Hero

DUNGDUNGDUNG!

My heart skips a beat as my Miswak slips and hits the floor.

Who's that?

I can't believe my eyes when I see Emily leaning on my car door. Her curls move across her face, softly brushing her cheeks. Click! I capture the moment in my mind.

I open my window.

"Where were you?" she asks, eyes squinting.

"What do you mean?"

"I wanted you to meet everyone."

"Oh, sorry," I stammer. "I thought... you know... that we were saying goodbye."

A soft look appears as she says, "Yes, of course... It doesn't mean we have to say our goodbyes right away."

I raise an eyebrow.

"And guess what."

What would she want me to guess? Does she want something from me? Does she want us to meet those folks together?

"Uh, I don't know." I shrug.

"I found my parents!" she grins.

"Your parents? For real?" My eyes widen. I would never have guessed that.

"Yup."

"Wow! That's great. So, we made the right call."

She smiles. "Guess we did. You want to meet them?"

"You mean... Your parents?"

Meet her parents? Now? That's heavy.

"Hero?" Emily leans in closer.

"Uh, Yeah, of course. But..."

Before I end my sentence, Emily opens my car door and pulls me out, her hand clasped in mine.

We're strolling down the empty streets of Freedom Town, and my heart is pounding hard.

What am I supposed to say? Does she realise she's holding my hand?

I'm mesmerised by Emily's every step as we wander the peaceful streets. Her curls sway gracefully on her back, creating a fluttering sensation in my stomach. I can't control this feeling.

As we get closer to the container park, I see a campfire lighting up the place. People chat and gather around. Three girls playing their guitars, their voices drifting through the night. I catch bits of their lyrics:

"Yeah, I could stay. Take part in the nonsense... Or get out of here."

Get out of here?

Doubt creeps back in.

Should I leave or stay?

Emily lets go of my hand and waves to two figures by the fire. A dark-skinned woman and a white man make their way towards us.

"This is the guy," Emily announces as her parents draw closer, and we exchange handshakes.

"Thank you so much... I'm Sarah. Nice to meet you," her mother introduces herself.

With her slender body and gentle gaze, her Mom gives off a loving and tender vibe. The slight dimple in her chin adds that extra charm.

Emily definitely got it from her.

"David," her father adds.

Her Dad is a slender man with white skin, light brown hair, and a well-groomed beard. He's got a calm energy that relaxes everyone around him.

"Hero, likewise," I reply, mustering a grin.

"How do you like it here?" he asks, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I can only say that I'm surprised."

"Yeah, that's how we felt when we first got here," David says before taking a sip from his iron cup.

"Do you want something too? It's just water," he offers.

"No, thanks... I'm good," I decline, still trying to process the surreal turn of events.

I struggle to find the right words as my thoughts jumble. Talking about Emily in front of her parents doesn't sit well. Maybe I should bring up Flash.

Did he save them, too?

"Did Flash rescue you from the Freaks?" I ask.

"Uh-huh, he did," Sarah confirms. "If it weren't for Flash, we'd be just a pile of bones."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Were they... family?"

Sarah's eyes glisten with tears as she says, "They were like family despite not being related by blood."

Friends who are family. Those words give me solace, so I hold on tight.

"The Flash, what a hero."

"You're pretty amazing yourself."

Emily's father nudges my upper arm and ruffles my buzz cut, reminding me I need to cut it soon.

What did she tell her Dad? I hope she didn't mention my blunders or the kick to her face.

"Totally," Sarah adds. "If you didn't pick up Emily in the desert, we wouldn't be here together right now."

I chuckle, wondering what her parents would think if they knew the truth about our first days together. "Yeah... I guess."

"Again... Thank you."

"No problem," I say.

"Take a seat," her Dad offers.

"You've been travelling with our daughter," David says.

I glance at Emily and look back to David. "Yeah, we've been through a lot."

He nods, then says, "It's a different world out there. Dangerous."

Sarah clears her throat and places a hand on David's arm. He glances at her, his jaw tightening for a moment.

"You've done a lot for Emily, haven't you?" Sarah asks.

