Stuck with the enemy

Derek's Story

I sat beside my father's hospital bed, waiting for him to open his eyes, but my mind was far from the sterile white room and the steady beeping of monitors. I was trapped in last night's memories, replaying every reckless decision.

How could I have been so stupid?

I kissed her.

The memory flooded back, vivid and unrestrained. I could still feel the warmth of her lips, the surge of adrenaline that made me forget—if only for a moment—everything that was weighing me down. I knew it was wrong, and yet I didn't regret a second of it. And that was the part that drove me mad. How could I let my guard down? How could I have been so reckless?

I was supposed to stay away from her. Yet, when she was near, every logical thought burned away. I wanted her, and that need was devouring me, bit by bit. David had always warned me that I wouldn't be able to keep control. And then, just as he'd said, that control slipped. Now, he had gotten exactly what he wanted: her.

The night before.

Deniz's Story

I pushed him away, my whole body trembling with anger. I could barely breathe, rage tightening every muscle as I tried to steady myself.

My instincts screamed at me to act, and before I even knew it, my hand flew up, and I slapped him. Hard.

He had no right to do that. To ruin my first kiss like that. Who was he to pull me into his chaos, to mess with my head? Was he playing with me—one moment distant, the next, doing... this?

I understood his pain. I saw how haunted he was. But I shouldn't have let myself get caught in his mess. He was right about one thing: I was not a bandage for his wounds, and he wasn't one for mine.

Back in the present.

My thoughts were a tangled mess, impossible to sort out. On one side, there was the message. On the other, the kiss from last night. Normally, I would have to ignore that part, shut it away. I'm not supposed to feel this way, but somehow, I couldn't stop that moment from flashing back into my mind, over and over.

Returning to the message, my head felt like it was spinning. For the first time, I didn't know what to do. And I was scared. So, I decided to write it all down. And I started by writing a note for Alya.

---

Dear Alya,

You know you are my best friend. And that I've shared everything—all my secrets. I trust you. So, If anything happens to me, please tell Aras and Jacob about everything.

Deniz

---

You never know what might happen, I whispered to myself as I sealed the envelope. The words felt final somehow, as if they held a weight I couldn't shake.

"Deniz," came Derya's voice in my mind, steady and reassuring, her tone filled with the kind of fierce loyalty that only she could bring. "No matter what happens, I'm here for you. Don't be afraid. You're stronger than you think."

I took a shaky breath. "Thank you, Derya. I don't know why, but I just have this feeling that something is going to happen. No matter where I go, I'm being watched, someone is following my every move. I feel like I can barely breathe right now. What am I supposed to do?"

"To be strong," Derya replied softly. "This idea with the letter is smart. If anything happens, they'll find it right away, but let's hope it doesn't come to that. Now, think carefully—who could be behind these messages?"

"I have no idea," I murmured, placing the letter on the nightstand beside my bed. My gaze lingered on it, feeling the weight of everything I hadn't said aloud. "But I'm going to find out. I have one last trick up my sleeve." I swallowed, steeling myself. "And this time, I'm going alone."