A/N: Hey peoplz! Just lettin ya know that I don't have internet on my laptop and lucky enough to use WiFi =.= ... Anyways, enjoy ^u^

Disclaimer: I don't ownz Fullmetal Alchemist, just the clothes on my back and the magical laptop of wonder X3

Chapter 1: Light does not exist

Everyday forever seemed to be joyous being around my loving mother,father, and brothers. Of course, my parents had separated but my father still supported us economicly. A year afterwards, he died in a terrible car accident that literally tore him to shreds. Dad's parents had shunned him since the marraige and still hated him,so we were barely able to afford the funeral. We soon lost our car,then our house, then could no longer be able to afford food. As children, school was extremely difficult to even attend due to no transportation.

Then yet again, our enemy Death visited our mother; she began to decay of cancer within her heart. The hospital was out of the question and who the hell would help little people like us? When I reached the age of 14, she finally lost the horrid battle. Adrien, who was 6, couldn't cope with the fact that she was gone. Johnathan,17, and I knew that now we must care for each other and that we were all we soon went into hiding to prevent being caught and separated into far away orphanages. Days afterwards were living nightmares...but it was amazing how we still pulled through.

"HERMANNOOO!"

"I'M COMING DAMNIT!"

I stood by the doorway hands tightly grasping my hips,"Don't you Damnit! me John. Now get over here!" Johnathan sighed and cursed below his breath before finally following me into the room. We were living in a run down house in the middle of a mile-long perimetered field that's abandoned years ago. Thankfully, the water was running, and the well out in the back was (awkwardly) crystal clear. Johnathan entered the worn-out kitchen,the paint peeling of the rotting walls. I was making some tortillas from the wheat outside and meat from a plump bird we shot with a shotgun we found within the house. Adrien was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, sloutched, and his head hung all the way to his knees. I glared at Johnathan as he looked right back at me,"Well? He's your brothers too so help him out! I'm busy making food for the both of y'all!"

As I turned back towards the stove, I hear his dragged steps to Adrien and thump as he sat down. The sizzle of the bird's cooking flesh blocked the voices of Johnathan having his conversation to Adrien. He still hasn't gotten over both deaths of our parents, and I understand; Adrien's just a young toddler who barely experienced two loses that were too much.

The sunset's warm, orangish-red beams was blanketing everything within the kitchen, creating a beautiful scene that slowly brought a bit of peace in me. I soon hear Adrien's giggles and my brothers' laughs together as they played. Heh. I guess even darkness contains a shed of light.

A few minutes later, the whole house smelled of the meat and toasty tortillas. I quickly served the food, called the boys, and grabbed my bow and arrow that I had to make from a firm mesquite tree from the back. " Okay guys I'll be heading out right now!" I yelled over my shoulder, grabbing the rusted door knob. Johnathan was setting Adrien into his chair as he glared at me," And DON'T get bit again!" My body shivered terribly just thinking of the incident," Shut up, you whimpy twig!"

The night stars guided my way through the dim field spotted with young, brittile mesquite trees. This was my night shift to go and hunt at least two or three animals and wild fruit that weren't poisonous. The hardests were the snakes, most being the deadly kinds or even finding any fruits or veggies.

Many crickets sang their songs of love to one another which thankfully covered the rustling of my heavy steps. The bugs danced in their daily gatherings and glowed softly in the moon's light. I looked at them for a moment, lightly jealous but happy that they enjoy the seconds of their lives, yet never understanding nor fearing death. I shook my head understanding that I have very pre

ssed time to gather food, so I continued down the vast area.

Two rabbits gullibly rested in the dark within a clear opening. Heh... this is way too easy, I laughed to myself. As I crept closer I realised that one was protecting the other, whom had a broken leg. My instincts begged my to just kill the two birds with one stone, but I knew that it would be too cold-blooded of me.

