Anything FMA related belong to H/A, OCs/story belong to me.
Enjoy.
Chapter Two: Not Middlesbrough.
Forget only my arms and head hurting, everything hurts now...
I groaned as my eyes forced themselves open. I forced them to strain as I tried to gain focus, however everything before me was just a great big... blob. Pretty much. It was just a great big yellow blob.
I pushed myself up, my head falling forward as I kept on trying to gain focus. I kept on blinking and blinking, not getting anything out of it. I sighed. "Richard..." I moaned, my eyes slipping shut again. I patted my hand around, trying to find a source of... well... anything. But, I couldn't feel anything. There was absolutely nothing beneath my finger tips, unless I suddenly lost all feeling in my entire body and was somehow feeling pain too.
For some reason, I felt like I was... floating. You know, like in a dream. Maybe that's what this was, a dream. I know you're not meant to feel pain in dreams, but Frances did tell me that her brother was sleeping on his remote once and in his dream he was falling and when he hit the ground it hurt. So maybe I'm sleeping on my remote or something.
"Richard..." I called again. I moaned, still getting no reply. "Richard... did you take out my lenses?" I grumbled. (Yes, I wear contacts. But I much prefer glasses, personally, they don't irritate me as much)
I let out a long, painful groan as I pushed myself to my feet. I began to walk around, completely blinded, as I tried to search for something... anything. But, I still found nothing.
I pinched my aching body. "Ouch!" I yelped, rubbing the arm I pinched. "Yeah... I'm awake"
"And its about time you were too"
A voice called from behind me. I spun round, in the direction that I believed that the voice was coming from. "Who? Where?... I'm so confused" I complained to the voice's owner.
"Open your eyes human"
The voice told me. I cracked an eye open, seeing that everything was still a bit blurry, but no where near as blurry as it was before. I could now just make to the little black... creature before me. It's eyes were purple-I think-and it grinned a me mischievously-yet again, I think.
"Who are you?" I asked it, he, she? Gah, I don't know!
He-she-it, snickered at me, approaching me slowly. The snicker sent chills down my spine. I began to back away a little.
"I am truth"
I blinked. "Truth? What kind of name is th-"
"So, you want to walk the path to the other side, little human?"
I growled to myself. At least let me speak, you stupid little creepy kid thingy. "What do you mean?" I asked it, still backing off, until I sensed a presence behind myself. I paused and glanced over my shoulder. There stood a large-no massive-door. I blinked at the door. For some strange reason, it reminded me of the "automatic doors" at school. Maye because I had that feeling that it wont open without a push, even though it says that will open for me.
"You should know. You're the one who summoned the Gate here. And being a little human from the world without alchemy, you must want to travel to the other side" Truth told me. I spun back toward it-he-she. I shook my head from side-to-side, still not having the faintest clue on what "Truth" was talking about.
"A-Another... world?" I squeaked. Truth's grin widened as she-he-it, nodded at me. Liar. The voice to the back of my head began to protest. Another world? Rubbish. Not unless I was suddenly hired by NASA and put in a rocket without my own knowledge.
I chuckled nervously at Truth. "Um-um... Another world? S-sorry but I think I'll pass," I smiled at him-her-it, hoping to hide my secret anxiety. Another world, if it was possible, it would be great and all, but I've heard all the stories; fan-girl/boy goes to another world where their favorite fictional characters are and have some big adventure. Yeah, great. But, in the end, they end up really missing their home or falling in love with one of their heroes and are stuck for choice between the worlds, or something happens to a loved one in their home world without them knowing.
"Th-Thank you, though..." I whispered, backing off again, only to bump into the giant door. Truth chuckled. "But I thought that some curious little human like you would jump at the chance to take a trip down the rabbit hole"
I shook my head. "Sorry... But I'm no curious Alice who wants to jump straight into Wonderland without thinking about it" I retorted, hoping that this Truth guy-girl-thing, would just leave me alone. I don't want to live a life full of adventure, no matter how inviting it may sound. I just want a normal life at home. I want to stay up all night playing on my guitar, forgetting about my homework due in the next day and then rush my work whilst chewing on my burnt toast. A normal life. If there is someone out there who would kill to take my place right now, don't bother killing me, I'll let you have my place anyway.
I was brought back to "reality" when I heard Truth let out a long sigh.
"Such a shame," Truth began, the doors behind me creaking open as he talked. "I want you to go anyway" He smirked wickedly at me- I think. Suddenly, I felt something latch onto me. I looked down at my still aching body to find little black hands holding onto me. I glanced back up at Truth, who was now sat on the floor. "I'm sure you'll enjoy your little trip down te rabbit hole, curious little human"
I struggled for freedom. I pulled and tugged at my limbs, trying to get them free, however the pains only grew with my struggles, especially on my arms where the blood tests were done. The arms hoisted me into the air and with no hesitation, pulled me into the darkness behind the door. I screamed my lungs out as I was dragged down into the dark bunny hole, of that tricky white rabbit.
