Wow, it's been a lot longer than I was hoping it would be, but I've returned bringing another chapter! Thank you all so much for the feedback on the last one. It really means a lot!
I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.
Edward Elric
He stared out the car window while they pulled out of the train station. He sagged against the backseat. His lips quirked into a grim line as he watched all the shops and buildings pass by.
I guess Marlowe isn't too much different than East City.
Roy turned a corner, now driving them beside a wide creek. His eyes widened when he saw what lied across the water.
Two stone towers rose above all the surrounding buildings with a stone wall connecting them. Even from the distance, he could see the bright red double doors in the middle. The further along they drove the clearer he could see the red and white banner hanging above the doors.
"Is that the school?" he wondered aloud, breaking the silence that had filled the car since they left the train station.
There's no way…I know I looked at the photos in the case file, but it actually looks like a castle out of those stupid books my old teachers tried to make me read….
Riza shifted in the front seat and looked back at him.
"It is." She opened the folder in her lap and flipped through the papers before looking back up at the massive building across the creek. "Apparently, it's the oldest building in Marlowe, but I never would've guessed it. The pictures didn't do it justice."
No kidding….
"Our house isn't even a kilometer away from the school," Roy said. He blinked and shifted his gaze back out the window. "Breda should have most of the boxes moved in. We'll be passing Havoc's apartment any time now. It's supposed to be just a block north of the bridge…."
He trailed off and glanced in the rearview mirror. Ed sat up and turned around to look out the back window. Sure enough, the car behind them veered off down another street and out of sight. Roy turned the car to the left a few seconds later, and they were crossing the bridge. Ed's jaw slowly dropped the closer they got to the school.
A series of stone steps led up to the doors. They split to avoid a patch of grass with a fountain in the middle of it before converging back into a single staircase. Intricate carvings decorated the top of the walls. He squinted but couldn't make out what they were.
What the hell kind of school is this?
"Eyes on the road, sir!"
Roy jerked the wheel, flinging Ed into the back door. He slowly righted himself and rubbed his flesh arm. He glared at the seat in front of him.
"Sorry," Roy mumbled.
Ed sighed and crossed his arms, grumbling under his breath. He stared out the window until the school disappeared behind them.
Riza Hawkeye
"What the hell is this?"
She was surprised Ed's roar didn't shake the house. She sighed and rolled her eyes at the chuckle just behind her.
"I think he finally looked in his closet."
She set the box down on the dresser and left her and Roy's bedroom only to be nearly bowled over by an angry teenager clenching a bunch of hangers in each fist.
"What the hell are these?" he asked, shaking the black slacks and white and gray, long-sleeved button-down shirts.
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"That's your school uniform. Breda picked it up for us when he arrived."
Ed blanched.
"Y-you mean I'll actually have to wear this?"
"What did you expect, Fullmetal?" Roy chimed in. "I don't think anyone would let you step one foot on school grounds with that red coat you insist on wearing. It won't be as bad as you think. I'm sure the required shoes will make you look taller—"
Ed's face reddened and he dropped the hangers.
"What did you just say?"
"Quiet!" Riza yelled. Both alchemists froze, all traces of smugness and rage erased from their features. She turned to Ed. "Ed, you're undercover, so you will wear what's required for us to complete this assignment. Do I make myself clear?" Ed swallowed and nodded. She snapped her head to Roy when he snickered. "And what did Lieutenant Havoc say about calling him 'Fullmetal,' sir? Besides, I don't think a chemistry teacher of such a prestigious academy would antagonize his son in such a manner."
Roy shifted his gaze down to the floor and he crossed his arms, deliberately ignoring the smirking Ed next to him. Riza walked back over to the dresser. She leaned her elbows against it and hung her head in her hands.
We haven't even been here a day, and this is already exhausting….
"Why don't we stop for the night?" Roy suggested. "Breda was kind enough to start unpacking for us while we moved the furniture in. We can finish after we tour the school tomorrow. I'm sure we could all use the rest."
She looked over her shoulder, noticing Roy's furrowed brows. She nodded.
"That sounds like a good idea."
Ed bent down, picked up the discarded clothes, and retreated to his room. Roy approached her and put a hand on her back.
"How about you go ahead and shower first? I'll walk to that diner down the street and get us all something to eat, all right?"
She nodded again.
"Thank you."
Roy left their room, closing the door behind him. She opened the box on top of the dresser and yanked out a shirt and pair of sweatpants. Entering the bathroom, her shoulders sagged when she saw the bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and soap already set out on the counter for her. She froze when she saw her reflection in the mirror above the sink, running her fingers through the long, black hair. She shook her head before turning on the water. Steam quickly filled the small room. She stepped into the shower and nearly groaned as the stress of the day practically washed away as she started washing her hair. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the shower wall.
