Michael's heart pounded in his chest like a traitorous drum as he stood outside Lorna's apartment complex. In his world, everything had slowed to a halt, a crossroads moment where he finally had to make a decision, while the city buzzed around him with its typical rhythm.
Show up or you risk losing her forever.
He pressed the buzzer after taking the kind of breath you take just before jumping from a great height.
A few seconds went by.
Then her quiet but tentative voice could be heard. "Yes?"
"That's me."
A pause.
Michael?
"Is it possible for us to speak?"
The buzz of the front door unlocking followed by another breath.
Two at a time, he ascended the steps, each one repeating the unspoken promises. She appeared to be protecting herself with invisible armor when she opened the door, but there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
She stepped aside to let him in and remarked, "I didn't expect to see you."
He said in a low voice, "I wasn't sure I'd come." However, I later came to the realization that I had been avoiding everything important. I'm also sick of running.
For a moment, the air was heavy with tension and longing as they stood in silence.
Eventually, he said, "I owe you an apology." "I have acted selfishly. Cowardly. I nearly lost you because I gave in to my fear.
Lorna's arms stayed folded, but her face softened. "Michael, you did more than just harm me. You injure yourself. Furthermore, I cannot be the only one battling for this.
"You will not be," he assured. "No longer."
It was there. Slowly but surely, the flicker of trust is returning.
Lorna took a step forward. "I don't require big announcements. All I need to know is that you won't vanish once more.
He gave a nod. "I'm present. This time, for real.
Her phone vibrated on the table before either of them could say another word.
Her face went white as she looked at the screen.
Michael felt sick to his stomach. "What is it?"
She swung the phone in his direction. An unidentified message. An image of her... alongside Mason. from many years ago.
"You believed that your past would remain hidden? Rethink your thought. -E.
Michael's heart froze. "Edward."
Lorna's jaw tightened. "He's observing me."
Immediately, Michael's protective instincts took over. "This cannot be allowed to be controlled by him. I'll take care of it.
"How?" she inquired. "He has assets. Make use of leverage. I have no idea what he desires.
Michael looked her in the eye. He desires mayhem. Furthermore, he won't get it this time.
Edward Reed was swirling a glass of bourbon while sitting in the back of a black SUV across town. As he gazed at the burner phone he was holding, a malevolent grin formed on his lips.
She will run. She never stops running.
He pressed a different number.
"Go ahead," he said bluntly. "Ensure that Michael Hudson experiences what it's like to be rejected by me."
Michael put his hand over Lorna's when they were back at her apartment.
"What he unearths doesn't matter to me. Who you are now is what counts. Additionally, I won't leave you to deal with him alone.
Lorna allowed herself to believe it for the first time in a long time.
And they stood together in that silent moment, as danger shivered in the darkness.
unified.
Even as the storm brewed just out of sight.