Savage

They couldn't stay at the house for another minute.

It reeked of death (they had killed their mother again) and Al was terrified of this place. As a child, he had shared many wonderful memories here with his brother and mother (he didn't remember his father enough for that; Ed hated him). But this place was filled with taboo and he was the product of said monstrosity.

All of this was his fault. He had not tried to stop the human transmutation. He trusted his intuition, and he had rejected that feeling with the absolute certainty that he would see his Mum again…

Naïve foolish boy…

The thoughts echoed like the creaking of the armour. This strange armour, like an alien, was now him. And he couldn't escape. He could run away from the family home, although this hollow body was a reminder. It would be for a long time.

This plethora of thoughts plagued him for less than a second. He could feel guilty at another time. Right now, Brother…

"I'm going to w-wrap up the wounds, Brother," Al stuttered and he reached over for the pile of ripped fabric which he had been wearing minutes hours days ago. Quickly he tied a knot around the two stumps. The fabric was quickly staining red.

"Al…" Ed slurred, attempting to raise his remaining hand towards the sky, as if trying to reach for Heaven. The hand flopped to the ground suddenly. However, the muscles in his arm were still contracting. Ed was reaching towards the corpse that had been their abominable attempt to resurrect her.

However, the blood loss would not be contained forever. Brother needed blood transfusions.

He bundled Ed up in the remaining clothes. Ed had lost his battle with the will to stay awake and his head lolled past his left shoulder. His bloodied bangs covered his tired eyes. Al couldn't feel and he didn't know if he was exerting too much pressure. However, Ed did not stir. So the younger brother cradled the blond in his gauntlets and shakily stood, armour clanking unhappily.

The younger sibling shuddered, but did not look back.

The closest hospital was in the city; the nearest doctor's surgery was in the heart of the village and would have long shut its doors this late in the evening. There was only one place-

Winry.

"Who are you?" Winry exclaimed, her hands placed firmly on her hips, but they were shivering. She didn't know if it was more from the fear thrumming through her body or the pouring rain piercing her face.

The strange person cocked their head in her direction. They wore next to no clothing and appeared to not be cold. A strange presence radiated from their person. The figure didn't seem to notice the effect they were having on her.

"I said it already, brat! The name's Envy, and ya better not forget me," Envy flicked their hair seemingly proud about their proclamation.

Winry didn't know what was going on. She had spent most of her life secluded in Resembool and in fact, while she prided herself on her knowledge of medicine and mechanics, she knew little about much else. She was in a way jealous of Ed and Al, and how they were accomplished alchemists and had travelled the world. Seeing things and being a part of something bigger than what she could comprehend.

She had never met somebody like this Envy before. Were they a friend to the Elric brothers? She didn't know. And that made her feel helpless. She held onto her coat tightly, willing for the chill to leave her alone.

"I don't know who you are or what you want. How can I trust you?" Winry whispered. She was becoming anxious, a hand now threading through her hair. And then her hand was in her pocket fumbling with some random parts for automail she had stashed there.

"You don't! And you won't ever know! Ya see, I wasn't exactly meant to reveal myself to anyone, let alone my identity. Damn, Father won't be pleased. Not that he will ever know!" Envy snapped their fingers, "I'll just kill ya now. Make things easier."

Winry squeaked and instinctively began to back away. The aura she had sensed coming from that…thing… was justified. She watched in horror as its skin glowed red and where a hand was a moment before, there was a blade.

"I won't let you!" she shrieked and automatically threw a wrench that was resting in the sleeve of her jacket. The makeshift weapon caused the creature's eyes to widen in concern.

Too late. The wrench smacked Envy straight in the face.

Winry was panting heavily and she could feel tears trickling down her face. "I…" she fell to her knees. "Granny, Ed, Al. Mum. Dad. Help."

She was pleading with ghosts and those who couldn't hear her. Her cries would go unanswered…

"You're going to pay for that, you damn girly pipsqueak!" Envy's eyes, a violet in colour, became as narrow as slits. She could see their ugly expression contort in the brief blinks of lightning that shimmered through the October storm.

"Wait, Envy."

A voice echoed through the thunder. Behind Envy there was a figure approaching…Winry could not distinguish their features. They were too far away. However, their voice was like velvet.

"Who knew that a routine mission could become so…interesting? You saw that light come from the house. That was undoubtedly alchemy."

Hope you enjoy! Next update will be out soon :)