Death VIV: BACTERIA
11:00pm
Alphonse Elric sat in the hospitals gray waiting room, anxiously passing the time until he was allowed to see his big brother. Winry had fallen asleep on the chair beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. Tearstains laced both of their checks, the rims of their eyes now becoming an interesting shade of red and black. It had been five agonizing hours now since Edward had been admitted and the once crowded emergency room had now dwindled down to a few anxious individuals. There was the usual man pacing back and forth, obviously awaiting the moment when he becomes a father, and a couple with a little boy who had broke his arm playing baseball. It was the usual line up; all with the usual reasons…except for them, had their situation been usual, perhaps then they would have been able to avoid it.
"It'll be okay Al… Just the usual terrorists attack. You know the sort that bastard General of ours is too lazy to handle. I'll be fine and home in time for dinner." Edward had said to them with a smile.
But it had not been fine. The so- called terrorists group had fled long before the alchemist had arrived, leaving their place a small, terrified young girl. Edward had thought everything fine when he brought the child back to base, only to have her die in his arms. It turned out that she was the attack; the girl carried on her a communal bacterium that is passed on through touch. Once infected, the host body is eaten from the inside out. They die within six hours between contacts.
11: 45
It had been almost five already, and the doctors had made it clear to both teens the stood waiting for Edward that there was no cure. Alphonse did not care; he just wanted to see his brother.
Even if seeing him die would kill him.
"I'm looking for the parties that are here for Major Elric." Spoke a tall doctor with a clipboard as he entered the room. Winry and Alphonse stood silently, and followed the doctor out as if it were their own funeral procession. He led them to a small glass window.
12:00
"Now, I know you are aware of Major Elric's condition and being his family it is your right to see him. But I highly advise against it. Military orders are to keep him isolated at all times, so you would only be able to see him through here. You still have a choice. Say your goodbyes now, or remember him the way he always was."
Winry swallowed and glanced over towards Alphonse. He knew what she was thinking. Leave now, and always see Ed the way they always saw him, strong, brave and kind, nothing ever bringing him down, opposed to the helpless person they were bound to see in the room before them. Al nodded once, and Winry sobbed, hugging him tightly before running down the hall. She was not strong enough. She could not bear to see him that way, but he would always remain her hero. Her prince that always rode to her aid, no matter the circumstances, and as Alphonse stood facing his brother behind the glass.
He knew in his heart that Edward would always remain his hero too.