Chapter 6

That girl just slept for six hours before she awoke. When she came to, she saw a little boy standing over her smiling, holding a stick. No, don't ask. She scuttled over to the side of the couch, obviously in fear.

"Shh, shh. It's okay," said Fletcher. "We won't hurt you."

Russell was sitting in a chair nearby, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. They were planning to do something real lewd-like. Fletcher heard footsteps coming, so he threw the stock outside. Hawkeye came in.

"Well, looks like you came to, sweetheart. You were out for six hours."

The girl looked outside. It was still pretty dark, but soon the sun would rise, signaling the morning.

"You must be starving. Come eat some food."

She got out a dish of some of that good-eatins', which the girl scarfed down like a ravenous beast.

"Whoa, slow down. Don't choke now!" said Hawkeye with a laugh. We'll have to bury you in the desert, Russell thought. He had a shovel waiting.

Suddenly, the girl came to a stark realization.

"You Hawkeye Jane, ain't you?"

"The one and only."

Maes ran in when we heard that, and pointed to himself in triumph. It was met by a blank stare.

"God, why can't anyone remember my name?"

Hawkeye just ignored him.

"What's you're name?" asked little Fletcher.

"Ma' name is Winry. Winry Rockbell. I've been walking in the desert for near two days now."

From now on, just think of her with a Southern accent. Twangy!

"But why?" asked Maes.

"You got to help me. Ma' family, ma' town, everybody's in danger!"

"What kind of danger?" asked Riza.

But before Winry could answer, Maes pulled her over to the side, for a little privacy. He started to whisper.

"C'mon now, Hawkeye. We don't have time to rescue her. We have an assignment to get to."

"We can't just leave the girl out in the cold, Hughes. We have to help her. We'll knock this off real quick."

"It might be too late by then! We can drop her off at a post station or something. Right now, we have to get to that red glowing mine!"

"What mine?" asked Winry.

Idiot Maes raised his voice too loud that time. She had heard everything.

"Nothing, nothing. You heard nothing. Just ignore that."

"I know about that mine. They force us to work there, the whole town. Even the children."

"Can you take us there?" asked Hawkeye.

"First, you help ma' town."

"Fine. We'll help you first. Russell, get the equipment. Fletcher, saddle up the horses. We're riding out."

Maes jumped up and clicked his heels.