So three weeks into this 'circus training' thing, I figured out exactly how much I could do… and when I fell from what must have been 5 stories out of a pine tree and landed on my head, snapping my neck and breaking several bones in my body, I realized through all the pain that I couldn't die.

I know, I'd gotten shot in the head before and am still walking, without a scar, but I guess I actually acknowledged this (freakishly scary) act.

I had mixed feelings on this. I mean, the other Homunculi I remember would get beaten around and all and would heal moments after (which was exactly what I did after my fall), and then only way they could actually die was if they were killed with a piece of their human selves near. This got me wondering if my human body was in Amestris, or back home. And then I worried if I would be able to stay sane living forever, or if I'd just turn out like Envy, killing multiples of thousands throughout my lifetime as a stress reliever.

Maybe not. I'll just play pranks on the military every now and then for shits and giggles.

Speaking of… I had another idea for a prank. In fact, the simple plan had been festering in my mind since the week before, and it eventually became like a tumour. Damn. Had to do something about it…

But I couldn't right then. Because it was the seventh day, and Envy was going to get here soon. And, well, you know how the saying goes. 'Speak of the devil and he may appear.'

"Kit."

"…Hey."

"Why are you outside?"

"I got bored?"

"Kit."

"I know the rules, okay?" I frowned; he was being a little mean today. Did something happen? "You never said I couldn't go outside, I just can't go too far from the house."

He sighed. I was right, of course. "So… what're you doing, then?"

"I'm figuring out how far I can go."

"Huh?"

"I pretty much just realized that I can't die."

It was then that he noticed the ripped clothes I was wearing and the blood on the ground around me. I, of course, wasn't hurt at all; it'd healed up a good fifteen minutes ago, which was four minutes after I fell.

"I fell from the tree, you know. It was… weirdly, kind of fun." I blinked at myself as I realized this.

Gods. I was gonna be one of those people that does dangerous things because it's fun and exiting.

Well, at least it wasn't boring.

I shrugged (still laying on my back on the ground) to show my indifference, but Envy's face was strained, twisted a bit into something that I couldn't quite make out. "Don't you dare do that again." He hissed scarily, and I nodded… kind of intimidated.

We'd really only had three days to 'get to know each other' as 'friends', and this was the fourth. Don't blame us if we still are trying to figure out where we stand.

Eventually, after a short glaring contest, we moved inside, where he deposited groceries, we put them away, then made (and devoured) dinner.

Envy at his food in front of the empty fireplace, in the comfy armchair. He was practically falling asleep; maybe something did happen, like I'd guessed earlier? I didn't ask him anything until I'd taken his empty dishes away, placing them in the sink. His eyes were half closed, then, and he was glaring at the empty fireplace.

Night clouded the windows outside, and a light fog fell over the forest. I pulled out some wood and lit a fire, my movements deliberately slow, as if going faster would startle Envy to consciousness.

He was still awake enough to watch me though, and I could feel his eyes watching me. I stood up and squeezed myself next to the man, settling in and waiting for a few minutes before questioning if he was alright.

"Yeah." Was his monotonous answer.

"Really…? You've been snappy earlier, and now you're practically asleep."

"It's just… Lust. She was… being herself."

"I see." I really didn't, but hummed a tune and stared at the flames. Our bodies soaked up the heat the fire provided, and it only helped to send Envy to the dreamworld. His head flopped onto my shoulder, and I smiled at the thought that Envy trusted me enough to become a little more unguarded around me. While sleeping, his face was smooth (no stress lines) and there was less harshness. He wasn't constantly glaring at something or other, and my eyes grew sad that he had to be so defensive and scary while awake.

I huffed, mad that I was probably just adding to his stress. But it's not like I could disappear; that'd just send him on another killing spree.

Slowly, I leaned back against Envy and let myself sleep.

When I woke, Envy was gone. It was expected.

But once again I was left with nothing to do. After a short breakfast I wandered outside and to the river… "What's across it?" I mused. "Okay, talking to myself isn't going to help this insane-woods-hermit image any."

I shut up, but waded across the river, pulling up the bottoms of my gray Capri pants and forgetting to find shoes.

On the other side… was more forest. I hadn't guessed any differently, but the river itself was wide enough that it took a while for me to get across. As shallow as it was, I could see only a blurry image of the clumps of green trees across the way.

