Can't Let Go

He was there. He was right there... My own brother, but he doesn't know about me. Not yet. I have to get in closer. And to do that I have to become a State Alchemist. I look down at my hands, my left arm up to my elbow is automail. My right hand is still human. I was so stupid to think I could bring back a father who I barely knew. I had only seen pictures, and yet somehow I thought I could bring him back. Too bad whatever I created wasn't him. Human Transmutation the one taboo we alchemists should never try. If I ever achieve my goal of becoming a State Alchemist no one can know.

"Colonel!!! Excuse me!! Colonel wait!!" A boy with a blond braid pushed past me, and then a giant suit of armor was right behind him. The suit of armor turned to me and said, "Sorry about my brother," and turns to chase after his... brother? I see a man turn and face them. That's him, that's my brother. He has unkempt black hair that falls slightly in his face, and cold black eyes when he looks at the boy. My brother... I seize this chance to chase after him. I walk towards them, and see their mouthes moving but I can't hear anything over the train. Then they all board the train that goes to the east. I get on the train and sit a few rows behind them. Now I just wait.

~~~

We arrived in East City a little after 6 o'clock. I follow them off the train and stay 30 paces behind them. Then all of a sudden the blonde woman with my brother stops. I see her whisper something in his ear, and then walks straight towards me. I panic and run. I run down an alley way and she chases me. Then I hear a gun shot and I fall to the ground. Damn, she hit me in the back of my right calf. I think to myself. I turn over and when I start to do some of my alchemy she's standing right over me. "Who are you and why are you following us?" The woman has a cold hard voice, as if she's trying to show that she's in charge now.

"I'm trying to formally meet my brother." I my words filled with hatred. This woman has pissed me off now. She looks me up and down, I haven't a clue what she's doing. "Who is your brother?" I pulled out a picture of him. He must've been 12 in it. My Aunt Chris, the woman who took my brother in, found me and gave it to me. Along with a picture of him now. That's how I knew that man was my brother. She's told me that we are brother and sister, but I'm not sure how. His parents died when he was young. But apparently his dad, my dad didn't die with my brother's mom. Aunt Chris told me that my dad left his first wife. They just told my brother that he died. So we're half siblings, I guess.

"Here. It's an old picture of him. And if that won't do, here's a newer one." I handed her both pictures. I managed to use my jacket to stop the bleeding in my leg. I need to get to a doctor soon. I hear the woman gasp and she looks at me. "Are you sure this is your brother?" I nod my head, and then she helps me up. "I'm taking to the hospital first and then I'll take you to see him. If you're telling the truth that is. What's your name?" I looked down at the pavement under my feet and then look at the woman. "My name is Amelia Mustang. My mother wanted me to have my dad's last name. The man at the train station earlier, he's your Colonel isn't he?"

"Yeah, he's the Colonel at Eastern Command. I'm Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, but you can call me Riza." I nodded at her words and by the time we had finished this conversation we arrived at the hospital.

~~~

After spending 3 days in the hospital I was able to leave. Riza had come to see me everyday after she left work, and repeatedly told me she was sorry for shooting me. I brushed it off and told her it's her job to shoot people and protect my brother. When I walked out of the hospital I was told to get in the car that Riza had brought. "Riza... Will he like me?" That same question had been playing through my mind the past 3 days. I pulled my mid-back dark brown hair into a low ponytail and sighed. "I'm sure he will. It might take him awhile to come around, but I'm sure he'll like you. One question, what were you fixing to do after I shot you in the alley?" I laughed at her question and with a smile I replied, "I was going to use Alchemy. It's what Alchemist's do."