I rub the back of my neck. "I-I don't know... I just did what anyone would do."

David's shoulders tense. "Not everyone would have done that. It's a hard road out there. You don't make it without—"

"David." Sarah interrupts. "We should be grateful. Let's just enjoy our time here."

David's jaw twitches, and our eyes meet for an instant. Then he looks at Emily. He sees it—the connection between Emily and me.

"Grateful?" David finally says, his voice low but steady. "He brought her here, but that doesn't erase what could've happened. I need to know—"

"Dad," Emily interrupts, getting in the middle of us. "That's enough. Hero's done more for me than anyone. He's the reason I'm still standing here."

David's lips press together, and his eyes narrow. His hands ball into fists, then relax at his sides.

She turns to face him fully, her stance strong, shoulders squared. "He didn't have to help me, but he did."

David's nostrils flare. His gaze returns to me, lingering momentarily, but he quickly looks away, his shoulders sagging slightly.

He exhales deeply, his head dropping just a little. "I'm not saying he didn't do good. But you... you mean everything to us. I'm your father. I just want to make sure—"

"You always do this..."

I watch Emily and her parents argue a bit. The tension feels almost too familiar. It's the same way my parents used to fight—my father's quiet insistence, my mother's firm but caring corrections. I can almost hear my mom's voice in Sarah's and feel my dad's deep voice vibrate in my chest.

I swallow, the memories flooding back. I miss them. More than I want to admit.

Sarah steps closer to David, her hand finding his arm. "David, please," she says, her voice low, almost pleading. "Don't push her away."

David sighs, his eyes closing for a moment. When he opens them, they're on me again.

"I've seen what happens to families out there, Hero. The world breaks you, bit by bit, if you let it. You did right by Emily. I won't deny that. But out here, keeping people safe isn't enough. Family... it's everything. You protect each other because it's all you've got."

His words hit hard.

He steps back, and for a moment, his face softens. "I'm sorry if I came off harsh. But being a father means never letting your guard down. You look out for the ones you love, no matter what."

Sarah's fingers squeeze his arm, and she nods at me with a small, encouraging smile. "Thank you, Hero. Truly."

I don't know what to say. The words hang in my throat, tangled up with the memories of my parents.

Emily steps forward again, her eyes on me, then her parents. She reaches out and places a hand on her father's arm. "We're okay, Dad. I'm okay. Hero's not someone you have to worry about."

"I'm sorry, Emily. I just—sometimes I forget how strong you've become."

Sarah watches them, her lips curving into a tender smile.

David glances at me again, his expression more relaxed now. "Just... remember what I said, Hero. Love and family—if you have those, you fight for them. You let nothing come between you."

"I won't forget," I say, and this time, it's a promise.

David gives a last nod and steps back, his arm around Sarah, as they walk toward the fire.

Emily stays beside me for a moment longer, her hand brushing mine. "He's always like this. He just needs time."

I look at her, the fire reflecting in her eyes. "I get it. He loves you. That's what matters."

"I guess."

I find a spot on a nearby wall, settling down to watch the dancing flames.

Emily joins me, her hand resting on my shoulder.

Together, we watch people dance and talk. The girls still play songs, and people sit close to them, singing along.

I glance at Emily. "You didn't mention our fights to your parents."

"Yeah, it would destroy our adventurous story."

I chuckle.

"Hah... I thought you would only lie when you wanted to protect someone you loved," I reply, glancing at Emily.

"I guess I also care about you," she says, softly smiling.

I guess she does.

Our eyes meet.

The firelight dances across Emily's face.

Her skin, a soft caramel, shimmers like gold.

I'm lost. Her beauty is off the charts. The way the fire highlights her every curve and line makes my heart race. It's like I'm seeing her for the first time. I can't take my eyes off her.

"What?" Emily asks, bringing me back.

"Oh, nothing."

I want to kiss her.

She leans in closer.

This is it? Will it happen? Does she want it, too?

"Hero, tell me... Where are you from?" David joins in, interjecting our moment.

We both look away from each other.

