Look at me go hey, I can't believe how fast I am getting through these fics! This still has a while to go but this is still an important chapter. FMA isn't mine.
Visions and horrific memories danced around in her head. She could see gluttony munching his way through some innocent passer by. She could see herself naked and vulnerable in front of all the monsters she had heard about. Although she ran she did not seem to be able to keep away from them and she fell to the floor in despair. All fell dark around her as she began to cry out for her friends to save her but no-one came. They had left her to suffer all alone and for that she hated them. She kept screaming their names although she knew they would never come.
'Winry, wake up. Winry!'
'She can't hear you Al. Her temperature is so high she must be delusional.'
Al sighed and sat down next to her bed. They had brought her in over two hours ago but she showed no sign of waking up. The doctors had tended to her the best they could but she still looked liked she was in intense pain. He was almost too scared to find out what had happened to her. Perhaps it would have changed her and she would not be the Winry he had known for so long. He held on with hope to the fact that Rose hadn't changed after she had escaped from Dante. Yet whatever Dante had wanted from Winry it was in no doubt different to what she wanted of Rose.
His thoughts turned back to his brother who could have been in danger at that very moment. Al had learnt many years ago his brother did not consider other peoples emotions in the same way other people did. Edward could worry people to death but it did not seem to faze him. Al was quite aware his brother usually had a lot on his plate but now he was living in an entirely different world to the one he once was. He was meant to come back from the other side of the gate with no worries to hold him down. Instead his one major foe had ruined all chances of a quiet life.
Winry stirred again and he took hold of her hand to try and give her some comfort. Although he would be there for her when she woke he knew he was not the one she wanted to see. After all she had been through, all the years of waiting, didn't she deserve at least a little time with her best friend?
Once he had cleared the parts of the house he remembered Edward began to look elsewhere. In particular, he was looking for the room where the photo had been taken, for any clues. As far as he could tell the house was now empty but he still kept his guard up. If Dante had been trying to get his attention she had succeeded. But why if she wanted him would she up and leave before he got to her, leaving Winry behind? He could only think that she was doing it to distress him and that she was out of power now. She had probably left Lyra's body behind and had moved on. However that would not make her hard to detect for she would still have to cover the smell of rotting flesh.
Finally something stood out from the many closed doors. As he walked down the corridor he felt a breeze blow around his ankles. Stopping where the breeze was strongest he pushed open the heavy door to face what was inside.
The breeze came from the window that was now minus most of the glass it had once held. Strewn about the floor were sheets from the bed and a chair that had seen better days. There was blood dotted about the broken glass and from the state of Winry's feet he guessed it was hers. With care he walked over to the broken window and looked out onto the forest. Winry must have climbed down the vines but failed to notice in her haste the vicious looking thorns. Not far down the side of the wall he could see a piece of her nightdress caught amongst the spines. He followed the bloody footsteps to the grass, which eventually lead round a corner and out of his sight. It would have been round that corner that they found her. Her body had been cold to the touch, which meant she must have been out in the night air for a while. The timing did not work in his head so he would have to talk to her. For now he could not exact the revenge he so longed to, but he could go to Winry's bedside. His gut began to ache with guilt and he expected nothing but hate from her. If he had only acted quicker Winry might have been saved from all Dante put her through.
'Pinako is asleep at the moment Al. Can I pass on a message to her for you?'
'Tell her we have found Winry and that she is safe in our care. She is in a bad way but the doctor says she should recover in no time. Once she can walk again she can come home.'
'Oh Al that is good news, I shall tell her right away. How is Winry, what does she say?'
'She was unconscious when we found her and she has not woken up yet. I'll phone you when she does and you can talk to her if she can stand.' He paused before speaking again knowing he could be hitting a raw nerve, 'Rose, may I ask you something?'
'Of course you can Al, ask away.'
'After you escaped from Dante did you feel any different? Had she changed anything about you?'
He heard a sigh down the other end of the phone, 'I can see why you are worried Al but there is no reason to be. When I woke up I remembered nothing and I hadn't changed at all. Winry will be fine I am sure of it.'
