Edward bobbed down the stairs, his little blond shadow close at his heels, her little rodent trailing behind her. She leaped into Winry's lap, giving a sweet smile to Alphose, who returned the grin. "Good morning, you two." he marveled at how well Maya fit in with the group, even after only two days. Maya and Alphonse shared a joke, both giggling behind their hands. Winry had found a hairbrush and was braiding the little girl's strawberry blonde hair. Edward smiled.
"You're good with her," he said. Winry smiled. Vivie had climbed up Maya's arm, resting on her shoulder, nipping her ear affectionately. Maya giggled, feeding her a bite of her toast. Suddenly, twitching her nose, Vivie bounded to the window. Maya stood after her, feeling a cold chill run down her spine.
"Edward?" she said softly.
"Hey, Maya, what's up?" Maya didn't respond. She didn't even waste time looking for the door. Vivie leaped out the window and Maya was right behind her, landing on her feet. Edward and Winry tore after her, having to run to catch up with her. "Hey, Squirt, what's up?"
"You don't feel that?"
"Feel what?"
"The heebie-jeebies, you don't feel them?"
"What heebie-jeebies?" Maya shivered again.
"Those," she said before bolting again, Vivie tailing behind her. Edward and Winry bolted behind her, trying to keep up. Winry panted beside him.
"You know…she doesn't look…all that fast…" she panted, "How can she…out run us… our legs…are longer?" Edward shrugged as Maya and Vivie leaped over a wall, landing gracefully on the other side. Edward followed, landing none-to-gracefully on the ground behind her, catching his balance before bolting after her. Winry took a little longer, running around the wall, not wanting to chance breaking her neck by jumping it. Maya had rounded the corner and that was when Edward lost her. Winry caught up, panting and clutching her chest as Edward looked around desperately.
"It's a dead end ally. Where the heck could she have of gone?" Edward yelled.
"Edward look!" Winry said, pointing at the corner where Vivie was growling and huddled sacredly in the corner. "Come here Vivie," Winry whispered, lifting the rodent up off the ground by the scruff of her neck. "What happened to her, Viv?" Vivie was shivering. "Edward?"
"We'll find her, Winry. Come on, let's go."
Maya wasn't at all aware of herself as she leapt the wall, scrambling over the top and landing on her feet on the other side. She wasn't aware of where she was going or that she was being tailed by Vivie, Edward, and Winry. The only thing she was aware of was the sensation on the back of her tongue, between a fragrance and flavor and where the strange sensation was leading her. The sensation lead her into an ally where she felt like a heavy weight slammed into her chest and she saw Lust perched above her on the roof. She leaped down and narrowed her eyes at Maya, who fully returned her glare. Envy was behind her and the sight of him almost made Maya laugh at the chemical burns on his eyes, but she didn't. She held her ground. "What do you weirdos want with me this time?" Now she couldn't hold back a laugh anymore. "Hey, Envy, you should see a doctor about those burns."
"Give me the little bitch!" Envy snapped.
"Hush!" Lust snapped once again. Vivie gave a growl and Maya balled her fists, her nails biting into her palms, creating half-moon crescents of blood in her flesh as Lust advanced on her, staring her straight in the eyes. Maya stared back. "You have such beautiful eyes, has anyone told you that?"
"Huh?"
"You honestly don't know, do you dear?" Maya glared.
"Why do you keep harassing me? Why don't you leave me alone?"
"I'm sorry, but we can't do that. You see, we need you." While she had been focusing on Lust, Envy had snuck up behind her, locking his arms around her. Maya yelped, giving Envy a hard kick to his solar plexus, forcing him to release her. "Can't you even handle one little child, you incompetent fool?" She yelled, her already sharp nails extending into razor sharp talons that pierced Maya's left side. Maya gripped the wound as she buckled to the ground. "That is how you handle the little brat," she barked at Envy, who rolled his eyes. Maya drifted off into unconsciousness.
Memories are just where you laid them
Dragging the waters till the depths give up their dead
What did you expect to find?
Was it something you left behind?
Don't you remember anything I said when I said,
Don't fall away and leave me to myself
Don't fall away and leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands again
And leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands
Love lies bleeding
Maya woke slowly, whimpering in pain from the wound in her side. She shifted to alleviate the pain only to find that her arms and legs had been bound, preventing her movement. She gave a strangled cry of frustration as she tried to work her wrists and ankles free. She was trapped, and there was no hope for her.
Oh hold me now I feel contagious
Am I the only place that you've left to go?
She cries her life is like
Some movie in black and white
Dead actors faking lines, over and over and over again she cries
Don't fall away and leave me to myself
Don't fall away and leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands again
And leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands
Love lies bleeding
Maya tried not to be afraid. She refused to cry, just as she had refused to cry when her parents had died. She fought and fidgeted with her bonds, nipping at the knot on her wrist, shifting and sliding her wrists until they were bleeding enough for her to work them off. She bent down to undo her ankles, which were bleeding as well. She pulled herself up, ignoring the pain in her side, the lack off blood making her dizzy. She was able to pull herself up, gripping her side once again, biting her lip.
And I watched as you turned away
You don't remember, but I do
You never even tried
Don't fall away and leave me to myself
Don't fall away and leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands again
Leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands again
Leave love bleeding in my hands, in my hands again, oh
A flicker in the shadows caused her to suck in a breath as Lust materialized out of the darkness. "I was wondering how long it would take you to escape."