Just a shout out to say thanks to my beta readers!

Chapter 6

It took Selim and Mandy all too long to get started the next morning. First thing was bathing in the stream by the house. Selim had never washed in a stream before. In Central, they'd always had a nice shower and running water. The Corrins had a pipe that pumped water into the kitchen, one old-fashioned, working toilet, and that was about it. He'd been informed by a rather grouchy Mr. Corrins that morning that if he wanted to clean up, he would have to either use the stream, or fill the bathtub...one bucket at a time.

Needless to say, Selim had taken the stream. It was cold, and rather unpleasant, but otherwise tolerable. Selim was more than a little thankful that they'd gone quite a ways south, and down in elevation. If this had been up as far as Central, it might have given him frostbite.

He still wasn't sure the water hadn't as he rushed back to the house in his borrowed clothes. Mr. Corrins had already washed his uniform and left it on a line to dry and Selim couldn't be more grateful. He didn't exactly want to wander around in his school wear, but it was better than nothing. Besides, it was his.

Mandy had produced a change of clothes of her own that morning, now sporting some black pants and a short, long-sleeved sweater. Despite showing off her naval, she still wore that cream-colored overcoat. It all seemed rather useless to Seilm.

The major improvement in his mind was her hair. She'd taken a stream-bath before him, and had washed her curls. They now hung in hundreds of neat rings by the side of her head instead of standing up like she'd just gotten hit by lightning.

"Thank you for everything you've done," Mandy said enthusiastically as they stood outside the door and she shook the man's hand emphatically.

"No, thank yeh," he said with a grin then turned to the girls hiding behind his legs. Ever since they'd gotten up, the two had seemed to catch on a sudden shyness and hadn't gone near Selim or Mandy. "Come on girls, say goodbye," Mr. Corrins prompted.

"B-bye," Bailey said softly. Callie just shook her head and hid behind her grandfather's leg.

"Don't know what's gotten inteh them," Mr. Corrins muttered, scratching his head.

Seilm held up his hands. "It's fine. I promise."

"Alright, well yeh be safe now. And don' eat all the food I gave yeh at once."

"Yes sir," Mandy and Selim said at the same time. Each of them had a sack of food and supplies hung over their back. 'Payment' for their help, supposedly. As if letting them spend the night at his house hadn't been enough.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, sir," Selim said as they started off down the road, instructions firmly in mind.

"And yeh both! Don't keep yer mom waitin'!"

Selim's smile dimmed a bit. "I won't," he muttered softly.

xXx

East City felt a lot more like Central than New Optain did; dirtier, bigger, more confusing, it seemed like a typical city that Selim was used to...except warmer. And, due to several small rivers, lakes and ponds in the general vicinity, muggier. He didn't find it particularly unpleasant, but then again Selim had never considered Central to be unpleasant either.

As they approached the city in the back of another cart that had passed them by earlier (lead by two brothers who seemed to be annoyed that they had to take a cart instead of their parents car), Selim couldn't help but be reminded of home. That put a bit of a damper on his mood.

Not for the first time, he considered giving up the whole idea of visiting the Elrics and just heading for home.

Mandy, for her part, had taken up residence in the empty cart (in much better shape than the Corrins had been) on a bit of a shelf directly behind the young men and had been laughing and joking with them. Selim hadn't felt inclined to join, so he sat on the edge of the cart in back, letting his feet dangle over the side. Despite the fact that his disassociation had been by his own choice, he still managed to somehow feel left out. The fact that he never had been particularly social didn't help.

By the time they reached the city, he'd worked himself into a rather depressed and slightly angry state.

"So the station's in that direction?" he heard Mandy ask as the cart rolled to a stop, and looked back at the three in front. The two boys seemed rather taken with her, both trying to vie for her attention without seeming to. Selim thought it rather annoying.

"Yeah, that way," the lighter-haired, obviously younger brother said.

"About a mile and a half or so," the other one interjected.

"It's not that far," the younger one retorted.

"Yes it is," the older one responded.

"Well, we'll find it," Mandy interjected. "Thanks for the ride, boys. My brother and I appreciate it!"

Selim scowled as she walked to the back and jumped down to join him standing on the sidewalk.

"Yeah, later. Write us!" the older one said with a wave as they started off again for whatever supplies they needed.

As soon as they were out of ear shot, Selim shot Mandy an annoyed look.

"What?" she asked, noticing it.

"Brother?"

"Well we do have similar hair colors, and it's not something that would stand out as much if someone is following us." Selim sighed and shook his head, but he didn't say anything else. He hated to admit it, but she was right.

