I didn't even realize when the tear slipped down my cheek.
It fell quietly as I stared into Raisem's eyes.
His hands were raised slightly, tense but steady. He didn't blink. He didn't look away.
The masked man was close and I knew the truth deep inside me. The man in the mirror mask was not Raisem.
And that man was going to kill me.
The faint clink of the axe against the ride echoed in the still night. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned every other sound.
"Trust me?" Raisem said, his voice was low and firm.
I could barely think. My head felt heavy. Why would he ask me that now? How did he even find me?
I looked into his eyes and I nodded.
Deep down, I didn't trust him completely. Not after everything. But right now, he was my only hope.
Slowly, carefully, he removed his hand from my mouth. I gasped, dragging in air like I had been underwater for too long.
"Oh, Ara… come out, come out." The masked man's voice echoed mockingly.
Raisem's jaw tightened.
"I'll distract him. You have to make a run to the car. The police will be here any minute," Raisem said quietly but firmly.
"No, I don't want to leave you," I cried, gripping his shirt.
"Can you drive?" He asked searchingu eyes for a positive response.
I shook my head." No, I don't."
"Okay, the car has an auto drive and if I don't come back in the next five minutes you have to leave, Ara." He pushed me lightly. "I'll be fine, I promise."
My chest tightened. I didn't believe that promise.
"Go!" he raised his voice sharply.
And I ran as fast as I could.
"Over here!" Raisem shouted as he stepped out of hiding.
The masked man turned immediately. Their eyes locked. Then he ran towards Raisem.
They both collided hard, the impact echoing in the park.
Raisem grabbed his arm, twisting it. The axe fell with a loud clang. The masked man punched Raisem in the ribs. Raisem staggered but retaliated, landing a solid punch across the mask but the man didn't even feel a thing.
They struggled violently, boots sliding against the wet ground. Raisem shoved him toward the still water nearby, forcing his head down.
The masked man thrashed, choking, splashing wildly. Raisem pressed harder.
But the man fought back.
He grabbed Raisem's collar and yanked him down. Suddenly both of them were in the water, grappling, trying to overpower each other.
Raisem punched him again, once, twice, forcing him back onto the muddy edge.
Breathing hard, Raisem grabbed a wooden plank from the ground and raised it to smash it against the masked man's head.
Suddenly, A sharp pain hit Raisem's head. The pain was so intense it felt like his head would explode. That same pain he always felt due to his brain cancer.
His vision blurred and he staggered.
The masked man had recovered faster than expected.and he saw Raisem's situation as a huge advantage.
Dizziness overtook Raisem. He dropped to one knee, shaking his head, trying to focus but he couldn't. The pain was affecting everything about him.
He didn't see the knife the masked man held and then before he could scream out or find a place to hide, the man had already stabbed him, the knife plunged into his back.
His body jerked violently. The pain was instant. He gasped, collapsing forward onto the ground with a heavy thud.
"You think you can harm me? Ara deserves to die, not you," the masked man sneered.
He yanked the knife out and stabbed Raisem again at his side.
Raisem choked as blood spilled from his lips.
He tried to lift his hand to defend himself but his strength was fading.
The masked man raised the knife again ....
I got to the car and I opened the door, I was about to get in but then I remembered Raisem. I just didn't have enough courage or balls to leave him alone.
I shut the car door and ran back into the amusement park. I couldn't leave him.
I went back to the same spot that when I saw everything. Raisem was in danger and rage took over me.
I grabbed a plank lying nearby and with all the strength I had, I slammed it against the back of the masked man's head.
He froze then collapsed and was unconscious.
"Raisem! Raisem!" I screamed, dropping beside him.
Blood soaked his shirt. His hands were trembling weakly against his stomach.
"No, no, no…" My hands shook as I tore a piece of my clothing and pressed it against his wound. "Raisem, stay with me. Please, stay with me."
My tears fell onto his face.
"Stay with me…"
In the distance, I heard it, Police sirens. Finally they were here.
******
Raisem was rushed into the hospital on a stretcher.
I ran beside them until the nurses stopped me near the emergency room doors.
"You can't follow us, ma'am," one of them said gently.
I nodded, stepping back. My hands were covered in his blood.
