It was a silent and crimson twilight.
The sun was almost touching the horizon, ready to dive under liquid gold like the sea in the last light of the day making the whole sky tinted in the various shades of orange, crimson, purple, and blues.

The view of the vast Mediterranean sea from the height of Dingli Clif was something else, it was magical, it was flawless like a painting of Van Gogh in Ashley's eyes.
Equally colourful, equally vibrant yet more alive.

The white sails of the distant sailboats were reflecting the gold in the waves.

It was silent, even ever-cheerful Maya was quiet at this point, silently painting the scene lying in front of her in her memory canvas.

They both sat there in silence side by side until the sun disappeared behind the horizon.

On the way down, Maya said, "I wish I could go with you wherever you are going next."

"I am going north, M. Maybe Norway, maybe Sweden, Maybe Finland, I just don't know yet where," replied Ashley.

"Why?"

"To see the northern lights." Ashley smiled.

"You know what is best? Seeing squirming Aurora Borealis above your head lying in a glass igloo," Maya exclaimed.

"That sounds like quite a honeymoon destination!" Ashley chuckled.

"Because that is!" Maya laughed, but that faded away soon, "I really wished we could go out together around the world, Pip!" her voice sank remembering her departure time the next afternoon.

"Awww, M... it's no big deal, we will do that one day. Let's just enjoy as long as we can."

Maya jolted in joy, "Let's go to a pub, I had not been one in ages! And gosh I need alcohol."

Ashley frowned, "I can't handle my liquor you know, M."

"Ah...relax Pip, you don't have work or anything next day, you can dose off for days after!!!! Please? Pleeeease????????" she tried to act cute.

Ashley rolled her eyes, "You should know you don't look that good when you make those puppy eyes!"

"But please say they are working!!!!" Maya didn't give up.

"Whatever," Ashley groaned.

"Yayyyy!!!" Maya punched in the air victoriously.

Maya was waiting for Ashley. It's their 4th round of Moscow mule. She always proudly declared herself a hard hitter and to be honest, that's not a lie.

On the other hand, Ashley was a bad drinker, she could even get drunk over energy drinks if not controlled.

Ashley was quite drunk already and gone to the restroom. Maya was mentally cursing herself for bringing her here, it was not a good idea. She wondered what made her make this stupid decision over and over again.

She ordered a Negroni for herself. There was no way she was gonna let Ashley have another round. If she does, she is probably gonna end up carrying her back to the hotel. And it already seems impossible to catch the ferry to go back to Gozo or take a ride from Gozo to Xlendi and end up in their hotel room.

Why was Ashley still not coming out?

Maya waited impatiently for another five minutes.

If it was someone else, she wouldn't give a shit, but it was different for this girl. Maya got up and went to the restroom. She searched the stalls, nope, no sign of Ashley there.

Suddenly she felt something. Scared? Yes, she was scared. She ran out of the lady's room. She didn't hesitate to barge into the men's room ignoring all the complaints throwing at her. She searched the whole room, no, Ashley was nowhere to be found.

She froze in her place hearing a muffled whimper outside and immediately ran out through the door.

There she was, pinning a man against the wall grabbing his nape preventing him from moving his head to look at her, and twisting his one hand to his back. He was trying to make a sound but all that came out was gibberish against the cold wall pressing against his lips.

"Pip.....!!" Maya couldn't move.

Before she could do anything, Ashley tackled the man with ease to the ground. The loud thud made the painfully obvious and within seconds, Ashley was on top of the man. Grabbing him with the collar in one hand, she continued punching the man furiously. And the man's effort to shake her off didn't seem to work on her. And There was no sign that she was going to stop soon.

Maya ran to her, stumbled hearing her hissing repeatedly, "not again, not this time you fucking loser!!!"
She was cursing! How drunk was she?

There was blood stained on his face, already got bruises all over, bleeding through a broken nose and smashed lips.

Maya grabbed Ashley's waist, tried pulling her away from the man lying there. Ashley shook her off and again approached him.

Maya had to almost pick her up from behind this time.

"Let me go you prick," Ashley shouted.

Hearing her cursing made Maya sensed the rage in her, she needed to calm her down!!!

Maya put her down and grabbed her wrists to prevent her from again approaching the man. Ashley gave her a death glare.

Maya felt a shiver going down her spine seeing the dark orbs filled with hatred and cruelty. Those eyes didn't
Recognize her, never loved anybody, didn't know anything but killing spree!
She wanted to run away as far as she could from those lifeless ice-cold eyes!! The immense darkness she never experienced from those ever-smiling eyes. Or did she?

But she embraced her as hard as she could, "It's ok, ok,..... Calm down, calm down girl....!" she whispered in her ear.

Ashley again tried to shake her off, but she didn't let go. Tears filling her eyes with pain and fear and determination not to let her go from her trembling hands......And she felt Ashley collapsing in her hands at last.

[ Hi guys.......
I know I said I won't be writing anytime soon, but here I am!!!😅😅

I wanted to introduce you to a different side of Ashley. I know these are hella boring chapters, but let me know what do you think about her?
As always, stay safe, stay blessed💜💜💜💜]