I Do Not Own Fullmetal Alchemist

"I have a new assignment for you two," Roy Mustang said, sitting at his desk. "We dispatched two military officers in a town in West Amestris. It's been several months since they made contact with us. I'd like you and Al to check it out."

Ed observed,"A State Alchemist doesn't seem necessary for this situation."

"Before we lost contact with the two officers they mentioned in the reports a secluded building at the top of the mountain."

"What's odd about that?"

"They heard screaming."

~XXX~

Ed and Al stepped off of the train onto the platform. Both of them gazed up at the town. The town they were sent to was built up alongside the mountain. All the house fronts faced the west, toward the train station at the base of the mountain. Ed cracked his back and picked up his brown suitcase.

"Alright Al. Time to go to the local inn."

"So what exactly is strange here?"

"The report said the building up at the top of this mountain is owned by a retired doctor. The last time the officers made contact they heard screaming coming from up there."

Ed and Al made their way up the steep side of the mountain. The dirt road zigzagged up to the town. It was getting close to twilight. Once at the inn they rented a room. The inn had fourteen rooms all on two levels. Because of the town being built on the side of the mountain, the buildings were longer than they were wide.

"Welcome to Erimere—the town built on the side of Mount Dell Mill."

"Hi. We'd like a room please."

The friendly innkeeper nodded. Ed gave him the money for the room and in return got the key. The innkeeper had stubble growing on his chin and cheeks. He was also a relatively tall man.

Ed asked the innkeeper, "Have you seen two men who go by First Lieutenant Lee Williams and Second Lieutenant Julius Goldwin?"

The man thought for a moment before replying, "Military soldiers? Yeah. That was a while ago. The two of them checked out of here three months ago."

"Oh. We're here looking for them. What can you tell us about the building up at the top of this mountain?"

"A retired doctor lives up there. His name is Liam Hans. He's very hostile. No one goes up there because the poor doctor likes to be alone. The doctor has a pack of guard dogs too. That's all anybody knows about him. Those two soldiers took an interest in the old man before they left. He came to live here several years ago."

Ed thanked the man and Al followed him to their room. The room was very bland. It had wood floors with neutral colored wallpaper, a couch to the right of when you walk in and two beds. Al sat down on one of the beds.

"Maybe we should go investigate the hermit doctor's home?"

"Well, if those two soldiers took an interest in the doctor it's most likely that the doctor was involved with their disappearance." Ed put his red coat over his suitcase on the bed. "Let's go."