CW:
(Suicide and Disturbing Imagery)
Chapter 13
The hallway that Alphonse slowly walked down was long and a bit on the gloomy side, with no windows set into the light gray walls to help ease the unnatural glow that radiated from the artificial lights that droned on overhead. Al could hear the near deafening sounds of his hollow armor body clanking loudly, even over the buzz of the electric bulbs above, the noise only amplified by the enclosed corridor as it echoed along the walls.
At his side strode Hawkeye, seeming undisturbed by the loud cacophony of rattling metal and looking as calm and confident as she usually was. Alphonse envied the lieutenant's cool demeanor, his own nervous thoughts gradually morphing into memories from the day before, fluttering through his mind like frenzied butterflies.
A full day had passed since Al had captured the man, and he was still able to recall nearly every detail about the previous day easily. He could very clearly remember watching Hawkeye's gaze light up with pride as she praised him on his quick thinking. While Alphonse had felt joy and relief from the lieutenant's approval and presence, he soon picked up on her shock as she noticed that the captive was wearing blue military attire similar to her own.
Hawkeye had then told Al to wait and keep an eye on the man, his garb making the already tricky arrest even harder as she had hurriedly explained. In order to properly apprehend the man and bring him in for questioning the lieutenant had to go back to headquarters to fetch Major Armstrong, needing his help to make the arrest official and without bringing down any sort of suspicion from the higher ups.
As Hawkeye had raced back along the way she had come, calling over her shoulder that she'd be back as fast as possible, Alphonse was left alone with his captive. Though the man had been rendered harmless from the multiple stone protrusions that surrounded him on all sides, Al had still been nervous to be left in the presence of the man who had stolen his brother and the colonel away.
After a lengthy silence, neither seemingly interested in exchanging words with the other, Alphonse had let out a relieved sigh when he saw Hawkeye returning with the large and intimidating figure of the major at her side. The official arrest had been done rather quickly and quietly, Al momentarily releasing the man from his stone prison before Armstrong had cuffed him and put an end to his short lived freedom.
Once the man had been handcuffed the major had told both Alphonse and Hawkeye that he would be booking the captive on completely fictitious charges, clearly as concerned by the military attire as the lieutenant had been earlier. Armstrong had then requested the rest of the day to completely fill out the fraudulent report and to discretely transport their suspect to a proper holding cell until they could question him. They had both agreed and the major had then led the handcuffed man off towards the military police headquarters, both Al and the lieutenant exchanging a slightly nervous glance before they left to give this latest update to the rest of the crew.
Now Alphonse was walking through that very building a little over twenty four hours since the arrest, nervous as ever at the thought of finally questioning the man he and the rest of the crew had searched so hard to find in the early days of the investigation. While he knew that there was nothing to be so worried about, what with the man more than likely still handcuffed and being in the presence of two military officials that he knew well, Al just couldn't help it.
The previous night had been full of a similar sense of anxiety, feeling longer than most as Alphonse had tried to think of what to even say to the man. Should he be mad or relieved? Or maybe he should feel more fearful and suspicious, still unsure that the man even knew anything that could help them. All of those conflicting emotions would have made sleep impossible even if Al had been able to indulge in the reprieve of slumber in the first place.
Hawkeye had stayed awake with Alphonse for as long as she physically could, reassuring him that everything would work out in the end and offering a much needed and sturdy shoulder to cry on. He knew the lieutenant understood his troubled thoughts while also knowing that she would never try to soothe Al with false hope and empty words. After a few hours Hawkeye had gone to bed, leaving Alphonse alone to figure out his own mixed emotions while Hayate had tried as best as any dog could to comfort him.
They soon rounded a corner in the long and seemingly endless hallway to see Armstrong's large and unmistakable form standing a few feet away. The major quickly caught sight of them and nodded his head in a silent greeting before his blue gaze rested upon the shut door by his side, looking a little uncertain as Al sensed the lieutenant gently tapping on his metal arm to get his attention.
Alphonse gazed down at Hawkeye as they stopped to stand in the middle of the mostly vacant corridor, looking into her dazzling auburn eyes to see compassion and sympathy glittering in their depths. The lieutenant then leaned in closer, surprising Al slightly as she wrapped an arm around his large metal body as best as she could before speaking to him in a low voice.
"Alphonse, I can see how nervous you still are and wanted to remind you before we go in there that everything will be okay. The major and I will do most of the talking, but you are always free to speak up and ask a direct question, since all of this will be off the record. There is nothing that that man can do to you, and if anything were to go wrong then I would do anything to help you."
Al nodded gratefully, genuinely touched by the lieutenant's small hug and supportive words. For the first time today he felt confident that things would finally work out for them, that luck was on their side. Hawkeye then released Alphonse from her gentle hold, motioning that they should continue on as she started to walk once more. Al followed the lieutenant in silence, the two of them crossing the distance between themselves and Armstrong until they stood before him.
The major saluted Hawkeye and she quickly returned the gesture, the sudden serious look to both of their gazes once again reminding Alphonse of how crucial their next move was. As he looked at Armstrong, the large man turned his head to silently regard both of them before he began to speak.
"Before the three of us head in there, I must warn you that the man has so far refused to speak to anyone since his arrest. I have tried my hardest but was unable to get even a name from him. He seems to be quite the stubborn fellow and he may, once again, refuse to talk." The major's voice was low and he cast an apologetic look towards Al before giving him a quick pat on the back. Both he and Hawkeye nodded in acknowledgement of the major's words, though the lieutenant was looking much more determined and hopeful than Alphonse felt.
"He will talk," Hawkeye said in a calm and resolute voice, seemingly undeterred by Armstrong's statement. "I will get him to speak, no matter how long it takes. I won't let this man have his way; he will give me any sort of answer even if I have to chip away at him through the night."
Armstrong bowed his head in response, the amount of respect that gleamed in the major's blue eyes reflecting exactly how Al himself felt. The lieutenant sounded so determined and confident in her abilities as she gazed expectantly towards the door that hid the man from her view. Alphonse could only admire her more as Armstrong took her intent look as an order to continue on as he slowly opened the door.
From the doorway the room seemed rather small, even without both Al's and the major's bulk as the group fully entered. Before them was a long table with two chairs just a few feet away and facing a large window that was set up high into the wall. Just across the table, and right underneath the window that radiated warm sunlight, sat one more chair that already had a familiar occupant.
The man looked just as Alphonse had remembered, still the same even after their first encounter a little over two months ago when he had seen the man's tense expression through the van's windshield. He had short blond hair that was neatly combed back, a few small strands starting to break free as Al noticed that the man's military uniform had been taken and replaced with a dark gray turtleneck. His narrowed blue eyes gleamed with annoyance as his gaze wandered from Armstrong to Hawkeye, never once resting upon Alphonse as though hesitant to meet his eye.
"Good afternoon, sir," The lieutenant said in a light and polite tone as she walked towards the table to sit in one of the empty chairs. As she motioned for Al to take a seat in the other chair beside her, he heard the major close the door behind them, standing right next to the only exit as Alphonse carefully sat in the chair opposite of the suspect. "My name is Lieutenant Hawkeye and I'd like to ask you a few questions, as long as that is alright with you."
The nameless man only stared back at Hawkeye in response, a small sneer on his face as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. It was then that Al noticed that the man's hands were still bound behind his back, looking rather painful as an unusual jolt of sympathy rushed through him. Alphonse quickly shook the unnecessary emotion away, focusing his attention onto the lieutenant instead.
"So what can you tell me about why we have brought you here?" When she got no immediate answer, Hawkeye carried on casually. "You look like a rather smart man to me, and you must know that the charges you are currently being held on are not the real reason you are here."
While the lieutenant's voice was nothing but civil, Al could tell by the way she held her shoulders and how her jaw seemed to tense slightly that she was starting to grow a little impatient. Alphonse knew that no matter what happened, Hawkeye would never act impulsively on negative emotions, but he could sense that she really longed to demand answers from the captive as the silence only grew.
