Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMC98CNQQ5QV52KKNTD18J

Aurora Carter pushed open the heavy wooden door of The Raven's Nest, the familiar creak of its hinges a welcome sound. The dim lighting inside was a stark contrast to the garish neon of Soho's streets, and she paused for a moment to let her eyes adjust. The bar was just as she remembered: walls adorned with old maps and black-and-white photographs, the air thick with the scent of aged wood and whiskey. She glanced up at the distinctive green neon sign above the entrance, a beacon that had guided her here more times than she could count. Silas Blackwood stood behind the bar, his grey-streaked auburn hair catching the low light. He was polishing a glass, his movements slow and deliberate. His hazel eyes flicked up as she entered, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Rory," he greeted, his voice a gravelly rumble. "It's been a while." "Too long, Si," she replied, making her way to the bar. She slid onto a stool, the leather creaking beneath her. "How's the knee?" Silas chuckled, a sound like dry leaves rustling. "Still attached, last I checked. What brings you here tonight?" "Just needed a drink," she said, her eyes scanning the room. "And maybe some company." Silas nodded, setting the polished glass down and reaching for a bottle of whiskey. He poured her a generous measure, sliding the glass across the bar. "On the house." "Thanks," she said, lifting the glass to her lips. The whiskey burned pleasantly as it went down, warming her from the inside out. She set the glass down and sighed, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders. The door creaked open again, and Aurora turned to see who had entered. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the figure standing in the doorway. It was Eva, her childhood friend, the one who had convinced her to flee to London all those years ago. But Eva had changed. Her once vibrant red hair was now a muted auburn, and there were lines around her eyes that hadn't been there before. She looked older, wearier. Eva's eyes scanned the room, landing on Aurora. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the weight of years and unspoken words hanging between them. Then Eva smiled, a small, tentative thing, and made her way to the bar. "Rory," she said, her voice soft. "It's been a long time." "Eva," Aurora replied, her own voice barely above a whisper. "It has." Silas, sensing the tension, excused himself to the back room, leaving the two women alone. Aurora gestured to the stool beside her, and Eva sat down, her movements slow and deliberate. "You look good," Eva said, her eyes taking in Aurora's straight shoulder-length black hair and bright blue eyes. "Different, but good." "Thanks," Aurora replied, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "You too." They sat in silence for a moment, the sounds of the bar around them a distant hum. Finally, Eva spoke. "I heard about Evan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry, Rory." Aurora's grip tightened on her glass, the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist catching the light. "It's in the past," she said, her voice steady. "I'm moving on." Eva nodded, her eyes filled with unspoken regret. "I should have been there for you," she said, her voice breaking. "I should have done more." "You did what you could," Aurora replied, her voice softening. "You got me out of there. That's more than enough." Eva looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting together. "I just... I wish things had been different." "Me too," Aurora said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we can't change the past." They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Finally, Eva looked up, her eyes meeting Aurora's. "Do you remember the summer we spent at the lake?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips. "We thought we were so grown up, sneaking out at night to swim." Aurora laughed, the sound light and free. "I remember. We got caught by your dad, and he made us clean the entire cabin as punishment." Eva laughed too, the sound like music. "We were so mad at him, but looking back, it was one of the best summers of my life." "Mine too," Aurora said, her smile fading. "I miss those days." "Me too," Eva said, her voice soft. "But we're here now, and that's what matters." Aurora nodded, her eyes meeting Eva's. "Yeah, we're here." They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Finally, Aurora spoke. "So, what brings you to London?" she asked, her voice curious. Eva sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I needed a change," she said, her voice tired. "Things back home... they weren't working out." Aurora nodded, understanding all too well. "Well, you're here now," she said, her voice steady. "And you've got me." Eva smiled, a small, tentative thing. "Thanks, Rory. That means a lot." They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Finally, Aurora spoke. "Do you want to get out of here?" she asked, her voice soft. "We could go for a walk, catch up." Eva nodded, her eyes brightening. "I'd like that." They stood, leaving their glasses on the bar. Aurora glanced back at Silas, who was watching them from the doorway to the back room. He gave her a small nod, and she smiled in return. "Let's go," she said, leading the way to the door. They stepped out into the cool night air, the sounds of Soho around them. For a moment, they just stood there, taking it all in. "Where to?" Eva asked, her voice curious. "Anywhere," Aurora replied, her voice steady. "As long as we're together." They walked down the street, their footsteps echoing in the night. The weight of time and unspoken regret hung between them, but for the first time in years, Aurora felt a glimmer of hope. They couldn't change the past, but they could face the future together. And that was enough.