Downpour

By. Fanficer21

Chapter 4- Escape

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Disclaimer: I don't own FMA. But if I did...

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Rated: T for more fluff and whatnot.

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My dear readers, this chapter is where things start to get serious! The next chapter will be much more intense, I promise you this.

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Previously:

Moments later he gave into the darkness again, a small smile on his face.

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Golden eyes awoke to silence. The door stopped rattling. The sound of raindrops pelting the door were nonexistent, signifying that the storm had past. Edward quietly slid out from under the wool blanket, as not to disturb his superior's slumber. He shivered slightly before adjusting the lantern to lighten the room a little more. Then quietly making his way towards the steps.

"Good morning brother!" Alphonse said, only to stop when Edward jumped and shushed him, pointing to the Colonel. The man, still beneath the blanket, looked more miserable than before. His frown was more prominent, sweat continued to bead on his face and neck. His cheeks had a pink tint to them, and his breathing was slightly more labored. Roy shifted in his sleep, pulling the blanket over his face before he settled down with a deep sigh.

"Sorry!" Alphonse whispered. "What are you doing?" He asked when Edward made his way up the small steps, trying not to make his automail foot cling on the cement. Not responding, he tilted his head beneath the reinforced steel door, listening intently, trying to hear if the creature was still around. He could faintly hear the birds chirping, which must have been a good sign. Especially since the last time the monster showed up the birds didn't make a sound.

Making his way back down the steps, he plopped down on the bed before shaking Roy's left shoulder. "Hey, stupid Colonel! Wake up!" The boy said a little loud, attempting to wake the man from his slumber. He smiled slightly with success as the man shifted again. Half-lidded, glossy, irritated looking eyes peeked over the edge of the blanket.

"Good morning to you too." The man grumbled, sounding miserable. He then pulled the blanket back over his eyes while murmuring, "Go away and let me sleep." Hearing the boy inhale, about to retort, he added, "That's an order Fullmetal!"

Edward just pursed his lips in frustration, huffing before he glanced at Alphonse. Turning his attention back to his superior, he decided to brake the news. "The storm passed, and the birds are chirping outside. I think that THING is gone!"

Roy pulled the blanket back down, looking up at the door as he considered what the boy said. "Well then, I guess we should get the hell out of here." He said, rubbing his face with his left hand, releasing another sigh. Man did his head hurt.

Pulling the blanket off, he shivered as he bent forward to scoot off the bed, but gasped as a sudden pain coursed through his arm. Leaning backwards, his back hit the wall as he tried not to grab his right arm. It hurt much worse than before.

Resting against the wall, his eyes squeezed shut. He didn't see the boys exchange worried glances as he tried to tried to steady his breathing. "Colonel?" Alphonse asked the man, worried. "I'm fine Alphonse!" Roy growled through gritted teeth. A few minutes passed before he was able to compose himself again. Opening his eyes he was met with the worried look of both boys, their faces about a foot from his.

Wiping the sweat off his face, Roy flinched when his fingers brushed against the glass shards. "Stupid glass." Roy grumbled to himself, before he began to pull the shards from his cheek, biting back a hiss with each ministration.

"What are you doing? You'll start bleeding again." Edward growled in an attempt to stop the Colonel. But the man just glared at him. "Either help me or do something else! I don't need your sympathy!"

Edward's only response was to glare at the man, trying really hard not to stick his tongue out at the Colonel. Instead, he plopped down on Roy's right side. Thrusting his arms out demanding the man give him is arm, to which Roy complied. Even though the boy wasn't happy, he knew Edward wouldn't kick him while he was down. At least, that's what he hoped as the boy delicately removed the glass pieces from his shoulder, upper arm, and side. Alphonse did the same to his right outer thigh. He could feel blood seeping from the cuts.

Though they must have been scared, Roy couldn't be more proud of his boys for staying strong in their predicament. He closed his eyes to prevent his headache from getting worse.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but it must have been a while with the way the boys looked at him, worry once again etched on their faces. He must have fallen asleep without realizing it. A towel lay beside him with fresh blood smeared on it from wiping his cuts.