The man seemed completely unmoved, and a little bit wary as his blue gaze wavered from the lieutenant for a quick moment to land on Al before his eyes shot back to her and slowly narrowed. Alphonse only continued to stare at the nameless man, confused and trying desperately not to let his nervousness show as he tried and failed to think of anything to say to him that could garner a response of any kind.
"Could you at least tell me something about yourself? I'd like to address you as something other than 'sir' or 'John Doe'. Surely you have even a simple nickname that you could give me?" Hawkeye cocked her head to the side slightly, just enough to seem genuinely curious. "Or maybe you would like to tell me how you came across a military uniform to use. We don't just leave those lying around you know?"
While he still remained silent, for the first time those narrowed blue eyes finally came to rest upon Al, and in their azure depths he could see a growing sense of dread and a strange yet very faint glimmer of…remorse? Or maybe it was fear…Before Alphonse could even try to understand the meaning behind the man's conflicting emotions that danced in his gaze the prisoner quickly returned an annoyed glare towards the lieutenant as he spoke for the first time.
"There is nothing I have to say to any of the military's play things." The nameless man's voice was a low rasp that sounded as though it belonged to a much older man. The lieutenant's eyes grew wide from both shock and a hint of anger at the insult as the man's blue gaze flickered towards Al before he continued on.
"I will only talk under two conditions, the first being that you release me of my bindings. Then the blond and major meathead will leave the room," Alphonse could hear Armstrong letting out an unamused huff from behind him as the man spoke on in a calm tone. "The armored one is the only person here that I'll allow to stay. He is the only one I will speak of anything else to."
Al felt frozen in place from a mixture of shock and fear at the thought of being left completely alone with the man that seemed to radiate an aura of unease. Being in the room with both the lieutenant and the major had helped to ease some of his anxiety, and the thought of them leaving made Alphonse feel emotionally ill. How would he be able to do this without their silent support close by?
Then Al thought of his poor brother and the colonel, both of whom were almost certainly facing horrors much worse than what he was currently going through. Alphonse owed it to the both of them to get the answers that he and the crew so desperately needed…and hadn't he already promised to do anything in order to find Ed and the colonel? His brother was probably wondering if Al and the others were still even searching for him…
By his side he was aware of Hawkeye growing tenser by the second clearly having picked up on Alphonse's unease as he turned to look at her. The way the lieutenant's muscles tensed and the way she clenched her jaw in preparation of an argument reminded Al of Edward when someone threatened anyone he cared for, and Hawkeye looked about ready to leap up in his defense at any moment. Worried that the lieutenant would disagree to the man's request for his own sake, Alphonse finally found the courage to speak up.
"I-I agree to the terms." He said quickly as Hawkeye shot him an anxious look from her concerned auburn eyes. "If this is the only way that we can get the answers we need, then I have no choice than to accept."
"Alphonse, you don't need to do this…" The lieutenant's voice was low with worry as her gaze flickered distrustfully towards the man, who sat in silence as he patiently allowed them to share words. Al knew that Hawkeye was only fearful for his mental and emotional wellbeing, probably wondering if this was the best thing for him or if the stress would only break him. "We can always find a different way to handle this; you don't have to agree to anything if you're not sure you can handle it just yet."
"There isn't time to think of any other options…brother and the colonel are counting on us to rescue them." Alphonse shook his head before gazing down into the lieutenant's wide and worried eyes. While she still looked rather fearful of leaving him on his own, Al could see a faint glimmer of pride in the tawny depths. "I'll be alright, honestly."
"So do you agree to my simple terms then?" The man asked in a bored and slightly impatient drawl as he shifted in his seat, seeming eager to be free of his bindings. Hawkeye shot the nameless man a quick and annoyed glare before turning to face Armstrong. With a nod of her head the major stepped forward and went behind the man, a faint click sounding before he pulled back with the handcuffs dangling from one massive hand.
"It appears that we have reached an agreement," The lieutenant's voice was once again crisp and professional as she rather reluctantly got to her feet. Armstrong nodded to Alphonse in a silent gesture of pride and support as he walked past him to open the door that led into the hallway. Hawkeye placed a gentle hand on Al's shoulder for a quick moment before she followed the major out the door, calling over her shoulder. "If either of you need anything, the two of us will be right outside."
With the sound of the door behind Alphonse closing, the lieutenant and the major were gone, leaving him completely alone with his brother's abductor. Al turned his head to stare at the man, who was massaging his wrists, the two of them sitting in silence for a few minutes as Al gathered up all of his courage. As he reminded himself that this nameless man was nothing other than a normal human, similar to himself, and one that held no power to do anything to him, Al slowly calmed his racing mind.
"Do you have anything that you'd like to ask me first?" The man suddenly broke the silence that hung heavy in the air and almost caused Al to jump at the abruptness. He looked up to see that the nameless man was gazing quizzically at him, still rubbing his bruised wrists while Alphonse thought for a moment. After a few seconds he knew what question he would ask first.
"Do you have a name that I can call you by?" Al asked, genuinely curious while also testing to see if the man would hold up his side of their bargain. The blue eyes that stared at him glimmered with a mixture of uncertainty and a suspicious confusion before his gaze wandered to look thoughtfully at the ceiling. "My name is Alphonse, but you can just call me Al if that's easier."
For a moment or two the man remained silent, gazing up at nothing before speaking in a casual tone. "I have no real need to tell you my actual name, but if you must call me by something…lets go with Zep."
"I-It's nice to meet you, Zep." Alphonse's voice trembled slightly as he tried his hardest to remain calm, still unnerved by the prisoner as those piercing blue eyes once again focused on him. Zep looked almost sympathetic for a heartbeat, nodding his head in a silent greeting as Al continued on with the questioning, trying to think of questions that Hawkeye or Armstrong would ask. "Do you know where my brother and the colonel, the two people you kidnapped, are?"
Zep continued to stare silently at him, conflicting emotions in his eyes as he simply nodded in response. Alphonse waited for the man to tell him more information, to give him at least something to work with, but after a minute of silence he realized that he would seemingly get no direct answer, to that question at least.
"Why did you take them?" Al asked, steering the questioning into a new direction as he continued to watch Zep closely. The man seemed a bit relieved for the change of subject, taking on a disturbingly prideful look as he answered.
"Well, not only was the boss trying to experiment with a pair of alchemists," Alphonse flinched at the thought of what those 'experiments' were, but Zep paid no notice. "But he wanted to test another theory as well. You see, I was the one to give that lead to Colonel Mustang with the orders to only share it with Edward Elric. Both bosses wanted to see if they could rope in some military personnel as well as get their hands on two highly skilled alchemists…and it actually worked!"
Alphonse's unease only grew as Zep continued on in a boastful voice, sounding much too upbeat and proud as he bragged on. "So not only did they get The Flame Alchemist, but I made it so they could also nab The Fullmetal Alchemist too! They were both so impressed, and it is hard to get any sort of praise from those two, that they let me stay here to spy on your investigation as well! They thought I'd never be able to pull it off, but I showed them…"
As Zep continued to talk, now boasting about his brilliant abilities, Al only felt himself growing more and more heartsick by the second. Time seemed to slow, Zep's words becoming nothing but background noise that meant absolutely nothing to him at the moment as Alphonse felt himself slowly sink into the dark water that was his despair.
So the whole thing had been well planned out then…it hadn't been a random kidnapping by some sloppy, amateur terrorists…These were seasoned professionals, people that were easily able to pull strings to get what they wanted with one dreadful goal in mind…Al felt his remaining hope of finding both his brother and the colonel as humans cracking and shattering like broken glass…crumbling into dust that was carried off by a miserable wind of hopelessness…
"B-But…why?" Alphonse's voice sounded fragile and defeated even to his own ears as Zep slowly grew silent from the sudden and weak outburst. While he was glad the question had gotten the man to stop in his terrible bragging, it did nothing to ease his heartbreak. "Why did you have to take them? How could you have stolen my only family away from me? What did your bosses need them for? What were they planning?"
Al felt a small yet savage jolt of satisfaction rush through him when he saw the fear and unease begin to glitter in the man's eyes. Zep drew back slightly in his chair, his gaze darting around the room nervously as though expecting one of his dreaded bosses to slowly emerge from the wall.
