Chapter 4: Accident

Roy and Riza had quickly left that day, having completed what they were sent to Resembool to do. They informed the Elrics that they would receive a letter to invite Ed to Central to carry out his State Alchemist exam.

He had been overjoyed, excitedly telling Mrs Curtis as soon as he arrived at his next lesson. She had seemed a little angry initially at him becoming a 'dog of the military' as she referred to it, but as soon as the initial surprise settled; she soon warmed up to the idea, seeing how delighted her student was at the opportunity.

That was when the accident happened.

…

Edward had been on an excursion with Mrs Curtis to East City. He had been so excited, considering it was the first time he had ever left Resembool. He had even run into Roy and Riza and their team while on a lunch break, and had proven popular with the pair's subordinates. They had wished him luck on his exam, and he had gratefully thanked them before being ushered away by Izumi to head to the park, where they were to have lunch and spar for a while.

Then, when they were heading home, the inevitable happened.

The train derailed, sending all the carriages down a steep, rocky slope into a deserted, derelict quarry.

Trisha had received the shocking phone call from Izumi, who had sustained minor injuries in the crash. She had regretfully informed Trisha that Ed had sustained very major injuries to his right arm and left leg, having been trapped beneath the train and a few of the seats. He had been rushed into surgery, while Trisha quickly deposited Alphonse at the Rockbell's, before rushing to East City infirmary to see her son.

While waiting for a taxi, two familiar faces had come running up to her.

"Mrs Elric!" Riza shouted. "Why are you in East City? I thought Edward would be home by now. Shouldn't you be in Resembool to greet him?" Trisha desperately tried to conceal her tears, but failed.

"There was a train derailment…" she explained, sobbing. "Ed has been hurt extremely bad. I don't think he'll be in any fit shape to take his exam."

"We will come with you to the infirmary. This is devastating news," Roy stated. "We saw him earlier too, and he looked so happy." This caused Trisha to cry even more.

…

Arriving at the hospital, Trisha, Roy and Riza were ushered into the 'relative's room' and were ordered to wait until there was any advancement on her son's condition.

The pair continued to console her, listening to her pleas for her child to be alright.

Then, soon, a stony-faced doctor, still in his surgery attire came into the room. Trisha immediately assumed the worst at the sight of all the blood covering the man's clothes.

"We are very sorry," the man began sadly, and Trisha had fallen to her knees, devastated. Then, the man continued. "Edward's arm and leg sustained very major fractures and blood clots, and in order to save his life, we were forced to amputate them."

"So he's alive?" Trisha stuttered, her hands clasped in silent prayer. The doctor smiled and nodded.

"Though he will be in a comatose state for a while, to recover from what has been a traumatising surgery. Would you like to see him?" To this, Trisha eagerly nodded.

…

"Please do not try to wake or aggravate him. He is on life support to sustain him until he regains the blood he has lost," the doctor explained to the three adults, and then opened the door. Trisha bounded into the room, and over to her son's side.

He looked tiny among the wires and tubes and sheets, and it made Trisha cry out a little.

They could visibly see the bandaged stump that remained of his right arm, a small amount of blood splitting through the dressing. The sheets covered up what remained of his left leg. He also had a bandage wrapped around his forehead, and a tube connecting to a mask which was attached to his face to aid his breathing. Wires and tubes connected to his skin all over, like snakes inserting venom into his blood vessels. Though, the venom of these snakes was to help, not to kill.

A small heart monitor let out a routine beeping that alerted them to the patterns of his heartbeat.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart," Trisha sobbed, sitting beside her son. She clasped his left hand, bringing it to her lips and kissed it softly. "This shouldn't have happened to you. It is so unfair."

"We will inform the Fuhrer that Edward will not be able to attend his exam, and it will be reset to another date," Riza mumbled. Trisha nodded quietly, reaching out and stroking her son's peaceful face. Despite the ordeal he was going through, he still looked undisturbed.

"He reminds me more and more of his father every day. Whenever Alphonse gets hurt he blames himself; whenever Winry cries he claims it is his fault in some way; or whenever I have a short cry at the absence of his father, he blames it on his stubbornness and hatred towards his father. I wish he would stop trying to take all the blame for something which is in no way his responsibility," she whispered, stroking his cheek fondly.

"I do apologise Trisha, but we must leave to finish work. We will visit tomorrow morning?" To this, Trisha smiled through her tears and nodded, allowing the officers to depart. She then turned back to her son, now experiencing the panic and pain of almost losing someone so dear.

"Is this how you felt, sweetheart? I am so, so sorry…" she mumbled softly. "I'll sit by you until you wake up, my little man."

A/N: Tada! Another chapter! I am so sorry that I made Ed suffer! But I wanted him to have his automail, and this was a suitable excuse for losing his arm and leg. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, alerted or favourited this story! It is you who keep me motivated to continue! So please, review this chapter and give your opinion on ways I can improve my writing :D!