Hero

The Swifters' cheers fill the air and make their way into my car. I open my window.

"Hero! Hero! Hero!" they chant.

Emily doesn't give a damn about the cheers. She's just staring off into space with no emotions or words.

I can't help but laugh, feeling a bit sorry for the real story.

If they knew the full story of our battle, it was a team effort.

The streets teem with revellers.

I wave at the crowds, letting them know I see them.

Emily parks Falcon, but the crowd sweeps us off our feet as soon as we open the car door. With their boundless energy, they lead us through the lively streets of Freedom Town.

At this moment, even Emily can't contain her laughter. I look up at the endless sky and daydream.

I wish my parents could see this.

I can't stop thinking about Eden-that beautiful place. I want to show Emily this amazing place, but she won't come with me.

But those thoughts quickly disappear when we reach the main square, and the Swifters surround us.

Emerging from the crowd, the leader of the Silver Fleet approaches us, her face beaming with gratitude. The crowd falls silent as she takes the stage. "Thank you, on behalf of all Swifters. Hero, our saviour!"

Amid the roaring applause, she hugs me, exuding warmth and gratitude. Then she wraps her arms around Emily.

I can't help but speak up, so I raise my voice, and the crowd gets quiet, waiting for what I'll say.

"I also want to share something with you. This incredible girl here deserves my utmost gratitude."

My eyes shift towards Emily, locking with hers.

"This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you, Emily. Thanks for showing me that there are still good people in this messed-up world."

Emily stays quiet, looking a little vulnerable as she bites her lip. Then, she hugs me, reigniting the people's celebration.

As the crowd revels in euphoria, hats, caps, scarves, and gloves fly through the air.

After the hug, I try to reach out to Emily, but she gets swept up in the festivities. I jump, sing, and dance along with everyone else, all caught up in the hype, fully embracing the night's energy until morning.

"Hero! Hero! Hero...!"

____

I flop on the couch and sigh. My eyes sweep across the living room, taking in the sight of David, Sarah, and Emily locked in a tight embrace.

Family. Their strong bond makes me so happy.

Their daughter returned, only on the verge of losing her again, and she's now a hero.

I stare at the ceiling.

Is it all worth it? Does this place hold more value than my promise of discovering an unknown paradise?

Suddenly... Blood, fire, smoke... war. My mind keeps replaying these images, and I want to talk to Emily about them.

"Em..." I say as I get off the couch to see if she's around.

She has retreated to her room.

"Hero, are you all right?" Sarah asks.

"Y-Yeah, thank you," I reply.

"We're heading to bed now. If you need anything, knock."

"I'll be fine. Good night."

"Good night, dear."

Sarah and David head to their room. The click of the light switch plunges the container into darkness, with only the moon and stars casting a gentle glow through the open door. The cool night air seeps inside.

We forgot to close the container.

I push the door, which is almost closed, and a little moonlight comes through.

Emily's parents snore.

I can't sleep with noise like this.

Would Emily be asleep already?

On tiptoes, I go to Emily's room.

I'm standing by the door with so much on my mind. The moonlight creeps into Emily's room, shining on her face as she lays in bed.

She stirs and notices me, and we make eye contact.

"Hero," she whispers." What are you doing here?"

"Sorry." I shift, my fingers gripping the doorframe. In a calm voice, I say, "I couldn't sleep. There's something on my mind."

Emily's eyebrows scrunch up. I can sense she's feeling a lot. There's so much we're not saying.

"I've been thinking about what lies ahead," I say slowly. "Your family... The Swifters... I love it here."

You can see a change in her as her face softens and tears start welling up.

"But I've promised my parents," I continue. "To find paradise in the Far East, to seek a future they've dreamt of."

Emily's breath catches. She pulls the covers tighter around herself.

"But I don't want to leave you," I say.

She looks down at the sheets, fidgeting with her fingers.

"I understand," she murmurs. "It's just... I don't want to hold you back from your dreams. I want you to be happy."

There's this heavy silence between us, filled with unspoken feelings.

"What about us?" I ask. "Is there a future for us, even if it means I'd go?"

"We can't predict the future," she whispers.

"But it's hard."

