The two trucks came to a stop almost simultaneously in front of Ethan and Elion.
Reize was the first to get out of the truck. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she ran toward them.
—Ethan!
Ethan looked up, and when he saw her, his expression changed completely. For a few seconds, neither of them said a word. Reize simply walked over and hugged him tightly, while he returned the hug, closing his eyes as if he needed to convince himself that she was really there.
—I thought you wouldn't come back… —Reize murmured.
—I thought I'd never see you again either —Ethan replied in a weary voice.
But the moment was interrupted by Stella, who had just gotten out of the truck and hurried over when she saw Elion.
—Elion!
She knelt down beside him and examined his injured leg.
—What happened to you?
Elion tried to downplay it with a small smile.
—I just had a little problem.
Stella frowned when she saw the blood that had seeped through part of the bandage.
—That doesn't look like a little problem.
—Trust me, it could be worse.
—It doesn't reassure me to hear you say that.
While Stella carefully examined the wound, Delma remained in the second van. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned toward the back seats, where Althea, Hael, and little Mian were sitting.
—You guys stay here for a moment —she told them—. Don't get out until I tell you to, okay?
The children nodded.
Delma opened the door and got out to join the others.
Hael, however, kept staring out the window.
Something had caught his attention.
He narrowed his eyes and looked beside the truck in front of them.
Then he saw him.
His brother.
For a few seconds, Hael stood completely still. Tears welled up in his eyes before he could hold them back.
—Brother…
Without thinking, he opened the door and quickly got out.
—Hael, wait! —Althea exclaimed, surprised.
But the little boy was already running toward him.
His brother barely had time to react before Hael threw himself into his arms.
—Brother!
The boy hugged him with all his might, finally breaking down in tears.
—I thought you wouldn't come back…
His brother held him tightly and closed his eyes, visibly moved.
—I'm here, Hael… I'm here.
Hael shook his head through his tears.
—I was waiting for you…
—I know.
He hugged him a little tighter.
—I'm sorry I worried you.
Althea arrived shortly afterward, carrying Mian in her arms. She stopped in front of them with a tearful smile.
—I told you I'd come back.
Hael wiped away his tears with the back of his hand.
—Yes…
Mian licked Elion's cheek, wagging his tail.
Althea smiled.
—I think he's happy to see you, too.
Elion gently stroked the puppy's head.
—I'm glad to see you again, little one.
For a few moments, the group simply watched the reunion. After so many days of fear, uncertainty, and loss, seeing them together again was one of those small moments that seemed to belong to a different world.
But the joy was short-lived.
Ethan looked around and frowned.
—Wait…
His gaze swept over everyone.
—Where's Arika?
Reize's expression changed, and Delma also looked down for a moment.
Ethan realized something was wrong.
—What happened?
Delma took a deep breath.
—Arika didn't come with us.
—Where is she? —Ethan asked immediately.
—She went to find you guys.
—All by herself?
—Yes —Delma replied.
Ethan clenched his fists.
—And why on earth did you let her go alone?
Delma looked at him seriously.
—We couldn't stop her. Besides, she was the one who gave us the location so we could come find you guys.
Ethan looked down.
—How long ago did she leave?
—Several hours.
The silence grew heavy.
Reize was a little taken aback and asked.
—Ethan. What about Koen?
Ethan clenched his fist.
—He… stayed behind. He bought us time so we could escape, and I can't leave.
Silence fell again.
—It can't be… is he…?
—No, of course not… but I don't know how long he'll hold out.
Delma looked toward the city, where the dark streets seemed to be slowly swallowing up the last light of day.
—Then we have to go back.
Ethan nodded slowly.
—Yes.
Stella finished adjusting Elion's bandage and stood up.
—Arika doesn't know yet that you guys escaped. So maybe he's already there—they could both be in danger.
Delma looked at the trucks and then at the others.
—We have to go now and help them.
Reize climbed back into the truck.
—Then let's go get them.
Ethan helped Elion sit up.
—We won't leave this city without Arika and Koen.
Delma nodded.
The children climbed back into the van, still caught up in the excitement of their reunion, while the others took their seats.
The engines roared to life again.
They wouldn't leave the city until everyone was accounted for.