"I-I…I can't…They…b-but I haven't h-heard from either of them in o-over a month now…" The man seemed to be talking more to himself now that to Alphonse, his voice morphing into a quiet mutter that Al was just barely able to make out. "C-Could the plan have failed then? There is no way they would go silent for so long if everything was alright…M-Maybe they aren't even alive anymore to punish me if I tell…"
While, Alphonse thought silently, he hoped that the man that Zep took orders from had failed, he felt a twinge of sympathy as he gazed at the increasingly flustered man. He knew what it felt like to be all alone with no one to guide him, and while Al and Zep's loneliness came from two completely opposite circumstances, he could at least understand the fear and uncertainty that seemed to drive the man's current actions.
"If you can tell me what the intended plan was, and if you help us in our investigation, I'm sure we'd be able to keep you safe from your bosses…if they are still alive and are an active threat to you." Alphonse surprised not only Zep, but himself as well as he made the offer. While the thought of working alongside the man that had caused all of Al's current grief sent miserable shivers through his very being, Al needed to do all he could to insure that he got his brother and the colonel back. Like it or not, the man sitting before him was the only one who could make that hope into a reality, and he had to be sure that Zep would be kept safe until they found the two.
Zep looked at Alphonse as though he had suddenly sprouted wings, his once wary and fearful eyes now wide with shock and uncertainty. His blue gaze shifted to look down at his fidgeting hands in his lap, for once seemingly lost for words since they had begun talking.
"You would really try to protect me from them? Even…even after all that I've done to you?" Zep's voice was low and full of hesitancy as he raised his eyes to stare deeply into Al's soul fire gaze. He looked almost touched by the offer, but Zep only began to shake his head regretfully before he spoke again. "No…there is no need for that now. I'm fairly certain that they both have been killed by their own experiments at this point…though I'll probably never be completely sure of it…"
As the man's voice trailed off forlornly, Alphonse began to worry that Zep would stop talking completely. Some distant emotion glimmered in the man's eyes as he seemed to come to a conclusion, his fear fading away to be replaced by a resigned determination. Zep stared back at Al, looking unafraid now as he spoke once more. "But I can see by the desperation in your eyes that you need to have an answer, no matter the cost to yourself. I admire your bravery, and if those two really are dead then I can at least tell you what I know of their plan."
Before Alphonse could even begin to utter any words of gratitude, Zep took in a deep breath and seemed to steel himself for what was to come. The man spoke on in a low voice, as though still worried that his bosses might overhear and bring about a dreadful retribution, but Al could hear him clear as day.
"From what they initially told me about their plan was that they intended to overthrow Northern Command, for whatever reason I'm still unsure of, but they intended to create chimeras to help them do this. They found that a chimera made from combining a human and dog would make for the best disposable soldier, since they were not only loyal but smart enough to follow direct orders and to relay messages through enemy lines."
"Though I feel now that they were never too sure of this plan actually working, so instead the lead scientist took over most of the operation. That man…is truly terrifying…and I think he wanted to just push the human body to its absolute limit towards the end. He wanted to just test various and horrible things on his captives, human or chimera, and was very curious about what would happen not only to alchemists when they were changed…but those with automail as well…and that was where I came in to help him…"
Alphonse sat in stunned silence as he slowly took in every detail of what he had just heard; feeling like his heart was breaking into pieces. Knowing now as to what had more than likely happened to his brother and the colonel made Al feel terribly heartsick, and he desperately hoped that the two of them could still actually be saved. He couldn't even begin to imagine what horrors Edward and Mustang had faced…and he didn't want to dwell on those horrible thoughts for long.
Al's earlier disdain and anger towards Zep changed and hardened into a deep hatred at the two who had given the order that had led to such pain and heartache. If their dreadful plans had never been put into motion then his brother and the colonel would still be here, safe and sound, and not lost and suffering far away from him. As Alphonse felt his burning anger and sorrow slowly settle down somewhat, as though a light mist was descending over him, a sudden and clear thought began to push his rage away.
"The scientist that oversaw the creations of the chimeras," Al started hesitantly, wondering now if that other worldly encounter with Ed had actually been a wild and one off waking dream after all. "Was his name Mark Kramer?"
Zep flinched back as though physically struck, and that primal reaction alone gave Alphonse his answer long before the man could utter a single word. At that moment he suddenly realized why Edward had given him that specific name…it belonged to the man who had not only tortured him…but who had most likely changed his poor brother and the colonel into chimeras.
"H-How do you know that name?" Zep looked absolutely terrified as he continued to gaze at Al with wide and fearful eyes. "How did you get it? D-Doctor Kramer…he's not actually here is he? Was this all part of his plan to test my loyalty…o-or did you capture him too? Oh god, what have I done…"
"No, no he's not here, don't worry." Alphonse said quickly in an attempt to soothe Zep as the man's voice began to trail away into a horrified moan. Before Zep could go into a full blown panic though, he went on. "His name was the only one to come up during our investigation, but we had no clue if someone by that name even existed since there are no records of him anywhere."
This did little to ease Zep's nerves, his eyes now having a glazed over and faraway look to them as his body trembled violently from fear. Al longed to actually help calm the man and reassure him that this terrible doctor would never find him or do horrid things to him, but he did not want to lie to the man. If this dangerous and twisted individual was actually still alive then Zep could be facing actual consequences for telling Alphonse as much as he had…he could even become another of the doctor's experiments.
After a few minutes the worst of Zep's fear had faded away, though he still looked rather uneasy as he leaned in closer to Al, his voice a mere whisper. "Yes…Doctor Kramer was the head scientist of this operation, but even he took orders from another man, Doctor Gordon Lawrence. The two of them together make for an absolutely horrifying team…and if they truly are dead then hell has regained two of its worst demons…"
Alphonse gave Zep a sympathetic look as the man's trembling only grew more severe, his gaze now darting around the room as though his bosses had heard everything and were waiting in the walls to whisk him away and exact their terrible retribution. While Al could do nothing to actually help calm Zep, he hoped a different question would ease some of his anxiety and take his mind off of his uncertain fate.
"Do you know where they are, or at least where the lab is located?" He knew that he had asked this question earlier and had gotten no response, but maybe now Zep would be a bit more eager to give him an answer if it meant he kept his life. "If we know where they are then we can take care of them and you'll be free from them."
Zep still looked rather scared and hesitant, his once wandering gaze fixing on Alphonse for a moment before he closed his eyes. The man grew silent, his body slowly ceasing in its trembling as Zep seemed to take in all Al had told him, probably wondering if it was still wise to answer any more questions at all. After a minute or so Zep's eyes slowly opened, a strange look of peace and acceptance glimmering in the blue depths as he once again stared at Alphonse.
"The lab is located up north, though I'm sure you already know that." Zep's voice was low and sounded somewhat detached, almost like his mind was now far away from where his body currently was. An unsettling calm descended over the man as he went on. "It's roughly two hours from Northern Command and buried deep in the wilderness, surrounded by trees."
Al was about to thank Zep for putting aside his fear in order to tell him this, his mind now racing to think of any other questions that still needed answered. Before he could utter a single word though, Zep fixed him with a compelling gaze before inclining his head towards the closed door over Alphonse's shoulder. "If you come back in with the lieutenant and the major then I can give them the coordinates that you'll need."
"Oh…yes, of course!" Al gasped out in gratitude and happiness as he gazed back at Zep for a moment before standing up from his chair. He gave the man a thankful bow of his head as he spoke up. "I'll go and get them right away! And…thank you, for all the help you've given us. It was very much appreciated, Zep."
Zep only nodded with a small and faint smile on his face as he waved his hand in a gesture that told Alphonse to hurry and get the two that he had asked for. Al nodded once more as he turned to face the door, opening it and stepping out into the hall to see the lieutenant and the major staring at him with looks of mingled confusion and concern from just across the corridor.
Alphonse quickly recounted most of what Zep had told him, both Hawkeye and Armstrong's expressions remaining calm and guarded, despite the various disturbing facts. They continued to listen on in silence, watching Al closely as he reached the end of his report.
