Sprouting New Life

Chapter 2

"What do you mean I have to babysit a little girl?" the Fullmetal Alchemist gripes at his superior, Colonel Roy Mustang. He storms over, slamming his hand on the Colonel's desk with force. His younger brother, albeit the taller brother, stands next to me. I think it is safe to say we are both hoping he ends his little charade soon. "Damn it! I am too busy for this, Colonel!" he claims. "I was supposed to be in the south two days ago, but you kept me here to deal with the Freezing Alchemist."

"It is an order directly from the Fuhrer. If you have a problem, discuss it with him. Regardless, she is to be protected at all costs," the Colonel states matter-of-factly. Edward Elric seethes in anger. He draws his hand from the table.

"I hate to interrupt," I interject.

"Then, don't," Edward huffs.

I take a deep breath, remembering to stay nice. I have to live with this guy, so it is best I don't piss him off more. "Look. You aren't babysitting me. I just need a little help finding my way, and your Fuhrer thought you would be of most help." I sit down on the bench to the right of the door. "Also, I don't appreciate being called a little girl. If I remember right, we are the same age. If I'm a little girl, then you are a little boy, and little boys and girls have no business being involved with the military." His rage escalates quickly because I called him a little boy twice in a sentence. So much for good graces…

Edward charges at me ready to throw a punch. I cover my face with my forearms crossing each other, preparing myself for impact. Instead of a punch, I feel like I am being lifted by machinery, the coldness of the steel piercing through my leggings. I uncover my face to see Alphonse holding me up above his head, protecting me from his brother. He is very gentle, and the hold doesn't hurt. "Brother," he says. Edward is shocked Alphonse went through so much to protect me. "That isn't what she meant, and you know it."

Edward huffed and plopped down into the bench across from Alphonse and I. The boy of steel sets me down gently on the bench before taking his place next to his brother. With a sharp inhale, Edward asks, "Do you need a map or something? How can you be lost in a place like this?"

I laugh airily and sarcastically. It would be so easy to find my way home, if I had just been left where I was at. "Alchemy, or whatever it is you guys call it, is the reason I'm lost. We don't have alchemy where I'm from." Edward is scratching his head. Anyone in the room could practically see the wheels turning at a rapid speed in his mind. "Where are you from that doesn't have alchemy?"

"The United States of America," I say watching as his face morphs into confusion. "More specifically, I live in a small, rural town in the state of Tennessee." It's obvious the young alchemist thinks I am pulling his leg. "I was brought here by alchemy, practically kidnapped, and I don't know how to get home."

"Forgive me for not believing you," Edward states coldly. "Where is your proof?" Lieutenant Hawkeye, who has been watching the ordeal from behind Colonel Mustang bring my wallet over and hands it to me. I pull out my learner's permit before handing it to him. "What is this?" he asks, examining the card.

"That is my state-issued learners permit. I was in the process of learning how to drive a car. That card doubles as an ID. It has my address and stuff on it if you are curious," I answer.

"Okay," he says. "So how did alchemy bring you here?"

"I don't know. I just remember seeing this strange silhouette of a dude in a crazy bright room and a large stone door," I say. He stiffens, and he examines my features more closely. Eying my fingers, arms, and legs. I'm thankful he doesn't as to see my toes!

"Did the silhouette say anything to you?" He asks.

"That my price has been paid," I answer. He shakes his head 'no' furiously.

"That's impossible. You have all of your limbs," he says.

Alphonse puts a hand on Edward's shoulder. "How do you know its impossible, brother? She has proof of where she lives." The alchemist shoots his brother a dejected look before grumbling. "But, miss Healy, how did alchemy send you here if you don't have alchemy where you live?"

"It's Addison, but you can call me Addi," I correct. "I don't really know. Colonel Mustang, how did alchemy bring me here?"

The Colonel sits back in his chair, removing his hands from his desk and resting them on the arms of his chair. "Grady Lauter was a hopeful state alchemist taking the State Alchemy Exam. He assumed he would wow the officials with his own perverse form of alchemy which he calls Human Transport Transmutation. Instead of receiving his State Alchemist certification, he was arrested for improper use of alchemy and kidnapping. He has never performed this transmutation before, and he does not know how to return her home."

"What happened to his research?" Edward asks his superior. Mustang explains the MPs immediately went to his home and destroyed the research, so it doesn't reach the hands of another alchemist. My stomach is twisting into a knot, probably a Celtic knot with how badly I feel. My chest tightens, and my lips quiver.

"I just want to go home before its too late," I sob. Everyone in the room looks at me questioningly. "My brother is really, really sick. Like, he might not live this time. I just want to see him." Edward and Alphonse tense up.

