Morning had come.
Everywhere was engulfed in flames. Smoke had swallowed the sky and the clouds. The air was filled with bullet marks, and the smell of blood still lingered in my nose. The moans of the dead echoed in my ears; true silence never fully settled.
The vehicles that had been disabled were now nothing but scrap metal. We dragged them to the front and lined them up as makeshift walls. We placed signs on top of them. But it's not enough. This place needs to be rebuilt. Two towers are needed. Ammunition, weapons, food, water... We need everything. We must grow stronger and wipe them out.
Bülbül...
He died from a bullet to the head while hiding during the fight. Such a young boy—what a shame.
We cleaned up everything. New barricades and walls were built with the scrap vehicles.
After this victory, new people decided to join us.
Now, our warrior group has grown to forty. But that number doesn't mean much—they're untrained.
– Rauf: Those who don't know how to use a gun should use primitive weapons like slingshots or bows.
– Another voice: That could work, but slingshots are useless against modern firearms. We should give them proper weapons training.
– True.
Süleyman...
He was wounded in the fight, but he also took down two enemies.
– We didn't see you in the fight!
Süleyman lifted his head, took a drag from his cigarette, and blew the smoke into the air.
– Me?
– No, I asked Rauf. Of course, I meant you. We didn't see you, man.
– I was trying to protect Bülbül. Bullets were raining down on me. It's no wonder you didn't see me—I didn't see you either. This isn't a football match, after all.
– Fair enough... Have you met Bear Kudret?
– No.
– Come on, I'll introduce you.
Bear Kudret.
The name suited him. He was talking with food in his mouth.
– You don't have a nickname, brave guy?
Süleyman answered in a serious tone:
– No. Why should I?
– Don't get mad, brave guy. You look like you're about to beat us up. Come sit down. Want something to eat?
– No thanks. I'm not hungry.
– Don't be like that, my lion. Eat so you get strong, get your energy back.
Süleyman said nothing. He took one last drag from his cigarette, dropped it to the ground, crushed it underfoot, scattering the smoke.
– I'm going to sleep.
Jilet was still silent. He had a small wound. We didn't have a first-aid kit, but we did what we could with some cloth and hot water.
Everyone rested.
Then...
A faint tremor. Then, a blast that tore the sky apart. Everything went silent for a few seconds. Only the wrath of the heavens echoed in our ears.
Rain began. At first, a drizzle—then heavier. The sky sagged like a rusty metal sheet above us. The rain was dirty and heavy, as if it were falling not onto earth, but on the face of a dead world. Every drop echoed, and the silence deepened even further.
The rain stopped. Fires were lit in barrels.
A guitarist began strumming around the fire with passion.
We gathered around and listened.
Everyone felt hopeful again.
We will grow even stronger.