They started off towards the stations with Mandy in front, as happy and chipper as ever. Her mood only seemed to contrast with Selim's, which in turn only succeeding in making him feel even worse.

After several blocks, Mandy finally turned to him with her hands on her hips. "Someone got out on the wrong side of bed today," she said. "You gonna tell your big sister what's wrong?"

Selim shot her a scathing look and continued on in silence.

"Come on, Selim," she said, almost whining. Who's acting younger now? He thought bitterly, although he did note that she had actually said his name for once. "Won't you tell me, please? Maybe I can help?"

Selim shrugged noncommittally. "Doubt it."

"Won't know unless you tell me. Although," she snickered, "you're pretty cute when you sulk."

He didn't even bother glaring at her this time, and completely ignored the blush rising onto his cheeks. Maybe he should just ditch her and catch another cart to Risembool. Or a car. That would be nice. He'd had enough of carts and wagons to last a lifetime, not to mention enough slivers from both trips that he doubted he'd ever be able to get them all out.

"Come on," Mandy persisted, much like a stupid fly. "You can tell me."

"It's nothing," Selim snapped. "I just woke up stiff and sore this morning as I slept on the floor, after far too many days of inconsistent sleep and trying to get away from people who apparently want me dead for some stupidly perceived reason, had to take a freezing bath that I'm still recovering from and on top of that I have a companion who happens to be a chatterbox to everyone she meets and never shuts up."

Not to mention he had a rather nasty case of home sickness.

"Oh," Mandy replied softly. "Well, I guess I can help a little."

Miraculously, she shut up. In the back of his mind, he realized that he should feel guilty for snapping at her like that, and he knew he would later. Right now, though, he just reveled in the quiet.

They made it to the station all too soon, and Selim was just starting to feel that guilt at Mandy's silence when she called out to him. "Selim, look at this!"

Sighing, he walked over to the wall and the various posters and notices that had distracted her as they'd entered the large building.

"What is it?" he asked.

"They're not going to let you on the train," she said pointing to his "missing" poster. This one didn't have his picture on it, but it had a list of traits. His height, hair color and eye color weren't exactly unique, but the two traits that anyone would notice had been printed in bold at the bottom: A target-shaped birthmark on his forehead and he bares a strong resemblance to Selim Bradley.

"Aw man," Selim groaned, subconsciously trying to flatten the permanent cowlick that made his bangs stick up. As usual, it proved to be a futile effort, and his bangs remained standing, leaving the scar for all to see. He'd always felt a tad resentful that he couldn't even hide the stupid thing. "I'm doomed."

"Maybe we should just try and hitch a ride to Risembool," she muttered, putting a hand on her chin and regarding the sign thoughtfully. "Or we could walk...but that would add at least a few days onto our trip."

Selim shook his head and turned around to walk away as nonchalantly as possible. If he acted like he was hiding or suspicious, more people would notice him.

Mandy fell into step beside him, following his lead to one of the several waiting areas that had fewer passengers in it. "What if I bought the tickets?" Mandy asked, brainstorming. "But we'd still have to get you onto the train. Hmm. We have enough money to get you a hat or something...I think."

"We don't have much of a choice," Selim replied, taking a seat that faced away from everyone else. "It's either that or hope we can hitch a ride to Risembool. I'm not willing to do that right now. It would take too long and I've worried my mother too much as it is."

And there was that incessant giggle. "Aw, he's homesick."

He didn't dignify it with a response other than to stand up and move several seats down. He wasn't sulking either. He wasn't.

"Oh, don't be like that, sweetie," she said, following him with a bright smile, eyes laughing at his annoyance.

"Are you going to go buy a hat or just sit here laughing at me all day?" he asked coldly, fixing her with a glare.

"Alright, alright," she said, standing back up. "Be right back, hon."

Selim sunk further into his seat and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Was this really all worth it? He could just go back home and forget about it all. Of course, then he'd have to live with the knowledge that everyone around him was keeping something from him, whether it be about him or his parents...or...

He sighed, letting his hand flop back onto his legs. "No," he said aloud to himself. He'd always been proud of his ability to comprehend the world around him. Not knowing the huge secret was driving him insane.

Then again, he didn't know what he would do once he did find out. If he was just a normal human, than he'd probably just go back to his normal life (although he seriously doubted that would be the case at this point). If he had...questionable heritage, than he could deal with that. Once he found out how to actually control the shadows, maybe he could even use those to help people somehow.

