Page 34 of Maar's Girl

As I rinse off, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes are red and puffy, my skin flushed from the hot water. I hardly recognize the woman staring back at me.

I turn off the shower, wrapping myself in a plush towel. For a moment, I lean against the door, listening. The condo is silent. Is Maar still out there? Is he worried? Does he even care?

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I can't hide in here forever. Sooner or later, I'll have to face him, face this life we're living.

But not yet. Not tonight. Tonight, I just want to forget.

CHAPTER 23

MAAR

"So I looked like you asked, and it doesn't look like the Fist has figured out to come to Glimner," Laar says sitting in the living room of our condo. "I can't understand the fuckheads don't realize Glimner is where anyone would want to be."

"It's a large galaxy," I say. "They probably got bigger fish to fry. I hear the IHC is coming hard down on them."

"Yeah, after the shit that went down on Mars they're getting pounded. Rumor has it that General Dowron sent the Penetrators to take out one of their teams. And the Ataxians are after them too. Apparently the Contras are dismantling their operations on the Coalition side."

"So no matter which side of the border, they're getting the shit kicked out of them," I say. "Good. What about the IHC? Are they on the trail?"

"They're pretty much scouring the human planets first, but I gotta be honest, the IHC is big. They gotta go through over 800 billion humans just in their territory before they figure out that you're not there."

I'm about to respond to Laar when the bathroom door swings open. Alyssa emerges, wrapped in a fluffy white towel, her damphair clinging to her shoulders. Steam billows out behind her, carrying the scent of her lavender body wash.

"Hey, Laar," she says, her voice warm and friendly. "Didn't know you were stopping by."

Laar's eyes flick to me for a split second before he responds. "Just giving Maar the rundown on the galaxy's latest gossip."

"Oh?" Alyssa raises an eyebrow, padding across the room. "Anything interesting?"

"Same old, same old," Laar shrugs. "IHC throwing their weight around, criminals getting their asses handed to them."

Alyssa chuckles, moving towards the bar. "Sounds like a party. How you holding up, Laar? Want a drink?"

"Wouldn't say no to a Martian Sunrise," he replies.

I watch as Alyssa expertly mixes the cocktail, her movements fluid and graceful. She hasn't so much as glanced in my direction since entering the room.

"Here you go," she says, sliding the vibrant orange drink across the counter to Laar. "So, tell me more about what's happening out there. I miss the excitement sometimes, you know?"

Laar takes a sip, his eyes darting between us. "Well, rumor has it the Penetrators are making moves. General Dowron's got them running ops all over the place."

"No kidding?" Alyssa leans forward, genuinely interested. "I always wondered what it'd be like to work with those guys. They're legends."

I clear my throat, trying to insert myself into the conversation. "The Penetrators are overrated. Half their rep is just propaganda-"

"So, Laar," Alyssa cuts me off, not even acknowledging I've spoken. "You staying for dinner? I was thinking of whipping up some Glimnerian spice pasta."

The tension in the room is palpable. Laar shifts uncomfortably in his seat. "Uh, thanks, but I should probably get going. Got a game later tonight I need to prep for."

Alyssa nods, disappointment flashing across her face. "Another time, then. Take care, Laar. It's always good to see you."

As Laar makes his exit, I'm left staring at Alyssa's back as she busies herself at the bar, the cold shoulder she's giving me more chilling than any Glimner winter.

I watch Alyssa's retreating form as she disappears into the bedroom, the click of the door lock echoing in the silence she leaves behind. My jaw clenches, a familiar ache settling in my chest. It's been a year, and still, her anger burns as hot as the day I revealed the truth.

Sighing, I move to the window, scanning the neon-lit streets below. Old habits die hard, and I can't shake the feeling that danger lurks around every corner. My eyes dart from face to face, searching for any sign of recognition, any hint that we've been found.

"All clear," I mutter to myself, a hollow victory.

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