A/N: I've finally finished the next chapter so here you go, read and enjoy!
Disclaimer: This goes for the rest of this story. I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.
Chapter 4: Danger
Winry awoke the next morning by the sun rays shining through the window in the hotel room, signaling that it was time to get up and step into the new day lying ahead. She lay still for a moment, letting memories from last night flood back into her mind. Then she turned around a little in the bed she was temporarily sleeping in, which belonged to Alphonse, before lazily getting up and stretching her arms. She looked across the room, spotting Edward still sleeping with his left arm hanging down the bedside, but Al was nowhere to be seen. Winry walked over to Ed and gentle lifted his arm and placed it beside the sleeping youth. She flashed the tired form a warm smile before leaving the room quietly. Even though Ed was stubborn, reckless and sometimes just plain irritating she still had feelings for him and it was these feelings that made her stomach wrench in pain each time the boys left and came back injured or joyously shy whenever Edward and she got close to each other. She had always felt butterflies in her stomach whenever Ed talked to her or touched her but the butterflies had now turned into bats. Her heartbeat sped up every time she saw Ed looking at her with those golden eyes of his but she knew Ed was too focused on his goal that he didn't see her in the same light she saw him. Of course it did hurt a little but she was a strong girl and as long as she could just be by his side it would be okay.
Winry was brought out of her musings when she spotted something moving behind her. She turned around abruptly only to see the hallway she walked down a few seconds ago just as empty and quite as it was the second before. She began walking again, only this time a little faster. She wasn't sure what it was but maybe it was the same guy that stalked them last night. She wanted to find out just who this jerk really was and what his motives to follow them were. But at the same time a part of her brain told her to go back to the safety of the room, back to Edward, but the other part told her to track this bastard down and teach him a lesson for scaring her so much. Her mind was made up the second she lifted her head and looked up just in time to see the shadow disappear behind the corner. She fastened her pace and continued behind it, not sensing the dangerous aura it effused.
She regretted the choice the instant the door behind her closed and she heard the lock turn. She spun around, trying to unlock the door when she felt a chilly wind at her neck. She was about to turn when the words hit her with full force. She recognized it straight away, the way it made her heart skip a beat in fright and how her breath caught in her throat told her that it was just like yesterday. She could feel her hands trembling beside her and a quiver went down her spine. She tried the door one last time before running the other way, searching franticly for an exit or humans. But wherever she ran she couldn't see anyone and there were no exits. She could feel her muscle ache but pushed them harder, not letting them fail her now. Winry was sure she could sense someone behind her, chasing her through the dark halls. It was early she knew that but why was it so dark? The sun was still shining but to Winry it was like a blanket of darkness had shut the light out and she found herself running blindly through corridor after corridor in true panic. As she ran down the hallway Winry could feel something cool against her ankle, twining around it. She was about to scream when its hold on her ankle tightened and with true force dragged her feet away, making her lose her footing and fall to the hard ground. She hit the floor head first making her head ache terribly. Winry looked down her right leg only to see what looked like a thin black hand holding tightly around her numb ankle. But just as she touched the black hand it began to drag her down the hallway. She tried to tear the frightening black thing off but it only made its grip tighten. She tried to scream but her voice wouldn't listen so instead she let her hands searched franticly around her after something to grab onto, but only ended up scratching air. She continued this way until the feelings in her fingers were feeble. She was about to give up when the grip on her ankle loosened and then vanished completely. She jumped to her feet quickly only to archive a painful headache and a sore ankle. She fell to her knees, holding her aching ankle. She looked up at the sound of the voice she dreaded the most. Winry could barely make out a figure leaning on one side of the wall. From the looks of it, the person had on some dark clothing and wild hair that poked out everywhere.
"So we finally met eye to eye Winry Rockbell." He said in a voice filled with wickedness which sent quivers down Winry's spine. He walked towards her and grabbed her wrist, lifting her up to face him. Winry tried her best to fight him off but he was too strong. As she brought her free hand up to punch him he just grabbed it without breaking a sweat.
"What do you want with me?" Winry asked through knitted teeth as she felt her headache worsen tremendously.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you." He said in a mocking tone while lifting her higher in the air so her feet were mere inches from the ground. "It would ruin the plan."
Winry could feel her body go limb and fought to keep conscious. She figured out this was his doing. She opened her mouth to say something when a lightning filled with pain shot through her body, making every nerve twist in pain. She screamed out in agony and let the tears cascade down her cheeks.
