TheParadoxGlitch56
(Formally ShatteredSoul56)
»»»»»»Coward ««««««
Chapter Two
Intense
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"The estimated number of children seriously injured by all forms of maltreatment quadrupled between 1986 and 1993, from 141,700 to 565,000 (a 299% increase)." : Third National Incidence Study
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I am so excited for the next Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood episode, episode 59 I believe, to come out! If you are not watching it you should give it a try. Here is a link. You can watch it all for free!
http : / www . youtube . com / user / FUNimation
Thanks for all the feedback! I love to hear from you all.
manga-animelove : the-ice-cold-alchemist : Fiito : Animefreak11: xXCourtneyStarshipXx : HollyWd : Debility : Alchemist of Steel : Cue
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Usually the room was dead silent, but at that moment it was bustling with movement and orders. The group set up a few light sources and currently had the Elric brothers on there back, neck secured with a brace. The small brace used for injured military women seem to work fine at the moment.
"Do have any idea which boy is which, Lieutenant?" Ross asked. She was currently sitting on the ground, ignoring the layers of filth, holding one of the boy's small hands and looked to be on the brink of crying.
"My guess is that Alphonse is the boy you're with." The man stared at the short haired boy he was helping. "It looks like this one has had his hair recently chopped off. I can see wounds on the boy's scalp." He frowned. "How's the IV coming, Hughes?" The other dark haired man was trying to find a vein on the long haired boy.
"They must be very dehydrated. I am having difficulties finding a vein."
"As am I." Mustang said. "I am going to try to insert it into his jugular vein." The man loosened the brace and cleaned a second spot for the needle. Then he began his search for the child's vein. Hughes also cleaned a section of skin on the other boy. "Got it. Sergent Brosh hold this up." Mustang said as he held the bag of fluids out to the man across from him.
"Yes, sir." Lieutenant Colonel Mustang taped down the needle to keep it in place and looked up at the long haired boy Maes was helping as he tightened the boy's brace. Hughes had also managed to insert the IV needle into the boy's jugular vein, while Ross was holding the bag. The dark haired man began to cut away the short haired boy's bloody tattered shirt, as did Hughes. Switching their gloves they started to work on stopping the bleeding.
"You're correct, Roy. This boy has been shot." Hughes muttered from across the room as he pulled the boy's shirt away from his body. "It looks like he has a few broken ribs as well."
Mustang gently cleaned the area on the shorts haired boy and added pressure with a sterile cloth. Hearing a groan Mustang looked over at the child's face. "Place pressure here, Major." Armstrong, eager to help, placed his hands over the covered wound.
"N-No." The boy's eyes remained closed.
"It's all right. You are safe." Pulling his jacket off Mustang gently propped the child's bare feet to help prevent him going into shock. Havoc pulled his blue military jacket off as well and Mustang placed it on top of the first one. Hawkeye handed hers over and Mustang placed it under the other boy's feet. Frowning he looked up at Ross. She smiled and carefully pulled hers off. Mustang nodded, rolled it up, and placed it under the dirty feet. Then he walked back to the boy he was helping and relieved Armstrong. "Major, could you search the vehicles for two blankets? We need to keep them warm."
"Yes, sir."
"A-Al?" The boy slurred and tried to shift, in an attempt to relieve the pain.
"I know it hurts, but you need to stay still." Mustang replied, misunderstanding the boy's question for a statement. With one hand keeping pressure on the wound he wiped his other bloody hand on his pant leg. "I am Lieutenant Colonel Mustang. You are safe, just relax." He repeated as he cleaned away dried dirt and blood off the child's face. "Hush, now." The boy was so pale, it was obvious he has lost too much blood.
"Hey, buddy you have to stay awake." Havoc smiled at the boy and gently ran his fingers through the short soft hair as Mustang placed a second cloth over the soaked one and continued to apply pressure. He could tell the boy was slipping away again.
