Chapter Four

Central Bound

Rhea stood over the stove stirring a pan of rice to keep the tiny, white grains from sticking to the bottom, Ed and Al sat at the table, Al holding Whiskers. The tears of the heavens were still falling from the gray, clouded sky, the world outside wet and dreary. "What wet weather we are having." Rhea sighed looking out at the grayed world. Small puddles had formed on the road and the rain was making ripples in the gathered water. She grabbed two bowls from the cupboard and scooped the rice into the bowls. She gave one of the bowls to Ed. He picked at it before taking a bite. Rhea was just about to sit down at the table when a knock came at the door. Rhea looked confused but got up to answer the door anyway. "Message for Rhea Soto." A man in a blue postal worker uniform replied handing Rhea a slightly off white envelope. She nodded and took it from him and closed the door when he turned to leave. She walked to the counter, opened it and pulled out the letter the envelope concealed. It read in carefully printed letters: "Rhea, take the first train to Central and meet me there, I have a surprise! -Ashlee." Rhea set the letter down on the counter. "I have to go to Central tomorrow." Rhea began in a quiet tone. "We'll come…but only because we have to make a trip out there any way." Ed murmured tartly. "Ed, don't be so rude. Rhea has shown us nothing but kindness and hospitality, and you repay her by giving smug remarks." Al muttered. "Mind your own business Al!" Ed shouted in response. "Please, don't fight." Rhea murmured closing her eyes. Ed turned and huffed. "Come along if you like, just don't fight." Rhea sighed as she turned to the window. Ed looked at Rhea; she looked as if she were going to cry. Her smile was now a frown and her eyes were clamped tight to fight back tears. "I had, had enough fighting, that's why I left. I tried to leave it behind." Rhea whispered remembering the darker days of her old home. "I'm sorry." Ed said looking down at the floor, ashamed he had upset her. "Me too." Al added quietly. "Well you had better get some sleep; we leave tomorrow morning at seven sharp." Rhea sighed after a moment. Ed and Al nodded and went to the room they shared in silence, heads bowed in shame.

Ed and Al's room

"So does this mean Rhea's coming with us?" Al asked Ed quietly so Rhea wouldn't hear. "To tell you the truth I don't know." Ed replied confused. "It would be nice to have her with." Al said, he already knew Rhea really wanted to come along. Ed nodded slightly, but stayed silent. "What are you thinking?" He asked Ed as he closed his eyes in thought. "I don't know." Ed sighed lying down on his bed. "I think I need some sleep, I'll think about it." Ed sighed yawning and rolled onto his side facing away from his brother. "Good night, big brother." Al whispered as Ed began to snore quietly.

Rhea awoke the next morning to find the first true light of morning hitting her face from her window. She went to pack a few things and get ready for her trip. Not knowing what Ed's decision would be, she decided to pack more then she needed for a few days in Central…better to be safe then sorry.

When she returned to the living room, Ed was sitting in a chair waiting for her. "So, what would you say if we offered you to come with us?" Ed asked already knowing Rhea's answer. Rhea's face lit up with joy and she nodded her head instantly. "We have to leave soon though, the train leaves in about forty-five minutes." Rhea replied her heart light. Ed nodded and went to fetch his brother.

Rhea led the way to the station, past a small glittering pond, and along a small dirt road to the part of town with all the stores. Cheerful and chipper Rhea waved to all the people who waved to her, in a small town you know just about everyone.

"Wait here. I'll go get the tickets." Rhea said when they got to the station. It was smaller then most stations Ed was used to, but then again this was a small town. Rhea went up to the ticket box; the man working gave her a smile and said something they couldn't hear. Rhea nodded at what he had said and pointed to where Ed and Al stood. The man laughed, handing Rhea three tickets. Rhea thanked the man and waved as she made her way back to where they stood. "Come on." Rhea said picking up her suitcase. "But the middle class cars are that way." Ed replied to Rhea pointing a few cars away. "Well that is true, but then again we're not riding middle class." Rhea sang holding out three first class tickets. "First class tickets to Central Station, meal included." Rhea said smiling in satisfaction. "We can't afford those!" Ed shouted. "You don't have too…I can." Rhea said smiling wider and began heading toward the first class section. "Now, before we miss the train!" Rhea shouted over her shoulder.

"Trust me, riding first class is much more comfortable then middle any day." Rhea said as she walked down the aisles. Ed and Al sat down; obviously they had never been in first class. They sat down in a booth in the seats that faced the front of the train. Rhea turned to walk to another booth. "You know it would just be inconvenient to sit in another booth, why not sit with us?" Al asked. Rhea took a moment to think it over. "Besides you're the only reason we're here right now." Ed added. He had a point, Rhea sat down in the seat closest to the window facing the back of the train. "Next stop Central Station." Rhea sighed quietly as the train whistle blew and the engine lurched forward down the track, pulling the rest of the train behind it. A young girl who looked about four or five poked her head over the seats. She had long waist length chocolate brown hair and autumn hazel eyes that looked around curiously, surveying the passengers. Rhea smiled and waved to the girl, the girl smiled and waved back. Ed turned around to see who Rhea was waving to. The girl looked at him curiously, and then smiled again. "Hi, what's your name?" Rhea asked the girl. "Gracie and this is Rosie." She said holding up a small cloth doll. She had strawberry blonde hair and a cream colored dress with lace on the bottom. "Well it is very nice to meet you Gracie and Rosie." Rhea said bowing her head slightly as if she were talking to someone of great importance. The girl covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. Rhea seemed happy to talk to the little girl, rather then sitting in awkward silence with her new friends.

A while past, Gracie had come and sat down in the vacant seat next to Rhea. Rhea had struck up a small conversation with the girl, learning that they were going to visit her grandparents in Central. They lived just outside the town in a small farm house with a dog, a few cats and two horses.

"I'm going to get something to eat." Ed said getting up from his seat hoping to get some thinking in. Thoughts just seemed to be buzzing around in his head and making it hard for him to focus. "Good idea, we'll come too." Rhea replied grabbing the girl's small hand in her own.

When they got to the dining area Ed sat down at the counter, Rhea and Gracie sat a few stools away. Rhea had gotten a cup of green tea and the girl ordered a small vanilla ice cream cone. Ed too got a cup of the bland green tea.

Ed's POV

What is it about her that makes me keep staring at her? Makes me feel all strange inside? Is it that she's so gentle, like mom? She does remind me of mom quite a bit. She is kind, but I just don't understand why I'm feeling this way.

End Ed's POV

Occasionally Rhea took a sip from her mug, steam still swirling from its warm liquid contents. The girl licked her ice cream cone happily. "Is it good?" Rhea asked. The girl nodded and took another lick.

Soon Rhea and Gracie headed back to their seats, while Ed still sat starring into his half full cup of green tea as if it held the answers to all his questions.

When he finally rejoined his brother and Rhea, he sat down and forced himself to look out the windows instead of looking deep into Rhea's shimmering blue eyes.

Author's Corner!

I'm starting a place where I can leave a message for all my viewers! First off I would like to thank all of my fans for the wonderful comments and support I have been getting! Progress on Elemental Alchemist is going great! Chapter Sixteen is in progress and is coming on nicely! If anyone has suggestions on how often chapters should be published feel free to drop me a message! Thank you all once again for the great comments!

-RheaElric!