"Winry!" Someone was calling to her. Winry could hear the panicking voice growing louder with each word. "Winry wake up!" It yelled again now worry shone through along with desperation. Wake up what did the strange voice mean? She was awake and in the clutches of someone wanting to harm her. "Winry! Come back, please!" Winry's heart twisted in agony at the despair filled voice. She didn't know who was calling her and that frustrated her more than anything, since obvious he was worried about her. "Wake up Winry!" She was sure now, that voice belonged to someone dear to her but she couldn't remember. Her head felt so heavy and it was kind of hard to breath. "Winry!" The familiar voice reached her ears again and she clung to the voice, making it her pillar of strength to get out of this awful pain.
Winry's eyes shot open as she gasped for air. She could feel someone touch her left hand and shrieked away. She looked up to see Edward's golden eyes filled with concern. She got to her feet and spun around looking for the guy who had grabbed her wrist, but saw no one. The only person in the hallway besides her was Edward. She let out a terrified breath and her knees gave under. She sunk to the ground with tears falling from her eyes. Edward was beside her in a flash, grabbing her shoulders and gave them a gentle shake. "Winry what happened?"
At his question, she shyly turned her head away and gripped his hand with some firmness. 'This can't be easy for her, seeing how she's crying and shivering and that's not Winry at all.' Ed thought and with his other free hand, he turned her head and was shocked to see a horrified look etched on her normally happy features. She truly looked scared. "Hey, what's the matter? Answer me!" He didn't mean to sound forceful in his last sentence. But the way her face contorted like that, it made him frightened to the very core of his soul. "Winry!" She stayed like that, staring aimlessly into space as though thinking deeply about something. He shook her some more until, after a sudden shake of her nerves, she turned her attention back to Edward.
"It was horrible." Winry looked away from him while lowering her head so Ed couldn't see the steadily flow of her tears cascading down her cheeks. "I've never been so afraid in my life."
"Winry look at me." Edward said in a gentle yet stern voice. When he got her attention he asked, "What happen and why were you lying in the hallway?"
"I-I'm not sure Ed." Winry answered in a trembling voice, looking into his golden depths. "I remember awakening in your room and saw that Al was gone. Then I decided to find him but as I went down the corridor I thought I saw someone and I made up my made to follow him, since maybe he was the one that stalked us yesterday. I followed him into another hallway but the door closed just as I got through and I panicked and started running. And as I ran through corridor after corridor I knew someone was chasing me and then- and then someone got hold of my ank…" She stopped and took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves and hold the hysteria at bay before she continued, "And then someone grabbed my ankle and began dragging me back down the hallway. I looked down and saw there was a black hand holding my ankle in a death grip. I tried to find something to hold onto but there were nothing. But as suddenly as the black hand had grabbed my ankle it vanished and I heard his voice." Winry stopped, not wanting to remember the terrifying voice that sent quivers down her spine. She couldn't do anything to stop him from hurting her in her own dream. What if he got hold of her in the real world? At the thought her heartbeat sped up and her breaths came rapidly. She was brought out of her dreadful thoughts by Edward.
"Who did this to you Winry?" Ed asked, holding her slim wrist gently between his fingers. Winry looked up at him with quizzical eyes before looking down at her wrist questionary. She gasped in horror. 'The marks on my wrist are exactly the same from before, but I thought that it was just a dream, a nightmare.' She thought and looked up at Ed in fright.
"He did it, the one in my nightmares." Winry looked down at her trembling body while trying to steady her breathing. "He was in this too. No, maybe it wasn't a dream. How else can my wrist have a mark after his painful grip?" She asked no one in particular before she added, "he was here, in this building. He wants me Ed. He wants to harm me and do something to me. He didn't say what and when I asked he said it would ruin his plan if he spilled." She could feel Edward's arm encircle her trembling body, drawing her into an embrace.
"I will never let him take you Winry." Edward promised, holding her tightly to him.
Just then Al came walking around the corner and gasped at the sight of his brother and childhood friend. He knew something had happened the way Winry was shivering in Ed's arms. "What's wrong?" He asked, worry filled his voice as he knelt beside them.
"I'll tell you later, but now I have to ask you to go and check if you see anyone strange around here. The one Winry was talking about yesterday."
"You mean the one following us from the Hughes'?"
"Yes, that's the one. He's after Winry and will do anything to get her." Edward told his brother and Al quickly understood the danger in his words and went off searching for this new enemy.
Once he left, Ed returned his gaze to the crestfallen girl in his arms. He used his flesh hand to lift her face up from the crook of his neck. The tears that cascaded down her face were enough to break his heart and almost push him to tears. But he refused to break down, knowing Winry needed his strength most of all. "Listen to me Winry, we will get through this – together." He tried to reassure her as he felt her tears soak his shirt.
