Risnan was a company town, many who lived there worked for the Hendricks Suply Company or someone affiliated with them. Located centrally between South city, Central and Ishval, transportation of goods to be sold in Ishval had a slight profit on most days but every other week or so some really expensive item's would be available from Central cheaply, to be sold at huge profit for the company. For the 53 years the company had operated Risnan had grown into a farly quaint well connected town, having an essentialy exclusive market in Ishval by virtue of being Amestrian and little trade going or arriving from East city.
Early on in the war the company's ceo Thomas Hendricks had managed to convince Central to take the most direct route and primarily be reinforced by Eastern Command, pointing out that leaving the border with Aerugo less defended wasn't optimal and transferring a significant amount into several pockets.
"I hope she's feeling well"
"The hospital said she was walking around, we can do everything else Elise"
Elise: To be so close to it all think about how she must be feeling Tom, i can't comprehend it we shouldn't have let here go.
Tom: She's coming home dear, it shouldn't be more than an hour til they get here.
Elise: (sigh). Talk to me, this isn't good.
Tom: ... It won't help to panic. She is coming home we must meet everything she carries with her. They would have cared for her we must be ready for that.
Elise: sorry, it's just getting to me ... More are gonna have to leave.
Tom: It's better for them to do so, if they don't we'll have to soon, we'll have to too.
Elise: Where do we go?
Tom: Central, there will be trouble if i don't.
Elise: Only you?! sorry.
Tom: No, dont be. We probably should have talked about it before, but Vanessa...
Elise: Well, what then, there isn't enough money for the town. Everyone knows our customers are dead Thomas!
Thomas: And we can find others but that requires me to go to Central and talk to the board and probably my contacts too, even if only to get people over to other jobs cause there is no reason to remain here after Vanessa comes home. Whatever happens the company is done for. They bail me out they'll demand large changes internally, very few of them approved of it to begin with and I'll probably have to walk.
"We probably retire somewhere far from Central when they've compensated us.
Elise: You'd take that money? We can make it far if we scrap everything.
Thomas: Even so, it's safer to take it to avoid any problems. If we want to leave it behind we need to take it.
Elise: Than conclude it, i don't want more to do with them. They've ... they're extermanating them. They planned it all along so there is no peace, do it properly, leave on good terms if you have to but don't let them come home again.
Thomas: You are right, we should write a notice to hang up. People may know, but we should do it properly.
"Boss, There's a car approaching!"
Thomas: Thanks Kris.
Elise almost knocked Kris over as she ran through the door, Thomas isnt far behind her and Kris, he only belatedly remembered to close the door before following them out through the courtyard.
Outside the activity hasn't slowed since they had to stop serving Ishval, the scramble to sell their wares to anyone in the surrounding area hadn't stopped. Warehouses were still mostly filled with product, vehicles were leaving towards the South area almost every 10 minutes, and somtimes elsewhere with families as the primary cargo.
The lone car coming up the road from Ishval wouldn't stand out if it wasn't alone.
Thomas: 'Well, no notice than' Hey! listen up!
The work halts for the first time in two weeks as everyone but Elise focus on Thomas.
Thomas: We will continue moving product out until the 15th, by then everyone should have everything prepared to move. If that means leaving stuff for whoever takes over after us then so be it.
"To all of you still here, Thank you. I wish there was something to be done about this but there is nothing more for us here."
The car driving into the courtyard starts everyone up again, a great wind of energy strikes through all the workers. Elise stepped close to the car looking for her daughter. The door opens.
2: Hey! kid let me park before you jump out.
With total disregard for the soldiers, she jumps out just as the car stops and is quickly scooped up by her mom. No words are exchanged even as Thomas joins them, the only sound coming from them is relif filled crying.
3: (sigh) Drive on to that curve, we'll set up when they've finished.
Leaving them there on the road the car moves off. Multiple minutes pass with the sound of work all around them calming all they're nerves.
Elise: I'm glad you're back.
Vanessa: I've missed you.
Thomas: We've missed you too.
Vanessa: I don't like them, give them a shed.
Thomas: That'll go over well with the military. (chuckles) They get Patsies old house.
