I had Writers block for this chapter so its shorter, and My Friend and Editor Greed helped me out alot on parts. Thank you Greed!

Disclaimers: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

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The orange glow cast from the setting sun poured over Central. The illusionary setting of the sun was in clear view of the seemingly empty city. Already dusk. With the murders occurring, it wasn't safe to be outside after dark.

"Maybe I should head home." Edward mumbled, quietly shoving his hands into his pockets.

He sighed. He didn't like this. His brother had been pressing for answers he didn't have, and it wasn't very pleasant. He'd nearly blown up at him because of it, and Aru didn't deserve that, but... it was very annoying. He couldn't answer and Aru thought he was lying to him. How fun. What had happened? How could three days of his life just be gone like that? He'd stormed out of the house when Aru kept pressing for him to rest. He was fine, he didn't need to rest. He looked over toward the fading orange. It was getting late. Aru would worry even more if he stayed out any longer.

The last of the light had faded beyond the building. Edward started making his way home, a sudden sinking feeling filling the pit of his stomach. His head began to swim, his vision failing. He heard sickening laughter that sounded very familar, their amethyst eyes haunting his blurred mind. Everything had gone black. He felt like his mind was pushed aside for something else.

...The next morning...

He awoke to find himself facedown in an alleyway, lying on a pile of garbage bags. There was an impression in his cheek that felt vaguely like the edge of a cardboard box. And getting up.. the air felt different. Everything felt different, as if he'd slept for days... and he was still in his uniform, to boot.

A uniform that was covered in splotches of red, splotches that made the fabric hard to bend, as if it were dried. Old.. russet now. Blood? Why was he covered in blood? There was some in his hair, as well; he could feel it in the way his hair slapped his face in little clumps when he moved his head. He was missing a hair-tie; he could feel it cascading over his shoulders softly. What had.. transpired? He couldn't focus on the past hours, not without having an instantaneous headache. So now.. all he could do was figure out where he was, get back home, and hide under the blankets. Or something.

It was dark, the currently-dim stars had already begun filling the sky. The moon was set directly overhead, glowing brightly with its borrowed silver light. He hoped Aru was asleep when he reached home. Of course first was the task of figureing out where exactly he was. It felt like he hadn't moved for months, like he'd almost forgotten how to walk. He took a few steps, stumbling, falling, and cursing as he pushed himself back up. What was wrong with him?

He couldn't figure out his condition, but... at least he could find out where he was, right? He put his fingertips against the wall of the alley for support in his weakness, stepping out carefully to peer around the street. No one around... that was good.

He found that he wasn't that far from the market place, he'd been walking down that path at this time three days ago. He was a little confused to how he got to the alley, but he wondered why he was drenched in blood even more. He shrugged, more thinking that it was important that he had to get home. He was sort of silently begging that Aru wasn't up.