Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMGJGXY0B5HMCBV1K4HYXB

The green neon sign above the entrance of The Raven's Nest flickered as Rory pushed open the heavy wooden door, stepping out of the cool evening air and into the dimly lit bar. The familiar scents of aged wood, leather, and a faint hint of tobacco wrapped around her like a comfortable embrace. She glanced around, taking in the old maps and black-and-white photographs that adorned the walls, before making her way to the bar where Silas was polishing a glass with a worn cloth. "Rory," Silas greeted her with a warm smile, the lines around his hazel eyes crinkling. "What brings you here on this fine evening?" "Oh, you know, just needed a break from the daily grind," Rory replied, sliding onto a stool and resting her elbows on the bar. "And maybe a pint of your finest ale." As Silas turned to fill a glass, the door swung open once more, and Rory's attention was drawn to the figure that stepped inside. Her bright blue eyes widened as she recognized the person who had just entered—Eva, her childhood friend whom she hadn't seen in years. Eva looked different from the last time they'd been together, more refined and polished. Her once-wild curly hair was now tamed into a sleek bob, and her attire had transformed from casual jeans and t-shirts to a tailored blouse and slacks. She scanned the room, and when her gaze fell upon Rory, a flicker of recognition sparked in her eyes. "Rory?" Eva breathed, her steps faltering slightly before she moved towards the bar with a mix of uncertainty and anticipation. Rory slid off the stool, feeling a surge of emotions coursing through her as she took in the sight of her old friend. "Eva," she said softly, a tentative smile playing on her lips. "It's been too long." They embraced, the years melting away as they held each other close. When they pulled back, Rory could see traces of the girl she'd once known so well hidden beneath the layers of time and change. "I heard you were living in London," Eva said, her voice laced with a hint of nostalgia. "I've been meaning to look you up, but..." "But life got in the way," Rory finished for her, nodding in understanding. "It happens to the best of us." Silas set the pint of ale down on the bar, his presence a silent reminder that they weren't alone in this reunion. Rory glanced at him, grateful for the distraction he provided as she struggled to find her footing with Eva. "Silas, this is my old friend Eva," Rory introduced, gesturing between them. "Eva, meet Silas, the owner of this fine establishment and my... well, my mentor of sorts." Silas extended his hand, giving Eva a firm handshake. "Welcome to The Raven's Nest, Eva. It's a pleasure to meet any friend of Rory's." "Thank you," Eva replied, her smile genuine. "I've heard wonderful things about this place from Rory." "We should catch up," Rory suggested, turning to Eva with a hopeful expression. "Do you have time for a drink?" Eva glanced at her watch, hesitating for only a moment before nodding. "Of course, I'd love that." They settled into a booth in the corner of the bar, their drinks resting on the worn table between them. As they sipped their beverages, Rory couldn't help but study Eva, searching for glimpses of the girl she'd once shared secrets and dreams with. "So, tell me everything," Rory prompted, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand. "What have you been up to all these years?" Eva laughed softly, shaking her head as she began to recount her journey since they'd last seen each other. As she spoke, Rory listened intently, absorbing every detail and trying to reconcile the person before her with the memories she held dear. The conversation flowed easily at first, like a river finding its way through familiar paths. But as the night wore on, Rory began to notice the undercurrents of tension that existed between them—the things left unsaid, the regrets that lingered just beneath the surface. "There's something I've always wanted to ask you," Eva said, her voice lowering as she leaned in closer. "Why did you leave Cardiff? And don't tell me it was because of that asshole, Evan." Rory felt the weight of Eva's words settle upon her like a heavy blanket, suffocating her with the truth she'd been running from for so long. She took a deep breath, knowing that if she wanted to salvage any semblance of their friendship, she needed to be honest. "I left because I was scared," Rory admitted, her gaze falling to the table as she picked at the edge of her coaster. "I thought I was suffocating in Cardiff, and I needed to get away." Eva reached out, placing a hand over Rory's and stilling her nervous movements. "And now? Do you still feel like you're running?" Rory lifted her eyes, meeting Eva's gaze with a newfound clarity. "Sometimes," she whispered. "But I'm learning to stand my ground, too." A silence fell between them then, one that was filled with the unspoken words they'd both been carrying for years. Rory could see the disappointment in Eva's eyes, the hurt that had never fully healed from their abrupt parting. "I missed you," Eva said quietly, her fingers tightening around Rory's hand. "You have no idea how much I wished you would come back." Tears pricked at the corners of Rory's eyes as she squeezed Eva's hand in return. "I know," she said softly. "And I'm so sorry for leaving like that. I was just... lost." They sat there for a moment longer, the weight of their shared history pressing down upon them like a storm cloud ready to burst. But as Rory looked into Eva's eyes, she could see the first glimpses of understanding beginning to take root—a recognition that time and change had shaped them both in ways they could never have imagined. "Let's not dwell on the past," Rory suggested, a small smile tugging at her lips as she raised her glass. "Here's to catching up and making new memories." Eva returned the smile, raising her own glass to clink against Rory's. "To new memories," she echoed, before taking a sip of her drink. And as they drank, Rory felt the tendrils of their past begin to loosen, giving way to the promise of a future where they could forge a new path together—one that would be paved with the understanding that while they had changed, their bond remained unbroken. The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter and shared stories, with Rory and Eva falling back into the easy rhythm of their friendship as if no time had passed at all. When it was finally time to say goodbye, they embraced once more, vows to stay in touch ringing in their ears as they stepped out into the cool London night. Rory watched as Eva disappeared into the crowd, her heart heavy with the weight of their reunion. But as she turned back towards The Raven's Nest, Silas waiting just beyond the door, she knew that she had taken the first steps towards finding her place in this world—a world where change was inevitable, but where the connections that truly mattered would always remain.