Hello, everyone! How long has it been since the last update... two months! I'm sorry but I had troubles with this one. First I was so glad I made this out, a few days later I was banging my head to my desk. I had many alternate endings and I hope this satisfies you guys.
Now, thanks to my wonderful reviwers: Phoenix07, Bandit Ponyta, Wateria88, Solo Loco Ellingson-Rose, DownMoon, sugarbowl99 and Tigerseyes-and-Padfoot. You are the reason I write this for.
I own nothing of FMA period.
...
...
...
Chapter four
...
...
Everything that Hughes had had in his mind vanished. The whole world seemed to stop to the moment he was now living: the boy was laying on the cold floor of the elevator.
"Edward!"
He hurried onto his knees next to the child, adrenaline rushing into his system and making him breath heavily.
Edward was laying on his back, eyes fixed on the roof of the place. They reflected fear and pupils were wide: a sign of a starting Panic Attack. His hands clutched the throat as gasps slowly but surely began to quicken and lead to hyperventilation.
"Edward," the man used the boy's whole name to get his attention and he took a firm yet gentle hold of the red clothed shoulders. It seemed like nothing had happened; as if the whole week had been just a dream. Hughes dismissed the fact that they hadn't spoken to each other for that time and now only followed his instincts. He knew how to handle Edward when under these attacks.
"You have to stay calm."
The boy shook his head not saying a word and Hughes shook him a bit trying to get some kind of reaction. "Edward!"
"We're... stuck." the words sounded heavy when coming from the panicking child's mouth. Breathing was now clearly difficult for Edward; tears filled the yellow eyes. "I... can't... breath!"
"Yes, you can," all the harshness was gone from Hughes's voice, it was now encouraging. Yelling never did any good in this situation.
He moved his hands to Edward's chest and lifted aside the sides of the red overcoat.
"Now, let's open your jacket so you can breath more freely."
His right hand's fingers clutched the zipper and drew it down in a simple move. Also black tank top was found underneath the cloth: the fabric covered chest rose up and down several inches in the rhythm of the boy's breathing.
Hughes kept himself calm although he knew the situation called for action.
"Now," he said softly taking Edward's face into his hands. "Let's take deep breaths, okay. Repeat after me. One..."
He drew air into his lungs showing example. Edward tried to follow after him but soon went back to quick breathing. His eyes were beginning to dilate and passing out wasn't far away.
The man slapped the boy's cheek gently.
"Stay with me, Ed. You're going to be just fine. Now, one..."
They tried again and this time the boy managed to get his breathing almost to the normal pace.
Hughes smiled approvingly.
"Again. Two..."
Slowly but surely the boy's breathing became less and less frequent.
Hands, covered with white gloves, lessened their hold of the throat. Always a good sign.
Edward's golden eyes diverted their gaze around the metallic roof of the elevator.
The man slipped his hands under the boy's armpits and lifted his upper body up.
"That's a good boy," he muttered softly when feeling Edward's hands wrap around his neck. "Lets get you sit somewhere. "
Hughes dragged the boy to the wall and made him sit against it taking a look at his face.
Pupils were still wide and face pale but otherwise the child seemed to be doing just fine.
He clapped the flesh shoulder smiling and then stood up and made his way to the alarm button.
He pressed it once again.
They waited, barely daring to breath.
"Someone must hear us."
He pressed again.
No one came.
...
...
...
Colonel Roy Mustang was sitting comfortably beside his desk. By comfortably meaning, he was fast asleep.
The onyx haired head layed on the top of the messed sheets of paperwork and arms protected the whole pile crossed around it. A peaceful expression decorated the naturally pale face and the only sound was soft breathing.
Havoc opened the door to the private office not bothering to knock. He walked with long strides, the mark of something being wrong and in need of solving out.
On hearing the Second Lieutenant arriving, Mustang rose his head a bit, eyes stirring as his pupils tried to adjust to look at the person.
"What is it?" He muttered sleepily, smelling the cigarettes the man had obviously been smoking.
"Edward hasn't come yet, I've been waiting for almost an hour."
