The story below is based on a book by Alan Gratz named 'Refugee', this is a new ending that I've made up.
Hana
‘“Okay Hana, it’s time we told you,” Hana’s Mum shot a nervous look at her husband and he nodded, as a sign for her to continue. Hana was confused, “okay…?” Hana replied slowly, “Hana, we aren’t your real parents. When we were escaping with our lives, we were on a boat. We came across a boy, no older than thirteen and his Mother, in the water. The boy saw us and doggy paddled to us, bringing his Mother along with him.” She stopped to look at Hana and then continued “we thought they were trying to climb aboard and tried to pick their fingers off, as there was no room. He told us if we can’t take them, someone needed to take his baby sister. I felt sympathy, knowing that if that baby stayed out there too long, she would die. I moved forward to take her, his Mother reluctantly handed her over said that she was one, and that her name was Hana”’
Hana was running from her house. Tears were threatening to spill over her face but she bit them back. She looked behind herself for a second but found herself on the ground clutching her stomach. It felt as if she had run into a wall. She looked up, the tears coming freely, to see a tall figure standing over her. He had stumbled back a bit but did not fall over. She got up and wiped herself off then wiped the tears from her face. Hana scowled, “watch where you’re going”. She looked up at him and noticed something straight away, they had some facial similarities, tan skin, hooked nose, black hair and chocolatey brown eyes. He seemed to notice this as well, but Hana did not dwell on this fact. Well, Hana thought to herself, anyone could look like that, it really isn’t uncommon. “What are you doing out here? You can’t be any older than six” the stranger said, taking in her appearance. “EXCUSE ME?! I am 7 years old!” Hana said indignantly while he rolled his eyes. “Well, are you going to answer my question?” he asked, running out of patience. “No,” Hana retorted, “I don’t feel the need to.” Hana said bluntly. “Fine, just tell me your name and I'll walk you home.” Hana was conflicted, it was getting dark and her house was a bit ways away but he was a stranger. “Fine,” she said suspiciously, “my name is Hana.” Hana started walking the way to her house, she decided that she would just take the most crowded route to her house, but if she lingered a bit longer she would’ve noticed the taken aback expression on his face.
Mahmoud
Everything clicked for Mahmoud, after she said her name. The similarities, the age, the name. Hana was his little sister! After years of searching for Hana, she was the one who found him, although not purposefully. He was relieved to know she was alive and that her dying wasn't his fault because she wasn't, well, dead. Mahmoud lingered a bit longer taking this in, but followed her anyway. He decided to stay quiet about this new found information. After a while, Mahmoud noticed what Hana was doing. Every street they have been down so far has been crowded with people. Once or twice he had lost her head in the crowd, just to find it bobbing up again. Once they reached the doorstep to their home, Hana turned around slowly. “Thank you,” Hana said quietly, “and I’m sorry for running into you.” Mahmoud was amused with her sudden change in behaviour but kept his face blank, “no problem, mind if I talk to your parents for a second?” Mahmoud noticed her recoil slightly at the use of the word ‘parents’. “Yeah, no problem, I’ll go get them. Bye” Hana said awkwardly. After a few moments, Hanas parents came to the door. “I can’t thank you enough fo-'' Hana's mother stopped talking abruptly when she saw Mahmoud's face. She knew the instant she saw him that he was that boy in the water. Mahmoud remembered her too, and he said slowly, in his most polite voice “Hi, I believe we have some things to talk about...”
