Continues off of the last chapter, the flashback. Unedited. This basically just wrote itself.
Rolling his shoulder that was weighted down by the automail, he crouched down, straining to listen. He had been forced to stay in this tent for almost two days now, and he wasn't going to stick around to see what would happen.
Barefoot, wearing a scrappy long sleeved shirt and cargo shorts, he wasn't exactly the most prepared to run away. But he was used to jumping into situations unprepared and always fought his way through the consequences. Now wouldn't be any different.
Frowning in determination he ducked under the tent wall, lifting it carefully and peering through the dark. Camp fires flickered, casting large shadows across the expanse grounds. Hard tar had replaced the brown earth and it hurt his flesh foot as he bolted to the first tent, hard pebbles digging into the soft under flesh of his foot, looking around carefully to be sure he wasn't spotted. Loud prattling and laughter filled the camp. Good, that meant no one was expecting a break-out. And that meant he could sneak away without being noticed, since no one was on the look out.
He cursed himself for being so off balance as he stumbled slightly, trying to skirt around the edges of the tent to the other side, shifty gold eyes scanned the area, trying to make sure no one was watching him. Near a large fire several people talked, their backs to him, as they laughed, joking.
Once I get out of here I can get back to Al and Win.
Next to him, to his left, something snapped and he jumped, first instincts telling him to run. He darted to the right, prepared to make a break for the city, when something grabbed the scruff of his shirt, pulling him back.
Biting back his scream, he lashed out behind him, kicking. The quicker he knocked this guy out and made the least noise then the best for his escape!
"Hey, where are you going, runt? You look a little uptight-"
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A RUNT?!" He shouted, yanking out of the stranger's grip and twisted around, ready to throw a punch.
Jared was smiling broadly down at him as Ed backed up a few steps, staring up with hard, defiant eyes.
"I'm leaving." He spat, crouching down a little, ready for Jared to make a move.
"Without saying bye? Geez, Kid. First we save your life, and now you're running off like we're the enemy." Jared said, shaking his head and folding his arms, "We were only making sure you got a hang of the automail before you took off. You know how dangerous the city is, especially if you have a handicap."
Feeling suddenly foolish, Ed frowned, looking away. He had never even considered that these guys weren't the bad guys. They had saved him, after all. And here he was acting like some criminal, stalking around the tents in the middle of the night, prepared for a fight to the death to get home.
"I'm sorry." He muttered, trying to hold what little respect he had left. He flinched when Jared raised his hand, patting it down on Ed's head and ruffling his hair.
"Chill out, Bud. We're not enemies. You're still not mad about the other day are ya'?"
"Of course I'm not. I just...I just need to leave...I've been gone for so long. It's been years and I don't know how my family is. I'm sorry."
Jared laughed, "Hey, there's no problem, I completely understand. We just gotta go say bye to the boss, k? We don't want him thinking you're ungrateful, do you?"
Ed searched Jared's face, still a little tense, but he mentally scolded himself. This was Jared, the guy that saved him and put his life on the line to get Ed out of that place. He should be more trusting.
Nodding, Ed fully relaxed his stance, straightening up.
"That's good. I know it's hard to trust people, but don't worry, I don't want you to be too trusting of anyone. Alright? Even your best friend could stab you in the back someday." Jared explained, leading Ed away from the tent and towards the large fire.
"Then why should I trust you?" Ed challenged. Jared looked over his shoulder at him and grinned.
"I like you, Kid. But you're at a disadvantage here. You aren't fully adapted to the automail and you're surrounded by eighteen of our guys. There may be twenty-three of you H. but you guys aren't that scary. Just a bunch of kids with metal attached."
"Then what is our purpose? Why are they so keen on making...adept H.A.E ? Like, me. That guy from before, who saved me, he said I was a higher advanced model. What's that even supposed to mean?"
"What? Higher advanced? I gotta say you have more metal on you then a lot of the people here but I don't know what he meant by...model. You're not some robot."
Ed's stomach bunched up in a knot at that word. He stared at Jared's back, trying to understand what was going on.
