While I was thinking about these things, Elif's father's voice rose from inside the house, calling for Elif. I immediately turned to Elif. She was trembling and had turned pale. Before I could ask if she was okay, she quickly composed herself and rushed inside. I followed behind her.

Elif entered the TV room quickly; her father and mother were standing up, apparently ready to leave. Elif's father started speaking angrily, looking at Elif.

"You bitch! Where were you! I've been calling you here, what were you doing with that kid!?"

Elif was gripping the sides of her skirt tightly with her hands, staring fixedly at the ground. I could see tears falling to the ground; she was crying. Hasan and Melis were watching calmly. I couldn't miss the slight smirk on their faces. They seemed to be enjoying what was happening. Elif's father spoke again.

"Look at me right now!"

Elif kept looking at the ground and didn't say a word.

"So you don't care about me at all, is that it?" He raised his right hand in the air and struck Elif's face with all his might. Elif collapsed to the ground from the impact.

At that moment, something inside my head started talking to me.

Why are you hesitating? Attack him! He hurt your friend, someone you care about. Kill him! Murder him! Slit his throat! Skin him alive and rip out his heart! He deserves everything!

"Wh-What are you? W-Why are you saying such things?"

I'm your friend, Taşkın. Don't be afraid. There's nothing to fear.

I'm hearing voices inside my head. I think I'm going crazy.

I'm real, Taskin. You're not crazy.

I'm starting to lose myself. I can't think logically. Even if I tried to do something, what could I do? I'm just a kid. What power do I have?

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You're truly pathetic! I'm here for you, Taşkın. I want to help you. That man is worthless scum. Look what he did to your friend! Wouldn't it be fun to gouge out his eyes while he's still alive? Or cut off his fingers? We'll have a lot of fun together, Taşkın! Just listen to me. You won't regret it. You're strong, and you'll become even stronger in the future! No one will be able to stand in our way!

"Stop!"

I yelled at Elif's father. Everyone seemed shocked. No one expected something like this to happen. I stood in front of Elif. Looking into her father's eyes, I spoke.

"If you ever harm her again, I'll kill you!"

That's it, Taşkın! There's no need to be afraid; I'm with you!

For a moment, my gaze shifted to Hasan and Melis. They were looking at me in astonishment. Elif's father turned to Hasan and Melis.

"You obviously haven't taught your kid how to behave in front of elders. Then I'll teach him!"

He raised his right hand again, about to strike me this time.

Watch now what's going to happen, Taşkın! h̵̜̰̯̲̮̳͕̎̍̎a͇̪̣͒̄̃͂̕h̵̪̘̜̫ͦ̽à̶̖͓͕ͥͩ̊

Just as he was about to strike me, I quickly grabbed his right hand with my right hand. It wasn't difficult at all, as if he were trying to hit me in slow motion. I looked into his eyes. He was scared, not knowing what to do. I squeezed his hand a little and immediately released it. I noticed he felt the pain, but he didn't flinch. Hasan and Melis couldn't understand what was happening. The smirk had disappeared from their faces. That was enough for me.

After Elif's father withdrew his hand, he stood dumbfounded for a few seconds, then started talking again.

"I'll forgive him this time, but it better not happen again. And I expect an apology."

At this point, Hasan started looking at me. He wanted me to apologize. I would never apologize under normal circumstances, but I was afraid of what he might do to Elif. I had threatened him, but when they returned home, I couldn't know whether he would do something to Elif or not. I bowed my head and began speaking.

"I apologize, sir. Elif is my first friend, and I was very worried about her. That's why I used harsh words against you."

Then I raised my head and started looking at him. There was a satisfied expression on his face. That somewhat relieved me.

"Alright. Let's go, walk. Get up from the ground already!"

Elif was trying to get up from the ground. I wanted to go and help her up by grabbing her arm, but I hesitated. I waited where I was. Elif got up, started walking towards her mother Damla.

As she walked, she looked at me and smiled. She silently said;

"Thank you for protecting me."

Then she took her mother's hand. Hasan and Melis escorted them to the door and bid them farewell. Now only Melis, Hasan, and I were left in the house.