Little Lambs Chapter 4, a fullmetal alchemist fanfic

Hello everyone and welcome to the next chapter of Little Lambs. It's great to see that people are still enthusiastic about this story. Thank you for your reviews and keep them coming!

OoO

Ed and Al sat across from each other in one of the offices of the military headquarters in Rush Valley. Around them was the buzzing and activity of soldiers as they performed their duties. But neither sibling noticed, instead the Elric Brothers sat in silence. It seemed like that was the only thing that they could do.

Hopeless, that's how Alphonse felt. It was currently 10:34 p.m.; almost 12 hours after Winry had been kidnapped.

Al stared at his own metal hands before glancing at Edward's. His older brother's hands were shaking. His head was bowed with his golden hair falling in front of his eyes. Al watched him for a few moments before looking down again; his empty hands weren't shaking. They were solid and unmoving; lifeless. If he was really here, flesh and blood, he would probably be just as visibly nervous as his brother.

It was moments like this where Al really wished that he had his body back.

Al's own search of the warehouses had been as useless as Ed's. When they'd met back up, Ed had shown him the letter from the Chopper. The boy who had delivered it, Trevor, had come in earlier with his parents to talk to Lieutenant Pence. But nothing seemed to have been learned from this. No clues of where the Chopper could be, or where he could be holding Winry. The only thing they had learned from Trevor was that the Chopper's clothing was stained with a substance could have been coal. But that didn't exactly narrow down the search. Rush Valley was an industrial city, there had to be hundreds of buildings that used coal. Paninya had briefly shown up empty handed as well before heading home.

'It has to be close.' Al thought. 'He has to be close enough to follow up on his promise to deliver new letters.'

The soldiers had recently completed a full door-by door-search of the entire city. During one search they found the mutilated body of a man in his bathtub. He was identified as Marcus Ryan, a local factory worker. A large cleaver wound in his head made it clear that he had been murdered by The Chopper. Mr. Garfiel provided Winry's work schedule which showed that Ryan had been Winry's scheduled patient in the time that she had been abducted. This at least provided the Elrics and Pence a background to how this situation came to be. Unfortunately, Pence had no idea what to do now and was just wasting time, at least in Ed's opinion.

Al looked worriedly at his brother again. Ed was still staring at his hands. There were visible bags and shadows under his eyes. He looked like he was in agony.

"You should really get some rest, Brother." Al said softly.

"Rest?" Ed scoffed. "You think I can get any damn rest in this mess?"

"No, I don't." Al said. "But maybe you can try?"

"That wouldn't get anything done." Ed shook his head. His voice was tired and ragged. "I...can't sleep knowing that she's out there." Ed then lowered his head. "I shouldn't just be sitting here doing nothing. What if I missed something? What if the soldiers missed something?"

Al was silent for a moment before he decided to take a risk. "Don't do this to yourself brother...Winry wouldn't want it."

Ed's head shot up and it looked as if he'd react angrily. But then the anger seemed to leave his body and Ed slumped back into the chair.

"You're right, she wouldn't." He said, just above a whisper.

Al reached forward and put a hand on Edward's shoulder. "Get some sleep. I'll wake you if something new comes up."

Ed let out a tired sigh and lay back in the chair. After a moment's hesitation, he closed his eyes and drifted off.

OoO

What time was it? Was it day? Night?

Was she going to die? Winry didn't know.

Her eyelids felt like weights were attached to them. Winry was tired, yet she refused to fall asleep. Sleep would only make her even more vulnerable.

The creaking of metal signaled that her captor had returned for another visit. Winry tensed as the door swung open to reveal the tall silhouette of Barry the Chopper. Gone was his black jacket, he was now wearing a bloodstained smock. He seemed to be holding some sort of plate in his hands.

"I thought you'd be hungry so I've brought you some lunch." His demented, yellow toothed grin returned as he held out the plate.

Winry's eyes narrowed; this had to be some kind of trick. "I'm not hungry."

"Are you sure?" Barry stepped forward, getting closer to her. Winry stiffened as he neared her with the suspicious plate. "It's just meat."

Winry didn't trust anything that he wanted to give her. "But what kind of meat? Human?!" She spat at him.