"H-hey…" Edward says, "Don't cry. You can travel with us, and we will figure something out." Hawkeye walks over with a box of tissues in her hand. She sits down next to me and places her hand on my shoulder as I cry. "What will happen to Lauter?"

"He will stand on trial. He is looking at life in prison, but perhaps his sentence will be worse should more information comes to light." The conversation between the three continue, but I couldn't care to hear it again. Hell, I've lived it. I am certain they are just trying to ignore my sadness.

Hawkeye, on the other hand, sits with me until my sobs quieten and tears dry. She takes the tissue box back to the table and brings me a trash can to throw away my used tissues. "Do you have clothes and stuff?" Alphonse asks.

"Yeah. Miss Hawkeye has been very kind. She has let me stay at her place until you guys could come and get me, and she took me shopping. My bags are over there in the corner." I point to the black bag sitting behind Mustang's desk.

"Great," Edward says. "We should find a place to stay tonight. We are leaving early in the morning." I grab my things as the brothers say their goodbyes. I give Riza a hug, which she returns graciously.

I turn to Mustang to give him a hug, also. He is shocked by the show of affection, but he hugs me back. "If those boys do anything to you, call me," he said passing me a paper with his work number and home number. "I will be returning East this week." I smile and nod. He pats me on the shoulder, and I grab my bag before rushing to the door. Zooming between the brothers, who are watching me with their mouths agape.

"What are you looking at?" I ask the two boys.

"You hugged him?"

"Yeah? He and Miss Hawkeye have been taking care of me the past few days, and I am super grateful for them. Why?" Ed mentioned something about the Colonel turning soft, to which Mustang scolds the brothers. The brothers walk out of the room, Ed grumbling from a lost argument. I wait until they pass before I jokingly whisper to Mustang, "Don't worry. I won't threaten your masculinity again in front of the brothers! Thanks for the help!" Lieutenant Hawkeye smirks ever so slightly as Mustang grumbles at his desk.

Edward, Alphonse, and I arrive at the hotel. It isn't grand or anything, but it is functional. There is a little sitting area in the lobby with some general books and board games. Through the French doors to the right of the check-in desk is a cafeteria. "A bed and breakfast?" I ask the brothers. They glance at me quizzically. "You know. You get free breakfast with a night stay?"

"No. It isn't free, and they serve all meals, not just breakfast," Edward says before continuing his transaction with the clerk. My stomach rumbles as I the smell of dinner floats toward the desk. I don't know what they are making, but it smells delicious. The clerk asks a question to the boys. I didn't hear what she had to ask, but I do notice she looks puzzled and judgmental at the three of us. "No ma'am. Two rooms, preferably next to each other," Ed says. She calls the manager over. "Damn it. What the hell is the problem?" Ed grumbles.

The clerk whispers to her manager. She occasionally points to us and scrunches her face. Her voice grows louder and defensive. I vaguely hear her saying that I must be a whore wearing such shear leggings, and that they need to call my parents because I shouldn't be spending the night with two boys. Ed is obviously agitated, and Alphonse has his metal hand on my shoulder. I shift my gaze to the ground, watching as the speckled tiles become blurry. I didn't ask for any of this. "I asked for TWO rooms! Are you crazy?" Ed argues with the manager and the clerk. I take a deep breath. As tension escalates, I walk out to the entrance. I sit against the wall, the brick of the wall scraping my back through my t-shirt. Wrapping my arms around my folding legs, I rest my head – not daring to look up at the rest of the world.

"Hey, kiddo! You alright?" I hear a familiar voice. I lift my head, wiping my eyes with the palms of my hands. "I thought you were supposed to be with the brothers?" It is Hughes. I pointed inside. Hughes peeks in, and I look over my shoulder to see Ed and the clerk still in a heated argument. Only this time, Al is in on it too. "What are they arguing about?"

"We asked for two rooms, and the clerk won't give us any. She says they need to call my parents."

Hughes reaches down and offers his hand. "Up you go," he says as he pulls me up. "Let's get this taken care of, shall we?" I nod. He opens the door for me and follows into the building behind me. Walking up to the clerk, Hughes pats my shoulder. "What is the meaning of this?" The clerk shudders before explaining her side of the story. The manager asks if he is her father. "No, they do not have parents." He glances over at me before continuing, "The Fuhrer himself ordered these boys to escort her. I was there. If you have a problem, take it up with him." The clerk reluctantly handed the keys over to the boys. "Hand me those," he orders Ed. He hands them back to the clerk. "There is no need for that. I don't feel comfortable with them staying here. They will be staying with me tonight."

Hughes' apartment holds two precious treasures: his wife, Gracia, and his daughter, Elicia, and I am certain Hughes would agree. "Oh, will you boys be staying with us again tonight?" she asks, smiling gracefully. Elicia is bouncing around, excited to see little brother Ed and big brother Alphonse. "And what is your name, dear? I'm afraid we haven't met."

