PART 1/4
CHILDREN
Claire sat quietly in class, she was sort of a recluse. Nobody really had nothing to do with her. Maybe it was the gloves she wore, she knew the children whispered amongst themselves. Or maybe, maybe it was her mother. Mrs. Bellamie, a woman whose entire background was nothing but wealth.
Her arrogance was most troubling and her bouts of rage most troubling for poor Claire. The gloves she wore were just a reminder of how severe her beatings were. For Claire the torment never ended.
"Hey Bellamie!" a voice shouted. It was none other than the school bully. Around these parts of school he was feared and out of fear came respect for this boy. Claire in all honesty didn't care where the people stood whether it be, low class or high class.
"Why you don't take off those gloves? Show us what's really underneath the fabric!" Instantly she froze, if it wasn't her mother, it was her gloves.
"P-please, I don't wanna talk about it…" Claire stuttered, standing up to the classroom bully wasn't a piece of cake, as a matter of fact, you'd be a fool to do so, and today Claire was feeling particularly foolish.
There was no teacher around to help her if the situation got hairy, so she was all on her own. "Awww!" The bully droned. "Chickening out? Are you a coward?" The bully squaked like a chicken, dancing in front of her, mocking her. Small laughter could be heard amongst the students and chit chat about what might lie beneath Claire's gloves.
"I bet you she has no fingers!" A child spoke.
"Nah, probably deformed!"
Claire had heard enough. "No!" Claire finally barked. "Just leave me be! I said I didn't wanna talk about it, end of story!" Claire knew that she had just stirred the water when she said this, but today she didn't care what happened to her. She had a hell of a beating to look forwards to every day, whether it be from her mother or the children.
Pushing his chair back, making a terrible screeching noise the bully towered over her, his big bulky body making Claire look smaller than she already was. "Repeat that!" He growled, looking her in the eyes, a fire starting to smoulder. "I dares you!" Claire didn't flinch when he had slammed his fists down onto the desk, not today.
"Are you deaf? You heard me." Claire replied casually.
The class fell silent as the bullies shoulders shook, his pupils became smaller, and his hands turned into balled up fists. "Don't make a fool out of me Bellamie!" He glowered, his face red with anger.
"That's Claire Bellamie to you!" Was all she muttered.
Outside the classroom the teacher, Mrs. Decker stood, silently sipping coffee, the children's 20 minutes were almost up.
BAM!
Mrs. Decker jumped, spilling coffee on her white shirt. "Get her!" Came a cry. "Beat her down!" Came another. "Pull off her gloves!" Chanting erupted from behind the door. Reaching for the knob she tried opening it, but to no avail. She was locked out!
"Those little-" She bit her tongue, knowing that just down the hall was the principal, a man of strict orders. "Curses!" From her hair she pulled out a pin, inserting it into the keyhole, poking around until it clicked.
When she was finally able to open the door, she was greeted with an ungodly sight. "Oh my gosh!" Mrs. Decker whispered her hands covering her mouth as her pupils shrank. On the floor lie a bloodied and bruises Claire and her gloves lie inches away from her.
"Look at her hands!" One of the children chided. "They're ugly!"
"That's enough!" Mrs. Decker roared, running over to the child, she bent down, running her hands over her neck, she was still breathing, good! "Who did this?!" Mrs. Decker snarled, turning her gaze on the small group of children.
"I-Its was lil Tommy!" The bully whimpered. "I tried to stop him but, it was too late. I'm sorry Mrs. Decker."
"Damn it!" Mrs. Decker cursed, the children all falling silent at her profanity.
"Don't you lie to me! One of you did it, and I have a good feeling it was you!" Never had she been this angry in her life, and towards a child either. "Now tell me! Who. Is. Responsible?"
The bully became the size of an ant as he looked up at Mrs. Decker, he had been discovered. "I-It was me Mrs. Decker, I-I did it." He hung his head low, his bottom lip trembling, he had been reduced down to nothing and it was humiliating!
