Finding Home: Chapter 2

Everyone followed Ed out of the gym. Maes got out a knife, Riza loaded her gun, and Roy pulled on his gloves as Winry pulled another wrench out of her uniform pocket (How many does she have?). Al stood next to Ed, ready to fight if he needed to.

"Keep you're guard up," said Roy, "but I don't want any innocent people getting hurt, got that?"

"Since when are you in charge?" snapped Ed.

"Brother," said Alphonse, "he's a colonel, he knows how to lead."

"I'm sorry to take sides," said Riza, "but Alphonse is right. This is a job for the colonel."

Ed was quiet.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye, watch my back," said Mustang to Riza.

"Yes sir," said Riza.

"Search the perimeter," said Mustang. "Ed, Al, Winry-go search the left side and Lieutenant Hawkeye, Hughes, and I will search the other side. Hold on, I take that back. Winry come with us. Hughes, go with them. I want a responsible member of the military with each group. I don't want anyone getting out of line."

Ed scowled. He knew that Mustang was talking about him.

Hughes, Ed, and Al were soon out of Roy, Riza, and Winry's sights. They walked slowly down the side of the building.

"Who do you think it is?" asked Winry.

"Can't tell," said Mustang, "it could be anyone."

"It's not just anyone sir," said Riza as she aimed her firearm. Winry gasped and a tear ran down her cheek. It was Barry the Chopper.

"Why how nice to see you again young lady," said Barry to Winry.

"Why aren't you in jail? Asked Winry.

Barry chucked manically. "Pretty girl, did you honestly think they could keep me there? Oh no, not when I have killing to do."

"You aren't going to kill anyone!" said Mustang.

"Oh, but I already did," said Barry.

"You sick monster!" yelled Riza.

"Where's the body? I bet you didn't even kill anyone." said Roy angrily.

"Oh, but I did," said Barry, pointing. He was pointing toward the mangled body of a woman.

Winry gasped again and started sobbing.

"Hawkeye, now!" shouted Mustang.

Riza then fired a clip at Barry but it was reflected of the blade of his butcher's knife.

Winry began to sob louder and dropped her wrench.

"Riza, stay here with Winry-I'll go and get the others," shouted Mustang.

Winry sank to her knees with her hands over her wet eyes. Hawkeye kneeled next to her and put her hands on Winry's shoulders as Mustang disappeared to get the others.

Mustang ran into the others on his way to get them.

"We heard a shot," said Ed.

"Yeah, what's going on over there?" asked Hughes.

"It's Barry the Chopper," said Mustang.

Alphonse choked. "Where's Winry and Riza?"

Roy's pupils got small with fear. "Oh my God! How could I leave them behind? I'm such an idiot! If anything happens to them…" The colonel looked down.

"We have to go find them before something happens to them!" said Al.

Meanwhile, Riza was attempting to comfort Winry when she was almost hit with Barry's butcher's knife. There was no way of telling which direction it had come from. Riza had her gun in her hand, ready to fire, but she could not see Barry.

It started to rain just then as Riza looked all around her for Barry. Winry was clutching Riza's uniform and shivering, as was Riza. Riza smiled slightly as Mustang and the others became visible in the rain. But her happiness was cut short as she saw a soaked brown-haired girl dressed in a black shirt and jeans running towards her.

"You've got to help me," said the girl, breathing heavily, "That man… He's killed my mother. I think he's going to kill me too. Riza, it me."

Riza blinked with recognition. "…Is it really-" but Riza was cut short as Barry the Chopper landed on her back, crushing her into the wet earth.

"Riza!" shouted Mustang.

Barry grabbed his butcher's knife and ran off without a word or a threat. It was amazing that he was uninjured after such a high jump.

Mustang ran over to Riza, who was still. He leaned over her body and began to sob. "No! I can't believe I left you alone!" He choked on his tears as the others stayed back and looked at the ground, assuming the worst. "I should have never left you! Oh my God how could I?"

Riza coughed and her body quivered.

"You're alive… Oh my God Riza, how can I ever forgive myself?" Roy leaned down on her body and continued crying.

"I've never seen the colonel like this," said Hughes.

"He must really love her," said Al.

"Yeah, but he shouldn't be touching her body-she could be really hurt," said Ed.

"Maybe we should tell him," said Winry, "in case she's hurt."

"I just can't believe she's alive after that man jumped on her from way up on the roof," said Al. "It's a miracle."

"Thank God she's alive," said Hughes. "If we lost her we would have lost the colonel too."

"Hey," said Winry, "where's that girl?"

"Over there," said Al, "by Riza."

The girl was holding Riza's hand as Riza's eyes slowly opened.

"Sam?" she said quietly.

"Yeah," said the girl in a hushed voice, "it's me."