Alternative

by Karin Matthews

After Ed was adopted by Mustang life seemed to be looking up, until they discover he has inherited the disease that killed his mother and brother. With Ed's health on the line and a new sound alchemist to care for, Roy seems to have gained two children and is in over his head, thankfully his girlfriend is on hand...but is everything about this world as it seems.

2. Let the panic set in

"Roy!" the scream came from upstairs, Roy wasted no time in getting up there, taking two steps at a time he got up the stairs and almost ran down the hall to Ed's room.

"What's wrong?" he said running in to Ed's room, Riza followed, her first thought was how terrible the boy looked; he was pale, shaking his long hair sticking to his face and his lips were slightly blue.

"We have to get him to a hospital!" said Juliet and Roy saw Edward instantly react

"No! I'm fine" Ed said his voice raspy and weak. Roy watched Edward become more and more panicked by the thought of hospitals as Juliet asked Riza if she could drive them. So much so that silent tears fell down his face.

"Sweetie look at me" said Juliet taking Ed's face in her hands "You'll be fine, you can get through this" but Ed shook his head and Juliet sighed and turned to Roy who stood forward and gently took Edward under the arms, which was when he realised just how sick the boy was. Not only was his body burning to touch but he didn't put up much resistance, he couldn't his body was too weak.

Taking Edward in his arms, Roy went out the way he came, carefully but quickly going down the stairs and then out into the night.

In the car, his condition got worse; he was starting to lose consciousness, his eyes drifting in and out of focus, and his breathing becoming more and more painful to listen too.

"Keep him awake Jules" said Roy

Juliet wiped his head with a cold cloth, lightly tapping the side of his face in the hope of keeping him awake.

"Come on sweetie don't go to sleep, stay awake for me please" she pleaded and he was trying. Ed loved Juliet and would do anything she asked but it was becoming harder and harder to stay awake; he just wanted to give into the pain and sleep.

After about 10 minutes of trying to keep him awake, Juliet saw Ed's eyes close and felt him body go limp in her arms. Holding him closer to her she could feel his burning skin on hers. This could not be good.

A/N sorry for the really short chapter, chapter 3 is almost finished and that one is longer i promise. Please review, the more reviews i get the faster i will uploud the next chapter :) thankyou Karin x