The commanding officer straightened up notably when hearing the name of the boy and the worried tone in Havoc's voice. During the long years of working together, he had come to recognize the symptoms of something being wrong with his men. Havoc was usually calm and easy- going but when something happened to someone he cared for, the man would be unable to stay still and ready to do anything just to feel useful.
"Well, he isn't here, " Mustang was fully awake now, looking at his friend shaking his head confused. Havoc rose an eyebrow sceptically.
"You were asleep."
"I would have heard really can't call him a quiet person."
Havoc had to admit the man had a point. Whenever being in the office, Edward always tried to stir up a conversation or was someway or another making noise, mostly just humming to himself. That was the reason he was now their own little deliver; the boy needed something to put his energy on. Who could expect a fourteen- year- old boy to stay still?
"Maybe", the Second Lieutenant said slowly, the wheels in his head turning. "Maybe he is with Hughes."
This time Mustang was the one to rise an eyebrow. "You serious. Weren't they not in terms?"
"Ed misses him a lot, maybe he shallowed his pride for once."
"He is too stubborn, I admit," Colonel shrugged and nodded, turning his gaze down to the paperwork. Havoc understood the sign and walked to the door.
"I better go look for him."
"Call if you need help," the man rose pencil holding right hand in a gesture of farewell.
...
...
...
An hour went. For the two persons locked up in an elevator it felt like eternity.
Hughes sat on the floor leaning on the wall. Sweat ran down his face. He kept his eyes closed, concentrating on breathing. Edward sat against the other wall. The boy's head was turned to his left and the eyes were half open as if he was about to fall asleep.
It was getting hot- it couldn't be a good sign. The rise in temperature meant that carbon dioxide was replacing the air left in the place. It was now a lot more difficult to breath than 60 minutes ago.
"Dammit!" There was a curse as Hughes rose up and walked to the alarm button. Edward's eyes opened fully at the motion and his pupils focused on the man who was now standing right next to him.
The boy watched how the button was pressed again. Neither of them could recall how many times they had done that. All they knew was that it didn't do any good.
"What if it's broken?"
Hughes turned his gaze down to the boy as if noticing he was there. The golden eyes were shining with fear and insecurity.
It was natural for him to kneel down and put a hand onto the boy's shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. I'm sure we'll get out of here soon."
"We've already been here forever!" Edward stated pointedly, his eyes were gleaming. Hughes acted like he didn't notice the arousing panic.
"No, we haven't. It just feels like it. The others must be looking for us already."
The boy didn't look any more confident and hang his head. Shadow hung over his eyes.
"I promised Havoc I would come soon," the boy said, as if disappointed in himself.
"See? " Hughes stroked the boy's hair smiling, feeling more confident. " You have at least one person there."
Edward lifted his gaze to the man surprised. What he would have expected was Hughes having some hard feelings against Havoc. That was how he had thought it would be. But now that he himself thought about it, maybe the older man felt better being here with him than waiting in the outside. When a loved one was in danger, you wanted to do everything in order to help them.
At least he was a lot calmer because there was someone he could trust.
"Should we bang the door?"
Hughes sighed slightly and shook his head.
"We already tried it."
There seemed to be no way to get out without help from the outside. He had help the boy climb through a trapdoor to see if it was the way to get out. All the effort had been no use.
Alchemy worked neither.
"We try that button all the time too," Edward fixed his golden eyes to him, creating an aura of innocence around him. Hughes couldn't help smiling at the situation.
Now that was something he always admired in Edward. The boy could talk him into almost anything and made him lose his usual rationality. He was quite child minded for an adult but that was only at home. He could draw a line between professional and private but sometimes the work followed him and interrupted his normal everyday life.
"Okay," Hughes stood up and offered a hand to the kid. Once they were both up, they stepped in front of the grey, silvery door. They looked at like it was some kind of a stumble- which it in a way was. " Scream as loud as you can."
The boy did with closed eyes. The high pitched scream, attributed to the strong lungs made Hughes cover his ears with a slight yelp. Luckily the room didn't enable echoing.
"Okay, maybe not that loud," Hughes whispered holding his ears.
...
...