They sat like that for a while, not talking, just hugging each other. After some time Winry's sobs stopped and she was leaning tiredly on Edward. He helped her stand and supported her through the corridors, back to their hotel room. Winry would often clung tighter to him when they past a darken corner or a closed door, but she didn't say anything even though Edward knew she was terrified. He opened the white door and led her to his bed. He took of his jacket and laid it gently around her trembling shoulders before he sat down beside her. He was sure of one thing; the person that was hunting Winry had done something terrible to her, something that made her afraid of every little movement. It had to be something really tormentingly to leave her in that state. Edward knew Winry well and he knew that she wasn't frightened easily. She was one of the toughest humans he had ever known and to see her like this shock him to his very core.
The rest of the morning past by peacefully, the sun shone brightly on the blue sky and small white fluffy clouds drifted by slowly. Winry slept most of the time while Edward and Alphonse discussed what to do next. The plan was to confront Colonel Mustang and ask for his help even though it was a blow to Ed's pride he did it for Winry, wanting to get that sick bastard as far away from her as possible.
Winry opened her eyes for the second time that morning and stretched her sore arms out in front of her. She noticed the faint bruise on her right wrist and shuddered at the memory that took place only hours ago. She shook her head as to force the memory out and rose from the bed. Once standing she walked over to the closed door leading out into the little parlor, but before she reached the doorknob something at the wall left to her caught her attention. She turned around only to see herself staring back. But the girl in the mirror was pale and looked completely outworn. It couldn't be her; no way could she look so fragile. Winry blinked a few times to try and change the figure watching her with topaz blue eyes, but it didn't work. She sighed in defeat and retuned her attention towards the door and opened it, stepping into the little living room where Ed and Al sat in each couch discussing something. They stopped talking and turned towards her. Winry could see the tiredness shine through their warm eyes and went over to them.
"Let me guess, you haven't slept at all have you?" She said while looking straight at them as she sat down beside Ed in the couch. They didn't have to answer, she already knew the answer so instead of waiting for what she knew Winry asked, "So what are you going to do now?"
"We'll plan to go and talk to the Colonel and see if he may be willing to help us out a little." Ed answered in a monotone voice, not liking the idea of asking Mustang any favors.
"Okay, so what am I suppose to do, should I go with you or wait for you back here?" Winry asked, not wanting to stay all alone in this hotel after the terrifying incident a little while ago. But she didn't want to be a burden and she wanted to show them that she could take care of herself even though the thought of facing the dangerous guy again scared her to the very core.
"What do you think stupid?" Ed asked her, his golden eyes piercing into her blue ones.
Knowing his brother's hot temper Al interrupted before Edward could say anything else that would lead to an argument with Winry. "What brother is trying to say Winry," Al sent his brother a stern look before he added, "Is that we wouldn't leave you here alone with that guy lurking around here." He looked warmly at Winry and rose from his seat and walked slowly towards the door. "I'm going to check if he's still around the hotel before we leave for Head Quarters."
It was silent when the door clicked into place after Al left the room. Edward didn't know what to say and he knew that if he opened his mouth, something he didn't mean to say would come out. So it was best to stay silent for the time. He offered a look at the girl beside him. She looked so fragile, not like the Winry he knew from the old times back in Resembool. Maybe taking her to Central was a bad idea, but what about that guy that was after her. Was it because Ed had exposed her to him when they arrived in Central? Or would he travel all the way to Resembool to get her. Either option he couldn't possibly know so instead he settled for what he could do right now to keep her safe. He wouldn't let her out of his sight at all and he knew Al would keep her safe too. And something in him told him that his verbal abusing superior would give a helping hand too.
When Al got back they headed for Central HQ. The walk there didn't contain much conversation, more looking suspiciously around after signs of anyone trailing them. Once they reached the gate leading into the Head Quarter Ed took a deep breath before continuing through. In the hallway that led up to Roy's office they met First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye holding some documents that needed the Colonel's signature.
"Hello Edward, nice to see you again." Riza said as she lifted the papers a little higher for not to lose them. "What brings you here today?"
"Well, we are going to ask the Colonel about some help finding our newest target." Ed answered in a serious tone, sending Winry a few looks.
"Oh I see, well then why don't you two go in and talk to him while I keep Miss Rockbell company?" Riza suggested in a warm tone, guiding Winry to some chairs standing against the wall.