"B-Brother?" Mustang looked up and watched Hughes console the other boy.
"Sir, it seems this boy is Alphonse." First Lieutenant Hawkeye informed Mustang from her bent position over Alphonse.
"It h-hurts." Al whimpered.
"I know, be strong, Alphonse." Hawkeye herself had never been shot, but she was certain it must be painful.
"Brother?"
"Shh, he's here. Relax, child." Her eyes softened as she whispered more soothing words to the boy. It seemed Edward was worse off, having already lost consciousness. Alphonse was still watching everyone around him, and remained quiet as he listened to Hawkeye. Major returned with a red plaid quilt and a dark green throw. He settled the blankets around the boys and waited for the ambulance to arrive. A few apprehensive minutes passed.
"They're here!" Major Armstrong raced out to meet the medics and guide them in. Everyone let out a small sigh of relief.
The paramedics, dressed in a bright vest, rushed inside with orange back boards. The boy's blankets were thrown to the side as the medics began to prepare the boy's for their journey to the hospital.
"We ware taking them to the trauma center in Resembool. Once they are stable we will medevac them to East City's Children's Hospital." Mustang agreed and helped them tilt Edward's body, with out bending him, onto the board. The medic's immanently strapped the boy down and began to check him over.
"If the children require any surgeries or other medical treatment the hospital will need consent. Are you or do you know someone who has illegal guardianship over them?" Mustang thought for a second.
"Suppose I will send a form to gain temporary guardianship over them, while their father is begin located. He will be unable to have any contact with them until this whole mess is settled."
"Major Hughes!"
"Sir?"
"Go with Alphonse, I shall ride with Edward."
"Yes, sir!" Mustang then turned to his remaining group.
"Document this scene, and do not miss anything." His crew nodded sharply, determination shined in their eyes.
"Yes, sir!" Inside their bags contained rulers, photo markers, drawing templates, reference cards, measuring tape, and other various items needed to document a crime scene. They all pulled on face masks and began to work.
"You all right, Roy?" Hughes frowned as he stared at his old friend.
"Mm, yes." Together they watched the medics scramble around the boys. They took the fluid bag and rushed Edward to the waiting ambulance. Mustang nodded to Hughes and followed them. The last thing Hughes heard before they entered the truck was he blood pressure was dropping. Alphonse was also getting strapped down and Hughes followed them as they hurried him into the second ambulance.
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The room was gruesome. Covered in blood, dirt, and in one corner fecal matter. Their was an empty light socket above and the walls were stripped bare. The door even contained indentations, that looked to be finger nail scrapings. Under one pile of trash they recovered old infant toys and tiny light blue shoes. It all looked like it had been burned at one time.
"It's hard to believe anyone lived here, let alone children." Second Lieutenant Ross muttered. "This room is disgusting."
"It's amazing that children could live this long here." First Lieutenant Hawkeye agreed as she took pictures of bloody smears on the wall. Major Armstrong had wondered off to the left, where the closet sat. His right arm pulled the door aside and he jerked away at the sight. The small enclosure contained two tiny sets of wrist confident band, attached to the wall by a chain. It was just about the boy's height, if these were used they might have been forced to stand for hours, days even. By the appearance of many tiny bolt holes the restraints were adjusted as the children grew.
"I need help documenting this." Armstrong said heavily. Those poor children.
"You all right there, Major?" First Lieutenant Havoc asked, "Looks like you have seen a ghost." Havoc turned and his eyes narrowed. "What the hell is this! That sick son of a - " He bit his lip as he held up a angled ruler to one of the small restraints. "This just isn't right." He muttered with a defeated sigh. "Those boys." He tried to keep his hand still as Major Armstrong snapped a photo.
Havoc heard a collective gasp as he pulled out his measuring tape.
