The Search Of A Gulity Woman

- Chapter 8

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Cyrus woke up the next morning to the wretched sound of his alarm clock. Tossed around in his bed, uncomfortable with the ringing sound drilling it's way through his ears. Giving up on trying to block the sound out, he turned towards the clock, turned it off, and turned his gaze towards the numbers. 7:30am it read. Cyrus sighed and slowly sat up in his bed. He flung the sheets of his body, letting the cool air sting his warm skin for a second before adjusting to the temperature. He slowly dragged himself towards the window, and with one tug, opened the curtains. He let the dazzling sun embrace him in a warm blanket of light as he stretched out his arms and lower back, while slowly inhaling the sweet smell of morning. Even the sound of that wretched alarm clock couldn't ruin this day.

He felt rejuvenated in some ways, and he wasn't quite sure why. Maybe it was because he was able to see his relatives the other day for the first time in three years, or it could be the fact that he was able to have some personal talk time with his cousin last night, or maybe it was just simply the fresh scent of lemon and pine that filled the room. Whatever it was he was determined to hold onto that feeling for the whole day.

He turned from the window and slowly made his way to the black suitcase that was lying on the floor, clothes neatly folded inside along with his other necessities. He smiled proudly at the beautifully organized bag. He quickly grabbed some jeans and a dull orange v neck, and quickly got dressed. He was grabbing everything that was his in the room and neatly placed it inside the bag when he heard a gentle knocking emanating from the door.

"Cyrus, Are you up?" A sweet voice came from the other side and Cyrus new immediately who it was.

"Yes mother, I'm just packing up some things real quick."

"Oh alright, why don't you come out for breakfast as soon as you're done."

"Alright, just give me a second."

And with that Winry left the door and went to finish preparing the food. Cyrus quickly, but neatly, finished putting all of his stuff away, which to be honest wasn't that much. He picked up his suitcase, opened the door, and headed into the kitchen/living room. He was greeted by the fresh smell of bacon and biscuits. He placed his suitcase down on the couch and headed over to the table and sat down next to his father, who was quietly drinking his morning coffee.

"Good morning father." Cyrus said, acknowledging his dad.

"Good morning son."

"So, where's Hadley?" He asked, his eyes browsing the suite for his baby sister. "She is still packing up her things." Winry replied while placing two big plates on the table. One containg bacon strips & eggs, and the other containg biscuits. She then proceeded to place a container of butter next to the plates, along with a butter knife.

"Sweetheart, can you be a dear and go fetch your sister?" Winry asked, taking her place next to Ed.

Cyrus rose from his chair and swiftly made his way to his sister's room.

"Hey Hadley, breakfast is ready." He announced knocking on the door a couple times. He waited for a response, and when he didn't get one he reached for the door knob, but before he could open the door, it had already been flung opened by his sister. She stood in the door way wearing short jeans, and a pink T-shirt, while carrying her own suitcase.

"Breakfast is ready." He said, stepping away from the door so to give her a little space.

"Awesome, let me just put my stuff down."

With that they proceeded to make their way to the living room/kitchen. Hadley put down her bag on the couch next to her brother's bag, and then joined the rest of her family for breakfast.

As the family ate Hadley began to tell them about what had happened in the diner the other night.

"So the girl holds out her hand for Cyrus to shake, and what happens next was totally…"

"Normal!" Cyrus exclaimed, butting into Hadley's conversation. Hadley looked over to her brother, a little confused at his outburst. He gave her a look that said 'they don't need to know'. Luckily Hadley understood, and being the loyal sister she was, took her brother's side. "I wouldn't exactly call being sprayed with ketchup normal, Cyrus."

"Ketchup?" Winry asked, a little concerned. "But you were perfectly clean when you came home."

"Oh no, it wasn't Cyrus that got sprayed. It was the other girl. Charlotte was trying to unclog a ketchup bottle, and the whole thing just exploded all over her." Hadley quickly replied with another lie.

Winry and Edward just looked at their children a little baffled at the story. "Oh the poor girl, was she fine?" Winry asked, completely buying it.

"Oh yeah, she was fine. She just went home to get a change of clothes. Nothing horrible happened."

Cyrus sighed in relief, thinking back on what Ting had told him the other night. She had told him to keep the whole thing to himself until she could talk with her father, and hopefully try to figure this whole thing out. He was just lucky that Hadley was able to quickly come up with a believable lie. Boy was he lucky to have such a loyal and understanding sister.

As soon as they finished up their food they cleaned everything up and packed up some last minute things. They grabbed their bags and headed next door to where Alphonse and his family was. After everyone was gathered they headed down to the train station, well everyone except for Ting and the emperor. They still had some business to take care of before they could leave. So they would be catching a later train.

Cyrus felt more at ease now that he knew Hadley wasn't going to go and blab about everything that happened that night. They all boarded the train and found two empty compartments and settled down for the long ride home. It was right at that moment when he remembered something very crucial about that night. Xaioli had been there with them the entire time. What if he had told his mom or dad. Cyrus peeked over to the next compartment and found Xaio staring out a window with his elbow perched on the windowsill and his chin resting in the palm of his hand. He looked utterly bored out of his mind. That of course didn't really surprise him.

Nothing seemed out of place, and his aunt and uncle were happily conversing with his cousin Sue. Cyrus could safely assume that Xaioli hadn't said a thing about the diner. Typical Xaio, shutting everyone out from his life. Of course he hadn't told his parents. Xaio wasn't that kind of person. He would rather jump of a cliff then sit down and have a meaningful conversation with his family. He never talked to anybody, and when he did nothing pleasant came out.

Usually Cyrus would be against his silent demeanor. He would try to talk to him or attempt to get him to open up a bit. He knew it wasn't healthy to shut yourself up like that, and he didn't want his cousin to be some sort of social outcast, but every time Cyrus would approach him or try to say anything, He would simply wave his hand in his face and say "I hate you." Yes, those were the exact words that he would use. I kind of hurt at first, but Cyrus eventually grew accustomed to it. Of course that still didn't make it any easier.

Cyrus was never quite sure why his cousin hated him, but he had been told that it had something to do with the fact that he bore a deep resemblance to his father. Although that didn't really make any sense to him.

All Cyrus knew was that Xaioli was a very negative and angry person. Which Cyrus knew was a very bad and unhealthy way to live. Then again, Xaio seemed to like it this way.

This time however, Cyrus was glad that he had kept his mouth shut. It would be bad if everyone started to rise up in panic and confusion. But what did he have to worry about, really? He knew how dependable and smart Ting was. Surly she would make sure that panic was not necessary. Then again it's not like she was superman.

Cyrus sighed deeply and slumped back in his seat. There was no use in worrying about it now. So he just relaxed and slowly drifted off into a soft slumber.

The train finally came to a stop after what seemed like forever. They had all been on that train for seven hours and everyone was exhausted, but it was only 4:00pm in the afternoon.

They gathered their stuff and stepped onto the train station platform. Cyrus stretched out his arms and took in a deep breath, inhaling that sweet smell of spring in Resembool. Home sweet home, Cyrus thought as they headed down the dirt trail.