I had writers block for SUCH a long time…Sorry for the short chapter, by the way.
Chapter Four
As promised, Ed visited his brother as often as possible.
However, as often as possible wasn't very often at all.
Ms. Cobbold seemed completely focused at keeping the two of them as far away from each other as humanly possible. Ed only got to visit once a week, at the most, and those few times were precious to him. He never wasted the opportunity with pointless small talk; it was always important conversations, keeping Alphonse updated on anything and everything that was going on outside the orphanage.
When Ed got his latest mission, he wanted to make it quick. Without Al being there, however, he worked much slower. It was unsettling; the person who had been at his side for the last four years, through every bad turn and the occasional lucky streak, even through the life-threatening battle, was no longer there. All because he was 'doing a bad job taking care of him.'
With these thoughts on Ed's mind as he stepped off the train, three weeks after he had departed from the same station, he began heading to the orphanage. His report to Colonel Mustang could wait; he needed to see Al again, to be assured that he was safe.
His quick pace through the streets of Central city was changed to a run, then became a sprint, hoping beyond hope that he could remember where that damned orphanage WAS.
A gate at the corner of his line of vision caught his eye. He skidded to a stop and stared up at the huge building where Al was, somewhere inside. After spending a few moments catching his breath, he turned around and marched determinedly up to the front door. He rang the doorbell and waited, the sound of footsteps inside growing closer with every second.
The door opened, and there stood Ms. Cobbold herself, staring down at Ed disapprovingly.
"I thought you had finally disappeared," she said in the same haughty voice she always used when speaking to him.
"I was just on a mission," he replied coldly. "Now let me in; I want to see Al."
"I'm afraid that's not possible," she said, blocking the doorway with her arm.
Ed snorted. "Look, I know you don't like me, but you said yourself that you, legally, HAVE to allow us to see each other. Now move your-"
"It's not possible," she repeated. "Alphonse is no longer here. He was adopted two weeks ago."
