Riza ran for hours. She had lost track of where she had been. Somehow her body finally steered her back to her home. She slowed, wary in case Roy was still there.
The thought of him brought tears to her eyes, and an ache to her heart. She walked around her home and was sure that he was gone.
Riza was now just completely exhausted. She plodded up the porch stairs and into her house. She left wet paw prints all the way up her stairs across her floor and up to her bed. Her hands, feet, arms and legs were covered with mud. She stopped in front of her bed then she slipped into it regardless of the mud on her body. Sleep called her now, and she knew when she woke up she would be terribly hungry. She did remember how to care for her body.
Riza woke up in a cell. She felt so claustrophobic. She felt so hungry. Then she looked to her afflicted body. Her eyes widened in alarm.
A deafening roar sounded through the hidden complex.
"Our girl is awake." The officer said dropping his cigarette to the ground. "Let's go see how she feels." He turned to walk into the complex.
Hawkeye was cowered in a corner sobbing. Then she heard the door open to where the cells were kept. Then that vile officer showed his face to her.
Riza growled and leapt at the officer, slamming her body against the bars. "What did you do to me!" She asked in a half snarl.
"My dear, you are a product of a new emerging science. Little alchemy is involved. We can create new hybrids like you to fight in the military. You being the first successful one, you will be their leader. It is done by mixing bloods dear, and then the alchemists bind it to your body creating a beautiful specimen."
Hawkeye's ears remained pinned backwards in anger and her lips remained curled in a snarl.
"Ahhh….You're just grumpy still. Feed her then give her some medicine for pain." He ordered, and then he nonchalantly walked away from the cage.
She watched him walk away. Then her fatigue finally hit her. She walked back and sat on the cot they provided her with. Her hands covered her face as she tried to think everything through.
The lesser officials brought out a tray of food. Mostly meats and they brought her some cooked potatoes, a small loaf of bread and a pitcher of water. They opened a door and kept a rifle pointed at her as a female official brought in the tray and set it close to Riza. Then they stepped out. The meat was cooked and the smell appealed to her now carnivorous nature. She picked up the tray when she was sure that no one was watching her and she began to eat her fill.
The tray was empty and set next to the door for them to pick-up. She laid on the cot and still tried to think everything through. She felt power surge through her body. She flexed her hands and arms. Her senses were heightened. She could hear the rats scratching through the wall and the very breath of the guard at the end of the hallway. She could smell his cheap cologne. Riza turned over and tried to sleep on the cot that was too small for her larger body.
Riza woke up late in the day. It was about maybe two in the afternoon. As she guessed, her stomach growled loudly. She yawned and stretched. She had also returned to her normal human form while she was asleep.
Riza hadn't slept that well in a long time. She walked to her kitchen and began making herself a late breakfast and a cup of coffee. Her body needed to restore her proteins and all the carbs she used up the night before. She cooked herself some steak and eggs.
Her clean plate still sat in front of her. Riza was still working her second cup of coffee. She couldn't even begin to think of what to tell Roy. She could always tell him the truth, but that seemed almost of the question. He wouldn't understand. Roy even might reject her and send her away to be studied at Central.
Think of those various options just brought a lump of emotions to her.
Black Hayate pawed at her. He whimpered.
"It'll be okay," she said and patted him on the head.
Hawkeye returned to the military base bright and early the next day. She also wanted to turn tail and run away at the same time.
"Good morning, Hawkeye," Roy greeted her.
She was surprised. "Good morning, sir." She replied after a delay for thought.
"I trust you are feeling better?" He asked nonchalantly, turning his eyes away.
"Yes sir," Riza replied again sheepishly. He definitely saw me…
"Good, well then, let's get back to work then," he said, keeping his eyes averted to a report.
Riza watched him. He was definitely upset with her. "Right, sir," she said quietly and took her seat at her desk.
The day passed by slowly and in an awkward silence between the two.
Finally, it was time to go. The sun was setting. Riza began to pick up her things and leave, but Roy stopped her.
"Riza…About the other night…" Roy started.
That was the absolute last thing that Riza wanted to talk about. "Nothing….You saw nothing." She replied coldly.
"No, I saw something," he said. He grabbed Hawkeye by the shoulders. "Was it you?" Roy had a stern, but concerned look in his eyes.
Riza didn't want to answer. She averted her eyes from his gaze.
Thankfully, the door opened to their office. "Sir?" Fury asked sticking his head inside. Roy immediately broke his hold on Riza, and turned to face him.
Fury saluted. "Sorry, sir, and lieutenant. I just…"
Riza saw her chance. She bolted out the open door with her things.