After We Said Goodbye

EASTERN TRAIL

Maya watched the soldiers settle into position.

She could feel the uneasiness around her.

The villagers trusted her, but that trust did not mean they were comfortable with the military presence.

She approached an elderly woman standing near one of the houses.

"They'll be gone once the operation is over," Maya said.

The woman looked toward the soldiers.

"That's what they say."

Maya didn't argue.

The woman looked at her.

"You brought them here."

"I did."

"Do you trust them?"

Maya's eyes moved toward Adrian.

He was speaking to Reyes while studying the map.

"I trust their commander."

The woman followed her gaze.

After a moment, she asked quietly, "You knew him before?"

Maya's eyes returned to her.

"Yes."

The woman waited.

Maya offered nothing more.

The older woman smiled faintly.

"You don't have to tell me."

Maya looked away.

"I'm glad."

---

Adrian gathered his men near the edge of the settlement.

The map was spread across the hood of one of the vehicles.

"The eastern trail begins here."

He pointed.

"Our original reconnaissance route would have taken us through the lower path."

Reyes nodded.

"But the representative says there's another route."

Maya approached.

"There is."

Adrian stepped aside.

She pointed toward the map.

"This trail doesn't appear on your records because it hasn't been used as an official route in years."

"Where does it lead?"

"The old water crossing."

Cruz leaned over the map.

"Is the water crossing friendly?"

Maya looked at him.

Cruz blinked.

"Sorry."

Reyes sighed.

"He means whether the crossing is safe."

"I understood him."

Cruz smiled.

"Good. Because I didn't."

Maya almost smiled.

Adrian pointed toward the map.

"After the crossing?"

"The trail splits."

"Which direction?"

"North leads to the abandoned shelter."

Adrian looked at her.

"And south?"

"The southern trail ends near a cliff."

Cruz nodded.

"Excellent."

Reyes looked at him.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just appreciate a trail with clear career-ending possibilities."

Maya looked away, hiding a smile.

Adrian didn't react.

"North," he said.

Maya nodded.

"That's where they would go."

"Why?"

"It's harder to see from the settlement."

Adrian nodded.

"Then that's where we're going."

Maya looked at him.

"I'm coming."

"No."

"I know the trail."

"I know."

"Then you need me."

"I need your information. That doesn't mean I need you in the field."

Maya crossed her arms.

"You'll get lost."

Adrian stared at her.

"I have a map."

"Your map is wrong."

Cruz slowly looked at Reyes.

Reyes whispered, "Don't."

"I wasn't going to say anything."

"You were."

"I was going to say that the map seems to be having a difficult day."

Adrian looked at him.

Cruz immediately faced forward.

"Very difficult day, sir."

Adrian returned his attention to Maya.

"You stay behind me."

"I wasn't planning to lead."

"Good."

Cruz leaned toward Reyes.

"They argue like they've done this before."

Reyes whispered, "Stop talking."

"I've stopped."

"You are currently talking."

Cruz nodded.

"Right."

---

The group entered the forest shortly after nine.

The settlement disappeared behind them as the trees grew thicker.

Maya walked near Adrian, occasionally pointing out changes in the terrain.

"There's a stream ahead."

Adrian looked at her.

"How far?"

"Two hundred meters."

He signaled to the soldiers.

"Watch the right side."

The stream appeared exactly where Maya had predicted.

Cruz looked impressed.

"Representative."

Maya turned.

"Yes?"

"Can you predict whether we're having rice for lunch?"

Reyes closed his eyes.

Maya looked at him seriously.

"I don't know."

Cruz sighed.

"Unfortunate."

Reyes opened his eyes.

"You could have packed your own."

"I thought the army provided food."

"It does."

"Then my question remains valid."

Maya smiled faintly.

Adrian glanced back.

Cruz immediately became serious.

"I am monitoring morale, sir."

Adrian turned forward again.

Reyes shook his head.

"You are the reason morale needs monitoring."

---

After another kilometer, Maya stopped.

Adrian immediately raised his hand.

The soldiers froze.

She pointed toward the ground.

A faint footprint was visible in the damp soil.

Adrian crouched.

