It became a normalcy for Y/n to sleep in. I was assured by her countless times throughout the week that she was okay with Al and I heading out without her. She would always give the excuse that she enjoyed sleep, but I knew deep down she'd rather do that than being holed up in someone's library reading books.

I still found it amusing at the memory of catching her dozing off at the mere sight of table of contents. It was part of the reason why I was surprised when she told me of her plan to head over to Tucker's early in the morning. Al suggested to tag along last night, but she was adamant about going alone.

She said Tucker wanted to set up a playground for Nina, and she needed to be there. Though when she spoke those words I couldn't help but feel—uneasy. Up till now I still dwelled on our previous conversation.

She sounded happy and comfortable with the idea. But there was this glimmer in her eyes that didn't match her words. I couldn't place the word on it and couldn't describe it if I tried.

All I know was that I wasn't satisfied, my stomach churned uneasily at that sight. It was possibly the reason why Al and I arrived at Tucker's house quite early. It was still quite after Y/n left, but we were earlier than our usual time.

We walk down the white paved path with Al ringing the doorbell once we stand before the door. The ringing sound echos outside, the sound somewhat eerie now.

I look up at the sky seeing nothing grey clouds filling the sky. That's probably why everything looks so dark and eerie.

"It's gonna rain for sure today," I mumble once I hear thunder rolling. Al rang the bell once more, but there was no answer.

"That's odd," Al mutters. "Nina would've opened the door by now."

I nod, "Not to mention that Y/n said she was going to help set up a playground." I look about the yard, a frown came across my lips. "But I don't see a playground anywhere."

We give each other a puzzled look—something didn't seem right. I grab the doorknob and to our surprise, it was unlocked. I opening the door slightly, enough for both our heads to fit inside.

We poked our heads in and scanned the area. It was scarier in here than it was outside. Every light in the house was off, a nearby grandfather clock ticked each second, and an unsettling aura began to weigh on my shoulders.

"Hello?" I call out hesitantly. "Mr. Tucker? It's us again." No response. Hell, there wasn't even a single sound that emitted life.

What was going on? Al pushes the door further before walking in. He looks around and I knew was becoming alert.

"Mr. Tucker?" He calls. "Nina?"

Again, no answer. I follow in and look around cautiously. It was like no one was home and it felt strange waking in here without being invited.

It didn't follow basic manners, but there was something off. How come Y/n isn't out to greet us? Where's Alexander? And why don't I hear Nina's laughter?

Sheen of cold sweat coats my brow, and there was this churning feeling building in my stomach. I wasn't liking where this was going—not one bit. Al suggested to head towards the library and so we did just that.

Our hopes of finding them there was a failure. Nothing but dusty books filled our vision when we opened the door.

"Why aren't they here?" Al asks in slight panic. I swallow thickly, I couldn't show my nervousness to him. It'll only make Al more anxious.

"I don't know, Al," I reply. "Maybe they went out. . ?"

Al shakes his head, "Don't you think Y/n would've left a note——" A loud clatter interrupts Al's sentence.

The sound was minuscule but it was enough to grab our attention. It sounded like something fell to the floor. A jar maybe?

We weren't alone, that much I know. The sound came from Tucker's lab, I was sure of it. My heart pounded relentlessly, my eyes wider than usual.

I wasn't sure what to expect—maybe a burglar? If so then why do I feel so uneasy? Al and I could easily take him down.

We stalk towards Tucker's lab, the door open ajar. When Al pushes it further we were immediately greeted with a familiar stature. My tension suddenly eases into relaxation.

I release a hefty breath that I didn't realize I was holding. "Oh, there you are!" I sigh at the sight of Tucker.

Just seeing him here with us was quite relieving. He was crouched before us, his back facing our direction. It was like he didn't hear what I said, or even heard us walk further into the lab.

"It's you guys," he breathes. Tucker stands with loose shoulders. His body seemed relaxed, his tone gave off a sense of success.

But what could he do to look such a way? He glances over his shoulders giving us a wide grin. But nothing about it sat well with me. It was almost psychotic.

"Look! It's my newest creation!" He announces excitedly. "A chimera that talks like a human!" He steps out of the way as he gestures proudly at the creature in the room.

It was abnormally big—bigger than a dog. It's paws were misshapen into an odd form forcing the creature itself to sit awkwardly. It's fur was a creme colored while it's shaggy mane was the color of chestnut.

It stares at us unexpectedly as if confused. Stunned by Tucker's creation I hurry towards it. I stare at it in astonishment wanting nothing more than to pet the beast.

I had so many questions—so many that I wanted answers to. If he made this possible—could it be a way to bring Al's body back?

