He landed the moment his feet touched the ground, transforming into a small mouse. Swiftly, he slipped into the luxurious house, where elegant furniture lay scattered, as if each piece told stories of those who once lived there. He passed by a marble table and darted beneath velvet couches, until he heard a faint voice coming from the outer balcony. He crept closer, hiding behind a sheer curtain swaying softly in the night breeze, and saw Judy and Daniel talking.
Judy – (her voice sharp but quiet)
"I told you not to try killing him… I want him alive!"
Daniel – (approaching angrily, veins bulging)
"Who are you to give me orders?!"
Judy – (raising an eyebrow defiantly, still composed)
"We both want to know where the witch's house is… Do you think if you kill him, someone else will tell us?"
In a flash, Daniel lunged at her, his hand tightening around her neck, growling:
Daniel –
"Lower your voice when you speak to me!"
He shoved her back violently; she stumbled and hit the wall. But she didn't surrender. She raised her head and said fiercely:
Judy –
"Don't you want revenge for your son—killed by Youssef?!"
Before he could reply, Daniel noticed the mouse near his feet and kicked it quickly. The mouse dodged, then darted away. On the third attempt, Daniel cornered it, his face lit with the thrill of the hunt. Just before stomping it, the mouse transformed into a massive bear, knocking Daniel into the wall.
Daniel – (getting up, wiping blood from his mouth with a crooked smile)
"Oh… I missed you. Who told you where I live?"
Then he transformed into a bear as well, and a savage fight broke out between them—furniture shattered, fragments flying everywhere. Suddenly…
Judy – (firing a shot in the air, shouting with teary anger)
"Enough! You're brothers—don't you remember?!"
They froze, locking eyes in long silence. Youssef turned into a bird and soared into the sky, leaving Daniel's cry echoing behind him:
Daniel –
"Youssef! I won't rest until your body's buried deep!"
Youssef returned to the middle of the forest, where Noah was still tied to a tree. The fire had died out, but the rising smoke still carried the scent of burned wood.
Noah awoke to the sound of firewood being slammed down. He opened his eyes to see Youssef standing there, breathing heavily. Youssef handed him a sandwich.
Youssef –
"Here. Eat."
Noah – (glancing at his tied hands)
"Thank you… but how?!"
Youssef – (eyeing the rope)
"I'll untie you, but one condition—don't run. Even if you try, we're in a forest. I'll catch you… and eat you instead of this sandwich."
Noah nodded. Youssef untied him and forced him to sit by the fire.
Youssef – (looking into the flames, as if hearing voices in his head)
"I heard Judy talking about a boy named…"
Noah – (his voice low, eyes glistening with sorrow)
"Younes, Daniel's son."
Youssef –
"Ah… her lover then."
Noah – (pained, holding back tears)
"No… she married him."
Youssef –
"He's dead."
Noah – (shocked, eyes widening)
"Really? You don't remember."
Youssef –
"What?!"
Noah – (looking directly at him)
"You killed him."
He took a bite of the sandwich, then muttered:
Youssef –
"Wow… how many people have I killed by now?"
He swallowed the bite with difficulty, as if it were a thorn, fear and hesitation flashing in his eyes.
Youssef – (staring at him with fiery eyes)
"Why do I feel like part of the story is missing?"
Noah –
"That's all I know… They never told me everything."
Youssef finished his sandwich, stood up, and nudged Noah with his foot.
Youssef –
"Come on, back to the tree. I'm tying you up again."
Noah – (bursting into tears)
"Please… let me go!"
Youssef –
"Why? You're not telling me everything… She doesn't care about you, and you still care about her!"
He tied him again and gagged him. Then pulled out his phone, called Judy, and put her on speaker.
Judy – (coldly)
"What do you want?"
Youssef –
"If you don't come to the place I told you, I'll kill Noah."
Judy – (from the other end)
"You think I care about that fool?… Kill him."
He ended the call. Then ungagged Noah, who exploded in anguish:
Noah –
"Why?! Why does no one love me? What did I do wrong?!"
Youssef leaned in, speaking softly:
Youssef –
"No one loves the weak. Be strong… and they'll all fear you."
Noah –
"Make me like you… I'll tell you everything I know."
Youssef – (staring at him for a long moment, then whispering)
"I taught you the lesson—and the first one you used it on was your teacher… Fine. Deal."
Noah –
"Do it… now!"
Youssef –
"I don't remember you well… but I promise—you'll be the first of my transformations."
He sat by the fire, thinking of his next move. Noah looked at him, still tied, then said:
Noah –
"The witch's house… it's in the city center. Go there—maybe it'll help you get your memory back."
Youssef –
"You know where it is?!"
Noah – (pointing at the phone)
"Right here."
Youssef untied him and handed over the phone. Then got up, ready to leave.
Youssef –
"I'll take you back home."
Noah – (sitting by the fire, his voice sad but firm)
"I'll wait here."
Youssef –
"There are wild animals. They might eat you."
Noah –
"Doesn't matter."
Youssef set his phone aside and pointed to a large stick.
Noah –
"I'll wait for you… just don't forget how to turn me into a monster like you."
Youssef turned into a hawk and soared toward the city.
⸻
He stood in front of the house and returned to human form. He knocked on the door. Tamara opened it—when she saw his face, she quickly slammed the door shut and leaned her back against it. Her tears fell silently.
On the other side of the door, Youssef placed his hand on his chest, pain stabbing deep, as if his heart still beat in her name.
Youssef – (whispering sadly)
"I'm sorry… I know you can hear me behind this door. Why did I leave you, when my heart still tells me I love you?"
He looked down at his chest, whispering to himself:
"You always said I'm strong… So why do I become weak every time I see you?"
He knocked again, his voice gentle with pleading:
"Please… open the door."
⸻
Sometimes, you don't need words to know you still love someone…
It's enough for your heart to speak before your mouth, but the mind stands guard—to stop you from making the same mistake.
But some mistakes… are unforgivable.
(What do you think of the story? Leave a comment.)