Nazly's heart leapt with relief the moment she saw the figure approaching through the darkness.
Grandfather! she almost called out.
For a brief moment, joy flooded her chest. She was certain it was him returning from the forest with firewood. The cold wind blew across the clearing, and the lantern in the man's hand swayed gently, casting trembling shadows across the snow-covered ground.
But as the figure came closer… something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Nazly's smile slowly faded.
The man stepped into the dim light of the cabin doorway. His face became clear.
It was not her grandfather.
The man standing before her was the same mysterious stranger she had seen beneath the tree.
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs.
W–who are you?! she shouted, her voice trembling. Tell me! Who are you? What do you want from me?!
The stranger looked at her with calm, almost amused eyes.
You were the one searching for me, he said quietly.
His voice was deep… steady… and strangely cold.
Nazly ignored him. Panic was already spreading through her body like fire. She quickly rushed inside the cabin and began gathering her belongings.
I'm leaving, she muttered nervously. "I'm going back to the city.
She grabbed the bag where she had hidden the money she stole from the boss.
But when she opened it
Her breath froze.
The bag was empty.
Nazly stared inside, her mind refusing to understand what she was seeing.
No… no… no…
Her fingers began digging desperately through the bag.
She threw the clothes onto the floor. She searched the table, the couch, the corners of the room.
Where is it?! she shouted frantically. Where is the money?!
Her breathing became wild.
That money was mine!
Behind her, the mysterious man sat calmly on the old couch as if he had been there forever.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then he spoke.
I returned it to its owner.
Nazly spun around, rage exploding in her eyes.
You WHAT?!
That money is mine!" she screamed. "Why would you take it from me?!
The man slowly stood up.
In a single swift movement, he crossed the room and grabbed her by the throat.
Nazly gasped as her feet nearly left the floor.
Silence, he said coldly.
His grip tightened.
You foolish woman.
His eyes darkened.
Be quiet… and let me show you something you might like.
With his free hand, he made a slow circular motion in the air.
Suddenly
The space in front of them distorted.
Light twisted into a glowing circle, forming a floating portal, like a circular screen made of stars.
Nazly froze.
The strange gate shimmered with cosmic light, swirling like a galaxy trapped in glass.
What… what is that?" she whispered.
The man leaned closer to her ear.
The future.
He pushed her slightly toward the portal.
Look.
Nazly hesitated, but fear forced her eyes toward the glowing circle.
Inside the portal… a scene appeared.
A dark room.
Chains.
A chair.
And then
Her.
Nazly watched in horror as the boss stood before her with a cruel smile. She was tied to a chair, bruised and bleeding. His men surrounded her.
The screams coming from the portal were her own.
The boss slowly raised a knife.
No… Nazly whispered.
The blade cut into her skin.
She screamed.
The vision continued—hours of torture—until finally…
The boss slit her throat.
Blood spilled across the floor.
Her body fell.
Dead.
The portal vanished.
Nazly collapsed to her knees.
No… no… no… she sobbed, shaking violently. "I don't want to die… I don't want to die!
The mysterious man watched her with quiet satisfaction.
I can help you, he said softly.
Nazly lifted her tear-filled eyes toward him.
Help me? she whispered.
Yes.
He crouched slightly so his face was level with hers.
I can change that future.
Hope flickered inside her broken heart.
"What do you want? she asked desperately.
The man smiled.
A slow… terrifying smile.
I want a sacrifice.
Nazly felt cold fear crawl up her spine.
You must kill someone.
Silence filled the cabin.
If you do,he continued calmly, "their blood will be my offering… and in return, I will save your life.
Nazly stared at him in horror.
I… I can't kill anyone," she whispered.
The man stood up again, his expression instantly turning emotionless.
Then there will be no help.
He turned toward the door.
And the future you just saw… will become your reality.
Nazly's sobs echoed through the cold wooden cabin as the wind howled outside.
And for the first time in her life
She realized that survival might demand something far darker than death.