Vanessa: What happened to her?
Thomas: She left, one of the first to do so, but we'll all be leaving pretty soon.
Vanessa: What when?
Elise: three days, we will leave early on the 15th.
Thomas: So you did listen (Smiles)
Elise: Oh shush you.
Vanessa: Only three days?
Thomas: 2, today is almost over, and we only really kept up to wait for you.
Vanessa: But why didn't you send something then?
Elise: The military blocked all access 2 weeks ago, not long before they sent in the alchemists. We tried to convince them to let us continue, but letting us through would've made us a conspirator, even with our special license. No aid could be given to anyone under the extermination criteria, not even mail got through, nothing.
Vanessa: Everyone was worried when the supply run was late, when it didn't come at all. I, ah. Would've been here sooner if i didn't argue. They wanted me out as soon as possible but, i didn't want to leave them there, ... to die. (sobs)
Thomas: You're safe, that's what matters.
Elise: Come lets get you inside, Tom you show those men to Patsies and then come back. We need to pack as much as possible if we're to leave in two days.
Elise carries Vanessa inside letting go with one arm only to open the door and then quickly back behind Vanessa's head. Thomas follows inside two minutes later and despite wanting to comfort Vanessa he starts setting up boxes to pack down their home, that first night he fills four and only stops to carry Vanessa and Elise upstairs from the couch to their bed where he collapses
Before the war the Hendricks company employed 251 people directly. 74 were licensed drivers only, 48 were local representatives around the southern area. 30 were assigned to Central at all times, 40 worked exclusively in Ishval, and the board of 10 in Risan directed them all as well as the 49 people working only in the town, in warehouses the telephone central and other accommodations.
During they're lifetime they had become the second largest single employer in the south (behind the army) and the 7 largest nation wide (assuming the army does not count), the amount of people directly tied to them was in the thousands, indirectly, ten thousand.
Thomas: 22 left during the night.
Elise: Only 80 stayed, you told them it was over, end of the road they left.
Thomas: I know, But it hurts. I took over from dad when there wasn't even 80 in town, i know all these people they want to leave as soon as possible. I'm honoured they trust me enough to stay so long, holding out hope, helping.
Vanessa: It's not your fault dad it's the military's.
Thomas: We could have left, last year, earlier.
Elise: And left no line to the Ishvalans? please don't sell yourself short Tom, you're better than that. We only had to start laying people off a month ago, after we sent Vanessa over to stay there.
Vanessa: You didn't mention that in the last letters?
Elise: Sorry, we were ... stubborn. We wanted to keep moral high, it's been quiet here since.
Vanessa: Peter said Hans wrecked his house before he left.
Thomas: Hans and Carl did on the same day, after that we had to be stricter. Everyone is upset, but those who are still here will probably leave with us.
Elise: We should do something tomorrow, let them leave on a good note.
Vanessa: We could bring out some firewood from storage, or make a large pile with stuff to burn!
Kris: Sounds good, we can bring out som unused furniture, throw on whatever and make the square a blaze.
Thomas: Not to much unnecessary stuff, the stockpile should provide enough without bringing furniture onto it.
Elise: Yeah, the inventory needs to be correct when we leave, otherwise there might be trouble. I think the third shed wasn't registered?
Thomas: Right, we didn't get to it yet.
Kris: Tomorrow me and Kent can set it up for "demolition" by night.
Not 3 months ago, the town still had almost 500 permanent residents. The planned new school would have served 50 children between 4 and 15, with the four already serving teachers and 3 new ones. That plan had been halted 3 years ago when fighting escalated near their transports route, the forced halt of imports quickly made the Ishvalans pivot eastwards though but by then all new construction was halted in Risnan.
Elise: Vanessa dear, i put your backpack on your seat in the car, ok.
Vanessa: ok, it will be a little cramped back there.
Elise: I put it in the front.
Vanessa: But, you're legs will cramp!
Elise: Hmm, i think you're old enough.
Vanessa: That (blush) wasn't what I said mom.