"Are you sure I'm not? I mean, what if-"
"Kid, you're arguing with me. That's a clear sign of a teenager. Not some robot android thing. Geez, chill out a while, you're fine." Jared told him, still walking ahead of him.
Sighing, Ed tagged along behind Jared until they reached the fire. The chill was immediately scared away by the flames and he felt his muscles start shivering at the near heat, anticipation of being heated filled them as he neared the fire. Ed spotted the man from before and saw he was speaking with another young man. They looked like they were in a intense argument until Jared strolled over, announcing his presence.
"Yo, Will, the kid wants to talk to you."
Ed felt cornered when both men looked up at him. He almost wanted to tell them to never mind and he'll talk later about it, but the thought of seeing Al and Winry again strengthened his determination.
"Oh, you're that kid who was running around senseless in the labs, weren't you?"
Feeling his face flare up he scowled at the man, "Yeah, considering I was as high as a kite from all those drugs those bastards always forced into me."
"Good thing you ran into me then, isn't it? My name is William, but the way, friends' call me Will." He held out a hand for Ed to shake but he just glared at it.
"I'm none of your damn business. Thanks for the other day, alright? But I've got to leave."
Will's eyebrows shot up as he smiled with a hint of confusion, "Already? But is that anyway to thank the guy who saved your life?"
Jutting out his lower jaw, Ed grinded his jaw, crossing his arms, "I don't care. I'm leaving. I already said 'thank you' what more do you want?"
Sighing, Will stood up, giving Jared a stern look before glancing in Ed's direction and back at Jared, "Look, Jared. We need to talk for a minute."
Ed stared at the two, trying to read Jared's expression to see if he would hint on what was going on, but Jared looked as puzzled as Ed was, "Sure, what is it, Boss?"
"Come over here."
Ed tried following them towards a tent set up not too far from the fire before a hand clasped onto his shoulder, halting him. Looking over he saw that it was the young man who was arguing with Will a few moments ago.
"Why don't you stay here? The fire is warmer and I'm sure the Boss needs to talk with Jared privately."
Feeling a little irked, Ed plopped down beside the man on the log where Will was seated and bowed his head, keeping his arms folded over his chest protectively.
"Why so uptight? Must be nice to be out of those labs for once."
"I'm wondering why it's taking them so long for... me to...leave..." Ed felt his heart constrict as he jerked his head up, staring wide eyed at the man before stumbling up, away from the fire.
"What's the matter-"
"...You...you're not going to let me leave...what's going on?" He asked, his mind quickly going back to Jared. His confused expression was genuine and the look on Will's face was nothing short of grim. Ed gasped out before screaming, "Jared!"
The man lunged forward, throwing his hand over Ed's mouth and pinning him to the ground. A couple of the men near the fire, looked over, looks of shock on their faces. A couple of them stood and moved over. Ed started thrashing, realizing his strength was overpowering the larger man's easily, but the pain it caused was too much to handle.
"Here, Dale, help me keep this kid's trap shut."
Ed's eyes scrunched up as he kicked out harder, trying to get the man's weight off of him before the other's helped restrain him. These men. Whoever they were they weren't his friends! They were new enemies?!
The hand moved up, shutting off the air through his nose and cutting off all his oxygen, suffocating him. He knocked the hand away with a harsh shove of his metal arm and screamed out again, "Jared! Kevin! Hel-"
A fist collided with his stomach and he gagged, feeling a slight pang of triumph when the guy withdrew his hand, hissing painfully. Whatever he hit, it wasn't flesh.
"That's it, cut off his breathing. Just long enough to knock him out."
Twisting his head away from the hands he shouted again, writhing for all he was worth when he suddenly heard a loud crack. Everyone froze, the hands stopped grabbing at him, and they stared over towards the cluster of tents. Ed's harsh breathing broke the silence and he started wriggling, trying to escape the heavy weight holding him hostage to the ground, using the distraction to his advantage.
That's when he heard the screams.
Loud noises and shouting echoed across the grounds, meeting his ears. The panicked yells and snapping grew louder. Suddenly Ed felt the weight lift from his chest, leaving him gasping, rubbing at the ache on his chest.