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On the ride to Resemble's trauma center Edwards heart stopped twice. His small body just could not handle the damage that had been forced upon it. They arrived within ten minutes and quickly pulled the gurney out before rushing him inside. Mustang had contacted Fury and Falman to begin the process of gaining complete medical custody and temporary guardianship to Mustang.
One minuet later Alphonse's ambulance arrived and the boy was pulled inside to the waiting team. Hughes and Mustang nodded to each other and went to the desk to fill out paperwork in the waiting room. They both stood out in their black undershirts and matching blue pants, having left their bloody jackets at the house, from the other patients and family waiting with them.
"You said Alphonse is nine?"
"I believe so." Mustang replied softly. Both men slowly completed their forums, leaving most of the questions blank. "The first thing I will do, once they are healthy enough, is have a complete medical check up. I hope they are not allergic to any medications." The man left out a ragged breath. "Lets check up on their progress at the house." He flipped open his phone and dialed Hawkeye's military issued phone. "First Lieutenant Hawkeye?"
"Yes, sir. How are the boys?" Mustang looked down at their papers and sighed.
"We have yet to hear an update. I hope the investigation is going well."
"Yes, sir. Still no sign of Hohenheim, but..." The man frowned.
"Lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir. We have discovered restraints in the boy's closet. Evidence shows they were kept their for some time." She cleared her throat, it was obvious she had been crying or had been on the brink of crying.
"I see." Mustang hung his head slightly. "I need you to search the house for any medical records for the boys."
"Yes, sir." She hesitated and softly answered, "Sir...keep me updated on their progress."
"Yes, of course. After you have completed documenting post a guard and head back to East Command. We will be moving the boy's their once they are stable enough."
"Yes, sir." They both disconnected the call.
"Bad news?"
"Mm, yes. It seems that the brothers were kept restrained in the closet most of their time at that house."
"Really?" Mustang gave a sharp nod, not trusting himself to talk. "Really." Hughes leaned heavily in his chair.
Only twenty minutes later a man exited from the back and studied a sheet of paper. "Family for Alphonse and Edward Elric?" Both men stood and crossed the room to meet the auburn haired doctor. He smiled and led them to a private room. Mustang and Hughes followed him out the waiting room door. They passed a few doors before the doctor picked a room and led them inside. "Hello, I am Doctor Marcoh Evans." He raised a hand, Mustang firmly shook it and nodded.
"Lieutenant Colonel Mustang." Evans smiled and turned to the next man and shook his hand.
"Major Hughes." Then he gestured for the men to sit and held out a small poster, he uses as a visual aid, and pointed to the diagram's stomach.
"Both boys are littered with open wounds and bruises of all shapes and sizes. They are two of the most sever cases I have seen. It is going to be touch and go all night. One bullet entered Alphonse's abdomen, piercing his spleen, which caused him to bleed internally. The second bullet grazed his C3 cervical vertebrae. It is still uncertain if this caused any permanent damage, we will know once he wakes. He is dehydrated and weighs seventeen kilograms, his target weight is around twenty four. This malnutrition has also affected his height; however, I'm sure that will change once he is on a healthy diet for a growing boy. Many of his wounds are infected, and thus he has a mild fever, he has been placed on antibiotics. His has a broken left wrist and two broken ribs, and a fractured left tibia." The man gestured to the leg of the diagram. "Alphonse is in surgery right now to repair his spleen and to set his broken bones."
"And his brother, Edward?" Mustang asked tightly. Evans smiled sadly.
"At the moment , Edward is not stable enough to withstand surgery." The man hesitated, "The boy's left leg is such a mess, and he lost a lot of blood. His body is just not strong enough to heal such an extensive injury. Infection rate is extremely high, and we have to move fast. Along with the amount of nerve and tissue damage, I am sorry. Removing the limb is the best course of action. His right arm was broken in three different places, has a five inch gash down the side which appears to be infected, and suffered some nerve damage from the bullet tearing into his shoulder. That limb's fate is less than certain. We have arranged for a specialist to take a look at it. He has a few broken ribs, broken jaw, and a fractured skull." The man flipped the page over and checked his notes.