Born April 13 1899, there was alredy doubt and scepticism for Central and Amestriss more broadly in Ishval, nonetheless they congratulated Thomas and Elise when news reached them. Almost 2 years later on April 14th, an Amestrian soldier shoot and killed a young child. For some it was a curse, the most extreme end had felt they're distrust vindicated and advocated for complete independence by any means, but the more measured majority felt it was better to send a message first and convinced Ishval to kick out the military contingent stationed there.
Kent: No, we move the lightest boxes on top, these ones have books in em we'll set them on the next one.
Peter: (pant) Yeah, don't want the knowledge to break stuff.
Kris: Nah that's not it, we wouldn't what it to break your hands is all. (smile)
Peter: Oi, (inhale) I'll carry it on top with one hand, these aren't any problem.
Kent: What about miss Bour's piano.
Thomas: (panting) No thanks, it wouldn't have room any way. low priority. (pant)
Kris: Huh, tired foremen? A bit out of shape maybe? (a teased smile)
Though suspected early on, they managed to prove themselves reputable salesmen, through all seven years of the war. Even to much controversy back in Amestriss, especially during the plague of 04 and the Ishvalans extreme contingents subsequent raiding of the Amestrian countryside. To many in Ishval the many hoops the company jumped through to continue business was beyond all their admiration and gratitude. If the roads to and from Risnan wasn't so heavily patrolled by Southern "peacekeeping" troops, it would have been the most used refugee route.
Kent: Foreman! There are only six more vehicles that have available space.
Thomas: Can you quit that?
Kent: (softly) Only if you tell me were you'll set up the new shop.
Thomas: I think im done with business.
Kent: ... I'd urge you to reconsider, even if it isn't with all of us. You are a damn good businessman.
Thomas: I dont have anymore leverage, maybe some blackmail but im more likely to get shot for having that then it helping.
The soldiers had left early that day. It would be odd for them to return so soon after. Through all seven years of the war thousands had died on both sides, but 80% of all casualties had come during the last 2 month, and 2% to the plague. One would think they'd get out at the first convenience, one would hope.
Thomas: Rest well, tomorrow we get done packing and make peace with this home of ours, sleep well everyone.
She can only faintly hear her father, she doesn't hear the door close, there's some milling about outside as people say goodnight. The creaking of the floor and door though she does hear. In the doorway Thomas stands checking if shes asleep. Something must have tipped him of cause he walks over and sits on her bed looking at her.
Thomas: Didn't you say sleeping with socks on was horrible? A curse upon sleep everywhere?
Vanessa: (sigh) Can't sleep.
Thomas: But you can pretend to? Whats on your mind Sweetheart.
Vanessa: I'll miss everyone, this house, the square the bustle.
Thomas: I could have chosen somewhere like that, if i knew were it was.
Vanessa: ...
Thomas: Did they treat you well?
Vanessa: Yes, Isan was a great teacher.
Thomas: Was that his name?
Vanessa: He is not dead dad! (pain) and you can't tell anyone that name, he told me in confidence!
Thomas tightly hugs her as she sits up, not struggling a second she collapses into him. Painting slow deliberate lines and circles on her back she slowly calms down.
Vanessa: (whisper) he is not dead.
Thomas: Maybe.
Throughout the day she has only been minimally helpful with packing her own stuff and some light boxes, despite that she is exhausted and falls asleep in her father's arms. Carefully laying her down he lets her rest under her blanket and leaves the room, only after removing her socks.
Vanessa is awoken by the front door crashing open, suddenly terrified she hides behind the door and takes out from behind her desk a steel rod, just in time as the steps have already barrelled up the stairs and to just outside her door.
They pass it, another door, her parent's, is also thrown open but her father doesn't get to shout before they speak panting heavily.
Peter: Thomas get up! military sent back those soldiers alongside an alchemist!
Thomas: Go back down and give me a minute!.
Peter: Yes sir.
With the same haste as he arrived Peter thundered down the hall, than the stairs to the front entrance and back outside. Vanessa hurries to her window, and indeed there in the square by all the packed cars and movers. Those damned soldiers are back, all five of them and in the middle, looking very self confident someone who could only be a state alchemist. They look up to her window.
Her door IS thrown open then, and she wirls with the rod ready to defend herself.