...
Havoc searched the whole building but there was no sign of Edward. Headquarters was getting quiet: it was already past eight. Most of the workers had gone home and he himself wished he could do that also. He and Ed could be now eating dinner, reading newspapers and books. Then they would maybe play something or just spend time. There were no clear rules.
"Damn'it, kiddo," He muttered through tight clenched teeth. "Where are you?"
He desperately needed a cigarette.
Back int the office, he told the result to his Commanding Officer, who immediately lifted the phone and dialed a number.
"Gracia, good evening," The man said friendly, hiding the nervousness he was feeling inside. " Is Maes there?"
Then happened something that dropped the bottom of Havoc's stomach: Mustang frowned.
" Really? No, I haven't seen him. Have you seen Edward then? Okay... I'm not sure- I- Calm down," Mustang said to the phone, holding his palm up.
"I'm sure there is a good explanation for this... Yes, I'll tell you. Call us if you see them, okay? Bye."
Mustang put down the receiver holding his fist against his mouth, thumb touching the lip.
"Gracia says Maes hasn't come home yet. That's unlike for him."
"What if something has happened to them?"
The man lifted his gaze to his friend. "There's no motive."
"Well, Ed is a well-known alchemist -"
"But Hughes is unknown," Mustang interrupted. " There's no way someone would have hurt him."
"Unless he tried to protect Edward."
This left both of them thinking. There was a chance everything was fine and the pair was okay but they still had to remember the worse possibility.
Thoughts whirled in Havoc's mind. Why hadn't Edward called? If the boy was alright, he would have contacted him. Hadn't he personally made the kid promise to keep him in track of his whereabouts? He was the one responsible and if something happened, he would be frayed – by Mustang or Hughes.
"I still doubt it," Mustang's voice came to his mind. Colonel rose up from his chair and went round his desk." Maybe we should search the building again."
The pair left the room with long strides.
...
...
...
Both of the victims lay on the floor breathing heavily. It was getting so hot and the air was a lot thinner. The ever growing warmth had made them to take some of their clothes off. Edward's red and black coats were in a pile just next to Hughes's military jacket.
The man wiped his sweaty forehead and grimaced inwardly on feeling the dampness. He cleaned his hand onto his trousers- he had been doing that a lot. The heat was oppressive, Hughes had no other way than open the buttons of his light blue shirt. Luckily he had decided to wear that for the day.
Edward was on his stomach, desperately trying to gather some chill from the floor. Unexpectedly, he snorted.
"What?" Hughes asked, turning his head to the boy. Edward's body was shaking with silent laughter.
"It's just... imagine what people would be thinking if they came here now."
The man gave the thought a moment and then started to get what the boy was saying. Normally he wouldn't have thought the idea of him being a pedophile funny but now, the situation being what it was, the man found himself laughing hysterically.
"Ed," he managed to say, trying to sound scolding: he failed ," you know you shouldn't say things like that."
"But, but... it's just that..."
The voice trailed off and was replaced by sobs. Edward curled up on the floor; the position he slept in most of the nights for the security it brought.
"Edo," Hughes crawled next to the boy worried. He knew panicking didn't help either of them.
But still, the man thought while taking the kid's face between hands, wiping the tears with his thumbs: Edward was just a child. A little boy who was scared to death.
"Don't cry," he kept his voice as comforting as possible. "There's no need to cry."
The soft tone didn't seem to do much good. The only achievement was the words coming out of the boy's mouth.
"We are going to die here."
"No, we won't," the man said as the sobs began again. " Someone is going to-"
"Don't give me that! " Edward pushed the man away screaming. Hughes ended up on the floor on his on his back. He looked at the boy eyes filled with fear. Not caring about the reaction to his outburst, the boy went on. "You've said the same thing for the last hour!"
"Edo..."
"I- I want to live, Hughes," Edward calmed down and it was getting difficult to speak because of the thick trails of tears. Desperation in his whole appearance, the boy whispered the words.
