In front of Moe’s house Moe stood alongside Nami, ready to face his dad. Nathaniel remained in the car, keeping it running just in case they needed a quick escape, or so was his reasoning.

Moe stared at the doorknob, hesitating to open it. Nami held his free hand and held it tight, reassuring Moe that he was not alone in this.

Moe took a deep breath and a long sigh before twisting the doorknob, entering the house with Nami right behind him. On the couch sat his siblings who were watching TV. Greshme was the first to notice Mohammed’s entry and she jumped out of the couch to tackle her brother with a hug. Hassan watched in both confusion and shock. His mother peaked out of the passageway, fresh out the shower with the same look on her face, but Moe’s gaze locked on to the man of the hour as he appeared through the beaded doorway to the kitchen.

With his hair tied up in a messy bun and his beard recently groomed he had cleaned up from what he was earlier that week, wearing a grey turtleneck that showed the defined muscle he acquired in prison, and Black jeans to complete the look. Nami noticed the look in Moe’s eyes and wasted no time as she walked to the man with a furious look in her eyes.

“You must be one of Mohammed’s frie---” He was cut off as Nami fired a heavy kenpo double punch that sent him flying back into the kitchen, his back hitting the fridge that was 5 meters behind him.

Had this been a normal person their ribs would have been destroyed by that but…

Infuriated he sat up staring daggers at Nami who just gave him a cold stare back.

Everyone else was frozen in shock.

The man stood up and, in the blink of an eye, grabbed her by the throat and pinned her to the wall with enough force to crack it, but just as he was about to slam her on the floor, Nami twisted her leg around his arm and delivered a heavy kick to his jaw that disoriented him.

With a loose grip on her throat Nami pried herself out of his clutches and when she was free she was quick to flip him over her. Her mastery of Water-God style trivializing the weight difference between them.

She backed up and stared at him as he slowly stood up cackling in his deep voice, some coughs coming out as he laughed.

“It’s been 8 years since I last had a proper fight.” He said as he straightened himself. “As much as I’d like to entertain your declaration, I unfortunately have to decline. Dinner is ready, so say what you must and be done with it.” Ahamed said as he began dusting himself off.

Nami was about to speak, but she was cut off by Mohammed who stood in front of her. He took the hem of his shirt and began lifting it over his head, revealing the scars that plagued his back.

His mother turned away with tears threatening to escape her. Greshme covered her mouth as she began to feel sick, not even Hassan could keep his eyes on his brother’s malformed and discolored back. It was not as if they hadn’t seen it before, but for some reason the scars looked worse than they usually did.

“All these years I suffered. The trauma you left on me ruined my teenage years and you had the audacity to leave mom to pick up after your slack! All those nights I spent twisting and turning from the nightmares that YOU caused! I’m through with it all! I’m through hiding from you! I’m through being afraid of you! I don’t care if everyone else has forgiven you, but you’ll be receiving no such treatment from me. I hate you...Ahamed Binyam I hate you!” He took a breath to calm down. “And so, as long as you are in this house, I will not be returning.” He turned to leave before a thought occurred to him. “But hear this Ahamed, I will take my family out of this hellhole, and if you so much as lay a finger on them, then you will be answering to me.” Mohammed calmly walked out of the kitchen leaving everyone in shock.

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Nami followed him and saw Moe packing all of his clothes in a small case.

“Moe? Are you oka---” Nami was cut off by a hug that had come out of nowhere. Moe held Nami tight almost as if he was afraid, afraid she’d disappear if he let her go. Nami froze in place as a little blush began forming on her. She could feel his pulse that raced like crazy. Though his body was warm he was shivering.

“Thank you.” He whispered, which sent shivers down her spine. Moe broke the hug and went back to packing his things, leaving Nami petrified.

Once he was done, he said. “Let’s go.” Snapping Nami out of her petrification.

She followed him outside the door and was surprised when he stopped in front of her. Hassan and Greshme both stood in the doorway.

“I’m coming with you.” Greshme announced.

“No Greshme, this is your brother’s decision. Let him be.” His mom, coming from checking on Ahamed’s wounds, refused.

“I may not remember what happened to big brother when he was young, but I can’t stay in the same house with the same person who hurt him.” She argued.

“Greshme, you---”

“Enough!” Ahamed’s thunderous voice shook the room, even startling Nami. She stood her guard as she stared daggers at the man behind Mohammed’s mother.

“Go with Greshme, Hassan will stay to look after your mom. You might as well show him, Hassan.” Moe looked curiously at his brother as he began to wonder what he meant. The room went quiet as Hassan closed his eyes and when they shot open, his entire body erupted with flames that Ahamed had to reach his hand out to control. Moe looked at his brother with a mix of conflicting emotions running through him. He pushed passed Nami and grabbed the man by the collar of his turtleneck, his eyes glowing a bright amber.

“YOU BASTARD! What did you do!?” He shouted.

“Mohammed stop!” Hassan shouted, which took Mohammed by surprise.

“You ran away from us, so I asked him to teach me!” Hassan shot an infuriated glare at his brother.

Mohammed didn’t know what to think anymore, conflicting emotions ran through his head as he felt his heart aching. He walked over to Hassan, dragging his feet as he struggled to move. He knelt over to wrap his hands around his brother, but his embrace was denied when Hassan put a hand between them. Pushing Mohammed away.

Moe felt his heart shatter into pieces as Hassan walked past him to stand next to his father. His Mother joined them with tears threatening to fall out.

Greshme wrapped her arms around Mohammed in the place of her brother, unable to stop her sobbing. Mohammed remained frozen, unable to return the embrace she gave him. Nami stood by his side and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, staring daggers at Ahamed.

Moe melted himself out of his frozen state and wrapped his arms around Greshme. Standing up with her still in his arms he answered, “Fine.” And began making his way towards the door with Nami in tow.

“I love you Mohammed!” His mother called out to him.

“Take care of your sister, make sure she eats well! You know how much of a picky eater she can be!” Mohammed couldn’t hold back the tears coming out of his eyes. He hesitated, but ultimately, he didn’t turn back.

“Do well in school and stay out of trouble! You’ve made a fine friend! You better treat her well!” Mohammed was already out the door and walking towards Nathaniel’s car, but her voice rang loud in his ears.

“You will always be welcome in this house, my boy! Mama will always… ALWAYS LOVE YOU!” The three of them climbed in Nathaniel’s car and he drove off when they were well seated.

Mohammed made the mistake of looking at the rear-view mirror as he saw his mother waving frantically at him until she went on her knees, crying.