Disclaimer: I don't own FMA. But I have an inspiration fairy that comes here every once in a while and bites me. Inspiration fairy's bites cause dangerous ideas for writing…
I want to say thanks to Ana, ssadropout, Aieika, AnneNoir, Toushirou-chan and Hina Kita for your great reviews!
Chapter 3 – Need For Good News
April 14th, 1917
The image of the wrecked station came as a shock for Alphonse when the train he was in stopped at an improvised platform about 300 feet from the local train station. It was half past six in the evening and he had traveled all day. Although he was tired, Alphonse hadn't slept at all during the whole trip. He had been very worried about Edward, Winry, and Pinako, since he first heard about the airplane attack to the small town.
Why the hell would Nymbe attack a place like Resembool? There was just nothing there. Alphonse walked out of the platform and saw, not far away from him, 3 soldiers dressed in green, the Nymbean uniform. He froze for a second, then turned around and headed another way slowly, so he wouldn't call their attention. He only managed to calm himself down a little bit when he finally got to the road that led to the Rockbell's house. He sighed in relief, after having avoided another confrontation. One group of soldiers trying to arrest him for being an alchemist had been enough. He didn't want any more contact with soldiers.
He went on walking quickly, anxiety building up as he got closer to the house. And then he finally saw it, a white spot in the end of the road, still far away from where he was. Alphonse walked as fast as his legs allowed him to walk. If he sped up a little more he would be running. The road to the big country house seemed so welcoming. He was going back to his family.
The airplanes invaded his imagination, dropping their bombs on the train station. Alphonse didn't want to imagine anything bad, but his mind didn't obey him. He suddenly saw it all inside his head. Edward in the station with his suitcase, finally arriving home after such a long time… Winry and Pinako waiting for him… the deafening sound of the aircraft engines and the explosions… Blood. Lots of blood.
It was silly. Winry and Pinako wouldn't wait for Edward at the train station because he never called to say when he was coming back. Still, Alphonse felt an urge to get home as soon as possible. He held onto his suitcase tighter and started running. Fear took control of him with no mercy, while he ran as fast as he could, his chest starting to ache as he breathed heavily the cold dry evening air.
"What on earth?" Pinako said when she opened the door to find Alphonse, bending forward with his hands on his knees and trying to catch his breath. "Are you all right?"
"I am. I am. How is everybody?" The boy asked, still breathing heavily.
"Winry and I are fine." She said.
"And brother?" Alphonse asked again in a hurry, his eyes pleading that he'd be all right.
"He's not here. He hasn't come back yet." She replied, feeling sad.
They were all worried about Ed and she knew Alphonse had expected him to be there. Pinako tried to look away from Al's disappointed expression and moved to the side so he could come in.
"He hasn't? But… has he written or called?" Alphonse insisted, although not very hopeful.
"We got a letter from him about a month ago, but it didn't say much. He was still in Creta."
Alphonse nodded and walked in at last, his eyes lost on the floor boards.
"Al…" Pinako called in a low voice.
"Yes?"
"Please try not to look so concerned for Edward in front of Winry. She's very worried herself already."
The boy mumbled something so she knew he had understood it and Pinako waited until he looked less nervous to call Winry. The blond girl showed up at the kitchen door, relieved to see Alphonse safe and sound, back at home.
"Al! Why didn't you call?" She said, hugging him tenderly.
"I'm sorry…" He said when she pulled away from him, knowing that he had already run out of excuses for not calling them.
"Do you know anything about Ed?" She asked eagerly.
Alphonse hated to bring bad news, but not bring any news at all didn't make him feel good either. He didn't say anything when Winry turned around and went to look through the window, lost in the depths of her own gloomy thoughts. Alphonse was wondering if she knew about the arrest order for the alchemists when she turned back to him again to ask something that had been troubling her a lot.
"Do you think he was arrested because he used to be an alchemist?"
"He can't use alchemy anymore." Alphonse said.
Winry was relieved somewhat, but her relief turned into anger as she walked into the kitchen and got the newspaper that was on the counter.
"Our country has gone mad! Grumman ordered the execution of lots of people, even Brigadier General Mustang!" She yelled, pointing at the first page of the newspaper and then handing it to Alphonse.
