Protect Me

Written by: Luna

Chapter 9 – Help Me

Disclaimer – I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, yet any new characters that I have created to fit the story are mine, and part of Protect Me. Thank you!

Author's Note – Ok guys…things are going to be getting a little more uh…bad, which means I'm bumping it up a notch in the rating. !WARNING – Torture! Hope I don't scare you guys away. Just for the record…I love Al so this was really hard for me to write. This is only the beginning, but I promise things will get better in the end, but not until then I'm afraid. TT Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!

Alphonse tried to doze in the uncomfortable position he had been put in, but he wasn't able to sleep more than a few minutes at a time. He was constantly being awoken by the smallest sounds, fearing that those guys would come back to him.

He was unaware of how long he had been there now. They gave him minimal food and only let him have some privacy for a couple of minutes while he was unbound. But other than that, they had just left him there. Even if he could get away from the guy, who stood, turned, not far away, during his 'private time' while he was untied; he knew he wouldn't be able to go anywhere. The place they were in gave him little sense of direction. For all he knew, he would just run further into danger.

They had taken the gag out now and was just keeping him tied to the wall, which he was thankful for because that accursed gag was drying out his mouth in the worst way.

Al continually wondered how Winry was fairing, wherever she was. He knew she was there because of the way the men had talked about there being two of them.

Soon, Al heard a distant sound that caused his head to turn to the doorway. His heart began to pound faster since he knew whoever it was, was coming for him.

Kane appeared in the entrance to the dingy dirt room. "Well, well, I bet you're not going to be happy to see me, kid." He spoke in his gruff voice and gave an evil smirk.

That's when Al looked down and noticed the thick, black whip that was wound up in Kane's hand that he held by his side.

Alphonse couldn't say anything. No words came to him as his breath caught in his throat and he fought to scoot away. His eyes were wide with fear.

Finally as Kane approached him slowly, Al was able to bring desperate cries to the surface. "No…please no!"

This only seemed to encourage the large man as he stood in front of the squirming boy. Keeping a firm grip on the handle, he let the length of the whip fall so the excess curled on the floor by his feet.

Kane stood there and studied the teenager, giving off a thinking expression. "I suppose I should turn you over. I wouldn't want to kill you. Then what good would you be to us?" He chuckled as he slowly wound the whip back up and stuffed the end of the roll in his pocket. It was as if he were trying to drag this intimidating process out.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Al cried as Kane came over and took him, flipping him over onto his knees so his hands were facing the wall. He then lifted his over shirt and t-shirt around his shoulders so his bare back was exposed. Since both of his arms and legs were bound, he couldn't do anything to fight him. The chain that held his tied wrists kept him from turning back over.

As Kane made his way back across the room, Al could here the whip being taken out again. With his eyes squinted shut, tears began to fall down his face as he predicted the upcoming pain. Brother! Help me!

Winry's head shot up at the first of Alphonse's screams. This gave her a quick answer that she must only be a few rooms away from him. The next few minutes were terrible to bear. Her friend's cries echoed off the walls as she heard the crack of a whip. She gave way to fresh tears that refused to stop, flinching every time a snap, followed by another scream, was heard. Her gag was still on preventing her from calling his name. She pulled at her chains and writhed as the torture continued. It might as well have been done to her for all the pain she was bearing just listening to it.

It finally stopped and silence fell upon her again. Winry became still as she listened with all her might to hear any sounds from Al, but none came. She could hear nothing from anyone and was then left with her own thoughts again.

Edward was sitting at a table that was now cluttered with thick volumes of books, his red coat thrown over the back of the chair next to him. He had been isolated for a few hours now doing as much research as he could on wind alchemy or anything he thought might help him.

It was Lt. Hawkeye that brought him back to reality as she called his name quietly from her place at the side of the table. "Edward, I have brought you the files you requested."

Ed looked up, slightly startled to hear another voice, then showed an expression of gratitude as he accepted the folders. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I appreciate it."

Riza looked down at the young man, giving a sad expression. "This is everything that we could come up with on the information you provided. I hope this helps you."

He nodded and forced a smile. "I'm sure it will. Thanks again for your hard work."

"Not at all, Fullmetal, sir." She raised her hand to salute him before turning to leave.

Riza stopped at the door and looked back at the boy already anxiously going through the papers she had given him. He was only seventeen and was still being caught up in danger even though he quit the military. Normally, if a person quit the service then they were allowed no further privileges, but they owed Ed a lot and he was well respected now. This was a different matter all together. She gave a final glance at the young alchemist before leaving, shutting the door quietly behind her.

Edward opened one of the few folders he had received and scanned over the information. There was a list of all persons known to use wind alchemy. On another sheet of paper was a list of all the men who had the name 'Sid' who were on military record. Since he only knew his first name then this may help him track his full identity and then he would be one step further.

After another hour he was beginning to find a sliver of hope. The once neat, printed papers were now marked off and scribbled on with Ed's notes. He had crossed off names and then circled others, going back and forth between the two lists. He had limited down to only a few names that could possible be a match.

It was then that he found it. This had to be it. Sid Ronalton. He slapped his pen down on the table and went to the personal files to find this name. When he brought out the matching one, he laid it out on the table after scooting all the other papers, files, and books over. Ed opened the file, revealing its contents. The photo that was provided was a younger version of the same guy, but he could tell it was him. He couldn't forget those eyes. Ed breathed a sigh of relief at finally finding him and began to read.

After the first couple of paragraphs, Ed stopped and leaned over, putting his head in his hand, his elbow propped on the table. Sid was from Liore. His home had been the town that was sacrificed for the Philosopher's Stone. This was now a whole different story.

Was this the reason he took Al and Winry? Why take them instead of just taking me? He thought. "They had nothing to do with any of this." Ed whispered to himself in anger.

This was the only thing he could find on this guy that would link the man to him. Everything else checked out normal. He had started using alchemy several years ago, traveling around to help where the need was. Ed thought to himself that probably the only reason the military had a file on him was because his alchemy was at a level high enough to be recognized, other than that, Sid had nothing to do with the military.

But one thing still irked him. Why involve his brother and his friend?

Edward resituated himself in the chair and continued to read the rest of Sid's file. There had to be something he could go on as a lead to where he might be.

He looked up all the towns Sid had visited when he had traveled and jotted them down in a small pocket notebook. Ed decided that his best bet now was to go to each town and ask around if anyone had seen him recently.

He let out an exasperated sigh. This was going to take a lot longer than he had time to bargain with.

The young alchemist stood up, gathered his belongings, and threw his coat over his arm. With the papers he needed and a new burst of determination, Ed left the confines of the library and was on his way.