FALLOUT
591 Words
Fallout
The man was arrested.The threat was neutralized.The debt trail traced back to a group operating out of Spain,now under investigation.Collins assured them that with the evidence they gathered,charges would stick.
But none of that brought peace.
Back at the apartment,Ava stood in the bathroom staring at her reflection.She didn’t look like the same girl who arrived in London days ago.She looked older,tired,different.She touched her cheek like she was trying to wake herself up.
Behind her,Ethan stood in the doorway.
“You okay?”
She didn’t answer.
He stepped in,slowly.
“You were incredible today.I mean that.”
She turned.
“Don’t say that like I was brave.I was terrified.”
“So was I.”
She folded her arms tightly across her chest.“I almost died,Ethan.You understand that,right?He had a gun.Pointed at me.”
“I know.”
“You brought this into my life.”
He nodded once.“Yes.”
“And I walked right into it anyway.”
“Because you loved me.”
She looked away,eyes stinging.“Don’t say it like that.Like it’s noble.”
“It is.”
“No.It’s stupid.It’s reckless.It’s...it’s weak.”
He walked closer,his voice softer.“Then I’m weak too.Because if I could go back,I’d still do everything to protect you.Even if it meant lying again.”
Her voice rose.“But you didn’t protect me!You pulled me into something you swore was over.”
“I didn’t know they were still out there.”
“That’s the problem,Ethan.You never know.You always assume.And it’s always me paying for it.”
Silence.
He didn’t defend himself this time.
She wiped her eyes quickly,turning her back to him.
He spoke again.“So what now?”
She took a breath that hurt.“Now?I leave.”
He flinched like she slapped him.
“You mean for a while?”
“No.I mean I leave.”
“Ava—”
“I need space.And clarity.And safety.None of which I can have around you.”
He reached for her hand.She let him hold it for a moment.
Then gently pulled away.
“I’m not walking away to punish you,”she said.“I’m doing it to breathe.”
He nodded slowly.
“Will you come back?”
“I don’t know.”
“Will you answer my calls?”
“I can’t promise that either.”
She grabbed her bag.
The room suddenly felt cold,like something sacred had been taken.
“I love you,”he whispered.
She closed her eyes.
“I know.”
Then she left.
The plane back to New York was quiet.Ava watched the clouds like they held answers.She had no plan.No perfect next step.Just distance.And silence.
When she landed,Mia was waiting at the gate.
No words.Just a long hug and a knowing look.
Back at her apartment,she unpacked slowly.Every item reminded her of London.Every memory had Ethan’s name scratched into it.
She sat on the couch,blanket over her knees,and cried without shame.
Then she opened her journal.
Wrote the words:
“I loved him.And maybe that was the problem.”
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Ethan didn’t call.
Didn’t text.
He gave her what she asked for.
But somehow,the silence hurt more than the pain.
One evening,she came home to find a package on her doorstep.
No name.
No return address.
Inside:a photo.
The two of them.
Years ago.Smiling in Hyde Park.
And a note:
“Some stories don’t end.They pause.I’m waiting.Whatever you decide—I’ll still be the man who would’ve taken the bullet for you.”
- Writer