"I'll be right back! You stay here and don't touch Claire! I'm getting a nurse!" And she did just that, coming back with the school nurse Ms. Andrew, a small stout woman with a kind heart.
"She's alright, she's going to be sore tomorrow. She should stay home and get as much rest as possible. I'll call her mother and let her know."
"N-no, p-p-please don't!" Claire croaked as she opened her swollen eye. "M-my mother d-doesn't need to know." Her hand gripped the fabric on Mrs. Decker's arm.
"Claire, I cannot let something like this go undetected, I have no other choice…"
The sadness in her voice was genuine and she truly believed that telling Mrs. Bellamie was for the better.
"Excuse me? Mrs. Decker?" Came the raspy voice of Solf J Kimblee, a child whose appearance was similar to Claire's. His black eye always stood out, and he was constantly losing teeth. "If you don't mind me saying, I don't think you're going to be seeing Claire any time soon if you send her home." Mrs. Decker had never heard Solf talk and this was the first time he had spoken up.
"What are you saying Solf?"
"Please, call me Kimblee."
"Kimblee, alright. Well Kimblee what are you trying to say?"
Looking at Claire he only gave her a pitiful look, the two of them had been keeping it a secret from the rest, and today was the day he had decided to reveal the secret to his and hers bumps and bruises. "Our parents aren't exactly nice to us."
Mrs. Decker caught on at once, knowing full well what he was saying. These children were victims of abuse. "Oh my god! If I had known sooner, I would have helped you!"
"It's alright, I'm living with my mother now in Dublith. I think it'd be best if Claire stayed with me. She'll be safe there." Mrs. Decker nodded, looking over at Claire and running a hand across her forehead. Kimblee felt a twinge of envy when she did this, wishing his mother treated him with the same love, but in all honesty his mother couldn't even look at him long enough without telling him he looked too much like his father.
It was true, Kimblee had inherited most of his father's genes, the only trait that he shared with his mother was her beautiful blue eyes. Scuffing his shoes on the ground he closed his eyes, feeling guilt overtake his envy. He could have stopped Claire from getting a licking, but he remembered how he felt, frozen, stiff, and numb, he couldn't will himself to move a muscle.
"Kimblee…" Claire's weak voice came, greeting his ears like a kitten's mewl. At once he bent down, crouching in front of her.
"Yes Claire?"
The girl looked at him with hazy eyes. "When w-we g-get to your house, C-can I ask Mrs. J i-if she can cook me up s-some beef st-stew?" She ended her sentence by coughing violently. Kimblee rested his hand on her back.
"My mother isn't much of a cook." He replied, a crooked smile crossing his features. "But I'm sure the servants will be glad to cook you up some stew. I know for certain."
"Servants?" Ms. Andrews spoke, shock evident in her voice. How was it that this boy in tattered rags could afford servants?
"Yes, 12 of them all together and 4 butler's mind you"
Kimblee spoke with an air. "Didn't you know?" The class fell silent, was this child really a relative of the wealthiest family in the area? "My father is head of the Scandinavian army, he goes by-"
"General Milo!" Mrs. Decker finished breathlessly.
"Correct madame. Right now he is stationed in Amestris, Central. He has agreed to meet the President, Führer King Bradley on an account of their deal." He spoke stuffing his hands in his pockets.
How was it that he knew all this? Wasn't it against the military code to let information leak out? Surly Führer King Bradley would have his head for this!?
"Wh-what deal?"
Kimblee pursed his lips. "I cannot tell." He had sworn not to tell a soul, not when it was watching.
"Awww." Said the whole class.
A child shouted. "You can't stop now! You gotta tell us the rest." One by one the children took their seat, forming a tight circle around his feet, these children were desperate for more.
"Alright! Heaven's sake, calm down!" Clearing his throat he opened his mouth, the shadows beneath him had shifted, a warning sign. "I'll tell you right after I've used the washroom." An excellent excuse. Running off he entered the washroom, slamming the door behind him and slumping against the door.
"If you had said one more word I would have easily killed you."
