Prologue

I remember everything. On cold nights I always do for some reason. I sit here staring down at the street corner from my cozy, warm room. Icicles are forming on the light post outside, that means winter is close. I hate winter! Too cold for comfort. I breathe a heavy sigh and flip out the old 'family' photo album. Pictures of me and Mrs. May mostly, and at the very back, tucked away in soft silk is the faded memory of my real mother and father. I dare not look at it, that will only make me sad.

"Reni are you hungry?"

"No Mrs. May I'm not."

I here her grunting to herself and saying that I don't eat a lot. I know she hates it when I call her Mrs. May. She wants me to believe that she is my mother and call her Sooki. But I just can't. Unlike other orphan children I don't want another family. I liked mine and I DON'T need another mother. Mrs. May is nothing like the way I remember her.

I was playing Kongi in the street today. Mrs. May HATES when I do that. She says that the police are going to mistake me for a homeless child. I never really believed her since I had pretty good clothes and everything and any idiot could tell by my clean hair and skin that someone must care for me. But I gave mankind too much credit.

"What are you doing you Ishbalan rat?"

I stared up at him, my eyes glowing. "Playing," I reply meekly. Any idiot could see that.

"How did you get here? You're coming with me!!! Where are your people hiding?!"

I looked at him kinda funny. Then I remembered that everyone here hates Ishbalans.

"I don't know where THEY are but my house is just down the road," I point in the direction, just in case he didn't know where that was.

"Don't try to fool me little wench!"

The officer grabbed my arm tightly and started to drag me along. "LET ME GO!!! I HAVE A HOME!!! WHY DON'T YOU BELIVE ME?"

He didn't' answer, just snickered.

Mrs. May and Roy said that police and military are nice people that helped you. Yeah right! Like this guy was making my day any better.

"Excuse me officer what are you doing?"

I look up and frowned a little. It was Roy.

"OH! Uhhh Colonel … I was just taking this wretch to the office for some questions and uh…"

"That isn't nessacery. She lives down the street and has no information about the Ishbalans. I'm sure she would have mentioned that she lives just down the road."

"Uhhh she might have mentioned it Colonel but I don't recall…"

"I nearly screamed it in your ear ," I said in a snotty way.

"That's enough officer, you may go now," and Roy releases my arm and takes my hand. The officer quickly takes off, what a loser!

We start to walk back to Mrs. May's house. He's still holding my hand, that made me blush. I turned away a little so he wouldn't notice.

"What were you doing?"

"Playing Kongi," I hold out the pieces in my other hand.

"Why couldn't you play in your room or something?"

This made my mad. "I'm almost 16!!! Why does everyone treat me like I'm so little because I'm not! Mrs. May won't even let me walk to the store to get bread by myself!! What is the big deal?!"

Then I remember my eyes. The odd color of a fiery red-ish violet.

"What's wrong with me?"

I already knew the answer to that question but it's so funny to see the way Roy gets all sad. Kinda sexy too.

"Nothing is wrong with you."

I just sigh and realize he's still holding my hand. My face goes hot and I'm so glad that we're on the front steps to Mrs. May's house. He doesn't even knock or anything, just barges in. I always liked that about him.

Of course he has to put in every flipping detail about the incident and why I shouldn't be playing in the street. I was really playing on the curb. I don't know how people could get the road and the curb mixed up. Then they both scolded me and Mrs. Mays sent me up to my room.

I can still here Roy and Mrs. Mays talking down stairs in her parlor. I don't mean to worry them so. I really am grateful for all they've done for me but I don't want pity or a new family or anything. I'm fine living in my small amount of memories. I decide now is the time and I take out the silk and lay it on my desk. I slowly unwrap the soft blue material and gaze at the picture which lay inside. My father on the left, his arm around my mothers shoulder and his other hand on my shoulder. My mother to my right, both hands on my other shoulder. And me in the middle, smiling. I've never really smiled since that day. If I ever do, there is no feeling behind it. I remember that day at the fair. The last time I saw my mother. I know all about my family's past.

"Reni?"

I looked up and Roy was standing in my doorway. "Uh huh?"

He took my answer as an invitation to come in though it really wasn't and propped himself on my bed.

"What do you want now?" I ask coldly, though inside I was thrilled.

He thought a moment. "I'm not really sure."

The silence that followed was agonizing and hard to bare. Soon awkwardness set in and I had to say something. "If you don't want anything then go away." I didn't mean to sound so rude.

To my surprise he smiled at this. "You remind me of someone."

I didn't answer.

"How's your alchemy coming?"

My eyes lit up. Roy's never asked me that question before! I tried to sound uncaring though.

"It's fine. I've learned a lot." I pause, unsure if I should say the next part. "I can sort of do alchemy with no circle."

Again his face looked as though he was deep in thought. "Have you ever considered finding a teacher?"

Wasn't he full of surprises tonight? "I've thought about it but Mrs. May doesn't like alchemy anyway and she'd never let me."

"You've heard of the Elric brothers right?"

DUH! Of course I have! Edward is my hero, next to Roy of course. "Yeah I have."

"What if I could let you meet them. Edward could help you a lot."

I couldn't help but sound happy. "Really?"

Sadly he could hear the excitement in my voice too. "Maybe, no promises though."

Again we didn't say anything. I just stared at my family picture.

My father was an alchemist. I remember him doing some tricks for me. But from the stories I've heard, he was great at it. That's really why I decided to try alchemy. I wanted to make my father proud. Then to my surprise I really enjoyed it and found my hidden talent.

I start to wrap up the picture. I guess my movement singled something because Roy stood up.

"I guess I better go," he sighed.

Funny thing is I don't think he was ready too. It took him a long time to move to the doorway. Then he paused and I could feel him staring at me while I wrapped the picture up. The next thing he did confused me even more. He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my neck. I felt my face boil and my eyebrows lifted. When he let go finally let go I had to know what was going on.

"Did you just hug me?"

He laughed and finally walked out the door, leaving it slightly ajar.

I sat on the window ledge again, waiting for him to walk down the sidewalk. I heard him say goodbye to Mrs. May and the front door shut. And there he went, walking slowly, hands in his coat pocket. He paused a moment to put on his hat. I thought he always looked sexy with hair pushed back and his hat on. Then he turned to face my window and waved to me. I jumped a bit and gave a weary wave back. Then he smiled and turned to walk again. It was like he knew I was going to be there. Man Roy was full of surprises.

End Prologue