In a place dominated by darkness, Jaber was striking one palm against the other, muttering in frustration: "Damn it! I couldn't kill him. It seems luck was on his side this time."
The cold voice of an unidentified man emerged from the shadows, saying mockingly: "It is only natural for a failure like you to not succeed in killing him."
Jaber: "If our leader finds out about my failure, he will pour his wrath upon me. I must find him and kill him before the matter is exposed."
Anonymous Man: "It doesn't matter, I won't tell anyone what happened... Do as you please."
Jaber: "I will kill him... and then I will earn a lot of money."
Hidara stared at the long road with restless anxiety, until he saw her approaching from afar.
"...I thought you wouldn't come."
Rine approached with slow steps, carrying a small bag that reflected her simple circumstances. She said: "I said I would come... and I do not want to break my father's will."
Hidara turned to her: "Thank you for coming, Rine."
Rine: "Don't be too happy... I'm not doing this for you."
Hidara: "I know that... but I promise you that I will do everything I can to protect you."
The bus arrived, and they boarded together as the journey began.
Rine: "This is the first time I've ever left the village."
Hidara: "We are going to the city now... to my house. It might not be a palace, but it will be a safe haven for you."
Rine looked out the window, watching the raindrops racing across the glass: "I hope so..."
When they stepped out in front of the house, Hidara pointed to it, saying: "Look, this is my family's house... this is where I live."
Hidara (startled): "What? The door is open! Is there someone inside?"
Hidara pushed the door open and entered, with Rine beside him, her face pale from tension. At that moment, his parents ran toward him eagerly.
His mother threw herself into his arms, weeping bitterly: "Please forgive us, Hidara! We let you go and live alone... Forgive us, my dear. Thank God you are safe."
Hidara: "Don't apologize, Mother, you did nothing wrong... I was the one who was wrong when I thought that running away was the solution. I should have faced my problems, but I've learned my lesson now."
Mahmoud, with tearful eyes, held his shoulders and inspected him: "Where were you, my son? We almost lost our minds with worry! Are you okay? We shouldn't have left you alone... Tell me, what happened? And who is this girl with you?"
Hidara: "I'm fine, Father... but Rine... her story is longer and more horrific than you can imagine."
The mother looked at Rine kindly and patted her head tenderly: "Welcome, my daughter... don't tremble, you are safe now." Then she turned to Hidara: "Tell us everything."
Everyone sat down, and Hidara began narrating the bitter details. Silence hung over the room. After he finished, Widad (Hidara's mother) said: "What a tragedy! Don't worry, Rine. From this moment on, consider me your mother, and this house is your home. No harm will ever touch you here."
Mahmoud: "Yes, my little one, you are completely safe." Then he turned to Hidara, saying: "I contacted a commissioner I know to look for you, but he found no trace of you, so we came here searching for you."
Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by loud knocks on the door. Kamal entered with his assistant, Salim.
Kamal said in a formal tone: "Sorry for the interruption, but it is undoubtedly happy news... it seems your son has returned, Mahmoud."
Mahmoud: "Yes, he has returned."
Kamal: "So, tell us Hidara, what was the reason for your disappearance?"
Hidara: "I was kidnapped by a gang I don't know. Their goal was to dissect me and sell my organs."
Kamal: "And how were you able to escape their grip? Thank God for your safety first."
Hidara: "Ah... it's a long story."
Kamal smiled suspiciously and said: "It seems I know the outlines... we need an official statement immediately. Hidara, were you able to recognize the face of that kidnapper? Do you remember his features?"
Hidara: "His features? They are the nightmare that haunts me... Yes, I know his face well, and I will never forget it."
Salim, while taking notes: "Excellent, that's what we need. Take care of yourself now."
Kamal: "Let's go, Salim, we have work to do."
After they left, Widad took Rine's hand and led her to a room upstairs. She opened the door: "Look, Rine... from now on, this room is yours alone. Get some rest; the nightmare is over."
Widad closed the door quietly. Rine sat on the bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion: "Ah... from today, I will live with Hidara's family... I am truly exhausted, I want to sleep."
She took out her simple belongings, and her eyes fell on the photo of her late father. She pressed the picture to her chest and whispered as tears streamed from her eyes: "Father... don't worry. Your daughter will fight to live. I will do my best to be okay, I promise you."
She continued to cry silently while holding the picture until sleep overcame her.
In the early morning, Hidara woke up and went downstairs...
Hidara walked toward the living room, thinking to himself: "Is it possible they are really staying here? Will they leave everything behind just to stay by my side?"
He broke his silence by asking his father: "Father... where is my brother?"
Mahmoud: "We left him at our old house to finalize some official procedures regarding his transfer to this school."
Hidara: "What do you mean? It can't be... Are you really thinking of living here?"
Mahmoud: "And why not?"
Hidara: "What about your work, Father?"
Mahmoud: "I have decided to transfer my place of work here. I have many acquaintances, and God willing, I will open a restaurant soon in this area."
Widad exclaimed in support: "It is undoubtedly a great idea."
Hidara: "Mother... but..."
Mahmoud: "Your mother and I have decided to live here with you. Everything that happened was because of us; it was irresponsible of us to let you live alone while you are still an underaged minor, or rather... while you are still a child."
Hidara: "I am not a child!"
Widad laughed: "Alright, hero... but it is impossible for me to let you live in one house with an innocent girl like Rine by yourselves."
