Arslan

-What are you doing?!

And when he turned to face me, I felt the blood drain from my veins. His eyes… That evil gaze… His black eyes were like fire.

- Get out of here now!

The boy lying on the ground could hardly say it as blood poured from his mouth.

But no, I couldn't go because of him and I couldn't go. Because I couldn't move. It wasn't just because I couldn't act out of fear; his strong hand gripped my throat.

-You heard him. Don't get involved in my business!

His voice... was as cold as ice, just like his hand and his eyes...

- Please...

I could hardly say.

He let go of me and looked at my face.

- If you don't want me to hurt you, get out of here quickly!

My brain was telling me I had to go, but I wouldn't leave that boy lying on the floor.

- Please leave him too!

- This is none of your business.

- I'll have to call the police.

- If you try this, I'll make you regret it!

At that moment he took a gun from his jacket pocket and held it up for me to see.

- You won't even try! If you try to do that, I will make this world nightmare for you. Did you understand?!

-Okay I won't call the police.

He looked at me with eyes that wanted me to go.

- So what's his fault? What did he do to you?

- He owes me.

- Tell me how much? I'll give it, just let it go. By killing him!

- 2000 liras.

- OK. Right now I only have 200 liras with me. I'll give you the rest tomorrow. Is it okay?

- Bring the rest, in an hour! We'll be in the ruined house in the back alley.

- OK. But don't beat him anymore!

I felt the need to say this because during our conversation, every time the boy woke up and tried to stand up, he was kicking. Of course, I didn't have the strength to stop a muscular, big guy like him, and besides, he was armed.

I started running home like crazy. I bumped into someone many times, but I couldn't give up. I kept running. And I prayed that he wouldn't do anything to him.

When I got home, no one was there. I quickly took the money and left the house. I ran to the festival area again. I ran towards the back alley of the scene and saw a ruined house plunged into darkness. I entered the house without slowing down.

- Hey! Where are you?

A hand behind me covered my mouth.

- Are you alone?

I shook my head hard.

He let go of me and extended his hand.

- Where is he?

- That bastard is fine.

- Where is he?!

He pointed under the broken window. He lay motionless. There was no light to see him clearly, but I could tell that his face was covered in blood.

I gave him the money and looked at his evil face. I wanted to punch him. Since I couldn't do that, I looked at his terrible face,

-Monster! I guess you didn't get your ambition? Why would you do such a thing even though I said I would come to you?

The boy lying on the ground was groaning in pain. I ran to him and tried to talk to him, but he seemed unconscious. I tried hard to remove him.

The filth stood before me and

If you have a mind, don't come across me again. Because next time I won't be that kind.

- You are kind?! Are you kidding?!

- I'm warning you. Next time I will show no mercy. Maybe that's the only way you can understand; That you shouldn't meddle in other people's business.

After saying this, he left.

The boy lying on the ground responded to my efforts and stood up with difficulty. I rested his head on my shoulder and we started walking.

- Why are you here?

- I paid your debt.

- Why is that?

- I couldn't just leave you alone.

When we went outside, fireworks lit up his face. And that's when I saw those green eyes... Just like Rüzgar's eyes.

- Thank you.

- We have to go to the hospital.

- No. Not necessary.

- What do you mean no need?

He was covered in blood all over.

-Please, do not insist.

- Well, I don't understand why we don't go.

- Because there is no need. I'll do the dressing and it'll be over.

- All right. Then let me help you. Where is your home?

- Two blocks away.

- All right. Let's go.

When we arrived at his house, a lady in a wheelchair opened the door.

- Umut?! What happened to you?!

- It's okay, mom. A little discussion is no big deal.

The woman's eyes filled with tears.

- Umut?! What's going on?

- Mom. We have a guest. Let's talk about these later.

The woman looked quite old. She was like her grandmother, not her mother.

- Hello sweetie.

- Nice to meet you, ma'am.

We went to the living room and dressed his wounds with Umut.

- You didn't say your name?

- Deniz.

-Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you too, Umut...

- Mom?

- I'm here, dear.

H

She came to us with a plate of fruit in her hand.

- At least tell me...

- Deniz.

- Deniz. What happened?

I looked at Umut. There was sadness in his green eyes.

-It's nothing, ma'am. It was just a little discussion.

This time there was gratitude in Umut's eyes.

We finished the wrapping while his mother was peeling apples.

- I have to go now.

- Thank you very much for your help, girl.

- Please. It wasn't a big deal.

Umut went out to the garden of the house to bid me farewell.

-Thank you for not telling, Deniz. And also thank you very much for your help. I promise I will pay your money.

- No. Please. I don't want it.

- I can not accept this.

- Look, if you feel indebted, which is completely ridiculous, but still, then befriend me in this new life. What do you say?

