{Whatever the cost, return to us safely}
It is said that dreams are a sanctuary where humans escape to live out what they wished to achieve or become. But this isn't always true. Those moments can be the very threshold where a real hell begins; a guilty conscience never forgives what a person has done during their day...
Morning came.
Time to return to work—the work I've grown to loathe. I got ready and went down to have breakfast with Mayar. Today is the day Rina will be discharged from the hospital. Happiness is written all over Mayar's face; she tells me every minute how much she's looking forward to Rina's release. I shouldn't keep her waiting much longer.
After breakfast, I stepped out to call an old acquaintance, someone I trust with a heavy secret. His name is Hakan. He used to work as a guard for a contraband dealer, but now he runs his own operation. I informed him of the situation, and he accepted my request to take Rina and Mayar to their new home and set up all the necessities. He will arrive this afternoon. I told him to keep a close watch on the place after dark; the sisters might still be in danger.
Mayar and I got into the car and headed to the hospital. We climbed the stairs and reached the room door...
[I can hear several voices inside...?]
[Mayar's expression changed. Does she recognize that voice?]
I opened the door to find a man talking to Rina, and a woman sitting in a chair holding a newborn... It was him.
"Hello."
"Welcome, Mr. Kinjin," Rina murmured.
[Mayar hid behind me.]
"Who are you, stranger?" the man asked.
"I believe you should introduce yourself first. But fine, I am Kinjin. Care to tell me who you are?"
"No need for you to know my name. What are you doing here, and why is my little daughter with you?"
[This scum is starting to make my patience wear thin.]
"I'll exercise my right to remain silent... What do you think about that, Mr. Anonymous?"
"You have a long tongue. I work for the police department. If you don't answer my questions, you'll be sleeping on the floor tonight!"
"Terrifying... You work at the local precinct nearby, right?"
"Yes, so what? Want to visit the station now in a squad car?"
"Does Mr. Furkan treat you well?"
"How do you know the Chief's name?"
"I know everyone who holds a rank higher than yours, by the way. But that's irrelevant... Is this your daughter?"
"You're quite the braggart. Yes, this is my daughter, and the girl sitting here is my eldest. I heard she had an accident and came to visit. You still haven't answered me. What is my youngest doing with you? Answer before something happens that you won't like!"
"An intimidating threat. Not bad, but you need to work on your delivery—it's weak. You know my name now. Mayar is in my care until Rina leaves the hospital. As for Rina, I'm the one who brought her here. You didn't know what happened, and you didn't care to know. So don't try to play the righteous father now..."
[Is that young woman over there his new wife?]
[I think I'll get something out of this visit after all.]
"Is that lady over there your new wife? Quite beautiful. Is she your type? She seems utterly disinterested in your daughters, though—she hasn't looked up from her phone once since I walked in. What a shame..."
He grabbed my collar and pulled me forcefully.
"If you say one more word, I'll end your life right now."
"I told you, change your tone—it's still a bit pathetic. Take your hand off me now, or your house on Ulus Street, Apartment 7, in the new residential block, will go up in flames tonight under 'mysterious circumstances'."
"How... How do you know my address? Who exactly are you?"
[I couldn't hide my smile anymore. This feeling—threatening the depraved and watching them tremble—is truly beautiful.]
I looked at him, a clear grin spreading across my face.
"Heh... where did your manhood go all of a sudden? Don't be afraid. I won't do anything as long as you're polite. I'm leaving now."
"Please stay a little longer, Kinjin," Rina pleaded.
"Sorry, Rina, I have important business. A friend of mine will come this afternoon to take you both to your new home. If you need anything, tell him. I might visit tomorrow... Farewell for now."
"Before I forget, dear 'Father', don't do anything that might bring nuisance to either of us."
"Mayar, let's go."
He grabbed Mayar by her arm.
"My daughter isn't going with you. Mayar, go sit by your mother."
"She's not my mother! My mother is dead! Let me go!"
"How dare you speak to your father like that!"
He raised his hand to strike her, but I caught it.
"Make one more move, and I swear I will make your life a living hell, Mr. Can... I know everything about you, believe me. Do you want me to tell you the name of your newborn baby over there? Get away from her... NOW!"
"Kinjin, calm down, please! No need for a fight," Rina cried.
"I don't like fighting. That's why I informed him of the consequences of making me angry. Now, farewell... Let's go, Mayar."
I closed the door behind us, his hateful glares burning into my back.
[I had already looked into this family. It seems what I gathered matches the truth.]
"How about you come to work with me until my friend arrives?"
"I'd love to! Let's go!"
[If Mayar hadn't been with me, I would have drawn my gun in that bastard's face... my left arm was ready to pull it out, but I didn't want to scare her.]
[The look on that woman's face... it seems the information about her being the reason the father kicked them out is correct.]
[After everything the sisters went through, he decides to visit now? I'll kill him if he shows his face before me again.]
Mayar got into the car while I stayed outside... I wanted to speak with Hakan.
"Hello."
"Hey Kinjin, is something wrong? Did the girl get discharged early?"
"No, she's still on schedule. I want you to watch the situation after sunset. Someone might follow you, so keep them safe."
"Understood... After sunset, I'll send some men to monitor the area. Don't worry."
"Thank you. One more thing—can you pick up Mayar from my workplace before heading to the hospital?"
"You're asking a lot in one day. Fine, I owe you one. Consider it done. But one question before I hang up."
"What is it?"
"What if that person tries something in the evening? How should we handle him?"
"Start by threatening him. That should be enough to make him back off. But if he persists..."
"Kill him."