Kimblee stiffened, his pupils becoming smaller as the shadows in the corner of the room shifted, soon the room was engulfed in a thick blanket of darkness. "I value my life more than you think!" Kimblee replied, his distaste for the creature coming off thick.
"Ah, that is true, but you seem to value her life more than your own. Why's that?" Small hands protrude from the darkness, slowly making their way over to where Kimblee sat.
"Because, she was the first person to have ever had anything to do with me." It was true, it was her who approached him the first day.
Now it was the creatures turn to speak. "I see how you look at her, with hope in your eyes, a dream that one day, she'll be the one who rescues you as you had her." Eyes emerged from the darkness, followed by wedges of sharp teeth, the hands rested down on Kimblee's shoulders, crawling up his legs. "But as long as I'm around, I'll be the one who drains out all your light." The small hands wrapped around his neck, squeezing gently.
"If you're around for that long then you may as well!"
The creature smiled with satisfaction. "Just remember Kimblee, I'll be watching you from the shadows!"
Then in a flash they were gone, light now filled the washroom. "Kimblee, you've been gone for 10 minutes now." Mrs. Decker said, kneeling down beside him. "Is something the matter?"
Bringing a hand up to his neck he felt where the hands had once been, he had been squeezing harder than he should have, that damn creature. Coughing he spoke. "No mam, just having trouble breathing, that's all."
Mrs. Decker's gaze shifted to his neck. "It's a shame he didn't suffocate you when he had the chance."
Kimblee shot her a look, questioning her. "Excuse me?"
"Oh shut up you whiny brat! I've had enough of wearing this gaudy disguise!" Before him, Mrs. Decker lit up with red sparks, her skin crawling as her form and all changed, what the hell was this? "The name's Envy kid!"
"Where is she?" Kimblee barked.
"Huh? Oh! Her? That sad excuse? She's been dead for 3 weeks now!" Envy threw his head back, laughing madly. "You should have seen her face when I killed her. She told me not to hurt her children, but I wiped out half of the class already. It's not a wonder why lil Wendy didn't come to school!" More laughing.
"Damn you Envy!"
Envies eyes narrowed, his lips turning up into a snarl as he spoke, malice in his statement. "And if Father hadn't told me, I would have killed you too! Consider yourself lucky brat!"
The ride to Dublith was peaceful, the sound of the train chugging along, lulled Claire, her head falling against Kimblee's shoulder. "Mmmm." Claire groaned groggily. "Are we there yet?"
"Not yet Claire." Kimblee chuckled, this had been the 3rd time she had asked him. "Only 20 more minutes, I promise!"
"But you said that last time."
"I was lying last time."
BANG!
The train suddenly screeched to a halt, throwing Kimblee forward, Claire following. "What the hell?"
"BANDITS!" A woman screeched in the car next to theirs, followed by 2 loud gunshots.
THUMP THUMP THUMP! The sound of footsteps were near, it was then that Kimblee realized that they were going from car to car inspecting who was inside. When their door opened Kimblee crawled back against the wall, using himself as a shield to protect a trembling Claire.
"Move it kid!" The bandit snarled, pointing a gun at him, his finger ready to pull the trigger at any given time.
Kimblee refused to move, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I can't do that sir! You can pull the trigger but I'm only warning you once! Pull it and you'll be sorry you did!"
BANG! The bandit fell towards the floor, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud as he lie lifeless, blood spilling out and pooling around him.
"Are you alright?"
Opening his eyes Kimblee's mouth dropped open, a little farther and his jaw would have hit the ground. "P-President King Br-Bradley?!"
"Führer President King Bradley." The man spoke with class, stuffing his gun away in it's holster. "Your father is on deck as well, right now he's attending to the wounded. He should be coming around at any given-"
Before he could finish a man stepped into the room, his dark eyes meeting Kimblee's. "Solf…" Is all he said.
Kimblee looked away, he hated seeing his father because he only saw himself, it was almost like looking in a mirror. "Hi dad."
