Chapter Fourteen
Author's Note: Ok, so this chappy is about what Edward was doing while Mustang was in the ward and all that mess.
The skies golden eye steadily sank behind Ametris' rocky horizon. In the distant, Cumulonimbi crept along the troposphere leaving behind fleets of stratus clouds. In the eastern
division of the large city, laying on the roof of a decent sized house, Edward stared up at the firmament. His expression was blank, but his mind was racing across the infinite
span of cognizance. The young alchemist removed himself from reality and glanced down the many paths that the future held for him. He examined each, but they all led to the
same conclusion… failure. No matter where he turned, it seemed he could not fulfill the promise he made to his brother without being found out…
"Is the entire world set against this goal that we have chosen?" Edward said aloud to no one in particular. "… Or is our one objective nothing, but wishful thinking?…" He lifted
his metallic hand towards the darkening sky and traced the small circle of the waxen moon. "Al… please forgive me…" His mind slipped away…
flashback
Edward stared at the object in his hand. It was the telephone receiver. He had sat at Roy's desk for almost twenty minutes, deciding whether it was good to speak to his brother or not. Closing his eyes and slowly exhaling, he dialed the hospital's office number. The phone's ring struck Ed's sensitive ear drums, causing him to cringe.
"Central Headquarters' Hospital Ward, how may I help you?" a stern female voice answered.
"Uh… yeah can you put me through to Colonel Mustang's room, please…" There was a pause.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye speaking…"
"Ah, this is Ed, I am at the Colonel's house right now… can I speak to my brother?" Edward's heartbeat rose.
"Sorry Ed, he's with Lieutenant Colonel Hughes assisting him with paperwork."
"Oh… well is he ok?" Edward fidgeted in his chair a bit.
"Don't worry, he's keeping himself occupied…
"Tell the Colonel I'm heading out tonight."
"Alright, be careful… bye"
"Bye…" And with that Edward hung up the receiver. His eyes were exhausted, body fatigued and just recently his hope had been shattered… He began to get up from the wooden seat when he spotted a stack of blank parchment and a pen…
Edward ran his furred hand across his face. "Is there any light in my future?… Am I going to be stomped down by the footsteps of fate for the rest of my life?… Is there any
light… for my brother?… Because I can't see it…" Edward sat up and stared at the stars poking out of the darkening night. "Even when your surrounded by shadows you still
shine your light…" he sighed. "And I must do the same. My brother is my light and I am his… Apart from him my one goal becomes obscured, but…" Ed stood up and ran
toward the landing's entrance. He sped across the attic and down the stairs. In a few seconds he had reached the telephone, but again his hand was motionless on the receiver.
Although it wasn't fear of talking to his brother that kept him still. On the center of the desk was a folded sheet of paper. Written on the top was the name Alphonse. After his
short conversation with Hawkeye, he wrote a letter to his brother. Edward picked it up, his body began to tremble, and he unfolded it. The paper read-
Dear Brother, I have decided to continue our search for the
Philosopher's Stone on my own. If someone ever found out that
I am a Chimera that would only increase their suspicion about you.
I will leave you money in the bank so that you can pay for a hotel.
Please, Al, do not look for me; I promise to find the Stone as soon
as possible so we can get our bodies back. Would you take Winry
back to Risenbull, it's not safe here. Thank you.
Love,Ed
Edward crumpled the paper in his right hand and threw it across the room. He fell to the floor. "What can I do!… I can't leave him… Not after all we've been through… I'd
never be forgiven for it… He would search everywhere trying to find me…" Ed smiled a little. "He's as stubborn as me…, but then I don't want to drag him into this mess I've
made…" He looked up at the ceiling. " …I need your help Al…" Edward stood up and wiped his face. "But do you need mine?…" He slowly grabbed the receiver and dialed.
"Yeah can your direct me to room two-seventeen please?… Hey, Winry how's it going?… Yeah… I'm fine. Is Al there with you?… You haven't? Man, is he still working with
Hughes?… Ok, I'll wait…" Ed sat down in the wooden chair and glanced out the window. Condensation had collected on the glass. He began to count the little specks of water
and reached forty-two when Winry returned. "…What!… But he was working with him all day!…" Ed stood again. "…He hasn't checked in since when!… Last night!… So
that was the last time the office assistant had seen him? Leaving to go on patrol… Someone isn't telling me something and I'm going to find out! I'll be there in a sec." Ed
slammed the phone down. What the hell is going on! If something has happened to him…
Ed grabbed his red coat that lay on the sofa and left the house. Pulling the hood over his pointed ears Edward sped down the lonely side walks as fast as he could. In no less than
two minutes, Central HQ's large structure came into view. And standing there at the corner of the building, was the Colonel himself. Eyes slit and overflowing with rage, Edward
approached his commanding officer.
"Where is my brother?"