"Zep told me that the lab is about two hours away from Northern Command, somewhere deep in the woods, and he even said that he'd give you two the coordinates we'll need if you go back in with me." He concluded with a hint of excitement in his voice as he gazed eagerly at the lieutenant and the major. "We did it! We know where they both are now and we can finally rescue them with Zep's help!"
Hawkeye and Armstrong exchanged a hesitant and skeptical look, causing some of Al's happiness to wither with that single shared glance. The lieutenant nodded towards the major, turning her attention back onto Alphonse as Armstrong crossed the hall to open the door just behind him.
"We'll see if he actually gives us that information." Hawkeye's voice was soft and gentle as she rested a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, a cautious yet calm look to her auburn eyes. "He may have just been bluffing about knowing that, and I don't want you to—"
"Lieutenant, something is wrong with the prisoner!" Armstrong's booming and fearful voice cut off what the lieutenant was saying, her expression growing more serious as she pushed past Alphonse and the major to enter the room. Al turned around just as quickly, rushing through the doorway to re-enter the room he has just left. Alphonse felt fear and dread drop like a pit in his stomach at the sight before him.
Zep was thrashing violently in his chair, his spine rigid as his arms twitched at his sides as though being struck by wave upon wave of electricity. His clenched jaw was covered in foam that oozed from the corners of his mouth to trickle down his chin to land on both the table and his own dark attire. Zep's blue eyes were wide and rolled back in his skull, pupils and irises nearly lost in a sea of bloodshot red.
"Major! Get the medics!" Hawkeye shouted from where she stood next to the seizing man, her hands pressing him back into his seat in an attempt to keep Zep sitting upright. Alphonse heard the sounds of Armstrong running full speed down the hall as the lieutenant fixed her surprisingly calm gaze to him. "Alphonse! Take my place, quick! You'll be able to hold him steady better than I can!"
Al immediately followed the lieutenant's order, fear and confusion clouding his mind as he pushed Zep as carefully as he could down into the chair. What was happening to the man, and how had it come on so suddenly? Zep never mentioned any sort of illness…so had one of the vile men in charge actually managed to punish Zep for telling too much? How?
His question was answered as Zep's wide and fearful eyes urgently focused on him, his jaw tensing as though even the simple action of speaking was causing him immense pain. "C-C-Couldn't t-take that…c-chance…h-had t-to d-do it…I-I'm s-s-sorry…"
Zep's once tense body gave one massive and final shudder before he went completely limp, the light in his terrified eyes fading away as one last painful breath escaped his throat. Despite Al's firm hold, Zep's lifeless body slumped forward, his head hanging as a mixture of blood and saliva dribbled from his slightly parted lips. It was very clear that Zep was indeed dead.
"He…must have poisoned himself…" Hawkeye's voice was quiet as she placed her hands over Alphonse's and drew him away from the man. With nothing to support him, Zep's head hit the table with a loud crack that sounded like it would have been quite painful…if the man had still been alive. "There is, and was, nothing more either of us could do for him."
"But…W-Why?" Al turned his confused and sorrowful gaze to the lieutenant, very conscious of Zep's still and lifeless body just behind him. Hawkeye's gaze was full of a mixture of shock and sympathy as she drew him farther away, leading Al closer to the door as he felt himself start to slowly sink into the dark and seemingly endless waters of his despair. "Why would Zep do something like this? I-I…I promised that I'd try to help him, to keep him safe…why would he poison himself then?"
"Sometimes a captive will end it all if they fear enough for their life." Hawkeye leaned forward enough so that she could hold onto Alphonse as best as she could, letting his hollow helm rest upon her shoulder as she went on in a comforting voice. "Whoever Zep worked for, he must have been so terrified of what they would do to him that he decided not to take his chances. Nothing me, or even you, could have done would have made that fear go away."
Al leaned heavily into the lieutenant's hug, his unfeeling body still trembling from the shock and absolute sorrow that flowed through his very being. He longed to be able to actually wail his pain aloud, to shed tears in the hopes of easing this soul crushing despair, but he settled for a weak moan as he voiced his worse fears. "H-He never got to tell us where brother and the colonel were…We'll never find them now…"
All of Alphonse's hope seemed to drain away at the thought of losing everything again, to be so close to saving the two of them only to have it snatched from his grasp at the last moment. He couldn't think of anything worse than what he was currently feeling, this experience seeming almost worse than when Edward and Mustang had been taken initially. To know that they were not only chimeras now…but were lost somewhere deep within the northern wilderness…where he'd never be able to find them…
"What do you mean, Alphonse?" Hawkeye's light voice was the complete opposite of Al's agonizing thoughts as she pulled back just enough to gaze warmly into his eyes. There was a determined glitter within their tawny depths that shimmered alongside the sympathy. "We've gotten everything we need, all because of you. Zep may not have given us the exact location, but he left us with some very important clues."
Alphonse finally drew away from the lieutenant's hold, skeptically meeting her eye as his once seemingly destroyed hopes began to rise, like butterflies in a warm spring breeze. "He told you that it was two hours from Northern Command, that's almost as good as getting coordinates. We truly are one step closer to finding your brother and the colonel."
"R-Really?" Al couldn't keep his budding hope from entering his voice as he contained to gaze down at Hawkeye, wanting to ask more before he was suddenly led out of the room by the lieutenant. He followed her silently, in a slight confusion just before noticing that Armstrong had returned with a small medical team, the group quickly entering the room they had just left.
"Of course, you know I would never lie to you." Hawkeye gave him a fond look before taking in a deep breath, drawing herself up straight as her voice took on a crisp and professional tone. "As soon as we finish up here, the two of us will inform the rest of the crew of our new plans. Tonight all of us will pack up, and by tomorrow we will be heading out towards North City to settle a base camp just outside the city limits. We will then begin conducting a search of the nearby area as soon as we can."
With one last loving glance and a gentle pat on his shoulder, the lieutenant strode past Alphonse to go and inform the major of the newest development in the case. While Al stood alone in the dreary corridor he felt as though his renewed hope had grown into a brilliant light, banishing all doubts and uncertainty from his heart.
They would find Edward and Mustang…and they would be able to save them.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Roy watched the snow fall steadily downwards as a frigid gust of wind blew in through the entrance of the cozy den to rustle uncomfortably through his fur, his body trembling from the sudden cold sensation. The small frozen flakes were drifting through the pale and cloudy dawn sky to settle into growing heaps upon the ground, bathing the forest around him in a fresh cloak of pure white. While the sight itself was breathtakingly beautiful, Roy knew that the snow would only make survival out in the harsh wilderness even harder than it already was.
By his side he felt Ed's warm pelt brush against him as his pup shifted slightly in response to the cold breeze that lingered in their den. Roy looked down and to his right to see the tawny chimera lying calmly at his side, Ed's head resting comfortably upon his own paws as he too watched the snow fall. The two of them had been lying next to each other for a while now in a peaceful and contented silence, both still a little groggy as they continued to fully wake from their long slumber.
A full day had passed since Roy and Ed had found and buried what was left of Cale, the two of them having been so shocked by the gruesome discovery that they had slept clear through the previous day. Roy still remembered how baffled he had felt as he awoke a half an hour or so ago to see that the snow outside had only gotten thicker, knowing that that much accumulation would have taken a full day to form with the rate at which the snow had been falling recently.
As another small gust of icy air rushed in through the den's thin lichen covered entrance, like an unwelcome guest, Roy felt himself instinctively burrow closer towards Ed's warmth. He was very relieved that his pup seemed to be doing better than the last time he had awoken. Though Roy felt a small twinge of mingled sadness and guilt as he took in the numerous, but thankfully healed cuts that littered Ed's body, a body that still looked much too thin and fragile for Roy to feel completely at ease with.