"Thank you Lieutenant." He send Riza a grateful look and turned to Winry, "We'll be back soon." He told her before they walked into Roy's office.
But he hadn't seen it coming, not in a million years. There they stood in Roy Mustang's office in utter shock. But Edward soon got his voice back and took a step towards Mustang's desk.
"I'm not leaving Winry here unprotected, especially with that thing out there. Who knows when it will show up!" Ed yelled at his superior, his hands slammed against Mustang's counter.
It all started when Ed and Al ventured into Mustang's office. Roy sat in his chair looking through some paperwork when they walked in.
"Oh, hello Al. Where's your brother? Oh wait, there he is. Sorry, Fullmetal, I couldn't see you behind my paper work, seeing how you're so short and all. Roy started in, being his usual snide self. However, when his taunts failed to elicit the normal infuriated response from his subordinate, Roy began to get worried. "Seriously Fullmetal, what is it? You're never this quiet." He stopped and waited for Ed to speak.
"Colonel I'm here to ask you for a favor." Edward began but was interrupted by Mustang.
"Wait a minute! What? When do you ask for anything Fullmetal?" Roy asked in surprise as he lowered the paper he was looking at.
Ed could feel his nerves twist in offence but stayed calm. He decided to ignore the Colonel's question and continued where he was so rudely cut off, "Well as I was saying, I wanted to ask you to aid us in a search of someone who's after our friend Winry Rockbell." He looked up at his superior seeing Roy's eyebrow frown.
"What do you mean Fullmetal?" He asked and gave the young State Alchemist his full attention.
"We, I mean Winry encountered him for the first time yesterday night while we were walking to the hotel and for the second time this morning. He threatens her and says she's a part of his plan." Ed took a deep breath before continuing, "After every encounter she has with this psycho it leaves her in a state of utter fright and I can see she's not the same girl she was for a couple of days ago." He stared straight at Mustang while adding, "Therefore I'm asking you to help us find him before he fulfills his plan."
"I see, well then I suppose I should help you out Fullmetal." Roy said but his eyes darkened little as he gave Edward the paper he just had read.
"What! You're sending me away to some town out in who knows where!" Ed yelled in frustration.
"It's not my choice Fullmetal, the orders come from the higher ups. They want you to investigate the coalmines in Yuos Well. The Fürer himself recommended that you should go and take care of things and even if I wanted to I can't go against his orders." Mustang explained in a serious tone, looking at Edward.
"I'm not leaving Winry here unprotected, especially with that thing out there. Who knows when it will show up!" Ed yelled at his superior, his hands slammed against Mustang's counter.
"Relax Fullmetal, I'm not letting your girlfriend wander around without protection."
Al stood a few feet away from his brother. He knew Ed was worried about Winry and that this assignment came completely on the wrong time, but he couldn't help but think that Edward was being a little too overprotective. Shrugging he flashed his eyes at Ed, who was currently glaring daggers at his superior officer and shouting various insults, curse words, and numerous sentences along the lines of, "Who're you calling so short it takes a microscope to find him?", and "She's not my girlfriend, she's just my mechanic!", at the top of his lungs.
Mustang was only being saved by Al, who was trying to reason with his hot-tempered sibling. "Brother I'm sure the Colonel has something on his mind. He wouldn't let anything harm Winry, I'm sure of it." Al reassured his brother and looked at Mustang before he added, "And he's right you know, there's nothing he can do about the orders given to him."
"Oh, what are you planning Mustang?" Ed asked, not thrusting Roy 100 percent.
"She's staying with me Edward, so don't worry." Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes answered Edward's question as he walked in the door. "I promise I won't let anything happen to her Ed."
"Hughes, what are you doing here?" Edward asked slightly surprised at his sudden turn up.
"I decided to see what the commotion was about since I could hear you all the way down the hallway Ed." Maes explained in his usual cheerful tone. He took a seat in one of the empty chairs in front of Mustang's desk.
"The so called commotion is that the Colonel here plans on sending me somewhere far away when I have a psycho to find here in Central." Ed told Maes in an irritated tone while sending his superior officer looks of hatred. "And this sick bastard is after Winry:"
"I'm sure Roy has his reasons Edward and besides Miss Rockbell's stays with me."
"Somehow I just know you have been informed about this since you seem to know more than you let on." Ed turned his attention towards Mustang and looked him in the eyes, "So Colonel, how do you know so much?"
"Well Fullmetal, I'm shocked over your observation since you're so little and all." Mustang began but before he was able to form a word Edward interrupted him,
"Who are you calling So small You wanna Crush like an Ant?" Ed exclaimed in pure aggravation.
