If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 2

Sanem made the bed with the sheets and blankets Yusuf had brought. She plugged in the little heater and placed it next to the bed. Even with the heat going in the house, it was still quite cold. She got ready for bed and snuggled under the covers.

Sanem layed there in the quiet house, alone with just her thoughts to keep her company.

How did it come to this? How did I get here?

The reality of her situation was truly sinking in now.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. Slowly at first, but eventually turned into violent sobs. Exhaustion took over and she fell into a restless sleep.

At some point during the night, the power in the house shut off, taking the heat with it.

Sanem shivered in her sleep as the cold seeped into her bones.

She woke up freezing and checked her phone for the time but it was out of battery.

Figures.

It was still dark outside and was raining heavily.

The heater next her was off and she realized the power must of gone out.

Maybe a breaker tripped?

She wasn't an electrician, but she had seen her dad reset a breaker before.

Thinking of her father brought a new sharp pain in her chest.

Sanem shook herself out of her dark thoughts. She swung her legs from the bed and her feet met with the ice cold floor and she quickly retracted them. She reached down for her socks and shoes near the foot of the bed and put them on before stepping onto to the floor again and made her way over to the dresser where the two large garbage bags were sitting on top of.

They contained clothes that she and Aziz had purchased at a second hand store along their drive.

She dug through one bag and then the other, looking for her new-to-her rain jacket. With no light to aid her search, she simply used her hand to feel for the plastic waterproof material.

She descended the stairs carefully while putting on the rain jacket and headed toward the kitchen. She remembered Yusuf had bought a flashlight and put in the drawer next to the fridge.

Flashlight in hand she made her way out back to look for the breaker box. She was only guessing it was located outside, as this was where it was at her house.

Her OLD house she mentally corrected herself.

Sanem looked all along the outer wall, but between the darkness and the pouring rain, she was coming up short. She was getting colder and colder by the second. She kept stepping in puddles and her shoes were soaked. The water was now creeping up her sweatpants and she decided to head back inside before she was completely drenched.

She made her way back up the stairs as quick as she could. Using the flashlight now to find new dry clothes to change into. She was shivering so violently now and her teeth were chattering so hard she thought they would shatter.

She put on as many layers as she could and got back into bed. She wrapped all the blankets around her like a burrito. She fell into a sort of half sleep. Her uncontrollable trembling not letting her completely succumb to unconsciousness.

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Can awoke from a good night sleep. The sound of the rain soothing him like a lullaby. He did a full body stretch and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He looked out the window and saw that the rain had subsided for the time being. But it was still cloudy. Taking advantage of the break in between rain showers, he got dressed and put on his running shoes to go on his morning jog.

He ran around the neighborhood. Going through the park, the surrounding forest, and around the familiar streets of the small town. The town still seemed to be asleep. He was the only soul around. He ran down Melihat's street and stopped in front of the house across from hers.

He looked at the house that was falling apart and the shiny bright red scooter parked in front. He couldn't help but wonder about the new tenant.

Who was it and why live in a house that was slowly crumbling away with age and neglect? The house hadn't been for sale. At least not that he knew of. Yusuf still owned it. But it held bad memories for him, so he didn't want to live there. But he couldn't bring himself to part with it either. It began to drizzle again, so Can jogged back toward home.

He heard his phone ringing when he opened his front door. He answered while pouring himself a glass of water.

"Yusus, you're up earlier than usual."

"Well good morning to you too."

"Sorry, Good morning Yusuf! How are you this fine day?" Can said in mock pleasantries.

"Can I'm calling for a favor"

"Does this have anything to do with the missing hikers Melihat was telling me about. I'm sorry I didn't have any cell phone service on my trip. Or else I would have come back."

"No, no. This isn't about that. Though I would appreciate it if you did help in the search. You are the best tracker we have."

Can smiled at the complement. Finishing his glass of water, he walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower to get the hot water started.

Yusuf continued, "Can, a woman moved into my parents old house yesterday. She is a friend of a friend. I promised I would keep an eye on her."

Well that answers my question of "who".

"My friend tried to call her this morning, but her phone is either off or died. He asked me to go check on her but I am already on my way to the Silviri Police Station. We're going to coordinate our searches in hopes of finding the missing hikers. Could you go over to the house and just make sure she's okay?"

Can wondered why it was so important to check on someone just because they weren't answering their phone right away.

Maybe the woman is older..? But I don't see an old woman riding a bright red scooter..?

Curiosity and his helpful nature got the best of him.

"Sure I'm about to jump in the shower. I'll head over there after."

"Thanks a million Can. I appreciate it. Just tell her I sent you over to check on her because Aziz said her phone was off."

"Okay, will do."

"Oh, and her name is Sanem."

Sanem. What a beautiful name.