Lale's scream pierced the thick walls of the mountain house, tearing through the silence of the night and stabbing into Rüzgar's mind like a knife. Her feet didn't seem to be under her control, she moved with a wave of panic engulfing her body. When she reached the door, she didn't hesitate, she shattered the locking mechanism with a hard shoulder hit and plunged inside.
She was speechless at the sight. Lale was slumped over Demir's lifeless body, shaking with sobs. Her eyes were wide with shock, there was no trace of the strong, resilient woman he knew. It was as if all the pain she had been hiding inside for years had burst out in that single scream.
"Lale!" Rüzgar shouted, his voice filled with worry and compassion. He took a step towards her, but hesitated. He didn't dare approach. The man who had taken Demir's life three years ago was now standing next to the woman mourning him. What irony.
Lale heard Rüzgar's voice but couldn't perceive it. Her mind was in turmoil. Demir... How could that be? He was dead. She had buried him with her own hands. Or was everything a lie? Maybe the Witness Protection Program had drawn her into an even bigger game instead of protecting her.
"Demir..." Lale whispered, her voice trembling and full of pain. "You... Aren't you dead?"
Rüzgar slowly approached Lale, crouched down and placed his trembling hands on her shoulders. "Lale, look at me. That's not Demir. That's just... an illusion."
Lale shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, that's Demir. I know him. I remember his scent, his touch... Everything about him."
Rüzgar's heart clenched. Lale's pain was like a dagger stuck in his own chest. Seeing her so helpless was cracking the dark walls inside Rüzgar. He wanted to protect her. To save her from this pain. But how?
"Lale," Rüzgar said, his voice resolute. "Demir died three years ago. You know that too. I know this is very difficult, but this is the truth."
Lale slowly raised her head, her eyes met Rüzgar's eyes. There was indescribable pain, and a glimmer of hope, in her eyes. Rüzgar's presence gave some peace to Lale's fragile soul. Perhaps Rüzgar was her only refuge in this shelter.
"Why?" Lale asked, her voice no more than a whisper. "Why are they doing this to me? Why are they bringing Demir in front of me?"
Rüzgar couldn't answer Lale's question. He didn't know the answer to that question either. But he knew one thing: he would protect Lale at all costs.
"I don't know," Rüzgar said honestly. "But I promise you, Lale. I'll get you out of this nightmare. I'll protect you."
Lale looked into Rüzgar's eyes. There, she saw a light behind the darkness. Maybe Rüzgar was a beacon of hope for her. Maybe she could get out of these dark corridors thanks to him.
After Rüzgar squeezed Lale's shoulder, he looked at Demir's lifeless body. He knew that this situation was not good for Lale's psychology. Demir had to get out of here.
"I need you," Lale whispered, her voice pleading. "Please don't leave me."
Rüzgar was deeply affected by Lale's words. Knowing that he meant something to her had warmed Rüzgar's heart. But this closeness was also dangerous. Rüzgar was starting to have feelings for Lale. And that was unacceptable for a hitman.
"I won't leave you," Rüzgar said, his voice resolute. "Never." He looked into Lale's eyes and added, "Now, let's get out of here."
Rüzgar gently lifted Lale off Demir and took her into his arms. Lale took refuge in Rüzgar's warmth, clinging to him like a child. Rüzgar picked Lale up in his arms and left the room. He took her to the bedroom, laid her on the bed and covered her.
"Get some rest," Rüzgar said. "I'm here."
Lale took Rüzgar's hand and held it tightly. "Don't go," she whispered. "Please don't go."
Rüzgar stroked Lale's hand. "I won't go," he said. "I'll stay with you."
Rüzgar sat on the edge of Lale's bed and started watching her. Lale's face was pale, there was a deep fatigue in her eyes. Rüzgar was worried about her. Seeing her so helpless hurt Rüzgar inside.
After a while, Lale's eyes closed and she fell asleep. After Rüzgar was sure that she was asleep, he got out of bed. He left the room and closed the door quietly.
When he went downstairs, his mind was in turmoil. The things he felt for Lale were scaring Rüzgar. He was a hitman. There was no room for emotions. But Lale had somehow touched Rüzgar's heart. And Rüzgar was finding it difficult to ignore this touch.
Rüzgar made himself a coffee to clear his mind. While sipping his coffee, he looked at the room where Demir's body was. As long as that body was here, it was impossible for Lale to recover. That body had to be removed as soon as possible.
After finishing his coffee, Rüzgar stood up and headed towards the room. He opened the door and entered. Demir's lifeless body was still lying in the same place. Rüzgar took a deep breath and hugged the body. He carried him outside and took him to the back of the house.
In the garden, there was a pit he had prepared before. Rüzgar put the body in the pit and covered it with soil. Then, he piled a stone on the pit. This stone would be Demir's grave. Maybe one day Lale could come here and pray for him.
After looking at the grave, Rüzgar went back to the house. When he entered, he noticed that Lale was not in her bed. His heart started beating fast. Where had Lale gone?
Just then, he heard Lale's voice. "Rüzgar?"
Rüzgar walked towards the direction of the voice. Lale was on the veranda in front of the house, looking at the sea. Her eyes were filled with tears.
"Lale, are you okay?" Rüzgar asked anxiously.
Lale nodded. "Demir... Was he really here?"
Rüzgar approached Lale. "Yes," he said. "But not anymore."
Lale looked into Rüzgar's eyes. "What do you mean?"
Rüzgar took a deep breath. "I buried him," he said. "He can sleep in peace now."
Tears streamed down Lale's eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
Rüzgar took Lale's hand. "I'll always be there for you," he said. "Believe that."
At that moment, the sound of a car was heard in the distance. Rüzgar and Lale looked towards the direction of the sound. On the mountain road, a black car was approaching fast.
"Who's coming?" Lale asked, her voice trembling and anxious.
With the expression on Rüzgar's face, the answer to Lale's question hung in the air. Because that car wasn't coming alone.