That night, a storm rolled in.
Thunder shook the windows, lightning illuminating the dark sky.
Asli sat alone in her room, hugging her knees, trying to calm the unease building inside her.
The door suddenly opened.
She startled.
Ferhat stepped in, his expression tense.
"Stay here," he said.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing you need to worry about."
"That's not reassuring!"
Before he could respond—
A loud noise echoed from outside.
Gunfire.
Asli froze.
"Was that—?"
"Yes."
Her heart raced. "Who is it?"
Ferhat didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Enemies."
The word sent fear crashing through her.
"Are they coming here?"
His silence was enough.
Without thinking, she stood and grabbed his arm.
"What do we do?"
For the first time…
She wasn't arguing.
She was scared.
Ferhat looked at her hand gripping his sleeve.
Then at her face.
Fear.
Real.
Raw.
And something in him shifted.
"Stay behind me," he said.
His voice wasn't cold anymore.
It was protective.