"Mustang, too?" He asked, very surprised.
"It was part of the deal." Winry explained. "At least they didn't get him yet. Seems like he's somewhere in the North. Someone blew up 4 Nymbean tanks and they found evidence of an alchemical reaction."
"Alchemical reaction?"
"They say it was Mustang. Grumman sent our own soldiers there to look for him." Winry continued, but Alphonse wasn't listening anymore.
He read the piece of news thoroughly then turned to Winry with a shadow of a smile on his face.
"They won't get Mustang in the North."
"Why not?" She asked.
"The evidence of an alchemical reaction… He doesn't leave this kind of evidence behind when he uses his fire." Alphonse explained.
"Then why did the Fuhrer send all those people there to kill him?"
"I'm pretty sure the Fuhrer is well aware that Mustang isn't there."
The girl stared at him very impressed. After a few seconds she started to laugh and Alphonse asked her if she was all right.
"I'm just happy to see that not everyone has really bowed to Nymbe." She explained.
"Yeah…" Alphonse agreed, wondering if Mustang's subordinates knew something about him.
They probably knew a lot more about what was going on in the army and about the arrests and executions. If only he could talk to Lieutenant Hawkeye, she would sure have some information for him. Maybe she even knew something about Edward. Mustang used to keep track on Ed and Al years before and Alphonse wouldn't be surprised if he still did. And when Mustang wasn't around, Hawkeye was in command. He could have shared some information with her before disappearing.
"Winry, I need to ask you a favor." He said, with a determined look on his face.
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Roy struggled with the net, trying to tie it to a metal hook on the wall of the 4-by-6-meter shelter. Another man, who had already introduced himself as Isaac Grinwald, was pulling on the other side of the rope, complaining that it wasn't long enough. Isaac and his family had arrived at the camp in the same truck that had brought Roy and Riza.
"Let's bring it closer to the corner." Isaac suggested, moving the bags he had left there to the other side of the shelter, while Riza held a candle so they could more or less see what they were doing.
"Mommy, I'm hungry." The little boy complained.
The woman and her two teenage girls were already checking the food supplies they had gotten. There was bread, potatoes, two big packages of rice, another package of lentils, two gallons of water, a package of salt and some canned food. It was supposed to last a few days and they could go get more water the next day. They got a slice of bread for the boy, but the girls decided to wait. There were camping stoves outside all around, about one for every 2 or 3 shelters. Other supplies they had gotten included old blankets, towels and some basic kitchen utensils.
Roy and Isaac finally managed to hang the first net and then proceeded with the second one. There were also 3 sleeping bags and some cardboard to cover the floor.
"I'll cook some rice for us." Isaac's wife, Abigale, told them, before leaving with the girls, Lucy and Ella.
"We'll take care of things here." Isaac said, his tired voice barely audible.
Roy checked the floor for spiders or anything that moved before spreading the cardboard over part of it, guided by the faint light of the candle Riza was holding.
"I don't want to sleep on the floor…" The boy complained to Roy.
"Nobody's sleeping on the floor, kid. We've got lots of cardboard."
"I don't want to sleep on the cadbord." The boy mumbled.
"We'll see where we will all sleep as soon as your mom and your sisters come back, Tim." Isaac told the 5-year-old boy.
They finished getting settled and went outside. Abigale had already gotten a camping stove closer to their shelter and was now cooking some rice. They all gathered around the fire, trying to keep warm.
"Where are you from?" Abigale asked Roy and Riza.
"Central City."
"We're from Dublith." Lucy said. "Our house was bombarded, but we hid in the basement."
They all stared at the small stove for a while, not exactly sure of something they could talk about. The only thing they had in common now was not the best topic for a more cheerful conversation. Ella was the first to break the awkward silence.
"Do you think we're going to stay here for long, Dad?"
"I have no idea." Isaac said.
"I don't want to sleep on the cadbox…" Timothy complained again, pulling on his mother's skirt.
They had plain rice for dinner and soon went all to sleep as everyone was exhausted. Ella had a health problem and couldn't be cold, so she lied on the net with her younger brother on her lap and after a brief discussion about who was going to sleep where, Roy and Riza convinced Abigale that she could take the other net for herself. It was probably more comfortable than the lousy sleeping bags or the cardboard and Abigale wasn't so young anymore.
