What Lurks Beneath

Twelve

Roy crouched along a dry riverbed, trying to discern tracks in the dirt. Alphonse was just ahead of him sitting in the shade, holding their bags that were full of canteens had food and extra glows for the Colonel in case the material became too dirty to produce a spark. Alphonse hadn’t once complained to Roy about the long walks and day trips since Roy had confessed to having a crush on Ed. Even Roy still felt a little embarrassed about admitting his secret to the younger Elric. But they couldn’t allow that to throw them. They were still looking for Raymond and a way into the mine to rescue Edward.

“Colonel,” Riza called as she stepped down toward the black-haired alchemist. “We’ve managed to make a small hole in the entrance of the mine. From what we can see, Edward isn’t there.”

“What do you mean, Brother isn’t there?” Alphonse asked, feeling his voice drop an octave in worry.

Riza looked over at the younger Elric. “It seems he went deeper into the cave, presumably to look for water. He shouldn’t be far.”

Roy chuckled. “Never assume when it comes to Fullmetal. He’s probably making his way out as we speak.”

Riza looked at the Colonel and nodded slightly. “There hasn’t been a sighting of Goetz either.”

“I’m not surprised.” Roy muttered as he rose. “He’s around, though. He wouldn’t go far, and even if he went all the way to Eastern he’d come all the way back because I wasn’t there.”

“Colonel, I don’t like this.” Riza said. “You shouldn’t be out here acting like bait. Raymond is dangerous.”

“Simply by being who we are, we’re all dangerous, Lieutenant.” Roy told her. “Besides, I have Alphonse. Raymond underestimates me and him.”

Alphonse nodded when Riza looked toward him. “Raymond needs to draw alchemical circles. He doesn’t have them on his body like the Colonel, and he can’t circulate the energy through his body like my brother.”

“What are you saying?”

“Alphonse will be able to recognize the transmutation circles.” Roy said. “If you’re really that worried, keep a small, covert detail on our six. Raymond wants me. As long as he believes the Elrics are trapped in the mine, he’ll make a target of himself.”

Riza frowned. “I don’t like it.”

“You’re not supposed to like it.” Roy said. “Just do it.”

Riza Hawkeye saluted the Colonel then looked at Alphonse. “Keep an eye on that idiot.”

“I’ll do my best, Lieutenant.” Alphonse told the blonde woman.

“I’ll expect you in Cantos by dusk, Colonel Mustang.” Riza ordered. Roy gave her a half-smile. Riza frowned at him, but nodded and turned on her heel to head back toward the town, shouting at some poor officer to help the townspeople with their mine.

“Colonel?” Alphonse asked. “Do you really think Raymond is still around?”

“Of course he is.” Roy answered. “He’s still around because he wants me to suffer. He won’t try for Riza or the rest of them because of the townspeople. They still like him. He wants me to suffer to he’ll attack you and your brother. He’ll hurt you to hurt me.”

“So why haven’t we found him? If we did, we could force him to help us save Ed!”

“If we found him, Alphonse, I think I’d end up killing him.” Roy answered. His dark eyes met Alphonse’s. “I promise you, thought, I won’t let him hurt you or Edward.”

Alphonse blinked and smiled. “I know. Raymond certainly has it coming, doesn’t he?”

Roy smiled and moved down into the dry riverbed.