Apollo went to find Diego

Apollo nodded, his small frame radiating determination as he stepped outside. Meriam watched him go, her heart in her throat. She knew the forest could be treacherous, especially now, but she trusted that Apollo would be cautious.

As he ventured into the trees, Meriam's mind raced. She couldn't shake the feeling of impending danger, but she also knew she had to keep her focus on finding Diego. With a heavy sigh, she prepared to follow him, keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding shadows, hoping the little dog would soon return to their side.

"Apollo called out, his voice echoing through the trees. "Diego, you rascal! Come now, let's play at the river!" He searched high and low, but little Diego was nowhere to be found.

Determined, Apollo pressed on, his feet carrying him beyond the familiar downhill path and deeper into the forest. With each step, his concern grew heavier. The excitement of their morning had faded, replaced by a gnawing worry.

As he ventured into the heart of the forest, he noticed the area felt eerily quiet. Luckily, the men he had seen the previous day were nowhere in sight, leaving the space open and still. "Diego, Diego! Where are you?" he called again, his voice tinged with both hope and desperation.

He paused, straining his ears for any sound—any hint of his playful companion. The soft rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds were the only responses. Frustration bubbled within him, but he pressed on, determined to find his friend. He retraced his steps, calling out for Diego, his heart set on finding the little dog and bringing him back to the safety of their hut.

With every moment that passed, Apollo felt a mixture of fear and determination. He couldn't let anything happen to Diego; they were a team, after all. Taking a deep breath, he continued calling out, hoping against hope that his voice would reach the wandering pup and bring him home.

Meriam's heart raced as the minutes stretched into what felt like hours. She couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her gut. "Apollo, son, please come back now! The porridge is ready!" she called, her voice echoing through the trees.

Unbeknownst to her, Aaron was nearby, his ears catching her urgent plea. The sound pulled him from his thoughts, a mixture of nostalgia and longing flooding his heart. That voice—so familiar, so cherished—belonged to the girl he had once loved, and now it resonated with urgency. He hurriedly made his way towards the sound, eager to see her again, and to finally meet the son he had yearned for.

As he crested the hill, a flash of movement caught his eye. There, wagging his tail and bounding joyfully towards him, was Diego. The little dog's energy was infectious, and he seemed to sense the reunion about to unfold. Diego darted back and forth, leading Aaron with unerring instinct toward the hut where Meriam awaited.

"Apollo!" Meriam called again, her voice edged with worry. But then, in the distance, she heard the unmistakable bark of Diego. Her heart leapt as she realized he was close, and with him, she hoped, would be her son.

Just as she was about to step outside, she caught sight of the familiar figures approaching—Aaron, with Diego at his heels, and behind him, Apollo, a look of relief and excitement brightening his face. The moment felt suspended in time as she processed the scene before her.

"Aaron!" she exclaimed, her voice catching in her throat as emotions swirled within her. In that instant, the past and present collided, and she felt both joy and trepidation at his return.

Aaron, breathless from his hurried trek, met her gaze with a mix of love and concern. "Meriam," he breathed, his heart swelling at the sight of her. And then he looked down at Apollo, who was beaming with happiness, the little dog dancing around them.

With Diego leading the way, the three of them were finally together, a family reunited, even if under the weight of unspoken questions and challenges ahead.

As the three of them finally converged, the air felt electric with unspoken emotions. Apollo rushed forward, his face a bright beacon of joy. "Hey, Meriam! Aaron! Thank God I finally found you!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around both of them in a tight embrace.

Meriam wrapped her arms around her son and Aaron, overwhelmed by the rush of feelings that surged within her. The warmth of their reunion flooded her heart, but words eluded her. She was speechless, caught in the moment as she felt the weight of the past and the hope for the future intertwining.

Aaron stood there, his heart pounding as he returned the embrace. He held Meriam close, his emotions raw and vivid. This moment, this reunion, felt surreal after everything they had been through. He had searched for them, longed for them, and now, against all odds, they were together again.

For a heartbeat, the world outside faded away, leaving just the three of them—Apollo, Meriam, and Aaron—wrapped in their shared warmth. Yet, beneath the surface, the complexities of their situation loomed. The challenges that lay ahead, the uncertainties of the forest, and the lingering questions about their past hung in the air.

But for now, they were together, and in that moment, the bond of family shone bright, a fragile light in the encroaching shadows.

As Aaron held Meriam and Apollo close, the warmth of their embrace enveloped him, but Meriam remained silent, lost in a whirlwind of emotions. The joy of reunion mingled with the weight of uncertainty, leaving her speechless.

Suddenly, Apollo pulled back slightly, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Who are you? Why are you hugging us? Are you lost, Mr.?" he asked, looking up at Aaron with wide, innocent eyes.

Aaron chuckled softly, his heart aching at the question. "Hey, son, I'm your father," he replied, the words hanging in the air with gravity. "I'm Aaron. Didn't your mother tell you about me?"

Apollo nodded, but the uncertainty lingered in his gaze. He was still trying to piece it all together, the man in front of him both familiar and strange. Meriam watched the exchange, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the past and the challenges of the present.