The morning in the Dock Sector arrived with an unnerving silence.
The cold wind blowing from the sea crept slowly through the old alleys of the city. When that wind brushed against the iron railings and the rusted warehouse walls, it created a dry, hollow sound.
The city itself didn't seem to want to wake up today.
The sunlight had emerged, but it carried very little warmth.
The sky was clear.
Yet, there was a heavy, suffocating pressure in the air.
As if something invisible was waiting.
The people of the Dock Sector felt this unease occasionally, though no one could truly understand why.
---
The street in front of Asha's house remained quiet.
Usually, Asha would be awake by six in the morning.
She would open the windows.
Water the plants.
Feed the birds.
But today, even as the clock struck eight, the windows remained shut.
The curtains didn't move.
The house seemed to be in a deep, troubled sleep.
---
Standing on the roof of the opposite building was Iren.
His eyes were fixed on Asha's house.
He had been here all night.
He hadn't left his post for a single moment.
There were traces of exhaustion in his eyes.
But he didn't budge.
He just stared.
"She hasn't woken up yet..." Iren said in a low voice.
His gaze was locked on the window.
He knew Asha usually wasn't this late.
Anxiety began to pool in his chest.
"Maybe the fever is getting worse..." he muttered to himself.
His hand slowly curled into a fist.
He felt a desperate urge to go down and knock on her door.
But he couldn't.
He forced himself to stop.
Because he knew—
Going near her meant pulling the danger closer to her.
---
The events of the previous night replayed in his mind.
The distorted doll at the door.
The blood-stained knife.
And—
The yellow flowers.
Iren's eyes narrowed slightly.
**Dok.**
He whispered the name in his mind.
Dok wasn't just watching him.
He knew Dok was testing him.
Searching for his weakness.
And Iren knew all too well—
Who his greatest weakness was.
**Asha.**
---
Iren slowly placed his hand on the roof railing.
The cold touch of the iron seeped into his skin.
He looked down.
The street was empty.
Everything appeared normal.
Yet, the unease within him wouldn't subside.
Dok's voice suddenly echoed in his head.
"You are weak, Iren."
His jaw tightened.
"Maybe..." he whispered.
"But this time, I won't let you use me."
His eyes returned once more to Asha's house.
---
Inside the house, Asha slowly opened her eyes.
Her head felt heavy.
The room seemed to spin slightly.
She lay still for a moment.
Then, she sat up slowly.
The blanket slid off her shoulders.
Her body was still weak.
The memory of last night's event hit her, making her heart skip a beat.
The doll.
The knife.
And—
The yellow flowers.
Asha closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"I must have had a nightmare..." she tried to convince herself.
But she remembered—
Closing the door.
Trembling in fear.
That wasn't a dream.
---
Asha slowly stood up from the bed.
Her legs shook slightly.
She leaned against the wall for support.
The house was silent.
Unnaturally quiet.
She walked slowly toward the door.
Her heartbeat was rapid.
She opened the door and peered into the corridor.
Everything seemed normal.
Silent.
No one was there.
She let out a soft sigh.
"I must have just been too scared..." she said quietly.
---
At that same moment, standing on the roof outside, Iren suddenly noticed something.
Asha's window curtain moved slightly.
He stood up straight instantly.
"She's awake..."
A flicker of relief appeared in his eyes.
He stared at the window.
A few seconds later, Asha's silhouette was visible through the gap in the curtains.
A suppressed relief spread through Iren's chest.
"Good..." he said very softly.
But he knew—
This was only the beginning.
---
Asha stood by the window.
She looked outside.
The street was empty.
There was no one.
Her eyes instinctively drifted toward the spot—
Where Iren usually stood.
But today, no one was there.
A slight hollow sensation formed in her chest.
"Stupid..." she smiled faintly at herself.
"Did you really think he would come?"
Her eyes grew slightly misty.
She turned away.
---
Outside, Iren was witnessing the scene.
He saw her.
He saw her standing at the window.
A strange sensation rose within him.
He took a step forward.
But stopped again.
"No..." he shook his head.
"Not now."
He stepped back into the shadows once more.
---
Right then—
A sound echoed inside Asha's house.
**Khat.**
Iren's eyes turned sharp instantly.
He locked onto the house.
Another sound.
**Khat.**
As if something made of wood had shifted.
His brow furrowed.
"Asha is all alone..." he whispered.
---
Inside the house, Asha was heading toward the kitchen.
She wanted a glass of water.
But she didn't know—
That in the darkness of the corridor behind her,
A shadow was standing.
Motionless.
Just watching.
---
Outside on the roof, Iren looked at the small side window again.
For a split second—
He saw something.
An abnormal movement.
As if someone had quickly darted away.
Iren's body stiffened.
"Who is it?"
His voice was low.
He kept staring.
The window was silent again.
Nothing.
A few seconds passed.
---
Then—
The light inside Asha's room suddenly flickered for a second.
**Flick.**
Then it turned back on.
A cold sensation spread through Iren's chest.
He whispered slowly—
**"Dok..."**
---
At that very moment—
The shadow standing in Asha's dark corridor
Slowly,
Slowly,
Turned its head
Toward the window.
Directly at Iren.
And on the face of that shadow,
Slowly,
A distorted smile began to spread.
---
**Chapter End.**