There was a sound made off further in the lab. A rattle almost. I look up and see cages stacked on one another.

"What's that?" Al questions curiously.

"Noting, really," Tucker replies hastily. "Just one of my experiments."

I look back at him—he fidgeted a lot. He avoided my questioning gaze with sweat trickling down his temple. Somehow his words weren't all that convincing.

"Watch this," Tucker abruptly gushes, his voice shaking slightly. He tentatively places a hand upon the chimera's head. His face became soft and full of excitement. "This person is Edward. Understand?"

The chimera tilts its head. Its eyes were a dull white, I had no idea what it was feeling. "Ed–ward?" It croaks.

Al and I gasp in wonder. It truly talks, and it understood what Tucker said. That's absolutely amazing. Tucker smiles, he couldn't hide his excitement either.

"That's it! Very good!" He praises.

It looks back at him, "G-good?"

A high pitch giggle comes from Tucker. He steps away from the chimera while putting hand to his forehead.

"I made it," he breathes. "I made it just before assessments."

I was happy for him, truly. After all it's only him and Nina—they needed this accomplishment. They deserved this.

I planned on congratulating him, but that same rattling sound occurs again. But only louder. The chimera stirs before me, even Al seemed a bit rattled by it.

I narrow my eyes at Tucker, "You're sure it's your experiment?"

That gleeful smile of his abruptly fades. He glared at the direction of the noise as if he were giving a warning. "Yes," he mutters. "It's just an experiment."

I eye him closely, his demeanor changed rapidly. Anger and panic fueled his gaze and I wasn't sure why. Though I couldn't dwell more on the subject, the chimera began to whimper.

"Ed-ward. Ed-ward." It kept repeating my name. Kept saying it as if it was familiar with it. I raise a brow at the chimera, it seemed more friendly with me now.

It came closer, placing its head underneath my hand. I watch in surprise while Tucker began to mumble about how this chimera saved his career.

It sniffs me for a long moment before pulling away. It's full eyes lock with mine, it's mouth moving without any sound.

"Big—brother. . ?"

Time has stopped. My breathing halted. Even everything around me seemed to freeze in place.

I knew what I heard—I wasn't delusional. Only one person would call me that. My heart sinks, the hairs on my back stood.

It couldn't be.

"Mr. Tucker, when was it when you got licensed?" I ask lowly. "With a talking chimera, I mean."

Tucker takes a moment, "Two years ago."

I couldn't keep my eyes off the chimera. I never believed in God, always found it as some sort of creation humanity has made to make life easier to live. But now I've forsaken all that thinking, and prayed that in this moment I was wrong.

"And when did your wife leave?" "That was two years ago as well."

I knew it.

I grit my teeth, it wasn't time. I couldn't act just yet. "Can I ask one more question? Where's Nina and Alexander?"

My voice was grave, dark. Dangerous. As much as I hated it, I ignored Al's gasp and looked Tucker straight in the eye.

He looks at me, eyes filled with shock but also anger. It made my blood run hot in my veins. "I hate perceptive brats like you."

I wasted no time and launch myself towards the sick bastard. I grab him by the collar and push him against a wall. He grunts in pain when I press my forearm harshly against his neck.

"Big brother!" Al cries.

"That's what happened, huh?" I shout. "You scum! You sick bastard! How could you? First it was your wife and now your own daughter and dog!"

I was burning up inside like a fire was being stirred relentlessly. Adrenaline pulsed through me making me see red. Tucker had little to no care about what I said. Only did he smile like what I said was funny. I shove him harder, he grimaces at the pain.

"There's only so much you can do by experimenting animals, right?" I smirk darkly. "Humans are so much better."

Another thought crosses my mind and only fueled my raw anger. I glare at him with a murderous intent. It was taking so much self-control to not kill him where he stood.

"Where's Y/n?" I growl.

She must've saw everything, knew what Tucker had in store. She must be afraid, horrified, scarred. And all I could do was pity her. God, if I find out Tucker did something—nothing could hold me back.

But he doesn't answer. Instead he gazes at the cages behind me, his lips widening into a disgusting smile. I release a small growl before slamming my fist into that damn smirk.

"I asked you a question!" I roar.

"See for yourself."

Following his gaze I glance over my shoulder, even Al does the same. His movements were hesitant when he moved towards the stacked cages. It was like he was afraid of what he might find.

Even I couldn't ignore the anxious beating against my chest. Al slowly moves away the cages, each second passing in an agonizing pace. When Al finally moved away the last cage a figure came into view.

"Y/n."

She laid on the floor with her hands and feet tied behind her back. Tears streamed down her face, and some sort of cloth was tied over her mouth.