I smiled. If Envy came looking for me, he would never guess that I actually went across the water. I still pretty much hated the water, but at least I could tolerate it a little when I could see the bottom.

I ran through this new area in exploration, quickly finding a clearing right next to the water (there was this neat little overhanging rock that looked like it was used for fishing) and a trail that led away from the bank. Following it led me to a thinned out part of the forest, less underbrush and more hiking trails, and a clear view of Central.

Oh.

Well, then.

I might as well… while I'm here and all. Best not waste an opportunity, I suppose.

I headed for the city and scaled the walls like a true criminal, instantly spotting the military headquarters as I leaped from roof to roof. Eventually, I landed on top of a house across from the familiar window of Colonel Mustang's office. It was empty… which was just fine for me.

I opened the window from the outside (stupid of them to leave it unlocked) and hopped in, rifling through the Colonel's desk until I found what looked like an important document.

I flipped it over and wrote on it.

The beginning of eternity
The end of time and space
The beginning of every end
And the end of every place

Heheheh.

The letter 'e' was the answer, of course, but it sounds more mysterious and thus will throw everyone into too much of a thinking stupor. I laughed and left through the window with perfect timing. The door opened just as my bell jingled, but I was already out of their view and on a distant rooftop by the time Mustang reached the window.

I sighed sadly. This little adventure of mine was turning out to be more stressful than I imagined. Whenever my friends and I talked of going to Amestris, we never pictured ourselves running from the main characters, or being protected by an out of character Envy, or being shot at by Mustang or locked up by Edward.

But oh dear, leaving these riddles was fun.

I knew I shouldn't have been in Central. I could've gotten caught by anyone at any time. The worst kind of luck would have Envy and/or Ed find me. Either was I'd be dead. Mustang… I could escape from him. I've done it several times before.

I ended up wandering the back allies (that eventually warped into the sewers, and back again to the streets) while I waited for night to fall. Once the sun began to set, I pulled my sweater on properly, with the hood up, and emerged from an alley—

--and rammed head first into someone as I made the mistake of glancing at my bare feet.

Oof.

I also made the mistake of looking up. And then I made the mistake of recognizing Hughes.

"…You're going to die," I tell him ominously (mainly to distract him, but also to warn him; who wanted HUGHES to die?) and then walked around him, whispering, "I'm sorry." As I left.

My bell chimed, and I almost cried, before realizing that the man was turning to catch my arm; I twisted out of his grip and ran off in no particular direction, leaving my follower behind before ducking into a back alley and climbing to the roofs.

By that time, the entire headquarters was completely empty, and the stars were beginning to appear. Once I did my prank, I'd have to head back to—

Hey, they left an answer already.

And they… got it wrong. 'Death' they say. I laughed, stepping carefully into Mustang's office and pinning their answer on the board (where they left my riddles and answers, but they weren't in the shape of the Ouroboros anymore) before scratching it out with a pen and correcting them. I left another riddle, this one placed once again on Mustang's desk, before cautiously leaving the room and heading down the hall.

By the time I left, that night, all the chairs on that floor in all the unlocked rooms had somehow mysteriously placed themselves within the poor Colonel's office.

And then there was the riddle, laid carefully on the otherwise untouched desk.

What is so delicate that when you say its name, it is broken?

Silence.

I made it back to the house in the forest without hindrance.


A/N: I'M SO SO SO SO SORRRYYYYY!

I wish I could say that my computer went for repairs or something, but honestly all I did was lose the chip that had the story on it and was too lazy to write out the chapter again because I forgot what I'd actually written.

So here's my alternative, which I started writing around 1 this morning. It's now 4. My hours are messed up.

...I actually find it entertaining to flip through the stories I'd written and read them as if they weren't mine. Someone tell me I'm not alone, or I'll think I'm a freak.

Anyways, I have the 13th chapter written, too, (it's kind of depressing) so let me know when you want me to upload it. I'll be staying at Micah's house from Friday 'til the 3rd of August, so let me know soon or I might not be able to put it up until I get back!

. Nojoke. Ilahvyouallllllllll.

-HW-

P.S. I stole flowers from a wedding not too long ago. It was fun. But then my step-mom keeps bugging me about putting the toaster away, as if it's something really important.