"What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn't you be home by now?!"
"That's no longer my home! I'm sick of having to live with a father who comes home everyday and beats the shit out of his own son! And they've given you the rank of General?! Who even does that?!"
"That's enough Solf!" His father spoke, raising his voice at the child.
"It's Kimblee!"
"Oh what, now you've changed your name?"
"Yeah! I did! Milo. Wilhelm. Solf!" His father's full name.
SMACK!
Kimblee's cheek stung, turning red as the blood rushed to the injured area. "You do not disrespect your father or the General if you know what's good for you! You were always a problem kid! Not getting any good marks in school and coming home looking like...like that!"
Kimblee exploded.
"What? Got a problem with that? Huh!? DO YOU?! You're the one who gave me my god awful looks! I can't handle looking at myself because of you! I look just like you! I'm a monster, YOU'RE A MONSTER!"
Milo fell silent, his eyes full of shock, his own son had disowned him completely. Without thinking he lunged viciously towards Kimblee, grabbing his neck and slamming his head against the wall. "General Milo! That's enough! Kimblee's right!" Kimblee's eyes only widened when he recognized it as Claire's voice.
"Who are you? His girlfriend?" He sneered.
That only rekindled Kimblee's anger. "Leave her...alone you crazy...bastard!" Kimblee coughed, grabbing his neck where his father had his fingers. "Touch her….touch her and I swear I will kill you!" Milo glared into his small blue eyes, squeezing tighter, making Kimblee squeak.
"ALL THREE OF YOU!" Turning their heads so it was facing Bradley they all fell silent. "General Milo, I am appalled by your actions! Beating down on a helpless child! You're a stain upon both Amestris and Scandinavia!"
"Sir, please understand-"
"Understand, UNDERSTAND?! What? That you beat your son? I will not understand or ever understand why you would do this to your own son! I'm having your name wiped clean off any records, the only record you'll be having is a criminal one."
"You can't discharge me you old loony!" Milo hissed, his face turning red with unspeakable rage. "Who's going to be General?!"
"I'm giving the title to a very close friend of mine, Gruuman."
"But he's only 22!"
"And damn good at his job! He's served in the army longer than you have! End of discussion!" Without another word he turned around and walked out, hands folded behind his back.
"You rotten little shit! Don't expect to see the last of me!" Milo spit as two soldiers approached him, cuffing his hands. "I assure you when I see you next time! You'll be the one who's lost everything, every fucking thing! And you know what? You don't deserve anything good, you good for nothing son of a bitch!"
Kimblee only chuckled, running his fingers over his injured cheek, bringing his hand up and licking the small droplets off the tips. "That bitch being you, adios old bastard, send me a postcard when you arrive in hell." Man that felt good to say! A pleased smile met his lips as his father's face lit up once again, blood boiling.
"Alright sir, come with us." Milo still had his eyes on Kimblee when he was hauled out, all the hatred in the world reflected off into his own but all he saw was himself.
The train regained its ability to run once again and within 5 minutes the train stopped. Claire stuck close to Kimblee, grabbing the only thing she could think of, his sleeve. Looking down at her he smiled gently, slipping his hand into hers, squeezing gently. "Don't let go, if what my father says is true, then I don't ever want to lose you."
Pink dusted Claire's cheeks, her heart race picking up speed as she looked directly into Kimblee's eyes, it was then that she realized just how much he meant to her. "If letting go is one thing you don't want me to do, I won't ever let go, I'll follow you wherever you need me to, be it heaven or hell or into the deepest pits of despair, I'll be there."
Holding hands they walked for miles, never letting go, finally reaching his house at sundown. It was huge, very impressive and the interior was to die for. "Ah! The Young Master doth arrives." Came the voice of a butler, aiding him almost at once, taking off his tattered rags. "That rough again was he?"
"Oh my precious baby!"
Claire nearly jumped out of her skin when the big hulking woman advanced towards Kimblee, pulling him into her chest, hugging him tightly.
"Look at you! That horrible man has gone too far!"