"You're sure you won't be cold?" Roy heard Riza ask after he was already all wrapped in his own old blanket, lying only on the cardboard, as there weren't enough sleeping bags.
"No, I'm fine." He said sleepily.
"Maybe you can both squeeze in one sleeping bag?" Isaac's voice was heard in the dark.
"They're too small for two people." Lucy said.
"I'm good…" Roy insisted, thankful that the small size of the sleeping bags could help him avoid an awkward situation.
"I have an extra sweater in my bag if you want." Isaac said again.
"Thanks, Isaac, but I don't think I'll need it." Roy said.
Roy felt something cover him and looked to the side. Riza had spread her blanket, using part of it to cover him as well.
"You don't have to worry so much about me…" He said, turning to face the opposite wall since looking straight at Riza, even in the dark, was a little awkward considering how close to each other they were now, sharing the same shabby blanket.
"I just don't want you to be cold."
"Thank you." Roy mumbled to her, before closing his eyes to sleep.
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April 15th, 1917
Havoc looked at the clock, cursing the huge amount of work he still had to do. The only thing worse than the amount of work, was the work itself. He was gathering information from sight reports, trying to find out where some of the people from the wanted list were. The reports he was reading now said that one guy they were looking for had been seen in two different locations. Those locations made it quite obvious he was heading East and Havoc could even guess on which road he was probably traveling right now.
"Idiot. He's gonna find a Nymbean post real soon…" He thought, writing on his own report that he couldn't tell which way the wanted man was going because of the many dirt roads that originated from the main road in the area. He hoped the unspecific information he provided could help save the guy's life.
"I hate this." Fuery complained, laying his paperwork on his desk. "If we do our job like we're supposed to do, we're only helping them find these people."
"But if we don't…" Breda said in a way that made quite clear how his sentence should end.
Jean kept on reading the report he had on his hand. Alchemist, father of three, on the run, probably going South to try to cross the border and seek for protection in Aerugon territory. Nymbe hadn't attacked Aerugo because most of its army was already busy trying to maintain the recently-established control over Creta and Amestris. Other countries which hadn't allied with Nymbe were demanding that the refugee camps were spared and even sent troops to reinforce protection on the Aerugon borders. The situation was tense all over Europe and many people were talking about a war involving the whole continent. Havoc just couldn't imagine how many refugee camps would be necessary if that happened.
"Forget about that guy you were looking for." Falman told Fuery. "He's been arrested already."
"Damn. I thought he had a chance of escaping." The Sergeant said, very frustrated.
"Are we going to work overtime today… boss?" Breda asked with a little bit of uncertainty, mixed with an uncomfortable feeling that was eating everyone in that office from the inside.
"Don't call me that." Havoc moaned. "I never asked to be in charge of you. Promoted to First Lieutenant… I should tell them to shove this promotion up their asses…"
Breda, Falman and Fuery waited for an order on the overtime matter, but Havoc didn't say another word. He scanned some of the papers on his desk and got one that called his attention. The other three soldiers watched as he stretched his legs over his desk and lit a cigarette. The smell of cigarette smoke filled the room and Havoc kept staring at the white piece of paper he had on his left hand.
A copy of the execution order for Mustang. Havoc read it one more time, before shooting a glance at Mustang's desk. He was in charge and that was supposed to be his desk now, but Havoc wouldn't take it. How could he do that? He turned his eyes back to the paper and got his cigarette with his right hand. His friends didn't say a word when he pressed the burning end of the cigarette against the paper, making the name 'Mustang' quickly disappear.
"Enough of this crap." He said. "Let's go home."
"Aye, sir!" They all answered quickly, before shoving the documents in the desk drawers and getting their things to leave.
Havoc stayed behind to close the office. Lieutenant Hawkeye was the one who did that before, but now it was his task. He sighed, thinking of which bar he would go to get hammered. He definitely didn't want to be sober that night. He grabbed another cigarette the moment he left the building and was looking for his lighter, when someone stopped in front of him.
"Lieutenant Havoc, how are you?" Winry greeted him loudly.
