Chapter.13 – Coming Home
Roy stumbled across the fields, feeling weak and tired. It had been three days since he last had something to eat and he was feeling weaker and weaker each day. He knew he was getting closer though the more he walked along the river, but the further he went, the more paranoid he became that the guards might be there behind him, closing in on him.
It had started to snow in the past recent days, and every night when Roy went to sleep, he woke up to find himself submerged deeper and deeper in the snow. He'd luckily been able to find two pieces of flint, which when rubbed together created sparks. Roy had used his alchemy skills to turn the small sparks into a roaring fire, and he spent those nights sleeping in the warmth of his own creation.
On this day, he'd been walking for 3 hours since he had woken up, and he found himself stumbling down the rocky side of the river that had since frozen up due to the cold weather. Roy wandered to the river, scratching an alchemy symbol into the ground, and rubbing his flint together, he created a fire, which melted a portion of the ice. He dipped his hands into the water, bringing it to his mouth and drinking from it. The cold water seemed to revive him, but without food he was still feeling weak. He yawned and stretched his arms, feeling tired from walking. He rubbed the back of his neck where he felt the bumps of scabs. In a flash, the memories came back as he remembered his wound. He poked at the scab, which wasn't hurting anymore, and he quickly realised that his neck wound had healed up perfectly. He smiled to himself for the first time in weeks, but stop as his stomach lurched from hunger. He looked around, desperately searching for something to eat when he realised something important. He'd been down this river before… The river led directly to Risemboul, which meant he was nearly there! Forgetting all his fatigue, Roy set off into a brisk run, rushing down the riverside and towards the river's end, which would ultimately be Risemboul. He ran and ran, panting for breath as the trees and snow rushed past him in a flurry of colours. He'd nearly made it; he'd nearly made it back to Risemboul!
Suddenly, the river turned gradually to the right, and Roy stopped as he looked out ahead, spotting the large fields of Risemboul. He could see his house in the distance, and a small wisp of smoke coming out from the Rockbell house. He deduced that Riza would most probably be staying at the Rockbell house, and he slowly wandered over towards Risemboul. He quickly found himself on the dirt paths, all of which he knew his way around. All around him were fields of snow, some of which had footprints engraved into them, and others that didn't. There was nobody around, which was unsurprising considering how cold it was outside. Roy's heart started racing as he came closer to the Rockbell's house. He could see it ahead in the distance, looming up as he came nearer and nearer to it. Soon enough, he was at the gate of the house, and with nervous anticipation, he approached the house slowly. He stepped up onto the porch, and held out his hand to knock on the door when a gust of wind slowly opened it for him. He stepped inside, looking around for any signs of life. He couldn't see any, and he wandered around the house, finding some scrap metal on the table. He picked up one piece, inspecting it when he heard a clatter behind him. He turned around and saw no one there and then stepped away from the table, wandering around it instead. He then heard the cocking of a gun, and froze still. The guards had followed him inside.
"Don't move," came a voice. It was female. Roy's heart froze as he instantly realised who it was. "I've got a clear shot at your head, and I am unlikely to miss,"
Roy grinned. He knew she was unable to miss. Out of all the soldiers he knew, she was the best shot.
"I'm fully aware of your skills Miss Hawkeye," Roy said slowly.
"It's Mrs Mustang…" Riza said. With that, Roy slowly turned around, and saw Riza standing there pointing a long shotgun at him. Her eyes widened upon seeing him, and she slowly pointed the gun away from him.
"Roy…?" she muttered, "Roy?"
She then dropped the gun, running into Roy's arms.
"Oh Roy!" she sobbed, burying herself into him, "Oh God… You're alive, you're alive!" She looked up, looking into Roy's eyes as she kissed him. All of her anxieties and worries disappeared in a flash as she stood there in Roy's arms.
"Riza…" he began to say, when he suddenly fell in a heap on the ground, and his vision blurred out again…