Chapter 3:

In this world you tried,
Not leaving me alone behind.
There's no other way,
I pray to the gods let him stay.
The memories ease the pain inside,
And now I know why.

"Anita," sounded and Kowalski walked to her friend, but Anita didn't seem to hear her. It's been a month after Victor left and she felt down. They called every now and then, but it wasn't the same.

"Anita." Kowalski said again and Anita turned around. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine." Anita whispered and she walked away again, leaving Kowalski alone.

"I don't think she's fine." Ray said as he walked to Kowalski.

Kowalski shook her head. "Ever since Victor left, she's been down."

"I can understand that." Ray said. "She loved him, but I don't think she would say it on the phone."

All of my memories keep you near.
In silent moments,
Imagine you'd be here.
All of my memories keep you near,
In silent whispers, silent tears

Anita was in her emergency bunker, sitting on her bed. She held her necklace in her hand. A few days ago, she discovered that there was a picture inside the heart. The picture was showing her and Victor, laughing. It was made on their one-year-partnership-anniversary. They had so much fun together that day, that it felt they were more than just friends. They celebrate that anniversary every year and this year would be the first year they couldn't celebrate it. She missed him so much, she just couldn't live alone here. She wanted him to go back to her, to tell her that everything is all right.

Made me promise I'd try,
To find my way back in this life.
Hope there is a way,
To give me a sign you're okay.
Reminds me again it's worth it all,
So I can go home.

She remembered when he told her that she needed to go on with her life. But without him, she didn't want to go on. She wanted him here next to her, holding her tight. She remembered their first and last kiss, there on the airport, before the customs. She just whished that she told him earlier that she loved him, maybe he would be still here. And maybe they would be engaged, even married. She knew she couldn't wait to get married to Victor. But he didn't know that.

"Anita."

Anita looked up and she saw Ray standing there. "What is it?" she whispered.

"Everything will be alright, Anita. He'll come back." Ray sat down next to Anita. "I know he'll come back." and he placed his arm around Anita's shoulder.

All of my memories keep you near.
In silent moments,
Imagine you'd be here.
All of my memories keep you near.
In silent whispers, silent tears.

Slowly, but surely, fell the tears down Anita's cheeks.

"Shh, it'll be alright." Ray said and he gave Anita a big hug. "Trust me, Anita. Someday, he'll walk into this room and he will hold you tight, instead of me."

"I just wish this was a dream." Anita whispered. "That I would wake up and he would tell me that it was just a terrible nightmare."

"I wish I could say that." Ray whispered back. He held his friend near. Anita told him a few weeks ago, a few days after Victor left, that she loved Victor. Ray knew it far before Anita told him. They both showed that they loved one and another, but they never told each other about it. And now it felt for both of them that it was too late.

Together in all these memories,
I see your smile.
All of the memories I hold dear.
Darling you know I'll love you,
Till the end of time.

Ray sighed. He couldn't do anything more for Anita then just be there for her. They needed her here and the base in Australia needed Victor there. It wasn't fair, he knew. He knew Victor loved Anita. Victor told him that some days ago. That he told Anita that he loved her. Ray didn't tell Victor that Anita loved him too, he couldn't do it. Not over the phone and Victor had to know it from Anita, not from him. Anita would be the one who would tell him that she loved him.

"If you need me, I won't be far." Ray said as he wiped Anita's tears away. "Be strong, for Victor. Alright?"

Anita nodded. "I will." she whispered.

All of my memories keep you near
In silent moments,
Imagine you'd here.
All of my memories keep you near,
In silent whispers, silent tears.
All of my memories...

This song is from Within Temptation, which is called Memories.