We had captured the weapons left behind by the enemy. The new recruits needed training—we had to prepare them for any possible attack. The enemy could strike again at any moment, and this time, they might come in greater numbers.
However, the weather was on our side. In these conditions, it would be difficult for them to move, making another attack unlikely in the short term.
I went to Ayı Kudret to chat for a bit.
— Hey there, my friend.
— Ohh, Ömer! Welcome, come sit down. How are you, doing alright?
— I'm good, good... but I've got something to ask you, brother.
— Go ahead, I'm listening.
He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and blew the smoke toward my face.
— Don't mind Süleyman, his thoughts are with his brother. He doesn't know if he's alive or dead. That's why he's on edge.
— No worries, Ömer. I don't get hung up on things like that. Call Süleyman over, let's talk.
Kudret seemed like he knew something. Like he was going to help.
— Süleyman! Süleyman!
— Seems like he doesn't hear us, kid. Might be asleep.
— Let him sleep then. We'll talk later. Want something to eat?
— No thanks, I had a bite earlier.
— You sure? I didn't see you eat.
— I don't eat much.
— Alright, whatever you say. Got tea?
— Of course.
We sipped our tea and talked for a long time—about the old days, the times before the disaster.
— Everything was so beautiful back then, brother... I miss it so much.
Kudret looked like he was about to cry. His voice trembled. A huge man, trying not to break down.
I tried to lighten the mood with a funny story.
— Let me tell you something...
I was back home. Snow had just started falling. Every time it snowed, we'd throw snowballs at passing cars. There were four of us, making tight snowballs with freezing hands. An old car approached from the right.
Kudret listened intently.
— Then what?
— As it got closer, we all launched our snowballs at once. They hit the car hard. The car stopped immediately. Everything happened so fast. We started running on the slippery ground. Jumped over a wall and rolled down a slope.
(Kudret burst into laughter.)
— If that guy had caught us, we would've been done for. But he didn't jump the wall—just cursed us out and drove away.
Kudret was laughing so hard, he started coughing, tears rolling down his cheeks—not from crying, but from laughing too much.
— It's getting late, brother Kudret. I'm heading to bed.
— Sleep well, Ömer. I'm going too. We've been through a lot—we're tired.
Thunder rumbled again. The rain had stopped for now, but it was clearly coming back. Everything had turned into a swamp.
The next morning, we woke up to the sound of a vehicle. Everyone grabbed their weapons and took position. Kudret jumped out of bed and rushed over.
With his booming voice, he shouted:
— What the hell's going on!?
— I don't know. A truck's approaching. Just one. Not armored. Could be a trap, maybe raiders are hiding in it.
— Everyone stay alert! No one fires without my command! Understood?
Everyone answered in unison:
— Understood!
The truck moved slowly, calmly. If it meant to attack, it would've come in fast. A woman was driving. She got out and raised her hands.
— Don't shoot!
— Who are you? What are you carrying?
— There are survivors in the back—hungry and thirsty.
— Two people, go check it out. You—walk slowly toward us. Don't make a wrong move or I'll have to shoot.
Süleyman and Jilet went to check the back. There really were survivors—exhausted, weak, but alive.
Süleyman's eyes locked onto a girl, her head slumped forward, unconscious. He walked over and gently lifted her head.
— My sister!
He said, his voice trembling with shock. He hugged her tightly. She was alive—but completely unresponsive.
— Süleyman, what happened!?
— I found my sister...
— What?! That's amazing, man!
— But she's not responding.
— What's her name?
— Ayda.
— Ayda! Ayda!
Still no reaction. But at least she was alive. For now, that was enough.
We tended to Ayda and the others who came with her. Süleyman stayed by Ayda's side constantly. He had missed her so much, worried so deeply. His anger, his frustration—all of it faded away.
He prepared a comfortable bed for Ayda, where she could rest. He was happy—but also troubled.
He took the last cigarette from his pack. Just as he was about to light it, Ayı Kudret beat him to it.
— Congratulations, my lion.
— Thanks.
— You should be happy, man. Your sister's alive!
— But she didn't respond at all...
— She'll come around. Don't worry.
— I hope so...
He took another drag and put out the cigarette.
There were a few other men among the newcomers. I spoke with Kudret—if we bring them into the group, we'll grow stronger. But first, they need to recover. And the others' training isn't finished yet.