This will hopefully last a couple weeks, just long enough to get more information from the school's faculty. We should be able to narrow down a list of suspects and find this killer….
Her stomach dropped at the thought.
Who could be sick enough to dissect a teenager? Those kids are Ed and Al's age….
She was pulled out of her thoughts when she started shivering. She turned off the now freezing water and grabbed the nearest towel. She quickly dried herself off and got dressed. Facing the mirror again, she stared at her black hair for the briefest moment before brushing it.
We won't be here long. We'll arrest this guy soon enough.
She left the bathroom and headed downstairs. She paused at the bottom of the staircase when she heard a series of footsteps in the kitchen.
"I've got the plates," Ed announced. "I can't find the silverware, though."
"It must be in one of these boxes."
She crept down the hallway and lingered just beyond the entryway to the kitchen. A couple of bags sat on the table. Ed set out the plates while Roy rummaged through one of the boxes. Within seconds, he'd procured some forks and spoons and didn't hesitate to set them on the plates. Riza inwardly grinned at the sight.
Her stomach growled, motivating her to finally enter the kitchen.
Roy Mustang
"We're excited to have you both on our faculty! I'm afraid the rest of the staff are in class at the moment, but you'll get to meet them when you arrive Monday morning!"
He grinned at the overly enthusiastic principal. It took all the energy he had not to gawk at their surroundings the second they stepped out of the administrative offices and into the lobby. He was almost hesitant to walk on the pristine white marble floors. Massive windows lined the room, flooding it with natural light and giving a clear view of a courtyard. He and Riza were directed to the right and down a hallway.
"We're excited to be here, Principal Meron," Riza said. "We've heard all the praises about Henthorn Academy's faculty and students. It's an honor to join the staff, and I know Edward is looking forward to meeting his new classmates."
The tall man looked over his shoulder at the two, his smile growing.
"We don't get new students very often. He'll be the center of attention for quite a while!"
It's not like Fullmetal isn't used to that.
Meron led them around a corner past a massive set of double doors.
"That's our library. From the sounds of it, Edward's going to be spending lots of time in there. Our librarian absolutely loves the students. She's excited to have someone to keep her company in the afternoons!"
They made their way further down the hall, which was lined with doors on either side. Roy could see glimpses of the students through the windows on each door. His grin disappeared.
I can't imagine them trying to focus after everything that's happened over the last few weeks.
"Your class will be at the end of this hall, Mr. Mason," Meron continued. "The chemistry lab is right next door. I would let you in right now…."
Roy forced a smile back on his face.
"There's no need to interrupt their class! I'll get here early on Monday to get myself organized."
Meron nodded before turning around and walking back down the hallway. He looked to Riza.
"The gym is on the west side of the school. Your office will be between the locker rooms. The students are out on the track today, so you can look around if you'd like!" He led them out a door and into the courtyard. Stone tables were scattered across the grass. A fountain identical to the one in front of the school sat in the middle. "When the weather permits, a lot of our students come out here to eat lunch. If I didn't have so much paperwork, I'd probably join them myself!"
"It's absolutely beautiful," Riza commented, looking down at the white flowers planted along the edge of the sidewalks.
They walked along the southside of the courtyard. Roy perked up when he looked through the window and saw Ed leaving the administrative offices with a girl right behind him. She was only a couple centimeters shorter than him and had curly, black hair that hung down to the middle of her back. She pushed up her glasses and looked down at the sheet of paper in her hands. Smiling and motioning for Ed to follow her, the two disappeared. He smirked to himself.
Looks like he's already making friends.
"That's Anya Lewis," Meron explained. "She's one of the class representatives. The second she heard we were getting a new student, she jumped at the chance to show him around. I'm glad to see her in good spirits since…." he trailed off, his smile faltering for the briefest moment before he forced it back into place. "Anyways, she and her brother are very social, and I know she'll insist on introducing Edward to everyone they know! He won't be short on friends. I can guarantee you that!"
Roy's eyes widened. He looked to Riza, instantly realizing she was thinking the same thing.
Corrine Lewis was the first victim. Her brother and sister were the ones to find her on the kitchen table that morning.
He glanced back through the window, ignoring the principal's rambling.
Principal Meron sure was quick to change the subject. I can understand not wanting to discuss the fact that four students at this academy have been murdered…but isn't that something incoming staff should be aware of?
He didn't realize he'd fallen Meron and Riza until he looked back up and they were almost to the door leading to the west wing of the academy. Meron was still animatedly talking to Riza, and Roy could see the strain in her smile. He jogged to catch up to them.
He's not just reluctant to discuss the matter with the military police. He won't talk to anyone, at least anyone outside the academy.
We can only hope the rest of the faculty will be more helpful.
Well, there's chapter two! I sincerely apologize for the wait. I hope you all still enjoyed it! Until next time!