"I almost lost him…" Roy thought to himself as he continued to look over his pup's ragged appearance, feeling like a sharp stone had lodged deep into his heart. He was so scared that he would screw up again and that Ed would actually die from a stupid mistake that Roy himself had made. Worry coursed through him, the feeling colder than the snow outside as he thought about all of the terrible things that could possibly happen out in the frozen forest. Roy never wanted to see his pup that ill or weak again…he would do everything in his power to prevent it…
"Roy? Is Roy feeling okay?" Roy nearly leapt out of his fur as Ed finally broke the silence that had lasted for so long. His pup must have noticed that his guardian was looking him over and Roy could see now that Ed had fixed him with a worried amber gaze, sounding almost hesitant as he went on. "Is he too cold? Or is Roy's leg hurting him right now?"
Roy struggled to push his troubling thoughts to the side as he gently nuzzled Ed's cheek, relaxing as he breathed in the warm and comforting scent of his pup. "Roy is feeling fine, just a bit cold."
In response Ed leaned in closer as his long and feather soft tail wrapped gently around Roy's body, his pup now lazily resting his head on his guardian's white paws before he let out a small sigh. "Yes, it is very cold this morning. Hopefully the snow will clear up or stop completely so Ed can go out and hunt."
At the mention of hunting Roy was flung back into the deep and dark waters that were his earlier fears, and he felt his body begin to tremble not just from the cold. He could remember Cale's brutalized corpse as clearly as if the body lay at his side instead of his pup. Just the thought of Ed heading out all alone to hunt brought panic to Roy's already aching heart as unwanted images began to assault his mind.
He could see Ed walking obliviously through the icy woodland as a large and menacing shadow lurked not far behind…watching carefully, waiting to snatch up its unsuspecting prey…Then a loud and agonized howl echoing among the trees before being abruptly cut off to morph into a gurgled whine…fresh blood spraying the snow in a deep shade of red…the crunching of snapping bones and the horrid sound of tearing flesh…
"Roy knows that Ed will need to go out to hunt so they both can keep up their strength…" Ed's reassuring voice sliced through his terrible thoughts and his pup leaned as close to him as he could possibly get, seeming to sense Roy's unease and trying to comfort him. "Both Ed and Roy will die if they don't eat…and Ed promises to be very careful. He'll stay on high alert for any sort of danger in the woods."
"Roy still does not want Ed to leave on his own…" Roy managed to rasp out past the painful lump in his throat as the dreadful images continued to flash through his mind, and he futilely tried to stop them. Now he could see a shredded body lying on the ground at his paws, its golden pelt torn and matted with the deep crimson stain of blood…those brilliant yellow eyes wide and glazed over in death as the snow around him turned an unsettling shade of scarlet…"He remembers what happened to Cale…what if that happens to his pup?"
"Ed will stay as close to the den as possible." Ed said as he nuzzled Roy's cheek in an effort to placate his fearful guardian, fixing him with a wide and desperate gaze. "There is bound to be a bird or two nearby…"
"No," Roy said firmly, both to his pup and his horrific visions as they began to fade away, leaving behind a new clarity and response to the situation. "Ed will never hunt alone again. Roy will go with him; neither of them will leave the den without the other from now on."
Ed looked ready to protest, his mouth opening as his golden eyes narrowed before wandering down to gaze at Roy's injured and bound leg. He was suddenly reminded of how stubborn his pup could be, and Roy hoped that their conversation would not turn into a shouting match. Roy knew already that he was taking a risk, he could hurt his leg even worse than before or even cripple himself, but he would gladly bear any kind of pain or threat of injury if it meant that his pup would stay safe.
The annoyed gleam to Ed's eyes soon faded into a tired acceptance as he let out a sigh, shaking his head lightly as though knowing that arguing would be pointless. "Okay, okay, Roy can come with Ed. But they both will look after each other…Ed doesn't want the bear to eat Roy either…"
Roy let out a small huff of fond amusement at the joking tone to Ed's voice, gently nuzzling the top of his pup's head before resting his chin atop the soft golden mane. "Roy will do everything in his power to not get eaten…he doesn't want that either."
As Roy felt Ed's once tense body slowly relax against him he closed his eyes and savored the warm feeling of lying curled up together, safe in their makeshift den. The two of them then lapsed into another bout of comfortable silence, listening to the very faint sounds of a few brave birds chirping as the leafless tree branches rattled like dry bones in the light breeze. Roy felt as though he was about to doze off until he heard Ed speak up suddenly from under his head.
"The storm reminds Ed of the first time he ever saw it snow." His pup's voice was low and full of a gentle nostalgia as he went on. "Ed and his armor brother Al were with Roy when it started. Al was a bit scared at first until Roy told them both it was harmless."
Roy's ears perked up at the memory, trying his hardest to remember what had happened next. For some reason his mind felt a bit sluggish, and not just from his drowsiness…something just felt wrong…
"Ed had only seen snow in pictures, never in person," His pup continued on in the story as Roy's dread slowly began to morph into anxiety. "And to be honest…Ed was scared too. But Roy calmed Ed down too…though Ed has never told anyone that until now."
Roy slowly opened his eyes as he then lifted his head from atop Ed's, gazing down at his pup in a mixture of confusion and a growing sense of fear. When he tried to recall such a memory, all Roy was met with was an uncomfortable, murky darkness that seemed to obscure his inner vision, preventing him from seeing anything that may have lay behind it. Roy's mind began to race as he tried to shrug off the lingering fog to no avail, still unable to view the memory no matter how hard he tried.
"Roy…doesn't remember that at all…" His voice shook despite his attempts to appear calm, this latest discovery unnerving him deeply.
"Really?" Ed asked with a mixture of shock and a bit of concern as he lifted his head from Roy's paws to gaze deeply into his eyes. While Roy longed to look away from his pup's compelling stare, he was unable to as Ed went on in a hesitant and slightly scared voice. "Ed can remember it clearly…so…why not Roy?"
"M-Maybe Roy's memory is just a bit fuzzy right now." Roy said in what he had hoped sounded like a dismissive tone as he tried to keep his growing concern from turning into a full blown panic. He was scared to think of what the darkness that lingered in his mind truly meant…scared to his core at the thought that the dog mind was slowly becoming more dominate as it feasted upon his memories…slowly swallowing all that was the human half of Roy as the beast devoured his humanity…
"Does Ed remember other memories that Roy would have too?" He asked quickly, wanting to change the subject, but only slightly. Ed cocked his head to the side for a moment before nodding, unease slowly creeping into his pup's voice as he began to recall another memory.
"There was the time that Roy got mad at Ed for tracking mud into his office," Ed supplied hesitantly, as though worried that he would only increase his guardian's anxiety. "Roy made Ed clean up the mess, but when Ed used alchemy Roy got even more mad, because Ed ruined the carpet."
"Roy remembers that…" Roy sighed out in relief, beginning to feel like he had a better hold over his memories before confusion began to set in again. "But…Ed never cleaned up the mud…the armor brother did it instead because Ed got angry and left…"
This time it was Ed's turn to grow concerned at the misremembered event, his golden eyes growing wide before he lowered his gaze to stare down at his paws as though he'd find an answer among the tawny fur. "N-No…Al wasn't there…right?"
"Does Ed remember the time when Roy burned the curtains behind the desk when he was showing Ed how Roy's gloves worked?" Roy prompted, hoping that by changing the memory being discussed that it would help to ease both of their minds. Thankfully it seemed to work as Ed nodded once before he finally returned Roy's gaze, a relieved glimmer in his amber eyes.
"Yes, he does. The…Ed can't remember her name…but she walked in and demanded to know what had happened. She yelled at Ed and Roy, well mainly Roy…" Uncertainty returned to Ed's voice as he tried and seemed to fail at remembering the woman's name. "She had gold hair, like Ed's, but she had brown eyes…maybe her name was…"
"Hawkeye," Roy said suddenly as memories came rushing back to him like flood waters bursting through a cracked dam. Hawkeye, his most trusted confidante, his second in command…and how much she meant to him…how much he meant to her. Hawkeye had always been there to support him as he rose up in the military's ranks…he'd known her for so long…how could he have forgotten her? "Her name was Hawkeye."
"Ed remembers now…She was always kind to Ed and his armor brother." Ed's voice grew distant as if he too was suddenly remembering things that had been long since hidden. After a few moments of an uneasy silence, his pup spoke in a trembling voice. "W-Why are Ed and Roy not able to remember these things?"
