Unspoken Fears

Darkness filled my vision. Where was I? I was wet, I realized. But why? My body heat seeped from my aching bones. My head pounded, causing the darkness to blur even more than it was now. I attempted to stand, but found I had no strength…and something was missing, but what? Not only that, but my arms would not budge. I was attached to the wall somehow, my hands trembling. I was shaking. Without realizing, small tremors had overcome my body. Abruptly, coughs racked my body, my throat now hoarse and constricted. I tried to regain my breathing, taking deep breaths that were cut short by more hacking.

"Fullmetal pipsqueak, nice to see that your doing well," said a voice with a hint of arrogance present.

"Who's there?" My head was still pounding. The voice hesitated.

"This is a surprise. I knew you hit your head, but wow! I'm hurt." I could hear the playfulness present. The voice was closer to me. My head and body hurt too much for this right now.

"I'll give you a hint." There was a pause again. "I'm pure malevolence. I see what others possess and become…invidious," another pause-"and I am hell-bent on destroying you." The sudden contact of the unknown voices foot making contact with my stomach assured me I knew the answer. Envy. Doubling over, I tried to gain traction with my feet. Or was it 'foot?' My leg was gone, and all that remained was a port. I had failed to notice the absence of my left leg, and as to how I was unsure.

"Don't be too harsh, Envy." The door had opened, letting very little light in.

"Lust. You have impeccable timing as usual." Lust walked my way in her usual seductive manner: it suited her personality well. She was now standing in front of me, bent over and was now face to face with me. Her eyes were lustful and cold. I felt the raising bile in the back of my throat.

"Mustang will come for me." I hadn't meant to say that. It just came out, but deep down I knew it was true.

"Do you honestly believe that that idiot of a colonel will really come for you? All you are is a nuisance, and nothing more," Envy's snide voice cut in. Doubt began to take my thoughts. Was he right? Was I on my own? The taste of vomit filled my mouth, I was too late. I was covered in my own doing. The air smelled wretched, my shirt no clinging to my body. My head was spinning faster, and my vision blurred even more. Lust, who was still near me placed her hand near my forehead.

"Just as I thought. You're burning up. Envy, we need to help him. Now." There was silence.

"No way in hell am I helping that bastard!" Envy's voice echoed through the dark room. Lust sighed impatiently.

"If Fullmetal dies, it will have been a waste of our time taking him in the first place."

Envy seemed to consider this before saying, "Alright Lust, but your taking care of shorty, not me." Envy made his exit briskly. Lust stood and moved to the opposite wall of me, I would have made an effort defending my height had I not been exhausted and worn.

"You're going to do something for me." Lust's voice was different. No…something was missing. She grabbed a chair that appeared to come from the shadows and brought it to sit in front of me. Lust sat, crossing her legs while she crossed her arms elegantly.

"And what would that be?" I asked. My voice was hoarse and hurt my throat to speak.

"Your going to help me achieve my desires." A draft swept through the room. My teeth chattered uncontrollably. Once more coughs racked my body. Having been focused on the immortal women, whom was a potential danger, I had forgotten the pain coursing through my limbs. My left port had begun to throb. My eyes felt heavy. Sleep. Oh god how I wanted to sleep.

"By helping me, you can buy your freedom…and if you don't, well, you can stay locked up in this very room. No one but me and Envy know where you are. You do as I say, or I promise you that you will never see your dear brother again."

"Why the hell would I help you? You've given me no reason to trust you. Besides, what would Envy say? Aren't the two of you 'partners?" The question lingered, neither of us speaking. The silence was deafening.

"You can call it what you want Fullmetal, but me and Envy are nothing more than acquaintances."

"You must have some ulterior motive. What's your reason for taking me this time?" I scoffed at her, sarcasm in my voice. She tightened her grip around her body. She was losing her calm and collected facade she always wore. Upon standing, Lust begun to 'pace' the dark room. My port was practically numb: this was bad. I would have to pay Winry a visit.

'I really hate wrenches,' I muttered to myself. I could already feel Winry's wrath. Lust started walking back my way, dragging her extended, slenderer, black fingers' along the wall. The result was a god awful screech which would pain any living creature who was in ear shot. The ear shattering sound could compete with nails on a chalkboard. I wanted so much to cover my ears. Before retracting her nails from the wall, Lust made sure to swipe her finger along. She examined the filth on her finger tip, sighed, and stood in front of me again.

"My, my. Look at the mold and filth built up in here. I can't imagine staying in here much longer, and in such poor health as yours," Lust stated mater-of-factly. She was right. I had to get out of here. The longer I stayed, the harder it would be to escape when the opportunity presented itself. Suddenly a drop of (what I hope was) water, fell from above and fell down my face.

"Did I mention the leak?" she added with a dubious grin. Lust took a seat once more, crossing her arms and legs in a routine manner. "Now back to your question: what do I want from you? Let's call it," she paused, "equivalent exchange."

Opening my eyes, I realized I must have fallen asleep. Lust had left, and Envy had yet to return. Though I was fine with either of them present. Upon seeing my automail leg lying a foot from where I sat, the deal I had made with Lust sometime before slowly came back to me. My arms were now free as I moved slowly to grab my leg to reattach. I was free to leave, according to Lust anyhow. I lined up my automail with my port, preparing to connect the two together.

I hesitated. The second the nerves connected the pain followed as if on cue. It was now or never. Pushing my automail into its port, I bit my lip, restraining the urge to voice the excruciating pain of every nerve connecting. Using the wall to balance, I steadied myself as I pulled myself to my feet despite the agony it caused me to move. Following the wall, I made my way to the open door. From there I found myself in an abandoned concrete building. As to what its purpose was for I was at a loss. I was surrounded by crates and machinery, casting eerie shadows in the dim lighting.

Soon, a door was within sight. Light was seeping in from underneath: my way out of this nightmare. I quickened my pace as much I could without losing my balance. My legs felt like lead and I was unsure if I was about to be sick again. I reached the door, turned the handle and pushed. I was welcomed by blinding sunlight, a gunshot, and a pain exploding in my right side.