Across the World I will follow:
Chapter 7: Through all the Night
The train ride from Resembool to Hiessgart was a day and a Half long trip. Winry slept a lot during the first day letting Alphonse take care of little Khristie, him being a little kid at heart did a pretty good job at keeping her entertained. Every so often she'd wake up to find her curled up under her chin lightly snoring and breathing on her arm. Whenever that happened she'd stroke her hair lovingly and then kiss her on the forehead and then wrap themselves in a blanket and went back to sleep.
Alphonse enjoyed taking care of the little girl but he felt something strange about her, Al thought it out a lot and thought it was most likely that It had to do with the fact that she was so much like Nina. Alphonse stopped those thoughts. The memories of the night Nina was transmuted with her dog to create a talking Chimera were scarred upon his mind forever. The way the blood was, it was so professional, it was alchemic, and they were right. Scar the infamous serial killer of Central that only killed woman had finally discovered his "purpose" that evening too murder of everything that had to do with alchemy. Alphonse still had nightmares of that night even to this day almost six or seven years later.
After about 15 hours on the road Winry woke up and gently moved Khristie to the side so she would take her seat so they wouldn't lose her seat for the boarders who were now boarding at Maribel. Many people got on the train and took many of the empty seats. Winry talked to Alphonse. "You want to talk about your friend?" She looked at him.
"Yeah, sure." Alphonse turned to her, His big metal suit of armor concealing the truth that he was just a soul and that the only thing that was holding him to this Earth was the blood seal in the back of his armor. "You see, we've known each other since birth. She's always been there for us. She was Ed's mechanic and well I sensed things had started to get to be more than that." Alphonse looked out the window for a moment then turned back to Winry. "All I want to do is to find her and protect her even if it means defying my brother. She's like my big sister she's always been there for me, so I want to return the favor."
Winry looked at him she knew what he was saying was true Alphonse wasn't one to lie, but Winry wasn't ready to take the chances yet. For all she knew Edward could possibly be hiding inside Alphonse as they spoke. Winry turned to look at Khristie who was once again fast asleep on their journey to Hiessgart. Winry put out her hand and stroked her tiny head.
"You care about your sister very much, Don't you Betty?" Alphonse turned towards her and Winry imagined him as he was so many years ago before he lost his body. He was smiling his brown hair short as it was. She began to tear up a little bit. "Yeah, I care about her more than my own self. I haven't always been able to be there for her, and well I promised her I'd keep her safe," She turned to look at Al and she made a determined smile, "and I plan to keep that promise. No matter what the costs to my own self."
Behind them about four rows back a woman was sitting watching them as they spoke. She wore a black veil her head was lowered and her hands neatly placed on the lap of her long black skirt. "All's well that goes well." She muttered under her breath. The woman stood up and walked to the back of the train. Winry noticed her but put her to the back of her mind she had more pressing issues to worry about.
"Betty you need to eat something. Since I've been on this train you haven't eaten a thing." Alphonse looked at her and Winry knew he was concerned about her. Same old Al, I can't believe I ran away without saying goodbye. "Your right but I want to stay here with Khristie could you go and get me a Cajun turkey Sandwich Alphonse?" Alphonse nodded and got up from his seat and walked to the back of the train.
Winry turned to the little girl she touched her head with her hand a slight shock went through her. What the hell? Khristie looked up at her and opened her eyes. "Sissy," she slightly moaned in half sleep, "are we there yet sissy?" Winry looked at her and smiled.
"No Khris, I'm sorry we've still got a half days journey ahead of us." She stroked her head and moved the locks of her silver hair out of the way of her face. "Go back to sleep for a little while okay." Khristie nodded and closed her eyes and lay her head back down upon the pillow that was on Winry's lap. Winry smiled and looked down at Khristie and began to lightly sing as she stroaked her beautiful hair.
Sleep my Child and peace attend thee,
All through the night,
Guardian angels god will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping
All through the night.
After a few moments Winry turned back to see if Alphonse was returning and she noticed the woman in the veil had returned to her seat. He head was still bowed and Winry still found nothing about her very disturbing. Winry turned back to Khristie and held her close. Then a few more moments passed and Alphonse returned from the back car with the turkey sandwich. "Here you go Bet."
Winry nodded and put a finger up telling him to try to be quite. She smiled and took the sandwich and began to eat it. Winry silently ate her sandwich thinking over these last few days and weeks. Edward being within reach of her and most likely not even knowing it, Alphonse sitting right across from her and nowhere near realizing his quest is already at an end. She looked down at Khristie. If me and Ed would've still been together she would've been like a daughter to the both of us, but now that punk is just going to have to waste his time. I'm not going back to him. Winry had made it to her 2nd sandwich when Khristie awoke.
"Sissy I'm hungry." Winry heard her stomach grumbling and nodded. She broke the sandwich in half giving her the bigger piece. Khristie laughed and smiled and began to tear at the sandwich.
"I can tell you two have been through a lot I've never seen a little girl eat like my brother before." He laughed.
Winry laughed too trying to act like she had no clue what he was talking about. She looked down at her and then realized it was true. It absolutely reminded her about how Ed ate. No regard for manners and just stuffing it down the pie hole. She smiled again and noticed the sun setting. "Khristie you and me need to get some rest tomorrow's a big day." She smiled and stroaked her hair one last time and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Good night Khris."
Khris lay her head upon Winry again. "Goodnight sissy," and she closed her eyes and drifted off into sleep.
"Alphonse I thank you, and well I have a feeling that you'll find your friend sometime soon. Goodnight Alphonse Elric." She nodded in good will and closed her eyes too. Alphonse turned and noticed the woman in the black veil for the first time. He caught a glance and then she quickly turned her head. Alphonse was weary but he would not worry his new companion. Alphonse sat back and went into his dreamless rest state. The train dragging on Through all the night.