What Happens In The Dark

CHAPTER 25

It's been a week since that discussion in Maya's office with Carina. A week that Maya has obsessively checked her phone, in the hope Carina will call or has text her. But so far, nothing. Maya tries not to be too disappointed every day that passes with no contact, but now she has seen her... All she wants to do is to see her, talk to her, have a chance at having Carina in her life again.

Andy sits opposite Maya in the coffee shop, having met for lunch. She observes Maya pick her phone up and look at it for probably the tenth time in the 30 minutes they have been there. "Still nothing huh?" She says at Maya's sigh.

Maya looks up surprised at Andy's words "what do you mean?" She asks.

Andy rolls her eyes "oh come on, you really think I don't see you staring at your phone, waiting for a call or text from Carina?"

Maya huffs at being caught out but knows there is no point lying about it "it's been a week Andy. What if that's it? What if she realises she really is better off without me, and that's why she hasn't reached out?" Maya worries.

Andy shakes her head "Maya, you need to give her time. You blindsided her - despite not meaning to - with your return. You can't expect her to just let go of six months of hurt just because you're back and ready to talk. You need to give her time." She says knowing it will do no good to tell her what she wants to hear, instead knowing she needs to hear the truth.

Maya nods "I know, you're totally right. But I just wish I knew one way or the other. Even if if means she is done with me - this limbo... it's torture." She says.

Andy fixes her with one of the stearnest looks she has ever seen her friend give "you realise that's what you did to her for more than 6 months right??" She angrily retorts.

Maya's eyes go wide "I didn't - sure what I did was shitty but I wrote her a letter, which despite current developments told her I wasn't coming back and to move on. I wanted to be clear that I was gone for good - when I thought I would be." Maya counters.

Andy shakes her head "you think that was ok?? That a letter means she has closure and can move on? That she wasn't in limbo wondering where you were? If you would come to your senses? Hell, if you were even still alive?!" She whisper / yells harshly, being aware of their public location.

Maya hangs her head "I guess I never thought of it like that. I'm sorry. I was so wrapped up in my own pain I couldn't see what I was doing to everyone else. I honestly thought my leaving was best for everyone at the time." She says.

"I know" Andy simply responds "but you also must now know you were wrong. And if that means you have to sweat out Carina's desire to speak to you, then honestly it's the least you deserve after what you put her through." She tells her friend, but with an open and softer voice to make sure Maya knows she is being honest and not intentionally spiteful.

"Ok, yeah. I know. I will give her time and just wait then I guess." Maya says.

Andy nods, "I think that's fair." She says. "Now, tell me about your new recruits, who am I looking out for and who is worthy of a probie spot at the best station in Seattle?" She smiles.

Maya chuckles lightly, happy for the change in topic, as she starts to tell her about some of the more promising candidates recently enrolled into the academy.

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It's another 3 days before Maya finally see's Carina's name on her phone screen, in the form of a text. The second she sees Carina's name, her mind goes blank and her palms begin to sweat as she picks up the phone with shaky hands, swiping the screen to open the message.