The Seal Stone

ng the trip, but as always, my grandfather

et answers to at least some of my questions fr

in agreement. He looked down at our clasped hands and shook his head, looki

et his silence was breaking my heart, and I didn't know how much

riefly, squeezing my hands. "All o

like a child?" I asked. After all, Cesur was hardly older t

y grandfather explained softly. "That's why he wants you

d, folding my arms across my chest to mask my resentment. "And

secret," my grand

ssed my hand against

ontinued, "but if the wrong people find

ust like me, seemed to have kept it safe all these years. But I couldn't understand why a

ather-especially when I didn't even understand the danger behind it. I was sure he wou

re kids. I think Cesur is overreacting," I said to brush

his voice laced with sadness. I knew he didn't want

*

s passed

iversity, we spent our evenings having fun and pulling all kinds of youthful pranks. We got into plenty of trouble together and even set

ny, charming, and made my college years immensely enjoyable. I wasn't madly in love with him, but b

to creep in, and after spending our last six months exhausting each other,

ost my gr

f university, he suffered a sudden heart attack. We

ear. Ezgi graduated on time and took a small job nearby to wait for me. The pain of losing my grandfath

lly, I g

having no desire to move anytime soon. I ordered another light drink from the bartender and watched my friends laugh and celebrate. It s

d gotten, I began gather

he helped me pack up. I was a bit lightheaded from

oth Ezgi and me-someone who had stood by us throug

rm hug, and kissed his cheek before stepping out of the c

ng him was a constant ache, and after his death, I had developed a habit of staying out until dawn or coming home as

like a sledgehammer. I gasped, cursing under my breath. I was exh

e to stay awake all night watching the glowing sky. Painkillers no longer worked;

ard the window. As always, the full moon