Within lies a soul A heart that loves And has the power to hate Hate is an all consuming emotion It shuts out all other emotions And slowly devours Your heart Your soul Until you become nothing But an empty shell

-Samara

Chapter 9

His moves were swift, deadly, graceful, and unconcious as he made his way through the prison. He killed everyone that came close to him, snapping their necks, slitting their throats with the knife he had taken from that woman, or simply shooting them with the guns he had acquired from the gaurds and soldiers that littered the prison.

His eyes were void of emotion, with the exception of the rage that coursed through him. He saw red, not from the blood of his hands, his bare chest and legs, his only piece of clothing, or his golden hair now changed orange where the blood was. He didn't know how many he had killed, he just killed those that stopped him from getting somewhere he wasn't aware he was headed.

He had made it through three flours and over a hundred gaurds and soldiers, killing them all because they blocked his path or threatened him in some way. He moved towards a pair of heavy, metal doors, doors that led the way out of the place he had been for too long. He threw the doors open after swiftly disarming the soldiers that gaurded it and snapping ones neck while the other bled to death from a slit throat.

He was forced to squint and shield his eyes from the penatrating, blinding light of the sun. He looked around ignoring all other surroundings than the forest. He darted towards the forest and stopped when he heard the loud sound of a clap. He began to run again not getting more than ten feet when his ankles were siezed and then his wrists before he could do something to stop whoever attacked him. He was brought face first to the ground swiftly and though he yelled and thrashed in frustration, he couldn't break free. He turned his head to look at the tan skin, brown haired, crimson eyed captor that had driven him to this insanity.

He hissed and then spit the blood that had fallen from his busted lip due to the fall in her face. She glared and wiped the blood off with a vicious smile that did nothing more than result in the same smile crossing his features. She knelt down and said, ''It seems that even you have a breaking point. It wasn't the result I wanted, but it made you snap.''

He laughed at that, his laugh making her flinch due to the lack of emotion, a laugh of someone who wasn't human. He stiffled his laugh to say spitefully, ''I will kill you.'' Ry's eyes were glazed in fear for a moment before she laughed as well. She looked up to someone standing over him and said, ''Sedate him and move him to the holding cell on the fifth level. He should pay for all the lives he took.''

His grayed eyes had color in them once more at the last sentence she had said. Suddenly all conciousness came back to him, only to be snuffed out when a quick, sharp pain struck him in neck. 'Another of her created drugs,' he thought before he slipped into a deep darkness, going completely numb from the drugs effects.

He woke with a start only to have pain pulsing throughout his entire body. His arms felt stiff and sore and once he woke more fully he noticed that his arms were being held above his head by another set of cuffs and chains. There were weights around his ankles and his legs were bound together by the metal cuffs around them. He looked around, it was a larger holding cell, but the air felt lighter here than it had in the other cell. He looked below him and all wariness from his sleep left him. About three feet below him was a pit filled with the stench of death and sharp, metal spears reached up from the bottom of the pit.

The smell of death brought images of blood and hundreds of lives being taken . . . by his own hands. Ed felt as though the world were spinning as his memories floated back to him. He went completely numb . . . he began to shake and feel sick with guilt. He had been responsible for the deaths in Lior, but he hadn't taken their lives with his own two hands. It felt like he couldn't breath, like their was an unbearable amount of pressure throughout his soul, in his heart. He tried to remember what had led to his inhumane acts, but he only drew a blank.

He felt everything slip away from him, Al, Jason, Noa, Trinity, everyone he cared for . . . they woud never be able to forgive such acts of mass . . . slaughter. Ed hung his head, he knew the guilt would crush him at this pace, but he didn't care. His life was a small price to pay after what he had done, he wanted to get free from his binds now, only to find a way to end his own life. Everything he had stood for vanished, everything he had once been, his existence couldn't be tolerated. He was worse than the bastards of the state, he was just like the blood seeking, murdering bastards that had killed relentlessly during the Ishbal masacre. Brigader Graun, Kimmley, Scar who had taken lives to create the stone . . . Ed had hated them for killing so many, but now he had done the same as them. He was the same as them, and he deserved nothing more than death. He didn't even look up when the loud clank of the metal door sounded, echoing throughout the room.

Ed could tell that more than one person had entered by how long it took to close the door. He kept his head hung, his eyes vacant and dialated making him look dead. He felt the eyes of three people looking at him, maybe four. But he still didn't look up, ashamed of what he had done he couldn't look at anyone.

Ry smiled in triumphant as she looked at him in his defeated and almost dead state. She let out a chuckle and then said, "Well, it seems that the deadlier side in you has finally revealed itself. What do you have to say for yourself murderer?"

