The Canidae Plague
There was rain in Amestris. The thick fog blanketed central, and Edward Elric was afraid. The rain dripped down his hair, long and golden, his eyes shimmering. The colonel and Alphonse Elric was standing beside him, watching the silent Central City of Amestris.
"The sickness… I heard it had been going around." Edward said quietly, looking up at the colonel. Roy Mustang simply nodded slightly and added in an indifferent tone, "Yes. We should stay inside, actually. All the dogs are to be captured here. I heard that the plaque started from them." Roy checked his watch. "Your train's due in an hour Fullmetal. I'll send you to the station with Miss Winry Rockbell."
"No, its okay. Me and Alphonse can get there safely… with Winry." Edward said, smiling and shaking his head. "Come on, Al." He knocked lightly on Al's armor, making a gonging sound. Alphonse raised a hand in farewell to the colonel and followed his brother back to the inn. Roy narrowed his eyes and a small smile came to his lips before he got into his car.
"What is it, Sir?" Hawkeye said, looking back at Roy, her face indifferent as Roy's face. Roy looked at her for a moment, then he sighed. "Nothing." Hawkeye turned back and her eyebrows creased a little, then she drove off.
"Winry, we're back."
Alphonse cleaned his armor dry, and Ed squashed the water out of his red coat. Winry smiled and popped her head out of the blankets. "Back so fast from your meeting?" She asked, her bright blue eyes gleaming as she stared at Ed.
Edward went slightly pink in his cheeks, but he still answered her question. "Yeah. We're finally going back to Resembool. Pack up your stuff…" Edward stared at the suitcases that are already nicely packed. "Hey…" Edward narrowed his golden eyes. Winry pouted at Edward, looking a little angry. "What do you mean by 'Hey…'? I helped you packed it. I knew we'd be walking, so I threw away some of those sweet wrappers and tins that you crushed and threw inside. Now it's A LOT lighter already."
Edward laughed. "Right… thanks!" He said, carrying it. "Whoa… it is sure light!" Edward said thoughtfully. Winry smiled slyly. "Seeing you so small, I don't think you'd be able to carry something that heavy." Edward snapped. Instantly.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SOMEONE THAT CAN BE USED AS A SCREW IN A WATCH?!"
"Calm down…" Winry yelled, covering her ears. "I AM SORRY, OKAY?! Let's go, or we'll miss the train! And if you defect my ears, Granny's gonna kill you, because she told you to keep my wellbeing!"
"RIGHT…" Edward said, walking out of the door.
Alphonse sighed and said nothing. He wanted to stay out of their… after-marriage quarrels –
CLANG.
"I know what you're thinking about Al…" Edward growled.
Alphonse stared at Winry. "HE'S PSYCHIC!"
Stepping down onto the street, Edward sighed, looking around for any signs of the sickness. He knew getting the antidote is a real pain… in fact, no antidote was found for this sickness yet, and he was getting some kind of fear in his heart already.
Walking along the pavement, Edward growled at a shaggy looking guy coughing by the street. "HEY YOU! What are you doing out here? Do you have the sickness?" Edward asked, stopping in front of Alphonse and Winry. Alphonse grasped his brother. "Brother… you think so?"
"Yeah. If he has it… he should stay indoors." Edward pointed out. The man stared at them with wide eyes and backed away. "I… don't have it. Cough… Go away!" The man fell on the ground. "He has it." Edward told Alphonse.
"Brother! Let's get out of here, you might get the sickness." Alphonse grabbed his brother. Edward glared at the man. "But if I don't report him and send him medical attention soon, it'll affect even more people, Al! Don't be selfish!" Edward pushed Al back by accident. Alphonse stepped back, shocked. "Ed!"
"Go away…" The man said, then he grabbed Winry, whipping out a knife. "GET AWAY!"
Edward tensed. "WHAT THE… Winry, you… you can get grabbed like this?"
Alphonse gasped. "Edward! That guy has it, if he grabs onto Winry like this… Although his is in the first stage, its still dangerous… he has… the Canidae Plague… He might…" Al said. Winry was crying.
Ed refused to get any closer. "But…" He growled. And kicked out. The man let go of Winry and ran away, howling. He dissapeared, screaming something like, "You'll pay for this… I will seek revenge…"
Edward spat on the ground. Winry was shivering and crying. "Why were you hesitating?" She said. "That guy's got a knife… and what plague are you talking about? What do you mean? Why won't both of you tell me anything?"
"I…" Edward said, looking down.
Alphonse looked away. "Because you're scared of the plague too, aren't you, Big Brother?" Al sounds disappointed. And he was whispering.
"Let's go." Alphonse said, ignoring Ed and leading Winry out. "Nothing, there is no plague or sorts."
Edward followed them a few paces behind, wondering if Winry was okay. It was his fault. And now Al hates him too. He could hear it.
"Granny… I am home. Cough…cough."
Edward stayed outside. Alphonse looked at him. "I suppose you still want to think over your actions, Brother. I need to check on Winry." Alphonse closed the door behind him.
Edward sat down on the steps, feeling nowhere near home. He had been trusted to take good care of Winry on this mission… and yet… She might have gotten the plague. She will die, if it goes past the second stage. Looking up at the skies, he thought about what the colonel had said about the Canidae Plague. "The first stage isn't so bad… just coughing and fever… but it'll worsen. Stage two is very bad. The victims start to have hallucunations. The terminal stage… anyone who reaches this have very little chance of living, Fullmetal. I think they have come up with an antidote already. But I don't really know where to get it. The military is trying all means to get our hands on the antidote…It is said to be in Central…"
Edward heard the coughing of Winry. He stepped up and opened the door. The coughing faded away. He looked into the house and Granny Pinako looked at him grimly. "Hmph." She turned back and dialed a number on the phonse quickly. Edward frowned, feeling worry turning his mind into a great big mess of thoughts. "Alphonse…" he started, but Al wouldn't look at him. Alphonse just walked up the stairs, and Edward heard a door close. The phone got through to whoever Pinako was calling.
"Hello… Dr. Benito? It's Winry. Hurry, come down here. I think she's got the plague." Pinako said, holding tightly onto the telephone line. "… what?! What do you mean there's no use? Antidote?! Not found yet? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? I know. I understand. Yes. Alright. Thank you!" Pinako slammed down the phone and ran up the stairs. Alphonse came down. "I am going."
Alphonse brushed past Edward. Edward tensed. I will find it for you Winry. It's my fault… It was my fault that I landed you in this. You will… you must wait. Pinako was standing in front of Ed.
"What are you doing here? I told you to take care of my grandaughter. Look at what state she's in now?" Pinako said, unhappy. "She's the only one in the Rockbell family line with me now. And the way you treated Al. You're very selfish, Edward Elric. Go find somewhere else to stay. Maybe this will help you."
"Granny. I am sorry." Edward said, lowering his head. "Please… tell Winry to wait."
Pinako shook her head. "She is waiting, but the person is not you."
Edward stepped out into the rain and the door closed. He put his hand to his forehead, messing his hair abit. And he turned around and begin to run towards the train station. The bells rang as the train left the station, and Edward bought the tickets for the next train to Central and sat down the the bench. He had forgotten all about Al…
And nearby, a pair of purple eyes watched him gently, a small smile curling around her lips. "Time to give him trouble." A seductive voice said, and the person walked away.
Thank you for reading… I NEED REVIEWS! Then I'l continue the story!! XD
There's no point to continue writing if people don't wanna read it!!!! XD
Next chapter… will be up soon if I find people READING. ANGST AND DRAMA AHEAD, INCLUDING ED ABUSE!!!