37.
That which is lost
Russell Tringham was impatient. He was pacing back and forth. Fletcher had taken a seat on one of the pews in the old, abandoned church. They were waiting. The silence was deafening. Russell gazed at the open archway, the one that Edward had blasted open and escaped through.
He barely held back a cry. It had been too long, it was too long, how much longer did they have to wait for him? He had told Edward to come back to him.
Fletcher looked up at his brother with wide eyes. "Sit down...you're making me nervous."
"It's been too long Fletch, he has to come back soon."
"It hasn't been that long. Sit!" The younger brother commanded and the older brother sunk to the spot next to him.
They sat in silence for awhile.
Finally, footsteps were heard on the hidden stairs. They were painfully slow. A girl with two-toned hair, dressed in an elaborate gown emerged, carrying another child in her arms, one with wild black hair and limbs missing, not unlike Edward. She looked relieved to see them and she let out a sob and set the bleeding child on the ground near them before launching herself into Russell's arms. "Don't go anywhere...please!"
Russell looked bewildered. "Uh...well..."
"We won't." Fletcher reassured her with a gentle pat on the arm. "We're waiting for someone."
The girl looked at him and nodded with a smile and then she disappeared back downstairs as quick as she could.
The two brothers shared a glance of concern.
"Hey, are you okay?" Fletcher slipped down to the floor, to the injured child.
"Mama!" The boy wailed, unwilling to say anything else. Something had happened to him, clearly.
The church doors burst open and suddenly in charged Izumi Curtis, Danny Broche and Maria Ross. The three froze at the sight for seconds before Izumi swooped in on the child. She comforted him and picked him up before she stumbled.
Broche shook his head and took the child from her. "I'll get him to the hospital."
"Thank you." She smiled weakly and watched the soldier charge out.
"We're still waiting." Russell supplied, finally speaking up.
The steps were faint again and a baby was crying in the echoed tunnel. Collectively, those waiting in the church held their breaths for the return of the young woman.
She emerged, baby in her arms and a young boy they had not seen before. He was having a hard time walking and was leaning heavily on the over dressed girl.
"Alphonse!" Izumi called, surprised.
The boy looked up and smiled at the familiar face. She moved in and hugged Al, leaving the girl to comfort the baby.
"Al?" Russell and Fletcher asked in unison, confused.
There was a beat before Russell looked at the girl. "Did you see Ed down there?"
Her eyes widened and tears threatened to spill over as she nodded. "He's...he's gone." Roze whispered hoarsely. "He disappeared."
The others exchanged looks of confusion.
Russell was furious. He moved over to Roze. "Where did he go? Tell me! Please!"
"He just...with blue light he disappeared." She whispered.
Russell could only sink to his knees in despair. Edward broke his promise, he wasn't coming back. He barely noticed Fletcher helping him up as everyone was herded out of that cursed, awful place that had swept his lover away. His mind and body had shut down as he was forced along into the chilly Central air.