CHAPTER 6
Winry clutched her suitcase tightly in her small calloused hands. The air was crisp in the Resembool morning, and the dew was still fresh on the blades of grass. The world was slowly awakening, going about their schedules. Children dashed out to play and birds fought over the worms from the rich soil. Oftentimes, Winry found herself within these confides of blissful peace, but today her heart was filled with worry and dread. The train would be coming any minute to take her to Central. She loved Central and all its amenities, but this trip was not one filled with excitement. She looked to the ground, watching the pavement below her as she stifled back a sob.
A dull whistle made her perk up. The puffs of smoke from the train grew closer and closer. She quickly straightened herself up. As the train approached she felt an odd sensation of fear envelop her. What kind of state would Edward be in when she arrived? What if he was broken beyond repair? Mer mind raced with uncertainty. Once the train was docked safely in the station she quickly made her way on, handing the conductor her ticket and sitting herself in a small seat. She kept her luggage in the seat across from her. She leaned her head on the cool glass window pane and drifted off into deep thought.
Al wasn't able to feel anything with his metal body, yet he somehow felt a sensation of exhaustion. Ed had woken up three times in the night, whimpering in pain and distress. Al soothed him and rubbed his head until he would drift back into slumber. He hated this. He hated seeing Ed in such pain, in such fear. He felt helpless. He should have been there to help him. He still didn't even know what happened down there. He sighed and stood from his position sitting on the floor. He stared down at Ed. Ed did look considerably better than last night. He wasn't coated in sweat and his face looked much more relaxed. Al put his large hand in Ed's tiny one, giving it a gentle squeeze. Ed stirred a bit. Al looked at Ed much more intently. "Brother?" He said quietly. Ed furrowed his brow and slowly opened his eyes. He looked dazed and confused.
"Al?" He asked, his voice was hoarse and hardly audible. Al picked up Ed's hand and knelt down beside him.
"How do you feel, brother?" Al said gently. This was the first time Ed was fully conscious since the accident. He felt relief fill his empty armor.
"Tired… Hurts…" He managed to rasp out. He let out a gentle cough. Al quickly grabbed a glass of water from beside the bed and held it up to Ed's lips. Ed took a gracious gulp. Water spilled down his chin onto his torso. He then pulled away and coughed.
"Careful." Al said, stroking his brother's head again. Ed laid his head back down and closed his eyes.
"I'll go get the doctor, okay?" Al said, standing. Ed gave a tired nod. Al quickly turned and bumped right into the Colonel.
"Ah! Colonel Mustang!" Al said, surprised. He looked better than yesterday. His bags weren't as dark and he wasn't covered in dirt and soot. However, he still looked like he just rolled out of bed.
"Alphonse. Sorry to frighten you. How is Ed?" He asked, trying to peer around the hunk of armor.
"He's finally awake…" Al glanced back at the small figure. "Well, sort of awake. He said he was hurting, I was just going to go get the doctor." Al replied. Roy nodded.
"I'll stay here with him, go on." He said. Al nodded and quickly maneuvered around the Colonel and out the door.
Roy carefully walked over and pulled a small chair up to Ed's bed.
"Fullmetal." He said. Ed slowly opened his eyes. He squinted.
"D-dad?" Ed whispered. Roy was taken aback. He didn't know how to reply. He knew the boy's father left them long ago. He didn't ever really see himself like a father figure to Ed, but in reality, he did care for the two boys as if they were his own. He let out a deep sigh. "It's Mustang, kid." He said quietly, letting the gentleness ooze from his voice. It felt weird to be so sincere.
"Oh…" Ed said. He sounded like a child, so small and frail and scared. Roy hovered his hand over Ed's head. He hesitated for a moment before gently stroking his golden locks of hair.
"Hurts." Ed whimpered.
"I know. The doctor is coming." Roy whispered, trying to soothe the child. Al opened the door and rushed back inside with the Doctor in tow. Roy quickly took his hand away and resumed his professionalism. The doctor began to work on Ed. Checking his vitals and looking into his eyes. Ed was visibly uncomfortable. Roy wishes it was him instead laid up on the cot.
"I'm going to call Riza. Winry should be arriving today." Roy said, standing and gathering his coat. Al nodded, but his focus was mostly on his brother. Roy left the room without another word. He strode down the long hallways of the hospital. When Roy had arrived, the hospital was quiet. The patients are just stirring awake for the day. Now the halls were filled with life. Wheelchairs being pushed, family talking, nurses bustling from room to room. Roy tried to make himself scarce in the chaos of life. He quietly found his way to the phone and dialed Riza.
Ring
Ring
Ring
"Hello?" Rizas voice called from the receiver.
"Hey, Hawkeye." Roy said.
"Colonel! How is Edward?" She asked urgently.
"Better I suppose." He replied. "Has Winry arrived yet?"
"Not yet. Her train should be rolling in soon, though." She stated.
"Good. Bring her straight to the hospital." He commanded.
"Understood, sir." She stated. Roy said his goodbyes and quickly hung up the receiver, letting a long deep breath out from his chest. This was going to be a long recovery.
Ed could barely register what was happening as the doctor poked and prodded him. His vision was blurry and waves of nausea wafted over him. He squeezed his eyes shut for some relief, but to little avail. His entire body ached, his ports were burning. He could feel beads of sweat pour from his forehead. He felt as if he was on the verge of panic, but Al's soothing voice kept him grounded. He held onto it for dear life. The distant panic being held tightly in his grasp. Ed felt so small, so vulnerable. He hated it, he wanted to jump up and run out the door, he wanted to scream and cry but his body was too heavy, too tired, in too much pain. When the doctor had finally stopped his examination a small bit of weight felt like it was lifted from Ed's shoulders. He heard the doctor murmuring but couldn't make out what he was saying. He didn't care. He just wanted to go to sleep, but the pain kept retching him back to an exhausting consciousness.
"Brother?" Al said. Ed could hear his voice clear as day.
"Hm…?" Ed managed to get out, his throat felt dry and scratchy.
"The doctor is going to check your stitches, is that okay?" He said gently. No. It wasn't okay, he was barely on the edge of panic, he didn't want to feel more pain. He was scared and the fright grew each moment. He felt his lungs being crushed by the rocks below him. He felt the pain of Lusts' attacks throbbing. He felt the tingling in his port and the harsh feeling of it being destroyed right in front of him. He didn't like being this weak. He was fine. He was fine. Ed kept repeating this mantra in his head as he gave a curt nod to Al. He felt the blanket cocoon he was in slowly be drawn back. The icy air stung his skin. He winced and tried to stifle back a panicked sob. He felt a gloved hand on his forehead.
"It's okay brother… I'm right here, you're safe." Al said. Ed lolled his head to the side, letting his face be cradled by his brother. Even though Al didn't have any body heat. He felt warm, anchored. He focused on this warmth so intently it was like anything else in his brain had scattered to the wind. He felt a tense, sharp prodding on his shoulder. He tensed.
"A bit of swelling, but looks as if it is healing well." Ed could faintly hear the doctor say. He felt bandages being wrapped around his shoulder once again. "How does your leg feel, Mr. Elric?" The doctor asked. It took Ed a while to process that the doctor was talking to him. Ed shrugged slightly with what little strength he had. "I'll up the dosage of the painkillers for the time being to give him some relief. I'll be back in to check on him in a while." The doctor said, He heard Al say something to the doctor, but his exhaustion was getting the best of him. The voices became muddled, his pain slowly subsided into a dull throb all over him. He finally let sleep envelop him.