Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXPPG69X82D875RH6BTZ21C

The distinctive green neon sign of The Raven's Nest cast a soft glow on the rain-slicked pavement as Aurora Carter, her black hair damp from the evening drizzle, pushed open the heavy wooden door. The bar was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of aged whiskey and the low hum of conversation. She scanned the room, her bright blue eyes taking in the familiar yet foreign atmosphere. It had been years since she'd set foot in this place, years since she'd seen him. Silas Blackwood stood behind the bar, his hazel eyes focused on the glass he was polishing. His grey-streaked auburn hair was neatly combed, matching the trim of his beard. He looked up as the door closed behind her, his gaze meeting hers. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Well, well," Silas said, his voice a deep rumble. "If it isn't little Rory Carter. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me." Aurora walked up to the bar, her boots clicking against the worn wooden floor. She slid onto a stool, her eyes never leaving his. "Silas Blackwood," she said, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. "You're looking... older." Silas chuckled, setting the glass down and leaning against the bar. "And you're looking... exactly the same," he said, his eyes flicking to the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist. "Still getting into trouble, I see." Aurora looked down at her wrist, tracing the scar with her finger. "This? It's nothing," she said, her voice light. "Just a reminder of my childhood clumsiness." Silas raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you're calling it these days?" he asked, his tone teasing. "Clumsiness?" Aurora laughed, the sound echoing through the bar. "Alright, alright," she said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "I was a bit of a hellraiser. But that's all in the past now." Silas studied her for a moment, his eyes searching her face. "You've changed," he said finally, his voice soft. "You're different." Aurora's smile faded, her eyes darkening. "We all change, Silas," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Time has a way of doing that to people." Silas nodded, his gaze dropping to the bar. "I suppose it does," he said, his voice heavy with unspoken words. He straightened up, his eyes meeting hers again. "What can I get you? On the house, of course." Aurora hesitated, her eyes flicking to the shelves of bottles behind him. "Whiskey," she said finally. "Neat." Silas raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. He turned and grabbed a bottle of whiskey, pouring a generous amount into a glass. He slid it across the bar to her, his eyes never leaving her face. Aurora picked up the glass, her fingers brushing against his. She took a sip, the liquid burning her throat. She set the glass down, her eyes meeting his. "So," she said, her voice steady. "Tell me about yourself. What have you been up to all these years?" Silas leaned against the bar, his eyes distant. "Not much," he said, his voice quiet. "I retired from the service after a botched operation in Prague. Left me with a bit of a limp." He gestured to his left leg, his voice light. "But I can't complain. I opened this place a few years back. It's kept me busy." Aurora nodded, her eyes flicking to his leg. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said, her voice sincere. "But I'm glad you're doing well." Silas smiled, his eyes meeting hers. "And what about you?" he asked. "What have you been up to?" Aurora took another sip of her whiskey, her eyes darkening. "I left Cardiff after... everything," she said, her voice quiet. "I've been living in London for a few years now. Working part-time at a restaurant, trying to make ends meet." Silas nodded, his eyes searching her face. "And Evan?" he asked, his voice careful. "What about him?" Aurora's eyes flashed, her grip tightening on her glass. "He's in the past," she said, her voice cold. "Where he belongs." Silas held up his hands, his eyes wide. "Alright, alright," he said, his voice soothing. "I didn't mean to pry." Aurora took a deep breath, her eyes softening. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice quiet. "It's just... it's been a long time since I've talked about him." Silas nodded, his eyes understanding. "I get it," he said, his voice gentle. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Aurora smiled, her eyes meeting his. "Thank you," she said, her voice sincere. "For understanding." Silas smiled back, his eyes warm. "Anytime, Rory," he said, his voice soft. "Anytime." They sat in comfortable silence, the low hum of conversation filling the air. Aurora took another sip of her whiskey, her eyes flicking to the old maps and black-and-white photographs on the walls. "You've done well for yourself, Silas," she said, her voice quiet. "This place... it's impressive." Silas looked around, his eyes taking in the bar. "It's not much," he said, his voice modest. "But it's mine. And it's kept me busy." Aurora nodded, her eyes meeting his. "It's more than that, Silas," she said, her voice sincere. "It's a testament to your strength, your resilience. You've come a long way from the man I knew all those years ago." Silas smiled, his eyes warm. "And you've come a long way from the girl I knew all those years ago," he said, his voice soft. "You're stronger now, Rory. Braver. And I'm proud of you." Aurora's eyes welled up, her voice catching in her throat. "Thank you, Silas," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "That means a lot to me." Silas reached out, his hand covering hers. "Anytime, Rory," he said, his voice gentle. "Anytime." They sat in silence, their hands still touching, the weight of their shared past and unspoken regrets hanging heavy in the air. But for the first time in a long time, Aurora felt a sense of peace, of understanding. And she knew that no matter what happened, she would always have Silas. Her friend. Her mentor. Her family. As the night wore on, the bar filled up with patrons, the low hum of conversation growing louder. But Aurora and Silas remained in their own world, their eyes locked, their hands still touching. And in that moment, they were no longer the boy and girl they once were. They were something more. Something stronger. Something unbreakable. Eventually, the bar began to empty, the patrons drifting out into the night. Silas looked around, his eyes taking in the empty glasses and chairs. "I should probably get back to work," he said, his voice reluctant. "But I'm glad you stopped by, Rory. It's been too long." Aurora smiled, her eyes meeting his. "It has," she said, her voice soft. "But I promise, it won't be so long next time." Silas smiled back, his eyes warm. "I'll hold you to that," he said, his voice gentle. "Now, let me walk you out. It's late, and the streets aren't safe for a young woman like you." Aurora laughed, the sound echoing through the empty bar. "I can take care of myself, Silas," she said, her voice teasing. "But I won't say no to the company." Silas chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's my girl," he said, his voice proud. He stood up, his left leg stiff from standing for so long. He reached out, his hand steadying himself on the bar. Aurora stood up as well, her eyes flicking to his leg. "You sure you're okay?" she asked, her voice concerned. Silas nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm fine, Rory," he said, his voice steady. "Just a bit stiff. It'll pass." Aurora nodded, her eyes still worried. "Alright," she said, her voice soft. "But if you need help, you'll tell me, right?" Silas smiled, his eyes warm. "Of course, Rory," he said, his voice gentle. "Of course." They walked out of the bar together, the green neon sign casting a soft glow on their faces. The streets were quiet, the rain having stopped hours ago. Aurora looked up at the night sky, her eyes taking in the stars. "It's beautiful," she said, her voice quiet. Silas looked up as well, his eyes following hers. "It is," he said, his voice soft. "But not as beautiful as you, Rory. Not as beautiful as you." Aurora's eyes welled up, her voice catching in her throat. "Thank you, Silas," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "That means a lot to me." Silas reached out, his hand covering hers. "Anytime, Rory," he said, his voice gentle. "Anytime." They stood there, their hands still touching, their eyes locked on the night sky. And in that moment, they were no longer the boy and girl they once were. They were something more. Something stronger. Something unbreakable. Eventually, Aurora pulled away, her eyes meeting his. "I should go," she said, her voice soft. "It's late, and I have work in the morning." Silas nodded, his eyes understanding. "Of course," he said, his voice gentle. "But promise me you'll come back, Rory. Promise me you won't disappear again." Aurora smiled, her eyes meeting his. "I promise, Silas," she said, her voice sincere. "I promise." Silas smiled back, his eyes warm. "Good," he said, his voice soft. "Now, let me walk you to your car. It's not safe for a young woman like you to be out alone at night." Aurora laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet streets. "I can take care of myself, Silas," she said, her voice teasing. "But I won't say no to the company." Silas chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's my girl," he said, his voice proud. He reached out, his hand steadying her as they walked. And as they disappeared into the night, the green neon sign of The Raven's Nest casting a soft glow on their faces, they were no longer the boy and girl they once were. They were something more. Something stronger. Something unbreakable.