---
"Wah! Holy-cheese-gobbering-crap!" I screamed, shooting up from the bed where I lay. I looked around frantically. The walls around me glowed luminous white, along with the curtain that was drawn part of the way around me. I glanced down at the sheets that covered my body. White, like everything else.
Then I noticed it, sticking out of my arm, the tube that led all of the way up to the saline drip. I collapsed back onto the bed, pulling off the oxygen mask that was on my face. "I'm in hospital," I groaned, placing a palm over my eyes. I must have been really ill then, unless it was Richard being-
"What on earth is going on in here!?" A loud voice bellowed. I let out a yelp, pulling the bed sheets up to hide myself. However, it was then that I realised that I was in a private ward. Whoa, Richard must have been really worried.
I peaked up from the sheets, waving a nervous hand at the large nurse stood at the door, hands planted on her huge hips. "Um, hi?" I giggled. The nurse sighed, walking over to me. "Its good t' see ya' feelin' butter," she moaned. I blinked. Did she just say "butter"?
"Bu', yuh' do know tha' shoutin' in a 'ospital is not good fer other 'atients" She told me, in her very weird accent. Even people where I live don't have an accent as bad as hers.
I blinked, my cheeks burning bright red as my fingers fiddled together on my lap. "Yeah, um, soz" I muttered. The nurse gave me a confused look.
""Soz"?" She asked me, looking at me like I was an alien. I nodded. "Yeah, soz" I repeated, thinking that she was shocked to have an apology of something. But the next thing she said shocked me.
"Tuh 'ell does "soz" mean. Is tha' yur' language?" She asked, in a much more snappy tone. I arched a brow at her. C'mon, all kids say it where I come from. I sighed. She's obviously not from Middlesbrough."Soz means "sorry". OK? I said that I was "soz", I'm "sorry". Get it?"
She laughed at me, patting me on the shoulder. "Youth 'hese duys. Honestly," she wiped a fake tear from her eye. She then stepped over to my drip, checking it. "So,"she started, letting the drip go and turning back to me. "Where yuh from t'en?"
I opened my mouth to speak. I was hoping to say, "well. We're at "James Cook Hospital. You know, in Middlesbrough. Where do you think I'm from!?". I only stopped because I thougth if I said that, she would probably eat me. And I am from Redcar, so saying that would technically be wrong anyway. And then again, who knows, I might not even be at James Cook, Richard could have dragged me somewhere else for all I knew.
I gulped. "Which hospital am I in?" I asked, getting a laugh from the nurse. I sent her look of confusion. She wiped yet another tear from her eye. "Onl' tuh 'bes' in Central,"
Central?
"Central Amestris 'ospital, at yur' servic, ma'am" The nurse laughed, giving me a salute. My stomach dropped.
Ame-what? Amestars? The school band? No... She didn't say that... Speaking of bands...
I looked at her with a face filled with horror. "Miss nurse!-"
"Call meh Barbra"
"-Barbra! Where is my pink guitar!"
Barbra stopped, giving me a skeptical look. I panted, completely and utterly full of panic, not just from the thought of loosing my love in life, but also from this "Amestars... Centra" thing (but it was mostly for my guitar).
She shook her head at me. "Tuh 'ell am I meant tu' know? There was nothin' with yer buh yerself 'n' yer bag" The nurse listed the two items on her fingers. I fell back ito the pillow again. My eyes clenched shut, holding back my tears for fears (hey that's a band!). What if I lost my guitar? What if its gone!? Never to come back! Not only is that over £200 down the drain! But I've got no reason to live on anymore!
I shuddered. Now, do I have a good reason to take up that "Truth" thing's offer. My eyes snapped open. Wait... Truth!?
"I want you to go anyway"
"But I thought that some curious little human like you would jump at the chance to take a trip down the rabbit hole"
My mind began to spin. Truth said something about another world! And I don't have a bloody clue where "Central", or whatever the name was of that other place, is! What if Truth was being honest!? What if...
I clutched onto my head as it began to throb, yet again. I could sense Barbra's gaze on me. I felt like crying. It was like a one-man-band was marching through my skull.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Barbra pressed her clammy hand on my forehead. "Yu' 'ave a bit o' a temperature," I glanced up at her, my teeth clenched together behind my closed lips. Her eyes wondered down to my arms. They widened at the sight of them. She took a firm hold of my left arm. I let out a yelp at the sudden contact.
