Chapter 7: Priority Edward (Part 3)
The black military issued car pulls into the avenue. Yellow tape cuts off an entire block with a swarming of military investigators examining the area. Alphonse steps out of the car along with the driver. Numerous bullet-size holes were in the walls and cement ground, a telltale sign of the gunfight. The car, windows shattered with glass askew around it, stood parked by the sidewalk. A white sheet covers a body.
Alphonse stares hoping it isn't Edward.
"Alphonse."
He turns to Juliet who's walking towards him. The women's light brown hair, which usually is held in a tight ponytail, is coming apart. Her left arm is bandage near the top.
"Juliet, what happened?"
"I don't know sir. The two guards came to pick up Edward, and then shot were fired from there." Juliet points to the roof of a house straight across from them. Where Alphonse stood he could make out another white sheet.
"Where's Edward?" Alphonse didn't like the answer he receives.
"I don't know. I thought he was running for safe coverage yet the investigators can't find him. A search party has already been assembled."
"I'll help search for him," Alphonse says briskly walking away.
"Alphonse, is Edward in danger?" Juliet asks following him. "Do you think they're trying to round up the kids?"
"I hope not." He couldn't disclose the information to her. The military (not on the case) were told the same cover story as the media. If Alphonse is to guess correctly, then Juliet is thinking about an organization selling kids as slaves, not Alpha's organization.
Juliet stops following. "When you find Edward, he is to be brought to my place."
"Maybe you should wait with Juliet for the child."
Alphonse stops and turns. Maes Hughes and Archer (the one who spoke) are walking towards Alphonse from the ambulance truck; mostly likely gathering a statement from the guard. "I have to find him. I doubt he's going to trust anyone."
"What if he doesn't trust you?" Archer says a sniping in his voice. There's a rivalry between Archer and Mustang, placing him on the enemy list. Alphonse guesses were towards wartime, where the most competition would take place between soldiers. Both were Colonel's during the war, though Mustang abandoned his rank later after the war.
"He'll recognize me. That might be enough." Alphonse couldn't hold back the vehemence. They didn't enjoy each other's company, to place it blatantly.
"We also need to make sure he doesn't run away again, and what if you don't find him first. You could be on the other side of the city." Again, Archer's reasoning.
"Why can't I search for him?" Alphonse shouts. He hated Archer's reasoning. The older man probably already knew about his relationship with Edward. Archer's smile made that point.
"Alphonse Elric." Juliet voice is stern like a mother, as a warning. One does not shout at their superiors. Alphonse wonders if Juliet just had this natural mother instinct with her. It's ironic, considering Alphonse outranks Juliet and her stern tone. It was still a valid warning.
Alphonse let's out an angry shallow sigh; he'd berate himself later for shouting; releasing the tension over the situation with Edward.
"We need Edward to be comfortable with Juliet, if she's to be his guardian." Hughes says, waiting for a reasonable Alphonse to give an answer. Unlike Archer, Hughes didn't sound condescending.
"I'll go with Alphonse" Juliet quickly interjects. "I don't think Edward will come quietly without him, and I'll be there if we find Edward." The woman could be fiercely shy, though her appearance of shyness wasn't the status quo image. Her appearance is the same when she's nervous, Alphonse notes. Juliet stood as a rigid board, more so with Colonel Archer and Major Hughes presence.
"Fine then." Archer turns to walk away, letting Hughes provide further instruction for Alphonse and Juliet.
"You two are to help search the area north of the neighbourhood. Considering the both of you need to be in contact with Edward as soon as possible, you'll be accompanied by a vehicle. Though," Hughes turns to Juliet "I need a statement of the event that transpired."
"Now?" Juliet asks.
"Later, after this Edward is found."
A car pulls up at the end of the avenue, the driver quickly stopping and running towards them. "Could you direct me to Major Hughes?"
Hughes answer with a curiosity, "that would be me."
The driver gives his salute. "The child's been found. I've been told to escort you, his guardian, and Alphonse Elric to him."
Overcoming their surprise they hastily walk to the car. "May I know who found him" Alphonse asks the driver.
"Commander Mustang."
All three of them pause at the name. "Mustang?"
x x x
They were looking for him. Edward, was that the name? It sounds vaguely familiar. Yet the name wasn't uncommon or common. They had handed him a photograph: a boy sleeping (unconscious) in a hospital bed, blonde (virtually gold) hair matted around his head and draping the shoulders. Why does the name sound familiar?
Roy watches the two military men walking away, going to the next house to flash a permit to search backyards. They hadn't known why they were searching for this boy. The picture he was shown didn't help give an estimate of any danger. Mustang did have to wonder if he is one of those kids from 2nd lab assault. It felt as though a week's time has pass, yet it's only has been two or three days – there were a week's worth of paper work though, maybe more.
He looks at the photo again. If the child in the photo were on rescued from the 2nd lab, he would have been informed. There had been a few escape attempts – runaway's – that produce a panic among all the commanders on this case; possibilities of a kidnap situation. All that runaway were brought back and kept under house arrest, though the guardian did try to hide that fact. The military were in a 'buzz' (as a fellow soldier comments) of their newly adopted.
Apparently only the Lead commander, Alex Louis Armstrong, is in custody of a child. He (and the Fuhrer) didn't think so many personnel would volunteer. Roy, himself, isn't saddened by this news. The increase of paper work already consumes any time for procrastination, let alone a child to care after.
A rustle of leaves comes off to his far right. Roy sees the mess of golden blonde hair before the body collides with him. Far away voices of commotions are heard along with the boy's unsteady breathing. The boy pulls back and Roy recognizes him to be Edward.
Edward pulls back hands close to a fist if needed. They were after him, he has to run away. His body needs rest, ready to collapse if he stops. Edward's mouth is dry, lungs and chest hurting, muscles overworked, and drench in sweat. At first he thought he was safe, felt safe. Yet they came and found him standing on the sidewalk. His legs hasn't stop running since.
With arms pull back, ready to launch an attack, Edward looks up at the possible danger. Black hair, black eyes, an oval face that…
The man at the front was studying him and the white chalk lines around him. Edward could see the mumbles on his lips, looking over and over at the chalk lines and it's occupant in the middle. Edward watched the man stiffly walk to another man, whispering in a hurried angry mood.
Edward stares at that face, so familiar. (Don't be scared, ok) 'That what he said to me.' He propels his entire body forward, "Ok" Edward whispers relaxing into the stranger hold.
Roy regains his footing, unsure of the boy's action. The boy's eyes had widened in recognition. "Don't let them take me back," he hears Edward say. The blue fabric of his military uniform is tightening in the boy's hold, unwilling to let go.
He shifts his hold onto Edward as the boy's grip slips away passing out onto Roy. Now kneeling on the sidewalk, Roy couldn't feel sure if he should take action. The boy from the photograph – gold hair unforgettable to anyone – lies in his arms evidently exhausted.
Roy could remember the way his eyes had widened in recognition of him, as though he were a familiar face.
'The boy has obviously mistaken me for someone else.'
Author Note: I'm going to be leaving for China (vacation) in about a week. I'll see if I can type up Chapter 8. If not, then sorry for the wait. Also due to the plague of fiction ideas...there might be more delays. sigh>