"I'm alright Mama Mary, just a few bruises and a sore neck."
"Mama Mary?"
Kimblee nodded. "I call her Mama Mary because she's known me since I was just a wee baby. She's been more of a mother towards me all these years."
"Yes, that's right darling." Mama Mary chirped while she brushed his hair, pulling it up into a neat ponytail, frowning when the same two pieces fell forwards, hanging in front of his face."Goodness me Kimbles." Mary giggled. "You look like a cockroach with those things in front of your face."
Kimblee blushed, embarrassed by her remark.
"Mary you know how much the Young Master hates it when you bring up this topic."
Mary brushed the butler off, dismissing him with a wave of her hand, turning her eyes towards Claire. "Who's this Kimblee?"
"Not my girlfriend." Kimblee was quick to answer.
"Is the young master keeping secrets?"
Kimblee's face burnt up with heat, rising in his cheeks, was he? "N-n-no! I'm not…" Denial clear in his voice. "We're just really good friends, that's all, it's not like I like her or anything."
"Awww! You do too! You can't fool this old bat!" Mary chimed in, teasing him. Kimblee wanted to curl up and die, this had been the most embarrassed he'd ever been.
"Mama Mary please! Claire's standing right there!"
"The Young Master seems to have the hots for you my lady."
That's it! Grabbing her hand, he pulled her behind him, hauling her into the hallway and towards his studies. When he finally got there he slammed the door, leaning against it and staring awkwardly at Claire. Here he was, alone in a room with a girl he'd called friend for half a year and just now he was starting to realize that he may have feelings for this girl.
Awkwardly he cleared his throat, not knowing what to say. "D-do you like Alchemy?" Good one Solf! Nailed it! Claire blushed looking down at her feet, fidgeting, why she was so damn cute!? But...ugh, he couldn't tell her that, not now!
"Y-yes, I do…"
Great! Grabbing her hand he lead her over to a table, seating her and pulling out papers, books and vials filled with substances. "Want me to teach you how Alchemy works?"
Claire nodded, still looking around nervously, not wanting to look him in the eyes, she had, had feelings for the boy three days into their friendship. Something just...clicked!
"Claire?"
Her eyes met his, and for the first time she felt peace wash over her. "Yes...Kimblee?" The light from the candle, casting a soft glow.
"How long have you liked me?" It was easy to tell with her, Kimblee could read her like a book, they knew each other that well.
Stuttering Claire began to shake in her chair nervously, stopping only when Kimblee rested his hands atop hers. "W-well...f-f-for a while now…" She whispered, looking to the side, her heart pounding fiercely in her ears.
There was a moment's silence as the two sat there, not speaking, when they finally did speak both of them said it at the same time, making it so they were perfectly in sync with one another.
"I like you too!"
Silence.
"Jinx! Double Jinx! Rats! Triple Jinxs!" The two burst out laughing, Kimblee falling out of his chair and Claire banging the table as tears rolled down her cheeks. When they were together the two were happy.
"Getting along are we?"
The voice greeted Kimblee's ears like a snake's hiss, venom dripped from it, stinging. "M-mother!" Kimblee blurted. "Hello!"
Mrs. J ignored Kimblee completely, instead turning her eyes on Claire. "Who's this?"
"My friend! Claire, Mother. Mother, Claire."
"H-hi, it's nice to meet you…" Claire muttered shyly, extending a hand towards Mrs. J.
"Don't touch me!" The mother spoke, pulling her hand away and turning her lips up in disgust. "I don't know where you've been but I don't shake hands with strangers!"
Her bitter remark hurt, making Claire sink back, Kimblee's family sure was bitter, but she knew that money, wealth and power did strange things to a person. "I-I'm sorry, I should have known better."
"Hmph! Solf!"
"Yes mam!?"
"Show your little friend to the guest bedroom, the cooks are arranging supper tonight so dress your best and do something about those antennas, you look like a cockroach!" That was it, turning her nose high in the air she waltzed off.