I then took a peak at what it was that she was looking at. That was when I felt faint. The area around the spot where the needle sunk into my arm had some sort of purple-and an unnatural purple-bruise wrapped around the wound, however there was a gap in the centre of the bruise where the needle had penetrated my skin.
This wasn't a normal bruise, unless someone attacked me with with a big letter "O" from an alphabet spaghetti, then there was a problem. I gulped hard as the nurse examined it. "I've never seen nothin' like it" She whispered horsey as she looked at my arm. Great, so I'm a lab rat now?
She looked over to my right arm, which had the exact same bruise, down to the last detail. She pulled the saline drip from my arm, in order to get a better look. She shook her head, hand resting on her chin.
"Maybe an infection?" I suggested, getting a shake of the head from the nurse. I sighed. She's the expert, not me. She opened her mouth to speak when the door to the ward suddenly swung open. Both mine and Barbra's gaze went to the door.
Stood at the door were three people, two men and a women, all dressed in a blue uniform. The man at the front stood tall and proud, his hair black like a raven or crow, since not many ravens hang about Redcar. The man behind him had short mucky blonde hair, a cigarette stuck between his lips. The women beside that man had blonde hair that was tied back in a bun, and had a calm sense about her, well that's what I was getting from her anyway.
I blinked at them. Police?
The man with dark hair smirked at us. "So, shes finally awake, huh?" Barbra took a spare sheet from under the bed and flung it over my arms, hiding them for some reason.
She then placed her hands on her hips and waddled-that's right, waddled-over to the man with dark hair, giving him a smug look as she did. "Colonel Roy Mustang," she said in a stern tone. The man, Roy, chuckled. "Nice to see you too, Barbra"
The nurse tutted and rolled her eyes. I glanced between the two as they kept on staring at each other with smug expressions.
This is new...
An image of Micky and Dom suddenly came into my head. They were both standing before each other, the same way as Roy and Barbra, except that I couldn't see their faces, for some reason, they were blurred.
... Maybe not so new.
"Pardon me," a calm voice echoed beside me. I looked over to find the women standing beside me, my bag held in her hand. She placed it on my lap for me. "I picked this up or you on the way in," she told me. I smiled at her. "Thank you, miss... Um..."
"Hawkeye"
"Miss Hawkeye"
I unzipped my bag, staring into it, happy that all of my stuff was present and account for-
Wait. A. Minute. Wait a freakin' minute!
I glanced up at Hawkeye. "Um, excuse me. But where is my mobie?" She blinked at me, giving me the same look Barbra did when I said "soz" to her. I sighed. I'm defiantly not in Middlesbrough anymore.
"My...My mobile. Mobile Phone. Its a Samsung U600, a purple one" I explained, only for her look not to shift one bit. I sighed and turned to the man know as Roy, who was now walking over to me, his gloved hand clenched around... something.
And I bet that its something certain.
He held out his hand to me, my phone in his hand. I smiled brightly at the sight of my phone and went to snatch it from his hand when he pulled it back. I growled. He dangled it from the "Me-to-you-bear" phone chain that my friend Shannon got me as a present.
"Is this what you are talking about?"
I nodded slowly a him, reaching out for it. I then noticed Barbra's worried gaze on me. Oh yeah, the bruise! I ducked my arm quickly back under the sheets, obviously looking suspicious.
"Pull out your arm," Roy said sternly. I shook my head. "Why?" I asked, trying to sound oblivious. But clearly he wasn't that stupid. He pulled the sheet away, my arm visible for the whole world to see. I closed my eyes. Then after a long moment of silence, I looked at my arm.
The mark was gone.
The hell?... I thought... I shook it off. "See? Nothing to hide," I told him with a grin. He looked at me like I committed murder. He looked back at my phone, still in his hand.
"So, what is this?" He snapped.
I choked. This. Is. Not. Middlesbrough. (This is spartan!... Sorry, couldn't resist). I swallowed the lump at the back of my throat. "A... Mobile phone" I whispered, wanting to rant at him about how he didn't know what a mobile phone was, but I'm a better person than that (S-D: Sure... Elle: Shut up! This is mah story).
Roy arched a brow at me. "And what excatly is a "mobile phone"?"
My thumbs fiddled together under the sheets that Roy put back over me. "A phone that is... mobile?"
Roy scowled at me. How else was I going to put it? Its not like I built it! I sighed, sitting up. I hate repeating myself. And I can see myself doing it pretty soon.
"This technology is completely foreign and advanced. How did you across something so advanced?"
Great. I'm screwed. I don't know, duh, it was bought for me for Christmas. But I couldn't tell him that, since I was stuck in a place that was not Middlesbrough. What should I say?
"I built it"
Great going.
