Chapter 33

The jeep arrived at the parking lot of the motel. Maya moved her focus all around the place to see any signs of life but there was none. Kharkov pulled the handbrake and killed the engine. Kharkov glanced at Maya and she nodded to him. They both got out from the jeep at the same time. A fire was present and a Skag was being smoked to what would assume for overnight. It was evening so Red was certainly nearby. Maya looked at the abandoned motel and it was the usual abandoned motels scattered in Pandora. Maya turned to Kharkov and asked him to contact Red. Kharkov nodded.

"Red, my friend, where are you?" Kharkov talked through his ECHO device. "We're here at your place."

A sniper shot echoed around the location. Kharkov and Maya took out their weapon; braced for action.

"Give me a second." Red answered. "I'll be right there."

A sniper shot was heard again, it was not the usual bandits skirmish as they would often time be loud. Maya had her Siren powers ready in case. Not long after, Red exited out of the motel, appearing from the many doors. He cracked his head and walked toward The Searcher and The Siren.

"Been awhile, sorry for the absent." Red turned off his eyepiece and put his hands on his waist. "So Blue, how are you?"

"Where's Axton?" Maya asked.

"Axton?" Red said. "Oh he's at the back, on top of the hill." He pointed at the hill that was not far. "He kills time by sniping some targets or bandits every now and then.

Maya moved toward the direction where Red had pointed, walking in a faster pace and eager to meet the man. Red moved away to the side to make sure that he did not hit Maya. AE9 looked at the Blue Siren walking away to the hill with a curious brow.

"What's up with her?" Red asked Kharkov. "Did something happen during training?"

Kharkov folded his arm together and leaned to one leg. "She's tired of training. She misses home."

"Oh really?" Red glanced at Kharkov. "Then why don't you send her to Overlook?"

"Well, let just say, she and Axton might have something that is more than what it seems." Kharkov shrugged.

"What?" Red was confused. "Some extra explanation please?"

"Don't need to." Kharkov moved closer to Red and put his hand on his shoulder. "Maybe you need to feel it yourself my friend. Having someone special doesn't hurt Red. Aren't you tired being single Red? Maya's moving with the times. When will you?"

"Pfftttt." Red blew his lips and shook his head.

Axton got up from the sniper rifle that was at the ground and looked at the target with a binocular. His shot was the money shot, right between the eyes if it were a real human being. But even so, the once Dahl soldier was still not satisfied with himself. He put away his binocular and picked up the aforementioned sniper rifle. He then walked a few metres and put the sniper rifle among the many other used sniper rifles that he had used. All of them neatly lined, various types to various brands. They were all worned out by Axton rigorous use of it; none of them were durable enough. He scratched his beard and pondered for a moment. He heard footsteps and so he looked to his back. A blue haired Siren coming towards him. Usually it was a bad sign and Axton had his fair share of quarrels with Maya.

But Axton was happy to see Maya after a long while. How long has it been? A year? More than eight months since the death of Alesia, that's for sure. Her hair had grown longer than usual from what Axton was seeing. The man lifted his hand and called Maya.

"Hey Maya!" Axton said. "Been a long time!"

Maya did not say anything and moved closer and quicker. Axton was pressed, gulped his throat of whatever tantrum that Maya might have.

"Uh Maya?" The Blue Siren was in front of him. "You alrig-"

Maya hugged Axton suddenly. Axton's face hit Maya temple and he was slightly stunned by it. Maya wrapped her arms around his waist and back. Closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest. Axton was shocked to the core. Not knowing a thing about the situation that he was currently in. Eyes as wide as the horizon, Axton looked down to see Maya holding on to him. What a weird time to be alive.

Maya continued to hug Axton comfortably tight. She was obviously stressed seeing how heavy she was breathing. And for that, Axton understood. He doesn't know what the cause or what she was going through but Axton wanted to help her whatever he can. Axton took a deep breath and let a long sigh. He put his hand on her back. Patted and rubbed softly to calm her down.

"Stressed out huh Maya?" Axton giggled lightly.

Maya said nothing but the way she moved slightly suggested that she was. Axton took it as a yes.

"Is alright, everyone's tired once and a while." Axton hugged her back.

Maya was a quiet woman. Whatever she was going through, whether good or bad, expression was not the trait that Maya has. So the fact that she hugged it out might be a bad sign to begin with. So Axton let Maya be and stood together longer than a moment or two. Soon enough, Maya's tensed body started to relax and the first word was uttered.

Maya moved away and looked at Axton. "So now you have a beard?"

"Well your hair is longer so might as well join the party." Axton cheered.

"I'm planning to cut it like the usual."

"Hey, cut my beard too while you're at it."

Maya pinched Axton at the waist and the man only gave a smirk.