Here we go chapter three! Poor Ed is still stuck in the hospital-
Thanks for the review from
- I Had A Dream
- Attackoneverything
I'm glad you like it! I'm gonna try to make this bigger then my Sickness story (which for those of you that haven't read it it's five chapters) I'm not gonna drag it out for too long though!
I'm starting to get more people involved in this story then just Roy's team- this should be fun- or mildly horrifying, depending on who it is...
Feel free to review, but no flames plz!
All rights go to Hiromu Arakawa!
...FMA...
Mustang sat next to the bed where Ed lay sleeping. Riza stood behind him silently as she looked at the photo's "Guards are posted outside the door and his window." She said then handed the envelope back to him, "It troubles me that he was inside your house."
Mustang nodded, "I don't get this guy- he shoots Fullmetal and stalks him, but why send me the photos?" He looked over at Ed, who still hadn't moved since his second surgery. He peeked back at Hawkeye, "What exactly does he want?"
"Sir?"
Mustang sighed and sat back, "The attacker knows that Ed is here. He was willing to attack Eastern Command. Some guards won't stop him."
"Then what do you think we should do Colonel?" Hawkeye asked, the Colonel shook his head.
"I don't know- we can't move Ed from the hospital until he is cleared to go. But he can't be alone once he is released."
"We can head back to Resembool." Al spoke up.
"Not a good idea." Mustang spoke up, "Fullmetal needs to be near us for protection." Mustang sat back. "This man followed the two of you all the way here. He will have no problem following the two of you back to your hometown."
Al slowly nodded, "Right... So, what are we going to do?"
"I may have an idea." Mustang said.
Suddenly a photo of a cute little girl with pigtails was shoved into Mustang's face, "Isn't she adorable- she just started walking!"
"Hughes." Mustang growled, "In case you've noticed I'm not really in the mood-"
"Now now, no need to be mean- not when you called me all the way from Central." Maes Hughes stood up and pushed up his glasses, then he looked over at the sleep Ed. "How is he?"
"He went through a second surgery-" Mustang sighed, "And this creep is still on the move." He handed Hughes the envelopes.
Hughes silently looked through the photos, after a little while he spoke, "I'm one for taking photos- but this guy is a real sicko- had Ed seen the man?"
"Apparently he saw him once- but he wasn't able to identify him." the Colonel looked back at Ed.
"Did the man say anything?"
"Not according to Fullmetal."
Hughes frowned and slowly nodded, "You got one hell of a sicko on your hands. I'll look and see if there were any other cases like this before Ed- hopefully he's just a serial attacker- it will make it easier to predict his moves." He put the photos back into the envelope and held onto them. "You stay with Edo, got it?"
Mustang hesitated then sighed, "Fine." He said, "Hughes-"
"Yeah?"
"He was at my house."
Hughes looked back with a serious look in his eyes, then he nodded slowly, "Keep an eye on him." Then he left.
Hawkeye looked over to the Colonel, "Sir I'd advise you to stay here until Edward wakes up. Soldiers are watching your home to see if Edward's attacker comes back. Edward will need to know about further updates."
Between the two of them unspoken words were said and Mustang nodded. Then Hawkeye left, "I will make sure that Havoc brings the paperwork over."
"Right." Mustang sat back and looked over at Ed.
And if that bastard returns for Ed- I'll need to be here so I can protect Fullmetal- and so I can burn that bastard into a pile of ash.
...FMA...
Ed groaned and opened his eyes- once again his chest was sore and he was incredibly freaking tired. He frowned as he stared at the boring white ceiling. Great- now I'm stuck in here for another week.
"Ed?" Ed looked over at his brother, "How are you feeling?"
"Just a little tired." Ed looked over at the closed window, "How long have I been asleep?"
"A few days." Al quietly answered. They stayed quiet for a moment then finally Al spoke up, "Are you hungry brother?"
