Ruined

Uncovering The Notes

Where are those boys? You think to yourself as you walk down the halls of East City's military facility. Today was your off day and you were hoping to catch up with the Elric brothers. You guys planned to meet today to touch base on your plans to locate a philosopher stone. But so far they were nowhere to be found. I guess I should've called them yesterday to see if today was still a good day to stop by. You thought with a sigh.

You were considering turning back and heading to Easy City Station when you spotted lieutenant Hawkeye.

"Riza!" You called, stopping the blond beta in her tracks. "Do you know where Edward and Alphonse ran off to? We were supposed to meet up today but I can't find them anywhere."

"I guess you haven't heard." Riza said, more to herself than to you. "The boys were attacked by the State Alchemist killer two days ago."

Your face blanched at the news. You could feel your heart plummeting to the pit of your stomach."W-what? Are they..."

"Don't worry, they're alive." Riza answers. "They're currently visiting their automail mechanic in Resembool, they should be back within a couple of days."

"Okay well thanks for letting me know, Riza".

"Anytime." She said as she resumed her journey down the hallway.

You leave East City's military facility and make your way to the station, your mind ran rampant with thoughts of the boys and the State Alchemist killer everyone is calling Scar. Your ears are immediately filled with the cacophonous wail of the steam engine as it stormed into the station. Boarding the train, you take a seat closest to the window and watch as the outside world careens by. The gentle rumbling of the train does nothing to soothe the raging thoughts in your mind.

He could've killed the boys. You thought solemnly. He tried to kill them even though they're just kids. It seems the elusive serial killer doesn't discriminate based on age, if you're a state alchemist then he will try to kill you. You squeeze your hands into a tight fist, feeling your nails bite into the soft flesh of your palms. Just like he did to my brother.

Two hours later you finally made it to the front door of your home. By now the sun was descending into the awaiting mouth of the horizon, bathing the azure sky in streaks of pink and purple. You slumped against the back of your closed door, the weight of the world weighing heavily on your shoulders.

You thought back to the boys. You wished you had a way to contact them, just to make sure they were truly okay. Why didn't they tell you they were attacked? I guess they didn't want to worry me. You reasoned with a sigh.

Pushing away from the door, you stripped out of your jacket and tossed it carelessly over your couch, kicking off your shoes as you made your way to the kitchen. You peered into the fridge and pulled out a chilled bottle of beer, uncapping it and chugging the amber liquid. You grimaced the moment it's earthy taste coated your tongue.

You weren't much of a drinker, you weren't sure if you even liked beer but you found yourself turning to it more and more as of late. Taking another sip, you returned to the living room and opened the book on Alchemy that sat on the coffee table. You turned to the bookmarked chapter, the one on the Philosopher's Stone. You must've read this chapter a million times, as though doing so would cause the stone to materialize before your very eyes.

The boys were unaware of the true reason you wanted a philosopher's stone, nobody in the military did. You were surprised when they agreed to relay any information they gained on the stone to you, it didn't require much convincing, despite them only having known you for half a year. You smiled. They were sweet boys, a bit naive, but sweet nonetheless.