Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTQQSNSD7YKE59H81B9RC63

The Raven's Nest was as dimly lit as ever, the green neon sign above the entrance casting an eerie glow into the street. Inside, the walls were adorned with old maps and black-and-white photographs, each one a story in its own right. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and the faint aroma of spiced ale. Aurora Carter, known to her friends as Rory, slid into a booth in the corner, her black hair falling smoothly over her shoulders. She adjusted her delivery bag on the seat beside her, her bright blue eyes scanning the room. The bar was nearly empty, save for a few regulars nursing their drinks at the counter. Silas, the bar owner, was wiping down the wood with a rag, his neatly trimmed beard matching the grey streaks in his auburn hair. Rory's thoughts wandered to the conversation she had with Silas earlier that day. He had always been a mentor to her, offering advice and a listening ear. But tonight, she felt a restlessness she couldn't shake. Maybe it was the rain outside, or maybe it was something else entirely. She reached for her glass of water, her reflection in the dark liquid momentarily capturing her attention. The door jingled, and a figure stepped inside, shaking rain from their coat. Rory's heart skipped a beat. It was Eva, her childhood friend and the reason she had fled to London years ago. Eva's hair, once a wild mane of chestnut curls, was now sleek and straight, tied back in a neat ponytail. Her eyes, once full of mischief, were guarded, a change Rory hadn't expected. "Eva," Rory whispered, standing up. Eva's gaze flickered with surprise, then softened. "Rory. I didn't expect to see you here," she said, her voice a blend of familiarity and distance. "Silas said you stopped by earlier," Rory replied, gesturing to the booth. "Can you believe it's been six years?" Eva nodded, sliding into the seat across from Rory. "It's been a long time. You look good," she added, and there was a sincerity in her tone that made Rory's guard lower a fraction. "Thanks. So do you. What have you been up to?" Eva's fingers played with the edge of the table, a nervous habit Rory remembered all too well. "I've been working in finance. Long hours, but it pays the bills. How about you?" Rory shrugged. "I'm a delivery person for Yu-Fei's restaurant. It's not much, but it's honest work. And it keeps me busy." "There's more to you than that, Rory. You always had bigger plans." Rory smiled, a mix of pride and regret in her eyes. "Maybe. But life has a funny way of changing those plans." Silas approached the table, his steps deliberate despite the slight limp in his left leg. "Eva, good to see you back. Can I get you something to drink?" Eva glanced up, meeting Silas's hazel eyes. "A whiskey, please. Straight up." "Coming right up," Silas said, his voice steady and warm. He turned to Rory. "You need a refill?" "No, I'm good. Thanks." Silas nodded and retreated behind the bar. Eva watched him go, a thoughtful expression on her face. "How's he doing?" Eva asked, her voice low. "He's doing well. Keeps the bar running like a well-oiled machine. He's more than just a bar owner, you know. He's got a network of people he helps out, in his own way." Eva's eyebrows raised. "That sounds familiar. You ever think about getting back into law?" Rory sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Sometimes. But it's just not the right time. There's too much else going on right now." Eva nodded, her expression unreadable. "I get that. We all have our reasons for taking different paths." Silas returned, placing a glass of whiskey in front of Eva. She took a sip, the liquid warming her throat. "Thanks, Silas." He gave a nod and walked away, leaving them to their conversation. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken words. Rory fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her mind racing. She remembered the days when she and Eva were inseparable, their laughter echoing through the streets of Cardiff. Those days seemed like a lifetime ago. "I heard about Evan," Eva said, breaking the silence. "I'm sorry, Rory." Rory's gaze hardened, and she clenched her jaw. "It's in the past. I don't want to talk about it." Eva's expression softened. "I understand. But sometimes, it's important to face the things that hurt us, to move past them." Rory's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger in their bright blue depths. "You don't know what it's like. You can't just brush it off and move on." Eva held her gaze, her voice steady. "Maybe not. But you can't keep running either. You've been running since you left Cardiff. When will you stop?" Rory's breath caught in her throat, and she turned away, staring at the old maps on the wall. "I'm not running. I'm living my life." "Are you? Or are you just surviving?" The words hit Rory like a physical blow. She pushed back her chair and stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "You don't know me anymore, Eva. You left me to deal with everything on my own." Eva stood up as well, her voice shaking with emotion. "I know. And I regret it. But we both changed, Rory. We both made choices that led us here." Rory's eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away. "Maybe you're right. But right now, I just need to be alone." She grabbed her delivery bag and walked out of the bar, the door jingling behind her. Eva watched her go, a mix of regret and understanding in her eyes. She took another sip of her whiskey, the liquid a bittersweet reminder of the weight of time and unspoken regrets. Silas returned, his eyes gentle. "She'll come around. Sometimes, it just takes a little time." Eva nodded, her shoulders sagging. "I hope so. I miss her." Silas placed a hand on her shoulder. "Give her some space, but be there when she's ready. That's all any of us can do." Eva smiled, a small but genuine one. "Thanks, Silas." He gave her a small nod and walked away, leaving her to her thoughts. The bar was quiet, the only sound the gentle clinking of glasses. Eva sipped her whiskey, her mind drifting back to the past, to the days when she and Rory were inseparable. Maybe, just maybe, they could find their way back to each other. But for now, she would wait, hopeful and patient, knowing that some things take time to heal.