Path of Sin
Title: Path of Sin
Author:
miss_auto1621
Pairing: Edward E. & Winry
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist
Theme: 3: Path of Sin
Rating: K
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my fics.
Warning: Some un-edited, old work, but is still enjoyable to read. EdxWinryness.
Summary: Mangaverse. Spoilers from chapter 47. The soft voice is telling her to consider the consequences of shooting Scar.
Part of LiveJournal's
101_kisses challenge
Mom and dad, she thought, they were…, but by him and he…. Ed, Al, they could…. Unable to finish an unsaid sentence, confusion spiked through her and her body trembled. Tears formed in the rims of her eyes, warm and stinging, burning her sight, blurring her vision. What Edward had said, while trying to pull a guilt trip on his opponent reached her ears. He took her parents, the ones that had treated him, and he couldn't even be grateful for their risk?
It shattered her inside as he confirmed his action with no regret in his voice and made her believe that he would be the end of her remaining family. "Of course he'll kill them," her inner voice stated. "Why do you think he's after them? He won't stop until they're dead."
It was painful to accept the harsh reality, but there was no running away here.
"You have to do something about it, Winry," the voice spoke again. "If you don't want them dead, then you have to help yourself."
Her eyes strayed to the sides for a moment.
"You see that gun?" the voice asked. "Take it."
The girl followed the order.
"Wrap it in your hand," the voice commanded.
She did as she was told.
"Aim it at the scarred man," the voice exclaimed. "He deserves it!"
With tears in her eyes and no hesitation, she pointed the weapon at the man with the X shaped scar.
"Pull the trigger," the voice shrieked at last. "Shoot him! Kill him!"
But the girl did not obey.
'Wait,' a second voice spoke, making Winry freeze.
"She's going to shoot him!" The first voice yelled.
'Why would she do that?' the second voice asked.
"He killed her parents, so it's only fair!" Now the first voice was rough.
'Life is not fair,' the second voice spoke softly.
"Oh, what do you care?" The rough voice asked annoyed.
'I care for her conscience,' the soft voice stated simply.
"If that's the case," the rough voice said, "then let her shoot him. It'll make her feel better."
'No it won't,' the soft voice corrected. 'It'll only make her feel worse.'
"She's avenging her parents' deaths for crying out loud!" The rough voice screamed.
'Does it make it right to kill the one who killed?' The soft voice asked. 'Winry, will you feel happier if that man were to die by your hands? Would you live with yourself knowing you took a life away? Would you be proud of your sin?'
The girl's eyes widened.
"Shut up!" The rough voice yelled. "Don't make her change her mind!"
'Tell me, Winry,' the soft voice spoke disregarding the yells that came from the other side of Winry's mind. 'Would you be able to live as a murderer, as a sinner, as what the scarred man keeps saying, 'one that strayed from the path of God'?'
The few seconds that passed by seemed like hours of hesitation.
"Don't listen to her," the rough voice said. "She's only trying to make you feel bad. There is nothing to regret. Shoot him!"
'Why would her conscience make her regret a horrible thing she won't do?' The soft voice questioned. 'Edward and Alphonse are watching you, Winry. Would you like for them to be frightened of you, or doubt you? Would you like for Edward to feel guiltier than before, knowing that he transformed his best friend into something that resembles the person they're fighting? This won't help at all. You'll be a wanted criminal, Winry, and that will eat your conscience up. Your parents wouldn't have been proud of you for killing.'
Scar spoke then and told her to shoot him, but all she did was hold her position.
"You'll be my enemy," he said.
'Put the gun down, Winry,' her conscience ordered.
She hesitated and when Scar was inches away from getting her, Edward placed himself in front of her like a shield. Alphonse attacked Scar and lured him away while Ed stayed with a confused and upset Winry. He reached for her curled hand and the gun wrapped around it and talked to her, trying to comfort her. He said her hands were for healing and helping, not for killing, and his words drilled holes in her brain.
'See, Winry?' The soft voice asked. 'Edward admires you. He's saying you shouldn't be tainted with an action of a heartless person.'
In the mix of it all, he held her hands in his, still speaking until he brought them to his lips and kissed them gently. That made her cry even more. When she began to break down, he embraced her hesitantly and allowed her to let everything out. When it came down to him to leave to help Al, she didn't want to let go of him, but she had to.
'Killing is not for you, Winry,' the soft voice said.
Edward says I heal, Winry replied inwardly.
'It's not easy, is it, Winry, to kill?' The voice asked.
No, it's better to help, she thought as she held the spot Ed had kissed.
