Disclaimer: The only thing I own is the man who pops up in this story. And maybe a few other characters later... (hint hint)

Author's Notey: This is my first ever fanfic, so please be a little gentle if you are going to criticize. ;)

A clash of thunder and rain filled the night sky. A family of four was sleeping. Well, were sleeping anyway. Little Alphonse couldn't keep from crying, and Edward, being in the same room, tossed and turned and tried to drown out the noise.

After what seemed like forever, both Al and the storm quieted down; But something still moved. It was faint, but Ed could still barley hear it. They sounded like footsteps. They grew louder and louder until it reached Ed's and Al's bedroom door. Whoever was at the door slowly turned the doorknob, and their tall, dark figure stepped inside. Edward threw his covers over his eyes to 'make' the figure go away, like it was a dream. But it wasn't, and all Ed could do from crying out was to keep listening to the footsteps come closer and closer.

He heard them pass Al's bed and reached his. From a hole in Ed's covers, he could see that the figure was a person. It looked like his dad. "Da-" A rough, but gentle hand covered Ed's mouth, then he heard a whispering voice; his father's. "Shh… Don't say anything until we get outside. If you can hear me, nod." Ed nodded, following his father's out-of-character commands. "Now," Said his father, still whispering, "Get some clothes on, but don't wake up Al. Got it?"

Ed nodded.

"Good. Now hurry up. We need to get out of here before the sun rises."

Outside, the ground was muddy and the air was moist. Immediately, Edward regretted putting on his new shoes. When he'd get back home, he would sure get a scolding from his mom. But, he was too tired at the moment to care.

After walking past Winry's house and a few others, Edward finally had the courage to talk. "Daddy… Where are we going?" Edward asked, looking at his tall father. "Somewhere… Far away from home." He grinned. The four-year old became scared. "But what about Mommy? And Al?" Edward sobbed, "They'll miss us." His father looked down at his crying son, "I'm sure they won't. I left a note for your mother. It says: 'Me and Edward are going for a walk. Be back soon.'" Then he turned quickly away.

That last part made Edward curious. Was his father lying to him? He didn't ask, since I might've been rude. Instead, he walked silently by his father's side, until he nearly fell asleep in mid-walk…

Edward woke with a start. He was sweating and very tense. He'd been having the same dream over and over again… But what did it mean? And why was he so afraid? He glanced out the window; the sun was high in the sky.

"At least it's over…"

"Hey! Hey! Edward! Are you still with me?"

Edward looked up. "What? Oh, yeah. Sure."

Roy sighed. "Something the matter, Fullmetal? You've been daydreaming a lot these past few days." Ed looked straight into Roy's eyes. Damn. I did it again? "It's nothing."

"Are you sure?" The flame colonel raised an eyebrow.

A long period of silence followed. He won't believe me if I tell. Then again, it's just a dream. Dreams aren't real right? Just random images your mind creates. Ed played with his fingers; trying to decide on what he should do. Suddenly a clock rang 3, making Ed jump. "Uh… Al's expecting me. Can I leave now? I need to meet him at the train station." Ed started to get up, when an unexpected hand touched his shoulder. The blond looked up, startled. "What?"

"Are you sure it's just nothing? You look like you haven't been getting enough sleep."

Ed turned away from his superior's eyes. He couldn't bear to look in his eyes while lying. "… Yeah."

Roy took back his hand. "Ed, I want you to know that you can trust me. If something is happening to you, you can tell me. I want to help you." He turned and walked back toward his desk; by the time he got there, Ed was out the door.

"Hey Brother!" Ed sighed. At least Al seems happy after his time in Resenbool. Even after regaining their bodies back, Ed stayed a State Alchemist, so he couldn't have a carefree life as Al has had so far. Al insisted that Ed should resign, but something kept him from doing so. I guess it's because I've grown so attached to them.

"Is something wrong Brother?" Al gray eyes filled up with concern.

Ed managed a joyful smile. "Naa, Mustang just had a few extra short jokes today."

Al laughed. "Okay. If that's it."

Ed chuckled to. "Tomorrow I'll fill his room full of sawdust! We'll see how he likes that!"

Al rolled his eyes. "You're so mature Ed."

Ed shot Al an angry glace. "Al! He started it!"

"Whatever you say. But I think you both will continue your fights until one of you actually kills the other."

That made both of the Elric's burst into laughter. The two brothers enjoyed the moment. Ed watched as Al's hair flowed in the wind-Something Ed hadn't seen since the day they tried to bring their mom back to life. No matter how down Ed can get, Al's always there to cheer him up. Always there.

That night, after having a quick dinner with Al, Ed didn't go straight to bed. Instead, he went to the library to check out a book about dreams and nightmares.

"Lets see…" He whispered, gazing at the words. "Dreams can be linked to past experiences or current stress…" Ed went over the possibilities. He didn't feel stressed out. The missions he had been getting were minor ones: Investigate a document sent by the Eastern Country; Inspect a town here and a town there. Easy. But what about past experiences? Ed scratched his head.

"Either I have amnesia or my mind is going crazy."

