I wasn't sure how long I could take this. I could sense every fiber in me begging to unleash my temper. But I don't welcome it, instead I ignore such urges as if they were nothing but nagging flies buzzing around me.

Besides, I didn't see the need to be angry, or a bit unhinged. I was only sitting next to Armstrong, after all. I blink once, maybe twice.

Then it hit me; I am sitting next to Major Armstrong. A burly, muscle built man like himself decided to share a booth seat with me. And he doesn't even realize how much space he takes up.

I was sandwiched between his large burly arm and the wall on my right and not only was that bothersome, but the mere fact that each time I took a breath became difficult than the last. Boundaries are surely being crossed but he doesn't seem to mind no matter how much I told him minutes before. And it ticked me off even more.

"So tell me again why Al isn't sitting with us?" Ed finally decided to speak and quite frankly, hearing his cranky voice irked me more than ever.

I glare daggers his way but he doesn't notice, instead he sends Armstrong a pointed look with his chin rested atop the palm of his hand. The entire morning he didn't say a word to me and barely to Armstrong, only talking to Al as if none of us existed.

At first it bothered me knowing, but now it was slowly bringing out my desire to slam his head against the window. Though, I did share his same concern.

I release a small grunt, "Yeah, why isn't he up here with us?"

"Oh, it's quite simple!" Armstrong says with his booming voice. "Luggage fee is much cheaper than a ticket fee!"

I blink once, maybe twice. Did he just consider Al—luggage?

I do remember Al being strapped into a crate this morning, but I only thought that was to keep all his armor pieces contained. He's more than capable of getting a ticket.

"You're treating my brother as luggage?" Ed gapes with red practically encircling his vision.

"Oh, on the contrary!" Armstrong expresses gleefully. "He's in the livestock car."

Ed jumps from his seat with an exasperated look. "That's even worse!"

"How?" Armstrong inquires with pure confusion. The proud gleam in his eyes slowly disappearing. "It's cheap, there's plenty of room, and he'll make friends. Wooly friends!"

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "I can't believe I'm hearing this."

This was utterly ridiculous. I can only imagine the state Al's in right now. Strapped in a cargo box surrounded by dozens of sheep for hours. The poor boy will be lonely, and Armstrong thinks it was a wonderful idea.

I shake my head, "I still don't understand why you're here, Major."

"Of course you know why."

"But it's a dumb reason!" I press. "I'm more than capable of watching Ed and Al on my own."

"I'm sorry, Y/n, Colonel Mustang's orders." Armstrong huffs.

I roll my eyes, "What's the point of becoming a State Alchemist if I can't do my job?"

"Tch, then maybe you shouldn't have become one." Ed had grumbled these words, but it wasn't hard to not catch the terse tone of his. Armstrong sent him a questioning look but offered no verbal curiosity.

I, on the other hand, swore something snapped. Like the leather leash that kept my temper on a firm hold, snapped in two. And I didn't control it, where was the need to?

I send Ed a haughty glare practically envisioning red. He didn't care, hell, he didn't even look my way. Only did he resettled back in his seat before gazing blankly out the window. The mere idea of being ignored made my blood run to a boil. 

"Look—I don't know what the hell is your problem but instead of beating around the bush maybe you should just—" A firm rapping came from the window.

It was loud enough for me to cut my temper short and even gain Ed's attention. Glancing to my right I see Hughes outside waving happily.

"Major Colonel Hughes?" Ed greets as he opens the window. "What are you doing here?"

I roll my eyes irritably, "Oh, and you pay attention to him."

Honestly, if this continues while we're in Resembool. . . I may just snap. Hughes darts his eyes between Ed and I before raising a suspicious brow.

I huff with my arms crossed, there was no way I'm going to tell him anything. As if reading my mind, he doesn't say a word about the tense atmosphere and settles for a tight smile.

"I'm here to see you off!" He proclaims. "Thanks, but it's not necessary," Ed mutters.

"Mustang's orders!" He chirps.

"What else is new?" I huff. "First he assigns Armstrong as our bodyguard and now this." I shake my head, realizing how rude I was being.

I send Hughes an apologetic look though I say no more. Ed truly was getting on my nerves if I'm taking it on others. Though Hughes only nods, his smile never leaving. It was a small relief.

"He wants me to give you two a message."

Ed raises a brow, "Oh yeah? What kind of message?"

Hughes puffs out his chest and sucks in a breath before looking directly at Edward. "He said, 'I won't allow you to die on my jurisdiction because it'd be a pain to clean up the mess.' That's what he said." Hughes abruptly looks my way sending a shiver down my spine. It was oddly stern for someone like him. "Mustang also wants me to tell you that you're his problem now so don't do anything reckless. He doesn't need to deal with another knucklehead."

"Excuse me, I'm not a knucklehead!" Ed abruptly fumes. "He's just being a pain in the ass!"

Despite how irritable the blond is I couldn't help but agree. I nod in affirmation, I'm not a child and shouldn't be treated as such. Hughes quickly puts his hands up in surrender before chuckling lightly. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger."

"Well, tell him to stop worrying," I grumble before wriggling out of my seat. Armstrong sends me a questioning glance, one I don't feel like answering.

Though breathing came easier now and my joints practically screamed in relief. I refrain myself from stretching in delight. I can sense everyone's eyes on me as if calculating my every move. I don't look back however, instead I look up and down the aisle in the train car.

"I'm not an idiot—I can handle myself," I sigh when I see an open booth. "Though, I can think one idiot Mustang needs to worry about." Edward takes in a sharp breath as if ready to breathe fire. I pay no mind and step out of the booth. "Thanks for seeing us off, Hughes. It was rather—nice."