I crawled father across the field, but the rabbits squeaked which meant they saw me already. The mate bagan to bare its teeth (now I've seen it all!) and bit deep into my ankle. "Damn bunny! Let me go!" I barked. I grabbed its head and carefully but tightly tired to open its mouth. Blood slowly streamed down my foot staining the rabbit's lush coat. I hopped farther away to notify that Oi! I'm not gonna hurt you! to the stupid thing. After a few good 9 feet, it released my ankle, stared at me while fixing its whiskers, and hopped back to its spot.

"...Wierd animal."

I limped father to continue my search, but knew that I had to care my wound. Sitting down, I tore off a piece of my long shirt, using it as a tourniquet.

The quiet night was purely unsettling; something was disturbing the animals from calmly wandering around...and it must be something big.

As I move a little father, the grass' angle began to inherit a frozen sway that was geting lower and lower. In the very center was a worn-out leather book laying in a white circle filled with wierd symbols. I slowly crept into the circle and grabbed the book. Its soft, brown cover was sealed by a thin, long rope tied in a messy knot. What really caught my attention was the word ALCHEMY written on the top. "Alchemy?" I whispered to myself.

The grass rustled fiercly and two bodies began to stand up. My heart raced uncontrolably and my body shook like an earthquake. I kept the book firmly under my arm and dragged myself away from them. Damn!Damn!Damn! What the hell's going on! I continuously repeated in my head. I tried to stand to run away, but fell back down hard as the pain in my foot shot all over my body allowing a loud yelp to escape.

"Hey! V-vait!" a male, thick German-accented voice called. Fear overflowed my veins and desperatly attempted to get away. "Hang on! I'm got going to hurt you!" he called again. Tears filled my eyes," N-no! Get away from me!" and stupidly again try to stand but fall on my back. I shrieked in horrible pain a my body ecame motionless. NO NO NO NO NO NO! Why me? Why now!

A gloved hand grabbed mine and revealed a young boy with golden eyes and hair in a small braid. " Calm down. You're hurt." his voice soothed me, but didn't stop my suspision," Please turn over." He clapped his hands together and gently placed them on my back; light emitted from behind along with the disappearing pain. "Zere. I'ts not much, but it'll do," he whispered.

"Brother," a younger, male voice called from behind. The boy that healed me turned and called back," Hand on Al. I'll be right zere." He looked right into my eyes and spoke once again warmly," Okay, now your foot." A blush somehow found its way to my cheeks as he checked my injured foot. He's cute but I don't have the time to think about it. I have two brothers to care for, damnit, I argued with myself.

I felt the cloth come off as he smoothly checked the reddening bite mark. Imediately noticed that one hand was warm while the other was as cold as ice. Another flash of light appeared after he clapped his hands once again. The other boy came out from the tall grass; his bones were almost completely visible, and the only thing worn was a large, red overcoat. "Brother, what happened to her?" concern corrupting him.

The light dimmed into darkness while he put his hands away from my ankle," She's fine now, Al." He looked into the circle," Umm...where's the book?" The other boy shrugged and began to look around.

"Here," I grabbed the book from my side and held it out," I found it there, but I didn't know it was yours." The "healer" grabbed and studied it," Thanks."

Without thinking, I got up and ran back towards the house. I had to return; the boys were probably worried and anxious for my arrival. Shit, I realized, I couldn't even capture anything. I just collect some wheat as I run along and kill a few mice. I glance over my shoulder to understand that the brothers weren't following me.

Finally reaching the backdoor, I give out my usual chant," Honey, I'm home!" only to be greeted with silence. Terror struck me and run straight into the rooms to find spots of blood splattered on the walls and floor. "ADRIEN! JOHNATHAN! DONDE ESTAS!" My throat tightens and eyes water as each room checked turns out empty and more blood was visible. "HERMANOS!" came out as a squeak.