Roy chose to ignore him, suppressing the need to humiliate the young Alchemist before him, "As I was about to say, we are looking for a person who has in some time now been murdering young girls. We have heard that he lure young girls by making himself look like their boyfriend or best friend and when he has them alone he interrogates them before killing them."
"Okay, what has that to do with the one I'm searching for?" Edward asked a little too impatient.
"Hold on a second Edward. This guy we call the Tiger has recently stopped murdering, we haven't found any victims as of late and I presume it stopped when you arrived in Central. So I suspect that he's searching for someone. Someone he wants or needs to do something for him and after hearing about your guy the timing and actions match up." He looked at Edward, acknowledging the fact that the blond teenager in front of him had risen from his chair and was now standing right in front of the desk, hands culled into fits, resting on the desk, his golden eyes filled with determination. "This is all a guess, but considering someone's after Miss Rockbell and the Tiger has stopped killing the exact same time you arrived in Central, it seems like we're after the same guy Fullmetal." He concluded calmly with his fingers crossed and elbows resting on the desk.
Edward on the other hand was not as calm as his superior officer. If this guy had been willing to kill to find Winry, he was certainly planning to do something to her or using her for something. But why Winry? She was just a young mechanic interested in prosthetics and Automail engineering. What was so special about her? The thoughts wandered around inside Ed's head but one thought was clearer and more important; he had to protect Winry by all costs.
"I'm sorry to say it Fullmetal but you have to get on the train as soon as possible and get your butt to Yous Well." Roy said calmly in his usual stern voice.
Edward was about to protest when Al stepped in dragging him towards the door as he said, "We understand Colonel and we'll do our best and return fast."
Before they disappeared out the door Maes yelled after them, "Don't worry about Winry Ed, I will take care of her." before he turned towards Roy, a serious look on his carefree face. "So what now Roy? This seems like a very dangerous person."
"We'll track him down before he does more damage." Roy cast a look at the files lying in front of him, "Hughes I expect you to take good care off Miss Rockbell and don't let anything happen to her."
"I know Roy, she's safe with me." Lieutenant Colonel Hughes answered, his voice and facial expression back to normal, but he could feel that something was sure to happen before they knew it.
Back in the hallway Winry and Riza sat, waiting for the Elric's to come back. Winry had told Riza about the strange guy wanting her. Riza had offered her some advices about self protect and showed a couple of moves to stop an wicked man from hurting her, by grabbing one or two passerby's that accidentally happened to pass them and perform a perfect punch to the face and kick in the gut. You can say that the two officers ran away pretty quickly, not wanting to stay another second with the dangerous First Lieutenant. Their conversation changed from self defense to a more woman like conversation. Riza had spotted Winry's earrings and asked who gave them to her since she had always seen the young mechanic wear them.
"They were my mother's." Winry looked down before she added in a somber voice, "She gave them to me before she and my dad went to the war in Ishval. It was the last I saw of her and I wear these as a memento of my mom." By now tears had formed in her blue eyes and she blink rapidly to hinder them from bursting over.
"I'm sorry Winry, I didn't mean to bring back sad memories." Riza apologized as she laid a supporting hand on the blond girl's shoulder.
"It's all right, it's not your fault. It's just that I never got to say goodbye and I only wish that they didn't have to die so young. They were only trying to help when someone killed them." She said while tugging at her hair to try and push the tears back.
"I know it don't sounds like much of consolation, but there are times when a soldier has to take a life, even when he doesn't understand why. The orders may not even make any sense at all." Riza said in a calm controlled voice, "That's the way it is when you're a soldier and it can be a stupid and terrible life."
"You're right it doesn't help much." Winry said with a somber voice. She looked up at Riza as she asked, "But why don't you quit if you don't like the way things are Riza?"
Riza stopped polishing her gun and looked at Winry, "Because there is someone I have to protect."
"Oh I see, it's just that I don't understand what drives a person to take another's life when they are only trying to help others."
"It's not my place to say Winry, I'm sorry."
"Don't be Riza, it was really nice talking to you." Winry saw the brother's come down the hall and said goodbye to Riza. They both walked away, Winry to meet Ed and Al and Riza to deliver the papers that needed Roy's signature. She knew getting him to sign would take a lot of patient and willpower. She walked into Roy's office and let the documents land on the desk with a loud thud, getting Roy's attention.
"I suggest you begin signing those reports sir." Riza said in a stern voice looking straight at Roy with the look, 'don't push me too far.' "Paperwork won't sign itself."