He and Sarah find a bench across from us.

____

Emily

Did he want to kiss me? If he did... I leaned in, didn't I?

Surprisingly, I'm glad my parents came and interrupted us. It'd be awkward to kiss with them around.

Hero stands up as he continues to talk about our adventures.

You can tell he's nervous because he keeps shifting his weight and playing with his fingers. I chuckle.

Now that I'm back home, I feel a mix of emotions.

I'm beyond thrilled to see my family again. Their presence radiates warmth. But just the thought of Hero leaving scares me. It hurts so bad to think of him leaving.

I'm captivated by him. Can't keep it a secret anymore—I admire him. He's always thinking of others and brings me and everyone else joy. I'm lucky to have him in my life. Yet, beneath it all, fear lurks within me.

What if things take a different turn? What if he stays? These conflicting feelings are tearing me apart. Should I tell him how I feel?

____

Hero

I get this warm, fuzzy feeling whenever I meet Emily's eyes and can't stop grinning.

Her parents always know how to captivate me with their stories and nosy questions about my past. And I have to say that opening up to Emily helped me a lot with opening up to others.

As we finish up our stories, my mind wanders. I daydream about Freedom Town, imagining it as my perfect home, with lush jungles.

Regardless, I have to admit that I'm happy for Emily and myself. There's no need to keep exploring the treacherous 51st state for her parents. Luckily, everyone she cares about is here, all good.

Emily taps me on the shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Hey."

"Yeah."

"Come."

"To do what?"

"I'll show you."

She grabs my hand, and we move away from her parents. The graceful dance of her vibrant red scarf accompanies every step, igniting a longing within me to reach out, hug her, and maybe even steal a kiss.

Should I ask her to turn and... No, what am I even thinking?

We reach the other side of the fire, and then we stop.

"Hey, Hero, I have something to confess," she says, her lower lip caught between her teeth.

"Uh, okay," I say.

"I have to know if you're sticking around," she says, tears welling up in her eyes.

Me? Stay? Here?

I can't even find words to respond to her sweet look and deep question. I'm torn, my heart pounding, tempted to stray from my promise to reach Eden.

"Emily, I don't know. I mean..."

"It's okay," she breathes.

She turns away from me.

Dang it! I should ask her why.

After a few seconds, she turns to me with a smile. "Come on, I'll show you our house."

I'm too late.

She grabs my hand again and leads me to an open green container.

"Cool, huh?" she asks.

This will be her new home.

We go inside, and she shows me around. Black steel walls surround me while two worn leather sofas, riddled with holes, stand in the makeshift living room. Steel shelving separates the space from the kitchen. You'll find a small gas burner on a stool next to a gas bottle. A coffee table, fashioned from a metal plate resting on a car tyre, stands between the benches. At one end of the table, there's a massive, beat-up leather chair. And on the left, an old, damaged dresser with four drawers completes the room.

Emily walks over to the dresser, retrieving a picture of her and her family from the top drawer.

"Here, so you know we're thinking about you," she says, handing me a photo.

I don't even know what to say. Emily still assumes that I'll leave this place.

The sound of the front door creaking open interrupts my thoughts. Her parents join us. We exchange greetings with the Swifter Salute.

"This is great. It's nice to have a home like this."

"Yeah, it's pretty luxurious," Emily's Dad says.

"You may sleep on the couch if you want to," Sarah offers.

"We would love you to stay," David adds.

"How can I refuse?"

"It's settled then," Sarah says.

She walks away for a sec and returns with a blanket and pillow, handing them to me.

"You can sleep on the couch."

I nod. "Thank you."

Together, we make the bed before settling down to learn more about one another. We spent the evening snacking on figs and dates while listening to David and Sarah discuss their travels with Emily.

I mean, I try to listen, but my mind can't focus. I keep thinking about paradise and whether I should invite Emily.

I'm thinking about staying, but I have some doubts.

How much longer can this town survive?

Where will everyone find food, water, and supplies if everyone comes here?

"How do you survive in this city? Is there enough food and water? With more people joining, I wonder how you'll manage," I ask.

