Equivalent Exchange
Chapter Summary: How does everyone feel now that the truth is out? Plans need to be made and set in action for Ed, Roy and Al...
& to my reviewers- Thank You & Love yah~
Chapter 7: Realizations
~RIZA~
Central Military Dorms, 9:11am
Other than Roy's first comment after leaving the meeting, he had made no motion to indicate he knew Riza was present. But Riza knew that Roy knew she was following him. She waited for him to speak but he never spoke a word. The walk to Al's dorm was in silence, and Riza wasn't at all surprised by that. She knew that Roy had a lot on his mind, and she was sure, that even if she asked him a question, he won't even hear it. He was someone who couldn't think hard, and observe those around him at the same time; the thoughts in his mind were louder than anyone voice. Hawkeye couldn't care less though, and as his adjutant, she would always respect Roy. Even if it hurt her, she knew deep down in Roy Mustang's heart, that Edward had a more important spot than herself, even though Roy himself didn't know that; And she had to admit she was very deeply worried about Ed as well. But somehow, even before the meeting, she expected news like this to come. Riza feared for Ed... But she feared even more about how Roy was taking this news.
'I doubt he`ll ever tell me what he is thinking right now' Riza thought as Roy had finally made a stop. They were in front of Al and Ed`s dorm room door. Not even a second after stopping, Roy had knocked on the door a few times, then dropped his arm. Riza could hear Al's loud footsteps on the opposite side of the door. She noted, while they were waiting for the door to be opened, Roy never looked away, he just stared straight at the door.
The door squeaked open, "Sir-r Mustang!", Al said in a surprised tone.
"And Lt. Hawkeye! How are you?", he asked when he noticed her standing behind Roy,
"I'm alright, thank you." Riza answered then smiled at Alphonse. Al smiled back then turned back to Roy.
"What are doing here sir?" Alphonse asked at Roy.
"They told everyone Al. We all know now, and soon all of Central will know too."
Al just looked at Roy, it had only been a few seconds but Riza couldn't handle any more silence so she spoke up for them.
"Can we come inside?"
"Oh, yes. Of course!" Al chuckled, "I'm sorry, come in!"
He opened the door for them, and Riza followed Roy inside the room.
~THE GUARD OUTSIDE ED'S CELL~
The State Military Prison, Ed's cell, 9:45am
"Why is Will (*The guy who gave Ed his delivery*) scared of the kid? He never gives the boy eye contact!"
"But... He's a vampire." The 2nd guard replied; like it explained everything. He was a tall bulky man, in his late 40's, he had black hair cut in a buzz cut. The 1st guard who spoke was younger, but just as tall. He had a slighter body than his friend, but you could still see he had strong muscles, indicating he was stronger than most would first think. He had long very curly dark brown hair and dorky black glasses, with hidden blue orbs behind them. He was good looking, standing opposite to Ed's cell against the stone wall. He was looking into the cell with a calm and cool expression. Unlike his older friend who stood uneasily beside him, although both men eye's had a 'fearless' in their gaze.
"What proof is there?! And so what? Even if he is, Will should know better than to run away. This is the military for God's sake!"
The younger explained, throwing his arms as a gesture to so his bewilderment,
"Glenn... You shouldn't talk behind his back... But, even so, I kind of agree with you. Still, you make this situation seem like nothing, you shouldn't be so fearless."
"Come on Dan you are one of toughest guys I know! Why do you seem so scared... It's not like you."
Glenn stated, he watched his friend, Dan, closely after finishing. 'Was Dan uncomfortable? What's biting at his ass?'
"Hey! I didn't say that. But seriously Glenn, you know it too. You know that this is just the start- Something more is happening. Something that could change everything." Dan said, mumbling the last few words, in a way he wasn't even sure Glenn could hear. He didn't even realize he was looking at the ground. He turned to Glenn, to see him stare motionlessly into the cell, but suddenly he let out a soft chuckle.
"Why so serious all of a sudden eh Dan? I know this isn't a joking matter, this whole thing is defiantly not good. But-t- Holy shit! What the fuck is up with the boy's eyes'!?"
~ED~
'Why would he send this! Does he want me to go crazy and kill someone?!- My eyes hurt, and everything's on fire, my whole body's burning... It has to be this, this blood..'
Ed stared into the tin can, and closed the top. He knew this was causing his pain, it was like everything that hurt before just became amplified. What made it worse was Ed wanted nothing more than to devour all the blood. He fangs grew down and it felt like they didn't belong. It made him feel sick, for the first time, his hunger for blood felt real. His fangs hadn't stood out before. They had been there since he woke up. But from the blood, suddenly they seemed like took over his mouth. They were now pricing his lower lip, his own blood flowed into his month, but it did nothing for his thirst. Instead it was flowing slightly onto his lips, reddened them.
Ed looked up, both guards starred into his eyes, with shocked faces. Fear in both man's eyes, it scared Ed. 'What's wrong with me...' It wasn't a question. It triggered to Ed when the noticed exactly what the guards were looking at. Just like Wrath, his own eyes were now the vampire's crimson color. Ed reached up just below this eyes, 'That's why they feel so strange!'. Ed quickly turned, grabbed his 'gifts' and as quickly as he could muster, crawled into a corner, back towards the guards.
'Why is this happening? And why on earth was it me!?'
It had been less than 24 hours since the life of Edward Elric had completely changed. You always hear people say everything can change in the matter of just a few minutes. But it is one thing to hear and believe it, and a whole different meaning comes after having to witness and live it... Ed had never even imagined something like this, plus it was him that was the start of it. So fast... It felt like it had been forever. From the time Ed had woken up to now, Ed's whole world changed. He felt wrong. This was wrong. He wasn't, and would never again, be human. He knew he had to face the reality of actually being a vampire. As crazy as it sounded.
'But I'm a monster. How do I can I live? Who did Bradley tell? Surely people have noticed. And who knows about me, Al? Roy? Winry? Hughes?'
He didn't know what they knew, and couldn't imagine how they who take it, he chose to not think about it. He knew there were others. And he needed answers and being here didn't help anything... No one would talk to him; but he had too many questions, he was sure there is a lot more to what Bradley had told him. Ed had no idea who to talk to, the first person that came to mind was Envy; but how would he find him? Step one was getting outside, Ed looked around.
'How the fuck-' Ed suddenly felt weak, he was panting and his hands felt numb. Once again his eyes had that strange stinging feeling. It took a minute to realize he was crushing Wrath's note in his fist. He dropped the paper-
'Huh?- That's how' Ed smiled.
Thanks for reading!