Barry's eyes widened in mock surprise and he pressed one hand against his chest. "What? Do you think I'm some sort of savage...because I'll admit that I am."

Winry felt like she was going to be sick. "Y-you killed another person a-and cooked them?"

"Heavens no. Where did you get that idea? No, this is dog meat." Barry chuckled as Winry noticed his sleeves were stained with fresh blood. "The poor thing was just a puppy. I tried to decapitate it with a single swing but the little guy moved its head at the last second. It was quite messy. Oh I can still hears his whimpering, he reminded me of you."

Winry felt bile in the back of her throat but she forced it back down. "Get that fucking plate away from me!"

He cocked his head to the side. "You sure Winry? You should really keep up your strength."

Winry didn't respond.

Barry shrugged. "If you insist." He then tossed the plate against the wall where it shattered and the charred meat slid to the ground. The broken shards and silverware clattered to the floor.

"Hey Winry?" He said after a moment.

Winry glared at him but didn't answer. She knew what she was doing was stupid. She shouldn't be antagonizing her captor but she couldn't help it.

"You must be curious as to where we are? Not that it really matters but we're in an abandoned coal factory several miles outside of Rush Valley. I know, I was also hoping for a butcher shop. But you can't always get what you want. At least no one will bother us. This building has been forgotten, it isn't even on any maps."

Winry tried not to show any reaction to his words. But inwardly, the news that no one would find her here only increased the pit of despair in her stomach.

"I actually just went for a walk to Rush Valley for a little sight seeing about an hour ago. Those poor stupid soldiers are doing it all wrong. They're not like the Eastern soldiers. By the way, you'll never guess who I saw!" Barry grinned, cocking his head to the side. "Your little hero."

Winry's eyes widened. "Edward." She whispered.

Barry's eyes seemed to grow in delight. His black pupils were aimed straight at her. "Yes. He looked awful, simply terrible. Your disappearance appears to be distressing him greatly. Oh the beauty of young love. I had half a mind to go up and...say hi."

"Leave him alone!" She growled at the serial killer. "If you hurt him I'll…"

Barry quickly cut Winry off with a snarl. "You'll do nothing." He then started to laugh, a cold evil laugh that sent chills through Winry. "I mean look at you! Tied up, chained! You're helpless, useless!"

Winry's breath caught and she looked away from Barry. "Shut up." She muttered.

"What's the matter? Have I hit a touchy subject? But you are helpless. I could do whatever I want to do to you right now. Hit you, cut you, rape you, kill you. And nothing would stop me." He stopped to smile at her before continuing.

"You know I'm right Winry. You're not a fighter, a soldier, or an Alchemist? You're just a mechanic. A mechanic who is needed for a job but then cast aside once your usefulness has run it's course."

"Shut up!" Winry shouted at Barry. "You don't know anything about me and Ed!"

Barry gave her a sympathetic smile. "I know that you were visiting him two years ago. I know that it was a surprise visit. And that tells me you don't visit them regularly. I know that the Elric Brothers travel often so I guess they don't stop by for play dates anymore, do they?"

Winry kept her gaze off the man in front of her until she felt his hand gripping her chin for a third time. This time it was gentle as he turned her head to face him. "You want to see Ed, don't you? It's okay Winry, you'll be seeing him shortly. But first I'll let him fumble about trying to find you for a few days. That will give us some more quality alone time. Because I am nowhere near done with you." Barry let go of her chin and stood up. "See you in the morning Winry. Try to get some rest, you'll need it." With that Barry stood up and exited the room.

Winry lowered her head. "Helpless, useless!" His words rang in her head like the gongs of a bell. 'He's right. Fuck it, he's right.' She threw her head back and stared at the ceiling. 'He's going to hurt Ed once he's done with me! What if he brings Ed here and makes him watch as...oh god.' Winry bit her lip and tugged on her arms uselessly. 'I got to get out of here. I have to show that bastard that that I'm not useless or helpless! If I get out of here then I can find Ed. But first I need to get out of-'

Winry's eyes widened and zeroed in on her left hand. The finger wound had stopped bleeding an hour ago and her hand was covered in dried blood. She experimentally shook her arm, feeling her small wrist bounce against the inside of the manacle. 'It's too tight to pull my hand out, but if I had some kind of lubricant.' Her eyes then turned to the stump where her left pinky once stood. She then glanced to her left where the remains of the plate lay. Among the shards lay a metal knife and fork.

