To Take a Life Chapter Seven

My name is Nemesis. Some people call me Nem, even though every time I hear the horrible nickname I feel like tearing their vocal cords out. It's Nemesis. Just Nemesis. Unfortunately, I might have accidentally let part of my real name slip out when meeting the always polite and level headed Edward Elric and his younger armor clad brother, Alphonse, so as of now, I was known by "Nem". Just great.

Just in case you're hopping into my story a little bit late, which is inadvisable, let me give you a quick rundown of my life: I'm very much human, complete with the blood running through my veins and the ability to be wounded and even die. My closest "friend" is a kind of evil homunculus by the name of Envy, and the closest thing I have to family is the very evil Dante, who has some sort of control of the homunculi that I don't understand, even after thirteen years of living with her.

I was aware that, at one point in my life, I had been a normal person. I had a mother and a father and even an older sister. Envy told me that they were killed when I was two. I had never once, in thirteen years, questioned this. I never considered the possibility that the events in which Envy found me right after my parents and sister were killed could possibly be connected in any way. It's not that I was in denial, but simply I had nothing to deny as I never suspected Envy, or any of the homunculi, of any foul play.

I did not miss my birth family, because I didn't remember them or really care too much about their deaths. I was certainly better off now, with Envy and the others.

Except that now, I'm not with them anymore. Very recently, I was given the task of killing off an alchemist that had wronged Dante in some way, or was unable to complete some task she wanted done. Whatever it was, it probably had something to do with the Philosopher's Stone. I knew next to nothing about alchemy, but one thing I was sure of was that anyone and everyone wanted to get their hands on it. I guess it sort of enhanced your alchemic abilities or something like that. To be honest, I couldn't understand why Dante would want it in the first place. She was such an amazing alchemist as it is, I was sort of scared of what she would be capable of once she finally got the Stone.

Moving on, I had set off on my journey earlier tonight. I met the alchemist Dante wanted six feet under. Believe it or not, he's a little pipsqueak. The same age as me, even. He also has a brother that Dante conveniently forgot to mention, so on top of getting Fullmetal to trust me, I also have to get the approval of his brother. Joy.

Another convenience Dante seemed to overlook was, oh, I don't know, a game plan. I have absolutely no idea what I'm supposed to do. I guess I'll just have to wing it, which seems pretty risky since my life depends on it. I guess Dante and the others once again let it slip their minds that I wasn't nearly as indestructible as they were.

"Do you sleep in that?" I asked the armor-wearing Alphonse Elric curiously as his hotheaded brother begrudgingly led me into their dormitory. It was rather plain; two beds, a cluttered bookshelf, and clothes on the floor. I wouldn't expect much more from two boys.

Edward glanced back at his younger brother and shrugged. Alphonse nodded and answered, "Y-Yes."

"Hmm," I said, shrugging also, "To each is their own, I guess, but I can't imagine sleeping in a suit of armor is very comfortable." "You get used to it." Laughed the younger Elric nervously.

"Whatever you say." I answered, flopping down on one of the twin beds. "Go ahead, make yourself at home." Muttered Edward.

I shot him a look. "I will, thanks."

"You don't sound very thankful for someone who begged to stay in the same room as us." Edward pointed out grumpily.

"You don't sound very hospitable for someone who was ordered by a superior to let me do so." I retorted.

"I can see why someone would want you dead." Edward raised his voice slightly. I snorted and laid flat again, staring at the ceiling. "Right back at you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded. I shrugged and turned to Alphonse. "I'm sorry," I forced a smile, "this must be your bed, right? Although I don't see what difference it would make under the armor." I added thoughtfully, but shook my head and continued. "I guess I should've realized there wouldn't be room for me in here."

"Damn right," muttered Edward. I ignored the foul-mouthed alchemist and kept smiling at Alphonse, who seemed flustered. "It's fine," he said quickly, "I don't mind, you can sleep in it for tonight."

I nodded. "Thank you very much, Alphonse."

He nodded back at me, armor clinking together. I still felt a twinge of curiosity as to why he wore it, but I was sure I'd figure out soon enough. I looked over to Edward, who seemed to be reluctant to do something. He caught me looking at him, and I quickly broke eye contact, staring down at my feet. I heard Edward sigh, and from the corner of my eyes I saw him do what he had been hesitant to—undressing.

My first thought was that he was just uncomfortable with a girl in the room. But when I saw a glint of silver, I knew otherwise. He removed his red coat and black shirt. Under those, he wore a sleeveless black undershirt (which seemed a little foolish to me, who needs that many layers?) and in this shirt, I could clearly see his automail arm.

My lips parted, and my mouth formed a small 'O'. I didn't realize I was staring for a few seconds, and looked away quickly. That must've been what Dante and the others were hiding from me—or at least one of the many things I'd come to figure out.

My curiosity was already suffocating me, but I swallowed it down and stared at my nails uninterestedly, hoping I looked completely nonchalant with his lack of right arm.

"You're a terrible actor." Edward said flatly. I snorted; he had no idea. "Sorry," I mumbled in my best attempt to sound apologetic. He simply shrugged, taking off his large boots as well. I gawked at him, because apparently the Fullmetal Alchemist had a matching automail leg to go with the arm.

He brought his feet up on the bad and lay flat, like I had been before. I stared at him. "So do I get to hear the story?" I asked him, taking a quick look over at Alphonse, "Was there like, a meat grinder incident or something?"

"Maybe another time." said Alphonse softly, glancing at his brother. Edward had turned away from me, facing the wall.

"Okay…" I said slowly, concealing a disappointed frown, "Yeah, okay, I'll hold you up to that." Alphonse sat down with a loud clanking of armor, right there on the floor. I gave him a funny look, but he seemed comfortable enough, I suppose, so I didn't feel guilty for taking his bed.

I stared up at the ceiling for a few awkward moments, and then glanced at Alphonse. "So…you gonna hit the lights?"

Alphonse quickly reached up to turn the dormitory light off, and the room went dark. I blinked a few times, waiting for my eyes to adjust, and lay perfectly still, thinking.

I listened to a few last clinks of armor and rustling sheets as the Elric brothers both got comfortable. Though I was certain no one was asleep, we all remained silent.

With a drawn out sigh, I stared up at the ceiling. How was I supposed to do this? I ran Dante's words over and over in my head, but the more I thought through things, the less everything seemed to make sense.

I really wasn't capable of this. Killing I could do in a heartbeat. What did his life matter to me? If it weren't for Dante to begin with, I'd have never heard of the incredible Fullmetal Alchemist. That part would be easy.

It was this…this getting under his radar thing that was going to throw me off. How was I supposed to get the little pipsqueak to trust me? I had no idea what proper conduct was. I couldn't even remember the last time I had been forced to be around regular people that didn't know my secret, if there had even been a 'last time'.

I wished I was home. I wished I was done with this stupid 'task' Dante had given to me and ready to get home and be praised.

I smiled to myself at the thought of how happy they would be with me. I, Nemesis, had done exactly what they wanted me to do with no hesitation. I had done something that Dante had even said only I could successfully achieve. If this went well, maybe, just maybe, Dante would allow me to go out with Envy and the others. I had always felt a longing curiosity concerning what the homunculi did when they weren't with Dante.

When I finally returned home, perhaps I would be able to find out for myself.

I turned over on my side, restless. There was no way I'd be able to sleep after all of this. I got the funny feeling I wasn't the only one awake in the room.