Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 33: Bound by Blood

Aras's Story

The day felt like an endless spiral of fear and uncertainty. Every moment I spent searching for Deniz only added to the weight in my chest, each step heavier than the last. My mind raced, filled with terrifying thoughts-what if she's hurt? What if she's terrified? She was out there, alone, in the hands of some monster, and I couldn't do anything to help her.

"Alya, I can't just sit here!" I snapped, frustration boiling inside me. "She's out there, and I have to find her!"

Alya was sitting on the couch, her face pale, her hands twisting together anxiously. "Aras, I know you want to help, but you're not thinking straight. You're running yourself ragged. You need to rest, you need to think clearly." Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, but there was a fierceness in her eyes that matched my own fear. "She wouldn't want you to do this to yourself."

I shook my head, trying to push back the panic that clawed at my insides. "You don't understand! I can't just stop looking. I can't leave her out there."

She stood up and stepped toward me, her hand on my shoulder, grounding me. "Aras, I know you're scared, we all are. But you can't help her if you're exhausted. You need to be strong for her when she gets back."

I let out a shaky breath, and for a moment, I almost agreed with her. But then the thought of Deniz alone in the darkness, unable to defend herself, consumed me. "I can't wait. I have to go."

"Jacob's already out there, he'sdoing his best, Aras. Tommy needs you here, since he found out, he is very scared. You have to stay, we need you."

I clenched my jaw, my fists balling up as I turned to face her. "I can't just stay here, Alya. She's my sister. I should be out there, looking for her!"

Alya reached for my hands, holding them firmly in hers. "I know, Aras, I know," she whispered, her voice strained. "But you need to trust us. Trust that we're doing everything we can."

I stared at her, my chest tightening. It hurt, every part of me hurt, but in the end, I nodded. Alya was right. I had to be there for her when she came back. I couldn't risk losing it now. With a heavy heart, I agreed to stay. But every minute felt like an eternity, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was failing her.

Tommy walked in then, his face a mask of confusion. "What's going on? Where's Deniz? I thought you two were looking for her?"

Alya turned to him, her voice soft yet firm. "We're doing everything we can, Tommy. Jacob's out looking too. But we need to stay calm, wait for any word."

Tommy frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "But if she's out there-"

"She'll be fine," I interrupted, not believing my own words. "She's strong. She knows how to take care of herself."

But even as I said it, I knew the truth. I didn't know where she was, or if she was okay. And I couldn't stop the fear gnawing at my insides.

Alya squeezed my hand again, her expression unreadable. "She'll come back. We have to believe that."

I wanted to believe it. I wanted to believe in her strength, in her ability to survive. But deep down, fear clouded every thought. How much longer could we wait before we lost her forever?

Suddenly, I heard soft knocks on the door-irregular, uneven, yet somehow familiar. Deniz.

My heart leaped into my throat. I recognized those knocks. It was the secret code...

"Deniz!" Tommy shouted, unable to control his voice, full of hope. He quickly moved towards the door and, with a trembling voice, said, "It's the secret code." Without thinking, I jumped to my feet, my legs shaking but fueled by panic and a rush of hope.