- In your new life?

- I moved today.

- Okay, but I still owe...

I cut off.

- You have no debt.

- Thank you. You showed up just when I needed help; as an angel...

It was as if I was getting lost in those green eyes... No, Deniz. Wake up, it's not Rüzgar!

- You're welcome. Thanks for the compliment too. I have to go.

- See you.

- Don't be too hard on yourself.

Almost everywhere was in shambles. And he had many bruises on his face. That monster had beaten him so bad. How could he be so cruel?

When I snapped out of my thoughts, he was still looking at me, with those green eyes.

I waved and left. However, I never wanted to leave.

When I got home, no one was there. I went straight to my room and fell asleep.

I woke up in the morning to my father's voice.

-Sleeper! Come on, you'll be late for school now.

- What school? We haven't even registered yet!

- No, we did!

I quickly straightened up and looked at him.

-When?! Dad, I could take a day or two off!

-Yesterday and no. Hey, wait, what happened to your neck?

I got up quickly and looked in the mirror. There was some bruising.

- Ahh, I must have tied my scarf too tight yesterday.

- Are you sure? This felt a little weird.

He stretched out his hand, he was going to touch it... Dad, I have to get dressed.

- Oh. Okay. I'm leaving right now.

When he was gone, I covered the bruises with concealer. How could that boy be so strong? And so cruel, said a voice inside me.

I got dressed and went downstairs.

-We're going out, girl.

- See you later, dad.

Derya was already out.

I went to the kitchen, but when I was alone, I didn't want to eat anything. Seeing my father's fuss, he thought I was late for school; it was about an hour though. I took my bag and went outside. I entered a street with cafes. I went and sat down at one decorated with flowers. After ordering something to eat, I texted a little bit with Yaprak. I talked about what happened yesterday. He was confused, just like me.

The chair was pulled out and someone sat down. I looked up and saw Umut.

-Hello there.

- Hello Hope?

- I'm here to accompany you.

The smile on his face was just like Rüzgar... Whenever I looked at Umut, it was as if I saw him. As the memories of him began to occupy my mind, Umut spoke.

- To school?

- Yes. You?

-Yes I will go.

- Which grade?

- Fourth.You?

- Third grade.

- No offense, but you look younger. It's like you just started high school.

-I hear that all the time. It must be because I'm small.

- You look so... so fragile.

I smiled. It was true, I was a very fragile and emotional person.

After breakfast, we came to school. This was a school tucked into the greenery.

He dropped me off in my classroom and started walking slowly towards his, because of the wounds on his foot.

The classroom was not very crowded.

I sat at a table by the window. The blonde-haired girl sitting in front of me turned around.

- Hello there. I'm Peri.

- Hello I'm Deniz.

- Pleasure to meet you. How did you like our town?

- Yes, but I haven't seen much yet.

- Then you should hang out with us today. First, we will all go to the forest together, on a trip. In the evening we will go to the festival. The school's band will be on the front stage today. I heard that Umut is sick though.

- Umut?

- Guitarist of the band. I hope he gets better by the evening.

Her hope seemed to be in vain. Because Umut's right arm was not in good shape at all.

After school, Peri and I started to wait in the garden. Two people started to approach us. One was Umut. Next to him was a boy with curly hair.

-Hi girls.

- Umut?!

Peri hugged him tightly.

- What happened to you?

He separated her from himself

-It's nothing, Peri.

- But you're all bruised!

-OK. Please calm down a bit.

- Can you go on stage?

- Yes.

- Well, being left-handed helped.

Said Peri, looking at the wounds on his right arm.

Umut turned to his friend.

-Berke, This is Deniz.

Peri was surprised.

- Have you met Deniz?

Umut preceded me.

- We met at the festival yesterday.

Peri seemed depressed.

- You said you weren't going to the festival yesterday.

- Yes, but I changed my mind. OK?

Umut's expression was a little stern.

- Okay, what are you angry about?!

- Sorry. I'm not in the mood today.

No. This can not be. So kind...Just like Rüzgar.

Can't I get him out of my mind? Forget about it! You were the one who didn't say anything when you were with him, Deniz! Have you made up your mind now?!!

When my internal reckoning was over, I joined them.

Umut and Berke left us for stage preparation after a small tour in the forest and having dinner at the festival area. Peri and I went to the concert venue.

- Peri, I'm going to get something to drink. What do you want?

- A coke wouldn't hurt.

- OK.

I turned back the way we came. I entered the tent where something to drink was sold. It was quite crowded inside. And I saw him. That boy. He was talking to a man at the cash register. I was curious and got a little closer to that side.

- I'm sorry, sir. But I can't sell you liquor unless you show me your ID.

- Why?

- I need to know your age.

- Give me that beer now. Or I will get it!

- Sorry.

