Chapter three: Going Away
Time froze, and the air stopped whirling around the room. Only the sound of Winry's cries sounded. Al opened his mouth, and closed it again…he took in a deep breath, and opened his mouth again.
"H-how" he said to no one in particular. Winry looked up, her expression soften suddenly.
"What do you mean how" Winry said, her tears UN stoppable.
"I mean he only got shot in the arm" Al said his voice shaking.
"When I saw him...h-he had three shots in the chest, and his left arm was only hanging by a piece of skin…he had lost too much blood" Winry said a now fresh trail of tears going down her face.
A nurse opened the door.
"Mrs. Rockbell it's time to leave, Mr. Elric needs rest" she said politely. All Winry could manage was a soft nod, and she got up and went out the door.
The door shut, Al stared after her, and let out a low cry. The tears sounded forced, but they weren't.
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Al lay staring up at the ceiling, a line of now-long gone tears still visible on his cheeks. The clock hooked on the wall ticking time away, time that to Al hadn't passed at all.
It seemed that Winry had just been here, seconds ago…and told him. But it been six hours, and it was late. He was supposed to be asleep, but his mind was racing and wouldn't let him.
The door opened loudly, and slammed into the wall. Izumi and Sig entered the room, with a Nurse behind them.
"Visitors hour is over! You cannot come in!" she said, Sig turned around, the moonlight casting his shadow over the Nurse. The nurse looked him over.
"O-okay...you can stay...but, please try to make it short" she said.
"We'll stay as long as we want to" Izumi said, her voice shaking, and low, like she was holding back tears.
The Nurse shook her head, and walked away. Sig shut the door. Al sat up, feeling suddenly weak.
"Hello Al" Izumi said smiling.
"Don't act like everything's okay" Al whispered.
"I'm not trying to Al, but you've got to see a smile or you never will again" Izumi said.
"You need to start your life over...once you get out of this place" she said after a long pause.
"How" Al snapped at Izumi. Izumi didn't answer, hurt from the sharpness if his voice.
"Al don't take out your hurt emotion on Izumi. She's suffering from Ed's death too" Sig said. This put Al in his place, and he gave Izumi an apologetic look.
Izumi shook her head.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to go back to Winry's house. Too many good, and bad memories in Resembool" Al said.
"That's another reason that we came Al, we want to know if you want to come live with us in Dublith" she said. "Not for ever, just for a year or so…so you can get away" she added.
"Why now" Al said.
"I think you need it" Sig answered for Izumi. Al smiled slightly.
"Yeah…I will, but I'll have to go get my things from Winry's house" Al said. Izumi nodded her head.
"You're getting out tomorrow, so we'll come and get you. We'll go get your things and then head to Dublith" Izumi said, her eyes wondering around the hospital room as she said this.
Al nodded his head, and watched them leave.
&&&&&
Al followed Izumi into the chilly morning, still feeling weak, but nothing he couldn't handle.
They arrived at Winry's house, Al packed wordlessly as Winry watched, and Izumi wouldn't come in the house. Pinako stood watching al.
"Why Al…why are you doing this to me, and Granny" Winry asked.
"Don't bother Winry dear, if he wants to leave let him" Piano said, and disappeared up stairs.
"I'm sorry we can't offer a better living space Al, but do you really have to leave us….at a time like this" Winry said her voice shaking.
"It's nothing against you Winry, I have to leave….maybe a year" Al said.
"So this means your going to miss Edward's funeral then" Winry said. Al said nothing, but nodded his head.
Winry followed Al out, she watched Al get in the car. Izumi walked up to her, she put her hand on Winry's shoulder.
"You know Ed wouldn't have wanted Al to just sit…on his ass, and do nothing, but grief the rest of his life. He would've wanted Al to move on with his life…and he can't do that if he stays here" Izumi said. A tear slid down Winry's cheek, and she shook her head.
She watched Izumi get in the car, and then the car drove off, and Winry wondered if she'd ever see any of them ever again.
A/N-Sorry its short, and kinda boring anyway review. No flames!
Chapter four coming soon.