AN: Welcome back everyone! Apologies for the slight delay. The new semester of college started for me a couple of weeks ago and I was immediately buried in work, leaving me little time to write. (Apologies ahead of time if this chapter seems to have poor quality- let me know if it does please! I wrote this at one in the morning after an extremely exhausting day so I don't expect it will be my best work, unfortunately.)

And no, this is not Chapter Sixteen of Puppet! I wanted to include a special sort of interlude since Puppet NOW HAS OVER ONE HUNDRED REVIEWS! Thank you so much everyone, I am seriously stunned and so grateful for the love and attention this story is getting! :')

Because of a wonderful suggestion given to me by Secret Companion, one of my amazing reviewers, and the positive feedback others have given me, I decided to do a chapter in Artabanus' POV. Now, if you don't want to read a chapter that is solely in an OC's POV, I completely understand. You can skip this chapter if you wish and you'll not miss any plot developments (there actually are developments centered in this chapter but those will be explained in future chapters as well, making this chapter not mandatory).

Again, I apologize if this chapter does seem rushed or rough; I will most likely be re-editing the entire story sometime after completing it and will fix it up then. Right now I just don't have the time or the energy and I really want to get chapters out to you guys at least once a month.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this special Interlude of Puppet!

ATTENTION: words and sayings taken from the Turkish language will be used in this chapter. These terms are as follows:

-Evren" (universe, cosmos, creation, the infinite)

-Sevgili (dear, beloved, darling, loved, well-beloved, pet)

-melek (angel) / melegim (my angel)

-seni seviyorum (I love you)

Puppet Interlude- One Hundred Reviews Special

Masks. There were masked faces everywhere. Smiling, crying, sneering, laughing, evil, kind… they were different on every single person, but still they were masks. Like some kind of ghoulish play taken to the streets, to the markets, to, well… everywhere.

The rain pattered down upon the gray world and he stood alone, umbrella close to his head as he stared out over the masked crowd, face completely blank with his mind to match it, fixated on the figures of falsity that passed before his eyes like thoughtless sheep.

A sick blackness roiled inside him, darker and angrier than the clouds that swelled in the gloomy sky, and despite his best efforts the thoughts forced themselves forward.

What is the point in all this… when will it end…?

I cannot do this anymore.

There are only ever orders and blood and death. And even then, I feel nothing.

He still felt nothing. As if a great hand had reached inside of him and stolen whatever had made him human… before…

This rotten country has ruined me. It infected me and now I'm no better than them…

Glancing slightly to the right, he gazed at his reflection in the window of the store he'd been standing outside of for the past hour. A shadow hovered over his pale features, fitted to his face and barely allowing the vibrant blue of his eyes to shine through. There was nothing in those eyes, and the mask was growing more substantial with every passing moment.

No… I can't become one of them… I can't…

But he was horrible at fooling himself. He always had been. And the mask was clear as it formed a mouth-less, emotionless visage over his cold expression, reminding him of years of mindless servitude to an abusive military. The things he'd done… the things that had been done to him… every life he had emotionlessly taken… He tore his gaze away from the window, heart falling deeper into the thorny pit where something light and golden was supposed to be. For perhaps the seventh time in the last hour, he contemplated ending his life instead of continuing to look for the odd waif that would be hunched in an alleyway. After picking up that last one- a pretty young girl who obviously was half-starved and a day away from dying- he just didn't have the energy, physically or emotionally, to continue this. He could go back to his temporary safe house right now and gather up those children he would be transporting west, but he didn't want to see their grateful, smiling faces or hear their ignorant gratitude. Just because a stranger gives them food and a place to sleep doesn't mean they're a friend, those youths would soon find out.

Pondering over the boys he had found, and how high of a price they might sell for, while still having the urge to find his rifle and swallow a bullet, a shiver in the air had him snapping back into reality. The tiniest sliver of gold darted out of his vision and he jerked his head around so that he could follow it. Trailing, reaching, mist-like strings flitted through the air, brushing people as they passed and making strangers turn and smile at the young man the golden tendrils belonged to.

Without thinking, Artabanus' feet began to move, following the cursing figure through the rain. The redhead tilted his head curiously at the way the young man was using a briefcase, of all things, as an umbrella. The odd limp was also interesting, but at least it let Artabanus keep up with the young man easily. Soon enough he'd caught up with the drenched and muttering figure but kept his distance, remaining close to the storefronts and away from the middle of the street, which was occupied by the strange, golden being.

