A/N: Here is chapter 3. Enjoy

Chapter 3

Ed's POV

I kept starting at the photo. This was Winry? It looked nothing like her! I continually kept flipping it from the front, to the back, etc.

"There's no way this can be Winry…" I mumbled to myself. I stood back up, and removed the notebook off of the top of the dresser. I shoved the picture in my pocket temporarily, so I had an extra hand to look through the book. It actually looked pretty thick. I plopped myself down onto the bed and opened it up to the first page. It only had a few sentences.

I promised myself I wouldn't talk about it anymore, but I can't handle the pressure. This is my only way to release myself from this fearful thoughts and dreams. Maybe I can escape from this nightmare… Winry

'Nightmare? What is she talking about?' The writing looked authentic, meaning I was pretty sure it was Winry's. Her handwriting has been the same for years. The page also had what looked like tear marks left all over the page, all dried up. I flipped to the next page. It had a date and lots of writing.

1-13

…Nellie's been staying for a few days… I feel like I can't trust anyone… Not even the people who are close to me… Granny gave this to me as a birthday present last year, but I've never used it before… Maybe I can prevent myself from going even further into the depths of hell with this… If I write more, I can make sure I don't keep it all bottled up inside… Because I know I'll surely break otherwise… I feel so cold… Everything just hurts… I wish Ed were here to comfort me, but not to see me like this…

I heard a voice that snapped me out of my reading.

"Ed?" Winry knocked at the door. I slammed the book closed and shoved it under the pillow.

"Y-yeah?" I stuttered.

"Lunch is ready. Wash up and come to the kitchen." And I heard her footsteps gradually fade out. I sighed fiercely. 'Man, that was close,' I thought sourly.

I made sure I put the notebook back into the drawer, in the exact place I found it. I kept the photo though. I wanted to ask Winry about it, just because it bothered me so much.

I did a quick wash of my hands in the bathroom, and went down the stairs, and into the kitchen, where Winry was already eating. It looked like she made a really good lunch. There was a multitude of sandwiches and fresh-cut fruit.

"Wow… This looks really good, thanks." I spoke, amazed. She just nodded, and nibbled on her sandwich. I dug in and ate quite quickly.

"So, um, Winry. I was gonna put my clothes away upstairs, just because I'm staying for a while, and I found something." Her eyes snapped up, no longer focusing on the sandwich.

"You're not leaving now?" She seemed to change the subject.

"Huh? No, I told you, I'm staying a week."

"But your Automail is all done." I chewed and swallowed.

"Yeah, well, I haven't had a vacation for a while. I know I always complain about how bored I am, but I've been swamped lately, a break will actually be nice."

Her voice wavered, "Oh… Okay…"

"Anyway," I continued, "I found something, and I just need you to verify it." I pulled the tattered picture out of my pocket and handed it to her. She didn't move at all, and just stared at it.

"What's your question?" She spoke low.

"Um… Is that you? It says so on the back, but I can't imagine that you'd look that terrible." She slammed her fist on the table, causing me to jump slightly.

"Ed, you need to quit prying around my house. And your suitcase was downstairs the whole time, so don't give me any of this "I was putting my clothes away" shit, you idiot shorty."

I fumed, "Why can't you just answer an honest question, moron? I just wanted to know the answer, and you blow up in my face? Is this you or not?!" Her gaze turned to ice.

"And what if it was?… If it were me, how'd you react? Last time I checked, you don't seem to care all that much Ed."

"How do I seem like I don't care?" I raised my voice back at her.

"Because you never come home!" She yelled at me, tears starting to roll down her face. "You didn't come home at all, not even when you were needed here the most." She sobbed.

"Wait… When Pinako died?" I asked her quietly. She didn't respond. Instead, she shoved her plate away from her.

"I'm done, I have Automail to work on."

"You haven't even finished your lunch, stupid."

"I'm not hungry." She yelled out from the other room. I grabbed her plate and hurried after her. "Winry, dammit, you need to eat." After catching up to her, I grabbed her arm with my opposite hand.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled, slapping me in the face. Her angry face turned to a horrified one. "Ed… I didn't mean it, I'm sor-" I cut her off.

"No, I think you did." I let go of her arm, and it dropped to her side. "I'm going for a walk." I mumbled, sliding the plate onto her worktable. I left out the door, with Den following behind me, whimpering.

I put my cold Automail hand on the cheek she slapped me with. "God, she doesn't need to freak out. What's with her anyway?" I spoke to myself. I looked at Den, and he barked loudly. I had a feeling that it was his way of saying, "Quit messing with Winry!"

I sighed and walked down the road. "What am I going to do? If she's going to be like this all week, I'd rather not stay here. Though the Colonel would most likely be pissed off if I left here early…" I talked to myself. I scratched my head in confusion. 'I think I'd rather stay here… Colonel's wrath can be mightier than Winry's…' I sighed again, and ended up walking down to the river.

I plopped myself down onto the green grass, and Den did the same. I lifted up my head and watched birds fly over us.

"This is pissing me off… What the hell am I supposed to do?" I mumbled angrily. I felt the pressure of Den's head lying down on my stomach. I looked down at him and pet his head. "What's Winry's deal, Den?" His head stayed in the same place, but his eyes glanced over to mine. They looked sad.

I fell back onto the grass and just laid there, watching the sky. "I wish Winry would trust me a little bit more," I yawned to myself, and ended up drifting off to sleep.

Winry's POV

The door slammed shut after Ed left. I just dropped to the floor, clutching the hand I slapped him with. My eyes started to water. "Ed, you idiot…" I sobbed. How could I expect him to care? Even before that happened, I always thought he cared for me. He's changed…

Or maybe it's me that has changed. I'm definitely not the same as I was, and I don't think I could ever go back to the way I was.

I am in so much pain. I clasped my chest and cried. My heart hurts so much, and it's hard to breathe. I can't handle being alone, but I refuse to let anyone near me. I really am damned.

Before that happened, I used to imagine what life would be like for me as I got older. I figured I'd have enough courage to confess to Ed at one point or another, and I knew everything was going to be great.

I'm so selfish.

And because of it, I've suffered from wrath of that man… And I'm still suffering from it. I'm going to hell, and I can't drag anyone else down with me.

I wiped my eyes, still sniffling. "I-I can't handle it anymore…" I stood up abruptly, and hustled up the stairs.

I made my way to the bathroom, and slammed the door open. I started hyperventilating, and began crawling to the bathtub. Turning the knobs, the water started gracefully pouring out of the spout.

At least water can look good when making an entrance.

I clutched Edward's necklace in my hand and sobbed. "I'm sorry Ed… It just hurts too much…" I turned off the water and closed the door and locked it. I wiped my eyes, and proceeded to the bathtub.

I got into the tub, with all my clothes, and submerged into the water, with no intention of coming back up.

A/N: Ahahahaha, intense cliffhanger! I really did want to write more, just because there wasn't that many words in this chapter, compared to others, but I just HAD to end it like this… End the chapter I mean, not the story. XD Please review! Thank you!