She wasn’t just an average girl. There was something off about her, maybe broken in some way, or maybe even a little dangerous. But instead of feeling scared, all he wanted was to track her down.

"She’s not kidnapped," Zayden said with confidence. "She chose to leave, and she made sure I couldn’t follow her."

Leo thought for a second, then asked, "But why?"

Zayden leaned against the wall, his jaw tight.

"She thinks she’s protecting me, kind of like you said," he replied.

Leo scoffed lightly. "Protecting you? From what? She’s the one who needs the protection, Zayden."

"You didn’t see her yesterday," Zayden mumbled, his voice low. "She looked... scared. Like something was after her, or maybe she was the one scaring herself. She was avoiding me, like I’d ask her too many questions."

Leo went quiet for a moment. "Zayden," he said slowly, "you didn’t ask her about last night, right?"

Zayden let out a breath. "No. I didn’t."

"Good," Leo said quietly. "Because if she’s wrapped up in something bigger, and trust me, something feels off, pushing her for answers too soon would’ve made her run even faster. Or worse, lash out."

Zayden closed his eyes, feeling the weight of it all. "I know."

"And you know she didn’t disappear because of you," Leo added with a sigh. "She ran because of whatever’s after her."

"Or maybe because of who she actually is," Zayden said softly. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Leo didn’t argue with that. The cabin fell silent again before Leo spoke with determination. "So what’s the plan now?"

Zayden gripped his phone tighter.

"I’m going after her."

"Of course you are," Leo muttered. "You sound like not doing it wasn’t even an option for you."

Zayden didn’t deny it. He glanced at the empty bedroom, the messed-up sheets, the pillow she’d used, and the window where she’d sit quietly, watching the trees when she thought he wasn’t looking.

His chest hurt again, a familiar ache that was hard to shake. "I told her I wouldn’t ditch her," he said quietly.

"Zayden"

"I meant it," Zayden interrupted, his voice firm. "She’s scared. She’s running from something she won’t talk about. Something really bad. I don’t know what exactly... but I’m not gonna let her deal with it alone."

Leo let out a sigh, knowing it was pointless to argue. "You’re doing this because it’s her," he said quietly.

Zayden didn’t reply. He didn’t need to.

"Alright then," Leo finally said. "Pack your stuff. Let’s get back to the city. We’ll figure things out from there. I’ll check traffic cameras, logs, anywhere she might’ve gone by. And Zayden, "

"Hm?"

Leo dropped his voice to a serious tone. "Be careful with this girl. If she’s running from something this serious... You could be stepping into something you won’t be able to get out of."

Zayden tightened his jaw. "No matter what kind of trouble she’s in, I know we’re the ones in bigger danger than she is, and I don’t care if her trouble is worse than ours."

"And what if she’s the dangerous one?" Leo asked.

Zayden’s response came right away, without any second thoughts. "I don’t care."

Leo let out a sharp breath, frustration mixed with acceptance. "You’re impossible."

"She’s cold, alone, and scared," Zayden said softly. "Someone’s gotta find her."

"And that someone is you," Leo said.

Zayden swallowed hard. "Yeah."

Another awkward silence filled the room. "Alright, I’ll get ready for your return. Just make sure you make it down from that cabin in one piece."

Zayden nodded, even though Leo couldn’t see him. "Call me as soon as you’re in the jeep," Leo added.

"Yeah," Zayden replied.

"And Zayden?" Leo said again.

"Hm?" Zayden responded.

"Don’t beat yourself up over her leaving," Leo advised.

Zayden stole another glance at the empty chair, the memories of her lingering in every corner. "I already am," he whispered.

He hung up the call and slowly put his phone down.

For a while, he just stood there in the cabin, completely still. Then he walked to the bedroom and started packing his stuff with a focus that felt automatic.

Clothes. Files. A flashlight. His weapon. He moved swiftly and deliberately, but every few minutes, he cast a glance at the door, almost expecting her to show up and say it was all a mistake. But she didn’t. Once his bag was full, he threw it over his shoulder and paused one last time in the doorway.

The cabin felt different now. It used to be filled with two people, but now felt so empty, echoing with her absence. Zayden stepped outside and locked the door behind him.

The cold air stung his skin, but he didn’t react. He walked down toward the tunnel, entered it, and found the man’s lifeless body. He first checked for a pulse, then hoisted the body from the chair, slinging him over his shoulder as he walked out of the tunnel. Once he stepped outside, the tunnel sealed up behind him, disappearing as if it never existed.

He made his way down the path to his jeep, breathing steadily, his steps firm. He wasn’t panicking. He wasn’t desperate. Just determined. She could run as far as she wanted, wipe away every clue, and vanish into the woods, the city, the shadows. He’d track her down, no matter how long it took, no matter what darkness she carried, no matter her fears. He wasn’t letting her go, not now, not after everything that had happened when she left.

He reached a tree and placed his hand on its rough trunk. When he pressed it, the muddy ground shifted, revealing his jeep hidden underneath. He walked over, laid the man in the back seat, covered him up, then opened the door and tossed his bag inside. He murmured into the cold air, "I’m coming for you, Zeynep." He started the jeep and drove away. Just as the muddy earth had opened up, it closed behind the vehicle, leaving no evidence that it had been there.