"He was shot twice in the torso. Internally he bled slow enough for us to insert drains and we are working to replace the blood loss. His weight is around thirteen kilograms off the target weight for a boy his height. He is extremely malnourished, more so than Alphonse." Mustang gnashed his teeth and his fingers gripped his baggy pants. Hughes sighed sadly and looked down at his hands. "Edward is suffering from Commotio cordis, or bruising of the heart muscle. This occurs due to severe sharp trauma directed at the center of his chest. We usually see damage this extensive in boy's who play projectile sports, such as football and baseball. Fortunately, for this young man the medical team was able to regulate this heart rate on the drive here. When we notice his eyes were dilated and we preformed a CT scan of his head." The doctor cleared his throat and pulled up a CT scan up on a screen. He pointed to a dark section.
"This is a Cerebral aneurysm. Most likely caused by head trauma. In our ranges it is rather large and from what we can tell it seems to be around grade four. As we have noticed some abnormal posturing, or involuntary movement of his arms and legs. The aneurysm has not yet ruptured, which is good, but it could at any time and he will deteriorate fast. If we do not treat as soon as possible he will fall into a coma, then die. The best course of action at this stage is to place him on a heart and lung bypass machine and then clip the aneurysm. This process requires a craniotomy."
"Brain surgery?" Mustang asked quietly.
"Yes. We will cut out a rectangle shaped piece, about two inches across, from his skull here." Evans pointed to the back of the diagrams head. "Clip his aneurysm and patch it back together with screws. He will be placed under general anesthesia. I need your consent to preform the surgery, and I am sorry if this sound rude, but we need a decision quick."
"What are his chances?" Mustang asked softly.
"Around twenty percent and that's being optimistic." Hughes cleared his throat.
"Is he in any pain?" The man asked tightly.
"Currently, he is not reacting to any stimuli, and remains unconscious. After his surgery we will place him into a drug induced coma until he is healed enough to move around." At their pause he continued, "After we place him on the bypass we will wait an hour to see how he reacts. If his stabilizes then we will begin the surgery."
"Do it." Hughes nodded in agreement. Evans handed them the consent form to sign.
"You may see him before surgery if you like. Just wear a mask." They nodded and softly thanked the doctor. "I'll come get you when he's ready."
"We have others that might want to see him, before..."
"That's fine, just make sure you go in two at a time." With that the doctor left to hook Edward up to the machine. Mustang pulled out his phone again and slowly dialed Hawkeye's number.
"Second Lieutenant Hawkeye, change of plan."
"Something happen, sir?"
"Yes, if any of you would like to see Edward before his goes into surgery, then I suggest you all take a break and make your way to the hospital." Mustang gave them directions and hung up.
"He's strong, Roy." Hughes said roughly and then wrapped his arm around the other man's shoulders. They took ten minutes to collect themselves before they settled in the waiting room again.
Fifteen minutes later two military vehicles parked in the visitor's parking lot.
"Lieutenant Colonel Mustang, Major Hughes, how are they?" The sleek haired man closed his eyes shook his head slowly. Armstrong must have ditched his jacket at the house due to the fact that only Brosh and still had theirs. Both men led the small group over to the private room. Once inside Mustang covered his face with a gloved hand. "Alphonse is in surgery right now. The doctor said it would be touch and go all night." The man said miserably. Everyone's face fell, and a few looked devastated. They hated when it was the innocent that were the ones to be put through so much pain. In the past few years they have all noticed the steady rise in domestic violence. Just this past month their were twenty three recorded deaths, all related to violence in the household, and sixteen of those were under the age of ten. Many lives cut too short due to carelessness and anger.
"Sir, before, you said Edward was going into surgery?" Hawkeye asked after a small pause.
