Hey everyone, in case you didn't see I re uploaded chapter 8. What happened was I accidentally uploaded my copy with the original writing and the edited writing, not just the revised copy. Thank you Qudirlrider and Elyana19 for bringing that to my attention I apologize for the difficult read. I stared back at the blonde who almost glared at me over his plate of half eaten veggies. Dinner had gone uneventfully, a simple steak and potato meal with steamed vegetables. While everyone else had gone on talking and trying to keep conversation alive and festive, I found it hard to even take a bite of food from the looks I was getting from that boy.
Even when a piece of Armstrong's shredded shirt ended up on my face from some outburst or another (complete with sparkles) and a pose, we did not break from our staring contest.
What is with this kid?
I began to worry that Al had told him that I wanted to catch a ride with them back to Central and Ed didn't take it too well. Finally, his mouth began to part and I tensed up as he prepared to speak.
"So, Rebecca," I cringed as that name was dragged out and quickly corrected him. Thankfully, Luke had cut out early tonight, something about a long day at work. "Oh, that's right. So Hayden," he, again, dragged out my name painfully slow, my gut twisted at his tone, something was up. "Do you remember when we were little? You used to watch us all the time… I could have sworn your name was Rebecca back then. Don't you think so too, Al?"
His brother stuttered a few moments before uttering a sound of agreement after a stern look from Ed.
"So why the name change? Rebecca not good enough for you?" I was really beginning to hate this kid.
Every word was baited, it hung heavy over my head, like he was waiting for me to say something to confirm whatever suspicion he had.
"My name never was Rebecca, it has always been Hayden. I'm afraid you're confused. I just came to Resembol a few years ago."
"You know your hair is different, it used to have more of a slant around your bangs. You just get bored and had a pair of scissors handy?" I gritted my teeth as he continued on.
Did he even listen to a word I just said!
"No, this is my hair, like I said you're confused." I glared at the boy firmly, who was beginning to form a smug smile.
"Hey Rebecca, remember that time Al and I played that trick on you where Al hid and when Mom came home and he was missing you began to cry afraid that you had lost him and would never be asked to babysit again? We sure had some good times."
A chair squealed against the floor as I abruptly stood up and slammed my hands down on the table.
"Please excuse me but I've lost my appetite." With that I turned and huffed down the hallway and quickly made my way up the staircase.
"Ed, what's wrong with you!" Winry asked angrily as she watched the girl practically run from the dinner table.
He only shrugged.
"Nothing, I just had to make sure all the facts were solid before I pursue further action." Winry glared down at the boy and soon he was face first in vegetables, large bump already forming from the impact of the recently polished wrench, which now rested, glimmering, in Winry's raised hand.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" he roared grabbing the back of his head. One look at Winry and his resolve flickered.
Oh, if looks could kill.
"At least I have the decency to leave well enough alone! But you can't just lay off the poor girl! She has had it rough! Now, unless you want her prying around your past, I suggest you back off and leave her alone." His glare turned into a pout at her words and he turned back to pushing his vegetables back and forth.
Winry sighed and sat back down. Pinako had not even flinched during the entire outburst and Armstrong sat contemplating the evening's events.
"Edward, I couldn't help but notice you were testing young Miss Whitman. Can I inquire on what you hope to achieve?"
Instantly, seriousness returned to the adolescent face.
"Well, Major, you already know about mine and Al's Taboo," A nod from Armstrong and now Winry was curious as to what the boys' crime had to do with Hayden, "Well, during the process, I was dragged to what I now know as the 'Gate'. It showed me infinite information which is why I can do alchemy without a circle. I paid my leg for this." He looked to make sure he was being followed before continuing.
"Now, when I returned back to our basement, Al had been swallowed up by the gate but I was able to get his soul back for the payment of my arm."
Armstrong nodded but Winry interjected, "So what does this have to do with Hayden?"
"If you'll listen I'll tell you." Ed shot back angrily, still not forgiving her for the lump on his head."Now, earlier, you mentioned to Al that Hayden, who up until the accident was Rebecca, talked about a 'gate'. It is my belief that somehow her soul was on the other side of the gate and when Rebecca's soul was taken somehow, Hayden paid a sufficient price to be brought back but in Rebecca's body."
"Hmmm, that is an interesting theory." Armstrong mused, hand thoughtfully scratching his chin.
"Right, but, going even further, Hayden claims she knows nothing about Amestris so I began to wonder if the gate actually is a pathway between different worlds. What if our world is parallel to another?" As he talked his voice got higher and faster from the excitement of such a discovery.
"But you said that the gate needs a price? So what if it just took her memory as payment."
Ed sat back and sighed at Winry's question.
"I thought that too at first but nothing else is affected. Her speech and motor skills are fine. And Al said that you mentioned she has told you again and again of some different land. I doubt that the gate would take her memories away just to replace it with false ones."
The room fell silent for a moment while the thought sunk in. That silence was quickly disturbed as the one and only Armstrong shed his second shirt of the night and mounted the table in haste.
"Loss, adventure, mystery, and perhaps love will blossom! Oh Miss Hayden is like the Young valiant heroine of a story book! Her bravery in a new land is truly touching! Now, she shall continue on with the brothers who hold a dark past and the three will be thrust into a world of danger and uncertainty at every turn! This is simply too much!"
Winry stared dumbfounded at the man who seemed to conjure roses, sparkles and tears in the blink of an eye as he continued to pose his flexed muscles.
Edward's face turned into horror at the scene of the man and Al simply chuckled nervously.
A heavy puff and everyone turned to Pinako who had, until now, silently sat back with her pipe.
"Alright, enough of this. There will be no more talk of that 'gate' under my roof! Whatever happened to that girl is a terrible thing and we will leave it up to her to find her own path to the answers she seeks. I don't want a word of this voiced to her. Alright, Edward?"
He glared back at the emphasis on his name.
"Whatever you old hag, I can do whatever I feel like."
"Watch it midget! You've got an awfully big mouth for such small stature!"
And, with that, the two were off in a yelling match leaving the other three to watch helplessly.
A small creak caught the attention of Armstrong, who turned slightly to see a wisp of brown hair quickly duck around the corner.
The major sighed shaking his head, deciding to let the girl come forward on her own time.