Artabanus' heart gulped when he finally got a good look at the young man and he almost tripped over himself. The golden strings that swept farther than any connections he'd ever seen before matched the striking eyes that were locked in the distance, framed by soaked bangs that hung like melted gold over his face and over one shoulder in a ponytail. The thing that made Artabanus falter the most was the complete and total lack of a mask over the young man's features. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen anyone without one and… he was gorgeous.

Something shimmered deep inside Artabanus, something strong and consuming and hungry. He needed this man. He needed this blonde, glowing beauty that, even as he scowled and cursed at the downpour that soaked him through, radiated a light that was unlike any other.

'Melek,' Artabanus whispered under his breath, chest throbbing.

Still keeping pace with the blonde, he darted through the crowd, the desire to offer his umbrella to this amazing creature almost strong enough to make him walk over. But he held himself back.

Not yet… not yet… I need to see him more… it would be sinful to simply walk up to him without knowing a single thing about him. No… when I meet him, I will know him. I will see him, and he will see me.

Heart thundering in his ribcage, he followed the blonde right up to the entrance of Central University before stopping and watching the man hurry through the gates and sprint towards the sciences building. And Artabanus waited, standing in the rain but barely feeling the continued maelstrom that was raging around him. His thoughts were just images and colors and light, all swirling around the golden being that was inside those walls just a few hundred feet away.

Hours passed and he drifted further away from the gate when a few military officials approached, talking quietly amongst themselves.

A few more minutes passed in which he switched his attention between the military men and the buildings past the gate they were waiting by, before finally ending with the deep, thundering toll of the bell tower of the college that drowned out the pattering of rain. Students began filing out of buildings, some darting to other buildings and some exiting through the gates. Some of the young men and women greeted the military officers cheerfully before going on their merry way into the afternoon.

Artabanus didn't even have to search the crowd for the person he was looking for. That golden essence was like a beacon, surrounding the blonde that was approaching the gate. Focusing intently on the boy, Artabanus eagerly memorized the grin that was lighting the man's beautiful, angelic features as he spoke with several students that were keeping pace with him. When the man finally reached the gate, his grin brightened even further at the sight of the military men, and the golden strings immediately spread to surround the three blue uniforms, tenderly enveloping them in light.

One of those uniforms in particular was being wrapped devotedly in that radiance, and Artabanus felt a hard, sudden surge of envy and jealousy that hit him like a battering ram. A scowl etched onto his lips as he stared at the black-haired man that was smiling back at the blonde with something like fond exasperation. Words and an umbrella were exchanged between the military snake and the gorgeous blonde. What were obviously friendly remarks passed between the four of them for a few minutes before the bell tolled again, making the blonde glare back over his shoulder.

Goodbyes were traded and the military departed. The small smile that curved the blonde's perfect lips was forever captured in Artabanus' memory, no matter if that smile was directed at the back of the tall military snake.

Suddenly, golden, feline-like eyes turned his way and Artabanus' breath caught in his throat, his heart plummeting into the fluttering of his stomach. Time seemed to freeze as those eyes passed over him, meeting his for just the briefest of moments.

In that moment, Artabanus knew. He knew, completely, utterly, irrevocably, that this man would be his.

All thoughts of suicide were seared away by the light. All thoughts of any kind were pushed aside in favor of the blonde.

I want him. I need him. Evren help me, he must be mine.

The angel's name was Edward Elric, he figured out later that night while browsing through the Central Public Library. There were already texts printed with the boy's picture, both from the early age of twelve and the most recent, of him at eighteen years old.

Eighteen years old… so young… so fragile… so beautiful…

From that night on the dreams came. Fantasies of what he could have, what he would have, when the time was right. Some of those fantasies were dark and twisted things that he had no remorse in enjoying immensely, but others were of the feeling of being surrounded by Edward's pure light. It chased away the darkness, and for the first time in over a decade, Artabanus had a purpose. He wanted to live, if only to obtain what was rightfully his. After everything he had gone through, he realized, Edward was his prize. Evren had handed Edward to him practically on a silver platter; all Artabanus had to do was reach out and take him.

His countrymen were not as understanding and demanded he continue his work, to which Artabanus briefly fought before acquiescing. It would do no good to lose a place in his countrymen's secret headquarters under those ruins in the west. That would be the perfect place to keep Edward once he was finally able to retrieve the blonde for his own. And so Artabanus reluctantly carried on, physically and mentally pained when he left the city with half a dozen children.

