If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 25

Author's note:

This week's chapter comes with a disclaimer. Woohoo! Exciting, right? No? Just me? Okay then.

***DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor.***

Alrighty! Now that that's out of the way, here is chapter 25...

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Previously:

Sanem was sitting in her office and was about to call it a day. She texted Aziz with her evening check-in and went to shut down her computer when she was disrupted by Veli barking outside her office window. Sanem got up, expecting to see some poor man being cornered by her. But it was just her out there, barking at the window. Sanem walked outside to see what was the matter. As soon as she walked out of City Hall, Veli was there. She barked at her a few times and then ran around the side of the building. Before she had a chance to catch up with Veli, she was back. Barking and then running off again. What's up with her?

Sanem followed her around the side of the building. Veli just continued to bark and then would run towards the trees. When Sanem just stood there, Veli would run back up to her, bark some more, and then go back to the tree line.

"What's wrong girl?" She looked around for Ayhan. Why isn't Ayhan with her?

Veli barked some more at her and then disappeared in the trees.

Sanem eyes went wide as she realized what Veli was trying to tell her. Oh no! Ayhan!

Sanem took off running into the woods to follow Veli.

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Sanem was running as fast as she could trying to keep up with Veli. Even so, Veli would have to stop and wait for her to catch up. She didn't stop to catch her breath as much as she really wanted to. She just kept running, over fallen trees and through the thick ferns. Sanem didn't think Ayhan would be this far into the woods. She knew about the potential danger. She wondered why Ayhan would be this far away from town. She couldn't have just been lost, because Veli would have shown her the way back to town.

As Sanem ran further and further, her worry increased. She thought that Ayhan must be hurt to the point where she couldn't move. But as she ran and the sun dipped below the tops of the trees, casting long shadows across the ground, an even worse thought came to mind. If someone has her, it's going to take more than me and a dog. She finally stopped running, much to the annoyance of Veli, to get her phone. She went to her pocket only to remember she left her phone on her desk. Maybe I should go back. Get the police.

Veli began barking again. Sanem ignored her and looked back at the way she came, trying to decide quickly what to do. She had already run so far, it would take time to make it all the way back. She wished she could ask Veli how much further to help her decision. She thought about calling Ayhan's name. But if someone did have her, and they heard her yelling, they would know she was there too. But if Ayhan was hurt, she would need help sooner rather than later.

She finally made the decision to keep following Veli, who she realized now had stopped her barking and was now growling.

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Can pulled up to Sanem's house with more groceries in hand for dinner. He thought he would make breakfast for dinner tonight. Pancakes with whip cream and chocolate sauce. He tried to open the front door, but it was locked. It wasn't unusual for him to beat Sanem home. She often lost herself in her work. And Ayhan it seemed would be out somewhere with her dog until one of them called her telling her it was time to come home. So Can used his key and let himself in. He was glad he made it home before them because now the pancakes could be a surprise.