Wow, that last chapter got even more response than the previous one! Heh, wow, I'm impressed, really! I never would've guessed that this would be such an intriguing subject to you all! Well, here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy!
I'm still disclaiming something or other. I'm hoping that you all know what it is, because I've forgotten.
Edward grudgingly sat still as the doctor poked and prodded at him. He hated doctors, especially when he was sure that whatever was happening to him wasn't that big of a deal. He couldn't exactly escape, however, not with Al, Winry, and Pinako standing by, making sure that he didn't.
"Other than a mild case of dehydration, I don't see anything physically wrong with him," said the doctor, continuing to poke and prod at Edward, much to Edward's disapproval.
"But what causes the dehydration?" asked Winry, "He's been waking up extremely ill and dehydrated for the past two days! What...what if he gets worse?"
The doctor began putting his items back in his bag. "If he gets worse, call me again. Until then, there's nothing I can do, since I can't find anything wrong with him. Just make sure he gets lots of water." He picked up his bag. "I'm sorry, I wish there was more I could do."
Winry sighed as the doctor walked out the door. Edward slumped back into his chair, and muttered, "I told you there was nothing wrong with me."
Winry snapped her head in Edward's direction and practically screamed, "Edward, will you cut that tough act? We both know just how sick you were this morning. There is definitely something the matter, but the doctor just doesn't know where to look. We're going to find out what's wrong though, you can count on it!" With that said, she turned and stomped out of the room, leaving a very dumbfounded Edward behind, wondering what he had said to make her so upset.
The next few days weren't any better. Edward just continued to get worse each passing day, until he couldn't even get out of bed in the morning, and had to have someone bring him water before he could so much as sit up.
Unfortunately, the doctor still couldn't find the cause, and could not do anything for Edward. The only conclusion he had been able to draw, which he refused to say in Edward's presence, was that Edward was dying, and fast. In fact, he probably only had a few days left to live if they couldn't find a cure fast, which the chances of that were slim.
While that news was quite disconcerting, Winry and the others refused to give up on their friend. She continued to bring him water each morning, in hopes that he would soon recover.
One morning, when she brought in his morning water, Edward opened his eyes and looked up at her. "Winry," he said in a raspy voice, "...Am I going to die?"
Winry jumped involuntarily at the question, but refused to answer. She simply placed a wet wash rag on Edward's forehead and handed him a glass of water, telling him to drink, which he listened willingly to.
"Edward," she said, "Your birthday is tomorrow...do you want anyone to come over, or would you just like to have a private celebration?"
Edward lay back down on his bed and sighed. "Private. I don't want anyone else seeing me like this." Winry nodded, and picked Ed back up, so that he could continue drinking the water he needed.
Finally, he was satisfied, so he thanked Winry and stood up and stretched his arms. He wobbled a bit while trying to stand, though he tried not to let Winry notice it. Naturally, she did, but she didn't say anything. She just stood up, patted Ed on the shoulder, and left the room.
Outside the room, Al and Pinako were waiting for her. "So, how is Brother doing?" asked Al.
Winry shook her head. "Not good at all." A tear slipped down her cheek. "I'm afraid that he doesn't have long to live." She put her hands over her face and began sobbing. Al and Pinako grew worried that Ed would hear the sobs, so they quietly guided her away into another part of the house.
The rest of the day followed with birthday preparations and everyone attempting to smile for Ed, though it was hard at times to not reveal the concern in their heart on their faces, but he didn't seem to notice.
The big day finally arrived. Winry revived him in the morning with all the water he needed, which was more than ever, since he'd been needing more water each passing day. He thanked her and pushed himself to his feet, and then hobbled out the door.
Everyone greeted him upon coming down the stairs and immediately began piling birthday presents and cake upon him. It was almost overwhelming, but he was touched by how much these people that he loved cared about him.
Winry lit the candles on the cake, sixteen to be exact, and brought it before Ed. "Now, Brother," Al piped in, "Make a wish and blow out the candles!"
Ed rolled his eyes and scoffed. "That's kid stuff."
"Aw, come on, Ed," whined Winry, "Just play along."
He chuckled. "Fine!" I wish that I could stop being a burden to these people that I love. He took a deep breath, and blew out the candles, making Winry and Al cheer.
"What did you wish for, Brother?"
Ed rolled his eyes. "If I told you, it wouldn't come true."
Al crossed his arms in a mock-pouting position and said, "Fine, be that way!" He then laughed and started shoving presents at Ed, making him tear them open.
After a few minutes, Ed had opened all the presents, and was thanking those involved for their kindness. He then stood up and yawned. "Do you guys mind if I go out for a walk?"
Winry shook her head. "Not at all. This is your day, Ed. You go and enjoy it how you like. We'll clean up here." She flashed him a smile, making him return it.
"Okay...thanks," he said, "I'll be back soon."
Ed was just casually walking along, just enjoying the feeling of the sun and the breeze upon him, when he chanced to look up and see the lake not far off. He smiled. It would feel good to go take a dip in the lake after all he had had to deal with for the past few days. He began walking in its general direction.
He wasn't even halfway to the lake when he suddenly got an intense pain in his chest, bringing him to his knees. What was this? What was wrong with him? Should he head back? No, something was telling him that he should continue on. He picked up his pace and continued heading towards the lake.
As he was moving, the pain got increasingly worse in his chest, and he began panting rapidly, along with having a severe headache. He couldn't believe the symptoms were showing up at a time other than the morning. What was going on? He broke into a run and continued heading for the lake.
When he was only a few minutes away from the lake, still panting, something finally clicked in his brain. He was dying. He didn't have long to live. The dehydration feeling was creeping up on him. If he could just get to the lake, he might survive. Maybe. He just had to make it.
To try and save some time, Ed began tearing off his clothes and throwing them to the ground as he continued running. He wouldn't have time to tear them off later. I'm not going to make it, he thought. He began running at the fastest speed he could muster, in order to beat death to the waters of life.
He finally made it to the dock, which he ran across with top speed and made a head dive into the water. Almost as soon as the water touched him, pain seized his entire body, and he wasn't able to force his body into submission to allow him to return to the surface for air. Was he going to die? Here? Now? What about Al, and Winry, and Auntie Pinako? They were expecting him to be home soon.
He wanted to cry at that moment, but couldn't, not with him being trapped under the water by his own body. He turned his face upward and watched the sun's rays being filtered through the water's surface. So, this was it? He was going to die? He supposed that it was coming anyway, due to the fact that he kept waking up deathly dehydrated every morning...but he really didn't want to die and leave those he loved behind.
He closed his eyes. He wasn't going to look anymore. If this was his time to die, then he was just going to let it happen. It wasn't worth fighting, since there seemed to be nothing he could do about it. With that, he relaxed, and let the water consume him.
Hope you enjoyed that chapter. Leave me some reviews, okay? It helps me to know how much this story is liked. I'll try to update soon. I'm trying to get this story OUT of my head so that it quits bothering me, heh, so expect the chapters to come really close in succession until I either get tired or run out of inspiration, hehe. Most likely, I'll be hit with tiredness first though, since that's the most logical symptom of writing one chapter after another.