With every mile that separated him and Edward, he felt like his heart was dropping lower and lower back into that blackened, thorny pit where his soul should have been. His dreams and plans kept him company though, the thought of holding that golden being in his arms keeping him moving forward.

During a particularly long stay at the compound, he scrimmaged up a kit of needles and inks from the surrounding markets and carefully began retracing the faded tattoos in his fingertips. Ideally, he would do this every other year but it had been a while since he seriously needed his alchemy's assistance. For his upcoming plans, they would definitely be needed.

I'll go to his class one day and just take him afterward. It will be so easy… so simple…

And yet he struggled with taking the man. He attended a few of Edward's classes over the course of several months, not overly surprised to find out that Edward was in fact the instructor. He had quickly learned that Edward was a genius- perhaps even more so than himself. It wasn't so hard to imagine, because of the divine nature of Edward Elric.

When Artabanus sat in on Edward's classes, always wearing plain clothing and hats to shield his identity- just in case Edward was familiar with the old military secrets- he was distracted from his plan by the blonde's voice, by his actions, by the smiles, the laughter, the shining brilliance that radiated through the room and washed over him in golden waves. It felt dirty and sinful to think about touching Edward when he was in such a wondrous mood, and so Artabanus continued putting it off.

Events seemed to fall into place quickly, however, a year after Artabanus first found his precious jewel. The Drachmans kidnapped Edward. Artabanus watched it happen, since he had been lounging around outside of Edward's apartment like usual when he wasn't away on a job. Such a boiling, consuming rage had filled him at the sight of those men harming his Edward- his melek- that he could wait no longer. It had been time, and Artabanus didn't hesitate in notifying his comrades in the west that they would have a new family member very soon. Artabanus set out in the tank-like car he'd been using for two years, easily catching up to the Drachman scum.

It was all too easy, and for the first time, Artabanus touched Edward.

It was like nothing he'd ever experienced before, placing his hands on that soft, warm skin and feeling his world narrow down to just the two of them. The light that surrounded him was divine, the body he held in his arms more than marvelous.

This… he thought as he bandaged the blonde's wounds, this is my future. Edward… my Edward… melegim…

I will never let you go.

Reaching his hand forward, he traced the soft features of his lover's face, settling his fingertips on Edward's lips before leaning down and capturing that beautiful mouth in a gentle kiss.

'Melegim,' he whispered through the kiss, 'Sevgili, wake up.'

With the lightest of twists to the golden, shimmering string he held between his fingertips and the blonde's cheek, a tiny moan escaped the younger alchemist's lips.

He pulled back the slightest bit, just in time to see those gorgeous golden eyes flutter open and fix on him with glazed recognition.

'Artabanus,' Edward murmured, his precious voice husky with sleep and sending heat roaring through Artabanus' very being, 'I'm so tired…'

The redhead settled his forehead against Edward's, staring into those golden pools and feeling that tight, icy fire inside him numbing just the slightest bit as he sighed in relief, 'I know, Sevgili. I know you are tired. I am too… I needed to see you, my dearest.'

Edward's brow scrunched and Artabanus wanted to trace the movement with his lips but didn't dare look away from the blonde's wondrous gaze, 'What's wrong? Artabanus? What's happened?'

'You ran from me, my dearest Edward. Why would you do that? Do you not love me?'

He didn't even realize that his anger and that intense betrayal had leaked into his voice until Edward's eyes widened a fraction. A silence spread between them, and it was obvious to Artabanus that his Edward was on some kind of drug because of the glaze that never receded from his sharp, intelligent eyes. Darkness wound through the man's chest once again and that calm, numb feeling began to rise again. A feeling he'd become quite familiar with every time Edward got hurt. With it followed the desire to tear someone apart, piece by piece, letting the red of their blasphemous body flow out into the world. Such filth didn't deserve to be contained in a thinking being. Anybody that dared harm Edward was less than the lowest and filthiest of vermin and needed to be gutted.

I cannot exactly gut my beloved's physician quite yet though. And those other military snakes… but they will pay for their actions soon enough. Soon enough, Edward, I promise…

'I'm sorry,' Edward suddenly choked, and Artabanus focused back in on the present, pleased by the tears that were gathering in the blonde's eyes, 'I tried to go after you, I did… but Al… my brother… he's home. And my life… but… Artabanus, I…'

The regret finally spilled over inside the blonde and his speech was halted by a sudden, harsh sob. Artabanus straightened beside the hospital bed, gazing down and coolly observing the tears that began to make tracks down Edward's face.

