Chapter 3:
There was something about this night that made it different from the others. Never one to submit to her fears, she was thrown off by the chills that ran down her spine. Stubborn to a fault, she shrugged off her premonitions and dove into the water.
The coolness of the liquid on her skin wasn't helping the knot in her stomach. To her dissapointment she couldn't forget what was troubling her. She felt too wound up to find comfort in anything right then. Edward's handsome face and deep eyes kept popping up in her head.
Swimming out a short distance, she realized that something else was bothering her. Clearly her body was trying to get her to remember or see something that she had missed. It was as if her body was trying to tell her something that her mind had forgotten.
Still unnerved, she decided it best to follow her gut this once and go back early. Her hair heavy with water, she emerged from the lake. Looking around, she kept a careful eye out. The strange feeling that someone was watching her was feeling all too real. Trying to keep her cool she tried to ignore the rising fear in her chest. With a soft chuckle she tried to imagine her mothers face if she saw her swimming in the nude in the middle of the night.
Pulling her dressing gown over her head she froze at the sound of crunching branches. Turning swiftly to her right she stared out into the maze of trees. Silence loomed around her like a snake coiling around its prey.
Silly, it was most likely an animal. There was no need to be scared.
The lack of sleep was obviously catching up to her. What a horrible predicament; she didn't need any more problems pulling at her sanity.
Her pace quickened with each step as her instincts began to kick in. Hearing the unmistakable sounds of footsteps she knew she was being followed. Without a second glance she broke into a run. It was harder to keep pace, making her hate how utterly useless her body was to her in that moment. So much for being prime and proper; that wouldn't save her now.
Her worst fears were confirmed as her curiosity got the best of her. Taking one quick look behind her, she saw the figure getting closer. The person behind her was clearly male and by the looks of it, much faster than she was. He was gaining on her with every stride.
Distracted by her pursuer she stumbled over a tree branch on the forest floor falling to her knees. Breathing heavily she remained frozen on the ground as the footsteps stopped next to her.
She expected a murderer, a monster, perhaps her father, maybe even her mother…but amber eyes were the last thing she thought she would see.
Edward placed his hands out to help her up, the worry evident by the wrinkles in his brow. "Winry? Are you hurt?"
Flabbergasted she couldn't think logically. "Mr. Elric? You were the one following me?"
He helped her to her feet; his expression suddenly embarrassed. It took a second for her to realize just what he had seen. He continued to look sheepish as he avoided Winry's questioning gaze.
"I didn't mean to frighten you. I saw you leave the manor, I suppose I thought…well I really don't know what I was thinking."
Winry scowled at his answer, "Enlighten me."
His face switched from embarrassed to resigned. "Well I thought that perhaps you were running away."
"Running away? What ever made you think that?"
His eyebrows shot up, "Well to be fair, you were running…away."
The corners of her mouth turned up with laughter. Her guard, her reputation and her pride were all useless in his presence. Not that she really had any use for pride or reputation, but the way he was able to make her feel so many things at once was making her crazy.
His expression softened as he removed a piece of moss from her hair, "I can see it in your eyes. You're not happy here."
It was like having him read out of her diary, his words were dead on. But there was something else...
"If you knew I was unhappy here, why would you follow? Why not let me run in peace?"
Edward sighed putting his hand to his forehead, "I have not the faintest idea." His voice dropped an octave as his eyes begged for understanding. "I can't explain it, but I know you are the same. You feel it too…don't you?"
She eyed him suspiciously. Her voice, against her will, came out in a breathless rush. "Feel what?"
He closed the gap between them. "It is everything…everything about you. I can not bare to look away from you. Tell me you feel it too?"
Someone was asking her what she felt, but she wasn't sure she knew. Who was she to tell him what she felt, when in reality she didn't quite understand it herself?
Looking embarrassed by his rather forward advances Edward began to back off. Shaking his head he gave her an apologetic look, "You don't have to answer that. I'm being too forward aren't I?"
Winry stared at him her mouth gaping open slightly.
Edward took her silence badly, his eyes now pleading. "Forgive me, please."
How different it was to speak to someone as if they were on equal footing. Winry shook her head firmly, speaking the truth was so easy around him. "Well seeing as I have bared all for you, I would expect you to be a little forward." The playfulness in her voice put a smile on his face, but it shocked her. She knew she had never acted like this before.
Edward chuckled as they began to walk back to the manor. "What is it about this place that makes you sneak out?"
Winry bit her lower lip; how to explain something so complicated.
"I realize how this may look, please don't misunderstand me. I know I am in a position of privilege…" Her eyes blazed with frustration, "But you have no idea how infuriating it is to be forced to act like someone else. To lie to everyone around you…to lose you're self. I suppose this is the only chance I will ever have to feel free."
"This world is not kind to people with ideals. They try to put out the fire within you before you can spread it to others. It is like that everywhere."
The rest of their walk back was left in a thoughtful silence. Such an odd man he was, she wondered how on earth he had stumbled into her life.
Once they had snuck back into the Rockbell manor he walked her to her room. Feeling rather awkward Winry placed her hand out, in an attempt at a formal goodbye. He caught her eye and chuckled but took it none the less. Placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand he never let his eyes leave hers.
"Goodnight my lady."
"Oh Mr. Elric don't be silly."
Her nerves leaving her she grinned up at him, "Good morning would be the proper statement at this hour."
"Well I would hate for you to miss you're beauty sleep, but to be fair you do not need it."
She blushed a deep red; he still had her hand in his. Noticing this, he reluctantly let it go.
"Oh and I hate being addressed as Mr. Elric…reminds me of my father. Please just call me Ed."
With that he walked down the hallway towards his room for the night.
Still reeling, Winry lay awake in her bed her heart hammering in her chest. It was all very improper and would most certainly cause her mother a heart attack. Sneaking out, having a young man see her…all of her, and then the ultimate betrayal. The worst part, she realized that her feelings for Edward were more powerful than a friendship.
She was beginning to see why her mother had been so upset with her. Every moment around him took her one step away from the duke.
A/N: I believe a thank you is in order for all of my lovely reviewers! So thank you :)