No one called for me when I walked off. And in a way, it was welcoming. Reaching my destination I plop down on the wooden seat, allowing all unnecessary tension leave my body.

I did wave to Hughes once the train began to move though I wasn't sure why a frown plastered his features instead of that usual smile. Maybe he caught on to Ed's god awful attitude and sympathizes with me.

Good, I think hotly with a frown of my own. Maybe it'll give that annoying brat perspective. Maybe by he'll realize how childish he was being.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Dr. Marcoh. A man once part of the Ishvalan War. Abandoned his career as a State Alchemist and settled for a simpler life as a village doctor.

I never heard of such a man, till Armstrong recognized him during one of our stops. I was roughly shaken awake by the Major, ushering me to follow him and Ed. I could've cared less, but anything was better than being cramped on a stuffy train.

Many of the nearby villagers had claimed him to be a savior of their village. A man of dedication to his patients. He was someone who could treat anyone with red flashing lights as the end result of their healing.

A miracle, one woman said as we passed by. I noticed how Ed and Al shared a curious glance immediately I knew where their minds wandered to.

The philosophers' stone.

But how could a frightened man such as Marcoh possess such a thing? Where would he have gotten one anyway?

Armstrong had claimed him to be an old war buddy, but I saw nothing buddy-buddy about the situation. Especially since Dr. Marcoh had aimed a gun at us when we entered his home.

He'd claimed he wouldn't go back to the military, refused to mess with people's lives. But most of all, take them away.

I watched in pity as this old man shouted at Ed and Armstrong, what kind of horrors did he face during the War? Did my mother face them too?

Reluctantly, the shaken man allowed us into his house but didn't drop his guard. I lingered by the door, I had no business speaking to him. Ed got down to business with his eyes gleaming in desperation.

Immediately he interrogated Marcoh, asking any question that came to mind. And all those questions had probed toward the possession of the Philosopher's Stone.

Despite the many times Marcoh rejected his questions, and the many times he asked Ed to stop he didn't. When Ed asked how to create the stone, Marcoh seemed to have snapped.

He shouted and slammed his fists on the table, stopping Ed. He refused to share such information.

"It's the devil's work," he'd said with such anguish layering his face.

I frowned seeing how disappointed Ed was. I may be irritated with him, but I knew how much he desired for that red stone. And how much he's willing to go for it.

To get turned down by a man who could give him the very thing he wants, I was sure that was something he didn't want to hear.

Or even leave this place only to be thrown back to step one. When everyone left Marcoh's home except me I turned to him and apologized for intruding. But it took a bit more courage for me to breach the subject once more.

"Dr. Marcoh, you must reconsider," I'd said with a frown. "They went through enough already, can't you at least point a way for us to gain more information?"

He didn't look at me for a moment, a moment that felt longer than eternity. When he did not answer I began to lose hope that he would ever answer. I released a sigh before twisting my heel.

Just as I made way to the door, Marcoh's raspy voice filled the empty house. "Why do you care so much?" He'd asked. "You didn't commit the ultimate sin. Why insert yourself into a hellish situation like theirs?"

For a moment I didn't respond, but laughed instead. The sound was loud and airy, void of any emotion. Oh how wrong he was.

I'd shrugged off my sweater allowing him to gaze at my stupid automail arm. I wasn't sure why I did it or even why I thought it would help Ed and Al's chances, but I told him.

I told him about how stupid and desperate I was to see my own mother again. I told him how my family fell apart when she left for the Ishvalan War and how it almost killed me when I learned of her death. I even said how I should've stopped the boys before they did committed the taboo, but I didn't because I was too scared to release this awful secret.

I want them to get their bodies back and I was willing to do anything because I couldn't help them before. This would be my way of redeeming myself. I don't need the philosopher's stone like them, they need it more than anyone.

My body didn't feel as light once I told him everything. I wanted nothing more than to collapse to the ground and pull my knees to my chest. Even though it's been years since the ordeal, the pain was still fresh.

Like a branding iron being slammed onto my back. I wanted to leave immediately knowing how stupid it was to say such things, but Marcoh dropped a piece of paper into my palm.

"Central Library Branch One," He murmured. "I am sorry for your loss, hopefully you three are strong enough to face what's ahead. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Then I was ushered out of his home. I should've felt triumphant, right? I should've felt victorious for gaining something Ed and Al couldn't get.

But I didn't. Instead, a heavy wave of exhaustion took over my body. I didn't feel great and all I wanted was to lock myself in a room and sleep.

I didn't utter a word when I got on the train. I ignored Armstrong's inquires about where I was and even though Ed didn't dare utter a word he sent me a questioning look. I say nothing to either and simply dropped the paper onto Ed's lap before heading to my empty booth.

The train begun to move once more, our next stop Resembool. Hours ago the idea excited me, it even brought a little of relief. But now I was dreading it.

I hug my arms around my stomach as I stare out the window. It was all waiting for me back home. The memories, the terrible mistake I made. But the one thing that my heart drop was mother.

She would be waiting for me too.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Hey everyone! It's been a hot minute!
How've you guys been?
Sorry for taking so long to come back and attempting to publish something.

You know, life happened;)
Take that as you will lol

Anyway here's a chapter and I'm sorry if it's sucky and short! I'm still trying to get back to the swing of things on here and trying to remember all the plots for my stories 💀

Hope you still enjoyed this though! Thanks for your patience!

Stay healthy everyone!!💜💜