"A little-"
"Well look who took his sweet time waking up." Mustang said as he walked into the room with the typical smirk on his face. He walked up next to Ed's bed and looked down at him, "You're looking better, are you feeling better?"
Ed thought for a moment- then slowly nodded. He did feel better than before, they must've fixed everything this time. He reached out and grabbed the Colonel's sleeve, "Anything new?" He asked.
Mustang quietly nodded then sat down, "I got another envelope with more pictures."
"Then you found him?" Ed asked and Mustang shook his head, "But I thought-"
"He broke into my house." Mustang cut in as he sat back, "He left it for me to find."
"Mustang?"
"Hmm?"
Ed looked away, "Why is he sending you the pictures?" He finally looked back over at him, "If he's trying to creep me out then why doesn't he leave it for me to find- in most situations like this that's what they do, or they send it to their parents- not that I have any."
"Then that's probably why he is sending it to me." Mustang said and sighed.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
I'm the closest thing these boys have to a parent- he mentally slapped himself for letting the thought slip, "Nothing." He looked over at Ed who stared into his eyes for a moment then he looked away, "Do you still feel like someone is watching you?"
Ed hesitated then slowly nodded.
Mustang nodded then scooted closer- keeping his voice quiet, "He knows that you're here." He said Ed looked over, "I'm talking to the doctor to get you out of here early- you will still be on bed rest-"
"Am I not safe here?"
Mustang frowned, "I'm not sure- the last picture was taken through the window." He said gesturing to the window that Ed wanted closed. Al immediately stood up and peeked out the window- careful to make sure that nobody could look inside.
Ed looked down at his automail hand, "So where am I going?"
"I'm not sure yet." He sat back, "The doctor is against moving you right now though."
He sighed and looked over at the closed window, Mustang stood up, "Don't worry we'll find this creep." He watched as Ed gave a quiet nod, "Stay in the hospital for now-"
"Wha-"
"I know you Fullmetal-" The Colonel cut in, "You are not in any condition to fight. So don't even think about leaving to try and find him. I don't care how much you hate getting help." Mustang ordered.
Ed scowled and looked away, "I'm not that stupid-"
"I never said you were." Mustang said and Ed looked over at him shocked. Mustang merely smirked and continued, "Only too stubborn for your own good sometimes. Stay here and rest."
"Fine."
Mustang nodded then left.
Al looked over at his brother, "I hope you weren't lying to him."
Ed sighed, "I wish I was." He closed his eyes- exhaustion taking over him, and he slowly slipped into sleep.
...FMA...
Mustang stepped into his office where Hughes was waiting for him, "Did you find something?"
"I did and you're not gonna like it."
"I don't like a damn thing about this." Mustang said as he walked up and sat in his desk, "So what is it?"
"A case from five years ago." Hughes said, "A new State Alchemist went missing."
"Happens a lot." Mustang admitted regretfully, "State Alchemist aren't exactly the popular type- so what's similar between this one and Fullmetal's case?"
"Photos were sent to the victim's parents for an entire week before the victim went missing. How long have you been getting photos of Ed?" Hughes asked, "You are the closest thing to a parent that Ed has-"
"No I am not-" Mustang snapped, "About a week."
"Huh?"
"I've been getting photos for about a week now." Mustang confirmed, "Did they ever find the victim?"
"Not recognizable." Hughes said, "Ed's got guards with him right?"
"Of course." Mustang said, "And I've been there as much as I could." He picked up his phone after the first ring, "This is Colonel Mustang."
"Sir you have a call from an Alphonse Elric-"
"Patch it through." After a moment he could hear the panicked kid.
"Colonel Mustang- I only left him for a second-"
The Colonel sat up in his seat, "Alphonse is your brother alright?" He cut in- gaining the entire office's attention.
"He's fine. It's just that there's an envelope here-"
"Stay with him Al- don't leave him for a second, I'm coming over." Then He hung up the phone and immediately stood up, "An envelope was left in Fullmetal's hospital room."
"Is Ed alright?"