Thomas: What have i said about weapons in the bedroom.
Vanessa: This is construction material for my latest alchemy test, dont worry, I'll leave it here.
Her room now visibly bare brings a certain sadness to them both.
Thomas: keep it here til tomorrow, dress up and get downstairs mom is making breakfast.
Like that he closes the door and leaves her alone. the stairs creak on his way down but he is almost silent all the way through the front entrance. Turning back to the window she sees her father greet them standing besides Peter and Kent, People are starting to open doors and windows so the commotion must have woken everyone. Deciding not to wait more she gets dressed.
Alchemist: Yes, my list is the most recent revision, all inventorys lists must be turned over before you leave tomorrow.
Thomas: 'Was it the soldiers?' 'Hans, Carl?' Of course, everything was locked yesterday as part of the packing, the current inventory is consistent with the amounts sent out during this month.
Alchemist: Good, where is the key locker? two of my soldiers will take over all telephone duties for today and tomorrow.
Thomas: The box is hung inside the main office lobby with the reception desk.
He indicates them to go immediately, they must have discussed it on the way because the two left most soldiers break off towards the main office.
Thomas: May i ask why you are assigned here and not to the front.
Alchemist: I came here from Central, with direct orders from high command. They've deemed you a more important matter for me to address than the front.
Thomas: 'thats not ominous' Yes i can see how they would reach that conclusion. (sarcastic) This closing will probably be the most important announcement they make this month.
Alchemist: There will be no closing, the board of directors have laid you all off, until the company is ready to reopen this will be a new staging area for troops to Ishval. They'll come in force two days from now.
Thomas: The board doesn't want me to return to Central?
Alchemist: No, as of tomorrow, you are free to go anywhere. You're just compensation is already transferring to your family account as we speak. You are not currently welcome in Central, indeed they've instructed me to warn you against any stopover in or around Central.
Thomas: Am i still making decisions about the town until tomorrow?
He squints at Thomas, neither relent.
Kent: We've planned a goodbye ceremony later tonight, one of the unused sheds will have the roof knocked down and be filled with whatever is extra and flammable before we douse it.
By then, most of the town's inhabitants had come out to hear what's going on, standing in this crowd of hardworking weary people, the alchemist relents the point.
Alchemist: Indeed the ceremony will be done, but i or one of my soldiers will decide what is extra for that purpose.
His announcement is met with cheers from everyone, most leave back home to eat afterwards but the alchemist he goes to the main office, there is a long day ahead after all.
Thomas cant help think the alchemist regrets his poor choice of words, very few were willing to speak to the three soldiers so almost all "requests" for the "status" of ekstra went to him for "arbitration"
Alchemist: Yes, the piano frame by itself can be put on.
"No, no desks or other clothes containers!
"Yes, the couch frame without pillows can be put in.
"No clocks shall be burned today.
"Why would you want to burn that?!?
"Fine, but it must be only wood, all the fabric must be off!
Thomas: 'Poor fool, looks like he still has more to do, ... of well, we'll enjoy the fire without him
Throughout the day everything was finalized, every vehicle made ready, all used floors mopped and everything "ekstra" piled through the neatly collapsed roof of the humble shed. By sunset, after a large communal dinner and dessert, peoples spirits were high. Though for some they would have to be content with only burning down the shed. The last done before the festivities was making lunches for the following day and dishwashing.
Just before they started Thomas and Elise was asked by a soldier to head to the office, for an "official" send of, Kent and Kris got the okay to start before they left for the office.
"It's a nice fire is it not?"
Vanessa: Yeah, though i still think it's weird your piano is in there.
Miss Bour: Only the frame dear, the keys and internals i have in a box in my car.
Kent: Vanessa you should have seen Peter's face when he realized he'd actually have to carry the piano out.
Peter: It wasn't that heavy with Kris and Seus on the other side to help carry.
Kris: i could've just taken it alone you know, or had Seus on your side.
Miss Bour: Ah such showmen all of you, you're so enthusiastic today it reminds me of when Kent played a concert for Vanessa on that piano!
Kent: All the dancing, it took us behind schedule the day after. (laughs)
Peter: I also played, i had all the solos.