Ed made no sign that he had acknowledged her, even though her words rang true to him. He knew he should reply back, but he couldn't find the fire he once had, the rebelious attitude towards authority or anyone for that matter no longer significant.

He heard a voice similair to his own say in response to Ry, "It looks as though you finally broke him Ry. All the people who are dead now, it sucks to have so many dead . . . "

Ed suddenly remembered something he had said to Al, he tried to push it aside, but it rang out in his mind; 'You can't bring back the dead, trying only causes more pain . . . ' What's done is done, there is nothing you can do to change that now. You have to live your life, the life your mom gave you is something to cherish not throw away aimlessly . . . The wise words of his teacher rang out in his head induced because of his own wise words. He was better than this, he couldn't give up now, Al had always forgiven him . . . you can't change the past . . . you have to move on and continue fighting. If anything he had to protect Al, Noa, Trinity, his son Jason. He still had people to protect and he couldn't do that if he gave up now. Protecting them was all that mattered, regardless if they forgave him or not.

Ed looked up, the fire in his eyes strong with conviction and determination once more. He couldn't let Ry win, he had to get out of here and go to his family. She frowned slightly upon seeing the strong look in his eyes again.

She sighed, "Well, it seems that even killing a hundred and twenty three of my soldiers will not break your stubborn ass. Alright Ed, I think this time I will go about it a different way. Torturing you for your crimes will have to do until I come up with another strategy."

Ed glared at her, "Torture me all you like, it will never be enough Ry. Iwill never let you win, not when I have a family to protect."

Ry nodded curtly and sighed again, "Yes, yes, I know all about your convictions. But do you even know if Al or anyone else you care about survived the onslaught in Munich. Even if they did get away, who's to say they weren't caught again. They are killing the Jews, the gypsy's, anyone and everyone that isn't white, with blond hair and blue eyes. It is a masacre out there and you managed to bring a small masacre here in our pressense. Do you think once they find out that they will look past it and welcome you back with open arms when you are now a cold blooded killer?"

Ed smiled, "I don't care if they forgive me or not, it won't stop me from protecting them. Which is why you can do whatever the hell you want, I will refuse to die, refuse to give in to you and your sick ambitions."

She shook her head, ''You are stubborn, but I am not going to kill you. I don't want you to take the easy way out, that wouldn't be fitting. But no matter how strong you are, I will still keep you away from Al until this war ends. If you can't get to him then maybe I can force you to feel the pain you caused me when you killed the one I loved. He was my best friend, like a brother to me for the longest time before that love became something more. I think keeping you away from your family and you finding they were killed in this cruel war will sate my thirst for vengence. So get real comfortable here Edward Elric, you may be here for a while."

With that said Ry and Pride left and Ed's attention went back to the other two in the room, it was the same man from before. The woman that was with him had tan skin, and a slim figure, though toned arms and legs. Her eyes were blue, her hair black, and her complection wasn't the coldness from a soldier, she appeared to be quite normal. She was even wearing a slim black skirt and a white T-shirt with simple black shoes. If Ed didn't know what she may do to him, he might have found her attractive. The man had a needle with a clear liquid in it and a cloth in his other hand. The woman gave him a evil smile and then turned and walked over to a lever by the door. She turned on the lights blinding Ed for a moment, then he felt the rush of air beneath him as the pit was closed.

She pulled down another lever and Ed felt himself being lowered to the ground, the strain on his arms lessening once his feet touch the cold metal of the door over the pit below. He felt the crane the chains were attatched to lower leaving the chain loose, but the cuffs around his ankles suddenly held stiff as though a force were holding him in place. Upon him paying attention to that he didn't notice the swift, sharp prick of a needle being implanted into the side of his neck. He felt the effects immediately, his knees buckled and before he knew it he was lying face first on the ground. Then he felt the man grab him by the shoulders and lie him upon his back with his knees bent because of the metal cuffs that were held to the ground.

He heard the man's voice echo in the room, "Release the magnet, he's paralyzed now. She made a stronger dose, so I don't think anything is going to happen. Not that he can go anywhere," Ed then felt the slight jerk of his wrist upon the man grabbing the chain they were connected to.

He heard the woman's foot steps after the pull holding his ankles in place was released. She stopped at his feet and siezed his legs just above the braces and pulled his legs down. She smiled at him, he smile making him cringe because he could see the malice and cruel intentions behind her blue eyes. She looked at her companion, "I think it will be nice to hear him scream. If you don't like the noise you can leave you know."

The man shook his head, "He can become dangerous if he is driven enough to fight against the drugs. Not to mention, I want to watch you work. You have always had more tact than Mya, hell than most girls. Mya was just shy to work in front of others."