"According to Al he's fine." The Colonel said as he rushed out and Hughes got on the phone.
"I want the entire hospital on lockdown- Yes! The entire thing- You have a murderous psycho in your building- Lock it down!"
...FMA...
Mustang rushed into Ed's hospital room- seeing Al standing next to a sleeping Ed. Mustang walked forward and took the envelope out of the armor's hands. He turned to the guards, "How the hell did this get in here?" He snapped, "You were supposed to be making sure that nobody entered this room."
The guards looked at each other but kept quiet.
Mustang growled, "Get out of my sight."
The guards quickly left and Mustang opened the envelope and pulled out the photos. He looked at them for a moment then cursed and put them back in the envelope. Then he walked up to Ed and gently shook him, "Fullmetal- can you hear me?"
Ed grunted then opened his eyes, "Wha- do you want you bastard?" He asked groggily- rubbing his eyes.
"Are you feeling?"
Ed looked over at the Colonel sleepily, "Tired- what the hell do you want?"
"Are you hurting anywhere or do you feel more tired than when you fell asleep?" Mustang asked- ignoring Ed's question.
Ed frowned, clearly not impressed with being ignored, "I'm fine- why are you acting like a worried- you know what never mind."
There was a knock at the door and a soldier stepped in saluting, "Colonel Mustang sir, we have searched the whole building- it seems that the attacker has escaped."
"He was here?" Ed pipped up.
Mustang peeked back and gave him a curt nod before ordering the soldier, "Widen the search- I want this bastard found!"
"Yes sir!"
The soldier ran off and Ed eyed the envelope in Roy's hand, "Are those more photos?" Ed asked and Mustang nodded silently again, "Where were they taken?"
Mustang frowned then he messed up Ed's hair, "I'm going to talk to the doctor again to get you out of here- this place is no longer safe-"
"Arrangements have already been made to move Fullmetal to safer housing." Said a new voice and Mustang turned to see who was standing in the doorway.
"Fuhrer King Bradley sir!" Mustang quickly saluted, "What brings you here sir?"
"The life of one of my best alchemists is in jeopardy, do you honestly thing I would stay behind and do nothing?" the Fuhrer said then smiled, "I'm glad to see that you are in charge of this case Colonel Mustang, I would like to help."
"Of course sir." Mustang said- keeping the shock out of his voice.
The Fuhrer stepped farther into the room, "What do you know about the attacker so far?" He asked.
"Unfortunately not much sir- it's a male- he's tall and is quite intelligent."
Bradley nodded, "I hear that this man keeps sending photos of Major Elric here?" He asked and Mustang nodded handing over the envelope, the Fuhrer looked through the photo's frowning, "Major Elric most definitely needs to be moved to safer quarters- this is far too close for my comfort. Alphonse Elric?"
"Yes sir?"
"Where exactly did you find this envelope?"
"On the nightstand sir."
Ed looked at the nightstand next to his head and shivered, the man was in arm's distance from him- and he hadn't known it.
"Colonel Mustang. I'm putting you fully in charge of the protection of the Fullmetal Alchemist until this man is caught- I hear that this may be connected to a case from five years ago, I will not lose another of my Alchemists to this man." He ordered and the Colonel saluted.
"Yes sir!"
Fuhrer Bradley nodded then turned, "As for you Fullmetal- get plenty of rest and heal up, you're in good hands." He peeked back at Mustang, "I assume the rest of these photos are at your office?"
"Yes sir, I headed over here as soon as I heard." Mustang answered.
"Good, I will head over there and look through them with Lieutenant Colonel Hughes and see if we can find anything about this man." Bradley said then put a random melon on the nightstand, "For your recovery young man."
"T-thank you sir." Ed said quietly- baffled as the man left the room. The three of them remained frozen for a moment then they commenced breathing.
"Great." the Colonel looked down at Ed, "Now I'm stuck on guard duty."
"Just assign some more guards then and quit complaining."