Mustang sighed in defeat. He knew not to mess with Hawkeye when she gave him that look. He began to sign and while he did he told her about their new information about the Tiger.
"Oh I see, so you have to leave again." Winry almost whispered afraid that her voice would fail her and break.
"Yes, it's the stupid Colonel's orders, but we'll be done in no time and return shortly, so don't worry Winry." Edward reassured her, the best he could. But he still couldn't settle down with leaving her here, vulnerable to this new evil enemy.
"Yeah and besides we won't leave you here alone unprotected, you're staying with Mr. Hughes family." Al said as he laid a gauntlet on her shoulder.
"What if he really is after me, what if I get the Hughes family involved in this? I can't forgive myself if something happen to either of them."
"It's okay Winry. We know Lieutenant Colonel Hughes very well and he's not dumb enough to get into dangerous situations, and besides the Military will help too. So don't worry about it okay?" Before Winry could reply to Al's question they heard an all too familiar voice.
"Are you in need of assistance Edward Elric?" Alex Louise Armstrong asked in a deep, booming, obnoxiously cheerful voice then captured Ed in one of his infamous, bone crushing hugs.
Once out of the hug and his breathing returned from strangled to normal Ed looked up at the muscular Major, "As a matter of fact yes we could use your help."
"Just tell me what it is and I'll do it." Armstrong said while flexing his muscles so hard his shirt tore.
"Could you come with us to Yous Well? We have been sent there on some mission to check out their coalmining operations. It could be helpful having you around Major." Edward said trying to persuade Armstrong to come join them with the thought of his talent of persuading people with his muscles.
"Of course I can help you out with your mission in Yous Well Edward." Armstrong said in his usual booming voice before flexing his muscles some more. "You know Edward, the art of helping someone in need has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations."
"That's great Major. We're leaving as fast as possible, probably the next train there." Ed told him and managed to get safely away from the bragging Major without any more lectures about what has been past down the Armstrong line for generation.
"Thanks to the Major we will be finished in Yous Well very quickly." Ed commented as they left Head Quarters and headed back to the hotel.
"What do you mean by that Ed?"
"You have seen his muscles and you know his attitude, just try imagining the Major in front of someone who don't know him and the Major is trying to persuade him into doing something else." Ed explained to Winry and smiled at Winry's expression when her mind pictured it before her. "He would just have to flex his muscles to get it his way. Trust me I have seen him do it."
"Okay, I see what you mean Ed." Winry said through her giggles.
Al who walked as silently as a huge armor could do didn't manage to keep silent through Ed's explanation and laughed along with Winry.
When they arrived at the train station Ed, Al and Armstrong boarded their train and found their seats. Winry and Maes Hughes stood on the platform saying goodbye.
"I see you in a little while and try not to do something reckless Edward." Winry sent Edward a stern yet warm look before turning to the person beside him, "Alphonse please take care of your brother and see to it that he doesn't get into trouble with his hot temper." She asked in a demanding tone while blushing a little.
"I promise Winry."
"And Edward", Winry began as she turned from Al to face Ed, "If you go and start fighting and wreck your automail again I don't know what I'll do to you."
"Why do you always suspect me to break it?" Edward yelled back with a slight frown.
"Because you break it like once a week." She sent him a 'you know it's true' look before she added, "And besides you always find some way to walk into a fight."
Just as Ed was about to start running his mouth and start sprouting foul words and insults he was interrupted by a booming voice, "Don't worry Miss Rockbell the boys are safe with me." Armstrong boomed while symbolizing his words by flexing his bulging muscles.
"Hey, I got a message from Roy." Lieutenant Maes Hughes told Ed as he took a step towards the train window.
"You mean the Colonol?" Edward asked looking slightly surprised.
"He said; 'Don't die under my command, you're enough of a pain without the paperwork.' That was it"
"Tell him 'Fine, there's no way I'm dying before you do you morally bankrupt Colonel with a god complex.'" Ed answered in an irritated tone. Then he turned to Winry. "See you soon." He hated farewells, he hated seeing her sad face but knew he would soon see her smiling again but something in his heart told him that something was about to happen which made leaving her here a whole lot worse. But Mustang and Hughes had promised to keep her from harm so he had to trust them.
"Yeah, see you soon and be careful."
"Aren't I always?" He yelled back over the roar of the train engine.
Then the train left Central train station and headed towards Yous Well leaving behind a young mechanic and a Lieutenant Colonel.