I could see that he was angry. It was clear from his movements that he was nervous.

- Look, my friend. I'm not in the mood at all today. So give me that damn beer.

At that moment, another boy came to the register. His long brown hair fell over his shoulders. He sent the man. He took a beer and handed it to him.

- Sorry, Arslan. He just got started.

- Good thing you came, Ekin. Otherwise, I don't know how long I could have stayed calm.

- Bon appetit, mate.

He turned around and saw me. There was some surprise on his face. And his face… His eyebrow was bursting. He had clumsily put a Band-Aid over the wound, and there was a slight bruise on his right eye.

I was very curious about what it was. But I was undecided whether to ask or not. So he was already such a person. And it was perfectly normal for this kind of thing to happen to him. But I still couldn't defeat my curiosity.

- Are you okay?

The surprise on his face became even more evident.

- What?

- You don't look well.

He left the tent without saying anything.

I immediately took the drinks and followed him. He was walking very fast. While I was trying to catch up with him, I bumped into the table with various glass figurines on it. One or two of them broke and pieces cut my right arm. I stood up with difficulty. The salesgirl came to me right away.

- Are you okay?

- Yes. Thanks

Her hand wandered over my arm.

- I think there are a few scratches, just.

I said when I seeing her curious eyes. She handed me a towel. And helped me sit down.

I looked around. Arslan was nowhere to be seen.

After a short chat, I returned to the concert venue. But I couldn't find Peri. While I was looking, I bumped into someone. I looked up and saw Arslan.

- How clumsy you are!

- You can't talk to me like that!

- Why are you here?

-I'm here because I came to listen to my friend. OK? Is my query over?

He took a sip of his beer. His facial expression became serious.

- Stop meeting me.

- What?

- You must be doing this on purpose.

He turned his gaze to the sky. Then he looked at me again.

- Who beat you? he said.

- It's none of your business!

- You're attracting trouble.

- Yeah. You're one of them, dummy!

I turned around, but he grabbed my arm and turned me around.

At that moment, someone bumped into him, and the hit boy's cola spilled over him. The hand that had let go of me grabbed the boy's shoulder.

- Look ahead, fool!

He started shaking the boy.

- What are you doing?!

-Don't get involved!

- What kind of person are you?!

With the help of a few people from the environment, we could hardly separate him from the boy.

- What's your problem?! Why do you keep beating everybody? Are you a psychopath?!

-Yes I am. What will happen? So you're going to oppose it with your delicacy?

He chuckled.

- Dummy! Do you think it's all about wrist strength?

He looked without saying anything.

- I have something powerful that you don't have... Heart!

Excited to give him his word, I was about to walk away when he came up to me and whispered in my ear.

- You are right. I'm a heartless person, that's why you gotta stay away from me you idiot! Because I don't even know what to do.

Again that demonic look made my heart beat faster. He would eat me raw. It was pretty obvious.

What, in many stories, the bad boy would push the girl away, just so he wouldn't hurt her. Was this something like that? Oh..No. Arslan was pretty serious. And unlike the other girls in the story, I wasn't the type to fall in love with bad boys—who was a complete psychopath. I was on my mind and nothing like this would ever happen.

- So I'm not falling in love with you either.

When I looked forward, I saw Peri looking at me. I went up to him, handed her the tin of coke, and looked at the stage.

Peri spoke in a worried voice, almost as if in a whisper.

- What were you doing with him?

- With whom? With Arslan?

- Yes.

She was astonished.

- Nothing. We just clashed, that's all.

She turned my face towards her. She had a serious expression.

- Look, Deniz. He is not a solid person at all. You should stay away from him.

She paused a bit as if she wanted me to write this down thoroughly.

- He's the most troublesome here.

- I am sure he is.

- Look, I'm not kidding. She has no family. She lived with her older sister and her husband since we've known him. And you know what happened? Arslan beat his sister's husband to the hospital. Besides, he wasn't content with that, he kicked the man out of the house.

- What? So shouldn't he go to jail?

- The man did not complain. Nobody knows why.

I was indeed dealing with a psychopath.

- It does not end there. It is said that he worked for a gang for a year.

- The gang?!

What kind of danger was I in, messing with him and insulting him so much?!

- Yes.

- How old is he, involved in such business?

- Eighteen.

- He doesn't go to school either?

- No. This is very interesting that he never misses his school. He is at our school. High school senior.

I slowly turned to the right and looked at him. His eyes were on me. And now more fear than before had gripped my body. He was watching us with his black eyes. His muscular arms were visible under his jacket.

I just turned around.

Two hours later, I was at home. I was still confused by what Peri told me.

And the only question in my mind is 'Why?' Yes, why was he like that? What caused this to happen?

As I fell asleep, I told myself over and over that I would not let this go.