Chapter 4: I'm a Monster…
Edward had to cover his nose at the pungent stench of Alcohol coming from just around the corner of the house. He had to force himself not to gag as he leaned up against the side of the house. Even through both his hands he could still smell the horrid odor. The bastard must be damn close for the smell to be that strong. He peeked around the corner, and sure enough there he was. A large, burly, drunken man prowling around the house, looking in every window, as if searching for a way in. He heard him mumble, but the words hit Edwards sharp ears clear as day, "gahdamit, ah dun evn know where mah own frun door is….howthafuck am I gun get in mah house?"
'His house?' Edward thought, incredulously, 'this bastard really is drunk…' He stepped out from around the corner, "Hey! You!" The man turned around and faced Edward, "wha? Whothafuck are ya…" "I was going to ask the same question." Edward responded.
"dis my house, kid…yous on my property."
"I don't think so, sir. You've got the wrong house. Here, I'll help you find yours if you want-"
"I KNOW MAH OWN GODAMM HOUSE! Git tha hell outta mah property, you lil shit!"
Edward took a step forward, "Youre drunk, man. You've got the wrong house."
The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a switchblade, "Ima warnin ya, kid!"
Edward didn't even flinch at the sight of the knife. He knew this man was too drunk to hit him even if he was an inch away. He tried his best to keep his calm composure. He knew what would happen if he didn't…
"Please ,sir, I'm not looking for trouble. This isn't your property. I'll help you-"
"You asked for it!" The man lunged at him, swinging the blade clumsily. Edward took a few steps to the side, letting the drunkard trip and fall. He sighed, "Pity…youre too drunk for your own good." As Edward reached down to take the knife from the mans hand, the arm suddenly whipped up and a sharp shock struck Edwards side, followed by a warm sensation running down his side and waist, then the mans voice, "Ah warnedya, fucker!"
His drunken laughter suddenly became a scream of fear at the taloned hand that gripped his wrist, and at the pain that races up his arm and through his body as the same talons pierced the fragile flesh of his wrist as easily as a knife would peirce a sheet of paper. He tried to pull away frantically, but each time he tried, the wounds only opened up more.
He cried out loudly, "AAH! PLEASE! LET ME GO!! IT HURTS!"
"You shouldn't have done that…you should have listened to me, you fool." Edwards voice was low, with a hint of anger…
He peered down at him with one raging eye. It was completely black save for his golden iris, but even that was thick. The long black slit that was his pupil took up most of it. He yanked the man's hand off of the handle of the knife and let go. As the drunkard howled and writhed in pain, Edward removed the blade ever so easily from his side without even a wince. The man on the ground stared at him with frightened eyes, "what are you! Youre not human!"
"I'm a monster…" Edward's voice was shaky that time. Inside, he was trying to push back the feelings of anger, revenge, and the urge to tear this pitiful creature apart. His wild instincts were coming forth, and the strain of trying to keep them back was making his whole body shiver….His conscience was screaming, "NO! Stop! Don't do it!"
Edward held his head and fell to his knees. His body began to shake violently, "p-please…y-you have to run! Get away! GET AWAY!!" It was no use. His muscles had already begun to thicken and expand. His clothes tore clean off his body. His hair melded in with the flurry of long, golden fur covering his body, growing by the second. His face and ears elongated, and a long, thick tail stretched out behind him. The boy that had once stood before the screaming man had been replaced with a creature resembling a Wolf, about the size of a bear, and clearly built for strength, agility, and speed. With every move he made, the muscles in his powerful limbs shifted and moved with him beneath the rich coat.
The guy on the ground stopped breathing for a few seconds and went pale as the creature before him stood with a snarl on its lips, huffing large breaths of air.
-Please! Get away from me!- The words rang in the elder mans head. It was Edwards voice, yet no words came from the snarling mouth.
He squirmed backwards, trying to get back on his feet, unsuccessful.
Edward roared and pounced, talons extended, ready to rip the pitiful human open when…
CLANG!
His head collided with some barrier, standing in between him and his prey. He growled and looked up at Alphonse standing in his way. Behind him, he saw the man he tried to kill running off, holding his bleeding arm tightly against his large body. Edward didn't make a move in his direction though…the collision with his head and Alphonse's armor was hard enough to bring him back to his senses, just not to his own body.
He shook off the shock of the collision. It was rather violent and his vision had blurred for a few seconds. He backed up a few steps, and a frightened gasp stopped him. He whipped around and saw Winry and Pinako standing on their porch, watching him with wide eyes. His ears dropped against his lowered head. "Brother…" Alphonse went to approach him but Edward whipped up, snarling furiously once more, -DON'T COME NEAR ME!!-
Alphonse stopped in his tracks at the sound of Edwards voice, resonating in his consciousness. Pinako and Winry heard it too, he made sure they did.
His eyes passed over the three of them as he slowly backed away, distancing himself from them. Winry, defiant to his wishes as always, made her way down the steps of the porch. "Winry! Don't!" Pinako and Alphonse shouted, but she ignored them.
