It had now been exactly one year since Edward's kidnapping. Winry was even more depressed than she usually was, as were Alphone and Trisha. Winry and Alphonse didn't even went to school this day. They were together in Al's room. Trisha was downstairs.
- He-he's not even here for his birthday, Alphonse cried, it's been a full year.
- It's all- it's all my fault, if I hadn't tripped and fallen down a year ago, he would still be here.
- Don't say that Winry, you know he won't be happy when he'll come back if he knows you were blaming yourself.
- Al, how can- can you be sure he'll be back
- You can't be serious Winry, I'm sure he will be back soon, he said angrily
- Al, even the police have given up
- Win, we-
- No don't call me Win
- But you always liked it when brother called you Win
- Yes, but he's the only one who used this nickname, it's our special thing together
- Oh, okay, sorry Winry. Be have to keep hoping, we can't really do more than that
- You think he's still alive?
- Of course he is
- How can you be so sure?
- It's cruel, but Hoheneim likes to make him suffer, he wouldn't have killed him
- I- I want him back… she cried
- We all do
They stayed silent for a few minutes after that.
- I should have told him, she mumbled under her breath
- Told him what Winry?
- I never told him I liked him… and now, I might never be able to tell it to him
- Winry, I'm sure you'll be able to tell him
It was now around four in the afternoon when Trisha received a phone call.
- Hello, Trisha Elric on the line, she said in a monotonic tone
- Mom? She heard a voice she thought she recognized, but no, it couldn't be him
- I think you dialed a wrong number, goodbye
- No, mom don't hung up, he shouted, it's me, Edward, he said, his voice weak
- Ed-Edward?
- Yes, I achieved to escape, but I-I was arrested and I'm being taken to the hospital right now. Could you… could you come and see me, I missed you so much, she could hear he was crying
- Of course Ed, I'll be here as soon as possible, and I'll come with Winry and Alphonse
- O-okay
She ran upstairs at full speed
- WINRY! ALPHONSE! She shouted, excitement and relief filling her voice
- What is it mom? Al asked confused
- It's Ed, he escaped, he's at the hospital
Winry and Alphonse were frozen for a few seconds, then displayed huge smiles.
- Can we go see him? Alphonse asked expectantly
- Yes of course, we're leaving right now
And so, they left toward the hospital.
Around an hour before that at a police station
A blond boy who looked around fourteen and who was covered in scars and blood entered the police station carrying a little girl, who looked around four years old in his arms.
- Help, please, he pleaded
Lieutenant Hawkeye, who was at the police station at that moment instantly recognized the girl as Elycia Hughes, daughter of her friend Maes Hughes. The girl had disappeared around a month ago and now this boy was coming toward them like that. She was afraid he would harm Elycia.
She quickly pulled out her gun.
- Set her gently on the ground right and hold your hands up, she shouted
- O-okay, he stuttered and did as he was told to
- Elycia, come here, it's me, Auntie Riza, Lieutenant Hawkeye said softly to the little girl.
- You have to get her to her dad, the blond boy said, as Elycia was making her way to Hawkeye
- It's none of your business, then she turned toward Elycia
- Elycia, has he hurt you?
- No, she quickly answered, Ed's nice, it was the big man who was mean
- Come here, I'll take you to your parents, they will be relieved to see you.
- Yeah, daddy! Then she thought for a second, can I say goodbye to Ed? She asked
That surprised Hawkeye a bit, but she wasn't trusting him
- No, come with me, we have to go quickly
- Oh… she seemed disappointed
Then, Lieutenant Hawkeye turned toward two police officers.
- Officers, he is under arrest for now, call an ambulance and escort him to the hospital.
- Yes Lieutenant
And so she left
- Under arrest? He asked confused
- Yes
- What have I done?
- You are suspected of kidnapping Elycia Hughes.
- But I didn't, I would never do that!
- Then it will be sort out by the investigation, now follow us, what's your name?
- Edward, Edward Elric
- You mean, as the Edward Elric who disappeared a year ago?
- Yes
- Maybe we should warn the Lieutenant
- Try to reach her, until we can have a response, we do as she ordered
- Can I… can I call my mom, I haven't seen her in a year, please?
- Yes of course, here, one of the officers said giving Edward his phone.
- Thank you sir
A few minutes later, he was at the hospital, his open wounds bandaged.
Around ten more minutes and he saw his hospital's room's door burst open and two blond teens running through it, his mom not so far away behind them.
- Edward! They shouted and rushed toward him.
Winry was the first to hug him close
- Ahh, my arm, he cried
Winry noticed she was hurting his wounds
- Sorry Ed, she apologized feeling guilty.
- Don't worry Winry, it's not that bad, he smiled brightly at her.
- Ed, Trisha said softly, coming closer and gently hugging him, being careful not to hurt his wounds.
- Mom…
