Disclaimer: I do not own Angels of Death or Fullmetal Alchemist.
Chapter 2
Silence stretched between the duo as they stared at what laid ahead of them. To Ed's confusion, it looked kind of like a street, with rundown brick buildings and a sidewalk. He took a step forward, his eyes trailing up, and he took notice of pipes in the heavy darkness above them, indicating a ceiling. He frowned.
"Okay, unfortunately we're not outside." Ed said, turning to look at Rachel. She frowned, stepping forward as well and leaving the elevator. Ed stepped out beside her.
Seeming to sense that it was now empty, the elevator closes with a loud thunk!, and to Ed, it sounded like a death sentence. He gritted his teeth, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. He didn't like this at all.
"Ed?" Rachel spoke up, looking at him and bringing him back to reality. "We should get moving." She said softly. Her shoulders were tense, and a bead of sweat trailed down her cheek. Her nervousness was clear as day in her eyes.
"Right." Ed said, and he turned, walking down the street- hallway?- with Rachel by his side. They walked in silence for a long time, the streets and walls all looking the same to Ed.
"What's that?" Rachel asked, her voice drawing his attention as she stopped to point. He followed her gaze, and blinked in surprise It looked to be a newspaper clipping, attached to the wall by flimsy tape. Ed furrowed his brows together and leaned forward to read it. Some words were crossed out, but he was able to read it just fine.
"'A… Reckless Murder.'" Ed read out loud, pausing as he noticed Rachel tense beside him. His eyes skimmed over the rest as he read. "'On… some day, the body of a man was found in some city in some state. The body has gaping wounds seemingly inflicted by a sharp blade… authorities are treating it as a murder.'"
"Oh dear." Rachel whispered, her gaze wandering as she looked at the walls around them.
Ed continued. "'Since last month, a string of similar murders have taken place in the state. No association or similarities have been drawn with the victims, so nearby residents are asked to exercise caution.'"
Silence.
"Gee, that was reassuring." Ed mumbled sarcastically, turning to look at Rachel.
Rachel appeared to be lost in thought. "An article about a murder…" She mused.
Ed, not wanting her to think too much in it, took her hand and began walking again. He could see that there was something different ahead of them, and he found it a bit of a relief.
That was until he saw red stains.
Ed stopped, frozen to the spot as he and Rachel stare at what lies before then. A section of the wall was blocked off by barricades, and blood splatters stained the ground and bricks.
"Blood?" Rachel whispered and gripped Ed's hand, causing a switch in his mind to click.
Sacrifices… that newspaper clipping… and now blood… that murderer's on this fucking floor!
"Rachel-" He started to speak, when suddenly, a bird chirps from nearby. A bird? In a place likr this?
The blondes turned to look, and sure enough, a small white dove sat nestled in a hole in the wall, picking at what appeared to be blood on it's wing.
"A bird..." Rachel said, moving forward before Ed could stop her, and she picked up the bird carefully.
"Rachel!" Ed said, frowning. "Put the bird back!" He knew better than to trust like that.
"But it's hurt." She replied, turning to look at Ed as she cradled the little bird in her hands. "We can't leave it here."
"We're going to have to. Put it back." Ed said a bit more sternly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"But Ed, it's hurt!" She retorted, holding the bird close to her chest protectively.
Oh no, she's like Al when it comes to cats-
"Rachel, I'm not going to repeat myself." Ed said, shooting her a look. It was the same, disapproving look he'd give Al for trying to bring cats home years ago, and he hoped it would work here.
Just as it seemed to do the trick, the bird became startled, and it hopped from her hands to the floor, trying to move away from her. She gasped, her eyes widening, before she followed after it. "Wait, birdie, come back!"
"Rachel!" Ed called, exasperated, and he hurried after her. "We don't have time for this!"
The bird stopped in front of a building with a boarded up door, and Rachel bent down. "Come here, birdie… let me put you back." She called out softly.
The bird chirped, staring up at her, and Ed slowed to a stop a few paces behind her. Something felt wrong.
"Don't be scared, okay?" Rachel cooed to the bird, smiling as she held her hand out for it.
Something really felt wrong.
"Rachel-"
Shing!
An explosion of wood showered over her as the wooden boards were broken. Blood splattered onto the poor girl, and bloodied feathers flew into the air.
Ed felt frozen as suddenly a man was standing before them, armed with a large scythe. The man threw his head back and laughed maniacally, sending a chill down Ed's spine. The maniac appeared to be bandaged under his blood stained brown sweater, Ed noticed, hiding almost every feature about himself under the gauze.
The man spoke, his gleeful voice echoing through the halls. "Ya looked pretty happy for a second there! But now, all I see is despair."
Rachel gaped at him, shock and horror keeping her rooted to the spot. Ed shook himself into motion and dashed to her side, gripping her hand, but he stilled as the mad man lifted up his hand, showing three of his fingers.
"I'll give ya three seconds. How fast can ya run?" He asked, and then bent down quickly, staring straight into their eyes. "And be sure to cry, scream, and beg for ya life!"
His manic grin stretched impossibly wide, and Ed swore he saw red in those deranged eyes. "Let me see more of that despair on your face!" He practically shouted at them.
"ONE!"
Ed immediately felt adrenaline rush through his veins, and he wasted no time in pulling Rachel to her feet. "Come on!" He shouted, pulling her with him as he fled down a long corridor. She stumbled a bit, but managed to keep up with him just fine.
"TWO!"
The maniac's voice echoed through the halls around them, and Ed put more effort into his sprint, trying to put as much space as he could between them.
"THREE!"
Laughter filled the air as heavy footsteps bounded after them, and Ed quickly pulled Rachel around a corner. His eyes landed on a door, and he grabbed the door knob. He twisted it quickly, and relief washed over him upon seeing it was unlocked. Ed barreled through the door, tugging Rachel in with him, and he slammed it closed. He turned, barely registering the small pantry they found themselves in as he searched for a hiding spot. He spotted a box, and could tell immediately it would only fit one. Ed sped forward, opening it, and he helped Rachel get in.
"But what about you?" She whispered, staring at him frightfully as she bent down. Blood stained her pale skin and there were specks on her clothes.
"I'll find another spot." He reassured her, and then quietly closed the lid. The laughter was coming closer.
Ed turned around, quickly assessing the room, and he cursed upon seeing there was no other place to hide. It would spell his death if he left, and it would bring harm to Rachel if he left her there alone. He was running out of ideas when he spotted a lead pipe by the sink. Ed suddenly grinned, and he quickly grabbed it from it's perch.
Now this is what I'm talking about… Ed gripped the pipe in his hand, moving behind the door and pressing his body up against the wall as best as he could to avoid detection. Footsteps approached the door from outside as he prepared himself. You can do this...
Edward Elric wasn't going down without a fight.
