“When he grabs me in a skeletal embrace, a hug so hard it hurts, I know who he is.

A silent sob escapes my chest.

He is quiet as he hugs me. Then his body shudders. Except these shudders come from joy, not pain.

Roque lives.

"My brother," he sobs. "My brother."

"I thought you were dead," I tell him as I clutch his delicate frame. "Roque, I thought you were dead." I clasp him to me. His hair is so thin. I feel his bones through his clothing. He's like a wet rag around my armor.

"Brother," he says. "I knew you would come back. I knew it in my heart. This place was hollow without you." He grins at me with such pride. "How you now fill it.”