"Maria!" Johnathan carried a sleeping Adrien tightly in his arms and was bleeding horribly from his shoulder. "Hermano! What happened?" words barely audiable in my throat. "Attacked...Adrien's fine...mosters...help!" he heavily gasped.

"Damn! We're too late!" a familiar voice shouted. I turned to re-face the two whom were out in the fields. Unknown fury struck," Who the hell are you? What do you mean you're too late!" The healer just looked at us," I think it's best it we get out of here." "Okay," Johnathan simply answered.

God just PLEASE tell me what's going on! "Fine, then!"I growled. I took Adrien into my arms, grabbed Johnathan's wrist, and charged out of the house. The boys ushered us away from the only shelter we had for miles to come. My anger withered along with the feeling of having a home to return to.

We were half a mile away at the most when I stopped in my tracks. Johnathan, still grasping his injury, turned to me in a rushed tone," What Maria? What's wrong, now?" Blinded by shock, I raise my voice back at him," What do you THINK? We just lost our own home and now we're following complete strangers who might be one of those human smugglers that might take us across the border, use us, then leave us for dead! That's what's fucking wrong, you moron!"

Everyone stared at my state while the two guiding us stood blushing and confused. Adrien broke the silence as he awoke with a mumble and asked quietly about the situation. "Damnit," I whispered and slowly walked away from the group," You guys just give me some time, okay."

Before taking another step, the healer spoke softly,"Just to let you know now, my name is Edward and my brother is Alphonse. Th-this is in case something happens while you're gone." I nod,"...Okay..."

Not too far, I lay under an old mesquite tree and null Adrien back to sleep. The stars fill the sky and act like our own nightlight, and soon puts me peacfully to rest as well.

The rising morning sun settles over the dark earth and begins a new fresh day. I wake to see that Adrien and I were still laying under the tree but not alone: Johnathan was on the other side, and the brothers were on my close right.

"Heh, I guess we're lucky Adrien. But I still hope we can live somewhere safe." I get up and place him next to his older sibling, who's wound seemed to have healed, and walk into the tall, grain-filled grass.

"So...you the only one awake, too?" Alphonse spoke from behind. I jumpped in surprise but recover rapidly to aviod being laughed at,"Yeah, I guess so." He looked at me questionably," So what are you doing?" I continue walking forward but also with my conversation," Looking for breakfast. I do it everyday for my two brothers over there."

"What about the oldest sibling?"

"Ehh. Too lazy to even gather wheat."

"So you're the only one doing everything?"

"Yup. I guess it is true that girls stay in the kitchen..."

"I don't think so. I know a woman in the military, and she's really brave and nice."

"Well, good for her. I'm stuck caring for a toddler and a dimwit," I laugh at the final statement, Man, it's actually funny if I think about it.

Alphonse nervously laughs but stops as I ask," So what about you two? What do you guys do to live everyday?" He stiffened horribly,"Uhh...well...We, uhh..."

"Come on, it can't be worse than our situation," I try to get a word out of him. "We...take care of each other really hard,"and breathes out a small sigh of relief. Regaining my guard, I question one again," What about food? Shelter? Although you seem like you didn't need it." I dispised being rude, but I have my reasons.

Johnathan appeared from behind with Adrien and Edward following," Ja, miss policewoman. Stop interrogationg him and get back over here." I glared at my brother, gathered the wheat, and shoved past him and Edward. The two shared glances and shrugged, all deciding to follow.

Reaching back to the tree, I stopped and faced Johnathan,"So you never told me who the hell attacked you? What happened and answer me!" Johnathan flinched,"Shit! Ever since you came back from your hunt you started acting like a bitch." My blood boiled harshly and my face began to redden in raw anger,"I'M acting like a bitch? You're the one who's taking everything that has happened so softly! You nearly died, and you're saying it was nothing! We're following these fucking strangers and risking our lives, especialy Adrien's, and acting like it's absolutely NORMAL! Are you really that RETARDED!" My breaths came out in puffs and my cheeks felt feverishly hot. I've NEVER gotten after him like this before...maybe I have been acting like a bitch, but I have every right to be defensive of us.