"Not how it works kid." Mustang sighed and sat down, "The Fuhrer assigned me to guard you- that means that I have to stay with you."
Ed frowned, "No way in hell."
"Fuhrer's orders."
Ed scowled and looked away, "So I'm gonna be stuck with you until this guy is found?" Mustang nodded and his scowl deepened, "Damn it this sucks."
Mustang sighed, "Then go back to sleep- time will pass by quicker-"
"No way in hell am I going to sleep with a creep like you in the room!"
"Brother-"
"I already came in here many times while you were sleeping." Mustang said and sat back, "I'm not going to do anything to you, also you need the rest so your body can fully recover- you've been put through a lot of stress recently you have to rest."
Ed was silent for a moment, then he spoke quietly, "You never told me where those photos were taken." He pointed out. The Colonel remained silent, "Does it have something to do with why you have your gloves on in the hospital- for all you know he just got a lucky break and was able to sneak in once- unless it wasn't just one time-" He looked over.
Mustang sighed, "Damn prodigies." He mumbled, then he messed up Fullmetal's hair once more, "Get some rest kid- everything will be fine."
Ed frowned at him for a moment then turned his head- closing his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
"Colonel?" Al asked quietly, "I never did open the envelope- where were those photos taken?" He asked quietly so he wouldn't wake up his brother.
Mustang frowned and tugged on his glove.
...FMA...
"Dammit he was that close?" Hughes mumbled while looking at the photo, "Even sadder that it would be a cute photo if it weren't taken by a creep."
"Does this fit the same profile as the last case?" The Fuhrer spoke up- making Hughes jump for the third time that day. He nodded quietly.
"Almost exactly, I just hope this guy doesn't get any closer." He said looking down at the photo.
It looked like the kind of picture Hughes himself would have taken. Mustang was sitting on Ed's bed talking to the young boy. They both seemed to be relaxed and in one of the photos Mustang was messing up Ed's hair reassuringly.
The photo had been taken through the door of Ed's hospital room.
Breda shivered, "That guy was so close and the Colonel didn't even notice him?"
"That doesn't even seem possible-" Fury said shyly- still a little nervous that the Fuhrer was in the room, "The Colonel would've seen him- he wouldn't just not notice something so dangerous so close to him, he was in Ishval after all."
The team nodded in agreement- that definitely wasn't like the Colonel at all, "Unless the guy is a doctor." Havoc mumbled and the entire room went silent.
"That would explain how he managed to slip past the guards." Hawkeye said.
"Contact Colonel Mustang with this latest update." Bradley ordered.
...FMA...
Roy sighed out of boredom, it still bugged him- that man had been so close, if only he had looked over he would've seen the attacker- then I could've burned him to ashes and just ended this mess. He frowned and peeked over at the sleeping boy. He wanted to chuckle- Ed looked so childlike when he was sleeping- he frowned- well he was a child, it was easy to forget that.
With the Transmutation and joining the military he gave up his childhood. Now he was a thirteen year old boy forced to live a life that not even most adults could handle.
Mustang sighed and sat up straight as he heard the clicking of boots running down the hall and got ready to snap- just in case.
A soldier ran into the room and saluted, "Colonel Mustang sir!"
"Keep it down." Mustang scowled then stood up, "What is it?"
"I have a message from Lieutenant Colonel Hughes sir." The soldier said and handed over a slip of paper. Mustang nodded and took the paper.
"You are dismissed."
"Yes sir!" Then the soldier saluted once more and ran off.
The Colonel peeked back at the Elric brothers then quickly read the slip of paper. After a moment he scowled and snapped- burning the slip. "Dammit I should've known." He growled to himself.
The attacker may be a doctor working in the same hospital Edward is in.
"Alphonse- when you left did Fullmetal's doctor enter the room?"
"He passed by me in the hall." Al quickly answered.
Mustang scowled, yeah and I may know who it is- he's been right next to us all along.
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Duh dun duh dun!
I'll make sure to update soon!
Feel free to review- but no flames plz!