Disclaimer: I do not own FMA

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA.

Isabel hesitated about her action. She knew it was not wise to meet up with the cold-blooded Crimson Alchemist. But she was afraid that if she went back on her words, he might involve other people into it.

Slowly she made her way out of the camp. It was dark. She prayed that no one saw her. She left some food and money for her little brother as there are possibilities that she might not make it back. At least not alive, she thought. She quickened her pace towards the meeting place.

A guy with a long ponytail was sitting there in the dark, holding a small candle.

"I'm sorry for being late," Isabel said, not making any eye contact with Kimbley.

"Actually, you are early," He looked at his State Alchemist pocket watch to check the time. "I left early coz I couldn't stand looking at the faces of the guys back at camp. Their pathetic looking faces. Those nasty hypocrites."

Isabel did not say anything in reply.

"So, did you go and meet that lil' brother of yours?"

Isabel nodded.

Kimbley scratched his head. He did not know what else to say and he was, believe it or not, nervous. He cleared his throat, "So what do you usually do during this time of the day?"

Isabel looked weirded-out by the question. "Sleeping."

"Oh, yes. It's early." Kimbley said as he put on a silly grin. "And, what do you usually do after you wake up? What is the activity that you do first thing in the morning? You know, like us in the Military, we have to wake up early for the briefing and all those boring stuff and.."

"Pray."

"Huh?"

"We will gather up at the head priest house for a prayer."

"Oh, yeah." Kimbley said, "You Ishvalan really has a thing for all these worshipping thing right? So what do you guys really ask for from the person you worship? You guys call it your good, am I right?"

Isabel nodded and went quiet for a few seconds. "We asked the Almighty for this war to stop soon."

"But seems to me like that fella isn't listening to your prayer." He said only to regret it after seeing the hurt expression on Isabel's face. He really did not intent on hurting her.

"He's testing us," She answered. "These are all tests to see whether we really have faith in him."

"Seem's to me like all these prayer are done simply to put your troubled mind at ease. It's just another form of meditation." He blurted out without thinking, again. "But I may be wrong. Coz you see, I could be biased since I don't believe in one. Like that Almighty one of yours."

Isabel stole a glance at Kimbley and it did not go unnoticed. Kimbley smiled at her and got up. He brushed away the dirt from the back as his pants.

"I gotta go," Kimbley said. "You should too, before anyone notice that you are missing for your prayer." He said with a smirk on his face.

Isabel nodded.

"Same place tomorrow?"

Isabel looked up at him.

"You are a very interesting person to chat up with," Kimbley said. "Same place, same time tomorrow, if you don't mind that is."

She nodded. "Tomorrow."

They both walked away from the meeting spot and came back after twenty-four hours. It was a secret rendezvous which went on for days until an unfortunate day arrive.

"She's the culprit! I saw her talking to one of the alchemist!"

"I saw her too! She was sneaking out early every morning to meet the Crimson Alchemist, who killed her cousins Arina and Serina. She's a traitor!"

"She's selling us out to the military!"

"She has gone against the words of God!"

Accusations after accusations showered Isabel. She defended herself but it was off to no avail. Isabel was captured and was to be killed but was saved when the head priest stopped the angry mob. He said that the God forbid human from killing one another. The word about her capture reached Kimbley who quickly make his way to the little camp set up by the Ishvalan. He saw a huge fire going on as he run towards the camp.

'Must be Mustang's doing,' he thought.

Kimbley quickened his step towards the camp. Once he arrived, he saw Isabel being tied to a pole and surrounded by dried leaves and sticks that was on fire.

"Hold on!" Kimbley said to Isabel. He could see glimpse of tears rolling down her cheeks. He felt a strong urge telling him to save her.

He grabbed a rug nearby and attempted to stop the fire but the fire was growing bigger. He coughed due to the thick smoke emitted. No one helped him. They just stood still and watched in awe.

"Someone get some water!" He shouted but earned no response. No one wanted to be anywhere close to the notorious Crimson Alchemist. "Do something! She's one of you, isn't she?!" He yelled at the crowd.

Kimbley gave up on his attempt to stop the fire and ran through the fire. He cut the rope tying Isabel to the pole and quickly carried her out of the fire. He laid her lifeless body on the ground. His eyes locked on her numb face. He felt angry, mad and moreover..wretched. With his eyes still locked on Isabel, he straightened up. The crowd was frantically whispering.

"I will never forgive you," Kimbley said with a low voice, "I WILL NEVER FORGIVE ALL OF YOU!!"

Back at the military camp, everyone's eye was on the Crimson Alchemist who was making his way towards the rest area after disappearing since early morning. He had a smile on his face. A satisfied smile paired with miserable looking eyes.

That's it.

Thanks for reading.

THE END.