Maya Steveâs agonised screams pierced Mayaâs skull as they reverberated around the cargo bay. Maya was shocked at the sudden movement and made to engulf a few steps backwards automatically, only the bugs prevented her passage.
He was on the floor on his face, and his left arm looked like it was made of jelly. Syrhahn was twisting it, but she felt no pity for the man who had ruined their lives, and killed Rob.
Her only concern for Steveâs welfare was that he remain conscious long enough to find out where Ellie was. Syrhahn tortured Mayaâs sworn enemy while her squeamish side turned her gut as Steveâs bones broke audibly.
Brianâs dead body lay next to them, a motionless reminder of the fate that Steve faced. Maya had to believe that Ellie was not in the same condition.
Suddenly Syrhahnâs words snapped her out of her shocked reverie, âTheyâre both still alive.â
Mayaâs breath caught in her throat as she believed the torturerâs words. Ellie was still alive. She followed Syrhahnâs eyes to her left and couldnât believe who was standing there staring at her.
Maya ran at Ellie, arms open and she flew into them, hugging her so tightly she could barely breathe. Ellie was alive and in Mayaâs arms. Maya could barely keep a thought in her head as the events of the past moments, hours, days and weeks failed to catch up with her.
They broke apart as Syrhahn and what must have been Viskra let go of each other. Maya was warmed to see Viskra take Ellieâs hand, while she squeezed it. Maya had no idea what they had been through, but they looked like shit.
Les was saying that Joe shouldnât have killed Steve because wanted to, but Maya was secretly glad that he didnât. Les shouldnât have that on his conscience, but at the same time, she could understand why he had wanted to exact his revenge on the man that killed his husband.
Maya just stood there in the centre of the relieved chaos that surrounded her. Suddenly she saw Xhisara, who must have brought her Ellie to her. Maya threw herself at her, crying into her chest.
When Maya emerged from Xhisaraâs bosom, she looked around the now funeral parlour, and thought about how she needed to get out of there, so she asked if they should adjourn to the mess hall where there was beer.
âActually, Iâm afraid the mess hall is out of bounds at the moment, Iâve locked the surviving young recruits of William in there with a load of bugs and Shel is shall we say, debriefing them, as we speak. The Spectrals want a word with them once itâs safe to de-bug.â
âAlways trying to save someone, huh?â Syrhahn teased, starting a wave of laughter that went around the room, peals of merriment echoing off the metal walls.