Hellblades

Manolya`s POVHer flower-patterned dress was disheveled, her apron gone and her hair sticking out from her abaya was wild from the wind.. She shook in my arms as I pulled her close. “Ayla, we’ll find her,” I said, fighting the tears burning my eyes. “I promise.”Ipek used to sometimes come with Ayla when we went grocery shopping together. Ipek was always kind, with a warm smile, and she always bought me ice cream.I didn’t know her that well, but she was warm, kind-hearted, and all the family Ayla had left.If she was family to Ayla, she was family to me too.Ayla was the only one who’d ever filled even a small part of the hole Mom left. Her warmth, her care, even as hired staff she meant everything.I would do anything for her.Seeing Ayla upset like this made me sad. “Aziz, stay here and guard the place,” I called back.He sat by the door, eyes locked on me, letting out a soft meow, like he was promising he’d keep watch.Then I heard a car approaching and looked out the window.It w

Manolya`s POV I turned towards my Uncle. “Did my dad call you about Ipek?” I asked, glancing at him as the wipers dragged across the windshield. For a moment, something flickered in Uncle Eren’s eyes, worry quickly buried beneath his usual warmth. “Yes,” he said lightly. “He texted me she’s been missing. Why? You don’t think she’ll be home by the time we’ve picked up your cousins from the airport?” “I’m not sure, Uncle,” I admitted, staring out at the rain. “I just have a bad feeling about all this.” He reached over, patting my shoulder. “We’ve got a bit of work to do first, kuzum. After that, we’ll join the search. How does that sound?” I frowned, my chest tightening with unease. “Alright then,” I said slowly. “But be quick with whatever it is we have to do today. I can help you if you want to.” “That is niece of you to offer, Manolya,” he said, trying to hide my unease with a warm smile. “Earlier this week I answered an ad in the newspaper. We will be meeting an old woman la

Manolya’s POV Pelin smirked, heaving her bag in with my help. “You two better not have forgotten anything this time.” Adem scratched his neck, sheepish. “Uh, maybe my phone. Almost left it.” “Toothbrush?” Pelin teased, arching a brow as rain dripped from her hood. Adem and Adlee swapped a guilty look but stayed silent. I laughed, piling into the car as Uncle Eren revved the engine. He flashed us a grin, all charm and mischief, rain streaking his sunglasses. “Girl, you brought the whole circus! Was the trip okay?” Adem leaned back, arms behind his head. “School’s a grind, but I dodged detention this year. Mom would’ve skinned me alive otherwise. You should have heard her yelling after talking to our teacher last term, apron on, phone still in her hand, ready to discipline us.” I chuckled, a bittersweet feeling hitting me. Aunt Hava had been the glue in their family, and we all missed her. Hava and her husband, Cemal, were busy working at a hotel with tourism during the summer s

Manolya’s POV I froze, my stomach twisting. “Are you sure?” I asked a bit skeptic, my voice barely above a whisper. When she said the blood never leaves, it somehow felt like her words were directed at me. She looked at me, her smile faint and unreadable. “I never paid it much mind, but they do have a history. A bloody one.” Her eyes lingered on the scimitar in Uncle Eren’s hands. “Are you sure you want them?” “I love a little bloody history,” Uncle Eren said with a smirk, but his words left me on edge. “That blade has taken more than lives. It is said to contain darkness,” she murmured, her gaze flicking to me like she clearly knew something we didn’t. Then her expression shifted into a small, sideways smile. “But I’m still happy to give it to you anyway. Your last name is Kara, right? Eren and Manolya Kara? It’s funny, because Behren the Soul Render, as they called him, had the same last name too. What an unusual coincidence.” She adjusted a pleat in her headscarf and looked b

Manolya’s POV Pelin’s eyes narrowed. “Anything upset her? An argument, maybe?” Giray shook his head with his eyes shining. “No. Nothing. If something was wrong, she’d have gone to Ayla. This doesn’t make sense.” The silence thickened with dread. “We’ll ask the neighbors,” I said. “Someone had to see her. You’ll tell us what the police say, right?” He nodded. “Yeah. Just… be careful. Ignore the rumors.” “Rumors?” Pelin asked, frowning. Giray’s laugh was bitter. “The neighbors. Talking about the Günahgözcu. The Sin Watcher. Black wings, red eyes, horns. Say it comes for people hiding secrets. It’s nonsense, but it’s getting to me.” Me and Pelin stepped outside after saying goodbye, the humid air clinging to my skin, jasmine heavy in the dusk. Pelin grabbed my sleeve as we approached a peach-colored villa, ceramic wind chimes tinkling on the porch. “So Manolya,” she whispered, glancing around. “Do you believe Giray?” I stopped, frowning. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I?” She raised a brow.