Chapter 1

Alchemy. It was so interesting and complex and I wanted to learn it with all my heart. My father was an alchemist, so I had dreamed of studying with him for years! But he wouldn't hear of it. He said to me once, 'Girls can't do alchemy.' But I knew I could. I've tried it, you see. I help my father in his lab. I do the boring chores of lifting, moving and cleaning. But I always watched him closely and read over his shoulder. He never knew. He never will.

The first time I tried alchemy I had snatched a book from his study after he'd asked me to tidy his desk. The book was a tome of basic alchemy. At first, I found it hard to read. It was complicated, and dry - but interesting. I had read the book cover to cover and my first transmutation was making a flower pot for my mom. She loved it. She promised not to tell father. She knew how much I loved working with him. She would often have heated discussions with him, trying to convince him to teach me. He always said no.

My father is a smart man, but he's not very nice. I understand though. All he wants, most in the world, is a son - to pass on all his research. So, in hopes of appealing to his dreams I pretend I am the son he's never had. My mom understands. She helps me trim my hair short, and goes into town to buy me trousers. She's always sad when she helps me, but I know she understands. For my 15th birthday she said she'll buy me a dress. I'll save it for a special occasion, but I have to keep up appearances, in case father let's me study!

But then my mom had her. She was with child again, and she was due. My father so hoped for a son. He knew it was going to be a boy! He was ecstatic. I was putting my younger sister to bed when mom started to deliver. Father went to get the doctor, but she moved along too quickly. I helped mother deliver my new sister. But before father came home, my mom passed. He was silent all night; he didn't say a word. He just sat there next to the fire, fingering his ring. I was too shocked to sleep so I sat behind him at the table, staring at the grains in the wood all night. The next morning my moms friend came over and talked to father about my younger sister, Sarah and the new baby. They knew the situation well from mom. They'd come to take them off dads hands. They asked me if I wanted to come, but I said no. "He might need my help with his research. I need to be here. Take care of my sisters."

After that I never saw them. Father kept me busy while he researched all hours of the day. I figured he was getting close to figuring out the problem he was working on. I had an idea what it might be. I didn't like it, but I suspected.

On my 15th birthday he hollered up to me from the basement.

"Maya! Come quick! It's time!"

All my doubts were washed away! This was it! Father was going to let me study with him! At last!

I ran down the stairs in my trousers and white work shirt. My hair had started to grow out a little bit, it hung a little loose around my neck, but it was too short for a pony tail.

"Yes father?!" I said, a wide brim smile spread eagle across my face. My hands rung themselves as I nervously waited his attention.

"Maya, it is time." He said with a crocked smile. He looked at me as he said this but his eyes shifted quickly to the doorway. "Shut the door."

I did as I was told and quickly returned to his side at his dusty, cluttered desk. My hands couldn't stay still. They began to shake and I had to shove them in my pockets to contain my excitement.

"I need you to assemble these materials for me." He handed me a list on a torn piece of paper.

'Water, carbon, hydrogen, salt' I was a little confused. Why would I be gathering materials? Was he going to teach me a transmutation? I quickly fetched them from the store cabinet and returned with all the ingredients. He quickly measured them out, spilling ingredients as he poured, his own hands shook violently.

"Maya, I need you to take this tray to the centre of the circle over there. It is time to see how my transmutation will work. You've been a fine helper all these years. Now lets see what WE can do. hmm?"

He passed me the tray and I gingerly gripped the sides and brought it over to the circle. I could hardly wait! It was true! He was going to show me his research! He was going to finally teach me! I moved to step out of the circle when he held up his hand.

"Maya, stay there. It's not ready yet."

I crossed my eyebrows. Why would he want me to stay here. That was dangerou-

Blue light suddenly flashed around me and my feet were anchored to the floor.

"Father! Wait!" I cried out. But over the noise of the transmutation crackling around the room I suppose he couldn't hear me. I tried to move my feet when suddenly long black tendrils shot from the floor and started to wind their way up my legs. I screamed!

"Father! Help! Please! Stop the transmutation!" I shouted at the top of my lungs but my father just stared at me with a glint in his eyes and a grin plastered across his face. He wasn't teaching me... he was using me... to make a son.

The last thing I remember is his face glaring at me from outside the transmutation circle as I screamed in pain. My body was being taken, remoulded and I could do nothing to stop it. Pain... Darkness... Silence... then...

Hey! Im back with new ideas and I hope you enjoy them. I've been working on my writing over the past few years and hope to get back into writing not only fan fictions for practice but my own works too. You can see those on BookRix. Just search Tale from Afar! I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. More to come as soon as I get some homework done.

Disclaimer - I don't own FullMetal Alchemist or any of its characters.