This took a little longer than I thought it would to get out. I began working on it on Wednesday but had to stop for personal reasons. But here it is, finally finished. I have yet to start working on the fourth chapter, this week has been a rough one for me and I haven't had the motivation to even start it. Hopefully I can get it started sometime this week, most likely Monday, and have it uploaded by the end of the week. I really don't want to leave this story hanging and leave you guys waiting for another chapter that has taken way too long to get out.

Anyway, before I continue on and on, I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you all so much for the favorites, follows, and reviews, it means the world to me that somewhere out there people enjoy my writing.

Love you all!

Chapter 3

The walk down the long corridor to Ed's room seemed like an eternity. Mustang felt uneasy as they neared, the rooms surrounding him were full of severely injured or sick patients. He had glanced into a few of the rooms and seeing such people, clinging to life, made him feel like he was in a field hospital after a particularly bad battle.

He held back the flow of unwanted memories as they slowed down, stopping at a room with a closed door. The man leading them stayed silent as he opened the door. As the door opened and more of the room and its occupant were revealed the colonel felt his heart stop.

Ed lay in a bed that faced a window on the opposite wall; the sunlight gleamed against the medical equipment attached to him. An oxygen mask rested on his face, rasping breaths echoing from it. A heart monitor beeped steadily while an IV bag lead to a tube placed in the back of his hand. Under the thin hospital blankets he could make out a cast on the right leg, stretching from his foot to his mid-thigh.

Beside him Al stayed silent, brushing past him and into the room. He stood over his brother, as still as a statue.

"I'll leave you two alone, if you need anything or if he shows any signs of discomfort please don't hesitate to find a nurse." The man spoke softly. The colonel nodded and the man headed back down the hall, most likely to inform someone else on their loved one's condition.

Mustang stood in the doorway, unsure of what he should do. He had signed the papers and saw with his own eyes that Edward was still alive, but he couldn't just leave the two of them alone, right? With a sigh he walked into the room, hoping that when Ed woke up he wouldn't be too mad at seeing him. The colonel stopped next to Al, looking down at the broken and bandaged form. Ed lay oblivious to the world as the colonel walked around the bed and sat at his right side.

After a few moments of standing Al took the seat on his brother's left, quietly running his hand through Ed's tangled hair. The signature braid was gone, the golden strands lying limp and dull against the pillow.

Suddenly Ed let out a moan, tensing up and gritting his teeth. Al quickly grabbed his hand, being careful of the IV, in hopes of calming him. He slowly relaxed but it was obvious by his facial expression that he was still in pain.

"Al?" Ed's voice sounded so weak and raspy that the colonel shivered. Never had he heard such a weary voice come from the boy who always seemed to be spitting fire at him. He waited for Edward to open his eyes but they remained forcefully closed.

"Brother? Are you in pain?" Al's voice was quiet as he began to gently rub his brother's hand with his large thumb. Ed let out a small moan and nodded, grabbing onto Al's hand with all his strength.

"I'll go get a nurse; the colonel will stay with you until I get back." He carefully slid his hand out from Edward's grip and began to stand up. Ed's eyes opened slowly, half closed as though he was fighting to keep them open.

"What's he doing here?" He didn't sound angry at all, just genuinely confused and subdued. Mustang felt his heart sink. The Ed he knew would at least be irritated by his presence, but this was different. The colonel winced when he remembered the man saying that there could be permanent personality changes.

"He came to fill out some papers." Al stated gently, seeming to ignore how out of character Ed seemed to be. "Now I'm going to go get a nurse to help with the pain, I'll be back as soon as I can." With a glance over his shoulder he left. The colonel could hear swift clanking echo down the halls.

"Colonel?" He jumped at the sound of Ed's voice. The boy was looking at the ceiling with confusion in his eyes. The once fiery, golden orbs were now clouded over and dull with pain.

"I'm right here Edward. Al's getting a nurse for you." He tried to sound calm but he knew his voice had come out shaky. Something didn't seem right with Ed. His head turned towards him and he seemed even more confused.

"Why is it so dark in here? I can't see you at all." Mustang felt a chill run down his spine. No, he thought, this couldn't be happening…

"Edward, its midafternoon and you're facing an open window…" At this Ed's eyes began to widen as he began to understand what was happening. He snapped his head forward to look towards the window. The heart monitor began to speed up as he began to shake.

"Colonel…please tell me you're joking." His voice shook with obvious fear. When Mustang didn't answer Ed sat bolt upright, wincing in pain but seemingly ignoring it.

"Edward…" He trailed off, closing his eyes for a moment and clenching his fists. When he opened them Ed was holding his automail hand inches from his wide eyes. The heart monitor picked up in speed as a shudder passed through his body.

"I-I-I'm…blind?"