"Ed, get up and run!" He heard Kevin yell, grabbing his wrists and tugging him up off the ground, "Come on!"
Scrambling up, Ed saw a glimpse of the man that had had him pinned down was clutching his nose, a stream of blood trickling out between his fingers. Kevin yarded him, dragging him along by the wrist as he started running as fast as Ed could let him.
"What's going on?!" Ed called out, looking over towards all the ruckus, people were all rushing towards the center and shouting. Kevin didn't answer him as he was dragged down. Kevin lifted the side of a tent wall and ducked underneath, pulling Ed with him.
Once they were within the confines of the dark tent, Ed collapsed on his side, gasping for breath as sweat trickled down his forehead and neck, clutching at his burning sides. Kevin gave him a worried look through the darkness before crawling over to a wooden chest under one of the cots and started searching through it. Ed started catching his breath and wiped the sweat from his brow as he struggled to sit up, watching Kevin wearily.
"What-What's going on, Kevin?" He asked, still keeping his arms wrapped around his burning stomach.
"Shh, don't talk too loud." Kevin whispered, pulling a few items from the chest and closing its cover. He handed Ed a long, dark object, "This isn't the best, but it'll have to do. We've gotta get out of here, Man."
Ed looked down at the sheathed knife in his hand before looking back up at the shaking brunette, "Kevin, what the hell is going on?"
"I don't know. This guy just...freaked the fuck out and attacked another guy. There was blood everywhere." Kevin shook his head, clasping the knife's sheath onto his belt, before re-doing his belt up, making sure to leave the knife's sheath un-strapped.
"These guys aren't right. They guys who save us, they're not our friends. I just tried to leave and they wouldn't let me. I tried warning Jared but...they held me down...I couldn't do anything." Ed bowed his head, shaking. He failed one of the only people that he could trust around here and they died because of him.
Ed felt a hand grab his shoulder and he glanced up, trying to keep the threatening tears from falling. Kevin offered him a half-hearted smile, "It's alright, Dude. The best we can do is get out of here. That's what he'd want for us. So let's not waste this chance."
Giving a curt nod, Ed allowed himself to get pulled back up to his feet. Following Kevin towards the other wall of the tent.
"Alright, let's get the fuck out of here. I never liked these guys anyway."
Crouching down, they crawled out from under the tent wall, the screaming and pounding footsteps were heard from behind them as they stood up, still crouching low.
"The city is that way, about four miles. We can get there in about less then a half hour if we run-"
"Are you fucking kidding me? Kevin, I may not look it, but I can't run for shit like this. I could barely run just now." Ed protested, keeping his voice in a low hiss. Kevin huffed out a breath, running a hand through his shaggy brown hair.
"Fine. We run a mile, and we'll let you catch your breath. Takes about six minutes for me to run a mile, how fast can you run?" He asked, looking back over at Ed.
Ed glared at him, gritting his teeth, "Like I'd know. I've been in a coma for almost two years, you asshole. What do you think?"
"I don't know! Let's just go and work things out on the way! We can't sit here like a bunch of ducks, Man."
Standing up, Kevin motioned for Ed to follow and they dashed for the next tent, hiding behind it for protection. Kevin stooped low, glancing around the edge of the tent. Ed hunched down behind him, watching for a signal.
Kevin lifted his hand and pointed, telling him they were going to make a break for it. Taking in deep breaths, Ed waited until Kevin stood again, trying to even his breathing. He didn't know how much longer he was going to last breathing like this. He sounded like a winded horse in his own ears and he wondered what Kevin could hear.
Shooting up, Kevin sprinted, Ed scrambling up after him, forcing his legs to go when they screamed for rest. His automail leg felt like it was going to detach from his thigh and his other leg felt like it was on fire, the muscles burning up and cramping.
Surprisingly, he could keep up well with Kevin, and even when he felt like he was about to collapse he never did. Was this what Will was talking about? Maybe they did do something to him-
"Duck!" Kevin yelled, turning around with a look of horror. Ed barely had a chance to blink when something smashed into his stomach, knocking him breathless on the ground. Trying to clear his swirling vision, blinking harshly against the tears, Ed couldn't take in any breath. He wheezed like a fish lacking water as he rolled on his side, trying to grab his stomach but they wouldn't move.
