All you've forgotten
Rating: T
Summary: Al and Ed have been surviving on the street that is until they are picked up by the police and placed in a foster home, Al adapts quickly but can Ed forgive all those in the past who hurt him and move on?
Author Note: Major AU! No Alchemy but Ed does have automail. Also I do not own FMA, I wish I did but sadly… I don't.
Peering around the corner I keep my eyes peeled, watching out for anyone that seems even somewhat familiar. Behind me my younger brother, Alphonse crouches, his face a mask of pure misery as he clutches his stomach. Hunger has driven us to this point, the only place open this early is the coffee shop next to the detention hall. Licking my lips I turn to Al and shoot him a reassuring smile, which he returns, shakily. Sighing softly I push him further back into the ally's mouth and crouch down beside him.
"Stay hidden and I'll be back before you know it." I smile and watch as he nods, agreeing. Pressing my lips together I stand and head across the street, now deserted but later it will be filled with cars. Opening the store door I cringe as the bell jingles and several people turn to gaze at me, looks of disgust and anger crossing their faces. Snorting softly I continue to the counter, where a pimply teenage girl holds an uninterested expression and a fake smile.
"Can I help you?" she asks, voice unenthused as she looks at me. Suddenly, for some strange reason I feel very self-conscious. So, what, it's not my fault I don't have a nice place to sleep and shower like a normal person. I too once had a house and a warm bed, but, one night not too long ago everything changed. The girl behind the counter coughs rudely and I snap back to reality.
"Uh… two medium hot chocolates and…. A box of donuts." I say in a rush and make the motions of reaching into my pockets for money. Shivering slightly, muscles tensing as I wait for the girl to finish filling the small box I quickly grab up the two foam cups and just as she places the box on the counter, close to the register and begins ringing in the order I snap, reaching out the unoccupied hand I snatch the cardboard box and quickly turn. The girl behind me yells but I'm already leaping the stairs and bolting across to the alleyway. Rounding the corner I yell for my younger brother, knowing he knows the routine. But as I race down the corridor, dodging trashcans and jumping debris a knot forms in my stomach. Rounding a second corner I almost spill the contents of the cups as I slid to a stop, finding the police cars ahead of me, their lights flashing threateningly. Glancing at the cars quickly I see my brother's head in one, gratefully sipping the warm drink an officer passes to him. I back a few steps away and watch as Al shakes his head in anger before shooting a glare at the man questioning him. I just know he's saying sorry for not answering the guy's questions…. Good old Al, defiant to the end but always polite about it. Then again he never had the chance to harden himself, I always to the brunt of everything.
"Hey! There he is!" a shout behind me makes me jump, spilling the two foam cups all over my right arm. Swearing I throw the cups down along with the donuts and make a run for it, let them take Al away, he'll have a better life than I can give him out here. I race back the way I came, only to find the mouth blocked by more cops, holy shit how many people did they call! I slide to a stop and watch them all advance wearily, running my dirty hand through my even dirtier hair I lick my lips and narrow my eyes.
"Look, it was harmless. Let me go and no one will get hurt." I snarl at the adults and back a few paces off. Behind me I can feel the others trying to close in. Suddenly from behind me a man lunges and I swing my arm, catching him in the throat, knocking his air for a few minutes. Now all around me the cops are lunging, trying to restrain me but I fight on, kicking, punching, even biting. I refuse to let myself go back to a place where the people call me freak and lock me in closets, I refuse to be starved, I refuse to be beaten
I REFUSE!
I fight with ferocity not unlike a wild animal, that is until a loud gunshot pulls me up quickly and I whirl to see a sharply dressed man holding his hand gun… against my brother's head. Al's eyes are wide with fear and moist from unshed tears, tears he's to young to hold in.
"I am Captain Grand. You are under arrest Edward Elric, you can come quietly or your brother will suffer." The tall man says his mustache bobbing as he speaks. He jerks on Al for emphasis and my brother lets out a small whimper and closes his eyes. That's when I know I have to surrender, putting my hands out in front of me. Several officers throw me to the ground, more harshly than needed and handcuff me, some cries of surprise as they get a good look at my right arm. Auto-mail, it's a means of being normal, but is still a reason to the labeled a freak. They haul to me to my feet and frog march me to the awaiting ploice car. As I'm shoved inside Al snuggles close to me, and sobs into my shirt. With my hands bound as they are I can't reach around to comfort him but for some reason I think me just being there is good enough. The cruiser drives foreword, leaving a very trashed ally way and the spilled contents of some foam cups. Signing I lean back against the seat and sigh, awaiting whatever comes next.
So, what did you think? I'm finally back to typing and hopefully these creative juices will keep right on flowing! It's a pretty major AU huh? This chapter was typed to Stone Sour's new album, Come What(ever) May and the thought process came from this book I rented from the library called Theories of Relativity . Very good book, I recommend it be read. It changes your views. So, expect another chapter soon! REVIEW!