A bone-deep sense of satisfaction filled him, and he reached a hand up to let the golden strings wrap around his arm, connecting him to Edward with a tenderness that the blonde would never see.

You do love me, Edward…

A crooked smirk spread Artabanus' lips and he rather forcefully dropped back down to capture Edward's face in his hands. The kiss that followed was hard, quick, forceful, and only served to make Artabanus' lust rise. He let his hands wander over his lover's body none-too-gently, grinning at the weak protests that began spilling from the blonde when he slid onto the bed between Edward's legs.

He crouched over his angel, gazing down at the fear and hurt and regret and confusion in golden eyes, to the sunlit strands of hair that splayed over the pillow, to Edward's arms held almost defensively against his chest.

Artabanus reached forward, grasping Ed's jaw and giving barely a thought to activate the transmutations at his fingertips, forcing the strings of gold around them both to waver and tangle themselves at his whim.

'Kiss me,' he ordered aloud, not moving an inch as Edward immediately dropped his arms and raised himself up to Artabanus' waiting mouth.

That total control, that sense of possession of this beautiful body and soul, filled Artabanus with such energy and exhilaration that he was sure he'd never get tired of.

You're mine, he thought as he straddled the younger alchemist and gripped his jaw hard enough to cause bruising, you're mine and once I take you back, you'll never leave again.

Instinct drove him to suddenly bite down on Edward's lip, hard, causing the blonde to shout in surprise, breaking the kiss for just a moment before Artabanus shoved Edward back down into the mattress roughly, before beginning to renew the kiss, making it deep and painful enough that Edward's protests began vibrating loudly through their connection.

Artabanus didn't stop. He knew that despite what Edward was trying to say and how he was attempting to resist, the blonde wanted this. He wanted what Artabanus offered him. Edward wanted that connection that they both felt to one another.

Several minutes passed and Artabanus got as far as removing Edward's shirt before the metallic sound of the door handle being turned and stopped by the lock echoed through the room. The redhead ignored this, mindless of the murmured confusion and then knocking at the door.

'Ed, open up! It's me, Roy, remember? Al and Winry are going to be here in a few minutes. I just wanted to make sure you're alright.'

'Roy,' Artabanus hissed, withdrawing from Edward to give the shaking blonde a narrow look before scowling at the door, 'Edward is busy at the moment, Roy.'

There was a filled silence, and a dark pleasure blossomed in Artabanus when imagining the man outside's reaction.

'You know, Roy,' he continued almost gleefully, barely noting how Edward was stiffening underneath him, 'I find your security highly lacking. They let me right in- practically rolled out a welcome mat. Not that I mind… I am truly flattered that you realize you cannot keep my Edward away from me.'

'Artabanus,' Edward finally whispered, voice twisted and warped with conflicting emotions.

Now that won't do.

Artabanus returned his attention to his lover in a quick, firm, blood-drawing bite to the neck, making Edward grunt with pain. Apparently that tiny sound was enough to cause the snake outside to snap.

Literally.

The door exploded with a burst of flame, shocking Artabanus for just a moment before he was rolling off the bed, dragging Edward with him as a mist of thin smoke filled the room along with the pungent scent of burnt wood.

Smirking, he held the blonde in front of him, wrapping his forearm around Edward's neck and forcing his head up.

'Roy Mustang, I presume,' Artabanus greeted brightly as the man stepped through the smoking remains of the door.

Impressive alchemy, the redhead grudgingly thought to himself, mind spinning through multiple plans of escape. He knew he would have to relinquish Edward since the blonde was not back to full health just yet. It was best to let the boy stay with the physicians that could help him heal. Artabanus was not blinded by his affections enough not to realize that.

Even though he despised the thought of having to leave Edward again. That last week had been horrific and torturous.

The snake, Mustang, had been saying something and Artabanus forced his mind back into the present, analyzing the man's mask with distaste. It was an ugly one, for sure. Tortured-looking and yet still smirking, the mask betrayed a soul riddled with scars and false confidence.

Pathetic.

'Excuse me?' snarled the deep, graveling voice of the snake.

Whoops. Must have said that last part out loud.

