Free Falling

Chapter 27: Ed's POV

Ed wiped away the tears, that welled in his eyes. He then turned to look out the window and a figure that looked exactly like Anna stood in it.

His eyes widened at the sight but, when he blinked , it wasn't there.

"What is it Ed?" Hughes asked looking towards the window. Ed blinked again and rubbed his eyes; looking at the window again.

"I- I thought I saw-" he cut himself off. "Nevermind"

"Now you're seeing things huh?" Hughes asked. Ed sighed and walked passed him to go to his room.

"Ed." Hughes said stopping the blond in his tracks. Ed looked back with his hands in his pockets. "We will find her. We won't stop until she is found. I promise you that." Hughes promised again. Ed cracked a smile.

"Thank you Luitenent Colonel Hughes." Ed told him. Hughes smiled back and gave Ed the thumbs up. Ed walked down the hallway to the room Hughes had provided for him and Al.

Al was quietly reading a book on the floor at the end of one of the two beds. When Ed came in, he immediately flopped onto the bed Al was closet too.

"What did Mr. Hughes say Brother? Al asked looking at his depressed older brother.

"He promised we'd find her. He didn't say how long it would take to find her though." Ed explained turning over to face the wall. Al sighed and looked to the floor; lowering his book to rest in his metal lap.

"We will find her Ed. She does care about us. So much she gave her life to that man. She ate a stone! Just to save us... she will come back like she did last time Brother." Al told Ed. Ed nodded slightly.

"But what if she doesn't? What happens if she says with him?"

"She wouldn't do that Ed." Al said calmly.

"But she could! I couldn't protect her! She could stay there with the palm tree." Al stood up a walked next his smaller, yet older brother. Al brought his fist up above Ed and Ed looked at him when he saw the shadow. Al hit Ed over the head much like Winry and her wrench.

"OW!" Ed yelped in surprise. Al grabbed the front of Ed's shirt and pulled him up.

"You're so stupid Brother!" He yelled. Ed flinched at his brothers hostile voice. He never sounded hostile. "Anna only went with him because she wanted to save you and me! She did it for us! She wouldn't stay with them! If she had a chance to escape them she would take the chance!"

Ed stared at Al with widened eyes. He was right. Anna would try to escape the first chance she got.

"You're right Al. She would." Ed admitted. Al sighed and dropped him.

"You really are an idiot sometimes Brother." Al said sitting on the other bed.

"I know. That was stupid of me to think."

"Yes it was Brother. Very stupid." Al confirmed. Ed smiled slightly; thankful for his brother hitting those thoughts from his head. Quite literally.

"Thanks Al. I'm gonna hit the hay." Ed said pulling off his boots and coat to reveal his automail.

"Just promise not to be stupid again." Al asked looking up. Ed smiled.

"I can't make any promises Al. You know that." Ed climbed into bed and closed his eyes.

"Good night Brother." Al said as he stood up and went back to his spot on the ground at the end of Ed's bed.

"Night Al." Ed mumbled and fell asleep within seconds.

**the next morning**

Ed woke up the next morning with Al's speech implanted in his head. He quickly got dressed and went off to find Al while trying to braid his hair at the same time.

He was planning to go look for Anna again. See if she was anywhere in the city. Ed found Al playing with Elicia in the living room.

"Hey Al. You ready to go?" Ed asked. Al looked at Elicia who had a pout forming on her face.

"I gotta go Elicia." He said standing up.

"Are you gonna go find Big Sister Anna?" She asked. Ed nodded.

"Yeah. We're gonna bring her back." Elicia nodded with a smile.

"Bring her back like last time!" Elicia ordered. Ed smiled and nodded.

"We will. It's just taking longer then last time Elicia." Ed explained ruffling the toddlers hair. Elicia giggled and latched onto his arm.

"Okay! Bring Big Sister Anna home safe and sound!" Ed smiled.

"We will. We promise." Elicia grinned and ran to her mother that brought Ed two breakfast rolls.

"One for each of you." She told them.

"Thank you Mrs. Gracia." Ed thanked her as they walked out the door. The brothers looked around the whole city twice that morning. They asked differeant people about Anna but had no luck.

"What if we don't find her Al?" Ed asked as it started to become dark. Al gasped.

"How can you say that Brother? We will find her!"

Ed sighed and turned down an alleyway.

"You're right Al. But there is still the possibility of us not finding her."

"But finding her has a greater probability! Brother, we will find her!" Al cried. They both deeply cared about Anna but Ed was loosing hope. They had been looking for three days.

Something shuffled and leaned from behind the wall. Ed widened his eyes. The figure had pitch black hair that fell to their mid back. And a poison green eye that the brothers could see.

"Anna!?" Ed cried. The figure jumped back and ran. Ed ran after the figure and behind Ed was Al. The figure looked back. Only one eye was poison green. The other, was violet. Like the other homoculi.

"Anna!" Ed cried again as the figure smiled evilly at them.