-Don't! Stay back!-
Alphonse ran after her, grabbing hold of her wrist, "Winry, He said to stay back!"
"Since when do I care what he says! He's not the monster he says he is…He's still Edward, and Ed wouldn't attack us." She yanked herself free and approached the large wolf with a shaky hand extended.
Edward's muscles stiffened as her hand closed the remaining space between them and sank into the thick fur of his strong neck. To everyones amazement, even his own, he didn't jerk or attack. Instead, he relaxed under her hand and leaned into it, allowing her to massage the aching muscles through his thick hair. He felt Alphonse's hands replace hers not long after. He knelt before the large canine creature, staring straight into his black and amber-gold eyes. All kinds of emotions flowed behind those eyes…His form was of an animal, but his eyes were all too human.
He emitted a chorus of whimpers, nuzzling his brothers cheek apologetically with his long muzzle.
Alphonse patted his massive head in response.
"Ed…"
Edward silenced his whimpers and looked up at Winry, ears still lowered and tail between his legs, the natural body language for submission or fear. He didn't fear her though…he feared himself.
She smiled down at him and held her hand out to his head, "Come on back inside…"
He backed away from his brothers embrace, keeping his eyes on Winry, -You mean…you're not afraid of me?-
She shook her head in response, a little shaken by his ability to mindspeak, but tried her best not to show it. He cautiously walked up to her and noticed a tinge of shock in her eyes, but it quickly dissipated. He was enormous this close. His shoulder reached just below her own and his eyes were level with hers when standing with his head held upright. She could feel his fire-hot breath blow against her face. He was menacing indeed. His eyes were all that showed there was a human being in there somewhere.
She pushed aside the shock of seeing him this way and took hold of his thick scruff, walking with him back to the house. Pinako took a step back at his approach. She looked so small next to him now. With his size and bulk, he could easily crush her with a single paw and she knew this, so she backed away. Edward, hurt by the gesture, lowered his head toward her and whimpered as he pressed his nose to her hand in apology for frightening her with his size. She acknowledged his apology with a quick rub on the muzzle, but backed away again. He heaved a sigh as he made his way into the house.
-You have every right to fear me…- she heard him say….
-EDWARD!-
Edward clawed at his chest, whining and tossing around on the floor. His chest was burning again…severely…
-DAMN IT ELRIC! YOU STUBBORN CUR, GET UP! We have to talk, NOW!-
'Dhamon…'
-GET UP!-
Edward opened his eyes slowly as the pain eased itself away, but a discomfort remained in its place. He sat up on one haunch and looked out the window. The sun was just beginning to rise, 'Dhamon, the sun hasn't even risen yet…'
-Shut up and go outside, you weak little shit.-
'What did you call me?'
-You heard me, fool, get outside!-
There was a quick jolt of pain, forcing Edward to obey and walk outside, head and paws heavy from exhaustion. 'What is It you want…' he groaned.
The painful sensation of a pair of massive jaws clamped around his thick throat shot through his body. He yelped loudly and tried to jump back, but something held him in place. –HOW DARE YOU!- Dhamon roared at him. Edward coughed, writhed and snarled, trying to break free of the hold Dhamon had on him, but the more he moved, the less he could breathe.
-STOP MOVING!-
Edwards eyes were black by now. He pushed against Dhamons hold, snarling like a wild animal. Blood was dripping from the side of his mouth as Dhamon continued to tighten his hold. Edwards strength was sapping away by the second. He eventually fell onto one haunch, but even then he continued to try to break free.
-how long do you intend to fight me, Edward? You know I wont let go…Youre only killing yourself.-
Finaly, after one final try, Edward fell in submission, wheezing heavily, his tongue hanging limp out of the side of his open maw.
-I'm going to let you go now, Elric…and if you run, I'll do it all over again I swear it!-
No objection came from Edward, and then the violent hold on his throat finally ceased, he gasped in a large breath, taking in everything he could. This was the only movement he made. He didn't want to move further for fear of Dhamon hurting him again.
-Consider that your punishment, Edward.-
'Punishment? For what?'
-for acting on your own, fool! How dare you even think for one second that you can just push me aside like that! You could have killed the poor man AND the whole goddamn town at that! Youre not strong enough to control this side of you yet, you need me to help you! Don't you dare ever block me out like that again! I couldn't even reach you! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOUR BROTHER HADNT COME IN AND STOPPED YOU?!-
Edward winced at his tone of voice, 'I'm….I'm sorry, Dhamon.'
-you'd better be! I don't ever want you blocking me off like that ever again, do you understand!-
'Yes.'
-Good…now get back inside before someone out here sees you.-
Edward obeyed without hesitance. He knew now exactly what Dhamon meant before when he said he could kill him on the spot if he wanted to. He had underestimated the creatures power over him…
He'd be sure not to make that mistake again.
A/N: Sorry it took so long, I've had so much crap to do, barely got time to write.
Next chap will be better, promise.