"Yes. They have not been able to stabilize his vitals. I'm not quite certain on all the details, except that Edward was so badly hurt that he will lose his left leg and possibly his right arm. He suffered great head trauma and needs brain surgery, which requires him to be placed on a heart and lung machine. This is our chance to see him one last time, because..." Mustang gave a long sigh, "his chances for survival are not good."
"No." Ross gasped. Hughes nodded in conformation. Havoc's hands balled up into fists. It's not fair.
"If only we got their just a little earlier." Brosh said with a bowed head.
"Stop that. Thinking like that will not get us anywhere." First Lieutenant Hawkeye hissed.
"First Lieutenant is right. The boy's are not dead yet so we shouldn't act like they are." Armstrong growled, "There is still a chance." Mustang smirked slightly.
"I agree." Deep in thought they all sat quietly, waiting for the doctor to take them to Edward's room. reached into his left inside pocket and pulled out a picture. A group image taken of all of Mustang's crew. He studied the picture with a small smile.
Dr. Evans knocked on the door an hour and a half later. Havoc, who was the closes to the door, opened it slowly. Evans smiled, "He's ready." Everyone stood and followed the man out the door. "I'm sure I don't have to prepare you all, but it is protocol for those visiting someone in the ICU. He has tubes in his mouth and nose. His chest is covered, this is where the heart and lung machine is attached. He has a few other various wires attached to him. You may touch his left hand. Edward has been placed into a coma so he will not be aware you are here. In an hour, if he remains stable enough, he will go into surgery. Specialists are arriving to have a look at his arm." They continued down a hallway and turned a sharp left to the elevators. "Alphonse should be out of surgery in about an hour. We have this special policy that if a patient may not," Evans cleared his throat, "pull through, then we allow one or two people to stay with that patient past visiting hours and through the night. So the patient isn't alone if they should pass. It may also help alleviate some anxiety, as who ever stays has immediate awareness of any change in the patient's health."
"Is it possible to place the boy's in the same room?" Hughes asked.
"Since they will both stay in the ICU I'm sure that can be arranged." Dr. Evans smiled. (A/N : 1) "If you would like to gather some clothing and other items, there is closet space for you. There is a cafeteria available and other various stores only a few blocks away. I heard you are all from East City. There is a post downstairs, where you can have your items sent to you, but you still have to have someone pack them for you."
"I suppose we will figure something out." Mustang agreed.
"Here we are." The ICU had a strong clean smell. On the right there was a corner desk that they had to check in at. Nurses and doctors were scattered about filing or watching patients. The ICU rooms had a glass siding so the medical personal could walk by and check on the patients. There was a sliding door, but it was locked open. The ICU held a total of ten ICU rooms, only four of the rooms contained two beds in a single room. It was small compared to East City's hospital. "He is in room 5." They turned left and walked along the rooms. Many rooms had their curtains pulled so the patients had some privacy. On the outside of the large covered windows allergy information was listed in bright colors and a reminder for every personal to use the hand sanitizer before you entered the room and after you have left. The sign read "Foam In, Foam Out" with small colorful children's hand prints, that served as a border
Mustang held his hand under the automatic foam container and it squirt out a small amount. His crew followed his example as he rubbed his hands together. The doctor handed out masks and reminded them to go in pairs. Mustang and Hughes were the first to enter. The room was bright because of the three large florescent lights above them. His crew watched from the open door.
Edward was on a bed in the left corner. On the right there was an empty space for Alphonse's bed once he returned from surgery. The curtains had been pulled and five padded chairs lined the covered window. There was also two large recliners in the left corner.
The boy looked horrible and it was almost too hard to look. His small face was blue, green, and black from all the bruises. There was a deep laceration across the boy's left cheek to the center of his nose, that had been stapled shut. Both cheeks were swollen and his face was still a little bloody. A breathing tube was forced down the boy's trachea. He still had his neck brace on. He noticed the light wrapping around the boy's wrists. To those who didn't know any better it looked like the boy had just tried to slit his wrists.
