(Eren's Narration)
I saw the crowd disperse and Elif walk away from me, but I felt no relief. On the contrary, there was a strangeness, an emptiness. Normally, I would easily forget the people I saw; I would erase their fear, their helplessness, their trembling in my eyes. But Elif was different.
Her gaze lingered in my mind. Eyes intent yet vulnerable, eyes intertwined with fear and curiosity, trained on me… That gaze awakened something I hadn't felt in years: the uneasy yet vivid feeling of being watched intently.
The dark voices within me warned, shouted: "This is dangerous! Leave her, go away!" But the other voice… quieter but stronger: "No. Don't leave her. Don't lose her." And I knew that this time, the second voice would win.
---
(Elif's Narration)
As I rounded the street corner, my breathing was still ragged. I wanted to quicken my pace, but my mind kept returning, searching for her. She was dangerous, I knew it. But… somehow, it wouldn't fade from my mind.
The voices inside me were still clashing. One side of me was shouting, "This man is dangerous! Run!" But the other, involuntarily, was saying, "Careful… maybe there's something you need to understand." Driven by this voice, I slowed my steps, but my eyes remained fixed on him.
The city had begun to darken, the streetlights illuminating our path with a yellow glow. But those lights couldn't erase the shadow cast over Eren. His presence was still intense, still dominant. I was afraid, yes. But my curiosity was growing just as quickly. I wanted to understand this dangerous, unknown man, but I knew I had to protect myself.
---
(Eren's Narration)
I saw Elif pause. She didn't run away, but she hadn't stopped walking completely either. This attention… this mixture of curiosity and fear was like a call to figure him out.
The city was falling silent, but we were still trapped in the shadows. The streets around us were dark, but every corner, every trash can seemed to hide a danger. Taking advantage of this, I felt my inner feelings more clearly: I didn't want to lose her, but at the same time, I had to avoid endangering her safety.
I slowed my pace, constantly on guard as I moved through the shadows. Not losing her… but being careful… now both took on meaning.
---
(Elif's Narration)
Under the streetlights, as the shadows lengthened, my tension grew. She could still be in front of me, or beside me; this uncertainty deepened my fear but also fueled my curiosity. I constantly considered taking a step forward, taking a step back.
My heart was racing, my breath coming in short. But one thing was certain: her presence could no longer be ignored. Dangerous… yes. But somehow… captivating. There was no connection yet, I wasn't yet in love. But her gaze, her movements, her silent presence created an involuntary state of attention and alertness within me.
At that moment, I realized that this encounter wouldn't be a fleeting coincidence. I would see him again. And, unconsciously, I would try to understand him... despite the danger.
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