"We should probably head back home, Gracia's making dinner and it's soon ready." Maes said guiding Winry away from the crowded station. Misunderstanding her worried expression he said, "Don't worry Winry, I'll keep you safe."
Winry boggled and turned around to face him with a quizzical expression. "Oh, I'm not concerned about my safety Mr. Hughes." She said and blushed lightly while playing mindlessly with her hair.
"I understand, young love." Maes said aloud to himself, making Winry blush madly.
The day was coming to an end by the time Winry and Lieutenant Colonel Hughes made it back to Gracia and Elysia. Just as Winry walked through the open door, a cold gust brushed her, sending chills down her spine. She froze halfway and turned slowly around, eyes filled with fear. The hallway before her was completely empty. She could hear Gracia call her, saying that the dinner was ready but Winry didn't find her voice so no words left her mouth. She just stood there, staring down the empty, dead silent hallway. The voice she had come to know so well by now still sent shivers down her spine and made her heart beat faster. The words were clear enough; I'm still watching, letting you live, but soon it will be all over for you. She couldn't help but feel vulnerable and utterly frightened. She spun around and ran into the Hughes home with one thought on her mind; I need you Edward. She had told him about her nightmares but she hadn't told him about the eerie voice, telling her that her life was in his hands. She was sure about it, he was playing a sick twisted game with her which would end in his favor. He was the master of the game and however it ended he would still win. Winry was lying if she said she wasn't afraid for her life but she just didn't want to bother others and she would prove that she is a strong girl who can take care of herself. She didn't need anyone to rely on. She was an independent girl who was about to kick this sorry excuse for a creep's butt half way across Amestris. With that occupying her mind she gladly sat down to enjoy Gracia's delicious cooking.
A long way from Central, Edward was slowly pacing back and forth inside the little hotel room he and his brother sheared.
Al who was slowly getting more and more annoyed with his brother's constant enervating pacing looked up from the book he was trying to read, "brother please stop walking and sit down. I'm sure Winry's alright, so stop worrying so much."
"Sorry Al. It's just that I have this feeling that something bad is going to happen while we sit on our butt in this mining hole." Edward told his brother as he once again began pacing the room, constantly checking the time.
Alphonse sighed in defeat and turned his attention back to the book in his hands and began reading the same page for the thousand time that evening. Earlier that day they had checked out the area. Edward had noticed that one of the coal mining ore was being blocked. Thanks to the Strong Arm Alchemist, Alex Louise Armstrong, the mining ore was cleared in no time. Al could still recall when his brother came walking into the pet store after having spent a couple of hours with Armstrong;
"I got enough of that blow hard Al." Edward said in a tired voice as he sighed in boredom "He just goes on and on and on, the whole time he's bragging about his celestial family background, I'll rather try my luck in here with the cats."
Al just had to laugh at the memory of his brother's outburst and that he had come willingly into the pet store without being dragged in by him. Major Armstrong certainly had a way to get under Ed's skin just like the Colonel. He looked up again to see his brother still pacing back and forth and shock his head. 'Why won't he admit to himself that he has deep feelings for Winry? He's so hopeless, everyone can see it except himself.' Al thought before returning back to the book.
After some hours with nervous pacing, Edward left the room to get some fresh air into his lounges. He needed to get this mission over and done with as fast as possible so he could return to Central and continue tracking the guy who wanted Winry. Edward felt a warm sensation in his heart at the thought of the young mechanic waiting back in Central. But that feeling was quickly overcome by an indescribable feeling. It was the same feeling he had before, back in the hotel room with Al and the whole way here, the unmistakable feeling of danger. That something was about to happen, but not in Yous Well but somewhere else, to someone he cared for. Realization hit like a rock, Winry. Something was about to happen to Winry! Ed turned on his heels and sprinted back to Al.
Edward burst the door opened and ran into the room with a shocked Alphonse staring at him, "Al we have to go back to Central right now!" He grabbed his overcoat and suitcase but was stopped when a hollow gauntlet landed on his shoulder.
"What are you talking about brother?" Al asked bewildered, "we aren't finished here yet."
"I know that, but I also know that something horrible is going to happen to Winry if we don't get our butts in gear and go back now!"
"What's all the commotion about Edward Elric?" A deep booming voice could be heard from the doorway.
Ed and Al looked at Armstrong and Ed took a step toward him, a slightly look of horror present in his eyes. "We have an emergency Major." He began but before he could say anymore Armstrong interrupted,
"Don't say anymore Edward, I understand." He looked at Al's surprised face and then at Edward's slightly desperate eyes and came to a solution. "Edward and Alphonse Elric, you go back to Central while I remain here. This is an easy job so just leave it to me."