"What are you doing?! Let him go!" He heard Kevin shout. But everything wouldn't stop swirling, he could barely think a clear thought when something grabbed his arm.
Taking in a gasping breath, Ed looked beside him and jerked back in fear.
"You...you fucking...bastard." He croaked. Will grinned at him, twisting his automail arm behind his back until he could feel it tugging painfully at his shoulder port. He groaned, leaning back as an attempt to alleviate the pain in his shoulder as he heard Kevin screaming obscenities.
"What's going on?" Ed spat, feeling his breath coming back to him again.
Kevin unsheathed his knife and sprinted forward, a look of outrage on his face as he slashed out at Will still behind Ed. Will spun, putting Ed in the way of the knife and Kevin barely pulled back in time, teeth bared in anger at the bigger man.
"Now, let's try to not damage the goods, eh?"
"Fuck you! What do you want with him?!" Kevin yelled, still gripping the knife in white knuckled fury as he gave the fiercest glare at Will.
"It's kind of obvious, you moron. Money. You know how much we're getting paid for bringing all the H.A.E to Aerugo?"
Ed tried wrenching his arm free but at the slightest movement, sharp pains would run down his spine, leaving him breathless. Will shook his head and laughed at Kevin's bewildered expression.
"You're stealing Amestria's experiments and selling them for money to the Aerugans. Sounds just like you, Will. I just can't believe you're actually this selfish."
Both Kevin and Ed whipped their heads around to the new voice, relief washing through Ed as he sighed.
"And I thought I told you to butt out of it, Jared." Will sneered, tightening his grip on Ed's arm for good measure.
"I can't believe this, Will!" Jared shouted, "We're supposed to save these people! Not sell them for our own profits! Half of them are just kids! We can't sell them-"
"Of course we can. They're not even people anymore, Jared. You saw what just happened. They all started malfunctioning. We've got to take the ones who are still working and get them off our hands before the government find out about this!"
"They started malfunctioning because we took them too early, you moron!" Jared snarled, walking towards them, "We have to subdue the rest of them and take them back. Only the scientists can make them function normal again-"
Ed's breath stuttered in his chest as he started thrashing in Will's grip, kicking his legs out and ignoring the twinging nerves in his shoulder as he yelled, trying to break free. Even Jared wanted to take him back! He couldn't trust any of them!
"No! I don't want to go back! Let me go!"
"Shut up, you little brat, before you attract one of those freaks!" Will hissed, twisting Ed's arm harder, making him freeze, biting his lip in pain.
"Will, just let him go! We have to-"
A loud crash sent the tent behind Jared to collapse, a figure rolling and coming to a stop only a few feet from Jared. Ed held his breath as he saw it was a person, but what he saw in its eyes had his knees shaking with fear. Dilated eyes blinked up at him, a gasping shudder rocked through the person's body as it grabbed at its head, shaking violently.
Jared was backing up towards them and Kevin was staring in horror, knife raised in front of him, ready for an attack.
It was a man, Ed barely noticed, his face was contorted in something that looked like pain and confusion. It snapped its head up at Jared and he froze, trying not to stare down the man.
This was what a malfunctioning H.A.E looked like? It was almost animalistic, the way it eyed them, lips pulled back in a grimace and eyes widened considerably.
Ed's automail gave a harsh twinge suddenly and he cried out, quickly biting his lip in fear when the things head snapped over to him and Will. Something trickled down Ed's chin as he stared in horror as the H.A.E took a step towards them, Will tugged back, forcing Ed to stumble backwards with him.
With a low growl, it lunged, too fast for either of them to make a move. It dodged down, impossibly flexible as it swiped out at Will's legs, knocking him away from Ed. Ed yelped in pain as Will released his automail with a hard tug. He collapsed on the ground, clambering up as Jared rushed over, pulling him away from the wrestling match that broke out.
