To Be A Child

Chapter 8

Alphonse was torn from his thoughts and looked up in alarm as a knock suddenly sounded at the door. He scrambled to his feet with the grace of clanking metal and looked around frantically, searching for a place to hide. He wasn't supposed to be in the house, and if he was caught, he would be in a lot of trouble! The doorknob rattled and he heard the front door creak open.

"I'm home!"

Alphonse froze in shock. He was trespassing in somebody else's home? The pitter-patter of tiny feet could be heard now, running through the house. Al went into a full blown panic; he had to get out of the house now, before he was discovered! He dashed over towards the nearest window, but it was too small for his huge bulk to fit through.

"Mommy, is that you?"

Waah, it was the voice of a little girl! What would she say when she discovered that a metal giant had invaded her home?

Alphonse gave up on the window and tried to edge into one of the rooms lining the hallway, but a small figure suddenly turned the corner, caught sight of him, and froze in her tracks. She stared up at Al with wide green eyes full of fear.

"Uh, please don't be afraid!" Alphonse held up his hands and crouched down to the floor, hoping to pacify the girl before she could become distressed. "My name is Alphonse, what's yours?"

The little girl stood there expressionless for a moment, then turned around and ran back the way she came, her red hair whipping around the corner in a flash.

Alphonse sighed and stood up. The girl was obviously afraid of him, and that was no surprise. He knew that he could look pretty intimidating in his armour. The best thing he could do right now was to leave the house and inform Mr. Hughes of what he had learned. He walked slowly down the hall and descended the stairs. On his way to the front door, the little girl peeked out from behind a counter in the kitchen.

"Why are you in my house?"

Alphonse stopped and bowed politely. "I'm sorry for trespassing in your house. I was just . . . looking for someone."

The little girl came out from behind the counter. "Who were you looking for? My mother?"

Alphonse straightened up and thought hard on how to answer this. The mother of this girl could very well be the woman he was looking for, but he doubted anything good would happen if he were to confront the woman directly. He didn't want to end up engaging the woman in combat in front of her daughter.

But then again, an opportunity like this might never come again, and he was willing to take risks if it meant getting his brother well again. Al made his decision.

"Yes, I was looking for your mother. Do you think I might be able to talk to her?"

The girl seemed to think hard for a second. "Yes," she finally said. "You can talk to her when she comes home."

Alphonse bowed again. "Thank-you very much."

The girl seemed to get over her fear and walked right up to him. "You're welcome," she said. She stuck out her hand. "I'm Anna, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you."

Anna's eyes shone with curiosity and Al prepared himself for the question he knew was going to come.

"Why do you wear that armour?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------