Page 83 of Feel It All

We decide to split. I go in the front and Owen goes around the back. I turn the knob silently, and praise the lord, it opens. I keep my head on a swivel looking for both Winry and Flynn.

I round the corner into the living room, and I was wrong when I said my worst nightmare was finding Flynn on top of her a couple of months ago. This is my worst nightmare.

“Look who joined the party.” Flynn holds a beat up Winry and is pointing a gun to her head.

“Flynn, let her go.” I aim my gun at him, but there is no way I will shoot with Winry in the way, and he knows that.

“No, sorry. I won’t be doing that.”

Winry looks like she is fading in and out. Her cheeks are swollen and bruised, and her lip is busted. “Winry, stay with me, baby. Everything is going to be okay.”

“Graham…” she whimpers, and my heart explodes.

“Oh, I hate to disappoint, but we are leaving now, and Winry is coming with me,” Flynn tightens his grip around her neck and she winces.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Owen at the back window, but thankfully Flynn hasn’t noticed him yet. Owen motions for me to keep him talking and disappears back around the house.

“Flynn, let’s talk about this.”

“No, I’ll talk, and you will listen. I am taking Winry with me, and you will never see her again. She will forever be mine to do whatever I please with, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” He looks at her like she is his prize.

“Please, please, just let her go. I will let you get on your plane to wherever you want, but please let her go.” I need to keep him talking, I can’t let them leave this house.

“Ha. You seriously expect me to believe that you are just going to let me go. I can see it in your eyes that you are dying to pull the trigger. Matter of fact, why don’t you go ahead and drop your weapon. Come on.”

Flynn motions for me to drop it, and when I don’t, he pushes the barrel of his gun to Winry’s head. Tears stream down her face. “Flynn, please don’t do this.”

“Shut up. Drop it now,” he demands.

“Okay, okay.” I hold up my hands, taking my weapon off him. Flynn smiles and takes his gun off Winry and points it at me.

“Flynn, no, please!” Winry cries and struggles against him.

Owen finally sneaks in. How he got in I don’t know or care.

“Flynn let her go and put your hands up slowly.” Owen has his gun pointed to the back of his head.

Defeat and anger cross his face, and he is contemplating all of his options. Time stands fucking still, and I hold my breath until he finally lets go of Winry and she races into my arms. I want to embrace her fully, but I can’t, not yet. Flynn may have his hands in the air, but we haven’t disarmed him yet.

I hold Winry tight with one hand and keep the other one steady on Flynn while Owen disarms and cuffs him. As soon as the cuffs are on, I holster my gun and wrap my arms around Winry.

Sirens wail in the distance. “I’m going to get him in a car.” I nod and Owen walks him out.

“Here let me cut those ties.” I pull out my pocketknife and cut her hands free.

“Graham, I’m so sorry,” Winry cries.

“Hey, listen to me. You have nothing to be sorry for, baby.” Tears threaten my eyes just looking at the pain in hers.

“Yes, I do,” she sniffles.

“Let’s talk about it later, okay?” I pull her back in my arms. “Right now, I just want to hold you.” I kiss the top of her head.

“Okay.” Her grip tightens around my waist as her tears fall.

We stay there for a moment, but it doesn’t last long because Chief runs in hollering for Winry.

“Dad.” She leaves my arms to run into his.

---