Kent: Those pipes of yours aren't instruments.
Peter: Yeah they are!
Kris: Quite decent ones too.
Vanessa: I think you were both great!
Kris: aaahhh, Our little sun shines upon us, what did we do to deserve such.
Vanessa: Hey! (tries to push Kris)
Kent: At least it wasn't as bad as when she transmuted her hair black, we lost that entire day trying to find her!
Peter: (grins) Yeah, and she had just been walking around aimlessly the whole day, how many times did we run passed you?
Vanessa: Seventy eight thousand times!
Peter: Whaa, that can't be right!
Miss Bour: I'll probably hear your ruckus all the way from Central at that volume. (laughs joyfully)
Kent: Sure you don't want to join the caravan west?
Miss Bour: Yes, I'll prefer this happy moment as our last memory to whatever nonsense you get up to in that caravan! (laughs)
Though she tries to enjoy the ceremony, Vanessa can't quite drop this undercurrent of fear from the pulse. She knows everyone is worried about what's next, where each other will go, Peter is practically Kris's yonger brother by this point but they'll head different directions after South city, everyone's avoided talking about it all day. And of course, her parent's aren't back yet, its been almost half an hour, what for a stamp? She is afraid, just a part of the current she senses, amongst and between everyone.
2: Hey kid, Your parents are asking for you.
Kent: What? They're not done yet?
2: They only asked for the kid.
Vanessa: It's okay, I'll come back with them in like ten minutes.
Kent: Fine, but your dancing when you get back!
Vanessa: Sure, wouldn't want you bored.
2: Come on, this way.
Vanessa: I lived here, i know were it is.
2: Sorry, my bad. (avoids her eyes)
Vanessa: 'Why are you also worried'
2: The names Smith, i ... wanted to apologise for my behaviour yesterday and the day before.
Vanessa: Ok, uhm Smith, apology accepted. Is that your first name?
Smith: No that is Dan but please call me Smith, i already have enough people calling me that at inappropriate times. (winks)
Vanessa: (laughs) 'The worry abated somewhat' "So, Smith, Is that ..."
Fear, frozen, citric fear. As Smith opens the door to the office, a chill is carried by the wind out from the building. Only one light is on in the hallway, even without it, the sheer terror exuded from the back left room has her heart clogging the throat.
Smith: You just gonna stand there? (smile)
Vanessa: 'Genuine? he doesn't know?'
She awkwardly walks in no longer feeling safe but not wanting to leave Smith's side. Her sudden silence unnerves Smith something fierce, but he chooses not to pry wanting to remain on good terms with her.
Nothing had ever been so dizzying for Vanessa, living in Ishval was surreal, but manageable, leaving was pure hell, a day in the sun walking aimlessly without water. But this hallway, the terror carried to her by the pulse has her almost frozen, her only teather is Smith's hand guiding her forward, though she can't remember grabbing for it.
Alchemist: Smith, let her walk by herself, don't baby her.
Smith: Don't think she'll let me major, she's holding on tight.
Alchemist: Get her in then.
He stands by the entrance, and indicates that they follow him. Smith only gets hallway through the room before stopping.
Alchemist: Vanessa you know what this circle means right, you understand why I've placed them in the middle, Right!.
Smith: But, Major isn't that taboo?
Alchemist: Silence! Vanessa, they will bleed out soon, you need to save them. The injuries are by the throat and spine.
Indeed, where they lay, a pool of blood creeps down their form, they're throats are red and every other second more flows out. Their mouths are covered, hands and legs tied by rope, next to each other they look terrified at Vanessa. Whatever pleading is in they're eyes, she can't decipher, the world is moving to fast.
Smith: Hey, what is this!
No longer holding her hand, he holds his gun securely pointed straight at the alchemist.
Alchemist: That is mutiny, soldier! And i will not tolerate a second more of it! Leave this room, that is an order!
Smith shifts so his back is to Vanessa, his pose is well practiced, he has held it hundreds of times this last year, pointed at civilians, but today he holds it to protect one.
Bang Bang Bang Bang.
