Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Trial of Sin ❯ Edward's Decision ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

By: CCD

A Trial of Sin

Chapter 4: Edward's Decision

December 23, 2005

By CCD

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Ed winced as he heard the front door slam shut. He couldn't believe the Colonel had actually done what he did. Mustang had left Ed alone with both of his options fully within his grasp. He could take the easy way out and shoot himself or he could eat the food Mustang left for him and take his chances with living. He didn't know what he wanted anymore.

“Al, if you were here, I wouldn't even think twice about my options. I would choose to stay alive, but now that you're gone, I don't know anymore.”

He knew his brother couldn't respond to him, yet he formulated the conversation that he and his brother would have had in his mind.

“Brother, you know I want you to live.”

“How can I live when you're not with me? We were all we had in this world and now that you're gone what do I have left to live for.”

“Ed, do you remember when we were in Liore and Rose asked the same question? You told her that she had a strong pair of legs and that she should get up and use them. You have your limbs back brother and a strong pair of legs. You should get up and use them.”

“I can't, Al. There was no fair equivalence. I lost you in exchange for my limbs. I shouldn't be able to just get up and use them. I can't do that knowing what was sacrificed for them.”

“Brother, you shouldn't think about that. You should move forward for Winry, Pinako, all the people we've met, the people in the military that became our friends, and Colonel Mustang. They want to see you live just as much as I do.”

“Yeah right, that's why he left his gun here where I can reach it and left me here.”

“He's testing you, brother. He wants to see you choose life, but he's letting you make that decision instead of forcing you. Please brother make the right decision for everyone, but especially for you.

The fantasy conversation with his brother disappeared from his mind and he was left with his own thoughts and feelings. He knew he had to choose one option or the other. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“I'm sorry everyone…”

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“Do you think it was wise to leave him alone chief?”

Mustang looked up from the paperwork on his desk. Havoc was leaning against a desk and smoking a cigarette. Hawkeye looked up at the two men and was waiting for an answer.

“He needs to figure things out for himself. He's lost his will to live and only he can change that. I can't make that decision for him. I left food on one side of the bed and a gun on the other. I'm not going to make the decision for him because I can't force someone to live who doesn't want to live.”

The two lieutenants looked at each other. They knew Al's death had affected Ed greatly, but they didn't know it was that bad. Both of them were equally shocked to find out what the Colonel had done. It wasn't like him to act this rash, especially to one of the Elrics.

“Sir, with all due respect, I think we should go check on him. What if he chose to shoot himself? You can't afford to let Edward die on your watch. You won't be able to achieve your goal. It's been about an hour since you left him and if he chooses that path, we could save him,” Lt. Hawkeye said.

Mustang sighed. She was right. They couldn't afford to let Edward die.

“You're right Lieutenant. Let's go.”

Mustang, Hawkeye, and Havoc drove to the house in silence. All of them felt the need to check on the young alchemist and to see the decision that he had made. When they arrived, they entered the house silently and went directly to the bedroom that had Edward in it.

“One the count of three, we're going in,” Mustang said placing his hand around the knob.

Lt. Hawkeye and Lt. Havoc nodded. Both braced their selves for the worst. Ed could be dead behind the door and they would have to face that.

“OK. One, two, three…”

The three of them barreled through the door. They stopped short and breathed a sigh of relief. The food was nearly gone on the table and Edward lay sleeping on the bed. His face looked peaceful as if no longer tormented by his brother's death.

Mustang looked at the other table to see that his gun lay there, but he noticed that it wasn't how he had left it. His teeth clenched together as he ran towards the bed and ripped off the sheets.

“Colonel, what are you doing?” Hawkeye asked.

“My gun isn't in the same position as I left it. He touched it. I'm looking to see if he shot himself.”

Mustang checked the boy up and down. He saw no sign that the boy had shot himself, so he let out his breath in relief. Ed was OK.

“He's fine. Edward didn't do anything. He probably just debated over the gun and put it back down.”

“That's a relief, chief. Knowing Ed, he probably could have gone either way,” Havoc commented as Mustang placed the covers back over the young boy.

“We'll leave you alone now, sir. Hopefully we can pull Ed out of his shell and get him to live like he use to,” Hawkeye said as she and Havoc saluted and exited the house.

Mustang sat down in a chair next to the bed. He watched Ed as he slept peacefully. Roy Mustang had never seen his young subordinate at peace like this before. The young Colonel smiled as he reached over and brushed Ed's bangs out of his face. He then rose from his chair, grabbed the food tray as well as his gone and left his young ward sleeping and dreaming of happier times.