Mike closed the distance between them quickly.
"Aisha!" he called again, this time just a few steps behind her.
This time…
She stopped.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
The movement alone sent a strange tension through the air.
Mike's steps slowed as well.
For a brief second, everything felt suspended.
Then she turned.
Their eyes met.
And in that moment…
Everything Mike expected to feel—
Recognition.
Surprise.
Maybe even relief—
None of it came.
Her expression was cold.
Completely blank.
Like she was looking at a stranger.
Mike blinked, caught off guard.
"Aisha… it's me," he said, his voice softer now. "Mike. From Delta. Same school—"
"I don't know you."
The words came out sharp.
Flat.
Immediate.
They didn't sound confused.
They sounded certain.
Mike frowned, taken aback.
"What? No, it's me—Mike. You were in—"
"I said I don't know you," she repeated, cutting him off.
This time, her tone was firmer.
Almost… defensive.
Mike studied her face carefully.
This wasn't normal.
Even if she didn't remember him immediately, there should be some hesitation.
Some recognition.
But there was none.
Just distance.
Cold distance.
"Aisha, what's going on?" he asked, his voice dropping slightly. "Why are you acting like this?"
Her eyes flickered for a brief second.
Just a second.
And in that moment…
Mike saw something.
Fear.
It was quick.
Almost hidden.
But it was there.
Then it disappeared.
Replaced instantly by that same cold expression.
"Leave me alone," she said quietly.
Not loud.
Not angry.
But firm enough to end the conversation.
Mike stood there, confused.
"This doesn't make sense," he said. "We know each other—"
"I said leave me alone," she repeated.
This time, her voice carried more weight.
More urgency.
And without waiting for another word…
She turned.
And walked away.
Fast.
Too fast.
Mike remained where he was, staring after her.
His mind raced.
"What just happened?"
Why deny knowing him?
Why act like that?
And more importantly…
Why did she look scared?
Mike exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"Maybe she's just stressed," he muttered.
But even as he said it…
He didn't believe it.
Something was wrong.
Deeply wrong.
He turned slightly, glancing around the compound again.
The atmosphere felt heavier now.
More intense.
The people who had been watching earlier?
They were still watching.
Only now…
They weren't hiding it as much.
A man leaned against a wall, arms folded, staring directly at him.
Another stood a few steps away, his expression unreadable.
Even the woman who had been washing clothes had stopped completely.
The silence felt louder than noise.
Mike's chest tightened slightly.
A warning signal.
Clear.
Direct.
"Leave," his instincts told him.
"Now."
This time… he listened.
He turned toward the gate.
Took one step.
Then another.
Trying to walk normally.
Not too fast.
Not too slow.
Just enough to not attract attention.
But just as he was about to reach the exit—
"Hey you!"
The voice cut through the air sharply.
Mike froze.
Slowly…
He turned back.
And immediately…
He knew.
Something had gone terribly wrong.