Roy blinked. "No really-"
"Yeah really," I folded my arms across my chest, putting on the best straight face I could. Am I glad I take drama for a GCSE.
Roy didn't look like he was buying it, but he dropped my mobile on my lap anyway. "I'll get an answer out of you once you're feeling better. But for now," he looked over to the man with mucky blonde hair. "My college wants to speak with you"
He stepped aside, allowing the man who was smoking walk forward. I held my breath on his approach. I can't stand the smell of smoke. I really can't. That's why I love Britain for bringing in the smoking ban.
The man held a hand up at me. "Hey,"
I held up my hand too, my face feeling like it was going to turn blue. "H-Hi" I let out a little breath. He gave me a weird look, but carried on with what he was saying.
"Names Havoc, Jean Havoc"
"-gasp-Elle"
Havoc gave me the look again. "OK then, Elle. I really need to apologise to you," he bowed at me a little. "I am very sorry".
I took in another breath of air, collecting in some smoke, so I gave up and began to breath normally again. "What for?" Hawkeye stepped in. "You don't remember?" I shook my head.
"No, all I can remember is waking up here and-"
Images of Truth and the door flashed in my mind. My eye lids lowered a little. "Never-mind" I whispered. Hawkeye looked like she wanted to carry the conversation on, but stopped when Havoc stopped her.
"Sorry kid, I kind of... Ran you over with my car."
My jaw dropped. I was hit... By a car!?
Upon seeing the look on my face, Havoc apologised again. "I'm really sorry, you just came out of nowhere and the breaks took ages to stop the car. I'm really sorry, kid"
I sighed. Explains why everything hurts, but not the bruise on my arms. "Its OK, I guess. I'm alive so..." I stopped, not sure how to finish the sentence.
"She's in a stable condition, she has been for the past week-"
Week!? I was out for a week!?... Dude, best sleep in ever!
"-so I'm thinking that she should be allowed out in the morning. Her injuries are minor, just a couple of scratches. She's just fine. Just needs a bit more rest" Barbra explained. Roy nodded. "Come on you two," he beckoned, the pair obeyed their orders and marching out of the ward.
Roy stopped at the door and looked back at me. "I'll be seing you in the morning then" He warned, slamming the door shut behind himself. A chill crossed over my body.
"Tech, shame is'n' it?" she turned to me, her accent suddenly coming back. I wondered where it went... "Yuh'll be gone by tuh' time 'e gets 'ere" She snorted, pointing at the door with her thumb.
Wait... Shes like... helping me escape!? Whoa, best nurse ever!.
---
I seriously love that crazy sounding nurse!
I waved madly at the women from the great outdoors of the entrance of the hospital; finally out of that plain white gown too, and back in the clothes I wore when I went to Middlesbrough town with Frances and the others, except I put-regrettably-my school jumper over the top, in order to keep myself warm.
Barbra snorted at me, waving her hand carelessly before marching back to work. I took in a long breath of fresh air as I spun around. Finally out. I sighed in a relaxed way. I love being outdoors. Its better then being stuck inside a house all day.
I then blinked at the scenery around me; a fountain sat in the middle of what looked like some sort of town square, many different flowers sat around the fountain. I stepped over to it, perching myself on the smooth edge of it, pulling out my mobile-which seemed to be causing me a lot of trouble-and scanned down the list of contacts.
I waited until I got to the contact labeled "Mot-har". I went to call her, then I paused. Hold on a minute. I was just in hospital because I was hit by a car. Why didn't my mum come and visit me? Or at least, why didn't Barbra tell me?... Unless...
I laughed. throwing my phone back in my bag and swinging the bag over my shoulder. "Pfft. Yeah, another world. And I'm the Doctor's assistant" (A/N: For those who don't know who "The Doctor" is, he's a time traveller from he series "Doctor Who", an awesome show, and he is always travelling with an assistant in his time traveling police box).
I began to wonder aimlessly around the streets, looking for any sign of "Middlesbrough life". Surely I can't be that far from Middlesbrough. I placed a fist on my hip and leaned forward, looking left and right over the road before me. With no sign of traffic, I crossed the road with little care.
This place is completely dead. I mean, there is no one around. I moaned and rubbed a sore spot on the back of my neck. "Maybe 'cause its so early that nobody is out yet," I told myself, still looking around for any sign at all of life.
But, instead of looking for life, I should have really been looking where I was going.
I bumped into a taller being, with enough force that actually sent me to the ground. I grumbled, rubbing my back. "Soz-I mean-Sorry 'bout that, I wasn't looking where I was going," I opened my eyes and looked up at the man before me.
The man with a scar on his face...
Hope you enjoyed that.
Not much to say except... um...Watch Doctor Who! Its awesome!
Please review.
TTFN. X.