He stopped, finding her happy-go-lucky attitude bothersome. Wasn't that girl supposed to be in the countryside?
"You're… Ed's girlfriend, aren't you?" He asked, looking for the little patience he still had left.
"Yes, it's so nice of you to remember me! It's been a long time, why don't we go somewhere to talk and catch up?" She invited him cheerfully.
He couldn't believe that invitation. He barely knew the girl. What the hell could a teenager want to talk about? He didn't even feel like talking to anyone. The only human contact he could wish for now was with either people who could sell him a drink or women who could take away his frustration for one night.
"Sorry, I'm tired." He said, with great effort not to just tell her to scram.
"It's just that I have sooo much to say…" She went on, pointing at a parked car on the street. "I'll buy you a drink."
"You… are…Ed's…girlfriend…" He said pausedly, hoping to make it clear that he found it inappropriate.
"Just get in the car, please…" She whispered in a hasty voice.
Havoc raised an eyebrow, staring incredulously at the girl. She pointed at the car again, with a broad smile. Then it occurred to Havoc that maybe she didn't want to just chit-chat about nonsense. She could have some information, or maybe even wanted his help. Edward was in the arrest list after all.
"Fine, I guess I need a drink anyway." He said, putting the lighter back in his pocket and getting in the car.
Winry got inside the car as well and turned on the ignition. Havoc looked at the back seat and saw a blue blanket covering something big, big enough to be a person.
"Who's there?" He asked.
The blanket moved a bit and a blond head showed up. Havoc was very surprised to see Edward's younger brother, Alphonse.
"Keep your eyes on the road and pretend that you're talking to Winry, please." The boy said with urgency.
Havoc knew that Alphonse was also on the arrest list, so he looked ahead again, like he and Winry were the only people in the car.
"We heard Grumman ordered Mustang's execution." Winry said.
"Yes, he did." Havoc confirmed it.
"And that Mustang disappeared." Alphonse said this time.
"Yup. Vanished into thin air. I just hope he's wise enough to keep hiding. But what is it that you want to talk about?"
"We haven't heard from Edward in a very long time. We thought that maybe you would know something about him."
Havoc sank on his seat, thinking that he was going to be sick. All he would hear lately were bad news. Nothing good. Nothing to make him think that there was a reason to go on.
"I'm sorry. I don't know anything about him." The soldier mumbled in a barely audible voice.
"Would Mustang know anything?" Winry asked.
"Even if he did know something about Edward, we can't ask him. I have no idea where he is."
"Maybe Lieutenant Hawkeye knows something about Ed? Mustang could have told her something."
"Hawkeye disappeared on the same day Mustang did. She left her dog tied to Sergeant Fuery's door and we haven't heard from her since."
"Really? Has Nymbe ordered her execution as well?" Winry asked very surprised.
"No. Not even her arrest."
Jean looked at the nearly empty streets, wishing that he had any good news to tell the two teenagers. He himself was feeling lost and depressed. Edward was missing, too. Perhaps he could find some information about the boy on the sight reports."
"Where was the last time you heard from Ed?" He asked the two of them.
"A month ago. He sent a letter from Creta."
"You think he's in Creta?"
"He was, but he should be back already."
"They're not allowing anyone to get in Amestris without a permit, not even Amestrians. He must be stuck in Creta." Havoc said, a nice feeling of hope growing inside him.
Edward was probably fine, despite not being able to come home and this was probably the first good thing he had heard that day.
"You kids should find Edward and get the hell out of this country. Go to Aerugo. They're taking refugees there and I don't see Nymbe attacking Aerugo any time soon."
"But… leaving Amestris?" Havoc heard Alphonse's scared voice ask.
"Better leave your home than be arrested in it."
They were all quiet for a while, both Winry and Alphonse thinking about Havoc's advice. Winry finally stopped near Havoc's place and the soldier got off, wishing them luck. He had finally heard some good news. Not exactly great news, but he would settle for them.
A/N: Chapter 3 online! I really enjoyed writing this chapter for some reason. If you enjoyed it too, please leave a review. If you didn't enjoy it, write a review and tell me anyway. Your opinions are great, guys! So, Merry Christmas to every one! If I don't post another chapter this year, then… Happy New Year! I wish you all the best! =D