I stared at Angus's lifeless body for several minutes.
I didn't want to leave. More than anything, I didn't want to leave his body like this… lying in a pool of blood.
He didn't deserve this.
But I have to go to Mia now.
I don't know how much longer she can hold on. And there's always the chance someone else might find her…
Or that someone will come to take the can from me.
I can't let that happen.
I won't let Angus's life be extinguished in vain.
That's why I wiped my tears away with my arm.
Blew my nose with my dirty sleeve.
I stood up from the ground, trembling.
I looked at Angus one last time and said, with determination:
"Thank you… for everything."
"I know God will let you rest by His side in heaven."
"I know you'll be waiting for me… when my time comes."
I lifted my gaze to the sky, now growing darker by the minute.
"I know you're watching me right now…"
"I promise I'll make you proud."
"I'll become the apostle you believed I could be."
I rushed back to the place where we had hidden Mia.
Thankfully, no one saw me.
Within minutes, I was there.
I hurried to her side.
My sister… was unconscious, barely breathing.
Her arms were like dry twigs, about to snap.
I couldn't help thinking that I must've looked just like that, a little over three years ago.
That's how Dad must've seen me…
It's possible. Maybe that's why he thought he had no choice that night.
Just like me today…
Father, I think I'm finally starting to understand you…
Though I still don't think that family had to die.
Father… I hope the Lord showed you mercy.
And if He didn't… I'll ask Him to, when my time comes.
Just wait a little longer.
With some effort, I managed to open the can using the piece of metal I'd brought.
Inside were a couple of sardines. A meal I had never tasted before, not even when we lived in the center.
I brought the open can to Mia and slowly began feeding her.
She took a long time to finish it. She was barely conscious.
Still, even with so little strength left, she seemed to get slightly better.
Now… now we have to reach the center.
We're a couple of days away.
But because of Mia's condition, the trip has taken much longer than it should have.
We had to take detours, looking for places where we might find something to eat.
But it doesn't matter…
We're still not too far.
The problem is… without Angus, I'm not sure of the way.
He gave me some directions, but he was the one who truly knew the path.
And Mia… she doesn't seem able to walk long distances.
The sardines only bought us a little time.
Mia is still far from okay.
She needs to eat constantly to recover.
At least I had eight years in the center. I grew up with some food in my belly.
But Mia didn't.
Shortly after she was born, Mom died and Dad took us to the outer zones.
She grew up with so little.
Her health is much weaker than mine.
I have to get to the center as soon as possible.
Out here, I can't expect to find enough food to save her.
That's when I made my decision.
I'd carry her on my back.
I'm weak too.
But it doesn't matter.
I can do it.
Even if I have to stop and rest every few minutes…
I'll make it.
‐-----‐-----------------------------------------
Days went by.
I kept walking with Mia on my back.
Even though she was thin as a thread, carrying her for so long drained me.
From time to time, I stopped to rest.
When night fell, I'd hide her somewhere safe and go out looking for food.
Most of the time, the only things I could find were insects.
Almost all of them were for her. I barely took a bite for myself.
And carrying her, walking for hours without food… my hunger grew with every step.
But it doesn't matter.
We're getting closer every day.
I will make it.
----------------------------------------
My body aches.
My legs want to give up.
My stomach is an empty pit.
Mia's weight feels like a building on my back.
But I don't stop.
I keep walking.
----------------------------------------------
I miss Dad.
Mom.
Angus.
We're alone again.
And Mia… Mia knows it too.
Even if she doesn't say it, I know.
I still remember that first night after she ate the sardines.
She asked me about Angus.
I didn't know what to say.
All I could come up with was.
"Don't worry, Mia. Angus went ahead to look for more food. We'll meet him later."
At that moment… her eyes changed.
She gave me a look I hadn't seen in a long time.
One of pain, as if she were about to burst into tears.
Like when she was a baby.
And then I remembered…
It was the same lie I told her about Dad.
She knew Angus, just like Dad, wouldn't be coming back.
--------------------‐-------------------
I don't know how long it's been.
I don't even know if I'm heading in the right direction anymore.
My body has no energy left.
It's been days since I ate anything.
Every day it's harder to find food.
Harder to move.
Mia barely speaks.
She's weaker every hour.
Then I heard a faint voice whispering in my ear.
"Brother… I love you."
"I love you too, Mia."
"I know we'll be together in heaven, forever."
"Don't worry… Mia… we're almost there. Everything will be fine…" I said, feeling the tears falling from my eyes.
Please… don't leave me.
God… please give us a little more strength.
"Brother… thank you for always taking care of me. I'll always be with you… I know the Lord will reward your efforts, just like Angus said."
I didn't answer.
I just kept walking.
Until I couldn't anymore.
---------------------------------------------------
I opened my eyes slowly.
I looked up at the ceiling of what looked like a shelter.
I looked around. I was sure I'd never been here before.
I was lying on a mattress.
"Where am I…?"
Just after whispering the question, I heard footsteps approaching.
I turned my head toward the sound and saw a woman.
She was wearing a black dress of a kind I had never seen before.
But what really caught my attention was her mask—it covered her entire face except for her blue eyes.
"I see you're awake. How do you feel?" she asked calmly.
Her voice was soft… like a breeze.
"Yes, miss… excuse me, how… how did I get here?" I asked, still confused.
"I found you lying on the ground last night. You were in very bad shape… I healed you and brought you here. It's already night again. You slept the whole day."
"You… healed me?" I whispered, shocked.
That's when I realized for the first time in a long time… I wasn't hungry.
She really healed me?
Incredible.
I felt… happy.
But then…
"miss… what about the person I was carrying on my back? My sister… did you heal her too?" I asked, filled with hope.
But…
I saw her eyes change.
"I see… she was your sister."
"I'm sorry."
"When I found you… she had already left this world."