"Roy…doesn't really know…" Roy said as worry continued to flow through both his mind and body. He really did wish that he had the answer. But sadly all they could do at the moment was speculate. "It could be the dog mind slowly starting to take over…but Roy can't be sure…"
Ed looked away from him, his ears flattening unhappily against his skull as Roy watched a shiver run down his pup's spine, his golden fur rippling uneasily. All that Roy could do to help ease his poor pup's nerves was to rest one of his own paws atop Ed's flesh and bone limb. He tilted his head before he gently nuzzled his pup's cheek, turning Ed's head so that he could look him in the eye.
"But Roy and Ed are stronger than the dog; they will be able to keep it from taking over." Roy said in a hopeful voice as Ed reluctantly returned his gaze, still looking uncertain as his guardian went on. "Ed doesn't need to worry…Roy will figure something out."
His pup's response was a forlorn sigh as he rested his head back atop his paws, Ed's warm breath rustling through the fur of Roy's paws as the tawny chimera turned his gaze to the den's entrance. Roy longed to be able to completely dispel both his and Ed's fears as he too began to settle back down into the nest and curl closer against his pup. Maybe he could think of a way to combat their vanishing memories, but Roy needed some time to reflect on all he had just learned. Until then he would do all that he could to protect his pup from suffering any sort of harm or distress.
Suddenly Ed sat up quickly, as though struck by a jolt of electricity, and for a heartbeat Roy felt himself start to panic at the abrupt movement, worried that Ed had been injured somehow. He then noticed that his pup's eyes were shining with excitement, his ears perked up eagerly as he gave a quick wag of his tail. Roy followed Ed's gaze to see that the snow outside had finally slowed to an almost complete stop, the worst of the icy squall having just passed on.
"Finally, Ed can go and hunt!" Ed sounded happy and relieved, more than likely overjoyed at not only the chance of leaving the den, but of distracting himself from all that they had uncovered. Roy slowly sat up as well, gazing out the den's entrance to see a pale and fragile sunlight slipping through the occasional break in the light gray clouds.
"Remember that Roy will be going along with Ed." Before his pup could even think of voicing any sort of protest, Roy raised a paw to silence Ed as he continued on. "But Roy won't be following his pup the whole time. Roy will be gathering supplies to help keep the worst of the cold out of the den, so Ed will be looking out for Roy as well."
Instead of an irritated growl Ed only nodded once in response, looking serious and determined as he slowly stood up and waited for Roy to do the same. With a low grunt, Roy leaned heavily against his pup as he got up onto his three fully functioning paws as fast as he could. Roy then very carefully tested his injured leg, wincing when his paw touched the ground before he quickly held it back above the earth.
"Ed will also need to make sure that Roy is careful with his bad leg. He will redo the dressing when they get back." His pup's voice was low with concern as he gazed sympathetically back at his guardian, letting him lean against his boney shoulder as Roy let out a small huff of breath.
The two of them then headed towards the den's entrance, Roy blinking against the sudden sunlight that turned the pure white snow around them into a series of dazzling sparkles. He looked towards Ed to see that his unease had seemingly returned as he trembled slightly from more than the cold.
"Everything will be alright, Ed." Roy said gently as he nuzzled the side of Ed's neck. His pup looked at him gratefully before helping his guardian to find his proper footing on the slick and icy ground. Once Roy had regained his balance, no longer needing to use Ed as a support, the two of them headed off into the frozen woods side by side.
And while Roy seemed to have brought some comfort to his pup, he himself was still worrying about all they had learned. What else had the both of them forgotten?
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Ed crouched down among the dry and brittle foliage that surrounded him, carefully creeping through the undergrowth as he picked up the scent of a nearby bird. As he drew ever closer the dog half of his mind began to take over like it usually did, though this time Ed was a bit more hesitant and worried. With the thoughts of Roy's earlier speculation still fresh in his mind he reluctantly let the canine guide his paws, knowing that their need for food was more important than fretting over what the dog mind may be doing to his memories.
Soon Ed caught sight of the light brown feathers of a sparrow that was too busy searching for food itself, sifting its beak through the snow at the base of a small pine tree. Silently he stalked closer, gathering his strength into a leap that brought him on top of the oblivious bird, snapping its neck before it could even let out a single cry. The dog, now seemingly satisfied, relinquished its control back to Ed before slipping away into the shadows of his mind. Ed took in a quick breath as he sat down amongst the snow, setting the bird by his paws as he thought silently to himself.
All of Roy's concerned theorizing rushed through his mind once more, and Ed held back a despairing whimper as he tried to keep himself from succumbing to panic. What if letting the dog take over, even for just a few minutes as he hunted, was why they were losing their memories? Had Ed inadvertently doomed them both with that suggestion? How long would it be until they became nothing but mindless beasts?
Not for the first time since their escape from the basement, what seemed so long ago now, Ed missed Sammy with a sharp pang of sorrow. If only the friendly chimera was still around to help them, to calm their fears with his knowledge of the inner workings of the canine mind…things would be so different, and maybe Ed and Roy would never have experienced this slowly all-consuming terror…
The sound of frost bitten undergrowth crackling behind him made Ed quickly turn around, his hackles rising threateningly as a snarl slipped through his bared fangs. He realized then just how foolish he had been to let his guard down, even for a second, with a brutal and deadly monster roaming the forest. As the creature that was causing all of the noise finally showed itself though, Ed immediately relaxed and let out a sigh of profound relief.
"Roy," He said as soon as he recognized his guardian's dark pelt and soft white markings. Roy gazed back at Ed quizzically before cocking his head to one side, unable to speak past the large branch that he currently carried in his mouth. "He nearly scared Ed to death, creeping through the woods like that."
His guardian attempted to speak a few muffled words before realizing that Ed was unable to understand what he was saying. Roy sat the branch down and limped the short distance to sit at Ed's side, lapping at his ears in a soothing gesture before he spoke up once more. "Sorry, Roy couldn't say anything with that branch in his mouth, and he thought that Ed was paying better attention to his surroundings…like he should be…"
Ed let out a small sigh as he pressed closer to Roy's warmth, letting his once tense body relax as he rested his head on his guardian's shoulder. He knew that Roy was right, and it wasn't his fault that Ed was so on edge, and any sort of anger he would have usually shown quickly melted away like icy dew in the morning sunlight. "Ed knows…he was just lost in thought…"
Roy eyed him curiously, looking ready to ask questions that he didn't want to answer until his guardian's gaze wandered down to the bird at Ed's paws, onyx eyes gleaming happily at the sight. "Nice catch. Has Ed caught anything else? Roy can help carry it back to the den."
"Ed caught a mouse a little bit earlier," He tilted his head to a grouping of brittle ferns a few feet away before continuing on. "It is small, but with the bird too Ed and Roy should be good until tomorrow."
His guardian nodded in response, nuzzling his cheek fondly as Ed finally noticed that various vines and swaths of ferns littered Roy's body. Draped over his shoulders and back was a fairly large assortment of foliage, ranging from strands of leafy ferns to a few thorny bits of brambles. Clearly his guardian's search for materials to help weatherproof the den had been successful.
It was then that Ed realized how tired Roy looked, his thin body trembling from exhaustion and the cold as he carefully kept his injured leg from even grazing the earth below. He felt a twinge of pity and guilt flood through him like a cold ripple of water when he thought back on how Roy had gotten injured in the first place…another one of Ed's doings…
"Ed can carry the branch back to the den if Roy carries his catch. Does Roy have any other things he would like Ed to carry?" Ed shrugged off his lingering, unpleasant thoughts as he gazed back at his guardian. Roy nodded in response as he glanced back at the branch he had left near the undergrowth a foot or two away.
"Just the branch, these vines are light enough for Roy to carry." His guardian's onyx eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he silently mulled something over in his mind. "Though if Ed really wants to help more then he could carry more moss for the den, to make their nest warmer. Roy couldn't carry any past the branch."
