Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist
Chapter 8
"Looks like you're finally awake," the voice snarled from close to his head. There was a stabbing pain in his flesh shoulder and the blond Alchemist gritted his teeth in pain. "Now it looks like the fun can finally begin."
Ed shut his eyes and sat there, his body rigid from both fear and pain. The pain increased before the knife in his shoulder was yanked out violently. He heard maniacal laughter and then felt a sudden pain in his flesh shoulder. It felt like his flesh was being ripped open painfully, and that was probably what was happening. He screamed out in pain and felt the pained tears threatening to spill. He silently call for help although he made no sound other than his strangled screaming. He felt the warm blood that began to slowly seep through his torn clothes. He gave up and allowed the tears to spill down his blood stained face. He didn't care if he was acting weak, he certainly didn't feel strong. It was like his entire world was being stolen from him slowly, taking away all of the hope that he's lived with for as long as he could remember. The undying fire in his eyes was extinguished long ago, put out by the chemicals that were poured into them, the chemicals that took his sight without a second thought.
He hung his head and let the pain come. He couldn't move and he knew that there was no way he would be able to free himself for the grasp of the enemy. He began to wish that he would just die, for the pain to go away. But if he did, everything he's worked for would have been for nothing. Al would never be human again and would be left alone in the cruel world. Sure, many people would be sad if he died, but it was like his teacher said. One is all, all is one. The thing that he learned on that island so many years ago. Winry, granny, Al, and Roy might be sad but how many other people would be effected? The world will still move on as if nothing happened, wiping away his existence like a simple pest. He knew that there was somewhere in the world where someone is mourning over the death of a loved one, while somewhere else they could be celebrating their birthday without knowing anything. That's the way the world was, once you were gone there was nothing you could do about it. You would never find out if someone else died and you'll just live your life with what you know. The world was a cruel and mysterious place with many answers that lay hidden in the mass of pain and happiness.
The slicing and tearing pain stopped and he looked up, forgetting that he couldn't see. At that moment he didn't care if he could see, he didn't want to see that damn face yet he still glared at him with eyes that hid all of his pain. He was seething with anger and then heard a laugh, a long laugh that made him want to punch the face he knew too well.
"Cool down kid." There was a long pause and the laughter, although more malicious, returned for a short minute before he continued to speak, "Unless you need some help with that?"
Ed gritted his teeth and felt a sharp stabbing pain in his stomach wound. He felt the cold steel of a blade puncture his freshly sealed wound and he bit down hard on his lip, only causing that to reopen his wound on his lip. Again.
"Does it hurt?" The voice mocked. The man let out a long, demonic laugh. The distinct stench of wine told Ed that his face was close to his, and when he talked his voice sounded closer. "You seem to have a high tolerance to pain, or is that gone now?"
"Sh-shut up," Ed growled through clenched teeth. No matter how hard Ed tried to sound threatening his voice came out small and scratchy. He once again wished that all of this pain would just go away. But he had to endure it. He had to stay strong for Al, Roy, everyone he cared about and everyone who cared about him. There was no way that he was going to just let his life end when there was still so much he had to do. He was going to pull through and stand strong. "I don't care what you do to me. I'm not going to let you take me so easily."
"Are you sure you don't care what I do to you?" He mocked, his wine breath billowing into Ed's face. Ed stayed silent and never answered. It was a few short moments before he heard a faint malevolent laugh. "So you're not going to answer. Then I guess I'll take your silence as a 'yes'. So, what should I do first. Hmm. Oh, I know. How about this."
The straps that bound him to the chair vanished and he felt himself being lifted up by the front of his shirt. The grip tightened and he was thrown across the room like a doll, where he hit the wall and collapsed to the ground in a crumpled heap. He gritted his teeth as his flesh arm twisted and cracked horribly with the impact. The warm sticky feeling that coated his skin wasn't a good sign either.
A strong blow connected with his gut and he broke out into a violent coughing fit. He was, once again, lifted off the ground, this time by his braid, and head a menacing laugh inches from his face.
"You still don't care what I do to you?" The man snarled.
Ed's only reply was a couple strangled coughs that made his chest feel like it was being stabbed by a million daggers. The man began to walk somewhere, still carrying Ed by his braid. Ed began to panic. He wished that he was able to see and that he knew where he was going. He felt scared and couldn't stop the tears that slowly fell down his pale face. He bit his lip and wished that everything would be over.
"So now you're crying," the man sneered. "I'm guessing that you don't want to have any more fun? Too bad, we're only beginning." He tossed the blond across the room and just as before he hit the wall. He heard the sound of clanking metal and the damn man poured a bucket of freezing water on him. Well, it could have been worse, but the room was already freezing and the water wasn't the greatest help.
"How's that. Are you cooled down now?" The voice sneered.
"Sh-shut up," Ed growled weakly through chattering teeth. When the man poured the water on him the glacier temperature liquid sucked all of the warmth out of his body within the first few seconds. He was lying on the ground, shivering, and surrounded by the pool of water.
