Ch. 8 Going Home
Next morning I had to find my answers. I had to leave West city and get my answers. All of my family was killed. But why my mother? She wasn't even a alchemist. She was as healthy as can be. And she died by state alchemists killing her. I know the true reason. But there are still pieces of the puzzle still missing.
I left for the earliest train out of West city. I almost boarded the train when I head a faint yelling of my name. I must be imagining things. I got onto the train and took my seat. Not a lot of booths were crowed with people so I sat in an empty one and got comfortable. Then I heard my name being yelled again. This time it was clear as day. I looked out my window and saw Edward and Al. I was confused "What the-"
"Hey Ren! Where are you going!?"
"I have to meet someone. I'll be back in three weeks tops."
"What for?" Al chimed in. I smiled and sighed "Its important business that I need to take care of." My tone was serious yet happy. Ed shook his head but put a smile in his face. "Ok later Ren. Good luck."
"Bye Ren." Alphonse waved at me and I yelled "Hey! When I come back I'll have every answer that I need!" I saw Ed turn his head to me and was confused "What do you mean Ren?"
"All of my questions will be answered. Then I'll know what type of people my parents were. Not to mention my brother as well." I sounded so certain. Al chuckled and I knew he was happy. I looked at Ed and a smile was spread across his face. He grabbed my hand and clutched it tight. "Be safe Ren. Don't do anything reckless. And most of all call us if you need help." The things sounded more like commands then suggestion. But why did he care? "I'll be careful Ed don't worry." I smiled and the train whistle went off. I let go of Ed's hand and his grip was still on mine. His face looked like he was seeing a friend die right in front of him. The train began to move and his grip slowly released from mine. I smiled and sat back down watching the scenery.
Ed's POV
I watched Ren leave and I felt like my heart my have split just a bit. Why do I have feelings for her? I barely know her. And yet I still long for her. Maybe it's nothing. Yea that's it. I still like Winry. But still three weeks huh. That's how long she'll be gone. Maybe I'll forget her.
I looked back at my brother and smiled. "Come on Al. We should leave."
"Brother you held her hand for a while. Do you like her or something?"
"What! Her! No way I would like her. She's only a friend."
"You were familiar with her when she was crying when she fought Envy."
"Your imagining things Al. But that reminds me. How did she know Envy in the first place? She was mad at him and almost killed him." My voice was full on confusion. Al even thought about it as well. I guess it is weird. I pushed the thought to the back of my head. I walked out of the station. Maybe it was nothing.
Ren's POV
It's been three hours and I began to get fidgety. Then I heard a door open. A little girl was behind it and smiled at me. "Hi."
"Howdy." I gulped and I realized my country twang was back. The girl just smiled. Her hair was black and was in pig tails and braided. Then I saw what looked like a panda. I was confused but ignored my own confusion. "Your Ren right?"
"How do you know me?"
"Your parents were big news. I met your brother before."
"News flash kido their dead."
"Weird. I saw your brother not too long ago. Riki right?"
"Yea that's right."
"He had a message. He said that if you want answers to go to the house in the Ishval."
"Thanks kid. You never told me your name."
"Oh. My name is May Chang. And this is my panda, Show Main." She lifted the little panda. I smiled at it warmly. It blushed and extended his arms to me. I pet it and smiled. "Your so cute. Not to mention the owner"
"Aww aren't you sweet." She smiled and sat in a seat across from me. We talked about Alchahistory and other topics. She knew a lot for one so young. People shouldn't know this type of alchemy at this age. But then again I too learned alchemy around her age.
She dozed off and I felt tiered as well. I felt sleep creeping up on me and soon took over me.
I dreamed of running in a forest. I smiled and laughed. I ran along Ed's side. But something caught my eye. I stopped and Ed stopped to look at me. Everything went dark and I saw a shadow. It whispered coldly "You don't have the guts to know what happened to our parents Ren. You won't take it."
"Hey shut up!" I yelled and it began to attack me. I fought it off with a sword. It used alchemy and I was losing. "Who are you?!"
"I am your brother."
I was in shock and he pinned me to the ground. His hand clapped together and the shadow was relieved. It was Edward!? His auto-mail arm turned to a sword and he had a evil smirk "humph and you thought I actually cared. Give up."
"Never"
"Suit yourself." He was going to kill me. His arm dashed down.
I jolted up clutching my heart. I breathed heavily and I saw I was at the station. I saw that May was still there. I woke her up "Hey May we're at the station."
"Huh. Oh this isn't my stop. Don't worry about me."
"Okay May. Nice meeting you." I said and walked out. I held my suitcase close and scanned the crowed.
