After a journey that lasted for days, and stops that stretched for hours, we finally arrived at the heart of the capital. And what a stunning capital it was! Hidden behind its mighty fortresses, distinguished by its exquisite architecture, and adorned with fields rich in colorful crops.
At last, we reached our final stop—a three-story villa with a spacious garden. It looked old, or more accurately, neglected; my dear uncle hadn't entered it since my grandmother passed away and Bayram moved to the academy—nearly ten years ago.
We entered, curiosity tagging along. The interior design was comforting. The first floor consisted of a kitchen merged with the living room, which opened onto the garden, and a spacious reception room. The second floor contained a library that occupied more than half the floor, along with three medium-sized rooms taken by my uncle, his wife, and Niyar. The third and relatively smaller floor contained an inner level that acted as the attic. And of course, Rina and I didn't hesitate to claim it—who would give up such a beautiful, bright two-story room?
Right after our tour around the house, we began cleaning it tirelessly, without fatigue or boredom, despite the exhaustion from our past journey.
The next day, my uncle took us to the center of the capital to buy additional supplies for our rooms. And finally, we relaxed. Rina and I sat in the room, staying up late in secret. It was only minutes before Niyar joined us in our nightly chat. After hours of nonstop conversation, I went down the stairs seeking the kitchen to quench my thirst. That's when I overheard my uncle talking on the phone. It didn't take me long to recognize the other person on the line—who could it be if not Bayram?
I hoped to hear joyful news, but his voice was far from joyful. That clear weakness in his tone told me what pain he carried. And from his words, I froze in place—my beloved city had turned into rubble. But the real tragedy was in the cause: a treacherous betrayer. And the only clue we had was one word—"Red." Bayram used his final breath to deliver it to us. After that, we heard nothing but a gunshot and a thud.
I rushed to my room and into Rina's arms, where I let it all out. My face softened and my tears flowed. Oh, the sorrow for the one my heart adored and cherished—the uncle, the brother, the support—he was gone. I fell asleep after long sobbing, as my uncle and aunt explained the matter to the two siblings.
"Where am I?"
A scene that repeated itself over and over, yet each time, I lived it anew. Crimson skies haunted my dreams. Screams echoed in my head. My nose filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood. Grains of sand carved their way through my wounds, and the warmth of the blood I painted onto the earth with my steps...
The nightmare of that day chased me even while I was awake. I started crying unconsciously, until a voice reached my ears. I opened my eyes to find Niyar watching me. I rubbed my eyes, wiped my tears, and asked him in surprise at his presence in my room:
"What are you doing in my room?"
He quickly replied to hush me before I began to complain:
"I knocked, hoping you'd wake up, but your groaning disturbed me, so I came in. Now get up—there's no one else in the house but us."
I responded in confusion at the empty house:
"Where did they go so early in the morning?"
"I don't know that, so don't ask me. Forget that, and tell me—why were you crying like a child in your sleep?"
"Don't mind it—it's of no importance. Now leave the room so I can get up and shake off the sleep."