When I opened my eyes to the sound of voices outside, I still didn't feel rested. I was about to turn over and go back to sleep when I noticed the clock above my head. It was two thirty in the afternoon. I should get up, without making a big production out of it.
I tried to reach for the bag on the floor without getting out of bed. My fingertips brushed the hanger, and I grinned, pleased with myself. I dragged the bag closer and pulled out my phone.
I checked what I'd missed while I was asleep. No calls, but plenty of messages. I replied only to the ones that mattered and left the phone on the nightstand.
Last night I'd been too exhausted to move a finger, so I'd passed out immediately. Which meant the first thing I needed was a long, proper shower. By the time I turned the water off and stepped out, I looked like a school shirt fresh out of the washing machine. It was already four o'clock.
After breakfast with a show in the background, and after tidying up the mess from the night before, it was time for my final plan.
I pulled on the black jeans and black hoodie I'd set aside. I did a light makeup look, then tamed my hair from "ripped out lion's mane" into something less feral. Ready.
I put on my beanie, slung my small backpack over my shoulder, and checked the time. Almost eight. I needed to move faster.
After wandering around the wrong streets for way too long, I finally spotted the house I was looking for and told the driver to stop. Once I paid, I stared bitterly at the money left in my wallet. First chance I got, I would be calling my brother and performing the fine art of sucking up, a craft I'd basically mastered by now.
At the entrance, I took a deep breath before ringing. I knew I'd regret this, but if I didn't do it, I'd spend the whole night choking on guilt and anxiety, eating everything in sight until I made myself sick. I rejected the "gain weight" option at record speed and pressed the doorbell.
The door opened quickly. I smiled at the person staring at me like I'd lost my mind.
"Hi."
"What are you doing here?"
"I wasn't expecting you to be polite, but you could at least invite me in."
He opened the door wider and stepped aside. I walked in with a grin, but it didn't last. He shut the door and blocked my way before I could take another step.
"Now that you're inside, tell me. Why did you come?"
Since I had no idea how to start, I put on my sweetest smile.
"Coffee? Don't bother. I'll make it."
I walked into the kitchen and he followed. I pressed the power button on the machine and pulled mugs from the cupboard. The whole time, he leaned against the counter and watched me like he expected me to steal the silverware.
"I'm sure you didn't come all this way at this hour just for coffee, Sunshine. I need to leave soon, so get to the point and tell me what you want."
I turned to him and answered like it was nothing.
"I'm coming too."
"I'm sorry?"
"You're going to talk to the man, aren't you? I'm coming with you."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Are you drunk again?"
"I wasn't drunk. I just…" Under his mocking stare, I let out a tired breath. "Whatever. I'm coming with you, Hotshot."
"No, you're not."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he lifted a hand.
"This isn't up for discussion. We're leaving together. I'm taking you home, and then I'm meeting the man. Alone."
"That's the problem, Kerem. You shouldn't go alone. You refuse to ask anyone for help. At least let me come."
"You forgot pretty fast how you were about to pass out from fear last night."
I rolled my eyes.
"I wasn't that scared. You're exaggerating."
He smirked, tilting his head slightly.
"If you could've seen yourself, you wouldn't say that. When you saw him, you were two seconds away from a heart attack."
"You call that thing a man? Even Leatherface looks like a cute, singing teddy bear next to him."
He shook his head, then turned serious.
"Even though I was prepared for things to go wrong, I would never have taken you to that bar if I hadn't been forced to, Duru. But this is different. This time, even I don't know what I'm going to face."
"You're saying it yourself. You're not prepared. What if something happens to you? Fine, I'm not a black belt in anything, but don't underestimate my talent for calling for help."
While I spoke, he muttered under his breath. With a deep sigh, he pushed off the counter and stepped closer. He set his hands on my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes, unusually sincere.
"This isn't like sinking into a comfy chair and watching an adventure movie on TV, Duru. Why are you refusing to understand? You could see things you shouldn't. You could get hurt, or worse. You can't take a risk like that over someone you have nothing to do with."
I frowned and tapped his chest with my index finger.
"You're the one who doesn't get it. You might not be my friend. You might be an annoying jerk who drives me insane, but I'm the only person who knows you're walking into a room full of God knows what kind of people, and I can't pretend I don't care if something happens to you. And until you accept my help, I'm not moving."
He stepped back and dragged a hand down his face.
"That's enough."
Then he lifted me up and tossed me over his shoulder. I screamed.
"What are you doing? Put me down."
"I tried convincing you nicely, but your goat stubbornness kicked in again. I thought what happened yesterday would change your mind. Clearly, it didn't."
"I knew it. I knew you took me to that filthy place just to make me regret what I said. I was right."
He didn't answer, just headed for the kitchen door. I stopped muttering and started struggling, demanding he put me down. It didn't change a thing.
Fuming, I got hauled out like a sack of potatoes. He walked to his car, opened the passenger door, and set me down. He waited until I sat, shut my door, then walked around to his side.
The moment he started the car, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I hated what I was about to say, but he'd left me no choice.