Mahmoud (laughing): "That's true."
Hidara sighed in resignation: "Fine... as long as you are happy with this, it's okay."
Meanwhile, Hidara's mother called out: "Rine... come, my beautiful girl, breakfast is ready."
Rine: "Okay, auntie."
Hidara: "I'm going to my school today; it will be my first day back after my absence."
Mahmoud: "Take care of yourself, my son, and don't worry... the police have searched the entire area and you are safe now. They have tightened security in these parts."
Hidara gratefully: "Alright, thank you, Father."
Mahmoud: "Don't mention it, it's my duty."
Hidara: "I'll go change my clothes."
Widad turned to Rine: "Well, my daughter, what do you think about going to school as well?"
Rine: "But..."
Widad: "Don't worry about it; we will take care of everything regarding you. You are one of our family now."
Mahmoud: "You will go to school today, and I will drop you off myself. I will be your father starting from today... okay, my daughter?"
Hidara: "I am leaving now."
Widad: "Watch out for yourself. If anything happens, call your father or me, and we will come immediately."
Hidara: "Don't overprotect me, I'm not a child!"
Widad laughed: "Alright, we know that."
Hidara closed the door and set off on his way.
Mahmoud: "Alright, my daughter, go change your clothes, and tomorrow we will get you a new school uniform, agreed?"
Rine: "Thank you both..."
Widad: "There is no need for thanks between us; you are our daughter, Rine."
At that moment, Rine's heart filled with a warmth she had long missed. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and a stifled sob escaped her. Widad hugged her: "Don't worry, my daughter, we will always be your support." Meanwhile, Mahmoud patted her head, smiling.
Hidara walked toward his school, talking to himself: "Back to boring school... the only person I missed is Neil. I wonder if he missed me too?"
In the school hallway, Neil was walking aimlessly when Hidara startled him.
Hidara: "Hey Neil! Did you miss me?"
Neil turned eagerly: "Hidara! Where were you?"
Neil hugged him tightly: "Where were you, you idiot? Are you okay? I was so worried about you, and I really wanted to apologize for what happened that day."
Hidara answered with a smile: "I'm fine, don't worry."
Tears of joy welled up in Neil's eyes: "Thank God... thank you, truly."
Hidara: "Do you really consider me your friend?"
Neil: "Shut up!" Then Hidara burst into laughter.
Neil: "Where were you? Tell me what happened to you!"
Hidara: "I'll tell you everything after classes. Let's go, the bell just rang."
The teacher entered the classroom and said to the students: "A new transfer student will be joining us today." Then he called out: "Come in."
Rine entered, and Hidara was deeply shocked. Everyone was stunned by her breathtaking beauty. Hidara whispered to himself: "I knew my parents would enroll her in school, but I didn't expect it to be this fast!"
The teacher to Rine: "Introduce yourself to your new classmates."
Rine: "My name is Rine Kamel. Nice to meet you."
Teacher: "Please, have a seat."
Rine scanned the place and found no familiar face except for Hidara. She headed over and sat beside him, saying: "Is this your school, Hidara?"
At that moment, all the boys shot comical, jealous looks of anger toward Hidara. Neil leaned toward his friend and whispered: "Tell me about her. Who is she? Your girlfriend or just a friend?"
Hidara: "No... no, it's not what you think!"
The teacher interrupted them sharply: "Silence! Let's continue the lesson."
After the class ended, Hidara began gathering his things. Neil approached him, saying: "Hidara, I want a full explanation of everything that's going on."
Hidara replied: "Alright, I'll tell you everything."
Neil pointed toward Rine and said: "Look, the new student is looking at you."
Hidara turned to her: "Rine, would you like to come with me?"
Rine: "Yes, I would, but where are you going?"
Hidara: "To the library."
Rine: "Okay."
In the silence of the library, Neil said eagerly: "Hidara, tell me what happened, and who is this girl?"
Hidara began recounting the events in detail: "This is Rine... and everything that happened to me and her is a long story, but I will summarize it for you."
After Neil listened to the story, he said moved: "Alright... now I understand everything. But Hidara, what will you do now? I'm sure I can help you, my friend."
Hidara replied gratefully: "Thank you, Neil. I have a plan through which we can trap the kidnapper."
Rine: "What are you thinking, Hidara? Tell us."
Hidara explained: "I don't know their exact goal yet, but I think they are targeting specific age groups between 16 and 17 years old."
Neil: "You mean... teenagers like us?"
Hidara: "Not everyone. They focus on lonely people who live by themselves. This included me too; the kidnapper sees them as easy prey. We will search for these lonely people; we will identify them and protect them."
Neil: "I see... then we must start searching for them tomorrow."
Hidara: "Yes, Neil... if he is the predator, let him prepare to be the prey."
Hidara: "Alright, Rine and I are going home now. See you tomorrow, Neil."
Neil: "Alright, stay safe."
As they were walking on the road, Rine looked in awe at the towering buildings, the lush gardens, and the crowded cafes. She whispered joyfully: "Wow... how beautiful this city is!"
Hidara noticed her pure smile: "If you want, I can take you on a trip around the city this weekend."
Rine began fiddling with her hair nervously and said: "If you don't mind..."
Hidara: "Alright... I'll show you all the beautiful places."
Rine's heart raced a little.
Rine:ok