Disclaimer: I do not own Angels of Death or Fullmetal Alchemist.
This chapter contains foul language.
Chapter 3
Swing! Crack!
A black blade stained with dried blood pierced through the wooden door beside Ed, causing him to flinch and press himself further up against the wall. The blade then retracted, and Ed spotted the maniac's wide, golden eye peak through the hole he had made, and Ed worried for a second that he saw him. The maniac grinned, moved back, and suddenly the door aggressively swung open with a kick, his form moving into the building. He kept his back to Ed as he ventured further in, thankfully unaware.
Perfect.
Ed wasted no time and lunged forward, swinging the pipe as hard as he could and hitting the back of the maniac's red clad legs. The man grunted loudly and fell to his knees, dropping his scythe in the fall, and Ed then jumped onto him to push him to the floor.
"What the fuck-?!" The maniac cried out in anger as Ed pushed one of his hands against the floor and held the other behind his back. He kept his grip tight and did his best to hold his perch on the maniac's back as he struggled aggressively.
"Rachel!" Ed shouted, causing her to pop her head out of the box. Her eyes bulged out in alarm at the scene before her. "Get out of there and go find the exit! I'll deal with this asshole!"
She nodded mutely, and quickly removed herself from the box. The maniac seemed to writhe more, growling out lowly from the back of his throat. Ed struggled to keep his grip on him- he was much stronger than he looked.
"You piece of shit!" He snarled, his eyes locked onto Rachel as she fled from the room. "I'll fucking kill ya!"
Ed, making sure Rachel was a good distance away first, tightened his grip on the maniac's wrist as he looked for where he dropped his pipe- and grit his teeth upon seeing he had flung it halfway across the room. "Dammit." He whispered.
Just then, the maniac shifted and managed to push himself up, sending Ed tumbling to the floor, and he made to get to his feet. Ed, feeling his adrenaline rising, lunged for the pipe and scrambled to his feet, just as the maniac stood, scythe in hand.
Ed gritted his teeth and made his way to the door, never once turning away from the maniac. The man turned to him, anger blazing in his eyes, and he made a mad dash for Ed, lifting his scythe up.
"Hold still, ya little shit!" He screeched, voice raising in pitch, and he swung his scythe down in a vertical slice. Ed dodged by leaping to the right, simultaneously striking the killer's arm with his pipe. As the man cursed in pain, Ed used the opening and cracked the pipe against the back of the man's knees, once again sending him down to the floor. Ed, seeing his chance, bolted from the building, quickly getting a head start as he raced down the street. The lead pipe clattered to the ground behind him in his haste to escape.
It didn't take too long until Ed caught up with Rachel, finding her just where they first encountered the killer, but he knew they didn't have long.
"Rachel, c'mon!" He exclaimed as she stood, and he took her hand as he sped past, pulling her along with him.
"Where's that… that thing?" She asked, gripping his hand to keep her hand from slipping. Fear laced her small voice.
"He's back there stunned, but not for long!" He shouted, panting softly. "He's gonna catch up with us any minute now!"
The two ran through twisted hallways, blood pumping in their ears and hearts ready to burst, when finally, Ed felt his chest become lighter with relief.
"There!" He slowed his pace as he noticed Rachel breathing heavily beside him. "There's an elevator! We made it!" He said, smiling at her.
The ghost of a smile graced Rachel's lips. Sweat beaded at her forehead and rolled down her face, and she looked exhausted from the amount of running they went through. "Thank goodness."
Ed gave Rachel's hand a squeeze, and the two stepped forward.
"FOUND YOU!"
Ed felt his body freeze alongside Rachel as an ear piercing laugh broke the air around them. Cautiously, he turned to face the maniac. Scythe slung across his shoulders, the man meandered towards them, hood covering his eyes. That psychotic grin had returned, but when he lifted his head, Ed could see the anger blazing in his eyes, locked directly on him.
"This time, I'm not even gonna give you twerps one second!" The man cried out in glee, charging at them fiercely. Ed wasted no time in sprinting forward, tugging Rachel behind him- the poor girl stumbled, almost like a rag doll as her sluggish body tried to keep up.
The elevator came closer, and Ed almost cried out in relief when his hand slammed against the button, the chime ringing out like an angel choir, and the doors slid open as if welcoming him into an embrace. Ed and Rachel quickly moved inside, and Rachel took to pressing the button to make the doors close.
They wouldn't budge.
"What the hell?!" Ed backed up as the laughing maniac came closer, eyes glaring holes into Ed's head. Rachel's button pressing became more insistent.
"Come on, please close! Please!" She whimpered, and the maniac lifted his scythe as he jumped, grin wide and ready to sink his blade into their flesh, to tear them limb from limb-
The doors closed with a thunk, and dented under the pressure of the man hitting it. Another dent quickly followed, and then silence.
Ed and Rachel stared in disbelief as the elevator dinged, and began to ascend.
Rachel fell to her knees, panting softly. "What… was that?" Her voice whispered.
Ed stared at the doors, his mind racing as he let his eyes drift to her. Her skin was paler than before, and her wide eyes held only fear as her body quivered like a leaf. He felt a tug at his heart, picturing the times where Al would have a nightmare and come to him with that same look in his eyes, and in his mind, Rachel almost began to merge with that image.
An urge to protect washed over him suddenly, and Ed knelt beside Rachel, his hand gripping her shoulder and squeezing reassuringly. She looked at him, tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
A child like her shouldn't be going through this kind of hell.
"Ed?"
"Just listen for a sec, alright?" He spoke quietly, but with purpose, making sure all of her attention was on him. "There's no doubt in my mind that this place is dangerous, but I promise I'll make sure that nothing in this building will hurt you. I'll get you back to your parents alive and well. Got it?"
Rachel stared, her rigid body relaxing gradually. A single tear descended her cheek, and she sniffed softly, smiling gently.
"Okay."
They rested together on the floor for a few moments in silence, regaining whatever energy they could, when the elevator halted once more with a loud ding.
