I smiled softly at Winry as she came running to us. "Hi…" I murmured.

"Watch her." someone behind me growled.

My face fell to the snow, and I walked on past the group. I didn't care anymore, not really. I just wanted to fly. But there wasn't any place to fly to.

I could fly to Edward. He'd welcome me. He may want me. I thought.

No. I'm not allowed to like him. His heart belongs to Winry! Not me! Not Me!

I held back a sob as I burst out running. I didn't want to cry in front of everyone. Why can't I be strong? Like Edward?

No! Nit-wit, don't think of him!

I knew tears were streaming down my face now. But I just kept running. I was like Jane right then. I could feel her, joining me in my frantic run. Cats think they can out-run death. That's why when an older cat nears death, they hide and run a lot. Like I am. Am I running because I'm trying to out-run my feelings, my fate, my destiny? Like Sailor Uranus?

I wish they'd just die.

I don't know where that thought came from. I stopped, staring at the worn snow at my feet. I felt Jane jump onto my shoulders and lick my cheek. I tasted my tears myself, their saltiness and bitterness. Do I really want Winry, Alphonse, all the other people that care for Edward… To die?

No!

I can't do that! That is wrong, absolutely wrong! I… I… Should I just go home?

No, can't do that either. The story would get screwed up, and I can't let that happen. Damnit! Damnit all!

I hate my life!

"Annabeth!"

My head snapped up and around. Winry and Al were running towards me. I took off, not wanting to confront them.

Crazy ass bitch! Damn! Why are you running? You one crazy ass bitch! I swore silently, skidding to a stop. Well… I am crazy and a bit of a bitch… I guess I am a crazy ass bitch!

I grinned, taking off again. I was running faster now, as my hair and eyes changed color along with my feathers. So I wasn't human. I'd known it for a long time. Ever since I was six. I was somehow genetically mixed with some kind of bird. My bones and muscles and things were all the right sizes… They just produced too much of what I needed because I didn't have the right parts, so I had to regurgitate it. It was either that or die.

So I'm not dying! I'm not fuckin' dying! Damn! The dumb doctor! I knew I shoulda listened only to Doctor Jones! I'm such a dumb-ass! I'm not dying, so I have reason to live!

My wings unfurled with a snap as I took off. Jane squealed, scrabbling inside my jacket. She never liked it when I took off like that. My hair and eyes and feathers were now blood red and black. I really was a dark angel now!

Maybe I'll stay here? Send Jane home, where she belongs, and ask Truth to make me part of this story? I remember something about one question when my task is complete…

I pumped my wings furiously, deciding to go to Liore. I really could go fast, really fast. I was there in no time, at least just about. I found the old church, temple, whatever, of Leto and perched on it. I felt real good. Better than I had earlier. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone spotted me, so Jane and I took a nap.

I was woken up by some voices. I nudged Jane, looking down to see who it was. My eyes widened. It was Hohenheim! He was only just getting here?

I whistled, long and sharp. Hohenheim, Rose, and the man all looked up. "I know I look different now, but d'ya remember me, Hohenheim?" I called.

His eyes narrowed. "Annabeth, correct?"

"Yup. Guess I came a little earlier than I wanted to. I wanted to get here only a day before… No, I'm not talkin'." I said, waving my hand.

"You have wings."

"No! Really? Wow, I guess I do!" I gasped sarcastically. "Yeah, and I change color too. I guess It's kinda with my personality. Yesterday, I was blue. Before that, I was black, and before that I was white. So now, I'm red. And this…" I hefted Jane onto my shoulder. "Jane, my cat. Truth allowed me to bring her over here as a reward for not dying."

"Would you please come down here?"

Rose and the other guy were still dumb-founded, so I shrugged indifferently, willing to wow them even more. I fluttered down, Jane wrapped around my neck, wings rustling and jacket flaring. Even Hohenheim couldn't resist gasping.

"I can fly pretty fast, but having wings does have it's limitations. I know lots of tricks, and I intend to use some in the upcoming battle." I sighed, blowing my hair out of my face.

"Battle?" It was the first word I'd heard out of Rose.

"Yup. Not 'llowed t' specify." I nodded.

"Hmm. Annabeth, would you care to come with me?" Hohenheim asked.

"Eh, why not. Bored outta my mind, so it's something t' do while I wait!"

I followed them into the underground tunnel. When Hohenheim went across the toxic stuff, I fluttered after him. "No, Annabeth, please stay."

"No. You aren't my dad. Exercise discipline on your own kids. I'm old enough and strong enough to take care of myself." I told him snarkily. "You know, you should take better care of the ones you love. Edward and Alphonse are fighting for their lives, and here you are."

"What about you? You left them too."

"Because I'm falling in love with Edward, but his heart belongs with Winry." I said. "It's just a little upsetting to be around Winry, thinking of Edward, how I'll never get t' ki—Nevermind, it was a little traumatic!" I said hurriedly.

By that time, we'd arrived at the tunnel. I made a point of running my hand across the walls at regular intervals, ignoring Hohenheim's curious glances. "Annabeth."

"Eh?" I looked up.

"You say you love Edward. So why did you leave? Why are you running away?"

"I'm not human, not of this world, and his heart isn't mine for the taking. I have had to deal with people babying me just because I cough up my blood and other things all the time. Edward knows I'm strong, but still treats me like I'm a kid. I want to do things for myself. I don't need a hero. Did when I was younger, but I'm older now. I can take care of myself. You are no exception, despite Xerxes and why you ran away!"

"My reasons—"

"Pride!" I howled, shoving him out of the way. "Run!"

We both took off, running as fast as we could and occasionally performing Alchemy. I felt the presence of Pride right behind me and put on an extra burst. Not, however, before I felt the long cold knife slice off my hair just above shoulder-length and my wing was scratched. Jane screamed just as we hurtled ourselves through the hole we'd come through. "Okay, so what is this all about?" I panted back at the shadow-monster. "Please elaborate?"

I didn't catch too much of their conversation. I had a massive attack, hacking and wheezing. It wasn't as bad as they'd been coming. Actually one of my lesser ones.

When we went back above-ground, I changed my clothes—again. Now I wore a white tank-top with a red splatter down the front and raggedy black jeans. My hair was neatly cut, so I had to give Pride some points there. I probably looked scarier than I had after I fell out the window at Briggs!

Heh… Whaddya want from a crazy ass bitch? A cute and sweet girl or a bass slut?

And why am I thinking of DJ S3rl?

I smiled, shrugging to myself. I was really bad. I looked it too. I was a really mixed-up girl, wasn't I? I didn't know it, but my mind was slowly deteriorating… I would be changing colors twenty times a day before I figured myself out, but I didn't know it then.

Al and the others arrived a few days after I did. Al and Winry were absolutely shocked to see either of us. It was soon sorted out, and we were all on the work-force. I did my share by carrying the lighter materials up to the ones working higher up—Hey, it saved time and other worker's energy!

I was soon on the move again, however. I didn't like the staying in one place for so long. I changed my colors again. I was now yellow, orange and white. I looked like a goody-two-shoes. And my personality? Goody-two-shoes.

I had decided to go to Central, where the action was going to be located soon. Very soon. Very, very, very soon.

And I wanted a front row seat!