Hughes shook his head trying hard not cry himself. Instead he bit his lip and drew the boy against him, catching him in an embrace. Edward wrapped his hands around the man's neck, locked against the man's body. Deep down inside, he had always enjoyed people hugging him and now, it felt more welcome than ever. The comforting rubs and whispers Hughes gave him felt like a lullaby.
" I want to grow up and get Al's body back- Al!"
A horrible though came into his mind. His little brother- the only thing that kept him from giving up. The one he loved more than anything and would sacrifice his life for. The yellow eyes widened as the boy remembered the things he had faced with his brother, and thought of the things they would not experience if he didn't make it. Breathing quickened again and Hughes found himself holding a trembling body in his arms.
" What's going to happen to him if I die?"
Hughes drew the boy away from him and kept his hands on the shoulders. There was no other way than to shake the boy back to consciousness.
"Ed, Ed. EDWARD!"
Firm shaking finally brought some sense into the kid's mind. Hughes was sure he had hurt the boy: he had had to use so much strenght.
" Now, calm down. Take a deep breath," he began to repeat the instructions. After a while Edward's eyelids began to drop.
"No," he slapped the boy's cheek, "don't fall asleep. "'
Time was running out.
...
...
...
"Maybe they're not here," Mustang leaned against the wall and sighed.
Havoc was beginning to think the same. Still, there was still weird feeling in the back of his subconsciousness that they were missing something. It was like he could actually feel the boy was still in the building.
Maybe he was just gertting paranoid.
"We should go to look from the city. Or call Gracia," He said trying to get some sense into the situation. Mustang nodded wearily eyes closed.
"You're right," He nodded breathing heavily and waving his hand to the direction of the wall. " Get an elevator."
Havoc chuckled and pressed the call-button. His eyes held a teasing glint and the whole face showed what he thought of the situation.
"Not been working out lately, huh?"
"Shut up. Remember, who pays your salary," Mustang growled looking at the Second Lieutenant, coal black eyes gleaming with anger.
"The state."
Mustang looked annoyed. The other man just shook his head. There was no way he was going to be afraid of Mustang.
Especially when the other had forgotten his gloves to the office.
But when the elevator didn't show up, Havoc frowned.
"This is weird."
He pushed the button a few times. "It was working in the morning."
Suddenly a thought came to Mustang's mind.
"Could it be-" he breathed, more likely whispered to himself and walked to the door, banging it with his fist.
"Is there someone there?"
No response. The man tried again.
"Hello? Can you hear me?"
...
...
...
Hughes layed on the floor and breathed the best he could. Air was growing thin and the thought of death came to his mind.
What if they died? What if they wouldn't be found?
He tried to concentrate on breathing steadily but his gaze wandered to the boy next to him.
Edward layed on his side, looking like he was asleep. The position usually kept victims breathing more easily but here, where air was a privilege, it didn't work. He had tried his best to keep the boy awake until it had become impossible.
At least if death wouldn't be too scary for the boy if it happened while he was asleep.
Tears gathered into his eyes. Hughes let them fall and stroked the kid's soft cheek tenderly.
"Ed," he whispered, voice barely loud enough for him to hear. "Kiddo. I'm so sorry I- I-"
What should he be sorry for? He hadn't caused this accident to happen.
"I'm sorry I hit you. I swear I never meant to do it. It just happened- Bullshit!" The man shook his head, angry to himself.
"Who am I trying to kid? I hit you, I admit it. I wish all the time I could make it undone."
His voice became nothing but a whisper.
" I love you, kiddo, and I never want to hurt you. "
"Is there someone there?"
The voice was very familiar. He knew he had heard it many times before. He just couldn't remember it.
It was getting difficult to think.
"Hello? Do you hear me?"
Like a wave, memories flashed in front of his eyes.
"Roy," Hughes whispered feeling his heart beginning to beat faster. How was it that his friend always seemed to show up when all the hope had disappeared?
The man stumbled to his feet, being careful not to crash onto the boy and banged the door with his fists.
"Help! We're stuck!"
"Don't worry," Mustang's voice came to his ears, making him smile with relief. "We'll get you out soon."
Hughes breathed deeply in and out due to his raised pulse. Then the rush of adrenaline wore out and the man fell to his knees, thanking whatever God there was up there. With his remaining power, he crawled to Edward's side and took the boy's face between his hands.