'If I can just reach them then…' Winry examined the manacle holding her left hand. Although there was very little light in the room, Winry could still see that it was held together by screws. And their heads were exposed.

'This could work! But I'll damage the nerves. There'll be no chance of doctors reattaching my finger.' Winry thought before growing angry at herself. 'Fuck my damn finger! I'm not going to die. Not here! Not now!'

Winry let out a shaky breath and turned back to the task at hand. "Ok, you can do this Winry." She then pressed the nail of her thumb against the fresh stump. She bit her lip before pressing the nail down into the wound.

OoO

"Brother….Brother wake up."

Ed jolted awake and glanced around the hallway. He was still sitting in the chair, Al's hand was gently shaking his shoulder.

"Wha...what is it?" He asked.

"I was just told that Colonel Mustang is on his way from Central." Al informed him.

"When is he going to be here?" Ed sat up.

Al was silent for a moment before speaking. "Morning."

Ed sighed. "Dammit. He can't be here sooner? What time is it anyway?"

Al glanced at a nearby clock. "Just passed eleven."

Ed yawned, not feeling as tired as he was earlier. "So what's happening?"

Alphonse glanced outside the door before looking at Ed. "Pence and his men are researching some buildings in the city and checking out some of the reported sightings. The city is still on lockdown and they're looking for any more possible witnesses."

Ed gave a small growl. "So basically, they've got jackshit?"

"Basically...yes." Al's eyes went to his feet.

Ed's automail fingers dug into the armrest as the pit of despair in his chest only got worse. "It's ridiculous." He muttered darkly. "This military can fight off invasions, and win wars. Yet they can't find one man!"

'Or one girl.' He thought miserably. Ed sat back and thought back to the last time he had seen Winry. It had been several weeks earlier during the Milos incident. He remembered how confused he had been when he first saw that she was there. There was a fucking war going on yet she still came to help him and Al. He remembered how brave she had been.

Ed almost smiled at the memory; it was typical Winry. Always doing whatever she could to help them, to help other people. Even though it was a dangerous situation, Winry didn't care. Hell, she was willing to fly down into a lava filled canyon with him for crying out loud. He could still feel her tight grip on him had during that ride. He could also hear her yelling at him when he crash landed them.

Ed quickly stood up from his chair and walked towards the door.

"Brother?" Al asked as he also stood up.

"I'm just going for a walk, to try to clear my head." Ed said. "You stay here Al. In case something comes up."

"Are you sure Brother?"

"I won't be long." Ed said as he continued to walk.

"What if this is what the Chopper wants?" Al asked, standing up. "He might come after you."

Ed came to a stop. His eyes were glaring at the door in front of him.

"I hope he does." Ed said before opening the door and walking out.

OoO

Winry grit her teeth as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. The pain was almost too much, worse than anything the Chopper had done to her. "Keep going. Ah!...Need more." Winry muttered before pressing her thumb deeper into the bleeding wound, causing more blood to be pumped out. The red liquid poured down her hand towards her wrist. Completely coating it and the metal around her arm.

Winry let out a gasping breath and looked at her left hand. It was completely covered in dripping red blood, all of it moving downwards. Winry had been working on lubricating her hand for the last...she didn't know long it had been. She just had to get her hand wet enough with her own blood so that she could maybe pull it out of the manacle.

'I-I think that's enough.' She thought before removing her thumb from the wound. A quiet quenching sound was heard as the bloodied appendage was pulled out. Winry tried to stay quiet as she did this, only letting out a small whimper of pain. She didn't know where Barry was or when he'd come back.

She had to get out of here now!

Her arm was extremely numb from the lack of blood flow, but she could still move it. With one last breath Winry began to pull her arm down; doing her best to make her hand as skinny as possible. She could feel the wet flesh sliding just slightly against the metal.

Winry grinded her teeth again as pain shot through her arm. She was trying to squeeze her hand through a hole that was smaller than it. It fucking hurt. Her hand was slowly sliding through the metal manacle. It was slow and her hand felt like it was being crushed.