No matter what he did, though, his life would still be different, even if only to him. The sudden realization depressed him. If he went home right now and forgot about all of this, he'd still think of himself differently and nothing would change for the better. Johan still probably couldn't be his friend, he doubted his mother would let him walk to school anymore (not that he'd blame her) and everyone at school would still avoid him.

However, if he actually found the information he wanted, it could change his self perception far more drastically. What if his father really had been a homunculus? What if Selim was somehow? Would he think worse of himself? Would he think better? What if his parents had been horrible killers like Clemin claimed? What did that make him? What if he really was some sort of monster?

He shuddered. That would definitely not be a desirable outcome...but he couldn't just run away, no matter what the answer was. His pride simply wouldn't allow it. He may be many things; a genius; a son; a child; a friend; maybe even a monster...but he was not a coward.

Something landing on his head jerked him out of his thoughts.

"That's an awfully scary look on your face," Mandy said, grinning down at him. "Smile more. You're cute that way too."

Selim sighed tiredly and took the hat she'd bought off of his head. It looked like a paperboy's. Still, it had probably been fairly cheap and it wouldn't look out of place with his school coat.

Mandy continued to smile at him as he observed it with mild distaste. "Put it on already, silly goose. We need to go and see when the next train to Risembool leaves."

With a shrug, Selim shoved his head into the cap, and went to follow after her as she practically bounded off. With the hat on, he couldn't help but feel much more secure. Now all he had to do was keep his head down a bit and they'd be fine. Well, he hoped so in any case. He wouldn't discount the possibility that someone could still recognize him.

It took them almost 45 minutes just to get their tickets, and it turned out the next train wouldn't be leaving for another several hours. Truthfully, they were lucky they'd gotten there that day. Apparently the train only went that far southeast twice a week. They would have had to stay in town another two nights if they'd reached the station a day later.

"Well, let's count our blessings," Mandy said as she sat down and pulled out some food from her bag. Selim sighed and nodded from the seat beside her, settling in for the next few hours as he followed her example and took out some wrapped cheese and an apple. He hoped the bread Mandy currently chewed would keep her quiet for a little while. He could feel a headache beginning to build behind his eyes and forehead. It didn't take her long to finish the snack, but thankfully, instead of talking, she took out a notebook and a pencil.

He just continued to eat, albeit slowly, happy for the quiet again. The food was doing him good. His headache soon left which improved his mood slightly. After about 45 minutes, she finally spoke. "You know, you never told me what kind of answers you're looking for. If you want an Alchemist's help, you could ask me."

He appreciated the try, but Selim couldn't help a scoff. "Do you know anything about homunculi?"

She actually started slightly and glanced over at him with an unreadable expression. "I've heard of them," she said slowly. "Only a little though. Why do you want to know?"

Well, he'd dragged her along this far. She deserved some answers at least. "I had a run in with someone a few months back. His name is Clemin."

"Wait, Brigadier General Clemin?"

"The ex-general, yes," Selim corrected with a scowl. "He said that my father was a homunculus."

Mandy blinked at him almost unsure of what to think, then she burst out into laughter. "You really believe that some half insane, escaped general would tell you the truth?"

Selim's scowl darkened. "I have reason to believe what he said was true."

She didn't stop laughing, although she tried. "Like what?"

"You saw those shadows move," he muttered. "That's not normal."

That shut her up.

They sat in the relative quiet for several seconds before she spoke up again. "So you think because you have this strange...power, that your father was an artificial being?"

Selim sighed and shrugged, not really wanting to explain it right now.

"I...guess that would explain a lot," Mandy admitted, sitting back in her chair. He could tell from her posture and the troubled expression on her face that she still didn't believe him. Scowling, he turned his eyes to the dirty, tiled floor in front of him. He hated being humored like that.

Determined to not let her opinion deter him, he responded. "Yes, everything from those shadows to the scar on my head. Maybe it's some sort of mark or tattoo he gave me."

"That doesn't look like a scar," the dark-haired girl pointed out.

Selim shook his head. "My mother told me it was a birthmark."

"Which, if your father was...you know, it could be."

Selim raised his eyebrows, considering the point. That hadn't ever occurred to him. His first theory was quickly becoming more likely the more he thought about it.

"I thought you said you were adopted," Mandy commented, going back to writing in her journal.

"I am."

"What about your mother?" She asked, shifting on the hard, wooden chair.

"She's my adopted mother."

"How would she know if it was a birthmark then?"

