Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTR2H0N8ZMCXSNECHZBZDD1

The Raven’s Nest was its usual self—dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of aged wood and whiskey. The green neon sign flickered lazily above the door, casting an eerie glow on the cobblestone street outside. Rory leaned against the bar, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. The ice clinked softly, dissolving into the amber liquid. She wasn’t here for the drinks, not really. Silas had called her in, something about a lead on Evan, but he’d been tied up in the back room for over an hour now. She’d grown restless, her thoughts wandering to the last time she’d seen Eva. Two years ago, maybe three. Time had a way of blurring the edges. The door creaked open, and a draft swept in, carrying with it the faint scent of rain. Rory glanced up, her bright blue eyes narrowing as she took in the figure silhouetted against the streetlight. The woman paused, her gaze sweeping the room before landing on Rory. For a moment, neither spoke. Then, a slow, hesitant smile broke across the woman’s face. “Rory?” Eva’s voice was softer than Rory remembered, less sure. She stepped into the bar, the light catching her face. Rory froze. Eva looked different—her once vibrant, fiery curls now tamed into sleek, dark waves. Her eyes, though still the same piercing green, carried a weight they hadn’t before. She wore a tailored coat, sharp and professional, a far cry from the bohemian dresses Rory associated with her. “Eva.” Rory’s voice was steady, but her chest tightened. She set her glass down on the bar, the sound louder than she intended. Eva approached slowly, as if unsure of her welcome. She stopped a few feet away, her hands shoved into the pockets of her coat. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” “Likewise.” Rory crossed her arms, leaning back against the bar. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. “It’s been a while.” Eva’s voice was tentative, probing. Rory nodded, her gaze drifting to the maps on the wall. “Yeah, it has.” Eva shifted her weight, her eyes scanning Rory’s face. “You look… good.” “Do I?” Rory’s tone was flat, her expression unreadable. Eva hesitated, then sighed. “Look, Rory, I know things didn’t end well between us. I just… I wanted to say I’m sorry. For everything.” Rory’s jaw tightened. She clenched, her fingers digging into her arms. “You’re sorry?” “Yes.” Eva’s voice was firm now, her chin lifting. “I should’ve been there for you when you left Cardiff. I should’ve—” “You should’ve what, Eva?” Rory cut her off, her voice sharp. “Called? Written? Shown up when I needed you? You vanished. You left me to deal with Evan on my own.” Eva flinched, her green eyes flashing with something Rory couldn’t quite place. “I didn’t vanish. I was dealing with my own shit. You weren’t the only one going through hell, Rory.” “Bullshit.” Rory pushed off the bar, stepping closer. “You could’ve reached out. You didn’t. End of story.” Eva’s hands clenched into fists, the tension crackling between them. “You think it was easy for me? Watching you spiral? Seeing you with him? I wanted to help, but you pushed me away!” “Because I didn’t want your pity!” Rory’s voice rose, her bright blue eyes blazing. “I didn’t need you to fix me, Eva. I needed you to be there. But you couldn’t handle it, could you? You couldn’t handle the mess.” Her voice cracked, and she looked away, her chest heaving. Eva’s expression softened, her anger giving way to something else. “I didn’t know how to help,” she admitted quietly. “I didn’t know how to fix it.” “You didn’t have to fix it!” Rory snapped. “You just had to stay.” The words hung in the air between them, heavy and unrelenting. Eva’s shoulders slumped, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t realize… I didn’t know.” Rory exhaled sharply, her frustration ebbing as quickly as it had flared. She ran a hand through her black hair, revealing the small crescent-shaped scar on her wrist. “It’s not just about me,” she murmured. “You changed, Eva. You became… someone else.” Eva looked up, her green eyes searching Rory’s face. “I had to grow up, Rory. Life… it doesn’t stop just because we’re hurting. I couldn’t keep living in the past.” “Neither could I,” Rory said, her voice softer now. “But I didn’t lose myself in the process.” Eva’s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze drifting to the bar. “Maybe I did,” she admitted. “But it wasn’t by choice.” The tension between them eased, the air growing lighter. Rory picked up her glass, swirling the liquid inside. “So, what brings you to Silas’ place? You’re not exactly the usual crowd.” Eva hesitated, then pulled out a stool and sat down. “Work,” she said simply. “I’m a journalist now. Freelance, mostly. Silas has… sources.” Rory raised an eyebrow. “Silas has sources for everything.” Eva chuckled softly, the sound familiar yet foreign. “He does. I needed information on a story I’m working on. He said he could help.” “And here I thought you’d come looking for me.” Rory’s tone was dry, but there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. Eva met her gaze, her own smile tentative. “Maybe I did.” The silence returned, but it was softer now, less fraught. Rory took a sip of her drink, the ice clinking against the glass. “So, what’s the story?” Eva hesitated, glancing around the bar. “It’s… complicated. Corruption, high-level stuff. I’m not sure how much I can say.” “Classic Eva,” Rory muttered, shaking her head. “Always keeping secrets.” Eva’s expression faltered, her smile fading. “Old habits die hard, I guess.” “Maybe.” Rory sighed, her gaze drifting to the maps on the wall again. “But we’re not kids anymore, Eva. Secrets… they have a way of eating you alive.” Eva didn’t respond, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The weight of their shared history pressed down on them, the years stretching like a chasm between who they were and who they’d become. Finally, Eva spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “I missed you, Rory.” Rory’s breath caught, her grip tightening on her glass. “I missed you too,” she admitted softly. The door to the back room creaked open, and Silas emerged, his limp more pronounced than usual. He paused, his hazel eyes flicking between Rory and Eva. “Am I interrupting?” Eva stood quickly, smoothing her coat. “No, we were just catching up.” Silas nodded, his expression unreadable. “Good. Rory, I need to speak with you.” Rory glanced at Eva, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “Give me a minute.” Silas retreated to the back room, leaving the two women alone once more. Eva shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting to the door. “I should go.” Rory’s heart sank, but she nodded. “Yeah. Work calls.” Eva hesitated, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled business card. “Here. If you ever want to… talk.” Rory took the card, her fingers brushing against Eva’s. The contact was brief, but it sent a jolt through her. “Thanks.” Eva lingered for a moment, her green eyes searching Rory’s face. Then, with a nod, she turned and walked out the door. The green neon sign flickered again as it swung shut, leaving Rory alone in the dim light of the bar. She stared at the card in her hand, the weight of years pressing down on her chest. The past was never really gone, she realized. It lingered, waiting for the right moment to resurface. Silas’ voice broke through her thoughts. “Rory.” She turned, the card slipping into her pocket. “Coming.”