Ed nodded as he walked past Roy and grasped the surprisingly heavy branch in his jaws, trying not to stumble as he wondered exactly how his guardian had managed to carry it on three legs. Roy grabbed the sparrow before limping to where Ed had said he'd left the mouse, returning a moment later with the small rodent hanging from his jaws. With a silent nod the two began to head back to their den through the frozen woodland, Ed staying close to Roy as he just managed to keep the branch from dragging through the undergrowth or along the ground.
Before they could get to the den though, his guardian veered away towards a grouping of large boulders that lay partially hidden under a fallen tree where a fair amount of moss was growing in the shadows. Ed watched Roy limp over to the stones, setting down the prey as he carefully crawled under a few trailing branches. While he began to tear thick clumps of moss away from where it stubbornly clung to the rocks, Ed walked close enough so he was able to clearly see his guardian in the gloom.
As Roy busied himself with gathering moss, Ed kept a lookout for anything suspicious, having trouble seeing with the large branch still in his mouth that partially blocked his vision. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as his guardian took a few minutes to collect a decent haul of lichen, finally emerging from the makeshift cave with swaths of the soft greenery hanging from his jaws. Ed walked as close as he could get to the pile of stone and branches as the dark furred chimera began to carefully drape the fresh strips of moss across Ed's shoulders and back.
"There, that should be more than enough." Roy said as he sat back and admired his work, nodding in satisfaction as Ed backed up a bit to give his guardian room to move. Ed nodded his acknowledgement as he bushed out his fur when he felt a few stray rivulets of cold water seep from out of the moss to snake down his sides. Roy then grabbed the prey off the ground and the two continued the journey back to the den at last.
Soon they both caught sight of the den in the distance, and in that moment Ed felt suddenly exposed and vulnerable, his pelt prickling uneasily along his spine as he cast a nervous glance over his shoulder. The forest seemed to grow darker and more threatening with each rapidly increasing heartbeat…every movement from the undergrowth possibly showing him where a faceless monster hid…waiting patiently to snatch up its prey…
By his side Ed could feel Roy's body begin to grow tense as well, his fur rippling against Ed's as his guardian seemed to feel the same sense of growing terror. He looked at the dark furred chimera, their wide gazes meeting, and at the sight of the panic beginning to slowly shadow those already dark onyx eyes, Ed finally lost his nerve. The two then turned to gaze towards the den, which was looking more and more safe and inviting than ever, and both chimeras ran as one towards its shelter.
While all of Ed's feral instincts were telling him to leave behind his already injured and weakened guardian in an attempt to save himself, he pushed the ruthless thoughts away. After all they had been through together, with how close he and Roy had become over the past few agonizing months, it was something that his still, mostly human mind would never do. Instead Ed stayed close to his guardian's side, helping to guide him forward as the two finally burst into their den.
Still feeling vulnerable and scared, Ed quickly dropped the branch near the entrance and shrugged the moss from his shoulders as he crossed the den to huddle against the far wall. He watched Roy shed is own cloak of foliage before carefully placing the prey by their nest as his guardian crouched near the stone wall as well. Ed could feel Roy's warm pelt pressing closely against his side, his guardian's fangs bared in a protective snarl as they both waited for a dark and menacing monster to suddenly appear.
Ed could picture the gruesome scene in his mind, and he trembled at the vision his imagination had formed. He pictured the large creature stalking through the trailing lichen of the entrance…eyes glowing as cruel and sharp teeth flashed in the shadows…claws tearing through the grassy earth below as it leapt at them. Then the scarlet splatter of blood…agony as the sounds of bones being crushed into splinters echoed through the den and his mind…was that really how their lives would end?
After a few nerve wracking minutes of terrified silence, broken only by the sounds of a few birds calmly chirping from the trees outside, both chimeras began to slowly relax. Ed let out a sigh of profound relief that his vision would never make it into the real world as he felt Roy's tensed muscles begin to loosen against his side. Now that the mind numbing fear was gone, it then gave way to a slight embarrassment at how they had reacted to a nonexistent threat.
Suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious, Ed pulled away from both the wall and his equally as embarrassed guardian. As he stood and walked over towards their scattered supplies, trying to find something that could help to rid him of the shame that scorched his pelt, a sudden thought popped into Ed's mind.
"Ed said that he would rewrap Roy's leg when they got back to the den." Ed managed to say calmly as he finally managed to shake the hot embarrassment from his fur. He turned to looked towards Roy, who was now standing awkwardly by the far wall with his gaze fixed firmly on the ground, seeming just as self-conscious as Ed had felt only a moment ago.
Eventually his guardian seemed to return to the present, nodding to himself as he finally raised his head to look towards Ed. Roy looked relieved that his pup had not mentioned what had just happened at all…how they had huddled together like fearful mice just a minute ago…
"Okay." His guardian said in a low voice, still looking a bit uneasy as he limped towards their nest. As Roy settled down among the soft moss he stretched out his injured leg as Ed crossed the few pawsteps that brought him to the dark chimera's side. He then crouched next to Roy and carefully began to peel away the stiff and now long dried leaves so he could get a clear look at the wound underneath.
Much to Ed's relief the once bloody gash had formed a strong, clean scab, showing no signs of infection in the slightest. He sat back with a quiet yet pleased sigh as he gently pressed a paw against the healing wound, glad to not feel any unnatural heat coming from it. Seeing that Roy hardly flinched at his touch, Ed began to think aloud to himself.
"Roy's wound is healing up very well, and Ed thinks that there is no need to keep it covered now." He spoke calmly as Roy quickly turned his head to gaze at his injury in surprise. His guardian's eyes seemed to light up at the simple mention of leaving his leg unbound, and that reaction alone was enough to carve Ed's suggestion into stone.
"While Ed won't wrap it again, Roy still needs to be careful not to reopen it." Roy nodded eagerly as he slowly and carefully got to his paws, still keeping his hind paw from touching the ground out of habit. His guardian gave Ed's cheek a joyful lick as he then turned his glowing onyx eyes to gaze thoughtfully at their supplies, which were now scattered carelessly across the den.
"Roy and Ed should work on making the den warmer now." Roy said as he eyed up the vines and scraps of moss strewn along the ground. "Ed can put that branch near the farthest end of the den's entrance. He can weave some of these ferns and brambles along it to fill in any gaps between it and the ground. Roy will work on the nest as Ed does that."
Ed nodded in response and walked carefully over to where he had left the branch, grabbing a few vines and strands of ferns as he passed them on his way. He then picked up the large stick and brought it to the farthest end of the rocky entrance to their den. Ed managed to wedge the branch at just the right angle so that it would be able to block out most of the frigid winds, all he had to do now was reinforce it to make sure it stayed in its proper place, able to weather any sort of storm.
He began by digging a small hole into the frozen earth and carefully nudging the branch just enough so that it slid into the indent, staying firmly in place when Ed gave it a quick tug. The next thing to do was weave the brambles and ferns along the large stick to not only help hold it in place, but to truly keep the cold weather out.
The job of weaving was easy but monotonous as Ed carefully wove the softer and leafy ferns alongside the prickly thorns, slowly losing himself in his task. All the troubling thoughts he had carried with him all day began to fade into the background, and Ed felt a sense of peace enfold him as he watched the branch gradually become shrouded in the foliage.
"Ed has done a very good job." He was snatched from his blissful daydreams, nearly leaping out of his fur at the sound of Roy's voice from just behind his shoulder. Ed turned his head to see his guardian looking over his work, seeming to approve of the new barricade before he fixed his onyx gaze to Ed. "Roy has finished his work too, and since Ed has done so much today he will get first pick of the prey."
"Roy still always has to be in charge, doesn't he?" Ed mocked playfully as he stood and turned to face the inside of the den, gazing at the dark chimera in amusement. "Always telling Ed what to do, even when they aren't even human anymore."
"Ed acts as though he never bossed Roy around out here either." Roy huffed and turned his head dramatically, gently thumping Ed's shoulder with his tail as the golden chimera strode past him and towards the prey. "Ed has been pretty good at giving out orders too."
