Disclaimer: I do NOT own Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood.

"Talking"

Thoughts

My name is Joy Wilson. Today is my Mama's birthday. Even though she hasn't been home since I was baby, I she'll come someday and celebrate with me and Papa. And that someday will be today! I just know it! That is why I'm going to make Mama the best birthday gift ever!

In the late afternoon in the open fields, I finish drawing a transmutation circle on the dirt. "Okay…" I mumbled to myself, "that should do it…" I place my hands lightly on the transmutation circle and concentrate. The circle starts to glow in a bright blue light with small sparks. A few seconds later, a two foot tall wooden statue appeared in place of the circle. It's wings are spread out as the statue holds a book in it's hands.

I happily grab the wooden statue and jump excitedly. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I run up the grassy hill which held my small house on top. Quickly I open the door and rush into the house. "Papa!"

"In the kitchen, sweetheart!" I hear Papa call out. I run in the kitchen to see Papa cooking stew on the stove, "What is it, Joy?"

"Look what I did!" I show him the angel statue and he smiles warmly when he lays his eyes on it.

"It's beautiful," he said proudly, "how did you make this?"

"I used earth alchemy, Papa! Just like you! Pretty amazing, huh?"

"Yes, little Joy. I'm pretty sure your mother will love it too." He pats my head softly.

I giggled with excitement. "I'll put this in my room. Okay?" I run out of the kitchen before I let Papa answer. I rush upstairs to my room and place the wooden angel statue on my nightstand. I take a minute and stare at my creation for a while.

I really hope my Mama comes home this year… It would make me and Papa really happy…

Papa… He's the greatest Papa in the whole world. He's also the best alchemist I've ever known as well. Papa can use earth alchemy like a pro! He's really strong and good-hearted too. Papa says I look and act exactly like Mama. I have long black hair with a silver streak, dark red eyes, and brown skin. Like Mama, only he says she has silver hair. Papa has the same traits, only he has brown eyes and has no hair. I don't really know much about her but all the stories Papa tells me of when she was here before I was born. All those stories Papa shares with me, I want to spend those good times with Mama…as a family.

"Joy! Dinner's ready!" Papa called out from downstairs.

"Coming!" I called back as I rush downstairs to the small dining table. As I took my seat, Papa places a big bowl of beef stew, a small loaf of bread, and a glass of milk.

"Thank you, Papa!" I said happily.

"No problem, Joy" Papa laughed as he gave himself the same food he gave me.

As we eat dinner, I start our usual conversations. "Papa, do you think Mama will play with me when she comes home?"

"I'm sure she would enjoy that, Joy," Papa said reassuringly.

"And maybe we can probably visit one of the cities not far from here. Maybe South City?"

"Ha! Let's see how my work schedule is down at the train station, and I'll see what I can do."

"I can't wait to see her…"

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Somebody is at the door…?" Papa asked himself, "who would come way out here?"

He's right to ask about that. We live long miles from South Hood. As far as I know, we don't know anybody from that town or at the train station.

"Do you think its Mama?" I asked excitedly.

"Just sit here and I'll go check."

I shrug then continue eating dinner until I hear more knocking from the front door.

"Darnell Wilson!" a man's voice boomed from outside, "we know you're here! Come out with your hands up! Now!"

What's going on? What do they want with Papa?

Suddenly, Papa rushes back into the kitchen and scoops me out of my chair with bread still in my mouth. He hastily runs upstairs into my room and places me on my bed.

"Papa, what's wrong?" I asked with a little fear in my voice.

"I need you to stay in here, lock your room up, and stay hidden!" he said sternly.

Papa has never been stern like this before…

"But Papa…"

"Just do as I said!" I shut my mouth and nod slowly. "Good… Now stay quiet and stay in your room until I come back, okay?" I nod again. "Good Joy…" I quickly kisses me on the cheek as he rushes out of my room and closes the door. I lock the as he told me and sit back on my bed and wait for Papa.

"Darnell Wilson! You are hereby under arrest for fraud and treason against Amestris. Surrender now or we will use force!" a man's voice boomed again.

"I'm not going anywhere with you guys!" Papa yelled, "I won't be your military dog anymore!"

