Later that morning, Naeem gently asked, "Anny, do you remember where your mom's family lives?"
Anisa rubbed her eyes and thought for a moment. "Not exactly... but I remember the name of the village. It's near a big city. I think... I think it's called Noorabad."
Naeem nodded. It wasn't much, but it was a start. Maybe her grandparents were still alive. Maybe they were safe.
But before anything else—he needed food. His body ached with hunger. His stomach had been growling for hours, and Anisa needed something to eat, too.
He scouted the surrounding area and spotted a goat grazing near the edge of the field. Without hesitation, he used a quick burst of energy to end its life humanely. He carried the goat back to the ruined clearing where they'd taken shelter.
Anisa watched silently as he built a fire and began preparing the meat. Her eyes were still tired and red, but she didn't cry anymore. She was trying to be strong—just like him.
The fire crackled as the meat roasted on makeshift skewers. The smell filled the air, and for a moment, it felt like things might be normal again.
Once they'd eaten, the two of them worked together to build a small shelter from broken wood, vines, and scraps from the ruined houses nearby. The previous night they had slept on the ground, under open sky, surrounded by ash and silence.
Tonight, they would at least have a roof over their heads.
When the shelter was ready and night began to fall, Naeem sat beside Anisa, the fire flickering in front of them.
He looked at her thoughtfully. "Anny... do you want to learn how to use your powers?"
She looked up at him, unsure. "Can I really learn?"
He smiled. "Of course. You're already using them without knowing. I'll teach you how to control it. Slowly. Step by step."
That night, under a quiet sky and fading stars, the ruins were no longer filled with grief alone. There was hope now—quiet, fragile hope. And two souls trying to rebuild their world.
That night, after Anisa had fallen asleep,
Naeem sat beside the small fire and looked up at the clear, quiet sky. Stars blinked down like distant memories. The pain in his heart was still raw, the weight of loss still heavy.
He whispered to himself, "You were useless. You couldn't protect your own family... But now, you have a duty—to protect Anisa. This child has already suffered too much. I will make sure she has a life filled with peace and happiness. No matter what it takes."
The next three days passed with purpose. Naeem focused on teaching Anisa how to sense, control, and shape her energy. To his surprise, she learned incredibly fast. Maybe she was a natural—or maybe Naeem himself had been a slow learner. Either way, her progress filled him with pride.
On the fourth day, Anisa approached him with determination in her eyes.
"Nai," she said, "I want to help you. Let me heal and regrow your hand."
Naeem hesitated at first, but he knew she was right. If they were going to begin their journey soon, he needed to be in his best condition. He nodded.
Using her powers, Anisa began the slow process of healing and regenerating Naeem's severed arm. Over the next six days, his hand gradually returned—fragile at first, then stronger with each passing hour. It wasn't quite the same as before, and it would take time before he could channel full energy through it, but it worked.
He could move it. He could feel again.
"Thank you, Anisa," he said one morning, holding her little hand in his newly restored one. "You gave me more than just a hand—you gave me hope."
Anisa smiled softly. "You promised to make me happy, right? Then don't cry again."
That day, they didn't train. They rested. They packed what little they had left—some dried meat, a few old clothes, and a couple of sharp tools. Then they stood at the edge of the ruined town, ready to leave it behind.
Their journey had just begun.