Disclaimer: I do NOT own FullMetal Alchemist!!

This story begins soon after the movie. So, if you haven't seen the movie, do not read this. It may contain some spoilers from the anime and from the movie, so all who have not yet finished the anime and watched the movie MAY NOT READ!

Chapter Three: Monday

When Edward awoke the next morning, his muscles ached. Really, his body hurt so much he was for sure it was going to snap. Putting most of his weight on his automail, he got dressed, cleaned up, and began to walk down the stairs. His brother, who was halfway down the stairs, greeted him when he noticed his being there. "Good morning Brother! You sure are up early this morning!"

"You think I'm up this early by choice? I've got to go to work." Ed sighed. Sunday seemed like it had only been a minute ago, and that fear he had last night… Ed had zoned out some, and when he reached the bottom of the stairs, he lost his balance. "Gah!!" Thud. Ed's hands were on the ground, and so were his knees. His body screamed in pain, from the ache and the fall. "Ouch…" Ed could barely get out that much. He felt as if he was going to pass out.

Noah sleepily got to the stairs. "Good morning. You all sure are noisy this morning…" Edward picked himself up, and headed for the kitchen. All he was focused on was getting his feet to move. This'll be great when my boss get's a hold of me… He staggered a bit, but managed a piece of toast. He waved goodbye, and walked out the door. "Now how the heck am I going to get to work?" He thought angrily, and as he walked out the door, he realized he had no appetite whatsoever. Now what?

He stopped by Gracia, who was currently in the outdoor part of her flower shop. She smiled and said, "Good morning." He offered her the toast, when she asked why; he told her he just wasn't hungry. She took it, but a concerned look was still on her face. Ed smiled and walked away.

He quickly walked down the sidewalk. Passing the many stores, he looked longingly at the Pharmacy for only a moment, and then was back at his pace again. Once he finally reached the building, he opened the door, and walked inside. Yet again, he was the first worker there. The boss walked up to him, and laid his hand on his shoulder. Aug…I don't get paid enough for this…

The poor boy sat there for nearly an hour 'listening' to the boss' lectures on how he should have that paperwork done by now. And he wonders why! I'd have it done by now if he didn't stop me every morning!! After the grasp on his shoulder let go, he quickly walked to his desk, and sat down. Grabbing the pen with his right hand, he began writing down notes here, signing stuff there, and randomly he would get MORE paper work to fill out. By 12 o'clock, he felt like begging to leave!

Walking out the door, he started to walk home, but again, he noticed he wasn't hungry. He didn't want to worry Noah, but occasionally he did eat out, and Noah didn't seem to care. So, he just didn't eat. He walked over to the grassy area next to the Pharmacy, and sat down. He looked into the blue sky, and set his head against the brick building. He nearly fell asleep, but he kept himself awake, knowing if he fell into slumber, he would not make it back to work on time. His body still throbbing, Ed set his gaze on the grass, which was uneven from lack of being cut. No one really bothered to cut grass, it not being a very easy job, or a very well paying one, either. It took a lot of time and effort, too.

A small man walked out of the pharmacy, and saw the blonde sitting there. "Doing alright today, Edward?" Ed knew his voice, and wanted to call him by the name he knew him by. "Afternoon, Dr. Aloysius." He didn't look up at the pharmacist and doctor. He didn't want to. He didn't want to look at his worried gaze because he already had it pictured in his mind. He knew this because he had looked at him like this once before. The first time he had gone to the doctor here…

But there was one other reason he didn't want to look at the doctor's face. When he looked at him, he felt guilt and grief. He knew that that man ended up in this world because of him. He felt as if he had let Dr. Marcho die. "Have you not been able to buy it, Edward? Is that why you haven't gotten any of the treatment yet?" He had a slight bit of worry in his voice. "Even a week's time without it could kill you...You know that." Fear was also behind his voice.

Edward sighed, and stood up. "I should probably be getting back to work now…" The Doctor walked up to him. "Edward…" Closing his golden-brown eyes for a moment, he stated softly, "And there's nothing I can do about it…" With that, he walked back to his office.

With a sigh, Edward walked through the den and up the stairs. All he wanted to do was sleep. Al wasn't home yet, and Noah, who was in the kitchen, hadn't heard him come in. He walked into his room and slid out of his shoes. He collapsed onto the bed, he sheets meeting him with pure glory. Pain pulsing through him, Ed closed his eyes, letting all his worries fade.

"M-mom!" I said, as I grasped her hand. She looked at me with a smile, but there was something different about her. She seemed so…Pale…Her grasp on my hand tightened, and it hurt. Mom was…Hurting me? But why? She'd never do that! I began to panic, and pulled away from her."What's the matter sweetie?" She asked. Then her voice suddenly became deformed. "Are you scared?" Blood began to spill out of her mouth and she collapsed to the ground. She was morphing into…that thing…That thing we created on that night! "N-No. NO!" I screamed out. Then it began calling my name. "Edward…Edward…Edward!"

Ed's head snapped up of the pillow. His face felt damp, and he was gasping for breath. "Did you have a nightmare, Nii-san?" Sighing, the eighteen-year-old looked up at his younger brother. "Yeah…" no use lying, it was written all over his face in many different ways. "Well, it's time for dinner. Come on down." Getting up off of his brother's bed, he walked out of the room, pausing just before he left. He wanted to say, "Are you okay Brother?" But he knew the answer. "Yeah...I'm fine." Brother never told him anything important! Ever!!

Ed's hunger hadn't returned yet, but he walked down to the dining room, anyway. He sat down and looked at the crisp, green food in his plate. Meat was a luxury now that the government had raised the prices of food. Anything besides meat people could barely afford, and meat was out of the question.

Picking up his fork, as all the others did, he stuck it through the lettuce on his plate. Crunch.

Edward sighed as he laid there in bed. Again, he had failed to tell Al what was wrong. His brother hadn't even noticed how much pain he was in that morning. He knew if this continued any longer without treatment, it would get a lot worse, and he might-…

There. Two times as long as the others. That's why it took me twice as long to write. O_o

But anyway, I hope you all like this so far!! I also hope you plan to continue reading and review along the way. ^_^ Thanks!!