The night over Ain El-Sehoul was strangely silent.
The wind moved slowly through the narrow streets, carrying with it the scent of dust and distant rain. Lamps flickered along the old stone walls, casting long shadows that stretched across the empty road.
Nader walked alone.
His footsteps echoed softly as he moved through the deserted alley behind the old market.
Something didn't feel right.
Ever since the confrontation with Jahan earlier that evening, a heavy feeling had settled in his chest.
He could still remember the look in her eyes.
Not anger.
Not fear.
Something deeper.
Something that felt like… regret.
Nader stopped walking.
He looked up at the dark sky.
"Why does everything feel like it's about to break apart?" he murmured to himself.
A sudden sound interrupted his thoughts.
Footsteps.
Someone was behind him.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Nader turned instantly.
"Who's there?"
No answer.
Only the faint rustling of fabric in the darkness.
His instincts sharpened.
"Show yourself," Nader said firmly.
For a moment nothing happened.
Then a figure stepped out from the shadows.
Tall.
Wearing a long black coat.
The dim streetlight revealed a familiar face.
Nader's eyes widened.
"You…?"
The man smiled faintly.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to notice."
Nader clenched his fists.
"What are you doing here, Kareem?"
Kareem leaned casually against the wall as if they were simply meeting for tea.
But his eyes were cold.
"Relax," Kareem said. "I'm not here to fight."
"Then why are you following me?"
Kareem chuckled softly.
"Because someone asked me to."
Nader frowned.
"Who?"
Kareem didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small folded paper.
He tossed it toward Nader.
"Read it."
Nader caught the paper.
His heart began to beat faster.
He slowly unfolded it.
Inside was a single sentence.
His eyes froze on the words.
His breathing stopped.
"This… this is impossible…"
Kareem watched him carefully.
"I said the same thing when I first saw it."
Nader looked up, his voice trembling.
"Where did you get this?"
Kareem's smile faded.
"From the person who wrote it."
Nader felt a chill run through his body.
"That can't be…"
"Why not?"
"Because the person who wrote this… should be dead."
Silence filled the alley.
The wind grew stronger.
Kareem crossed his arms.
"That's exactly the problem."
Nader looked down at the paper again.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
He knew it.
He had seen it countless times before.
It belonged to his father.
But his father had died ten years ago.
Or at least… that's what everyone believed.
Nader's voice was barely a whisper.
"…He's alive."
Kareem nodded slowly.
"And he wants to see you."
Nader's mind was spinning.
"This has to be some kind of trick."
"I thought so too."
"Then why believe it?"
Kareem looked straight into Nader's eyes.
"Because I met him."
The words hit like thunder.
Nader took a step back.
"You're lying."
"I wish I was."
"Where is he?"
Kareem shook his head.
"I can't tell you yet."
Nader's patience snapped.
He grabbed Kareem by the collar.
"Don't play games with me!"
Kareem didn't resist.
Instead he whispered calmly:
"If you want to see him… you'll have to trust me."
Nader hesitated.
Trust Kareem?
That sounded insane.
But the letter…
The handwriting…
The memories…
His grip slowly loosened.
"Where do we go?"
Kareem smiled again.
"Outside the village."
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
Nader looked around.
The village felt different now.
Like the ground beneath it was hiding secrets.
"Fine," Nader said.
"But if this is a trap…"
Kareem raised his hands.
"You can kill me."
Nader stared at him for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Lead the way."
The two men began walking toward the edge of the village.
Behind them, hidden in the shadows of a nearby rooftop…
A pair of eyes watched everything.
Jahan.
Her expression was tense.
"So… it finally started," she whispered.
She looked toward the distant hills where Nader and Kareem were heading.
"If he learns the truth now…"
She clenched her fist.
"…everything will collapse."
For a moment she hesitated.
Then she leapt from the rooftop and followed them silently.
The wind grew stronger.
Dark clouds began covering the moon.
Somewhere far beyond the village…
A man stood alone on a cliff overlooking the sea.
His hair moved with the cold night wind.
In his hand was another letter.
He whispered quietly:
"Nader…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Let's see if you're ready to learn the truth."
Lightning flashed across the sky.
And in that brief moment of light…
His face became visible.
The same face as Nader.
Only older.
And filled with secrets.