Chapter 15

"Let me out! Let me out!" Martel screamed, attempting to climb out of Al. She continued to struggle, screaming and beating her fists against his insides while Flynn did the same on the outside.

It was getting too difficult to hang on to both of them so Al had to make a decision. Which one would he save? He held Flynn firmly under his arm, lifting off his helmet to allow Martel to escape. He watched in horror with guilt overtaking his consciousness as the blond woman ran back to the bar that was now being engulfed by flames no doubt thanks to the Flame Alchemist. He dropped to his knees, carefully holding Flynn against his metal chest. He might not have a body to feel physically but he sure felt emotional pain. Maybe he even felt it more strongly since he existed as a soul only, just thoughts and emotions.

"Al, Al, I'm sorry," he heard Flynn murmur.

"I'm taking you home," Al told her, lifting her up in his arms as if she were a child.

"I loved him. I mean, she loved him," Flynn whispered as if talking to herself.

"Who?" he asked.

"Greed. I loved him. I mean, her, she, the other me, Lust – loved him. Hell, I don't know what I mean," she grumbled, tears silently streaming down her face. They had to help her soon to save her before her soul disappeared.

Flynn sat on her couch, nervously awaiting the return of Ed and Roy. Every little noise or movement startled her. Conflicting emotions were running through her so violently she just wanted to grab her head and scream. Her head ached from all of the thoughts that bombarded her brain. She felt like her mind was being turned inside out from the constant mental stimulus of memories that were not hers playing like a movie in her head.

"Al, I'm going to take a bath. I have a terrible headache," she said suddenly, walking into her bedroom.

"Okay. I'll wait right outside of the door in case you need me," he assured her. He was glad the door was the only way in or out of the bathroom. There were no windows through which she could escape.

Flynn started opening drawers and pulling out clothes. She opened her bottom drawer, slipping out one extra item that she hid between her clothing. She went to the bathroom, turning on nothing but the hot water in the tub. Her trembling fingers pulled out the small but extremely sharp knife she had hidden. When the tub was full, she gingerly stepped into the water still holding the knife in her hand. She stared at the shiny silver blade through the white tendrils of steam that rose from the water which gave it a dreamlike quality. This was all a dream. No, a nightmare. So when she stuck the knife in it would not hurt. She stabbed the sharp end of the knife between the stone and her skin. A column of bright red blood rose briefly then disappeared as it was diluted by the water. That wasn't so bad. She moved the knife to the opposite side to do it again. This time she experimentally moved the knife up and down in a sawing motion. That stung like fire on her skin. It had to come out. She had to get this thing out of her. Even if she did die, it would be better than dying slowly and letting that thing take her over. She bit her lower lip to hold back a scream as she thrust the knife in deeper this time. Blood was flowing in a constant stream now as she pushed the knife further, pulling back on the handle as if she was trying to pry the stone out of her navel. She kept pushing the knife forward until she worked her way under the stone to the middle of her belly button. She grunted and groaned from the searing pain that radiated from her belly button that felt like electrical shocks across her nerves. The water in the tub was beginning to turn pink. Her vision had little black things swimming in it, and she felt like she might throw up at any second. She had to hurry before she fainted from loss of blood or the pain. She sat on the side of the tub, out of the water. Blood flowed down her belly and legs as she pulled the stone out and away from her. It was still attached.

"Oh, my god," she gasped when she saw the tentacle like attachments streaming down from it into her body.

"Flynn? Are you okay?" Al asked, knocking on the door.

"I'm fine," she lied, taking several deep breaths as she grabbed the stone with her fingers. She was preparing to cut those ties that bound it to her body.

"Flynn!" Ed yelled, beating on the door.

"Damn," she hissed. She had to do this fast. She laid the knife against the outer tentacles taking one last deep breath. As the door was kicked in she screamed, slicing through the glowing red strings that bound the damned stone to her.

"NO!" Ed screamed, rushing to the tub. He grabbed her before she could slide back into the bloody water.

"Here, Ed. This is yours now," she whispered, putting the stone into his hand.

"What the hell did she do?" Roy yelled, grabbing towels to wrap her up.

"She cut it out! She cut the damn thing out!" Ed screamed in a blind panic. He carefully laid her down on the floor before he dropped her.

"Ed! Get hold of yourself! You can't help her like this," Roy said, smacking the terrified boy across the face. He pushed the limp teenager against the wall to give him time to collect himself. He pulled back the towels to look at the wound as he pulled his ignition glove out of his pocket. At least she was unconscious so he would not have to worry how about much this hurt her. He was concerned about the gaping raw wound where her belly button used to be. She had cut the whole damn thing out along with the stone.

"What do I need to do, Colonel?" Ed asked calmly, kneeling on the other side of her.

"Hold her down in case she wakes up. I've got to stop this bleeding before she dies right here." He gazed at her pale lips and face that appeared to have been coated with powder they were so white. He had very little time. He hoped this was the last time ever he would have to burn mortal injuries closed on her body. The tattoo was charred off as he sealed the wound with a small flame.

"Oh, god, that smell is disgusting," Ed muttered, taking in shallow breaths through his mouth.

"It's something you never get used to. And it's something you never forget," Roy murmured in a low voice. He had been the cause of more charred flesh than he cared to think about. He pushed back memories of the Ishvalen War. Now was not the time.

"Al, get her so we can take her to the hospital."

"Yes, brother."

This chapter is a little short to not keep you waiting for another update. I'm not sure how I want to proceed with the story right now so it might be a little while before I update again. As always, I'm willing to accept ideas or suggestions. I enjoy allowing the readers to get involved with the story writing process. I've been given really great inspiration by doing this. Thanks for reading!