Chapter 2 – Decision
"So, they were lost in the war?" Hoenheim the two brother's father asked in sadness.
"Yeah, she told us last night. She was really upset," Alfonso stated.
Edward was reading deeply into his book. His father watched him for a moment and took a sip of his beer. He was surprised at how well Edward was handling it or perhaps he wasn't handling it. He would rather drown his worry into his study.
"Edward, aren't you worried about Winry?" His father asked.
"Huh?" Edward looked up and agreed even though he didn't really hear him.
"Boys, there's something I have to tell you…" Hoenheim started. He made sure they were listening.
"I did something terrible awhile ago and I think you should know…" He continued.
"Sorry Dad but I'd rather not here it. You've always done things that weren't exactly the dad of the year moments," Edward mocked.
He picked up his books and left the room, Alfonso looked at his father in sorrow. He chased after his brother.
"Well, I guess I can't really blame them. Maybe it's better they didn't know," Hoenheim spoke softly. He clenched his stomach in pain.
That night…"What?" Alfonso asked shocked by his brother's question.
"Please, I need to do this. For Winry, our friend," He defended.
"But brother, Wizardry isn't real," Al argued.
"That's not entirely true…" His voice trailed off into a memory.
I saw our parents a long time ago when you were too young to remember. I saw them doing something that I had no understanding of at the time.
"They'll be sad. Roy died last night," Trish started.
"Well, I know they'll be sad. Do you think we should tell them he ran away?" Hoenheim asked.
"I think it would be better if they handled the truth of death," Trish finished.
"But…"
He looked away in thought.
"Al's too young to learn this lesson of loss. Can't we use it just this once?" Hoenheim asked.
"Alright but I don't know if…" Trish started.
"It'll be fine," Hoenheim interrupted.
The two drew a circle around Roy. Edward was about to walk into the room but saw their dog Roy lying down with blood around him. This shocked him into a state of confusion and dared not move. He noticed his parents chanting something. They clasped their hands together.
Edward thought they were praying even though he didn't know what praying was he knew good people were supposed to do it. At least that's what his understanding was.
There was a loud noise and a flash of bright light. Edward looked away protecting his eyes.
When his vision returned he saw Roy barking and as playful as ever. What he hadn't seen however was the other dog that had been slain during the incident.
"So you see, our parents were able to resurrect our dog. Why can't we do the same?" Edward grinned.
"That's madness brother, madness. You expect me to believe all of this?" Al had tears building up in his eyes.
"Its madness Winry's parents had to die. She was so sad…" Edward said.
Al had to think for a moment.
"That's why I was truly mad at him. He never raised our mother from the dead," He continued. "It's not fair. I know he could have done it and I even confronted him about it. He was pretending like it never happened," Edward looked to his brother for an answer.
"All right brother but I still have a bad feeling about this," finally agreeing to the suggestion.
The two didn't talk for a while until they finally fell asleep.
Edward knocked on the door. He wasn't sure if anyone was home or not but he really wanted to see Winry. He wanted to thank her for the cake with her artistic skill plastered on it. He wanted to comfort her, to thank her for being his friend. He wanted to see her smile again.
Finally the door swung open, greeted by her grandmother.
"Oh Ed, what brings your bright face here this sunny day?" She asked.
"Oh nothing really. I wanted to see Winry," He asked.
"Oh I'm sorry. She's not feeling well today," She answered.
"Oh…" Edward looked down in disappointment.
"Where's Alfonso?" She asked.
"He's with our father. They're shopping right now and I decided I'd see Winry alone but she's sick," Edward explained.
"You two seem so inseparable though," She stated. Edward laughed in agreement.
"I'll tell her you visited," She motioned for him to leave in a polite manner.
Winry was looking out the window down at Ed. She sneezed and smiled down at him. He noticed her and waved and she waved back.
Edward walked off quickly turning from his comforting smile to a frown at the thought of Winry's sadness.
"I've made my decision, I'll get them back for you," Ed told himself.
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I do not own Full Metal Alchemist. Please review, pretty please?