Smirk widening, Artabanus took a few steps forward, closing the distance between them, 'You are a pathetic creature, Mustang,' he said cheerfully, 'such a pretender. Perhaps the biggest liar I have ever seen. And look at those ragged strings… tch. You barely have enough of a soul for me to work with,' Mustang's expression was slowly shifting from outraged and murderous to confusion, all the while Artabanus came closer, ignoring the raised gloved hand that was threateningly stitched with blood-red arrays, 'but I will see what I can do.'

Without hesitation, Artabanus threw Edward aside and leapt forward in one motion, barely dodging the fire that exploded just an inch from his face, close enough that the scent of his burning hair filled the room. But a few lost inches of hair was worth the expression of total shock that fell over the man's hideous mask when Artabanus' fingers grasped his throat.

Mustang was maybe an inch or two shorter than him. Much too close to his own height, Artabanus scoffed to himself. With barely a thought, Mustang's body stiffened and the man was forced to his knees, sending an excited thrill through Artabanus' veins, lighting his senses on fire. He looked down upon the general and let his distaste be known in the sneer of his lips.

Fury filled the redhead when the man's dark eyes began to clear of shock and began to take a calculating edge to them.

No, no, no. Where's the fear? What a foolish snake, to not fear the eagle.

'Ah, ah, ah, General. Now, now, don't go thinking anything stupid. Ah, I know just how to fix this!'

Artabanus concentrated on the man, pushing energy into the alchemy and mentally reaching out to the sad excuse for strings that surrounded the man in tiny gray lines like spider webs, grasping two of them and twisting them together. The reaction was almost immediate- the snake's eyes widened and his body gave an instinctual spasm. Artabanus hummed as he continued pressing, forcing the man to hold his breath against his body's wishes, distantly aware that Edward had climbed to his feet by this point and was standing frozen a couple feet away.

'Watch, my dearest Edward,' he murmured, never taking his eyes away from Mustang, 'watch how such a supposedly legendary man kills himself from the most ridiculous of reasons- not taking a breath.'

The body under his hand began to twitch harder against the reigns of his control as a minute passed… then two…

Pure instinct was such a difficult thing to control, but Artabanus had enough practice that it took merely a fraction of concentration. Proud and thrilled at the thought of this powerful General's death by suffocation, Artabanus nearly missed Edward's quiet plea at his side.

'Please don't kill him…'

Exasperated, Artabanus finally turned his eyes away from Mustang, who had by now finally fallen unconscious, 'And why should I not, Edward?'

'Because… he's my friend…'

Anger struck through him like a whip and he barely registered letting go of Mustang and wrapping his hand around Edward's throat instead.

'You are mine,' he hissed quietly, shaking the blonde in his grasp slightly. He kept hold of Edward, merely making the blonde be still as he analyzed the fear and exhaustion in those golden orbs. How could Edward not realize this yet? That he was Artabanus' and nothing else mattered. All these people… these fools and snakes… they were all fake. How could Edward not see that?

After a full minute of silence he finally let go, not bothering to catch Edward when he fell to his knees. The redhead's emotions were still swinging like a pendulum from fury to adoration and fondness. It caused his mind to switch between thoughts at a lightning-quick pace, from black to white to black again. There was no gray in his mind- just the black and the white.

The black and the white of the masks, the black and white of the world.

Not another word was said as Artabanus let his eyes scan over the room, stopping on Mustang's unconscious body for barely a second before moving away from it. The man wasn't worth his time anyway. Edward could have his little friend for now, before Artabanus came back to retrieve him.

Deciding he had outstayed his welcome, Artabanus crouched down to grasp Edward's chin once more, planting a strong, possessive kiss on the younger man's lips before rising back to his feet quickly.

'I will come to retrieve you soon, my dearest Edward. Say your goodbyes now before I come back. We will be leaving the country once you are better.'

He noticed the paling of Edward's face and gave a warm smile to try and ease the boy's distress, not really feeling much of anything at the moment, 'Do not worry, Edward. I will be back before you know it. I must go now.'

Walking to the door was difficult. Looking back and seeing Edward staring bleakly after him was even harder. He wanted nothing more than to grab what was rightfully his and leave the country immediately, but he knew that he couldn't. Edward deserved to be fixed. He needed to be fixed, or else Artabanus wouldn't know what to do.

What would he do with a broken angel?

'Goodbye, Sevgili. Seni seviyorum.'