He turned the page. 'Some people believe dreams are sometimes visions of the future.'

Well, he knew that wasn't it. In his dream, he had been very young. The blond alchemist sighed and closed the book.

"So much for that idea-" He paused in mid-sentence. He heard a noise that sounded someone was drawing with chalk. Was someone using alchemy? Before Edward could investigate, the wall behind him exploded and sent him and rubble flying through the air. Ed didn't have time to react and was buried under mounds of concrete, books, and iron. The weight on his lungs and neck made it almost impossible to breathe. If only I just get my hands together… He twisted them, but his left arm was numb with pain. Move…

At the same time, Ed gradually felt parts of the wreckage being pulled off him. He gulped in air and shook his head.

"Ow..." Ed moaned. He still couldn't move his legs, and he saw his left arm completely covered in blood. The pain was so excruciating that he dared not move it. Edward was sure that he had bone damage as well. He gasped when someone put their hand on his forehead.

"My, my. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time it seems." It was a male's voice, but Ed couldn't see who they were.

"Who… Are you?" Ed winced at the pain it took to speak.

"That is not important right now." Ed sensed the man backing up, and then proceeding to pull of the debris from Ed's legs.

"Stop." The teen didn't want this stranger anywhere near him.

"But I need to get this off of you and take you to the hospital. Don't you want to live?"

"I hate you." Ed gritted his teeth. He was sure this man had hurt him on propose with that explosion.

The man laughed at Ed's latest remark. "Close to death and yet still willing to give threats? You should know that you are in no position to do that." The man punished Ed by kicking him in the ribs. The teen screamed in agony. Edward could feel tears in his eyes. He couldn't stop them from running down his face as the man continued to kick and laugh at Ed's pitiful state.

"Stop it… Please." Ed could feel his whole body go numb.

"Oh? Now we are being polite? I knew you were always stubborn, but does it take you this long to be respectful?" The man laughed when Ed gave him a surprised face, "Aww, I guess you don't remember me. Oh well." The man smiled as he hauled the last of the concrete off of Ed's body, and picked him up. Ed struggled, but he was too weak to stop the man from carrying him to a car parked outside the library.

"Let… Go…" Ed bit the man in the arm and drew blood, but the guy didn't even flinch.

"Is that all you got? Really Ed, you can't hurt me. Just be quiet. I'm taking you to the hospital, remember?"

"I don't… Trust you." Ed winched when the man pulled at his long, blond hair. And instead of replying, he shoved Ed into the backseat and strapped Ed to it by the seatbelt. He closed the door quickly and walked over the driver's seat. The man made sure that Ed wasn't going to attack him before starting the car and driving to the nearest hospital. Edward tried yelling out to anyone, but his body had given up. His voice was gone, and soon Ed gave away to the darkness.

"Brother..." It was Al's voice. But he seemed so far away.

"Al...? Where are you?" Ed twisted around, but all he saw was blackness. Was this a dream? No, he feel something... Something was brushing against him. It was furry and warm. A dog? Edward gasped when a light suddenly appeared, and it took him a long moment to realize that he just opened his eyes.

"Brother? Are you feeling better now?" Ed saw Al leaning over him and Roy just behind. "Are you in pain?"

Ed inhaled and was rewarded with a spasm of coughs. Al gasped and placed a glass of water at Ed's lips. Ed breathed in air, trying to stop the sickness. Eventually they went away, and Edward gulped down the refreshing liquid.

By now, Roy had positioned himself by Ed's bed, eyeing the state alchemist wearily. Ed's wounds were pretty severe, and he had been in the ER for some time. AL had stayed in the hospital last night when he found out what had happened to Ed. The doctors weren't sure if Ed could survive, but Roy knew him better. Ed was a survivor.

When Ed seemed calm enough, Roy made his voice as gentle as can be, "Do you remember anything from last night?"

Ed shot Roy a glace, but Roy couldn't tell if it was an angry one or a confused one. Maybe it was a mixture of both. Ed released a quiet sigh and turned his head away from Roy. Ed hated how Roy was always so quick to the point. But the blonde alchemist knew that Roy wouldn't leave until he got an answer, so Ed wheezed out a reply, "Leave me alone Mustang."

Roy curled up a fist. He cared about Ed, but he needed the information so he could get a suspect. Library just don't explode by themselves. And the nurses did say that Ed was dropped off by a strange man.

Al pulled at Roy's shirt. "Sir, I think it's best to leave Brother alone right now. It might be hard for him to talk about last night."

"But..." Roy sighed. Al was right. He never liked talk about the Isbal war, and that was many years ago. Roy knew that he was pushing Ed, but he was worried. The teen had been acting so strange lately, and this could be connected. A few minutes later a doctor came in. Regrettably, Roy and Al had to leave the room so doctor could examine Ed for any wounds they might have missed. Roy heard Ed mutter something, but he didn't catch any words. Why do you always keep everything to yourself?

Author's Notes: I'd say that's pretty good for a first-timer, no? I don't care what you people think either, I like it. xD

Sorry if anyone seemed OOC though... I think there are minor ones if there are any...