-flash back-
Ren was on the phone calling someone. "Hey Venny. I'm coming to Slums... Yes send Paul to come and pick me up... Ok thank you good bye."
-end of flash back-
I saw a tall tan man with slick black hair and dark green eyes. I ran to the man knowing that it was Paul. I smiled "Paul. It's great to see you."
"By golly Ren you've grown. What made you come back?"
"Answers about my family."
"Who's this?" I heard a familiar voice and turned to see May. Wait... WHY WAS MAY OFF THE TRAIN!? "May what are you doing?! Your going to miss the train!"
"I changed my mind. You seem fun. Please Ren." She gave me little puppy dog eyes. So did the panda. I sighed "Fine. Paul this is May. May this is Paul. He's a friend of my father and grandfather and he's half Ishvalen."
"Nice to meet you miss May."
"Good to meet you too."
We went to the car and got into it and drove off. The roads here were bumpy and curvy. May and the panda started and sway in every which direction. I stayed still and watched the scenery. Old memories flowed back. "That's where I practiced my alchemy when I was young." I said pointing at a patch of land that was totally destroyed. May nod then looked at me "Did you cause that?"
"Not all of it. My brother trained me. I love my brother he was alway there for me when I was younger." I felt a tear roll down my cheek. May whipped it from my face and I just smiled "Sorry May."
"It's okay Ren." Her smile was reassuring. I couldn't help but smile. It reminded me of Ed. What was strange was the dream I had. He was about to kill me. Maybe it was nothing. But it bothered me and I couldn't shake that dream. May must have noticed my state I was in and asked "You ok Ren?"
"Huh yea I'm fine. Just thinking."
"We're almost there Ren, May. Hey Ren, Venny has been asking when you would show your face again. The girls missed you too." Paul went on about how everyone milled me and were happy to hear that I was visiting. I was happy to hear that I was missed so much. I couldn't wait to see them.
Once I was home I opened the door and held it open for May. She got out and I closed it and felt four arms hug me. "Who's hugging me?" I said in a joking matter. I heard giggles and turn to see the twins, Darcy and Wendy. They smiled "Welcome back Ren!" The two said in unison. They were much younger than I was. They began to talk to May who they found interesting. I walked to the house and was hugged by a short plumb woman with golden hair and cloudy gray eyes. I smiled "Georgia good to see you."
"Ren. Oh it's always good to see you. I made your favorite tonight."
"Great I'm famished." I walked in and saw four other people. It was my cousins Micky and Harry. And the other two was Venny and Suki, the mother to the twins. I smiled and they came and hugged me. I smiled and Georgia rand the dinner bell and everyone came in.
We ate and talked. I caught up with many of them. Micky spoke "Ren what are you doing now a days."
"Musician. A street performer really. It's good pay. Landed a few gigs and made my living. Since my father and brother was from the military I got mother and I got checks. When the attack happened she hid me and gave me the checks. I haven't even used them yet." The room went silent. I knew I struck a nerve when I mentioned the attack. I quickly changed the subject "This is delicious Georgia. I haven't had a home cooked meal in a while."
"Thank you." Once the tension was relieved I helped wash the dishes and went to set the girls to bed. They had me song them to sleep. I did and they went to sleep and I left quietly. I smiled and I went to the living room where the adults talked. Georgia handed me a cup of tea and May was with them as well. Venny looked at me with his intense look and spoke "Where are you going to find the information?"
"In Ishval. There's a house that my family lived in. Going there might answer some of my questions. If it isn't burned down or something."
"Do you know where it is exactly?" Suki asked. I shook my head and Micky was next to speak "Well that seems useless if you don't know where it is in the desert."
"I'm going to ask around. Some people travel around the land. Some maybe Ishvalen and could tell me." I spoke with confidence. Harry sighed "Well if not then you'll have to check the Desert yourself. That may take days."
"Yes I considered that too. Of course I'll be able to find it sooner or later. I know someone that was supposed to live there." I pulled a photo out of my pocket and showed Venny. The others gathered around and studied the picture. May gasped "I might know him."
"Really May. You know him."
"Yea. I can't remember the name thought. Sorry Ren."
"It's ok May. We'll leave in three days tops. That should give us enough time to kick back and relax."
"Of course Ren. I think that's a good idea." She smiled and I smiled along with her. I yawned and stretched "I should get some rest. Goodnight."
