She is just a child, my only child and yet our bonds are not strong. Our eyes would meet but they carry no messages, we would speak but not of any importance. We are close strangers, not distant and nor near. Our relationship is complicated and she does not understand, the things that I am dedicated too are not her interest and yet the safest place to hide my knowledge with her and on her. I was determined to keep the secret out of reach from prying eyes; therefore I would do everything and anything.

He caused this family to break, to tear apart cruelly. My mother had to leave without me, and years later I would learn that she had went to a place far beyond our reach, she loved and doted me but they were estranged, he would make her angry and sad, I watched her cry countless in her room but I could not help her, it was their problem she would always say. I am always outside and was never needed. One dark night, I heard the main door open and close, this was it, and she had gone. I woke the next day expecting well who I would meet; sure enough it was that person sitting on the dinning tale alone drinking his morning tea as though nothing of importance had happened. I was angry but I could not say anything, we weren't a family any longer.

She was upset, I could tell from the way she sat across me biting through her sandwiches, without a single greeting she left the table and headed to school. The main gate made the exact same sound as how it did when she left me that night, it made me wonder if my own flesh and blood would return to the house, but that was not important, I had to go back to my research. It was the only thing that meant the world for me; she did not understand that is why she left our home.

I returned two nights later, staying over at a friend's home where she and her family treated me kindly, the mother was always smiling and the father so kind. It was so different from mine, the warmth that they radiated as a family, I was jealous. I could have remained at her home but I did not, the dark and dirty house that I despised so much meant nothing in my heart, it was just a broken place that I could never be free of.

She did not return that night, I sat on my stool down in the basement and meddled with my alchemy, it was almost complete and I would be able to show the world, the power and ingenuity of my research, her absence was timely. There was no point in asking her to return to my side, after all, it is just a pain for her to come back to a house with everything but familiarity. She was just like her, stubborn and head strong girl, and that was probably why I loved her in the first place, my companion and the child I had with her. I had always believed that she would be able to understand why the basement was my second home, but at last, No, She did not comprehend after all.

"I am home…"

Silence

"I am going to my room…"

Nothing

"I hate you." I whispered softly to the empty hall way.

I rushed to my room and slammed the door shut, tears were falling fast, and it was a deep and sinking pain that rested in my heart. Two days ago, I returned home after staying over at a friend's place, I had not expected anyone to be at the door worrying about me, I hesitated opening that creaking door however a gentle push opened it, apparently it was not locked, and the price we had to pay was the belongings of the house, they were all stolen and this must be the easiest heist the robbers had ever done in their lives. The tinkling of the flask from the basement was just a reminder that he was still alive and uncaring as usual. I walked past the empty hall and living room, it was in a mess but something white on the floor caught my attention. It was two letters, one that was sent out and one that returned.

"I have decided leaving you, I do love you so much, but I can't stand your behavior any longer. It is just too much for me to take; you are never here when we needed you. Riza is not safe living with you either, you had almost killed her with your experiments – I am taking her away with me."

"Alright."

It was a cold letter, no emotions and no feelings. I kneeled over holding the letter that was obviously written by the only person who had once doted on me, "Mother, why didn't you come for me…" was the only sentence repeating in my mind, if she had returned for me, I could have left this dreaded house forever and live a life that would be much happier. The impulse then and the anger combined with the tints of sadness that rose too quickly made me hammer uncontrollably on door to his basement, "Why didn't you care about her! Why am I here stuck with a you who does not care" Several seconds passed, the door that I was sure would stay close opened slowly and he clambered up, without looking at me, "she is dead." With that, he walked past towards the kitchen; I was left staring into the darkness of the basement, the realization crashed heavily on to my very being "so that was why, no one came for me…" It ripped me apart, I desired to be alone…my only escape was my dreams…and that was where I stayed for the next couple of days.

I watched from the side, my little girl standing there. The reasons for making her so upset were the last two letters we have exchanged before her death, Riza my dear, you were waiting to be rescued. I am sorry; she would never come for you now, your hopes have to be erased and you must accept the truth. Please don't worry, once I am able to finish my works, I would have more time to be with you. My alchemy would be the strongest and this house would no longer be dirty and poor. I have to find ways to make sure you live with all the necessity covered for your future as well, all I can do now was to watch as you make your way to the room, I am not able to comfort your broken heart.

My room never felt this constricted, just like how my heart was. I had no idea what to do now, should I run away from this place and find somewhere that I can be free and away from you, I did not truly hate him, deep in my heart he was still my father and I have to respect him. But this is not what I wanted, it was never riches and wealth or a new house, all I wanted really…was his love and responsibilities as a father, a single parent… It was probably that night too, the stormy night where I had cried all day to the single moment that I had fell asleep, he entered my room silently, in the entire blur I could only feel his weight on the side on my side of the bed, and the strong smell of alcohol was intoxicating. He placed a hand on my head and gave it a gentle rub, I did not resist.

"Riza… You are a nice girl just like how your mother was." he began strangely kind for the first time ever.

"Father…?"

"My work is done but now I need to keep it safe…" his grip became stronger while he crooned his words, it took me a while to realize that he had me pinned on the bed with my back facing up, something wasn't right, I struggled but he was too heavy.

"Father! Please NO" the flesh of my back was revealed, but I could not escape as he fingers ran down my skin; cold pins had pierced through my spine, the next few seconds was the worst, it was hot at first and progressed to sharp stabbing sensations, I felt my skin pulled apart a feeling of a pen carving something on them, there was no way I could have suppressed the ache, I had never screamed that badly in my life, I was begging for my life… The thick fluid that flow down the sides of my body, thick and warm, blood, the blood of his only daughter trickling slowly and cruelly – he did not care about my pain, my feelings, he did not care about anything but his godforsaken research. I wanted to die, to go to where my mother was, everything was better compared to being alive right now, but no, I survived. When I regained consciousness, he had already left the room, without taking a second look or waiting for my raw skin to heal, I grabbed a long over coat and the money that my mother had left me before she died and in a commander style, ran away by jumping out of the window towards the cherry tree next to it. Every step was torture to my skin, but I did not care – I had enough; that was it. I headed to the main road, a black car pulled up in front of the house. Who and for what purpose it was for, it was none of my problem any longer and I turned a corner, every desire never to return.

When I realized that she had disappeared, I had panicked; every nerve in me was jumping uncontrollably. My research and the knowledge were gone with her, if someone else managed to find it, it is extremely dangerous to the world and this nation, I had to find her and bring her back. The door bell rang and I answered it, a young boy about her age gave a small nod and addressed me as Master Hawkeye, he had dark hair and seemed like a bright boy, the orphaned son of two long time friends. I decided to make him my student, so as to pass down my knowledge and to teach him the way of the world, more importantly – he was going to be a companion for her as well, I knew deep down how lonely she was, she would be more happier if she had a friend when I am not around any longer.

"Would you do me a favor, Roy?"

"Sir?

"Help me find her and bring her back here."

"Her?"

"My daughter, Riza."

"Yes, of course."