Will knocked it away, giving it a good jab in the mouth with his automail. It growled, backing up. It was crouched down on all fours, ready to lash out with the next move Will made.
Ed felt a soft nudge in on his arm and he looked up quickly. He watched Jared put a finger to his lips, a sign for him to be quiet, and he helped him up. As quietly as he could he stood up, still a little shaky as Jared motioned for Kevin.
Before they could duck around one of the tents, Ed glanced behind him and he felt his eyes widen. Before he could yell a warning, the H.A.E barreled into Jared, both of them went into the ground in a tangle of limbs and shouts.
Kevin jumped back, yelling out to Ed but before Ed could register what was happening a hand grabbed him by the arm and he was dragged bodily backwards across the ground. His breath caught in his throat as he looked up and saw that it was the H.A.E had a hold of him. Fear left him paralyzed as he was released, dropped roughly onto the ground.
Clamping his eyes closed he prepared himself to get torn apart, ready for the first hit, anything but it never came. A rough growl was still reverberating in the man's throat and Ed squinted up hesitantly, wondering what it was waiting for.
The H.A.E was glaring across at Jared and Kevin, who were staring in shock and fear. Ed felt the urge to attack the man while he was distracted but the scene was just so bizarre all he could do was lay there on his back and stare in astonishment.
"Ed?"
The H.A.E jerked its head towards Jared, stance still aggressive and ready to attack. Ed looked over at them in the corner of his eye, trying to make his body move. But he couldn't. He was never so scared in his life!
Will's voice cut out, making Ed helplessly flinch, "It's animal side of his brain has taken over. He sees the kid as one of his own. He's not going to let any of us get within ten feet of him." He said, anger seeping out of his words as he stared out at the man still hovering next to Ed.
"That's insane. What are those scientists trying to do? What's the use of this shit?" Jared snapped, still wary of the dangerous look he was getting from the H.A.E. Even though Ed couldn't see Will, he could hear the smirk in his voice.
"What does it look like? They obviously fucked up big time. I'm not sure what we're gonna do to save the brat, but if we make any moves we're dead."
"Even if we leave?" Jared asked.
Ed felt his heart stop in dread.
"We're not leaving him." He heard Kevin growl.
"I know, Kid, I know. I'm just trying to think...Ed? Are you alright?" Jared called out, the worry in his voice eased Ed's fear of them abandoning him. He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but nothing would come out. He could barely breathe let alone speak.
"What's wrong with him? Is he hurt?" Kevin asked, stepping forward. The H.A.E crouched down, ready for Kevin to come closer before Jared grabbed him by the shoulder, jerking him backwards.
"Don't go near them like that! It must be shock. I don't blame him, this is as freakish as it can get."
Feeling started to come back into Ed's arms as he experimentally flexed his fingers, watching the H.A.E for any signs of attacking. He wasn't quite sure that Will was right about the whole, 'Sees him as one of his own' thing. But he wasn't taking chances. For all he knew it was trying to make sure none of the others got to him so it could feast on his flesh. Which was absurd in its own way. The man looked normal, if it wasn't for the pure black orbs in its head. He was roughly nineteen years old and lanky looking. With ripped up jeans and a sweatshirt he would look like any normal teenaged boy. But Ed wasn't going to judge him by appearances.
Sitting up slowly, he scooted back on his rear, trying to edge away enough so he could make a run for the cluster of tents. He glanced over at Jared and Kevin, they watching him closely, keeping quiet so they wouldn't give him away.
As soon as he lifted his leg up to place his foot on the ground he was fixed with a black gaze, staring at him confusedly.
The H.A.E straightened up from his defensive stance and leaned down towards Ed, grabbing his arm. Ed couldn't hold back the gasp of fright and the flinch as it dragged him back, releasing his arm and watching him carefully. Like a parent keeping a close eye on its child so it wouldn't run off and get into trouble.
Ed's heart was fluttering in his chest weakly, ready to explode if he was touched again by this guy. His breathing was verging on hyperventilation and he felt his automail leg jerking in spasms as he tried calming himself down.