From the study, Claire was assisted towards the guest room, a large room with fancy furs and stuffed animals and the latest trends from Paris tucked neatly in the walk in closet. "We need to bathe you dear child." The maid spoke as she began pulling off Claire's shirt, socks and slippers.
"No!" Claire yelped when the maid reached for her gloves, pulling her hands away. "P-please…n-not the gloves."
"Oh dear! I'm sorry! Honest!" The maid cried, pulling her hands back as if she had just burnt her hands on a hot burner.
"Don't sweat it." Claire spoke, giving the maid a weak smile.
Downstairs the smell of food drifted into the rooms, pulling Kimblee into the dining hall. He had his hair up in a neat ponytail, the two strands tucked neatly behind his ears. He wore a white tuxedo with gold buttons and a bright red bow tie. Hooking his finger beneath the tie he tugged slightly, adjusting the death like hold on his neck to a more looser fit. "Young Master, your mistress awaits you."
Kimblee frowned, elbowing the butler in the stomach on his way to the stairs. Just like in the fairytales, Claire appeared from the top steps, looking down to where Kimblee was.
"Go ahead Milady, the Young Master awaits you" Gently the maid ushered her towards the steps, prompting her to take the first step.
"This is so embarrassing!" Claire squeaked, stepping onto the first step, her face red with heat. "He's looking at me!" Claire covered her face with her hands but a minute later, felt them move away.
"Don't do that, you're beautiful." It was Kimblee. The way he looked at her, she could tell he was not lying.
She had come so far, from an abusive home to now living the life of a princess, and Kimblee, her prince.
"Th-thank you...y-you don't look too bad y-your-yourself." She trembled as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand, melting on the inside.
"Now. Shall we go and enjoy the feast the cooks have prepared for us?" He couldn't help but crack a smile.
Nodding, he lead her down the sets of stairs, catching her when she tripped on the last step, her arms wrapped around him in a hugging manner. Her face buried in his chest. If it was one thing Claire enjoyed, it was the small things.
"You two look so cute together, you know that?" One of the maids twittered, sighing as she looked at the two.
"I think they're perfect for each other! My little Kimbles is growing up! Pretty soon I'll have Kimblee juniors runnin around, and they'll be your job to take care of." Mary said, waving her finger at the youngest maid next to her.
The maid only heaved a sigh, narrowing her eyes and looking aside. Taking a seat Claire sat across the table from Kimblee, staring off into his eyes, his calm, deep blue eyes. "Your veal cutlets my lady, served with steamed vegetables and rice. Compliments of the chef, and your chicken soup Young Master, made with love from Mary. Enjoy." The butler spoke as he laid the dishes on the table.
"Where's your mother?" Claire asked between chews, paying no attention to the food that was falling from her mouth.
Wiping his Kimblee folded his arms in front of him and said. "I don't know and personally I don't care. Just as long as it's you and me." His eyes half lidded as he said this, his tone sultry. He smiled, leaning over and pressing his finger to her lips, wiping off the small grain of rice away. "Now." He said, leaning in a little closer. "How shall we end this fine night? A kiss perhaps?"
Claire was too captivated to pull away, too enchanted by him, yes, a kiss would do nicely. Wetting her lips she nodded, feeling him tilt her head gently, bringing his thumb to rest on her bottom lip, running it across the smooth skin. Then he leant in and pressed his to hers, feeling sparks fly, his heart race pick up and his breath catch.
When they parted, Claire looked away at once blushing madly, the grin on her face was ridiculous. "You...you are a really good kisser." She blurted, trembling.
Kimblee chuckled, amused by her timid attitude. "I never thought I'd do so well for my first."
"First?"
"Correct madame, you were the first girl I've laid lips on, and honestly, those are the softest pair of lips. How about it? Wanna go at it again?" He winked playfully at her.
Claire smiled shyly, nodding before capturing his lips once again.
This had been an amazing day and soon the days would turn into years and the children would become teens and their love would grow.
This, my friend
.
.
.
was just the beginning