"Oh, sorry, I still have more to tell you about Emily and the salamander she found and dried out," David says.

Emily laughs with a hint of sarcasm." Well, you don't have to continue. Maybe answering Hero is more important."

"Apologies for the interruption," I say.

"I understand your concerns, Hero... Everything will be fine. Not everyone will choose to stay, and the appointed leaders of this town envision it as a trading haven. We also have a water well and several greenhouses, which I work in," David reassures me.

"So, you plan on staying here, like forever?" I ask.

"Yes, this is our new home. You're always welcome, Hero," Sarah says.

When I leave, I know where Emily is. That would make it easier to find her again.

"What about you? What will you do?" David asks.

"I prefer to move on. I still have unfinished business in the east," I reply.

Emily makes eye contact this time, offering a clenched half-smile as she chews on a fig.

Our time together is ending.

"Well, it's a pleasure to have a guest like you... Emily's first guest, to be exact," David remarks.

"Guess I am."

"Guess you are," Emily says in a flat tone.

There's an issue, but I won't talk about it with her parents here.

____

Snacking ends.

Emily's parents wish her goodnight, and we salute each other. They go to their room, which is divided from us by a thin steel panel.

I plop down on the couch, thinking about what happened today. I pull out the photo from my back pocket and look at it.

So sweet.

Leaning casually on the worn leather chair, Emily remarks, "I was so young in that picture."

Indeed, she looks much younger.

"How old were you?" I ask.

"About eight."

"That's so cute," I reply. "It reminds me of the children we met at the camp. Have you received any updates about them?"

Emily shakes her head, her brown curls bouncing.

I bite my upper lip inward.

"Let's hope they'll be okay," she says.

I nod in agreement.

Bearded man, you better have kept your promise.

Emily yawns and stretches her arms. "Wow, it's getting late."

"Wait, hold on... You wanted to tell me something, didn't you?" I ask, fighting back a yawn.

"Oh yeah, I did... Nah, just forget it. It's not that important," she replies, smiling.

"Okay, then I have a question for you."

"Yeah, go ahead." Emily's eyes widen..

"Suppose I decide to stay, what-"

"Then I'll kick you east after all," Emily interjects with a smirk.

"I bet you would," I say, forcing a weak smile and sighing through my nose.

Would she, though? Just ask her. Don't be such a wuss!

She pops out of her chair and heads toward her room. "Good night."

"Emily, wait."

She pauses, turns around, and lets her hair flow down her back. I snap a mental photo in my mind.

"Yes?"

"Come with me?"

OMG, I asked her.

She freezes while a hand moves to her heart.

Will she come with me? It seems like it.

"Sleep well, Hero," she says, then turns around and disappears into her room.

No answer? I know the answer. She'll stay.

What was I thinking?

I move to bed, tuck myself under the blanket, and gaze at the ceiling. Then, there's a click from behind the thin plate, and her parent's room darkens.

They overheard our conversation. I hope I haven't made them hate me.

I'll apologise to them tomorrow.

____

Emily

I lay in bed, looking up at the white ceiling. The weight of Hero's words press upon me. They won't stop racing in my mind, bouncing from ear to ear.

He's a total idiot for suggesting that. Why would I abandon my parents, the very foundation of my world? How could I survive in this unforgiving realm without the safety of these walls?

But honestly, it's incredible how far we've come with just the two of us. And he was all by himself before I came along. His ability to handle things himself has brought him here.

My heart is pounding so hard, it hurts.

What if I asked him to stay? Would it ruin his dreams if I asked him to stay with me? Is it selfish of me to ask him that?

I really need to summon the courage to face him and untangle my thoughts, but fear takes over, choking my voice.

If only he could get a glimpse of what's going on in my mind.

Tears trace a delicate path down my temples. I don't bother wiping them away, just letting them blend in with all the emotions going on inside. I'm torn, and I can't make up my mind.

My eyelids are getting heavy, and I feel so worn out. I try to forget about Hero, but I'm too tired and fall asleep, hoping my dreams will give me peace.