God, what do I do? This thing is going to kill me. Its going to break my neck and rip my throat out. And I can't do a fucking thing about it. Its such a sadist, watching me shake like this. Like a friggen' cat and a mouse. What the fuck.
"Let me go."
Jared started waving his hands in front of him, signaling Ed to be quiet by slashing his hand across his throat. But Ed shook his head.
"Let me go." He said again, more firmly. He looked up at the man's face, expecting to be attacked but it just tilted its head at him. Finding his courage again, Ed scooted away again, the H.A.E stayed in place as it watched him move away. Shakily, Ed stood up, never taking his eyes off of the man with the pure black eyes. Backing up towards Jared and Kevin, he watched the H.A.E give Will one last scowl before it turned and ran off, towards another group of tents.
Taking in a deep breath, Ed's knees gave out from under him sending him to the ground. Jared and Kevin hurried forward, Ed felt big hands grab his shoulders as he buried his face into his hands, shaking.
"Geez, Kid. You're one lucky son of a bitch. I thought you were a goner." Jared told him, rubbing his shoulders, "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
"No, I..." Ed tried searching through his memory, wondering why that man acted that way, as though he needed protection. He could remember how Will held him, twisting his arm, sending sharp pains through his shoulder and down his spine. Then he remember crying out in pain when Will gave a particular wrench.
It saw Ed's distress and tried protecting him. It all made sense now.
"Jared, you're as much as an idiot as ever. It was protecting him from us. Damn kid couldn't keep his trap shut and had to get it riled up."
"He was going to attack you either way!" Ed shouted at him, "The way you put me in an arm lock was enough reason to piss him off!"
Will shook his head, smiling, as he reached for his hip. Ed started as he saw the flash of metal, the light barely showing the dark metal in Will's hand, "Alright. Enough, Jared, let me see the kid and we'll get on with our lives."
Ed jumped up to his feet, Jared's hand was still on his shoulder as Will advanced towards them. Ed's mind reeled for anything, a way to escape, or a way out of this.
"You'd shoot your own friend for some money?!" Kevin cried out in shock. "That's stupid! He's your friend!"
"You'll learn soon enough, kid, that friends aren't worth much."
Ed dodged out in front of Jared, a frown marring on his face, "You can't shoot him, fucktard! Just try it!"
"Come on, Ed. I'm taking you to a much better place. Have you ever been to Aerugo? Their country is half country compared to this dump. It's much better there. Just make this easier for us and we can go."
"Take the others! Just leave me out of this!" Ed snapped, feeling childishly selfish, but he had to. He'd be the most selfish man in the world for Al and Winry. He had to see them again. He had to know what happened to him, that accident.
Will's eyebrow twitched in annoyance as he huffed out a breath, "Unless you haven't noticed kid, I can't even handle on of them, let alone a couple dozen. I don't even know how many are left fully functioning, except for you."
Then it suddenly hit him. Throughout this entire, crazy, fucked up night, he realized that the H. were all malfunctioning. And then he remembered that he was an H.A.E. Remembering that crazed, animalistic look on that man's face had him blanching. Would he lose control like that? Submitting to his pure instincts and attacking people on sight?
"What...what about me? How do you know that I won't malfunction like that?" He asked, looking back up at Will.
"I'll take my chances. Now move out of the way. Or I'll shoot your friend too."
Ed was without warning grabbed by the shoulders and thrown back, stumbling.
"Run!"
Someone grabbed him by the hand and forced him to run with them. He hardly heard the gunshot ring out, or the sound of a bullet thudding into someone's chest. How many times had he been told to run before? How many times had he been saved?
Why was Kevin leading him as they ran?
"Stop running or I'll shoot!" Someone shouted.
He almost stopped. He almost gave in and let things run its course. But that constant pull on his wrist kept him running.
"Come on, Ed! We've got to get out of here!" He heard a familiar voice call his name.
Something went blank in his head and they kept running.
Side Note: William is not an H.A.E. He just had automail.
If you see an 'H.' That's really supposed to be H.A.E, but FFnet is an ass and took out a bunch of stuff.