Wow sorry guys I suck at life! Thanks hiraikoneko for letting me know that yet again I posted the wrong chapter. Old habits die hard I guess : P so this time enjoy the real update!
I watched as the landscape sped by, nose pressed against the glass as my eyes tried to take in every sight that shot past. Having only lived in Resembol since I arrived I was amazed at all the sights that barraged my vision.
"You know if you keep your face scrunched up like that it may get stuck" I jumped back from the window at Al's jibe with a weak smile.
"It's just this is all so amazing, this 'train' and how it can carry so many people and move so quickly! And you say it is made by humans! I mean, it's incredible! And these lands are so vast but were moving so quickly!"
Al chuckled at my outburst thinking me a child at my mirth at the locomotive. Ed scoffed turning his head.
"What's got your knickers in a twist?" I asked the scowling blonde. He shook his head while standing up.
"Nothing, I'm going to catch some air." And with that he quickly made his way down the aisle and out the door. I stared after him confused at his abrupt departure.
"Did I do something wrong?" I asked Al who stared after his brother, although he seemed less worried than I was.
"Oh no, brother is just annoyed at having to go and report back in to the Colonel. He always gets like this when we are heading back to Central." I nodded like I understood. This Colonel really couldn't be all that bad could he?
"Thanks again Al for arguing my case." I beamed up at the younger brother, "it means a lot and I don't think I would have figured out this train thing without you" he nodded.
"Of course, it really is no trouble." I smiled again before turning back to the window remembering the fight that had taken place the night before after dinner.
"Please Edward, I just need help getting to Central and then I'll be on my way, I promise I won't cause any trouble!" The blonde just let out a sound of annoyance for the thousandth time.
"Again, no way! Al and I don't have time to babysit." I puffed out my cheeks.
"I don't need to be baby sat," I huffed indignantly "just need to be put in the right direction."
"Well if it's just directions," a thrust of his thumb over his shoulder "there's the door over there. Good luck" I scowled and Al let out a scolding 'brother'
"You're so unbelievably stubborn! I'm not asking for that much, jeez what is your problem?" And with that I stomped away and up the stairs away from the Elric brothers.
A short while after I had walked out a knock sounded on my door and I found it to be Al who quickly informed me that he had talked to Edward and that with a little persuading they would take me with them. I had been so overjoyed at the time that I thought nothing of what "persuasion" meant.
"Brother, you didn't have to be rude!" Al scolded after Hayden had left the room in a huff. His brother shrugged before plopping down onto the couch and folding his arms behind his head.
"What I said was true, we don't have the time for distractions, and this girl is a big one, I can tell." Al shook his head and looked up the stairs after Hayden, feeling bad for the poor girl. Understanding how it felt to doubt who you are and needing to find answers.
Suddenly an idea popped into his head and had he been able to Al would have smirked that famous Elric smirk.
"Well, that's too bad." He drawled peeking over his shoulder at his brother who had cracked an eye open at hearing Al's tone and already suspecting something.
"How do you figure?" he asked trying to figure out where his younger brother was headed.
"Well it's just that, as you said before, she may have some connections to the gate and who knows, maybe she would be able to give us more information on the gate and possibly even the philosopher's stone." Al let that thought hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
"But like you said, we don't have time and we should just be on our way. I'm going to go tell Armstrong what time we leave in the morning." As he turned to leave Ed let out a noise of protest and inside Al grinned before turning back around.
"Alright, new plan, we take her with us. Grill her and get everything we can out of her. See if she has any useful information. Then the second we get what we need she is on her own. Like she said she doesn't need to be babysat." Ed crossed his arms grinning at his believed genius and Al just sighed, grateful that his plan had worked but miffed at his brothers self-serving nature. Still he got Hayden a tour to central, that's all that mattered right now.
I turned to see Al staring at me and blushed feeling uncomfortable at the attention, squirming I moved so that I faced him.
"So what can I do for you?" I asked the boy who seemed to snap out of his reverie.
"O-oh well I was wondering, that is if it's not intruding, if you could tell me what you told Winry. That is about the gate and where you're from…" He trailed off as I understood what it was he was after.