'Stop complaining.' Winry cursed at herself. 'Edward lost his arm and leg. He's been through more pain than that psycho has put me through. This is nothing.' With renewed enthusiasm, Winry focused all of her attention on pulling her hand out of the manacle.

OoO

Ed walked down the street, his hands in his pockets. His mind was elsewhere.

'Fuck everything!' He thought angrily in his head. "Fuck the Chopper. Fuck Pence and his useless stupidity. And fuck me for bringing this on Winry!'

Ed sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was then that he thought about what Al said to him earlier.

'He's right.' He thought tiredly. 'Freaking out is just wasting time. If I'm going to find Winry I need to think straight.'

For some reason, he couldn't help but think of Winry when she worked on her automail. When she did that, she was always calm and precise. She paced herself so that she could handle any situation. If any problems came up, like a faulty wire or a crooked screw, she'd fix it. For her, it was about fixing every problem one at a time until eventually she completed her task. Maybe that same kind of thinking could be applied to this situation? His hand moved to his chin thoughtfully as he continued his walk down the street.

'So a total of fifteen people claimed to have seen the Chopper moving around, including Trevor.' Ed thought. 'None of these people knew where he was going.'

Ed stopped to glance up at the moon. It was full.

'And how many of these people can be believed?' He thought. 'There was that one woman who said that she saw him chasing little kids and another who said he saw The Chopper sneaking across rooftops.'

Ed glanced to look at all the buildings of Rush Valley.

'He's good but someone should have found something by now. And he definitely isn't going with the old meat truck trick. So...maybe he isn't even in the city, but is hiding in the canyons.'

Ed stopped dead in his tracks. 'What if we've been doing this all wrong.' He thought with dread. He was shaken from his thoughts by someone calling his name and the sound of metal feet stomping on the ground.

"Edward!"

Ed quickly turned to the voice and saw Paninya running towards him. She came to a stop three feet away from him, out of breath and eyes wide.

"Paninya?" Ed asked confused before becoming serious. "What's wrong? Is it the Chopper?" Ed leaned to the side so that he could see if someone was chasing her.

"No, uh actually yes but...Ed you gotta listen to me." The dark skinned skin girl leaned forward to catch her breath before straightening up. "I went to where that kid Trevor was attacked by the Chopper and asked around."

The tension left Ed's body and he sighed sadly. "Paninya, the soldiers already did that, nothing substantial turned up that could help the investigation."

"They didn't talk to everyone." Paninya said excitedly. "They missed a few people who saw a man matching the Chopper's description standing in a alley minutes before he took Trevor's dog. The bottom line is that...I know where Winry is!"

Ed's eyes bulged out of his head. He reacted like a small explosion went off inside of him. "What?! How?! Where-" He was absolutely frantic.

"Let me explain." Paninya cut him off. "I talked to five people who saw the Chopper in the alley. And all of them saw that he appeared to be cleaning his boots."

"Cleaning?" Ed shouted. "What does that have to do w-"

"Let me finish!" Paninya shouted before calming down. "His boots were filthy, as were the bottoms of his trousers."

Ed took a breath to try and calm himself. "Filthy with what?" He asked, though his voice was strained.

"Soot and coal. A man getting his paper, two women in houses across the street, a mailman, and homeless man all saw the Chopper with soot and coal on his boots. You don't get that on your feet by just standing in an alley."

"We already know about the coal." Ed said, his spirits falling.

"But I know it came from." Paninya said.

Ed's eyebrows furrowed at her words. He wanted to believe that she had found something but he was scared about getting his hopes up. "Are you sure this was even the Chopper?" All the other 'witnesses' had given varying reports on what the Chopper had looked like.

Paninya almost smiled. "They said he was tall, lanky, and he had short blondish hair, brown on the sides."

Ed let out an excited breath. "That's him alright." He could feel blood pumping in his ears. His heart was beating a mile a minute. Pure nervous excitement coursed through every cell in his body. He could do it! He could find her! He could save her!

"You said you knew where Winry was. Well! Where is she?" He practically demanded.

"In an old coal mine and factory, three miles outside of the city." Paninya said. "The soldiers searched every warehouse and factory in the city but they never thought to look outside the city. This particular factory has been closed for more than thirty years. It doesn't show up on any maps and there's barely any record of it left. The building is completely isolated and no one's been there for years. Don't you see? It's the perfect place for the Chopper to be hiding out."