Johnathan gave me a horribly disgusted look, shook his head, and walked past me, brushing my shoulder along the way. The Edward looked at me with pity and did the same. Alphonse stayed in his spot blushing with confusion and, yet again, pity. Before he even uttered a word, I interrupted in a choked whisper,"Just go with your brother... I can already see that you hate being away from him. Please..." Tears had welled within his eyes and nodded and passed me, only this time rubbed my arm.

Against my terrible pride, I turned my head to see them walk at least half-a-mile away and stop to sit; Johnathan let go of Adrien's hand and wield out his small dagger that I gave him the day we lived at our home. I take out my bow and arrows and start my hunt as well. Half an hour later I had captured two rabbits (HAH!) and three plump birds. My eyes wander back to the boys and notice that Johnathan had caught a small, skinny squirrel. I sighed to myself,"Idiot can't even catch a good kill," grabbed the food, and walked their direction.

Johnathan gave my a dirty look as he gnawed unsuccessfuly on the dry meat," What the hell are YOU doing here?" I snickered at his immature actions,"I brought you guys some food...I can't eat it all, plus I felt that y'all were really hungry." He reacted with hurt,"What? You thought I can't do anything!" "No, idiot. Just looking at your...meal...I couldn't help but offer some." He gave a huff of defeat and agreed,"Fine, but that doesn't mean that I want to make up." I shrugged and giggled. I wonder if this is how a mother feels. Minutes after cooking the food correctly, everyone finally had their satisfying breakfast.

"Okay," I stood from my spot,"I guess I've done my part of the deal," and left. Adrien gave a loud gasp and ran to me tightly grasping my torn shirt,"Mana!* Please don't leave!" The feeling of my arrows piercing my heart overwelmed me, but stood my ground,"You can come with me. I promise it'll be safe if Hermano comes too."

Johnathan glared at me coldly,"Come on, Adrien. She doesn't know what she's talking about."

"No! We're familia! We can't leave each other behind!"

"He's right, Johnathan," I nearly barked at him,"it's safer if we're all together." He just kept eyeing his target,"We're safer if ALL of us stay together...unless you get us killed." My jaw hit the ground,"I get us killed? I just freakin' saved y'alls stomachs and this is I deserve? I'm gonna kill you?" My only answer was being chewed out by my own brother,"Yes, you are! You and your stupid pride is going to one day put us into tombs! You listen to nobody but yourself and think you're the queen of the world! Whenever I decide to open my mouth, you end up treating me like a mental retard!"

I couldn't help but notice that the only thing in his eyes were pure hatred.

I kneeled and hugged Adrien and tried to hold back tears, stroking his back softly,"Don't worry mijo. Tu hermana is very strong." After a few tears, he finally released me slowly returning to his brother. I left to silent group and desperately tried not to turn back.

~Boys~

The sun was at is highest as they stayed in their place without a word. "So, Johnathan" Edward had decided to speak,"What had attacked you?" He continued to stare into space until,"I don't know...there were two people: one was a woman in a black dress, the other was a fat bald man that kept asking to eat me." He faced the boys only to meet their pale expressions while Edward's was mixed with hatred and shock,"Anyways, they kept threating me if I didn't tell them where the "Elrics" where. I have no clue who the hell they were, but I didn't want to get involved... Do you," he looked at the brothers," know them?"

Edward glanced at Alphonse for help, whom nodded, and sighed,"Yeah...they're-" and was cut off sharply by a familiar blood-curddling scream. Adrien was the first to jump to his feet and dashed towards it,"MARIA!"

END CHAPTER 1

A/N: First story and already have a cliffy...aren't I just evilz 3 Anyways, please do ze double Rs and be my awesome critics! Plze no flames. *Mana is short for Hermana which means sister in spanish