I suppose I should have guessed that they were after something after Ed's sudden change of heart last night. And I had already learned from dinner the other night when I had excused myself that he was suspicious of my coming to be.
"Hmmm, well it's sort of a long story." I started, carefully testing the waters that I was about to throw myself in. I was not sure if they were shark infested or clear yet, and ever the cautious one, I was not about to go in head first.
"That's ok, we still have quite a while and I'm really good at listening." I hesitated before remembering our missing companions.
"By the way where did Mr. Armstrong disappear to?" I asked hoping to change the subject.
"Oh, he had to call in and report our whereabouts to headquarters. He will probably be gone awhile." I nodded and my head shot to the door as it slammed open to reveal a young boy and his mom. I must have visibly relaxed because Al commented on my jumpiness.
"Brother probably won't be back for a while. If that's what you're worried about." I smiled weakly up at the boy.
"Sorry, he just puts me on edge. It's like he is always calculating something and everything he does has ulterior motives. But then again I'm probably just being paranoid. "He chuckled but I didn't miss the nervous edge to his voice. Just as I thought, I'm not being paranoid
"Brother is a good person, a little hot headed and sometimes a lot to handle, but he really does have a good heart." My suspicions lightened at his words and at the same time I felt a stab of homesickness hit me full force as I thought of my own brother.
My reverie was broken as a scowling Ed pushed in next to me, causing me to bump my head against the window with a dull thud. A muttered sorry was all I got before he turned back to scowling at nothing.
"Brother what's wrong?" Al questioned worriedly.
"I got caught up with Maes on the phone about his stupid kid. He wouldn't shut up and now my ears are ringing." Al started laughing and from what I could pick up on, the topic did seem quite humorous. "Shut up Al, it's not funny. That man is crazy" Al simply shrugged him off.
Before anything else could be said a growl emitted from my stomach causing both of the boys to turn their heads towards me, leaving me blushing.
"Oh I'm sorry Hayden, you must be starving. We have not eaten since last night." I tried waving Al off feeling embarrassed.
"Oh no, it's fine! Reall-" another loud gurgle cut me off and I sighed giving up my endeavor. "Well, maybe a little snack?" Ed got up with a sigh.
"Come on, I'm pretty hungry too." I got up to follow him then turned back to Al
"Aren't you coming?" I asked
"Oh no, I'll watch our seats" I shrugged and waved before hurrying to catch up to the departing blonde.
Hungrily I scarfed down the sandwich placed in front of me. Before looking up and catching the raised eyebrow on Ed's face. I slowed, suddenly very self-conscious of the crumbs that littered the table.
"You really lack any grace while eating. Here" I blushed as his fingers ran through my bangs before pulling back with a piece of lettuce causing me to blush harder at my horrendous table manners. "How did you get lettuce in your hair?" I shrugged averting my eyes, suddenly not very hungry.
"So Hayden," I looked at him interested in his tone. "What can you tell me of the gate?" I sighed knowing that this was soon to come.
"Well, I don't have a whole ton of answers I'm afraid, at least nothing use full. All I remember was waking up and seeing these huge black double doors in front of me. Then there was this…person, I think. And he told me that he was the universe, the world, everything. Then he told me that I would be able to live again. But the next thing I knew these…arms…they were dragging me away and my body. It was…it was…" I felt tears begin to prick my eyes at the recollection and paused to take a breath. A glass of water was held out and I took it gratefully swallowing a few sips before continuing.
"Sorry, it's just…I had nightmares for so long...and it's just…hard." Another deep breath, "I disintegrated under their touch, and then, I woke up in the Rockbells home." Looking up I saw him staring thoughtfully at me.
"Is there anything else?" I shook my head.
"Sorry that is all I have" his face fell and with a sigh he went to stand up. "Well he did say something else" he looked back with piqued interest. "When my body started disappearing I asked why, and he said that I would get to live again and that this body, meaning my old body, would pay the price." If that helps any?" He smiled a bit with a nod.
"It's a start, is that all" I nodded.
"Thanks, for the information." Smiling I stood up next to him.
"Of course. Think of it as payment, for taking me to Central that is." And with that we headed back to the cabin.