Selim sighed. "She knows who my parents were. They died in the coup, along with her son and husband. It couldn't have been easy for her, but because I needed a family, she adopted me."

Mandy stilled for just a second, but then she continued writing. "You're lucky."

Selim chuckled mirthlessly. "Don't I know it."

"Why didn't you just ask her then?"

A wry smirk found its way onto Selim's face. "I did. She's told me for the last ten years that she'll tell me when I'm older."

"That sounds frustrating."

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. The way she'd said it made him think she'd suddenly become awfully distracted and a little depressed to him. Without looking at him, she went back to writing in the little book, so he couldn't read her expression. She did seem focused rather suddenly though. Curious and puzzled, he peered at the paper on her lap. "What are you writing?"

"Oh this?" she asked, immediately perking up. "It's a journal of all of my journeys! And a record of all of my expenses."

Selim raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You're that organized?"

"Wouldn't be able to survive otherwise. I'd spend everything I made in an instant," she replied, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly and giving a cheesy—if embarrassed—grin.

Selim nodded, conceding the point. She seemed like the type who would do that.

After a few more minutes of quiet with the exception of the passengers coming and going, she put her pen into the fold of the notebook to keep its place, and shoved it into the overly large pocket of her coat.

"Right, so about those shadows, I was thinking..." she paused.

Selim raised an eyebrow as he turned to face her again. "Oh?"

"Yeah. It's just that, when I use alchemy, I have to put my energy into it before it works; kind of like a little piece of myself. I've always thought of it as a little piece of my soul. Maybe that's how the shadow thing works. You have to put something into it before you get something out. Have you tried that approach to control the shadows?"

"No," Selim said, shaking his head. Then he leaned back in his own chair contemplatively. "I mean, after all it isn't alchemy. The same laws of equivalent exchange won't necessarily apply."

"I don't know if it'll work, but it might help," she replied with a shrug.

Selim felt a smile crawl across his lips. "Yeah, I'll try it. Thanks."

"No problem, cutie." Selim just shook his head and took out some bread to munch on. With nothing else to do, they just sat in the waiting room.

After an hour, Mandy grew restless. Selim watched her get up and pace as she thought about something or other. He didn't want to ask her as he didn't want her to go off on something that may very well put him to sleep. He was perfectly happy to relax and enjoy some downtime while they waited for the train to come. She, apparently, wasn't.

Finally, after an hour and a half, she sat down and pulled her notebook out again.

"Show me those symbols you know, for alchemy," she said. "I hate just sitting."

"Noticed," Selim muttered with a smirk. She flipped her notebook to a blank page and handed him the pencil. "Very well, let's see...do you know this one?"

xXx

With great relief, Selim sunk into a worn, red cushioned train seat. Mandy sat across from him, looking just as relieved. No one had recognized him. Now they just had to worry about the five hour train ride ahead of them. That didn't count the stops they'd make along the way or the people that may potentially get on or off at said stops. Someone might still notice him.

For the first hour, they just sat there, Mandy going over the symbols he'd shown her and Selim watching everyone that came and went like a hawk. If someone found them now and turned him into the police or what not, his little escapade would end rather unspectacularly.

"You're too tense," Mandy said as she bit into a carrot from her bag, not even bothering to look up at him.

"Tense?" he asked. "I'm not that tense."

At least this time she did shoot him a dry, 'yeah right' look. "If you sit there and keep staring at people like everyone's an enemy, they'll eventually notice. It makes people uncomfortable. Take it from someone who's been on the road enough. Had to avoid police every now and then. The more relaxed and bored you are, the less anyone notices you."

Selim watched her silently as she went back to studying the new symbols he'd shown her. She'd admitted to being in her late teens. How long could she have been on the road? And where did she learn alchemy if that were the case? It wasn't exactly taught to just anyone. Still, she could easily be self taught. Access to basic alchemy books wasn't too difficult to come by.

Of course, instead of wondering, he could just ask. "So who taught you alchemy?" he said carefully.

The unreadable expression returned. The same look she'd gotten when he'd asked her about homunculi. "My father," she said finally. "He'd studied his whole life to become a state alchemist, but never made it. He still became fairly renowned in my home town, though. He taught me everything he knows."

'Knows'. So he was still alive. So why would she have to be ducking around police?

"So where is he now?" Selim asked. She didn't answer for several seconds. 'Taboo?' he wondered to himself. "You don't have to answer," he amended.

She shrugged. "He's at home last I heard. I ran away when I was fourteen."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because he got remarried."

"Remarried?"

