Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTRC2WTEDBW9WQP910F9BEG

Aurora Carter pushed open the door to The Raven's Nest, the familiar green neon sign casting a soft glow on her face. The bar was dimly lit, the walls adorned with old maps and black-and-white photographs that seemed to whisper stories of the past. She took a deep breath, the scent of aged wood and whiskey filling her nostrils, and stepped inside. Silas Blackwood stood behind the bar, his grey-streaked auburn hair catching the light as he polished a glass. He looked up, his hazel eyes meeting hers, and a slow smile spread across his face. "Rory," he greeted, his voice warm and gravelly. "It's been a while." "Too long, Si," she replied, her lips curving into a smile. She walked over to the bar, her boots clicking softly on the wooden floor. "How's the knee?" "Still creaky," he said with a chuckle, tapping his left leg. "But it gets me by. What brings you here tonight?" "Just needed a drink," she said, sliding onto a barstool. "And maybe some company." Silas nodded, pouring her a glass of whiskey. "On the house," he said, sliding it over to her. "You look like you could use it." "Thanks," she said, taking a sip. The liquid burned her throat, but it was a welcome sensation. She glanced around the bar, her eyes landing on a figure sitting in the corner, partially hidden in the shadows. Her heart skipped a beat. "Is that...?" she began, her voice trailing off. Silas followed her gaze and nodded. "Yeah, that's him." Aurora's grip tightened on her glass. "I didn't expect to see him here." "Neither did I," Silas admitted. "But life has a funny way of bringing people together." She took another sip of her whiskey, the warmth spreading through her chest. "I should go say hi." Silas gave her a reassuring nod. "Go on. I'll be here if you need me." Aurora stood, her legs feeling unsteady as she made her way over to the corner table. The figure looked up as she approached, and her breath caught in her throat. "Evan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. He looked different. His once-boyish face was now lined with age and weariness, his eyes darker and more guarded. His hair, once a vibrant chestnut, was now streaked with grey. He wore a leather jacket that had seen better days, and his hands were rough and calloused. "Aurora," he replied, his voice low and gravelly. "It's been a long time." "Yeah," she said, sliding into the seat across from him. "It has." They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Aurora studied his face, searching for any trace of the boy she once knew. "You look... different," she said finally. "So do you," he replied, his eyes flicking to the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist. "But I guess we've both been through a lot." "Yeah," she said, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "Life has a way of doing that." He nodded, his gaze distant. "I heard you moved to London." "Yeah," she said. "Needed a fresh start." "From me?" he asked, his voice tinged with regret. "From everything," she replied, her eyes meeting his. "But yeah, you were part of it." He looked down at his hands, his fingers tracing the grain of the wooden table. "I'm sorry, Aurora. For everything." She took a deep breath, the memories of their past flooding back. The fights, the tears, the nights spent wondering if things would ever get better. "I know," she said softly. "But it's in the past now." He looked up, his eyes searching hers. "Do you ever think about what could have been?" "Sometimes," she admitted. "But I try not to dwell on it. It's not healthy." He nodded, a sad smile playing on his lips. "I guess you're right." They sat in silence again, the noise of the bar fading into the background. Aurora took another sip of her whiskey, the warmth spreading through her veins. "So, what have you been up to?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation to safer ground. "Not much," he said with a shrug. "Just trying to get by. I work odd jobs here and there. Nothing exciting." "Sounds... tough," she said, her heart aching for the boy she once loved. "It is," he admitted. "But it's my life now." She nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "I've been working at a restaurant. Part-time delivery." "Really?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice. "I always thought you'd end up doing something more... prestigious." She shrugged. "Life doesn't always turn out the way we expect." "No, it doesn't," he agreed, his eyes distant. "But we make do with what we have." They sat in silence again, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Aurora glanced over at Silas, who gave her a reassuring nod. "Do you ever regret it?" Evan asked suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Regret what?" she asked, her heart pounding in her chest. "Leaving," he said, his eyes meeting hers. "Leaving me." She took a deep breath, the memories of their past flooding back. The fights, the tears, the nights spent wondering if things would ever get better. "No," she said finally. "I don't regret it. It was the right thing to do." He looked down at his hands, his fingers tracing the grain of the wooden table. "I know," he said softly. "But it still hurts." "I know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we can't change the past." "No, we can't," he agreed, his eyes meeting hers. "But we can try to move forward." She nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "Yeah, we can." They sat in silence again, the noise of the bar fading into the background. Aurora took another sip of her whiskey, the warmth spreading through her veins. "Do you think we could ever be friends again?" Evan asked, his voice tentative. She looked at him, her heart aching for the boy she once loved. "I don't know," she said honestly. "But we can try." He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'd like that." "Me too," she said, her lips curving into a smile. They sat in silence again, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Aurora glanced over at Silas, who gave her a reassuring nod. "Do you want another drink?" Evan asked, his voice breaking the silence. "Sure," she said, her smile widening. "I'd like that." He stood, his movements slow and deliberate, and made his way to the bar. Aurora watched him go, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken regret. But as she looked around The Raven's Nest, the familiar green neon sign casting a soft glow on her face, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to move forward. Together.