Chapter 10 Malik And Sophia Separate - The Killers' Numbers

Perhaps this is the beginning of Sophia's life anew in Hussein's villa. Hussein descends the stairs from the second floor, saying:

Hussein: Hi, Sophia, how are you? You know, I haven't seen you since you were ten years old. I never imagined Nasser would give us such a beautiful bride.

Hussein stands before Sophia, extends his hand to shake hers, saying:

Of course, you don't remember me at all. You can consider me just like your father, or should I say, forget "father," I'm still young. I'm your younger brother. Hussein chuckles.

Sophia and Amal laugh.

Hussein: I'll leave you now. I have important work and I have to go.

We'll meet tonight for dinner. Bye, Sophia. Bye, Amal.

Hussein heads towards the villa door, exits, and closes it behind him.

- Is possession by jinn real or imaginary?

- Malik wakes up to find himself lying in the kitchen. He remains lying there, talking to himself: Is what happened real? It must be real. There's a hidden force that's been haunting me, even when I was at the cinema, and now it's happening again. Malik's eyes redden, and he fills with anger. He shakes off his fear, kills his cowardice, and casts aside his dread. He stands, feeling strength coursing through his body. He walks slowly to the bathroom, opens the door, and enters. He turns on the light, wipes the dust from the mirror, and looks in. He sees the animal's claw marks on his face: three claws on his right cheek and three on his left. Blood trickles from his cheeks. He knows what's happening to him is real, not a figment of his imagination or a hallucination, and this is the proof. Blood flows from the wounds. He touches the wound with his index finger, and it gradually heals until it disappears as if nothing had happened. He repeats this with the other wounds. He sees the wounds heal, and his face returns to normal, as if nothing had ever happened. Malik's face is back to normal. He touches his face, bewildered by what's happening. Malik looks at the mirror with a terrifying gaze and bares his teeth. Inside him, a volcano of anger erupted. He was going completely mad. What force was manipulating him so completely?

He rushed out of the bathroom, frantically searching the entire apartment for the strange animal.

He opened every room.

He went to Nasser's bedroom, opened the door, and searched every corner for the animal. He found nothing. He rushed to Sophia's room, opened it, and searched for the animal, but found nothing. He quickly went back to his own room, opened it, and searched for the animal, but found nothing. Malik opened every door and searched the entire apartment. He found nothing!

He headed towards the apartment door, opened it, and went out, closing it behind him on a secret he had yet to reveal. Malik is inside Nasser's car.

He starts the engine, and before the car starts moving, his phone rings. He picks it up; it's Dima calling.

Dima was sitting in her apartment, lighting rolled cigarettes. Around her were bottles of alcohol, and the scene was chaotic. Disorganization and disorder filled the room.

"Dima is drunk and slurring her words."

Malik: Hello?

Dima: Hello, Malik. How are you? I heard what happened to your mom and dad. My heart goes out to you.

Malik: I'm fine. How are you?

Dima: No, I'm not fine. Your voice sounds tired. I'm tired too. I'm so upset, Malik. Ghada was killed. (Dima cries, tears streaming down her face.)

Malik: Yes, I heard about the accident. My heart goes out to you.

Dima: Can I see you now, Malik?

Malik: Okay, I'll be there in half an hour. Dima: Bye

Malik: Bye

Malik sits behind the wheel of the car under Dima's building.

He takes out his phone and calls Dima.

Malik: I'm downstairs, Dima.

Dima: Come up, I'm so tired, I can't go down.

- The love they had denied for years is now on the roof.

Malik stands in front of Dima's apartment and rings the bell.

Dima opens the door and gives Malik a quick hug. Malik enters and Dima closes the door.

The apartment is disorganized, and the table in front of the sofa is littered with many hashish-laced cigarettes, bottles of alcohol, and glasses. Malik sits on the sofa, and Dima sits next to him, looking tired and drunk. She lights a cigarette and gives it to Malik, then lights another for herself.

Dima: That animal named Wael killed Ghada. He wanted her to be with him by force. I can't forget Ghada, Malik. Ghada was with me all the time, ever since her father left after her mother died. We haven't left each other's side for more than three years. She was with me day and night. "Mom and Dad would check on me when they knew Ghada was with me. I refused to travel to them because of Ghada, Malik. Ghada is everything to me. I loved her more than Mom and Dad. Do you know what that means? I see her everywhere in the house. She's in every detail of my life. I can't take it anymore. I'm exhausted." Dima cries, tears streaming down her face. Malik approaches Dima, hugs her to his chest, and strokes her hair. Dima moves away from Malik, fills a glass, and gives it to him. She fills another glass and drinks it. Dima: Cheers. Malik: Cheers.

Malik drinks the glass. Then he looks for Dima. She's not beside him, but he finds the black animal that has been chasing him sitting next to him on the sofa, raising its paws, ready to attack. Malik quickly attacks the animal. The animal jumps up, escaping Malik's blow. It leaps over the sofas, and Malik chases after it, but his kicks don't reach the animal. Malik falls on his face and gets up quickly, only to be attacked by the animal. Malik delivers a powerful kick to the chest, and he slumps back onto the sofa, his head hitting the wooden frame.

Malik wakes up and remains lying on the sofa. He finds Dima sitting in her place on the sofa opposite him. Dima giggles, "Malik, what are you doing up there? Did you fall or something? You must have had too much to drink." Dima moves to Malik and sits beside him, placing her hand on his head and kissing him passionately. Dima and Malik fall off the sofa to the floor, still kissing and making love until they reach intimacy. Darkness falls on the city, leaving Malik and Dima immersed in their forbidden relationship. As the setting sun enters the living room through the half-closed glass windows, Malik wakes up to find himself and Dima naked, both lying on the floor. Malik looks down and sees some blood on Dima's clothes. It seems he has taken her virginity. Dima opens her eyes and notices the tension and worry on Malik's face. Dima says, "Don't be afraid, Malik. I'm not going to ask you to marry me or anything like that. What happened between us was consensual." Malik replies, "I have to go." Now, Malik stands, picking up his clothes and putting them on, while Dima gazes at him admiringly. Malik heads towards the...