His gun splinters, four shots rip through his back three on his left side and one on the right. Smith collapses forward, eyes focused on the alchemist, he dies as soon as he touches the floor.
Alchemist: Vanessa your parents are waiting for you to save them.
She is practically catatonic so focused on her parents pleading eyes, trying desperately to work out and understand what they want, that she doesnt feel the warm liquid that hit her head.
3: Get going girl. (taps her on the back with his gun)
She is pushed forward all the way to the edge of the circle, there she's forced onto her hands and knees.
Alchemist: Her hands need to be on the outer edge.
The two soldiers adjust her, all the while her parents stare at her, begging for something. To be saved? To be left there? she doesn't know, what she does know is that she doesn't want to lose them. There is a commotion in the lobby, but she doesnt hear it.
Alchemist: (smiles) Good.
The array lights up bright blue, before shifting to a dark violet, the whole room shines darkly. A bolt pierces her throat, and she knows no more, her parents watch as she's deconstructed.
Everything is white, trying to turn she can't think, nothing sticks to her brain. A giant wall, floats there ominously, symbols covers the center of the wall, from the top down. It doesn't make sense, it's as if her brain is melting, deeper, inflating more and more, digging out something.
"Well, do you speak?"
!
Turning away from the wall, she sees the outline of a person, sitting in front of her with their legs crossed.
???
"Come on now, you can speak freely here"
Nothing can come out, har brain threatens to dig into her throat, into her heart.
"You can make it, but not like that. You could have avoided this if you had spoken to them"
The white blurres, the outline losing coherent meaning, everything is heavy with something intangible and weightless, how'd she get here?
"it'll be no fun to keep you here, you're quite boring."
!? f, fu!, fun? Fun! FUN?! FUN!?!?
Something gives, the weight pressing her brain down is overpowered as the confusion gives way to blind fury.
Vanessa: I AM NOT FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
"Not anymore no."
What feels like wind pushes her backwards, a weird sensation of falling without moving, the black outline has some colour on the neck, she realizes as it's standing up, still the same distance away.
"I am all and i am one, and that also means that i am you. I am the one who will swallow you should you fail"
Hands, tiny black tendril hands, pick her up and carry her backwards, the black outline gets farther away. in a panic she turns her head and sees that the wall has opened, the Gate, and within it, the Eye. She tries to turn her head back but she passes through the Gate before she can overpower the hand holding back her head. It Closes.
"Where is she?"
Kris: She isnt anywhere in the building!
Kent: (cries) Find her, search the entire town, where not leaving without her!
The office is full, the soldiers corpses lay where they were gunned down by Kent and other armed townsfolk, hasty alchemical markings litter the floor originating from the corpse laying against the wall. Inside the taboo circle an unrecognizable mass lay. No sense could be made of it by anyone, even those with some limited undestanding of alchemy were left stunned by it.
Everyone in the room is suddenly blinded, the array has started again seemingly on it's own, guns are drawn and pointed at the array.
Kent: HOLD FIRE.
They do, as he runs to the array, and cradles Vanessa as she is thrown through to their side.
"She was in that?"
"How could that happen?"
"The taboo"
Kent ignored them all as he focused everything on evaluating if she's injured. Her neck is bleeding, something jagged pierces out from within.
Kent: Medkit, and doctor Now!
They scramble.
Vanessa wakes up on the receptionist desk, the ceiling is to white, trying to move (PAIN) she stops, forced to look up. She is only relieved from the blankness by Kents face. She tries to speak (PAIN) again she stops.
Kent: Wow calm down, hey look at me.
Everything is blurred, her eyes have started up, her mind is starting to understand, it's as if her mind and body are rejecting her.
"!"
Hands, feet, legs, Hands, stomach, arms, head, HANDS, everything is still there. Crying cause it's the only thing that doesn't hurt, she looks to Kent.
Kent: You better? Seus did the best he could to work your throat together.
Vanessa: 'My throat? why, ... the array'
Almost frantically she grabs at Kent and tries to get him to move her. Kent quickly overpowers her and holds her arms down, so she switches to her legs. Someone is just about to hold them down too when pain again lances through her spine, she can tell there is something missing in her throat, it's all she can do to just breathe through the nose and try to calm down.