"You don't have much of a choice, Earth Alchemist. You can come with us peacefully or die where you stand," another man's deep voice said calmly.

"I can fight you all by myself…"

Moments later, I hear guns firing, furniture breaking, people screaming, and feel the ground shaking frantically. The trembling ground nearly knocks over the wooden statue, but I swiftly catch it and hold it tightly as I run and hide in my closet. For what felt like hours, all the commotion slowly stopped. Then I hear footsteps coming up the stairs.

Please be Papa! Please be Papa! Please be Papa!

Suddenly, I hear my door being kicked out off of the hinges and slamming to the ground.

"Search for anyone who could be a threat," another man's voice commanded.

Please don't look I here…! Just go away…!

I hear more footsteps wandering around my room. I can feel myself shaking inwardly in fear. I can't do anything because not only Papa told me to hide, but I have nothing in my closet that can protect me. All my papers, pens and paints are under my bed.

What's gonna happen if they find me? Take me away from Papa? Take us away from our home? No! They can't do that! Mama isn't here yet! Besides, Papa hasn't done anything to anyone!

"Check the closet," the same voice said.

Oh no!

I hear footsteps coming closer and closer to my hiding spot. I immediately close my eyes and start to panic as I hear the closet doors instantly opens. I slowly open my eyes and see two men in blue uniforms and pointing guns at me.

"Its just a kid…" one of the men said surprisingly.

"Wilson has a child? I can't believe it," a tall, blonde man said. They sigh as they put their guns down. The blonde man crouches down to my height and gives me a smile. "Hey little girl, I'm Major Armstrong. Do you mind coming with us?"

I shook my head no. "I'm supposed to wait here until Papa comes back… I'm not supposed to talk to strangers either…"

"Don't worry, young one! We're no strangers! We need you to talk to a very important person downstairs. Nothing else of the sort."

I look down and stand quietly, thinking of a way to get of here and find Papa. I know these guys did something to Papa. My gut feeling is never wrong! Suddenly, I thought of a great idea.

"May I get my doll?" I ask politely, "it's under my bed."

"Of course, child!" the man known as Armstrong said happily, "you're so adorable!"

I thank him and begin to look under my bed and find one of my small paint jars. I quickly paint a transmutation circle on the floor and quickly transmute two wooden pillars from my wooden floor, knocking the two men across the wall.

Sorry!

I grab the paint jar and run out of the room and head to the stairs where five more men stood upon.

"Get her!" one of the men yelled.

I quickly paint a transmutation circle and turn the stairs into a wooden slide. All of the men clumsily slip and slide down hard to the ground. I slide down and swiftly jump across the pile of men. I look around the small living room and the place is practically trashed. Some men seems to be lying unconscious on the floor. I ignore them as I peek through the kitchen door. I see a man lying on the ground…with blood pooling beneath him. I walk in slowly to take a better look. Then I take a look at the man's face horrified at who it is…

It's…It's…

"PAPA!"

I drop to my knees and shake Papa to wake up.

"Papa! Wake up! You can't be dead! You can't!"

Why?! Why would someone do this to you?!

"You must be his daughter," a familiar deep voice said from behind me. I turn behind and see a tan skinned man with an eye patch on his left eye. He wore the same blue uniform, but with a lot of ribbons on it. He held two swords on both sides. For some reason, he gives me a sympathetic smile. "No child should witness this…"

"You…!" I growled distraught, "You killed him! Didn't you?! Why?!"

"He committed a crime against Amestris and refused to face judgment. He decided to face the dire consequences." He extends his hands towards me. "Now… I will need you to come with me. I wouldn't want to leave a child out here all alone. Plus, I don't want more trouble than there is now."

"…Wrong answer."

Before he could ask what I meant, a wooden pillar shoots towards the cruel man, throwing him through the wall and lands outside. I secretly drew a transmutation circle with…Papa's blood. This gives me time to escape. Who knows what they'll do to me now…

I'm sorry Papa… I wish I could've saved you…

After one last look at Papa, I run out of the house. I don't know where I'm going…but I don't need to know. I just need a place to hide. Papa didn't die for me just to have me get hurt or taken by those guys.