I sat on the nearest chair, staring at them. Tears streamed down my face. This was my fault.
If I hadn't gone there.
If I had told him about the call.
If I had confirmed everything.
None of this would have happened.
It was all my fault.
I cried so badly I thought I was going to collapse. I wiped my tears and I heard footsteps approaching.
"Miss Henderson, your attention is needed," a female cop said.
I wiped my face completely and stood up.
They questioned me. I told them everything. Every detail. I didn't leave anything out.
"How about the man in the mirror mask?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"He escaped. We couldn't find him. But I assure you, he will be found and brought to justice," the female cop said with a small smile.
Her eyes moved to my hands. "You should get those treated."
I nodded, forcing a weak smile.
Not long after, Austin came rushing toward me.
"How is he?" I asked immediately.
"Luckily, the knife didn't go deep. He's okay now. He's stable. The surgery was successful, and he's resting," Austin said.
I exhaled for what felt like the first time in hours.
"Thank God," I whispered, crying again. "Can I see him?"
"Yes."
Austin led me to the special care unit.
Raisem lay still on the hospital bed. A drip was attached to his hand. His breathing was slow but steady.
"When will he wake up?" I asked softly.
"I can't say exactly. Probably tomorrow," Austin replied.
I nodded.
"Thank you so much. Can I stay with him? I really can't go back to the apartment alone."
"Sure," Austin said. "I have another surgery. If anything changes, inform me."
Austin left. I pulled a chair close and held Raisem's hand gently. Guilt consumed me.
"This is all my fault…" I whispered, crying quietly beside him.
******
Morning came faster than I expected.
I had fallen asleep holding his hand.
When I opened my eyes, the bed was empty.
"Raisem?" I called out but there was no response.
I turned to my side and heard the bathroom door click open. He stepped out slowly.
"Raisem!" I ran toward him and hugged him tightly.
"I hope you know the stitch isn't even a day old," he said.
I pulled back immediately.
"Thank God you're awake. I'm so sorry I caused so much trouble and put you in danger," I said.
"You did put me in danger," he replied calmly. "But I shouldn't have left you at the motel."
He was right. He left me for someone else.
I gave a small relieved smile.
"I'll be right back. Austin needs to check on you." I held his hands before rushing out to meet Austin.
I asked a nurse where Austin was. She told me he was in the ICU and gave me directions. I hurried there.
The ICU felt cold and tense. Something in the air felt wrong. From a distance, I saw Austin arguing with a woman.
"I am only doing my job, woman. I'm sorry, I can't discharge you. You just had surgery yesterday and this morning you started bleeding from the same spot. I can't allow that," Austin insisted.
"I have to go. I can't stay here," the woman pleaded.
I looked at her closely. She was the same woman who was wheeled in the night Raisem and I had an argument.
The man beside her spoke softly, "Mona, please just receive the treatment."
Mona. That name again. That familiar name.
"We can't afford it, Jason," Mona whispered.
"You don't have to worry. I'll add everything to my tab. Please let me do my job," Austin said firmly.
Mona hesitated, then slowly sat back down.
Austin adjusted her drip.
When he turned, he saw me.
"Is he awake?" he asked.
"Yes."
We returned to Raisem's ward together.
Raisem was standing by the window.
Austin wasted no time and examined him carefully.
"Well, he seems fine and his recovering well. But you'll be admitted for observation."
Raisem nodded. Austin blinked in surprise. Raisem had never in his life agreed with him, he always question him or frustrate him.
"You're not going to argue with me about being admitted?"
"No," Raisem replied. "I actually need it."
"Good. I'll leave you two to rest. Get changed. Your meals and medications will be provided." Austin said and left quietly.
He couldn't wait for long, he was a busy man.
Immediately he left, the room grew quiet. It was just the two of us.
Raisem picked up my hand gently and noticed the bandage.
"It's fine. Just a scratch," I said quickly.
His expression darkened."Why didn't you tell me? Why would you endanger your life like that? What if I hadn't come? You could have gotten really hurt."
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I was wrong."
He stares right into my eyes.
"I really don't want you to get hurt, Ara." His voice was soft and ful of sincerity.
Then he held my hands tighter.
"I promise I'll never let you get hurt again."
My heart skipped.
Was he serious? Or was he just saying it?