fiercely. Crouching over him, she raised her free hand to her lips, lifting a finger and making soft hushing sounds.

"You can scream when I chase you, but not when I eat you. I don't like noisy food," she murmured, blinking almost sympathetically. "Could you imagine eating a burger when the cow is just sitting there, talking to you and discussing the weather or some crap like that?" The ghoul shook her head at the ridiculous thought. "That's why they're ground up first. Silenced and then savored. So keep yourself quiet, just like this."

Armin shook his head, made a split second decision and bit down on the ghoul, feeling a brief wave of nausea and then satisfaction as he heard his attacker's shriek. He wriggled out from under her, helplessly clawing at the ground and dragging himself against the pavement.

"Wretched boy!" the ghoul snarled, and her kagune whipped through the air like a wasp's stinger, preparing the finishing blow.

Armin could hear it shooting towards him, and he closed his eyes, sending up a prayer, pleading to any higher entity that was listening. A miracle was a lot to ask for and perhaps his life didn't warrant such a heavenly act but he would do anything. He'd take anything, just so long as he didn't die. The Grim Reaper's scythe still hadn't fallen yet, there was still time.

"Please," Armin whispered hoarsely. "Please."

An earsplitting crash suddenly exploded in his eardrums, and Armin's eyes snapped open, heart leaping into his throat and choking him. His imminent death was halted for a moment as the ghoul froze, listening to the sudden cacophony that had interrupted her. It was a symphony of screeching metal, like construction beams falling to the pavement from a great height just a few blocks away.

Armin turned back to his attacker, knowing a few loud noises wouldn't scare her off. He was still dinner. However, to his complete and utter shock, he found the ghoul had ceased her attack entirely. Her arms were at either side of her, limp with defeat, as well as her kagune that had wilted like a dead flower. Her red eyes stared numbly into the blackness above and protruding from her chest was a large, thick hand, fingers flexed and coated in red.

Armin's vision blurred and he tilted to the side, willing himself not to be sick. Unfortunately, his stomach lurched as the bitter stench of blood invaded his nostrils and he threw himself forward, vomiting across the gravel. He heaved again and another bite of pain struck his leg, seizing his entire body. Although he struggled to keep his eyes open, determined to see the face of his savior, another bout of agony tore through him and fell to the ground.

"Ah, hell," he heard a deep voice mutter, partly alarmed and partly sympathetic. He felt a gentle arm slide under his knees and another behind his shoulders, lifting him into the air. There was a long, exasperated sigh against the top of his head before he succumbed completely to the darkness.

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A/N: There's number one. I'm not sure how many chapters I plan on making this, however, I do hope to stay dedicated and update fairly regularly. Leave reviews telling what you think. It's greatly appreciated. ^^ Come back soon.