Everything's Not Lost

Chapter.7 – Across The River

Mustang looked up at the grey skies. Three black crows flew overhead, gliding across the air, going southward. Mustang sighed, wiping his head. Himself and Finn were standing at a small wooden dock by a fairly wide river.

'So where is this boat, ferry thing?' asked Mustang testily. Finn looked at him oddly before finally catching on.

'Oh yeah… I'm not sure what's going on, it's usually here by this time.'

Mustang groaned, tapping his foot impatiently. He looked up, hearing the sound of a small motor. Slowly coming towards them was a small boat with a motor hanging off of the back. An old man was riding at the front, his hair blowing behind him. Behind him at the motor, was a young woman with light brown hair. She had an almost bored expression on her face. Mustang blushed for a moment.

'Just you two?' asked the old man.

'If you don't mind,' said Finn 'We're just looking to get down to the cove,'

'Bit of a far journey… you got enough?'

Finn reached into his pockets, taking out some crumpled notes. He handed them over to the old man who looked at the notes and held them up to the light. He grinned a satisfied grin before turning to Finn and Mustang again.

'Right, Miranda here will take you up, just make sure not to get spotted by the military'

Mustang glanced to the side for a brief moment, feeling a momentary rush of panic. He watched as the old man clambered out of the small boat, guiding Mustang and Finn into it. Mustang tried to sit at the front of the boat, but was shoved over by Finn to the back of the boat. Mustang found himself sitting in the middle of the boat, right in front of Miranda. He blushed again as Miranda started up the motor, turning the boat around and down the river. Mustang averted his gaze towards the passing scenery. Tall trees were scattered all along the riverbed, some stretching incredibly high up. There was a lack of leaves upon nearly every tree, and any tree with leaves had only a few red and brown leaves. The grey sky made matters worse, giving everything a seemingly more ominous feel. Miranda seemed to sense Mustang's discomfort.

'Something wrong?' she asked. Mustang turned to her. She had bright blue eyes, and a thin set of lips. Mustang turned away.

'No, there is not,' he said, almost harshly. Miranda giggled.

'What's so funny?' he asked.

'You just seem so uptight, can't you relax or something?'

Mustang considered the remark, finding it fairly insulting.

'You hardly know me… and anyway, there's a lot on my mind…'

'Well why not let me help?' asked Miranda. Mustang turned to her.

'What do you mean by that?'

'I'm sure I can find a way to loosen you up,' she said, winking.

Mustang went red, before turning his head away. He felt Finn nudge him. He turned to him, looking at the grin in his face.

'You shut up…' he said to Finn. Finn and Miranda both laughed. Mustang sighed, turning his head away again. There was a sudden sound of gunfire, and everyone on the boat ducked.

'Keep down!' shouted Mustang. The gunfire continued, and Mustang could feel the splatter of water, as the bullets got closer to the boat.

'Whose firing at us?' asked Finn

'Military, they must have spotted us,' answered Mustang. The gunfire stopped, and Mustang peered out from behind the boat. On the riverbed were the 4 military soldiers he had seen the other day. The one with brown hair and a beard was pointing to the boat, as the others were firing at it.

'Damn it!' shouted Mustang. Some shots hit the boat, blasting holes into the sides of the boat. 'Jump, now!' he shouted. Mustang reached his hand over, flipping the boat over, the bullets still raging around them. Mustang found himself submersed in muddy river-water. He looked around, finding Finn swimming towards the shore. He looked around for Miranda, finding her slowly sinking. Mustang swam down, grabbing her and pulling her towards Finn. He kicked his legs, struggling to swim across to the shore. Mustang turned upwards, blasting through the surface and breathing in deep breaths of air. He spotted the guards taking aim, and Mustang immediately ducked, swimming with all his might away from the soldiers. In the muddy water he could see the shots blasting through the water. One shot clipped his arm, forcing him to let go of Miranda. Mustang, struggling for breath, reached out and grabbed her with his other hand, kicking his legs again towards the surface. He broke the surface again, looking around desperately for Finn. He spotted him on the riverbed, reaching out to help him. Mustang swam over as quickly as possible, hearing the sound of the soldiers running over to get better aim. He pulled Miranda over, giving her to Finn. Finn picked her up in his arms, running into the forest. Mustang grabbed the side of the river, hauling himself out of the water, his wet clothes weighing him down. He clambered up the side of the riverbed, dragging himself up the side. He glanced around for a brief moment, looking at the 4 soldiers as they tried to take aim. Mustang dived behind a tree as gunshots were fired again. Mustang took a deep breath before running after Finn. Behind him, he could hear the guards swearing as he got away. After no time at all, he caught up with Finn, who was struggling to run and support the weight of Miranda.

'How is she?' asked Mustang, panting as he ran.

'Hurt, one of the bullet hit her,'

Mustang swore as he stopped Finn. He took Miranda, laying her on the floor. She had been knocked unconscious by a stray bullet that clipped her forehead. Mustang, still panting for breath, looked down, spotting the wound in her chest.

'Shit,' he swore, swiping his forehead. He placed his hand on her chest, feeling her slowing heartbeat.

'Damn it, help me!' he shouted to Finn.

'How?' he asked dumbly.

'Just help!' he shouted, 'She's dieing!'

Mustang placed both of his hands on her chest, pushing down, trying to get her heart started. Nothing was happening, and tears were forming in Mustang's eyes.

'Damn it! I cannot let another innocent person die!'

Finn watched as Mustang continued his impossible task. Unable to watch, he turned his head, as Mustang swore and shouted obscenities.

'Damn! Damn, damn, damn!' he shouted, pounding the hard ground. Finn walked over, resting his hand on his shoulder.

'I'm sorry…'

Mustang said nothing, but instead got onto his feet, and walked away. Finn rushed after him, walking in silence behind him.