An Array of Wonders
Chapter 8: Mock Behavior
Edward glared at the setting sun. His golden eyes seemed eerie in the passing light, and Edward closed them once his head started to hurt again. He sighed, slowly pushed the heavy covers off of his drenched form, and then sat up in his bed that he'd not been in for the better part of a week.
Beads of sweat ran down his neck while his cheeks felt unbearably hot in the fading sunlight. He shrugged off the rest of the covers and pulled himself out of the bed to stagger over to his window. Ed fumbled with the metal lock and then flung the medium sized window wide to let in cooler air.
His hair had been let loose from his sleep and all he wore were blue shorts and a white, long shirt. Both of which had been long soaked by his fever. The small breeze on his face made Ed smile, but that quickly disappeared when he saw their only pet, a brilliant horse that Al adored, was gone from the post it usually rested near.
"He really did leave?" He murmured.
A startled gasp stopped his gazing and he turned a bit too quickly to face Winry who stood in the doorway with a bowl of soup.
"Ed!" Winry screamed. Her eyes widened when he fell to the ground, his legs giving out for a few moments.
She placed the soup on his bedside table and rushed over to help him to his bed once more.
"You know your sick so stop it! You can't just get up without your fever breaking!" Winry whined. Ed blocked it out and turned again to look at the window.
"Where's Al? And Mom? What's going on?" He asked, but his hopeful eyes dimmed when Winry just shook her head.
"I don't know, just eat. Your dad wants me to take care of you." Winry urged as she pushed the bowl into his hands.
When he had finished the soup, Winry dusted off her skirt and got up. The dark night was coming faster and faster. She smiled one last time at Ed and took the bowl in her hands.
"I've got to go, so you're sure you'll stay in bed tonight? You know I'll be here in the morning to check on you!" Winry said cheerfully. At Ed's nod, she nearly ran towards the door and out of the house towards her home for the night.
Ed smiled at her retreating figure and then his eyes flashed with determination.
He'd go see Mr. Mustang, since today was the last day he'd be around. Maybe he could help with that note…
I won't let dad do this all by himself! I've got to protect my family, especially after being gone for so long! He thought…
Alphonse Elric gritted his teeth to bite back words that usually wouldn't come from such a kind, young man. He was currently tied up with thick rope, gagged with a piece of his own shirt, and staring with anger at a dark skinned man who glared back evenly.
Scar flexed his arm in the dwindling light. He had done something he had once thought to be too merciful. He had let the woman go to her husband as a gesture of 'good will' but had kept the young man in the abandoned hospital for good measure.
Red eyes looked calmly at the exhausted boy who strangely enough reminded him only enough of the young blonde to keep him from a worse fate. He then was interrupted from his musings when the elder Elric walked into the room and spoke.
"I'd like my son back too, if you don't mind." Hoenheim said, his voice carrying a harsh edge to it. Scar regarded him with a mixture of anger and disappointment. This man certainly didn't seem to be someone to be afraid of.
"I keep the boy in place of our deal. You and your son will come with me to the North front. You are to keep your end of the deal if you want him to come back home again!" Scar seethed out. Red eyes stared long and hard at the man who was said to be a deadly alchemist if given the right incentive.
"You people are the reason this war is still going on! I don't have time for this! My family matters to me more than this war! I'll go with you but leave my family out of this! Alphonse needs to be with his mother and they both are needed by Edward!" Hoenheim yelled out, his hands clenched at his sides.
Trisha looked at him in surprise when she heard her oldest son's name.
Al looked up from where he sat and his muffled words seemed almost happy with hope.
The elder Elric nearly smiled at his family's shocked expressions.
"I found him last night. I thought everything would be alright again (eyes then turned nearly lethal in Scar's direction) but this ingrate decided to be a kidnapper!" He finished, eyes cold as they stared at the source of his problems.
Scars choose to relax under the harsh glare. His wounds were nearly forgotten since they were healing quite well. He lifted his hands up to show a small wisp of bandage dangling from each wrist.
"You have a stupid son, Elric. To be caught by an injured Ishbalan. You should be thankful I didn't gut him when I had the chance." Scar mocked his eyes steely on the shocked Elric.
"Y-your joking! You can't have seen him!" Hoenhiem whispered, and Trisha's hands flew to her mouth in horror.
Al's pained eyes were the last thing Hoenheim saw before Scar maneuvered quickly and punched him in the gut.
Trisha's shocked screams were the last thing he heard.
Wow it's been a while. (2 months) Thanks for all the nice reviews! I've been on a fanfic spree lately so I might update sooner than this!
I think this is coming along well! Though Scar-san was a bit hard to write today, but it turned out fine!
Keep reviewing and I'll eventually write more!