"Y/n!" Al rushes to her side and quickly unties her. Like a predator about to kill its prey, I slowly turn back to Tucker.

"What the hell did you do to her?"

"Nothing yet," he replies. "If you two haven't showed she would've been my next success!" He licks his bottom lip in anticipation. "Think about it, Edward! A chimera that can use alchemy on command! She would be such a prize—"

"YOU BASTARD!" I punch him once more, and his glasses clatter to the ground. A psychotic chuckle escapes his lips.

Nothing but crazed glee and excitement fills his eyes. It sickens me to the core. Sickens me at how easy it was for him to turn his daughter into a chimera. Sickened me when he revealed his plan to turn Y/n into one as well.

"Why are you so mad?" He questions with an evil grin. "The progress of medicine. . .human knowledge. . .it's all a result of experimenting on humans! As a scientist—an alchemist no less, you should understand—"

"Shut up. Just shut up!" I scream. "Do you think you're going to get away with this? Playing around with people's lives?"

"People's lives?" Tucker releases a guffaw. "Yes, people's lives! You're the Fullmetal Alchemist! You mean like your brother's life and your arm? That's the result of playing around with people's lives!"

I shake my head hoping his words could fall out of my head. It's not the same—it couldn't be. I'm no monster. I'm trying to save my brother. I never tampered with a soul.

I didn't use someone for my own gain! Tucker's maniacal laughter fills my head. His tone echoing throughout the lab.

"You and I are the same! You're no different than me! You thought you could do it, so you did it!"

No. No it wasn't true. None of it was.

I mean, we didn't mean it. I didn't mean to make a mess of this whole thing. I'm not a monster!

"That's not true!" I slammed face into Tucker's nose. I punched him with raw anger. Punched him with the intent to draw blood.

"You couldn't help it!" Tucker laughs. "You tried it even if it was forbidden!"

"We alchemists—WOULD NEVER DO THAT!"

My punches came harder and slowly without control. I kept hitting him and hitting him till everything merged into some sort of blur. I wasn't sure why.

Was it because of my tears? My anger? I didn't care.

He was wrong, wrong about everything. Wrong about me. He doesn't know a damn thing and I'll prove it to him. I'll make sure he knows we weren't the same.

"WE'D NEVER...I'D NEVER. . ."

"Brother, stop!"

A cool, metal hand wraps around my wrist. My fist was caught midair, and when I tried to pull I was easily resisted. Al stands behind me, holding me in place. I don't bother fighting back.

"Any more and you'll kill him," he warns gravely. It took me a moment to blink back into reality. I still held Tucker in place, but his face was beyond recognizable.

His left eye swollen, nose broken, and he sports a cut lip. I click my tongue in disgust and let him go. He deserved more than what I did. He deserves hell.

When Al was sure I wouldn't go berserk again, I twist my heel and rush towards Y/n. Al had placed her near the back wall, allowing her to sit up and catch her breath.

She stares blankly before her giving the impression of a fresh corpse. I swallow thickly as I tentatively place a hand on her shoulder.

"Pretty words aren't going to get you anything." Tucker wheezes. I had no strength to answer, but Al was quick to shut him up.

"Mr. Tucker, if you say one more word this time it'll be me who'll snap."

Al's words surprised me, but I expected nothing less. I tried to get Y/n look at me, but her body seemed so lifeless. I took it upon myself to inspect her for injuries. Thank God there was none.

"Y/n," I whisper. "You're alright now. You're safe."

For a moment there was nothing. Then the tears ran faster down her cheeks. Her head began to shake slowly.

"No," she murmurs. "He—he made me watch. Told me I was next." She looks at me and there was nothing but anguish in her eyes. She clenched her teeth while her body shook. "Nina and Alexander. . .they're gone!"

Her sobs filled the room. Her heartbreaking cries only made my silent tears fall faster than hers. I had no will or strength to say anything.

Instead I pulled her close, allowed her to cry as much as she needed. I watch Al cup Nina's chin.

"I'm sorry," he whispers sadly. "We don't have the skill to help you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Nina whimpers softly and began to nuzzle Al's chest. The sight only made my heart break even more.

"Wanna play. . .Wanna—play," she kept repeating the same words over and over again. Y/n clenches my shirt tighter, her sobs not ceasing.

"It's all my fault," she breathes. "All my fault." She continued to cry with me holding her as close as possible.

I want to tell her she was crazy for thinking such a thing. That she wasn't at fault for this. But I had no strength to.

My lips were clamped shut and I had no will to open it. All I could do was sit here and hold her. I lost my voice in the most crucial moment for her.

I wasn't able to tell her how wrong she was.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/

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