She shook her head. "I don't really want to talk about it."

Selim blinked, then shrugged. It really wasn't his business and he had no right to pry. "Alright. Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me that much."

In a very un-Mandy-like way, she shrugged, expression having gone from non-existent to almost frigid. "Whatever."

Taboo, he confirmed to himself and looked back out the window as they pulled into the first train station on their journey. Once he managed to calm down, it didn't take long for him to drift off to sleep.

xXx

When he awoke again, it was dark outside and the train had almost completely emptied. Across from him, Mandy had curled up on the chair hugging her bundled coat as she snored softly. When the train security passed by, Selim asked for an ETA for Risembool. Apparently they got those kinds of questions all the time because he checked a brass pocket watch and told him they had one more stop, so probably just over two hours. That would still put their Arrival well after midnight.

Selim thanked him, and sat back as the man continued to the front of the train. He was just considering going back to sleep when they passed a light post outside, causing the shadows to shift eerily. Blinking down at them, Selim thought back to Mandy's either utterly ridiculous or absolutely brilliant idea.

He'd decide which after he tried it. The idea was so simple, he felt a little ridiculous both for not coming up with it himself, and for actually thinking something so stupid might actually work. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the shadows and putting something of himself into them.

Nothing happened.

Refusing to let himself get discouraged, he continued to try. He did everything from focusing any energy he might have into them to mentally asking them questions (feeling rather grateful that no one could see into his mind, as he would probably end up waiting for his mother in an institution).

After a while, he frowned. It wasn't working. Perhaps Mandy had been wrong after all. Or maybe he needed to somehow reach deeper? Although he had no idea how one could reach more deeply into one's soul, he tried, reaching and pushing the energy out and into the shadows...

Suddenly, his eyes flew open and he gasped. He'd definitely done...something. For only a moment, he'd literally been everywhere on the train at once, looking at his own body from every angle imaginable. Even just remembering the multiple perceptions gave him a headache, but he somehow felt giddy, like he had succeeded in his endeavors to some extent.

Glancing over at Mandy, and then around at the rest of the sleeping passengers, he found nothing amiss. Everyone in the car still slept soundly. So it hadn't happened to anyone else (not that he'd expected differently, but it confirmed some of his suspicions). Brow furrowing in confusion, he closed his eyes and tried again. This time, it happened almost instantly.

He gasped again, but ignored the slightly unpleasant change and clamped firmly onto that feeling. Then he slowly opened his own eyes. It added one more perspective to the five different view points he could suddenly see simultaneously, but otherwise nothing changed.

He let out a slight chuckle of triumph and sat back in his chair. He didn't know exactly what he'd done, but it felt like progress. The entire situation seemed suddenly surreal, like one of his dreams, except not so much of a nightmare as just a fact. The shadows had always seemed to be there, waiting for him. Experimentally, he looked down and called one to him. Instantly a vague form lifted up and swirled to meet his outstretched hand. He could almost make out what looked like an eye on it.

From said eye, he could also see himself. The whole experience didn't do much for his head, but he was too excited that he'd figured it out to care. It came from him, from his own shadow, he realized. That was the key. His shadow was the link between him and the other shadows, and he could control them at will.

For several minutes, he just sat there, watching it and watching himself through it. It was, to say the least, strange. Captivated, he reached a hand out to stroke it. He didn't know quite what to expect, but it wasn't what he got. To his surprise, his fingers met...nothing.

No, that wasn't quite accurate. He could feel something there, but it didn't feel very different from the air he breathed, except...denser. It was more like a sudden pressure given form.

"Wow," he muttered to himself. These shadows could cut through metal and hold someone so firmly they couldn't possibly escape but weren't really made of anything?

"Mandy," he whispered, suddenly wanting to show off his accomplishment. It wasn't bragging, he told himself. "Mandy, you've got to-"

A noise behind him cut off his train of thought and he whipped around, suddenly wary. Mandy could handle his strange, new power. He doubted many other people could. Through the windows between cars, he could see the security man coming back. The curse he spat could have made even Johan raise an eyebrow.

With one last, regrettable look at the shadow, he willed it away and cut off his connection to it. Almost instantly everything returned to normal. Breathing a sigh of relief, he began to turn and face the man when a sudden bout of fatigue hit him so hard and fast, he didn't realize he had lain down until his head hit the seat.

Then the surreal feeling came back, although this time it had more to do with his dimming senses that refused to stay active. It was like his body suddenly wanted to rebel against his mind. He could not stop himself from slipping into unconsciousness.