"We're going to be rescued."
Then he frowned. The boy was deathly still, eyes closed. Something wasn't right.
"Ed?" Worry began to slink into his mind as he dove and put his ear in front of the kid's mouth and nose, keeping his gaze in the chest which was covered by a black tank top. He waited for a moment, trying to calm down when the horrible realization hit him.
Edward wasn't breathing.
"Oh no," the man breathed out and opened the kid's mouth. He stretched the tongue with his index finger: it had covered the throat and prevented air from getting into lungs. After making sure the boy was properly positioned on the floor, Hughes put his left hand under the boy's neck and drew the head backwards. The famous red jacket layed next to Edward's head: He folded it and put under neck to lessen the possible pressure. Closing the nose with his right hand's thumb and index finger, he put his lips tightly against the softer ones and blew in a deep breath.
"HURRY! ED ISN'T BREATHING!"
Panic was now beginning to take him over for a change. Adrenaline kicked in again- everything seemed blurry.
Hughes drew deep breaths as he waited for the boy's lungs to exhale. Once there was no sound anymore, he inhaled and blew the air into the boy's mouth.
While trying to keep the boy alive thoughts circled in his mind. Edward didn't give any reaction to any of his slaps and calls. There, or so it felt like, he realised just how small the boy was. Only his fingertips were enough to close the boy's nose and his mouth... He couldn't even begin to describe how horrible it felt to put pressure on it to keep air flowing in and out. There wasn't much air anymore and the lack of it made him feel dizzy but if he had to choose which of them would survive he knew whom he would choose in a heartbeat.
Suddenly a loud, metallic noise caught his attention and the elevator began to ride down. A few seconds later it came to a stop and the door opened.
Fresh air flowed in and made Hughes cough uncontrollably. Coolness from outside got his flesh into goosebumps and he wrapped his arms around his body to warm himself up.
A blue jacket landed onto his shoulders. The man looked to his right still in shock and saw Mustang there, kneelt next to him. His friend began to rub his arms warming him up, all the while asking questions.
Meanwhile, Havoc put his hands under Edward's back and knees and lifted him up easily. In the hallway, he went down to his knees, keeping the boy's upper body in his arms.
"Ed?" The man held the boy's head against the hand that was around the shoulders. He slapped Edward's cheek repeatedly. "C'mon, kiddo. Open your eyes."
At first the boy didn't answer. When Havoc was about to go on with mouth-to-mouth Edward let out a tiny cough followed by several more. The man helped him sit up and rubbed the boy's back as the lungs replaced the air inside of him.
Hughes sighed relived and hung his head. The experience had left him wary both mentally and physically.
"What happened? How long were you there?" Mustang asked his gaze diverting from the boy to the man.
Neither of the two spoke for a moment. Havoc held Edward against him, supporting the boy from the back, wiping some sweaty locks from face. He couldn't remember when he had last time been so shocked. His heart was still pounding and the pressure it caused was in a form of uncomfortable pounding in his ears.
Edward just concentrated on trying to get enough air into his system. Eyes closed, the boy could do nothing but lean against his saviour, trying to relax under the gentle touch of the man's fingers.
...
...
...
The evening was dark as they walked out of the building. Edward kept his arms close to his body: he was still cold after the sudden change in his body temperature. Havoc had a hold around his shoulders and kept him close as if it was the way to prevent anything from happening to him anymore.
"So," Hughes's voice came into their thoughts. "Quite a night did we have."
The pair turned around to look at Mustang and Hughes. The moonlight shone from the older man's glasses but despite that Havoc saw the look in his eyes.
He reached into his military jacket's pocket and took the keys. Taking a hold of the boy's hand, he put them onto it.
"Ed, go and wait in the car. I'll come right away."
The boy looked at both men unsure. Then he finally set his gaze to Hughes as if asking for advice. The man nodded and Edward began to walk away.
Havoc looked after him for a moment, both out of protectiveness as much as giving himself time to think of what to say.
But he had no need to do it.