With that he turned and retreated quickly, not trusting himself to look back again. On his way out of the hospital, he had to incapacitate three men in military uniform, which wasn't that difficult seeing as how he simply had to touch them to shut off their conscious minds and send them into sleep. Everything was so easy now that he was using his alchemy again. Better yet that he'd had a chance to practice on Edward for the past year.

He walked out of the hospital, chorus of shouts, orders, and chaos following him but growing distant with every heavy step he took away from the building. It had been all-too-easy to gain entrance to the hospital because of the military uniform he had donned, but apparently the snake exploding the door on Edward's room had caused a bit of a ruckus and made everybody realize there was an intruder in their midst. Unconscious General or no, Artabanus knew he would have military dogs hot on his heels.

Still, his pace was slow and easy and a calm, charming smile was fixed on his face as he nodded at passers-by.

The chaos in his own mind allowed him to drift free of all thoughts, only surrounding images of his Edward. His beautiful, precious, angelic Edward. They would be happy together, maybe in Aerugo. Or maybe they would move back to Artabanus' homeland of Ukreyt. The best thing was that it didn't really matter where they ended up, as long as they were together.

About two blocks from the hospital he was lost in thoughts of the future and almost missed the couple that was approaching him. They were talking animatedly to one another and Artabanus immediately recognized them from how his Edward described them.

A bright smile lit his face as he took in the two people most important to his lover.

'Alphonse Elric and Winry Rockbell! It's wonderful to meet you!'

The teenagers looked up at him, startled from their lively conversation that had something to do with mechanics. The look in those wide, burnt honey eyes had Artabanus falling in love in a slightly different way than he had with Edward, and the suspicious glint in the girl's ocean-blue irises was a joy to behold. The dark gold and vibrant green tendrils that made up the couple's energy were focused entirely on one another, enveloping each other in a way that made it clear to Artabanus how close they were. It was beautiful and reminded him of his and Edward's chemistry.

'Hello,' the boy's smooth, timid voice spoke up finally, 'I'm sorry, do we know you, sir?'

'Ah- no!' Artabanus grinned, closing the distance between them and bowing slightly, not removing his hands from his pockets. He didn't want to use his alchemy on his dearest Edward's brother and childhood friend just yet, 'I'm a friend of Edward's. He often talked about you. I just came to check up on him- it's great to see that he's getting better!'

Both of their expressions remained suspicious and Artabanus felt a surge of affection for both of these handsome teenagers. Obviously Edward's closest friends and family would be exceedingly intelligent as well. It was a delightful change of pace. Their masks weren't so awful to look at, either. The Rockbell girl's was rather neutral, showing both a slight sadness but a positive strength in the lines of the eyes and mouth. Alphonse's mask showed a lot of previous hurt… but also was nearly overwhelmed with the kindness radiating from the ethereal material.

A kindness that Edward shares, but in a different sort of way. Alphonse is pure, unadulterated empathy. While my Edward has a vengeful sort of kindness. It's obvious who the more passionate one is. Ah, I just cannot wait to have my Edward back with me again… I miss him in my bed…

'Yeah, he's getting better. It's great. We're on our way to see him now, actually, so if you would excuse us,' Winry grabbed Alphonse's arm and hurried past him, glaring back at him with distrust.

Oh yes. I like her a lot.

And even with the mistrust that was obvious in his eyes, Alphonse had kindness enough to flounder against the sprightly girl's hold and call back over his shoulder, 'It was nice to meet you, um…!'

'Artabanus,' he called with a smile, waving as they receded into the distance, not missing the thoughtful look that came over Alphonse's face. The boy had definitely heard his name before.

How delightful. This was a wonderful day.

Whistling now, Artabanus maintained his steady pace as he made his way to one of the many safe houses the Ukreytans had set aside in the dingiest and most poverty-rampant parts of the city.

I just need to bide my time and keep checking in on Edward's status and we will be out of this gods-forsaken country in no time.

And finally Edward and I can be together, alone, safe, and happy. For the rest of our lives.

AN: End of Puppet Interlude. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of this chapter. How did you see Artabanus' character? Does it live up to the antagonist's actions from the previous chapters? Should I just delete the chapter- was it any good at all? Please give me feedback and let me know what you guys think. Puppet Chapter Sixteen is already underway and should be completed sometime in the next week- week and a half, depending on how much I procrastinate with my school projects (I cannot believe how much work we are saddled with in courses pertaining to Human and Social Services. Sometimes I feel like going to law school would have been easier).

Thank you guys for sticking with me thus far!