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Disclaimer: I don't own FMA!

++NOTE:++ This is an AU fic. This is set in our time, and there is no alchemy. Ed still has automail though.

Sorry, this first chapter is really short...

Chapter One:

Temporarily Out Of Hell

There was a ringing. An extremely loud ringing. The racket was coming from the table beside him. Right next to his ear.

And it was goddamn annoying.

Edward rolled over in his bed, bringing a pillow onto his head, desperately trying to block out the irritating noise.

"SHUT THAT DAMN THING OFF! OR DO I HAVE TO COME IN THERE AND DO IT MYSELF?!" The voice of his father yelled from downstairs.

Well, that woke him up. Bolting upright, he lifted his right hand, which was automail, and bringing a fist down on the source of the noise. The ringing stopped.

"Dammit, that's the third one this week..." The blonde muttered as he looked at the crushed remains of his red alarm clock. He sighed. Edward was constantly forgetting that he needed to turn off the alarm with his left hand, because his right hand only destroyed the device.

Edward was considering going back to bed, before he remembered that his new job started today. He had to admit, he was excited. A job, an escape. An escape from home.

"GET YOUR DAMN LAZY ASS DOWN HERE IN TEN MINUTES!" Hohenheim yelled. Edward could tell that if he didn't, there would be a punishment.

Home. Edward couldn't consider this hell his home.

Edward quickly grabbed his new work uniform, size extra small, and raced to the bathroom. He turned the knob in the shower so it was scalding hot.

He untangled his trademark braid, stripped of his pajamas, that were old and stained because his father would never buy him new ones, and jumped in the shower.

He quickly grabbed the shampoo, which smelled of strawberries (The scent reminded him of his late mother) and washed his toned, muscular body.

Switching the water off, he grabbed his plain, white towel and dried himself thoroughly. He put on his uniform shirt, which was a dark, military blue color, with yellowish gold writing. (1) And put on dark blue jeans.

He had opted for the winter uniform, even though it was hot outside, so the shirt was long sleeve. His jeans were long also. Edward didn't want anyone asking about his automail. People would always ask how he got it.

'And I can't very well say that two of my limbs are missing because my fathe-'

"YOU SON OF A BITCH! I TOLD YOU TO GET YOUR FUCKING ASS DOWN HERE!"

Golden eyes widened in fear. He yanked his hair into the usual braid and pulled the bathroom door open and raced down the stairs.

"I-I'm sorry father..." Yes, it killed Edward to apologize to the bastard, but anything to stay alive, right?

"Don't smart mouth me you little slut."

"S-sorry sir."

"I said don't smart mouth me bitch! Or do I need to punish you?"

Edward lowered his golden head, his eyes watching the floor. "No sir."

"I think I will."

Edward looked upwards, only to be met with a hard fist to his right cheek.

His father pulled back his hand. "You should be glad I went easy on you, faggot."

"Y-yes sir." Edward mumbled, nursing his injured cheek.

"Now get out of here! I don't want to see your fucking face anymore!"

The teen was really just glad that his beloved younger brother, Alphonse, was a deep sleeper.

Edward speed walked to the door, as Hohenheim walked back to the living room. Slipping on his black converse, he walked out the door ready for his job.

He was excited.

Because, for now, he was out of hell.

TO BE CONTINUED!

(1) Yes, I am so "uncreative" that I chose the military colors, instead of thinking of my own color scheme or whatever the fuck you want to call it. Bite me.

+++IMPORTANT!+++ I need your help! I can't think of a name for the grocery store that Edward works at... So if you could please just leave some suggestions for names for the store in reviews or PM's

Review.