The silence between them got really awkward after he snapped at her. Zeynep felt his words hit her hard in the chest. She tried to keep her feelings in check, but the knot in her throat gave her away. It annoyed her that she cared, even a bit, about how he thought of her. Just two days ago, she didn’t even know his name. Just two days ago, she didn’t care whether she lived or died. Just two days ago, she wasn’t on the run from half the criminal world.

Now, everything felt way too close, way too real, and way too dangerous.

She slowed down and reached out to touch the rough bark of a nearby pine tree, trying to calm herself. The forest buzzed with soft winds, rustling leaves, and distant bird calls, but inside her, there was a storm brewing. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Zayden noticed she was quiet but didn’t say a word. He just walked ahead, kicking a small stone along the path, feeling more frustrated with himself than with her. He exhaled through his nose and stayed silent, but inside, he was losing it.

"Why did I snap at her? What’s wrong with me? She’s scared. She’s by herself. She’s..."

He couldn’t finish the thought.

Meanwhile, Zeynep’s mind was racing, completely off in another direction. "This is it. This is my chance. He’s upset and distracted. I can sneak away now. Before night falls. Before MK comes looking for me. Before AD shows up. Before anyone realizes I’m gone. I can run. I have to run."

Her heart was pounding so hard she thought Zayden might hear it. She tried to keep her breathing quiet, her steps calm, and her expression neutral. "Zayden," she said quietly.

He stopped right away. Turned around slowly. "Yeah?"

He looked drained and conflicted. The ring on his finger caught the light, almost taunting her.

She took a shaky breath. "I’m really sorry about what I said earlier. I shouldn’t have blown up like that."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Forget about it. I shouldn’t have snapped either." He hesitated. "I just—"

He paused mid-sentence, his jaw tightening. He couldn’t quite find the words. "I just care. Too much. Too fast. Too stupidly."

Zeynep nodded but couldn’t trust herself to say anything. She felt that tightening in her chest again, a reminder of all that was unsaid between them.

They stood there, feeling kind of awkward and silent, both hurting from everything that just happened. Finally, Zayden let out a sigh and said, "Look... it’s getting late. We should head back to the cabin before it gets too dark."

Zeynep put on a small smile that didn’t really feel genuine. "Yeah... okay."

But deep down, she had already made her choice.

I have to leave tonight, before things get worse.

When they got to the cabin, the bright orange glow of dusk was fading into a deep blue. Zayden went inside first and left the door open, letting in the fresh night air. Zeynep paused at the doorway, soaking in her surroundings: the tall trees stretching endlessly into the dusky sky, shadows creeping along the ground, and the distant sounds of night animals beginning to stir.

Staying here could be risky, but leaving felt even more dangerous. Taking a deep breath for courage, she stepped inside quietly, her heart pounding.

Zayden was in the main room, switching on a lamp that threw warm light across the wooden walls, his back to her as he fiddled with the bulb. "You can rest. I’ll check the generator since the lights keep flickering," he said, grabbing a flashlight from the shelf before heading out the back door without saying anything else.

Zeynep looked around the cozy cabin, taking in the familiar features, the warm fireplace that had kept them comfortable during chilly nights, the little wooden table where they’d enjoyed meals together, the inviting bed where she had found rest, and the corner where he had thoughtfully set an extra blanket for her.

A strange ache hit her in the chest, an unexpected emotion that made her pause.

Why am I feeling this way? Why him? Why now, when everything feels so complicated?

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, and reminded herself firmly, "You have to do this. You need to get out of here before it’s too late."

After about ten minutes, Zayden came back and headed straight for the kitchen while she made her way to the bathroom. She wasn’t sure why, but she really felt like taking a shower before leaving. She had just bathed before lunch, but for some reason, she needed to do it again.

When Zeynep stepped out of the bathroom, her hair still damp and her cheeks a little flushed from the steam, the cabin smelled great, filled with the scent of warm food. Zayden was busy setting plates on the small wooden table, trying to make something simple and cozy look like... well, normal.

She swallowed hard. Normal wasn’t something she could relate to anymore. Not now.

Zayden was at the stove, stirring something in a pan with a wooden spoon, his sleeve rolled up, and focused on what he was doing.

For a moment, she just stood there in the doorway, watching.

He looked up right away. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she said, pushing wet strands of hair back from her face. "Just... tired."

"You took another shower," he pointed out, not judging, just noticing.

"Yeah. It helps me think," she said, feeling a bit exposed.

He paused for a second. "Then go ahead and take as many as you need."

Just like that, he went back to the pan.

No questions. No pressure. No weird looks.

It almost made her heart hurt.

She walked over to the table and plopped down in the chair right by the window. Outside, the forest night buzzed softly with the sounds of wildlife, but inside the cabin, it felt comfy and safe.

Zayden brought over the pan and set the food down: some rice and veggies. Nothing fancy, but it felt nice and warm. Just what they needed.