The boys helped Roy off the bed without disturbing his mangled arm too much. Said man swayed once he got to his feet. The fever was getting worse, and along with it, his headache. His mouth felt parched, but he didn't want to drink anything. The Colonel leaned heavily against Alphonse as the boy kept him steady. The cool metal body felt good against his burning skin. Sliding his flesh hand beneath the man's hair hanging over his forehead, Edward wasn't pleased with the heat radiating off his superior. Taking his hand away, he was met with the man's onyx eyes. They looked glossy and exhausted.

Making their way towards the stairs, Edward decided to ask if they should try to eat something to keep up their strength. But at the mention of food, Roy seemed to gag. Closing his eyes, he turned his head away from the spam and Twinkies. His stomach wasn't sitting too well with him to hold anything down, and he had no intention of becoming immortal from all the preservatives.

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Edward peeked through a crack in the steel door, making sure the coast was clear before they made their escape. He jumped when the shadow of a passing bird entered his vision. Releasing a sigh, the boy looked to the others. Roy looked as though he was asleep, body leaning heavily against Alphonse. The metal boy had to hold him up with both arms. Fitful eyes closed, and a deep frown on his face. Sweat continued to roll down his skin. Basically, the man looked miserable.

Walking over to the Colonel, Edward decided to get the man's attention by poking his cheek. He let out a relaxed sigh when onyx eyes slowly opened before looking up at him. "What is it Edward?" The man mumbled, looking as if he was about to pass out.

"The coast is clear. I don't think that THING is out there anymore." Edward said 'thing' with distaste in his mouth, looking back up to the door. Silence followed his sentence as they all considered the chances of the beast actually still being out there.

"Well Fullmetal! Looks like you're in charge of this mission now. What do you suggest?" Edward couldn't help but gulp at the Colonel's words. He wasn't sure if he could handle the pressure placed upon him for their escape. If anything happened, it was on his shoulders, especially since Roy wasn't in the best condition. If they were attacked, the man wouldn't stand a chance.

Taking a deep breath before letting it out, Edward's eyes were filled with determination. He would do what he could to keep his brother and the Colonel safe. With a look, he told Alphonse to open the door, taking his brother's place in holding the Colonel up. The boy pulled the man's left arm over his shoulder, his flesh arm wrapped around Roy's waist. The man's head rested against Edwards, heavy breaths escaping his lips with each exhale. Edward couldn't help but grunt underneath the Colonel's weight.

"Fullmetal" Roy said calmly, smirking slightly from Edward's grunting response, "What is it stupid Colonel?"

"Tell anyone about this, and I will court-martial you!" Edward just glowered with pursed lips. "But...I was looking forward to telling...Maes!"

"Especially not Maes! He'll never let me live this down!" Roy stated with a sigh, until their attention was brought back to Alphonse, grunting as he pushed the door open with all his might.

"You ready Colonel?" Edward asked, looking at the man. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's just get this over with." Roy stated calmly, though he felt like his body was shaking in anticipation.

As soon as Alphonse threw the door the rest of the way open, he flinched a little, worried that it might have attracted the creature's attention, if it was still nearby. But nothing happened. Taking this as a good sign, the three of them made their way from the shelter. The moment they were out, their jaws dropped at the sight before them.

The landscape was littered with debris. Pieces of the house were everywhere as the structure was obliterated. Where the house once stood, a clump of broken metal, wood, and anything else once held within the contents of the home were strewn about. A large chunk of the house had fallen on the shelter door, the reason why Alphonse was struggling with it.

There was no sign of the monster anywhere. The birds continued to chirp, a gentle breeze brushed against them. The grass and debris were damp, signifying that it had rained earlier that day. The sky was overcast with light gray clouds, threatening to rain again at any moment. They concluded that they were in the shelter overnight. 1 day down. How long would it take to get back to the city, and to the hospital.

Walking around the debris, the Elric brothers guided the Colonel as they tired to find their way back to the road. From there they could hopefully catch a ride to Central.

But everything changed the instant the birds stopped singing.

Even the wind seemed to be at a standstill, as if waiting for something to happen.

The only thing the three heard were the heavy breaths of something behind them and the creaking of wood beneath an enormous weight.

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You likey?

I am almost done with chapter 5. Just working on the finishing touches. After that, it should be up within the week.

Chapter 5 will be rated M for descriptive blood and of the chimera monster, as well as scary images. Just a bit of heads up for y'all! Read at your own risk.