"Stay with him for tonight, Havoc."
He turned his gaze to Hughes again. The man had a blank expression in his face, like they would be discussing an everyday thing.
"Call help if something happens, okay."
Nodding, Havoc smiled slightly and turned away. The tone in Hughes voice had been a giveaway; whatever had happened in the elevator, it had brought the two closer again.
...
...
...
Edward leaned against the glass wall and sighed closing his eyes. He had just brought the last files to the fifth floor. All he needed to do now was to ride down and he and Havoc could leave.
Suddenly the elevator came to a stop and the boy unconsciously moved further to give that whoever passenger some space.
He saw a glimpse of blue uniform, nothing unusual here. He drew the hair out from the in front of his eyes and stopped.
Hughes was standing there, politely looking at the door. The boy could see he knew who the other in the elevator was.
How he wanted to say something, or the man to talk to him. His subconsciousness told him that Hughes wanted it also.
They eyed each other from the corners of their eyes. The situation was very awkward.
Suddenly there was a loud noise and the whole thing shook: then the elevator came to a stop.
Edward regained his balance and breathed heavily. "What is it?"
The first thing he had said to Hughes in days.
The man pressed the button to the first floor but nothing happened. Edward watched how Hughes repeated the motion several times.
Nothing happened and the man turned his gaze to the boy worriedly.
"We got stuck here."
Hughes pushed the alarm button hoping someone would hear them.
All of a sudden water poured to the elevator from under the door.
"Oh no!" The boy cried and pushed against the silver coloured door trying to open it. Water reached his knees.
"We can't get out!" Edward turned around to face Hughes but his eyes widened with shock: there was no one there.
"Hughes!"
He was alone. It was icy cold and he could feel his limbs starting to freeze and paralyze. He couldn't move.
The water reached his neck and the waves were rash and prevented him from breathing. Water entered his mouth and nose. He was suffocating. He couldn't think. He couldn't breath.
"Ed! Edward!"
And now he was hearing noises. Maybe the lack of air was affecting him.
"C'mon, kiddo. Wake up!"
The boy woke with a jolt and layed on the couch. He looked at the ceiling of the dark apartment, drawing deep breaths of air into his lungs.
Havoc was on his knees next to him, hands on the edge of the couch. He hadn't been able to wake Edward up without shaking.
"It's okay," he whispered as the boy's expression turned from confused to anxious. Havoc wiped some locks from the face. "It was just a stupid nightmare."
"In which I drowned," Edward whispered eyes glittering. "I was alone."
Shaking his head, Havoc helped the boy up from the couch by taking a careful hold of the shoulders.
"Take your pillow and covers. You're sleeping with me tonight. "
The boy nodded silently and gathered the clothes into a pile. The man chuckled at the sight: Edward couldn't almost be seen behind it. Hugging his carryings tight, the boy made his way to the bedroom, Havoc following him.
Once in the bed, the boy crawled under two covers: one that had already been on the bed and the other he had brought with. The night air was cold because of the quickly approaching winter. Soon it would began to snow and then the whole winter would be hell. So many things he would rather live without.
"You're shaking," a hand landed on his covered arm. Havoc watched him worriedly.
"I'm okay," he muttered and crawled deeper under the thick warmers. How could it be so cold?
The man didn't buy it. He layed down next to the boy and drew him close.
"You don't have to be afraid," Havoc said quietly, providing the kid with his body warm and closeness. "Just go to sleep. You've had a long day."
Edward nodded closing his eyes and sighed deeply. For a while, he still shook occasionally but soon was in a deep sleep again. It was always easy for him to fall asleep, the most difficult part was to stay like it.
Unlike Edward, Havoc wasn't the type that could fall asleep quickly. Usually it frustrated him to stay awake for who knows how long but now it gave him a moment to think.
Maybe I should let the kid sleep with me from now on. It could make things easier for both of us.
...
...
I actually have no kind of idea how fast air wears out in an elevator. I remember one Frasier episode in which there were about four people and a Christams tree in one and the man said they have air for about twenty minutes. I'm the master of deduction.
Comments will be spoiled to death with sweets and love!