He agreed with her and hung up for the phone. For a moment or two he stood in the hallway staring at the phone as if it would give him more answers. Although Rose, who had been through something he had not, told him not to worry he still did. For all they knew Winry had been through much worse and such memories were reliving themselves in her dreams. He just prayed that she would have forgotten everything when she woke up.
Then there came the sound of the footsteps he had been waiting for some hours to hear. Approaching from his left was his rather weary looking brother. Apart from a slump in his shoulders he appeared unhurt and Alphonse was able to rest a little more. He himself was tired but did not want to leave Winry's side in case she awoke. Now his brother was back they could try and seek normality.
'She wasn't there?' Al asked.
'Ah no, she wasn't. It is hopeless looking for her now unless we keep an eye out for missing persons. I don't think it's over yet Al.'
'But she let Winry go. I know Winry tried to escape but she would never have got away that easily.'
'No Al she would not. We have to let Dante come to us.'
'But brother…'
'How is Winry?'
Al could easily sense when it was not the time to argue so for the moment he remained silent. He was glad his brother was okay but if that meant it was not over he was not so sure of it. For the time being they would have to wait and his brother would not get the peace he so truly deserved.
'She is still in a fitful sleep brother but she will be all right. I am tired now, is it okay if I rest for a while?'
'Yes of course Al, but on your way could you tell the Colonel I have returned?'
With a nod Al left the way Edward had come in. He asked a passing nurse which room to head to before making sure he looked okay. Winry always grew distressed when she saw him hurt or upset so he set himself right and headed in her direction. He needed her to wake up soon for there was many questions that needed answering. And yet, when she did wake, he would find out if she hated him or not.
He found her room and pushed open the door. Sat by her bedside was Hawkeye who was glancing through a book. When she turned to see him see smiled lightly and stood to greet him.
'Welcome back Edward, I trust you are well.'
'Yes Hawkeye. Sadly I was unable to find Dante. I shall take over here now.'
'Very well, but I must warn you she has not been sleeping peacefully. She must be tormented by her memories for they will not leave her alone.'
As if on cue Winry began to moan and her face began to strain. She threw her head from side to side, as moans became cries. Ed found he could barely watch but Hawkeye barked commands at him.
'Grab her arms and hold them by her sides so she doesn't hurt herself. Not too tightly, you don't want to break her bones. That's it Edward. If you can't stand to look at her face then look down!'
Bewildered he did as he was told but closed his eyes altogether. It frightened him how much her bones showed through her skin. He wanted to block his ears from her cries but he knew he had to keep a strong hold of her. From what he could tell Riza was dabbing Winry's forehead with a cool damp cloth to try and fight her temperature. After another moment or two Winry fell limp again and silence filled the air. Daring to look he opened his eyes and glanced at her face. To his relief she looked as if she was sleeping peacefully and he let go of her arms.
'I shall leave now. If it happens again you must call somebody. I shall be back in a few hours so you can then get some rest.'
As she left he inwardly told himself he wouldn't rest until Winry was awake. He had so rarely seen her in real pain it chilled him to his core. It had been two years since he had seen her bright blue eyes. He urged her to open them but she did not stir again. Seating himself if the chair Riza had left he contemplated what he would do next.
An hour passed before Winry made the slightest bit of movement again. Her arms rose up and pushed outward as if she were having a morning stretch. Placing her hands down by her head she gave a contented sigh. He took this as a good sign and whispered her name. When she did not respond he called her name louder and it seemed to do the trick. He almost laughed out loud as she pouted in her sleep, a habit she had held since childhood.
Agonisingly slowly her eyes began to open. Although he could tell they did not shine as they once did he was glad to see that flicker of blue. He remained silent as she completely opened her eyes and took focus of the world. At first she was facing away from him but once she was adjusted to the light she turned and looked directly at him. After so much time to think about it he could not find the right words to say so he merely smiled at her. She blinked a few more times before launching herself out of her bed and directly at him.
'Where have you been?' she laughed gently in his ear. He felt the tears fall from her face and on to his neck. He went to put his arms around her but was wary of her fragile body. In a moment or two he would get the violent onslaught so for the time being he rejoiced in the peace and comfort she gave him.
