Chapter 5
The man supported Edward, almost completely carrying him to his car. When they got there the man helped Edward into the passenger seat and he got in and drove.
Edward was fascinated by the car. He had never seen anything like it before. "What do you call this thing?"
"This is a car." The man said looking at the teen a little odd.
"A car. I have never seen one before." Edward looked out the window and saw animals, buildings, and people he had never knew existed.
The man pulled the car into a building and parked. He helped Edward carry/support him as they entered the house and walked down a hall to an empty bedroom. "Will this room be okay for your stay?"
Edward nodded.
"Alright." The man helped Edward sit down. "Let me see if I have any clothes that will fit you."
"Thank you."
"No problem." The man smiled and walked out.
Edward looked around the room. It was white; there was a bed, dresser with a mirror, and a nightstand.
It took the man a few minutes, but he returned with clothes in his arms. "Do you need help or are you able to dress yourself?" The man said handing the clothes to Edward.
Edward looked at a pair of pants he was given, completely clueless. "I think I will need help."
The man helped Edward change into a pair of khaki pants and a white long sleeve shirt. The man tied off the pants and the sleeves of Edward's stumps so he wouldn't trip on them. "Feel better, son?"
"Yeah. Thank you, Mr.…"
The man laughed. "Sorry, I guess I never introduced myself. I'm Dr. Marco."
"Well, Dr. Marco, my name is Edward Elric."
"Nice to meet you, but may I ask, what were you going out on the beach?"
"Nothing. I was just ummm…" Edward didn't know what to say that would sound believable to a human. He knew that humans had no idea his kind even existed. Mermaids and mermen were just fairytales to humans.
"It's alright son. Where are your parents?"
Edward shook his head. "I am on my own."
"I'm sorry son."
"That's alright. But ummm… May I ask about what you said earlier about me being able to walk again?"
"I've invented a new type of prosthetic that are beyond the junk we have now. It is hooked to the nerves and responds exactly like a real limb."
"That sounds amazing."
"Thanks, but I need a test subject and it is hard to come across willing amputees."
"I would do it."
"Are you sure Edward?"
"Yes. I want to walk." Edward said determined.
"May I ask, how did you lose your limbs in the first place?"
Edward gently held the stump of his shoulder. "I did something stupid and was attacked by a shark."
"My goodness, at least you got away alive."
"I know."
"Well, in exchange for letting me perform the operation, you will not only be able to walk and do everything you use to again, but the operation is free and I am going to give you free room and board."
Edward thought. It sounded like an amazing offer.
"I will warn you. This surgery will probably be the most painful thing in your whole life."
Edward smirked and looked Dr. Marco in the eyes. "So, when is the soonest you can operate?"