"Are you sure Major?" Alphonse asked as he walked towards his brother, ready to leave.
"Absolutely, do you doubt these muscles that have been passed down the Armstrong line for generation?" Armstrong asked and happily flexed his bulging muscles one or two times for good measure.
"That settles it then," Edward stated while giving Armstrong a thankful smile. "Al are you ready to leave?" Ed turned towards his brother and got a nod in return.
"Thank you Major." Al gave the massive bodybuilder a grateful smile before he walked after his brother.
When the Elric brother's arrived at Yous Well train station the sky had changed color from a worm golden to a fiery crimson. They managed to jump onto the last train headed for Central that day and sat down exhausted and a bit frightened. Edward shifted uncomfortable in his seat in pure restlessness. The hours spent on the train seemed like days and when they finally arrived at Central train station the sky had darkened slightly, but it was still a deep crimson making it blood red. Edward took a deep breath and took off running with Al right behind him towards the Hughes' home, where they hoped to find their childhood friend safe from harm.
Winry looked up at the blood red sky as she left the Hughes' home. She had told Miss Gracia that she wanted to take a little walk to calm her nerves and get some fresh air. She wouldn't be gone long and besides it was really a beautiful and warm day. She closed the door and headed down the stairs while giving the crimson sky a few glances in pure curiosity and wonder. The sky was really special today. Not ever had she seen a sky so red, making it almost scary. It was something about the blood red sky that made Winry feel kind of frightened but she couldn't put her finger on it so she brush the little feeling that was tugging at the back of her mind away, and continued down the alley. But it wasn't long before the warm summer breeze developed into a cold wind Winry knew too well. She spun around and ran as fast as her legs would carry her back to the safety of the Hughes' home. She regretted the reckless decision she had made about leaving the warm house without protection. She knew it was pretty useless trying to run away from someone who had such powers as to call forth a wind out from nothing or could infiltrate one's dreams and turned them into nightmares. If he really wanted to he could have easily have killed her a long time ago but he hadn't, so that helped a little to push the panic away. He wouldn't kill her just yet, but he could do so much more. She pushed her legs faster but the safety of houses wasn't even visible to her human eyes. One of many thoughts that whirled around in her mind was; 'why did I walk down this deserted alley in the first place?' But the answer came pretty fast, she had felt a sudden pull, guiding her into this dark alley with only the blood red sky to lighten up the deserted pathway. That's when she realized what the tugging feeling was; it was the feeling of bloodlust. It was like the sky reflected the hunter's need, the need of her follower. She could feel the blood flowing through her veins, her heartbeat fasten and her breath caught in her throat but she continued to push forward even how much her body wanted her, no told her to stop. But suddenly it all turned black and she hit the ground hard. And then the pain came flowing through her like lightning. She opened her eyes and gasp at the state she was in. Her hands were covered in blood. She held in a scream when a new shockwave of pain burst through her. She let her gaze fall downward to see a bleeding hole in her stomach. Blood was flowing out of it and she was getting dizzier by the minute. She shut her eyes tight and knitted her teeth at the unbearable pain.
"I told you, you are not safe wherever you are."
Winry quickly opened her eyes, trying to see where it came from but the voice seemed like coming from everywhere. "What do you want with me?" She asked for the second time without getting an answer to her question. "Answer me!"
Then she heard laughter, a sick evil laughter filled with ferocity. "I told you before that I couldn't say it."
"Yeah yeah, it would ruin the plan right?" Winry asked through knitted teeth, her voice ironic, "Well your plan wouldn't work so well when I'm dead."
"I'm not planning to kill you, let alone let you bleed to death." He laughed again, the sound coming from everywhere, reflecting like echoes all around in the little alley. "This is just a little reminder of my power and that if I want to, I can get to you anywhere I want." Then Winry saw him for the first time, stepping out of the safety of the shadows, walking slowly towards her. That spiky green hair and those light purple eyes filled with the pleasure of hurting. She was sure she had seen it somewhere before.
Then it hit her and Winry suddenly understood with gut-wrenching clarity what kind of sick twisted person that stood before her was. He was a homunculus.
A/N: I hope you liked it and please review, their always welcome.
I want to thank Poisoned Scarlet. for the review on chapter 3. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and I'm sorry for not making them in character but I will try harder in the next chapter.
I'm working on the next chapter but without internet connection it will take a little while to update, sorry.
Well that was it for now
Have a nice summer vacation,
Taiora Freak