Rebel

United

Arms and hands.

Those were the only things I felt around me, rooting me to reality. Everything felt so unreal. I had dreamt of this moment, yet I didn't trust myself in what I was seeing or feeling.

I didn't know how I got there. But as soon as my knees met the ground, I felt the arms and hands shift around me. Uncontrollable sobs left my mouth. My arms were tight around Hussain and Eugene, squeezing their bodies against mine.

I ignored the many bruises being poked and touched. My heart felt as if a fist was wrapped around it, tightening with every second. Tears poured down my face as I pressed my cheek against Hussain's.

Eugene slipped away from me, letting me hug my brother properly. I gripped Hussain's shirt, shoving my face into the crook of his neck. My fingers felt the brush of his silky black hair. It was a bit longer, enough to make a tiny braid.

My chest heaved crazily as I cried harder. "Hussain..." My voice cracked as I tried to make sense of things. He cradled my head, running his fingers through my short hair. I felt the splatter of tears hit the back of my neck.

His fingers dug into my shoulders, keeping me from collapsing. We pulled apart, facing each other. I blinked rapidly, trying clear my blurry vision. My nostrils flared as I captured my brother's face.

His golden eyes looked into mine, full of life and sadness. His face was almost unrecognizable, full of sharp features due to poor nutrition. His scruffy hair brushed the top of his eyebrows, showing off a small, thin braid.

I studied his face, squished between my hands. His right ear was pierced, I peered closer.

My earring.

Hussain pierced my earring to his ear, the one I lost when I got captured. My stomach sunk. "Oh, Hussain. It is you." I murmured as another tear slipped down my face. He nodded against my hands latched on his face.

His thumbed caressed my shoulder. He looked much older. Like Edwin.

"I thought you were dead, Zaila." He murmured, his eyes red with tears. I shook my head, my face scrunching up with more tears. "We spent every single day looking for you. Town by town. We lost hope." He said, his voice heavy with pain.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I pulled Hussain into a hug, pressing my head to his neck. His rapid heartbeat was pounding in my ears. More proof of his existence.

Hussain Hendrick was alive. Safe and sound in my arms.

My brother. My last brother.

This was real. I pulled apart from him, letting him help me to stand. Hussain looked at me, trying to piece together who I was.

Who I had become.

Despite the circumstances, a smile cracked against my lips. I kept my hand tightly on Hussain's. Hussain watched me intently, as if not believing his eyes. He looked in so much pain. So much.

"I'm here, Hussain. I'm real." I said, ignoring the way my voice was uneven. Hussain chuckled softly, his eyes going up and down. I pulled him into another bear hug, I pressed my hand to the back of his neck.

"I'm so sorry, Zaila. I'm so sorry we stopped looking---"

"Hey," I interrupted him gently as I pulled away enough to stare into his eyes. "What matters is we found each other. We're here together, and nothing will change that. Understand?" I asked him, cupping his face. Hussain nodded, looking at the ground.

He was several inches taller than me. I pressed a kiss on his cheek, wiping away a stray tear. I turned toward Eugene.

My heart abruptly stopped. Everything melted away. Jako, my brother, my confused feelings. Everything. The only thing that remained was the memory of our shared kiss. The endless possibilities of what might have been of us two.