Seus: Try to stay there, I'll bring you something to write on.
Kent: Good idea, I'll hold her till you get back.
Vanessa was breathing irregularly, the only thing Kent could do was try to hold her gently.
Seus: Here, you can write in this notebook.
Given a pencil she tries to slowly move her head to see the book, it hurts, not as much but she powers through it. When she can see the book she tries to write.
..Mom, Dad?..
Kent: We dont know.
..The array..
Kent: There's something still on it, we don't know what.
..it's Mom an..
He stops her, holds her hand back as she breaks down.
Seus: There is little to be done with your throat, you might get some whisper through but it'll be painfull, if you scream, it'll likely snap.
Kent: Let her grieve doctor.
Seus: We dont have the time.
Kent feels overwhelmed by everyting, staying there with Vanessa a second more he composes himself, the night isn't over.
Kent: Help her to miss Bour's car, give her something to keep her neck straight and send them off, tell her to take the long road north the one that avoids the checkpoints.
Seus: Yes sir.
Kent gives Vanessa one last long look, he takes in her blond hair spattered with blood her eyes distant and damp focusing on the book. Someone ordered that alchemist to do this to her, a nine year old, they would have to cover everything.
Kent: Kris prepare Bour to leave with Vanessa.
Kris: Yes sir.
Kent: ... You need a new name kid, as of now, your presumed dead.
They leave her there with Seus, the few guarding the entrance leave with them. As they step outside Kris breaks of to find miss Bour.
Kent: Everyone!
A crowd forms quickly from the anxious meandering people. Kris finds miss Bour.
Kent: Ishvalans did this!
Silence, Kris holds onto Bour but has turned to listen with her.
Kent: They took us hostage around the fire, kidnapped Vanessa and her parents, shot and killed all six soldiers. We were allowed to leave tonight but we dont know where they left afterwards. Before they let us go they ordered us to take the corpses outside, we will take out all the bodies and we will throw them on the fire. That is the last thing we saw them do, any questions?
Standing there with armed guards everywhere no one said a thing.
Kent: Than get to it. Peter get a bucket and mop we need to remove that circle.
Miss Bour: Oh, no. To blame them?
Kris: It's the only option, It won't change their fate anyway. Come you need to be ready to leave with Vanessa.
Miss Bour: Me?
Kris: Yes, you take the long way north, avoid the checkpoints, and avoid the military. When she gets to the car, ask her for her name, she'll write it down and you have always know her by the name she writes. Also, Have her transmute her hair, black, brown doesn't matter.
Miss Bour: I understand, I'll start my car. 'Goodbye Venessa'
The town was alive the burning fire the heart, people went back and forward getting more to keep the heart going against the corpses trying to extinguish it. Few kept their stomachs as the bulbous mass was carted out for the fire.
No one paid attention when Seus led Vanessa to her parents car, to pick up her backpack, before finding miss Bour's car at the northern edge of the town. Seus opens the door for her, the brace over her bandaged neck makes it awkward to get in, and she has to have the backpack on her lap. He straps her in.
Seus: Goodbye miss Bour, have a safe trip.
He closes the door before she can respond, and hurries back towards the others.
Miss Bour: Well, whats your name sweetie.
Slowly she writes as Bour starts to move the car forward, when done.
..Alice Bour..
Miss Bour: It's nice to have you with me Alice, were going home now.
Vanessa: 'Home'
The pain in her neck, crust in her eye, focus needed to not get jostled around by the car, all pales against the enormity of Evil she feels beneath her, so obviously there to her now all she can do to quiet the insistent pressure is to block her pulse.
This thing has lived rent free in my brain since i decided to actually write this story, I wanted to cut it in two but decided against it. That is why the first two days, the 12th and 13th are so different from the 14th, Vanessa leaves Ishval on the 11th by the way it's later that day Scar becomes, well Scar. The ordering of this story is weird to write, I've always accepted fma's hand-waving of when thing are supposed to happen, but writing this I'll try focusing the timeline to make sense with the ideas i have.
Anyway hope you enjoyed that.