The footsteps echoing throughout the room informed Ed that the man was coming closer, most likely to do something more to him. Then he heard a sound that made him feel a burst of panic and fear. An emotion that made him feel like a small child. He heard a snap and then the cold room exploded with searing heat. Scorching pain traveled all along his body, leaving burning holes in his clothes, burning his flesh. He screamed, his voice cracky and weak, but he screamed. He continued to hear snapping and the only thing he could think about was Roy Mustang. The man he trusted was trying to kill him. The tears that ran down his face vanished immediately in a small flash of steam. He was falling, everything fading, growing darker and darker. The malevolent laugh that cut through the relentless pain and crackling was becoming fainter, getting harder and harder to hear, Every word that the man snarled was nothing, only a mix of tones and slurs. He was going farther and farther away, his mind set on one thing and one thing only, one thought that gave him any bit of hope. Maybe I won't have to feel any more pain after this?
Why do I hear voices? They sound close. Ed tried to listed but heard only a mass of footsteps and frantic shouts that were incoherent to the ears of the boy that lay motionless on the ground. He tried to move, call for help, do anything, but he wasn't able to form words or move. The footsteps, as well as the shouts were getting closer, they were almost there. They were coming closer. He was almost able to make out one of the voices now, a voice that made him both scared yet safe.
"Ed...rd!" Was all that was able to make out as he was pull off of the frozen ground. He felt hands holding him tightly, pulling him close. He began to shake violently despite almost having been burnt to death earlier. "Edward."
He was able to make out the voice now. It belonged to Roy Mustang. He remembered the horrible burning and the snapping and tried to voice his fear but all that came out was a pathetic whimper. He couldn't do anything. He knew for sure that his left arm was broken and that his automail arm was gone. Still, he opened his eyes and even though he couldn't see he knew for a fact that Roy was smiling, his face fearful yet smiling knowing that Ed had hopes of survival.
"I can't believe that I found you," Roy whispered, his voice just loud enough for Ed to hear. Ed tried to smile but it ended with him wincing and squeezing his eyes shut. He was then being moved, carried somewhere, he didn't know where but he was going somewhere. He was safe in Roy's arms and he knew that he was going to survive. Knowing that fact he allowed himself to relax and trust Roy. Who cares if he tried to kill him. He was here now, saving him for that horrid place. He felt himself shaking and his head fell against Roy's shoulder. He allowed sleep to engulf him, not caring what was going to happen next.
"Where is he?" Roy demanded as he stared at the doctor with his cold eyes.
I assure you that he's safe," the doctor insisted.
Three hours. He's been pacing that room for three hours waiting for any information on Ed yet the only thing he's heard as that he's fine. "Where is he then? I want to see him."
"I'm sorry sir," the doctor said. "We're treating him right now, visitors aren't allowed."
"Are you forgetting who I am?" Roy questioned. "I'm Colonel Roy Mustang from the Amestrian military. I order you to let me see Edward Elric!"
"I'm really sorry sir," the doctor apologized. "But I can't let you see him."
Roy clenched his fists and continued pacing. After what felt like hours the doctor reappeared and allowed Roy to see Ed. The Colonel immediately followed the doctor down the white halls towards Ed's room. When he got there he immediately ran over to Ed's bed and stared down at the broken child that lay motionless in the white bed. His face was pale, too pale to be normal. There were several blankets pulled around him and his left arm was resting on top of them all, his left arm covered in a thick white bandage. Roy remembered finding Ed, covered in blood, his arm twisted at a horrible angle with his bone jutting through the skin. His body covered in burns and crisscrossed with gashed. He almost bled to death and most were surprised that he was still alive.
"C-Colonel?" Came a weak, raspy voice. The voice that belonged to the small child that was lying in the bed. "T-that y-you?"
"Yes, Ed. It's me," Roy said gently.
"I-it h-hurts," he whimpered softly.
"I know," Roy whispered, pushing Ed's bangs out of his face. "I know."
Ed's eyes opened as he stared sadly at Roy. "I-I w-wish that I c-could s-see you."
Roy sighed. Poor kid, he in so much pain and he can't even see. Roy placed his hand on the top of Ed's head to let him know that he was still there. "Maybe one day you'll be able to see again." He didn't want to get the boy's hopes up but he might know of a way that he could get Ed's eyesight back.
"T-thank you," Ed whispered. His eyes were closing and Roy ran his hand through Ed's messy hair.
"Get some sleep." he said softly. "You look like you need it."
Ed's head gave a slight nod in agreement and within minutes his shallow breathing and relaxed expression told Roy that he was sleeping. He didn't leave. He stayed beside Ed, staring down at the small boy with a hurt filled expression. He didn't try hard enough when it came to saving Ed and now it was all his fault that Ed was lying there. He felt a tear threatening to spill but he held it back. There was no need for him to cry. Ed's the one who's been through so much pain and he's the only one who should be crying.
"I won't let anything happen to you again, Ed," Roy whispered, too quiet for anyone but him to hear. "I promise you that Ed. And I won't break my promise again."
A/N...Yay! I was finally able to write this chapter (I've been suffering writers block and writing seemed close to impossible). I want to thank all of you who reviewed and gave me ideas on how to torture Ed. I tried my hardest to use at least one of your ideas and I think I was able to do it.
