Filled with excitement, Maya could barely contain herself when his message popped up, suggesting a meet-up. She had just wrapped up her practice and, without a second thought, she replied immediately. She proposed that they convene in his cabin, where they could delve into their manuscripts together.

The fear of coming off as too forward nagged at her, but to her relief, he agreed. Their rendezvous was set to be outside the Wall, near the spot where they usually trained.

The fear of coming off as too forward nagged at her, but to her relief, he agreed. Their rendezvous was set for outside the Wall, near the spot where they'd spent countless training sessions last fall.

The day was pleasant, but the air remained crisp and cool, carrying the scent of pine from the forest beyond. The training ground stretched before her—a familiar clearing marked by worn earth and the occasional scuff from countless past sessions, the ground still hadn't recovered from.

Erik was already there, meeting her as soon as she passed through the undergrowth that hid this small clearing from view of the walls.

Despite everything, she was still glad to see him.

"First of all, let me apologize," Erik's expression was laden with regret as if he couldn't stop dwelling on it ever since they departed. "I don't know what came across me. I showed you an ugly side of myself. I didn't mean to scare you… I sincerely apologize."

"Um… M-me too," Maya stammered in response, "I mean… It's also my fault for pushing you towards the root of your trauma. I hoped it would disperse Elena's scepticism, but I forgot how she can be," Maya looked to the side feeling ashamed. "I created that situation…"

Erik's gaze studied her for a moment. "Don't garner her blame. She is accountable for her own actions."

"I know, but… I also know she will never apologize… And I don't think she provoked you to make you more miserable…"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Elena often does things in a roundabout and counterintuitive way. That's how she is," Maya continued, her voice lowering in intensity, "I often want to smack her myself. But I think," she hesitated, becoming more introspective, "I think her aim was a certain reaction…" her words drifted. "I'm to blame… Because of me, she has to live as a creature she loathes. I just couldn't let her go…"

Erik absorbed her words in silence, his gaze never leaving her.

"She's hard to read," Maya went on. "Nowadays, especially. Oh, but I know what you'll say, that she's evil now or whatnot. But that's not it. She's just cautious about revealing the extent of her suffering, which is a direct consequence of the decision I made on her behalf…"

As her words spilled uncontrollably, Maya found herself astonished by the cathartic effect of sharing her worries with Erik. It made her feel a little lighter.

"Maya," he began cautiously, "To me, this sounds like a typical manipulation tactic."

He understood that Maya desperately needed someone to confide in about her concerns surrounding Elena. Although he wasn't comfortable with Elena's pervasive presence in their minds, he was ready to lend Maya an ear.

"No…" Maya murmured, her voice barely audible. "She's like my only family… I know the lengths she would go for me. I only wish she would let me do the same."

"You have a bias toward her because of your past memories. Maya, this is what they thrive on. They exploit your inability to see past who they once were, clinging to you for as long as you're of use. And, Maya, you're incredibly valuable," he warned.

Maya vehemently shook her head. "I don't want to believe that. Remember what she did for me the other night? She made it clear that none of the violence would have occurred if I weren't present. Heavens, she even almost stabbed you to protect me! How could all that be just a mask?"

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"Would she have done the same for anyone else?" he challenged.

"I-I… I don't know," Maya conceded.

"Unlikely, Maya. She's only fixated on her precious asset. I've seen this pattern too many times. Believe me, it never ends well."

"But she's… different," Maya whispered, teetering on the brink of despair. She couldn't believe him for her own sake.

Seeing how dejected she was becoming, Erik sighed.

"Maya, I don't wish to cause you pain. But it will hurt more when reality hits you. I would love to believe your theory that she might be an exception. She may seem different now, but the chances of her remaining so are slim."

"So, you agree that she could be different?" Maya clung to any fragment of hope his words offered.

Her hopeful eyes were like a mental attack for him, causing him to avert his gaze. "I didn't know her before, but to me, she seems pretty rotten."

"What does that mean?"

"It means she's not a good person, Maya," he elucidated.

"I don't think she's an inherently bad person. She's been acting out, that's all. I know she has her own demons; that's because she had a rough life," Maya defended. "Deep down, she is a good person. She just doesn't want the world to see her that way."

"Rough life?" he found that to be a ridiculous reason. "You're full of excuses for her," he shook his head. "What excuse do you have for her making us wait?" his expression softened, decided to lighten the conversation.

"I don't have excuses for that. She's notorious for being perpetually late," Maya admitted.

"Let's proceed without her," Erik decided, already half-turning and sweeping his cautious gaze across their surroundings.

"She'll arrive soon," Maya was confident.

Suddenly, a recollection struck her. "Oh my, I completely forgot," she exclaimed, digging into her backpack.

She pulled a box of neatly prepared sandwiches from her backpack and held it out to him. The flicker of surprise that crossed Erik's face made her stomach drop—had this been too forward? What had seemed thoughtful moments ago now felt embarrassingly presumptuous.

"I had this thought…" she started, feeling somewhat foolish. "Given your empty fridge the other night and the relentless hunter's schedule that switches your nights for days, you might not have time to…" she trailed off, overcome with insecurity.

"That's really thoughtful of you," Erik said, his appreciative smile warming his features and easing the knot of anxiety in her chest.

Her cheeks flushed as she looked away, extending the open box toward him. Erik selected a sandwich and lifted it to his mouth. Maya found herself holding her breath, studying his expression as he took that first bite, her heart fluttering with nervous anticipation.

"Are they not good?" she asked, misinterpreting his silence.

"On the contrary, they're delightful," he responded, smiling gently. "You're an absolute angel. And a lifesaver. I haven't had a meal since yesterday."

"That might explain why you like them," she said with a bashful smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Yet a warm satisfaction bloomed within her—for once, her bold gesture had been exactly right.

"Trust me, this is a good sandwich."

Erik gently shook it, defending it, before taking another bite.

"I remember the academy cafeteria had these abominable sandwiches. We dubbed them Misery Sandwiches. It seemed they were made of nothing but bread and mayo. Do they still serve them?"

Maya smiled softly. She was glad to hear about a less grim part of his past. However, she was acutely aware that the 'we' he referred to were no longer alive.

"They still do, but I haven't tried them. They never seemed tempting," she quickly responded, hoping to keep the conversation light.

"I sincerely hope someone's improved the recipe. They were absolutely dreadful."

"I could bring you one next time, for old times' sake?" Maya offered.

Erik chuckled. "Please don't. I'd much rather have these sandwiches you make. Honestly, they're divine."

Maya felt appreciated. "If I'm being honest, it is kind of hard for me to imagine you went to this academy."

"I was there for barely a moment. It's strange for me too," he joked.

Maya cherished these lighter moments with him. He reached for another sandwich, and she joined him, glad to have plenty to share.

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