"I know... Just know. I'll respect you whatever choice you make."

It hurts to have to choose. I can't move because I'm torn between her, the people's safety and Eden.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" she says.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

I turn around.

"Wait."

I turn back.

"What's wrong?"

"Join me."

Emily jumps out of bed, goes to her window with a curtain made of a metal bar and plastic sheets, and flings it open. Then she gestures for me to look outside with her.

I join her.

"Check out the stars," she says.

I look up.

"You see the brightest star?" She points up and holds my shoulder with her other hand.

"Yeah." I gulp.

"That's the North star."

I chuckle. "Thank you... I now know which one it is."

The star shines brighter than any other and has a mesmerising effect.

"I guessed it right... I knew you didn't know what I was talking about." She chuckles.

"Hah... Yeah... You got me, but now I know."

We both smile and stare into the magical sky full of diamonds.

"Beautiful isn't it?" she says softly.

I'm looking at Emily, the moonlight making her face shine. "Yes, they are," I say, while saying in my mind that she is.

We're close, closer than we've been before.

Her warm breath blends with the chilly night breeze.

She steps nearer, searching my eyes, and my heart feels like it's going to burst out. My throat gets all tight when she reaches up, her hand shaking a bit. She caresses my cheek.

Her lips part, just a little, and my pulse quickens even more.

I can't move, can't breathe, as if everything hinges on this moment.

But then, she hesitates.

Her fingers drop away and her eyes dart to the side, and she steps back.

"I... goodnight, Hero," she whispers.

She's already turning away, her face half-hidden in the shadows.

I stand there, the rush of blood still pounding in my ears.

I nod, even though she's not looking, and push myself to start walking, and head back to the living room.

"Good night," I say.

Sweet dreams, Emily.

Settling into my bed, I sprawl and interlace my fingers behind my head.

What was that? We were so close to each other. Argh... I don't know.

Even with that awkward moment... I feel like I really belong with this family. That sense of belonging... I haven't felt that for a long time.

Mom, Dad, and Blaze... Oh, how I miss you all.

____

We stand at the gates.

We've been through it all, and now I have a tough decision to make.

I look away from Freedom Town and focus on the horizon. Eden beckons, a promised paradise that may hold the answers I seek. And I have to go. People are not safe in my presence.

"Are you sure about this?" Emily's voice breaks.

I muster a smile. However, it feels strained and forced.

"I'll leave you two alone for a while," the gate guard says, stepping away.

Emily comes closer to me, her hands hidden behind her back.

"Yeah, I'm sure. It's better for all of us."

"Don't say that. What about-"

"It's safer if I'm not around," I say softly.

"I know but-"

"I'll be fine." I offer my hand. Instead of shaking it, she gives me a newer photo of her and her family.

"That-" I say, but before I can finish, she embraces me, her cheek pressed against my collarbone. Tears mingle.

Our eyes meet, and I hold her face in my hands and wipe her tears away. "It's okay," I reassure her.

She smiles, although I see sadness in it. "Keep them both. If you feel alone, think of us. Then, you can look back on everything we experienced together. And you'll see that you're not alone."

I stash one photo in my back pocket and the other in Falcon's sun visor, keeping those precious memories safe.

I enter Falcon and get ready to journey into the unknown.

Emily leans on the roof of Falcon. "Do you have everything you need?" she asks, checking the backseat.

"Yeah," I reply. "I've stocked up on supplies, and Falcon is ready to take us wherever we need to go."

A wistful smile plays on her lips. "Maybe we'll clean up Falcon together someday."

"Yeah, we will," I say.

We lock eyes, my heart aching from saying goodbye. We give each other our practised handshake and a Swifter salute.

I start the engine and drive away.

I glance back at Emily one last time.

She waves goodbye, and a sense of longing grips my heart.

"I'm going to miss you, Emily," I whisper to the wind, my voice carried away as Falcon speeds towards the Far East.

The road stretches before me with each passing mile, filled with uncertainty and longing.

I tap on Falcon's screen, and the radio plays some soulful tunes.

As Falcon glides eastward, I remind myself to stay focused, to drown out the whispers of doubt and longing that threaten to consume me.

Eden, I'm coming.