The woman smiled obviously pleased with his compliment, "Well, I don't mind at all Jack. But I plan on having my way with him alone, I don't care much for threesomes. But personally I think you should go first, I can be patient."

He shook his head and said solemly, "Oh no, ladies first my dear. And I love to hear them scream, it is arousing really."

She smiled and replied sweetly, "Thank you, and I am glad you agree with me, it drives me crazy when I end up working with people who hate the screaming."

Ed was disgusted with how they casually discussed what they were going to do. The woman's calm demeanor on the subject unnerved him and the thought of the man watching what she was planning to do enraged and felt . . . repulsive. He didn't even want to think about what he had in mind, but sure enough it only brought a lump in his throat and the dread in his stomach tightened. But he steeled himself determined not to let anyone or anything stop him from breaking out of here, only this time he would have his concious mind working with him.

He hated the numbing effects of the drugs, making it impossible to control his body. But even though he knew he had been given a stronger dosage this time, he still fought against it. The fear from before was rising in him again when the woman knelt beside him and looked him over. He knew he was quite bare, clad in only his pale blue boxers. He took notice of her long, sharp finger nails and was suddenly reminded of Lust, the closest humunculi to be damn near human. The thought of her also reminded him of everyone else he knew in Resembool, thinking upon that he also resolved that once he was free he was going back. Ry had already proved that alchemy existed on this side of the gate and Ed had done alchemy himself, though it was different. He didn't know how he would open the gate to return to the other side, but he was determined to get out of here, find his family, and then get back to the ones he longed to see.

He felt her slender fingers brush back his hair, which had managed to cover part of his face somehow. He felt himself cringe and even felt the physical reaction, flinching away from her. But she smiled noticing his movenment and then whispered in a lower, huskier voice, "Well, it seems that you have found a way to fight the drugs. That will make this even better, I prefer a struggle, it makes it all the sweeter."

She turned her head to look at Jack who had leaned back against the left wall with his arms crossed over his chest. She gave him a smile and said, "It seems that he can move, even though it is limited. He may be able to fight against you when it's your turn Jack."

Ed turned his head, seemingly lessoning the fear somewhat by realizing he could do so. Jack's lips turned upward in a smile, a smile that sent chills down Ed's spine. Jack looked at Ed meeting his eyes to which Ed turned his face away. Jack looked back at the woman, "We seem to have a lot in common Helena, it seems that Lady Ry will have to make something else. But I personally believe she likes his struggles, like us she finds it much more fulfillinf when her captives fight. But don't forget that this one is a very important prisoner, not one to brag about once the job is done. He isn't to be discussed, no one is to know he is here on the outside."

Helena nodded, "Don't worry Jack, I felt honored that Lady Ry would even allow me to have any access to her cherished prisoner. I can see why she married him though, he's quite the catch." She looked back at Ed again, "Now, let's see if I can't make you scream Edward."

Ed cringed at her statement, he could feel her intentions in her voice. The way his name rolled off her toung made his skin crawl. But still he steeled himself not wanting to give her the satisfaction of hearing him scream, but he didn't know what she was capable of . . .

Fourty five minutes later . . .

Ry sat at her desk, her office was small and simple. It also happened to be on the same floor as Ed's cell and close enough for her to hear him scream. She smiled broadly upon hearing his anquished cry of torment. She glanced at Pride and then back at her paperwork, "I think I like Helena better, choosing to let him scream. It is pure music to my ears. Jack has always been able to break the prisoners', I think that we should go visit him once they come back and tell me they have finished their task."

Pride looked at her, "Do you think the sedative was given to him?"

Ry shrugged, "It doesn't matter to me, those two are more than strong enough to hold him down anyway. I just gave it to them to use if they so choosed. Though it would be interesting if they did and he still managed to fight back physically. It will make it all the easier to break him. Depending upon tonight's progress, which so far is going quite well, we may make this a daily routine. But I do hope Helena doesn't grow too attatched to him, she has a tendacy to like prisoners' like Edward Elric."

She looked at Pride as he sat on the small couch against the wall to the left of her desk, "Have you found out anything about Alphonse, Noa, or the kids yet"
Pride gave a curt nod, "It seems they are hiding out in the mountains up north. The Nazi's are in the area, but I don't think they will search the mountains. It may prove difficult to have your soldiers go in and capture them, they are wanted by the military now after all."

Ry sighed, "Alright then, how about you get rid of the Nazi's in the area long enough to capture Alphonse and the others traveling with him. I want them brought here, but not as prisoners. They have done nothing to sustain my vengence, I just want to keep them from getting killed, unless Edward provokes me to kill them by pulling another stunt like before. I want no harm done to them, protect them at all cost Pride, I don't care how many soldiers end up dying to do so. I need them alive and well if I want to use them against Edward."

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