Ed let out a short bark of laughter, feeling his mood begin to brighten at the playful yet familiar banter as he grabbed the scrawny mouse in his jaws and settled in their nest. Roy really had done a good job on it, ferns tightly woven among leafy vines to house the soft moss and feathers they had collected. It looked a bit bigger and felt thicker, promising a warm and comfortable rest as Ed watched his guardian pick up the sparrow and join him.
Soon Roy had settled comfortably beside him in the nest, watching Ed intently, seeming to be waiting for him to have the first bite. With an amused huff Ed began to tear into the mouse, his earlier happy mood quickly turning back into anxiety as he felt the dog mind begin to press close to his more human consciousness. The canine longed to take over and share in the pleasure of tearing flesh and crunching bones, practically begging for control. It took almost all of Ed's concentration to remain above it, the dog soon reluctantly sulking away into the shadowed recesses of his mind as he felt feathers suddenly brush against his muzzle.
Ed returned to reality at that moment, lifting his head from the few remaining scraps of mouse to see that Roy had pushed the sparrow practically under his nose. By the look of it Roy had already eaten a little over half of the bird and was passing the remainder to Ed.
"Roy knows that his pup will need more than a boney mouse after hunting today." His guardian said as he settled himself more comfortably into their nest, fur brushing against Ed's and those onyx eyes never wavering from him. "Ed can have the rest of Roy's bird."
Still too troubled by the chaotic thoughts that continued to flutter through his mind like manic butterflies, Ed only nodded in response as he finished up the last few bites of sparrow. The whole time he ate though, Ed was very aware of his guardian's gaze resting upon him, and when he finally finished his meal Roy spoke up in a slightly hesitant voice.
"Roy can see that Ed is worried about what they talked about earlier," His guardian's tone was soft, full of a mixture of sympathy and understanding that helped to ease Ed's worries slightly. "But Roy has had more time to think about it now, and he thinks that he may have an idea to help them keep their memories."
"Really?" Ed sat up fully, instantly alert as his ears pricked eagerly in Roy's direction. For a moment he felt hopeful, his guardian had found an answer and solved their problem like he usually did…right?
"Each day Roy will ask questions that they both know about Ed's past, and Ed will do the same for Roy. That way they both keep their most important memories safe, at least until their human friends find them. Maybe they may even remember some things they had forgotten too." Roy said confidently, his eyes glowing with a silent triumph, though Ed himself was still a bit unsure.
"Is it really that easy?" Ed asked hesitantly, feeling as though his guardian's answer was too good to be true. While he wanted to believe that it truly was the cure to their memory problem, he couldn't help but wonder if it was just that simple.
"They won't know unless they try." Roy spoke gently as he brushed his tail along Ed's side, gazing up at him with hopeful yet sympathetic onyx eyes. "There is no harm in trying."
Ed looked away from his guardian as his thoughts began to slowly spiral off into many different directions. Had Roy really found the solution? Were they still slowly losing themselves, this newest idea doing nothing to help after all? Was there even a cure? What if they were just stuck like this forever now?
As all those troubling thoughts whirled through Ed's mind he let his gaze wander to the den's entrance. The snow squall had returned while he and Roy had worked on their den, small and pure white crystals falling elegantly through a slowly darkening sky. The tranquil scene before him was enough to help slow his descent into panic, and as Ed continued to watch the snow fall he began to realize that maybe Roy's plan wasn't as outlandish as he thought.
His memory slowly brought him back to the dark and cold stone basement that had been their prison for so long…Ed's vision marred by the metal bars that surrounded him on all sides. Then he caught a quick view of Sammy gazing at him from his own cage, his blue eyes glimmering as he smiled reassuringly back at Ed.
Hadn't Sammy himself told them both to hold tightly onto their memories…to never allow their fear and pain to control them? The friendly chimera had known so much more about their current condition, more than Ed knew he or Roy would ever manage to understand…Had his deceased friend really imparted some of that wisdom onto them, even just enough so that they would be able to remember his advice after so long?
"All right," Ed said with a sigh as he slowly settled down into the nest beside Roy, propping himself up on his elbows in order to return his guardian's gaze. He felt safe and reassured by the warmth that radiated from both Roy's body and his eyes as Ed continued on. "Ed agrees to try it…and he really hopes that it will work."
"So does Roy." His guardian's voice was low and seemed to drip with drowsiness as he wrapped his tail around Ed's body, drawing him closer as he let out a short yawn. "Though they can try it tomorrow…right now Roy is a little too tired to be sure of his memories anyway."
Ed let out an amused huff as he felt Roy curl even closer against his side, his guardian's warm breath rustling through Ed's fur as he settled his head atop his pup's neck. The steady heat radiating from Roy's pelt, combined with the soft and warm moss below was making Ed start to feel drowsy as well. After only a moment's hesitation Ed nuzzled his head deeply into the soft white fur of his guardian's chest, resting his head atop Roy's paws before letting out his own tired yawn.
"Goodnight, Pup." His guardian said fondly as he burrowed his head into Ed's thick golden mane with a quiet sigh. Ed let his tail wrap around Roy's body, keeping what was left of the chill in the den well away from their bodies.
"Goodnight, Roy." Ed whispered pointlessly, knowing from the deep breaths above him that his guardian had already fallen asleep. He breathed in Roy's comforting scent, letting all of the surrounding warmth soak into his weary body as Ed drifted off into a contented slumber.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
It was cold and growing darker by the minute, dead tree limbs clattering above in the light breeze as a shadow silently stalked through the brittle undergrowth. The creature's mangy black pelt was bushed up against the chill, scars parting the fur of its whole body that showed both healed wounds and fresh slashes caused from sharp fangs.
The starving and battle scarred creature sniffed the air eagerly, searching for any signs of decent prey in this foreign part of the frozen forest, needing food not only for itself but the others in its care. Since the snow had started to fall, prey had become scarce, those hungry mouths lusting for the sweet taste of warm flesh and the sharp aroma of spilled blood.
Suddenly the black furred creature managed to pick up a very faint scent, two to be in fact, and it licked its lips longingly. The scents were already fading from the snowfall, but they were undeniably those of a canine.
The creature felt a surge of pleasure run along its pronounced spine at the thought of such promising prey, but it wondered how it would be able to take on two dogs at once. The last one had put up such a fierce yet meaningless fight…the creature still baring the wounds it had been gifted by its last meal. Those two dogs smelled much healthier as well, definitely stronger than the starving creature that currently stalked them…
Silently the creature turned back the way it had come, glancing thoughtfully over its shoulder and into the dark forest. A plan was already starting to piece itself together in its mind…but how to make it all work out in the beasts favor…
So now we finally know the scientist's plans and reasons for making chimeras...well we have some basics given from "Zep", who didn't really last long enough to tell us more. And Ed and Roy are still finding it hard to survive out in the wild, and it's only getting harder now that this mysterious creature knows where they are...
Ok, so at first I was going to upload this on a significant day for me, but I decided to release this early since it was already finished. This would have been uploaded October 21...but I feel that day deserves it's own memorial on it's own.
Six years ago, on the 21st, we lost one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. His death was sudden, and it really changed how I viewed the world around me. We're still not over it, this friend was a big part of our lives for so long that it still doesn't seem real that he's gone...
But why am I telling you all this? Because his death changed my writing as well.
Have you ever noticed how butterflies are a big part of either my story as a whole or how things are described? That is because of him. After his death butterflies began to symbolize his life and how it changed everything. Every time a butterfly is seen I think of him, and with every mention of one in my story it feels as though this friend lives on in some small way...
So yeah, sad backstory out of the way, I'm hoping that the next chapter will be uploaded by the end of the year. I really want to put one more chapter out before 2023, so I'll be working on it as soon as I can. I'll have updates posted on my profile in the mean time, and also will probably post some story related art over on my Reddit soon, so check that out if you want.
Anyway this chapter was already long enough without my ramblings at the bottom, lol. So I'll end by thanking you all for the favorites, follows, and reviews, my emails seem to be working again so I'll now be able to get an alert for each one again! You guys are awesome and I wish I could at least give you each a high five, or even a hug if that's more your thing lol.
See you all in the next chapter!
:3
