“What happened…” The female prisoner said as she slowly began to come around.
“What’s your name?” Inara asked as the woman looked into her eyes.
“Cami…” She said with a weak voice.
“You were attacked Cami… But don’t worry, everything’s going to be all right now…”
As the other prisoners dug into Max’s leftover food rations, Inara opened the door to the room where the spare parts were stored.
“Really? Locking me up in here?”
Inara studied Max as she stood in the doorway. “I don’t know what happened you to you, Max. I don’t know what the Expanse has done to you or the people who supposedly saved you. All I know is that I’ve never seen you like this before. Perhaps he’s still in there somewhere; perhaps he can come back.”
Max sighed as he looked down at the ground. “Inara… I’ve done terrible things in order to keep myself alive. However, I came back for you. I couldn’t abandon you once my missions were complete. Perhaps the sick part of this Expanse is evil, but I am not willing to let this go between us. Together, maybe we can forge a new life somewhere else. Somewhere the crazy universe can’t find us.”
Inara stared into Max’s eyes looking for signs of truth. She sensed that he was telling the truth the best way he could, but there was a stain of guilt that still lingered within him. Max may not have been perfect, but there was hope within him. Inara had to tell herself this in order to stay strong. However, if she gave up on him then nothing could ever convince her to forgive herself. The Expanse thrived on emotions such as fear and despair. Traveling far away would be good for them if Inara was willing to make her relationship with Max continue.
“Fine, Max. I will work with you, but promise me one thing…”
“What’s that?” Max said as he cocked his head to the side.
“Promise me… You will never leave like that again and that we will never ever have to come back to this awful and dreadful place…”
“Agreed,” Max replied. “Never again…”
Last Words
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The Expanse Page 2