This story is based heavily on a dream I had.
Story written only by me. As opposed to my older stories where I worked with a co-author.
...
Hawkeye opened her eyes, then quickly closed them again when a bright light assaulted them. That can't be right... She thought. For a second it looked like... She opened her eyes again, using her hand to shield them as she sat up. She was in a desert. A vast and empty wasteland with the sun shining brightly overhead. Hawkeye had thought for a second that she was outside Ishval and now she saw that she was. There were no ruins from what remained to be rebuilt, no people, no sounds... nothing.
Hawkeye was- well, had been in Ishval. She remembered going into her tent for the night... but nothing else. How did she end up outside? And how did it get to be midday? The sun should've woken her up sooner. She looked all around her, but only saw more endless desert. She sighed and set her hand down, but instead of the feel of sand in her hand, Hawkeye felt a hard and familiar object. Her walkie-talkie! She quickly picked it up. "Hello? This is Lt. Riza Hawkeye speaking, please respond, over." She waited a heartbeat, then another. She tried again, but still got no response. Roy should've responded by now at the very least... unless... they're out of range. Everyone. How did she get so far from Ishval? She looked at the sand around her for anything else, but saw nothing more. Hawkeye stood up and took another look around her, wary. Someone had to have taken her here in her sleep. But how had she stayed asleep? She was a very light sleeper. Unless they had given me some kind of sedative... There was still nothing to see but sand. She had nothing else to do but walk.
As she walked, with nothing but her thoughts as company, she wondered again and again about the situation she was in. How had they taken her? Why sneak into camp and just take her? Why drop her off in the middle of nowhere? Why leave her with her walkie-talkie? What about Iris, the girl she shared a tent with? Why hadn't she woken up? Had she been taken too?
Thinking about Iris seemed to jostle something in her memory. Something had happened to her. Dread settled over her at this certainty, but it was frustrating too because she couldn't remember what happened. How can I be so certain something happened to her if I don't even know what it is? Hawkeye felt weary. Was she even traveling in the right direction? She could just be wandering further away for all she knew. Hawkeye fell to her knees, then sat down. It all felt so useless. Suddenly, her walkie-talkie crackled to life.
"Lieutenant? Can you hear me?"
It was Roy! Hawkeye unclipped the walkie-talkie from her belt and raised it to her lips. "Colonel! Yes, sir! I can hear you! Loud and clear!" Trembling in relief, Hawkeye waited for a reply. A reply came, but it sounded faint. She couldn't make out what he had said. "Sir, can you hear me?" Hawkeye held her breath, waiting. No reply. He must be heading away from her. He was going in the wrong direction. But he had been within range, however brief. Perhaps she was headed in the right direction. She got back up and resumed her trek at a quick pace, determined to catch up.
...
No matter how much time seemed to pass, the sun remained high in the sky. Hawkeye remained focused on her task with her walkie-talkie acting not just as her guide, but her lifeline. She was getting pretty thirsty, so she hoped she'd find Roy soon.
Every now and then, her walkie-talkie would crackle and she'd hear Roy's voice. It was still faint, but sometimes it was strong enough that she could make out a few words. From what she could gather from the bits and pieces, he was still looking for her and wondering if she could hear him. Whenever she could make out a few words, it always urged her on. Despite her strong will though, Hawkeye grew tired. It felt like so much time had passed and yet it was still day. Roy had been quiet for awhile and had been every time she tried to reply to his calls. Hawkeye stumbled and fell. So tired... so thirsty... Roy... Hawkeye fumbled for the walkie-talkie at her belt. As long as she held it in her hand, she felt secured to her lifeline. She pressed the button and tried to speak, but words failed her. Her mouth and throat were so dry.
Hawkeye closed her eyes.
...
"Lieutenant, you have to get up."
Roy. His voice sounded so clear and close. She could feel his hand on her shoulder. His grip tightened. "Lieutenant, please. Don't give up."
Her eyes opened. "Colonel." No, he wasn't a colonel anymore. Why was she still calling him that? Maybe it was from force of habit. She didn't care right now. Roy was here with her. She looked up at his face as the sun blazed in the sky behind his head. He looked so concerned.
His hand slipped away and she sat up. "Colonel... I... need water." Her voice was hoarse and scratchy, but he hadn't heard her. He had turned away.
"Do you remember my order to you? Don't die." He faced her again and this time there was a determination in his gaze. "That order still stands Lieutenant."
She understood. He needed her to stay strong to make the walk back to Ishval with him. Hawkeye got up and Roy did as well. He put his hand on her shoulder again. "Come on." They walked together in silence. Eventually, Roy's hand slipped off of her shoulder. Hawkeye started stumbling again after awhile, but Roy's walk remained strong.
"Sir, please... water..." Hawkeye whispered hoarsely. "Sir-" She fell, feeling too weak to go on. "Why... why can't you give me water?" She demanded, almost angry now. She reached out to grab his sand-colored cloak, but it was out of reach. Roy stopped. "Why... why aren't you... taking... care of... me..." It was then that Hawkeye noticed the sun was setting for once in this endless desert. A chill settled over her despite the uniform and cloak she wore. She was so tired. So weak. Maybe it would be better to lay her head down and rest. Hawkeye was aware of the sound of a rustling movement of fabric. She felt Roy's warm hands touch her face, she could feel the gentleness of his touch as he held her head. Hawkeye opened her eyes weakly.
"You can't go Lieutenant. I love you."
The sadness and desperation in his voice as he spoke caught her attention and those three last words he spoke seemed to give her fresh strength. "Roy... Roy..." She whispered so quietly, she wondered if he even heard her. I love you! I love you too! I don't care how long it takes to get to Ishval! I will follow you there! She felt so weak, but she willed herself with all of her might to hug him.
...
For those reading my story "Choices Made" I am still working on that story. I'm just wondering what to do with it next. "Stuck" is a short story and will only have one more chapter and then an epilogue.