Főnix

Phoenix

Episode 15: The Secret of the Shore

Albatross stopped with nervous steps in front of the small, whitewashed house on a quiet street in Kaş. He knocked.

The door creaked open, and an elderly woman appeared, wearing a headscarf, her gaze warm yet curious.

Albatross (politely, a little rushed):
“Good afternoon… I’m looking for a girl. Her name is Phoenix. Do you know where I can find her?”

The old woman tilted her head slightly.

Old Woman (in a gentle, slow voice):
“Phoenix? Oh, my son… she hasn’t been home since this morning. She went to the rocks. You know… where everyone goes with their thoughts.”

Albatross’s heart tightened. He nodded, murmured his thanks, and hurried toward the shore.

Before heading to the rocks, Albatross stopped beside his car.
He opened the hood, looked around, then carefully adjusted a few cables.

Albatross (inner thoughts, determined):
It just has to stop enough that we’ll have to go back together… safely, but… together.

When he finished, he closed the hood and headed toward Phoenix.

Phoenix stood at the edge of the rocks, her back to the world. The roar of the sea intensified her pain; a few tears glistened on her face.

Albatross stepped quietly behind her… Phoenix startled at the closeness, stepped back, but her foot slipped at the edge.

Before she could fall, Albatross quickly reached for her and caught her by the waist. The momentum pulled them together; their noses touched, the air froze between them.

They saw fear in each other’s eyes. Pain. Years.

Phoenix (with a trembling voice):
“Let me go… please…”

Albatross slowly released her, but he didn’t step back.

Albatross (almost whispering):
“Phoenix… please. I didn’t mean any harm. I know I made mistakes. I just wanted to protect you.”

Phoenix (wiping away her tears):
“And that’s why you had to tell everyone…? That’s why you had to let everything collapse on me?”

Albatross:
“I only told the receptionist and the security guard… they were the ones who spread it. They were fired. I… I never wanted this.”

Phoenix (pleading, but broken):
“Albatross… please… leave me alone.”

Albatross (softly, in pain):
“I can’t. I can’t leave you here like this. I’ll take you home, and then I’ll leave. I promise.”

At last, Phoenix slowly nodded.

Phoenix:
“All right, Albatross.”

As they started back, the engine suddenly sputtered… then died.

Phoenix (frowning, suspicious):
“Is this for real? Now even the car won’t start…?”

Albatross:
“I don’t know… but I’ll call you a taxi, okay? You’ll go home, and I’ll… I’ll call one too. They’ll tow the car tomorrow.”

That sentence surprised Phoenix.
He didn’t insist. He didn’t push. He just wanted to help.

Phoenix let out a quiet sigh.

Phoenix:
“It’s not far anymore… a 15-minute walk. If you want… you can sleep in the guest room tonight. Tomorrow the mechanic will fix your car.”

Albatross nodded, surprised and grateful.

And they set off together along the small, gravel path toward the house.

The air was quiet, yet between them tense, unspoken emotions vibrated.

Phoenix watched her steps, then glanced sideways at Albatross.

Phoenix (inner thoughts, soft, dreamlike):
I always have to help someone…
And maybe this good heart of mine, this need to be there for everyone… always leads me into trouble…

Moonlight brushed her shoulder, the wind gently played with her hair, and she slowly accepted the truth:
her heart was too big to leave anyone alone… even him.