"Addison Healy, ma'am," I smile warmly.

"Love," Hughes grabs his wife's attention, "She's the child I was telling you about." Gracia's mouth opens in a small 'o' shape before smiling again. "The hotel was giving them a rough time."

Gracia nods, extending her arm to welcome us, her other hand holding the door open. "Well, come on in. Boys, you will have the room you had last time. Addison, I would offer to let you sleep in Elicia's room, but I'm afraid she will keep you up because she wants to play. Would you mind sleeping in the Living room? We can set you up a pallet on the floor." After nodding and thanking her for being so generous, I adjust my bag on my shoulder before entering the apartment.

It's a cozy and cute apartment. It is hard to tell who decorated it, but if I had my guess, it would be Gracia. The furniture and the decoration match perfectly. "Have you kids eaten?" Gracia asks us. I shake my head no. "Well, we've already had supper tonight, but I can whip something up quick if you're hungry."

"Uh, no, ma'am. I don't want to put you through the trouble. If you have a fruit, I will be content with that." Reluctantly, she agrees and hands me an apple. She says that I really should have a meal. "Thank you for the apple, and no thank you for the meal. My appetite hasn't been great the past couple of days." The boys are talking to Hughes in the kitchen. They are making sandwiches while discussing their plans for tomorrow.

I exhale slowly, looking at my reflection in the dark window. The bags under my eyes have gotten worse. My gaze shifts to my clothes. I pinch the bottom of the shirt and stretch it out so I can get a better look, examining for any reason that lady at the hotel to think that. I sigh before dropping my shirt back down. Maybe it's just the culture. After all, we had judgy people back home too.

I feel a tug on my leggings. I look down to see Elicia smiling up at me with her teddy bear in her arm. "Would you tell me a bedtime story?" I chuckle, but Gracia rushes over to collect the little girl.

"I would love to, if it's okay with your mom." Elicia begs her mom for a bedtime story. She laughs and agrees. Elicia runs back and grabs three of my fingers with her little hands to drag me into her room to read her to sleep. Her room is messy. Toys scattered about, but I wouldn't expect anything differently from a toddler's room. "Do you have a story in mind?" I ask her as she climbs into bed and covers herself up.

"Daddy says you might have some new stories since you grew up far away from here." I nod. That's true.

"Well, have you heard the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears?" I ask her. She shakes her head no. Gracia, Hughes, and the brothers stand in the doorway wanting in on the story. I chuckle. "Once upon a time, three bears lived in a nice little house in a great forest," I begin. Elicia is so enthusiastic about a new story, so perhaps we can't call it a bedtime story. The four at the door remain out of curiosity as I continue. Elicia asks all the questions, especially the 'why' questions. I laugh. I love her enthusiasm for something many people take for granted back home. "Then the bears came home! Baby Bear saw his chair was broken and cried 'someone has been here!" Now, Edward and Al are both sitting in the floor. They pushed toys out of the way so that they could sit and listen better. Gracia is resting her head on Hughes' shoulder as they watch their daughter's eyes fill with wonder.

"What she did was very wrong," Elicia says. "You shouldn't break things that don't belong to you!"

I chuckle, "That's right, kiddo. It is very wrong, but now the bears are mad, and Goldilocks will have to stay far away from there home. Otherwise, they might-" I pause and start tickling her, "Gobble her up!" she squeaks with laughter before giving me a huge hug. "Sleep well, sweet girl," I say before tucking her in. Ed and Al get up and walk out of the room, and I follow behind. Hughes and Gracia enter the room as we leave to tell their little girl goodnight. I miss being that little, honestly. There were less worries and more fun.

"That girl is so precious," I say. Gracia had already set my pallet up.

"Yeah," both the brothers agree. "We are going to bed now. We are leaving early in the morning."

"Alright," I nod. "Goodnight." The boys enter their room, and I ask Gracia if I can use her shower. She sets out a towel and washrag for me. I thank her and grab my bag before taking a quick, warm shower and brushing out my hair. I roll up my leggings and shirt and I stick them into a different compartment. I'm going to have to wash them soon. I wonder if they have laundromats here? I pull out my pajamas that Riza bought me, and I brush my teeth before going to bed.

Laying in my fluffy makeshift bed, I burrito myself in the comforter before falling out of consciousness. Tomorrow, my journey actually begins.

Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for reading my story, and many thanks to those who left a review. It absolutely makes my day a million times better seeing those reviews!

For Goldilocks and the Three Bears: I vaguely remember the tale, so I looked it up on storyberry to help jog my memory.

I hope you are having a fantastic day. My next update will be on Friday, March 27. Hopefully I will have it up by 12 PM EST.

Thanks again!

-Adrianna