Ed's jaw dropped and he could feel something building in his stomach. It was hope. "But if this factory is so forgotten then how do you know about it?" He asked skeptically.

Paninya was quick to answer. "It's in the canyons, not that far from Dominic's house. I once got lost during a storm on my way there and stumbled upon it. It was a creepy ass building."

Ed suddenly grabbed the front of Paninya's shirt. "Why the hell didn't you mention this earlier?!" He shouted. "Do you know how much time you've wasted!"

Paninya went stiff and a few tears threatened to fall. "It just came to me a little while ago. I've only been there once and that was years ago. I'm so sorry Ed. I'd never do anything to hurt Winry."

Ed's face softened and he released her.

Paninya began to speak again. "I was on my way to the military headquarters when I ran into you. Come on, we need to tell them!" She began to run passed him.

"No."

Paninya stopped dead in her tracks. "What?"

Ed's fists clenched. "We can't tell them, not yet."

Now it was Paninya's turn to get angry. "Why not?"

"Because Pence and his men will surround the building. The Chopper will see them coming from a mile away. Once he sees that he's trapped, what do you think he's going to do to Winry?"

Paninya open her mouth but didn't speak. She looked at her feet and clenched her fists. "He'll kill her."

"I will not risk that. I will not let him hurt her any more, not if I can stop it!" Ed said determinedly. "I have to go alone."

Paninya stared at Ed like he had two heads. "Are you crazy?"

"Maybe." Ed shrugged. "It would take too long to go get Al and Pence would get curious if he saw the two of us leaving. Besides Al's not...the stealthiest person. Now where is this mine?"

Paninya stared at Ed for a moment before sighing. "I'll take you there, come on." She then grabbed Ed's arm and dragged him over to a nearby car. It was a rather fancy looking vehicle with a green paint job.

"It would take hours to get there by foot. This should get us there in about 30 minutes."

"Wait?" Ed started. "Who's-"

Paninya used one of her metal feet to smash the window.

"-car is this." He finished in dry voice.

"Don't worry, the owner will understand. He's one of Winry's patients." Paninya said as she reached in and opened the door. She brushed the glass onto the street and then reached under the wheel. "Give me a few minutes to hot wire this thing."

Sometimes Ed forgot that she used to be a thief.

"So you can drive?" Ed asked.

Paninya slowed in her work and gave Ed a sheepish look. "Well…I can steer."

"That's good enough for me. Now hurry up!" Ed said before looking back up at the moon. An image of Winry's beautiful face flashed through his mind.

'I'm coming Winry. Don't worry.'

OoO

"Ah!..Hg...almost...Ow…got it!"

With one final tug, Winry's left hand finally squeezed through the manacle. The numb limb fell to the ground as Winry gasped for breath. Her blood covered hand throbbed in pain but it was finally free.

"I did it." Winry murmured as she felt the blood flow returning to her left arm. She needed to rest her arm a bit before trying for the knife. As Winry sat there she realized how sore her entire body was.

'I've been stuck in this sitting position for hours. I don't know if I'll be able to run.' Winry thought to herself. 'Ok, worry about that later. One problem at a time.'

Winry began to move her left arm, feeling strength slowly filling her muscles once again. She ran her hand over her body, inspecting the cuts that Barry had given her. Most of the had turned to scabs and all had stopped bleeding. After a few more minutes of regaining her strength, she knew it was time.

'The Chopper said he'd see me in the morning. I guess that means I've got at least a few hours to get out of here before he comes back.'

Winry turned her body as much as she could towards the left. A few feet away from her lay the knife that Barry had tossed against the wall earlier. The knife didn't look very sharp and had a slightly rounded tip. But that tip was small enough to do the job. Winry glanced up at the screws holding the right manacle together. They were Phillip screws and had a plus sign shape in the center of them. The tip of the knife was just small enough to fit inside of those centers. If her plan worked, then the knife would work as a substitute screwdriver.

'Almost there. I'm almost there.' Winry thought before turning back to the knife. It was a few feet away. She pushed herself up a little with her legs. Her joints ached from having sat in the same position for so long. She leaned forward, hand outstretched towards the knife. The tip of her finger brushed the edge of the handle.

