Chapter 12: Friend or Foe?

Ida could now control her power. Two months ago, she was recklessly harming everything around her, but that phase was behind her. At the end of these two months, which passed as quickly as the flow of a waterfall, she felt more confident and believed her power was not a curse but a tool. She no longer needed the cursed ring that initially protected her and suppressed her power. But how had she managed to control her power in such a short time?

During this period, the distance between her and Batuhan had grown. The closeness and trust had been replaced by long silences. They had hardly spoken. Ida thought this was because Batuhan was afraid of her. Perhaps Batuhan realized he couldn't handle Ida's dangerous power. On the other hand, her relationship with Atilla had evolved in a completely different direction. Atilla was one of the few who knew Ida's secret and had not left her alone in this challenging process. Ida couldn't even imagine how she would have managed to control her power without Atilla's support. This had further strengthened their bond.

Rumors were spreading rapidly through the school corridors. Ida and Batuhan's growing distance and her closeness with Atilla had caught everyone's attention. The most common rumor was that Ida had used Batuhan and then drawn closer to Atilla. Another rumor claimed that Atilla had threatened Ida into staying close to him. According to those who believed this story, Atilla had exerted pressure on Ida and forced her to remain friends with him through threats.

But the most talked-about rumor was that there was a love triangle. Gossips claimed that Ida was torn between Batuhan and Atilla, that she was actually in a relationship with both. Some said that Ida had emotionally distanced herself from Batuhan and started a new relationship with Atilla. It was even whispered in the corridors that Batuhan had withdrawn in sadness because of this. However, no one knew about Ida's power or the real dangers they faced. Only Batuhan and Atilla were aware of the true extent of Ida's power.

One day, as Ida sat quietly in the schoolyard, she noticed Batuhan approaching her. For the first time in months, they would face each other. Batuhan's steps were hesitant but determined. Ida took a deep breath and turned to him.

"Ida," Batuhan said, without averting his eyes from her. "I know we haven't talked in a long time. But now we have to talk."

Ida's heart began to race. The seriousness on Batuhan's face indicated that the upcoming conversation would not be easy.

"Okay, I'm listening," Ida said quietly.

Batuhan hesitated for a moment before continuing. "A lot has changed in these two months. You've managed to control your power, but I've also come to understand some things." His voice trembled slightly. "The reason I stayed away from you was because I didn't understand you, Ida. I was afraid. I was afraid I couldn't handle you."

Ida was surprised. She had guessed that Batuhan was scared, but hearing him admit it both relieved and surprised her. "You didn't understand me?" she whispered.

"Yes," Batuhan said. "But it was wrong to leave you alone. Atilla has always supported you, and I think I'm grateful to him for that. But I'm angry with myself for not protecting you."

Ida didn't know what to say for a moment. She was trying to understand the turmoil inside Batuhan.

"You don't need to protect me, Batuhan," she said softly. "I can control my power now. Everything will be fine."

Batuhan locked his eyes onto Ida's. "Maybe… but I still shouldn't have left you alone. Whatever happens, I should have been by your side."

Just then, they noticed Atilla approaching from afar. Atilla's arrival would complicate their conversation further. As Atilla got closer, tension began to rise within Ida. The cold air between Batuhan and Atilla was palpable, and it was impossible not to feel the tension between the two. Both were important to her, but this tension was a sign that things would get more complicated.

Atilla approached them silently, his eyes moving from Batuhan to Ida. "Here you are," he said with a sarcastic tone. "What are you talking about?"

Ida took a deep breath to compose herself. She knew this moment was inevitable. Both Batuhan and Atilla knew her secret. Now, in the midst of all this chaos, she had to figure out how to keep them together.

Ida thought Batuhan had distanced himself because she could control her power. But the truth was much darker. From the beginning, Batuhan had been deeply interested in Ida's power and had been making plans to use it for his own benefit. He had delved into how he could steal or control this power but had managed to keep it hidden from Ida.

Despite everything, Ida couldn't completely stop trusting Batuhan. In a part of her heart, she believed he could return to his old self and still saw him as a friend. Ida thought there was still a way to save Batuhan, that the darkness within him hadn't fully surfaced. This thought was a reflection of the goodness in Ida's heart because helping others was in her nature. But Batuhan's true intentions were far more dangerous.

Batuhan had figured out the source of Ida's power and was working on how he could steal it. Ida's continued trust and openness toward him made it easier for Batuhan to execute his plans. Every day, Batuhan's influence over Ida increased, and his lust for power pushed him further down a dark path. Even though Ida sensed Batuhan had changed, she couldn't completely distance herself from him due to her longing for their old friendship.