I sat in the corner. The room was dark, obscuring my vision. I could barely make out the identity of the dark shapes around me. Perhaps a warehouse? That would explain the the numerous crate-like shapes scattered around the room. It had been an ordinary day, no different from the usual; the day I came to this place and was left in the dark. I had seen my captor many times. To be more accurate, my captors figure. With not even an ounce of light to see, I could only make a hypothesis: a homunculus. It wouldn't come of any surprise to hear that my answer was correct.

From across the room, the door creaked open. No light spilled in but the dim resonance of a small candle. A slender figure entered. The manner in which they approached me told me this much: their disposition was a rather solitary and well kept one at that. The figure stopped two feet in front of me, and spoke,

"I'm sure you want answers, and In time you will get them. But, in the mean time this will have to-"

"Where is he? Is he alright? Please, tell me that much," I interrupted, my voice shaking. The women (judging by the voice) bent down to my level. This wasn't hard to do as I was already big in size and tall in stature. She sighed.

"I can promise you that I have done nothing to hurt him," she replied softly in a melancholy tone.

"How can I trust you?! For all I know Br-"

"If I wanted your brother dead, believe you me, he'd be dead. In seconds." The women now stood mere inches from my face. Whether or not I could trust this stranger was a mystery. I could only hope that brother was safe, where ever he was.

(Edward's POV)

The women in front of me looked me over questionably.

"Son, I can't let you in. You have to be nineteen to enter," she said, smiling a childish grin in my direction. I was not in the mood to put up with this crap. Screw the legal drinking age.

"I'm not just some kid, lady," I snapped, losing my temper. I furiously ripped my glove from my right hand, and shoved my sleeve up, exposing my automail. Raising my arm for the women to see, I said with hysteria present in my voice,

"Is this proof enough?! Huh? What else do I have to show you?" The women stared at me, confusion as to what to do was clear in her features. I reached in my pocket, pulling out my watch: my state alchemist watch to be precise. I held it up to her face, practically inches from it. I grinned, and scoffed in arrogance,

"Is that enough reason for you? I really don't think you want to argue with a dog of the military, do you?" She was visibly shaking, unable to tear her eyes away from the Brigadier's symbol of power.

"My-my apol-apologies si- sir. Right this way," her voice trembled. She motioned for me to enter. I felt guilt swell in my heart as I brushed passed the young and bright eyed women. I had just pulled my rank on someone, using it to my advantage. I took a seat at the nearest bar stool. The rooms lighting was dim, and filling with smoke and loud chatter as more people entered. The smell of alcohol filled my nose: the smell of a sweet get-a-away. The bartender looked to be in his forties, maybe even his fifties. He sat the clear glass cup he was washing down on the counter and walked my way.

"How the hell did you get in here, boy? You sure as hell don't look nineteen," the bartender asked me, a disapproving look in his eyes. I was still gripping my watch in my hand. I slammed it on the counter, harder than was necessary. He eyed the silver watch and insignia. The dim, orange, hanging light above my head gave the insignia a certain glow; a glow of intimidation and authority.

"Now, if thats settled, i'd like a glass of-" before I could finish my sentence, a glass full of a dark liquid was set down in front of me.

"It's vodka. Don't bother with the tab. I'd rather keep my job," he said sharply, taking a deep breath of the cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. He went to serve the man on the end of the bar, leaving me alone with my glass of vodka.

"What the hell? Here it goes. To me and my insanity," i thought to my self, scoffing before I brought the glass to my lips and throwing it back.

(Roy's POV)

"Well ladies, as much as I don't want the night to end, I really must be getting home." The two women, one under each of my arms, groaned.

"But Roy, it's only one in the morning. Besides, think about all the fun you'll miss by leaving," the one on my right spoke suggestively. I gulped, pushing certain 'thoughts' and images to the back of my mind. The second women (whom I believe her name was…moving on) slowly caressed my face.

"I'm sorry, but I have go into work early, and-" I was interrupted by the taste of cherry lipgloss engulfing my mouth and smell. Another set of lips found their way to my neck. I had to leave now or My will power to pull myself away was doomed to disintegrate. I stood, catching the two women off guard.

"I really must be going ladies, if you'll excuse me-" suddenly the whole room fell silent. All that could be heard was a loud exclamation of:

"Who are you calling so short that he could drown even in a-" the rant was cut short by the awful sound of retching and heaving. Oh great. What was the idiot doing here? In all places, he was in a bar. The kid was only seventeen for god's sake! I pushed my way through the crowd of people that seemed to have gathered in seconds. The boy was hunched over on the wood floor, holding his stomach. I ran my hand through my hair, sighing to myself and muttering.

"Fullmetal. Explain to me what your doing here," I demanded harshly and strictly. This was going to be a long day. There was no response but the sound of vomit hitting the floor. Edward looked up at me through his golden bangs, his face turning an alarming blue.

"Colonel, I-" he grabbed for his throat as if it would help him breathe. I raced to Edward's side, beginning to panic. Placing a hand on the boy's back, i attempted to comfort him.

"Edward. Look at me. Now! Breathe! God dammit, breathe!" I yelled, tears threatening to roll down my face.

"Al, Wi-Winry, Granny. Co-Colenel, i've-" and then my heart stopped. Edward's eyes slowly rolled back, and still further back…before his small body began to shake uncontrollably.

"Call an ambulance! Somebody!" Hysteria lined my voice and boarded my sanity. The tears I had held back only moments before, were now free.

The crowd dispersed somewhat. I could only hope someone was going to make the call, unable to pull myself away from Ed's small form to do it myself. Why had he done it? The bartender stared. His eyes fearful, and a hinge of guilt was present.

"How much did he drink?" I asked turning away from the man. I was afraid to hear his answer.

"He-he had maybe, eight- no, ten glasses tops. Before I realized, I-it was too late. He just fell to the floor-and-"

"Shut up! Just shut up! Are you stupid! He's a miner! How did he even get in here?! Why would you even consider, much less handing a child acho-!"

"Because I wad afraid, alright!" The man was red in the face with anger and resentment. "Because he threatened me with this-" he picked something silver from the bar counter: Edward's watch.

"So if your looking to blame someone for the kids stupidity and arrogance, don't come looking for me!"

I looked at the watch, to Edward's face, still blue and gasping for air. What had brought Ed here in the first place? He was so desperate that he used his position as state alchemist to even get in here. I could only wander what had caused Edward, a mere boy of seventeen, to come to the conclusion that the only answer was…well, to give up and give in. His brother would have stopped him from digging this hole of burdens had he been around and not MIA. He had dug himself a hole, a deep one, that was only sure to grow in time.

...What will happen now ;) ?