"Come on." Winry said. "Come on!"

She looked back at her wrist that was still chained to the wall.

"Just a little bit more." Winry whispered as she pulled as much as she could. The metal of the manacle dug into her wrist but she ignored it. She was even closer now. The digit of her middle finger was brushing over the handle now. Winry held her breath as she placed her finger on the knife. She continued to hold it as she started to drag it towards her. It moved about a quarter of an inch before her finger slipped off. Winry let out her breath in an annoyed huff. She reached out again. Her finger brushed the knife, causing it to spin away from her slightly. Winry was almost ready to scream with frustration, but kept on working at it. Carefully, she placed her finger on the handle again. She slowly turned it back to face her and resumed dragging it. She got it to where she could place both her middle and index finger on the edge of the handle. After that she could move it much faster.

The feeling of wrapping her hand around that knife was one of the most satisfying in Winry's whole life.

She couldn't help the quiet relieved laughter that escaped her lips. She had the knife. Despite the amount of blood on her hand, Winry was able to get a firm grip on the blade. It felt weird holding something without her pinky finger, but right now she had other things to worry about.

Winry looked back up at her restrained hand. There were three screws securing the other manacle together. She brought the knife up and pressed the tip into the slit of one the screws. It took a few moments for her hand to stop shaking but then she began to turn the blade. At first the screw didn't move.

"Come on." Winry growled to herself before redoubling her efforts. Pressing the rounded tip harder into the screw. After several minutes of frustration, she felt it turn slightly.

'Yes!'

She turned the knife even more, the screw turned as well. Winry kept going at it until she heard the wonderful sound of a screw bouncing on the stone floor. With one screw gone, the manacle became less tight around her hand. But Winry needed to remove more before she could get her hand out.

"Keep going." Winry muttered as she placed the knife in the next screw and began to turn it as well. This one was less tight than the previous screw and came loose more easily. These manacles were either very old or just poorly made.

It continued like that for a long time. Winry would twist and prod with the knife until the screws were out. The manacle fell apart and her right arm was free. The limb had fallen asleep and fell to the ground. Blood flow poured back into the limb as the numbness slowly faded away. Winry lifted her arm and began to move it in circles to get her strength back.

"Almost out...just need...to get my feet. I'm so close!" Winry's breathing was coming out in nervous pants. It had taken her at least an hour to get her right hand free and she had no idea what time it was. For all she knew, it was morning and untold horrors awaited her.

'He could be back any moment. I gotta move fast.'

Moving as fast as her aching body allowed, Winry pushed herself off the wall. With her arms no longer trapped she was able to reach the manacles that trapped her ankles. Her stiff arms and legs screamed in protest but Winry fought through it.

'I'm not going to die here! Not in this damn place!'

The knife's tip had broken off halfway through the right manacle, but the knife was still usable. With no hesitation, Winry got to work freeing her right foot. Now that she had both hands; the task was far more easy. The manacle came off her right ankle and it was only a few more minutes before her left was free.

Winry almost felt like crying tears of joy. She was free. She could get out! She could find Edward! Winry pushed herself to her feet, stumbling briefly before regaining her balance.

The pain in her right hand caught her attention. Winry winched and saw that it was still bleeding. Glancing around she saw the remained of her tank top. Winry crawled over to it, careful to keep her injured hand from touching the ground. When she reached the white fabric, she grabbed it. Using both hands she tore the remains into white strips. She used these strips to wrap her hand in a faux bandage. When the bloody wound was snugly bound she paused to give herself a moment to breath.

'Ok.' She thought. 'I have no idea where I am or where he is.'

She glanced at the door that led to whatever was outside.

'Only one way to find out.'

She pushed herself up. On weak legs, wearing only a black tube top and a miniskirt. Grasping the knife in her right hand she used her left to test the door handle. To her amazement the knob turned; meaning that the door was unlocked.

"Looks like somebody underestimates me." She murmured with a weak smile.

She glanced down at the broken knife in her hand.

'It's better than nothing.' She thought.

Winry held the knife tightly and twisted the nob. After a moment to ready herself, she took one final breath then pushed the door open.

OoO

Yay, the Winry torture porn is over. Things are starting to look up.