"Recent."

"How recent?" Reyes asked.

"Less than twelve hours."

The soldiers spread out.

Maya looked farther ahead.

"There should be another trail."

Adrian followed her gaze.

"Where?"

She pointed toward a cluster of trees.

"Behind those."

They found the hidden path moments later.

It led farther east than the original route.

Eventually, they reached an abandoned shelter.

The roof had partially collapsed, but signs of recent occupation were unmistakable.

There was a fire pit.

Empty food containers.

A blanket.

And markings scratched into the wooden wall.

Adrian stepped closer.

"What do they mean?"

Maya studied them.

"Directions."

"To where?"

She pointed toward the wall.

"The settlements."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"They're mapping the communities."

Maya nodded.

"Yes."

He studied the markings more closely.

Water sources.

Paths.

Patrol routes.

Council buildings.

Then Maya pointed to one mark.

"That isn't a settlement."

Adrian looked at it.

"What is it?"

Maya was quiet.

Then she answered.

"My house."

The soldiers became still.

Adrian looked at the marking.

Then at her.

"When was this made?"

"I don't know."

"How long has it been there?"

"I've never seen it."

Adrian's voice became colder.

"You're moving."

Maya looked at him.

"No."

"That wasn't a request."

Her expression hardened.

"You don't command me anymore, Captain."

For several seconds, neither moved.

Cruz slowly looked at Reyes.

Reyes whispered, "Don't."

"I didn't say anything."

"Your face did."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"I'm aware."

Maya looked away.

Neither spoke.

Then a gunshot echoed through the mountains.

Every soldier immediately reached for his weapon.

Adrian's entire demeanor changed.

"Positions."

The men moved without hesitation.

Cruz's joking expression disappeared completely.

Reyes signaled to the others.

Adrian looked toward the direction of the shot.

"Reyes. Four men with me."

"Yes, sir."

Maya crouched behind a tree.

Adrian looked at her.

"Stay here."

She shook her head.

"I'm coming."

"Maya."

The name escaped him before he could stop it.

For a moment, both of them froze.

Then Adrian's expression hardened again.

"Stay behind me."

This time, Maya didn't argue.

They moved toward the sound.

---

The soldiers reached the location first.

There was no one there.

Only an abandoned campsite.

A rifle lay on the ground.

Cruz crouched beside it.

"Old."

Adrian examined it.

"Recently fired."

Reyes pointed toward the trees.

"Tracks."

Adrian followed them.

They disappeared toward the north.

Maya noticed something beneath the blanket.

"Captain."

Adrian turned.

She pulled out a folded piece of paper.

He took it from her.

It was a list.

Names.

Locations.

Dates.

Adrian's eyes moved down the page.

Then stopped.

Maya saw the change in his expression.

"What?"

He handed her the paper.

Her eyes moved over the names.

Most were unfamiliar.

Then she saw hers.

Maya Salinaw.

Her breathing changed.

Below her name was another entry.

A name connected to the old rebellion.

A name both of them recognized.

Maya looked at Adrian.

He was already folding the paper.

"We're going back."

"Why?"

"Because this isn't reconnaissance anymore."

"What is it?"

Adrian looked toward the forest.

"A warning."

Maya looked at the trees.

The silence of the mountain suddenly felt different.

Someone had been watching them.

Someone had known she would find the trail.

Someone had known Adrian would follow.

And now they knew exactly where she lived.

Adrian turned toward his soldiers.

"We move."

Cruz glanced once more toward the abandoned campsite.

Then he looked at Reyes.

"So..."

Reyes sighed.

"What?"

"I assume lunch is cancelled."

Reyes stared at him.

Cruz shrugged.

"Morale monitoring."

For once, even Reyes couldn't stop himself from laughing.

Adrian didn't turn around.

"Sergeant."

Cruz immediately straightened.

"Yes, sir?"

"Move."

"Yes, sir."

Cruz hurried after the others.

Behind them, the abandoned campsite remained hidden beneath the trees.

The paper was gone.

But the message had already been delivered.

The faction knew Maya was working with the government.

And they wanted Adrian to know that they knew. Mi