Everyone wished me goodnight and I headed upstairs and went to my bedroom. I took a shower, changed, and brushed my teeth. I feel asleep as soon as my head made contact. I had another nightmare about Ed and he almost killed me. In one he said sorry and looked like he was being forced and was hurting. I couldn't help but wake up and groan from every nightmare. I walked outside and took in the fresh air. I felt the warm wind blow and the smell of cherry trees and pine trees muffled my sense of smell. I hummed and tapped my fingers on the wooded balcony. 'Why do I keep having these dreams? I can't shake the feeling that they must have been signs, but to what I wonder?' My thoughts went on and on and I began to get sleepy again. My mind still raced and even when I fell asleep my mind wouldn't rest. Too many things happened today.
The sun peeked into my room and taunted me that it was time to get up. I refused the warning of the sun and was awakened by two little energetic girls bouncing up and down on my bed. "Get up get up!" They yelled and I started to ask myself why I never get up when the sun tells me. "Okay girls I'm up. Now leave so I can get ready for the day."
The two smiled and left. I sighed knowing that if I fall asleep again that it wouldn't be the twins waking me up.
I took a shower and got dressed. I had on a dark green and black camo shirt and shorts with hiking boots on. I pulled my hair up to a ponytail and walked out. As I did I smelled biscuits, sausage, and gravy. The smell was heavenly. I wished Ed had- wait no I don't forget about him already. He likes Winry not me. I'm not going to think about him.
I went outside after eating and began to train with May. I was a bit rusty, but I was okay. We did this for hours on end and the twins wanted to be taught. We taught them some fighting techniques and other stuff. The two were quick learners and practiced on one another. May and I watched the two and smiled.
I went to a little field, just a little ways up the road, and began to relax. "Hm I don't remember the last time I did this. It's been too long." I talked to myself and then just when I was about to doze off a voice called my name "Ren... come here." I looked around and no one was seen. But I felt a presents from someone, but who?
"Who is it? Show yourself!"
"Ren...come here."
"Come where!?"
"Here." Just then I saw a dark figure at the far end of the field where the desert met the grass. I began to follow it. I know it's a bad idea but I was curious. What was this thing? I began to pick up speed, it quickened as well. Where ever it was taking me? I hope it won't be to meet to my end. I can't shake the feeling that I should just turn and run away, but I can't stop. It's like I'm possessed or something.
I follow it to a house in the middle of a burt down town. I walked inside and saw picture after picture on the ground. "What is this place?"
"Our home." A voice so familiar echoed through the room. I searched for the person and saw my brother sitting in a chair with a book. "Br-Brother."
"Come to this house. And I'll explain everything. Starting with our parents."
"But brother-"
"Hurry I don't have much time!"
He stood up and walked to me. He had a warm smile on his face and his hand touched my cheek. It was warm. He kissed me on the lips and everything went black.
I woke up to the field I was in. Was I asleep? What did my brother want? Oh right to meet him in an old shack. He said it was our house. I don't believe him. It must be a trap. Maybe I should tell May, no, bad idea, I don't need her to be put in danger.
-flashback-
"Be safe Ren. Don't do anything reckless. And most of all call us if you need help."
-end-
'Ed did say if I needed help to just call. I couldn't do that to him. He has his own problems.' I pushed the thought to the secret vault in my mind that was forbidden. I don't need anyone's help. Not now at least.
I walked to the house and Georgia was already starting on dinner. I smiled and took an apple "Hiya Georgia."
"Ren what have I told you about eating food before dinner."
"That it will ruin my appetite. Don't worry I always eat my food." I smiled and she returned it. "Hey Georgia?"
"Yes Ren"
"I'm going to leave a bit earlier."
"How much earlier?"
"Tonight." Once I said that Georgia just stopped and almost dropped the ladle into the soup. She looked at me as if I just told her that I was dying. "Why tonight?"
"It's a secret that I cannot say. Let's just say that it's important for me to leave early. I'm taking May with me."
"Be careful. I'll make you some lunch for the journey."
"Thank you." I bowed in respect and left the room. I went to my bedroom and packed my things. I remembered that Ishval was south east of Resembool. If my memory served me right then Winry lives there with her grandmother and so did Ed and Al.
As I got everything packed I went down stairs and everyone looked sad. I knew why, because I was leaving so early. "Why can't you stay Ren?" Wendy asked. Darcy nod and wanted an answer too. "Well let's just say that the sooner I know about my parents the sooner I can relax. It's difficult to explain. Don't worry I'll be back before you know it. It won't be long." I kissed their heads and smiled at them. I said my goodbyes to the others and made my leave. Georgia packed me and May a big lunch. We grabbed horses and a wagon and road off.
It took three days to get to Resembool. We decided to rest, so I went to Ms. Rockbell's house. As I approached there May said she would meet me at Ishval and that she needed to check something. We said our goodbyes and went in different directions.