Off to their right was a long machine and many monitors branched off it. The monitors were beeping and humming. Behind the boy's bed their was a toilet in the corner, with rails attached to the walls. There was a sink on Edward's side and one on Alphonse's side that sat in the middle of the long counter tops, which lined both sides of the room. On the left and right wall their were cupboards below and above the counter tops and the two small closets attached to the cabinets next to the toilet, in the back of the room. The room was toned in the neutral colors white, peach, and brown. The tiles below were white with gray specks.
"Hey, Edward." Hughes said softly, his voice slightly muffled by the mask, from his position on the boy's right side. Their was not enough room for them to settle a chair next to his bed so they decided to stand. Mustang hesitantly reached out and brushed the back of the child's hand. No response. The respirator was so loud as it took in Edward's breath and then released it. They quietly watched the boy for ten minutes. "Roy." Hughes laid his hand on the man's shoulder to get his attention. "Lets let the others in, we'll see him later." The dark hard man nodded slightly and leaned over to Edward's ear.
"Stay strong, Edward."
The next group was Havoc and Riza. The First Lieutenant hesitated when she first entered the room and when she saw Edward her eyes burned with rare tears. "Hey, buddy." Havoc greeted, if he was surprised at the boy's injuries he did not show it. He smiled and hummed to him. "First Lieutenant." The blond man smiled and gestured for her to come further into the room. "He's not going to break if you touch him."
"How can you be so sure?" She whispered.
"Come now, he's stronger than that. Right, buddy?" Not expecting a response, Havoc turned back to Edward and carefully carded his fingers through the boy's short, uneven, hair. "I'll have to show you how to properly take care of this hansom hair of yours. I wish my hair was golden like yours, Edo." Havoc smiled to himself and began to quietly hum a song again. Hawkeye could hear the soft conversation outside the room. She moved closer and stood on the side Mustang previously stood. Slowly she reached out and touched the boy's left hand. It was warm. There was blood caked under his long nails, it was obvious they had not been cut in a while. Two of them were black and by the looks of it the boy must have chewed on them, either as a nervous habit or to prevent them from breaking. Inside his dirty hand she could see crescent moon shaped cuts on his palms. They looked infected and irritated, but surely with all the boy's wounds they placed him on an antibiotic.
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Since Mustang was going to have medical custody of the boy's he would be required to remain in town. "I will remain here, as I am their temporary guardian. Hughes will be in charge until I return. When you return to East City inform Fury and Falman of the change in command." After this update he was going to set out a buy any essentials, while they stayed with Edward and to take a small break from the stress of the hospital.
"Finally using your vacation bonus from last year?" Hughes asked with a small smirk.
"Possibly."
"Sir, they will most likely stay here for months." Hawkeye said with a small frown.
"Only until they are transfered to East City's Children's Hospital. My guess is around a month, besides I never get sick." His crew struggled not to smile. That was just like him, to sacrifice his vacation and sick days for these children. Even if he would never admit it of course. "It is getting late. I have paid for a night in the hotel east of the hospital. I will see you off tomorrow morning. Sleep well." His crew grinned, very please that they weren't ordered back to Eastern Command, as they were all exhausted from the days events. They saluted their leader and watched him leave.
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"You are one of God's mistakes. You crying, tragic waste of skin. No, I don't like you anymore. You lying, trying waste of space." : Placebo
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1) I am pulling most of my ideas from my experience I had in the ICU, when my aunt's kidney's were failing.
I was surprised how fast I typed this one out, especially with a stupid cold. Thanks again for all the reviews. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and it wasn't too out of character. You'll have to let me know it any of the medical information is incorrect so I can correct it. Thank you so much! Love y'all. Have an awesome June 12, 2010!
May 14, 2010
TheParadoxGlitch56
