Chapter 6

March 17, 2019

Los Angeles (Street)

9:16 PM

Phoenix and Maya had been walking for some time to her favorite all-night burger joint, talking about trivial things along the way. It was a few more blocks, which might take them 5-10 minutes.

"Nick?"

"What is it, Maya?"

"How old are you?"

"Well, I'm 27 now."

Maya had a worried look on her face. "Then why haven't you settled down yet?"

"Well, I guess I just haven't met the right person yet."

Maya looked at her feet as they walked.

"What about you, Maya?"

"H-huh?"

"Have you met anyone special?"

Maya's face grew red. "W-well…"

Now Phoenix was worried. "You haven't?"

Maya looked up. "W-well, I have, but I don't know if he likes me."

"Then why don't you ask him?"

Maya grew redder. "N-Nick! That's not how this kind of stuff works!"

Phoenix smiled. "Why not? I'm sure he likes you too."

Maya smiled back. "Y-you think so?"

Phoenix put his hand on her shoulder. "I know so. You're a great girl."

Maya looked at Phoenix. "Th-thanks."

They crossed the street to the burger joint, stepping into the building's warm air. The owners didn't bother asking them what they wanted, bringing Maya her regular burger. Phoenix sat as she scarfed down her burger, not interrupting her. Phoenix ate a small burger, occasionally grabbing a fry from the plastic basket on the table. They ate and talked until 10:22, when Maya finished off the fries. Phoenix pinched a few bills out of his wallet, leaving them laid out on the table. Maya grabbed her jacket, and they stepped back out into the cold.

"Brrrr." Maya rubbed her arms. "It's cold, Nick."

Phoenix looked up at the cloudy night sky, shrouded in a haze. "It's going to rain soon."

Maya looked up at the sky, not noticing the red Alfa Romero a block away. "Do you have an umbrella?"

"Not right now." Phoenix said. "There's one at home."

Before Maya could respond, a crash came from the next block over. Only then did they notice the Alfa Romero, with its windshield shattered by a body.

"T-that's Mr. Edgeworth's car!" Maya took off across the street. Phoenix darted after her. The door of the car opened, and Edgeworth stumbled out. Before they could reach him, he slipped onto his back, falling unconscious.

Maya fell to her knees over Edgeworth. "M-Mr. Edgeworth! Wake up!"

Phoenix put his fingers on Edgeworth's pulse. "He's alive." Phoenix pulled out his phone, but noticed the paramedics already arriving. Maya was still on her knees when the paramedics crowded around Edgeworth and, attempting to wake him. One paramedic got up and walked towards Phoenix.

"He'll be fine. You need to get that girl out of here. Do you know either of them?"

Phoenix shook his head. "I don't know the guy that fell, but I know him." Phoenix pointed at Edgeworth, still unconscious.

Phoenix kneeled down next to Maya, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Come on, we need to go."

Tears ran down Maya's cheeks at the sight of Edgeworth, and the man on the car. Phoenix helped her up, letting go of her shoulder when she got on her feet.

Maya looked at Phoenix. "N-Nick?"

Maya's knees bent as she fell onto the ground, being caught by Phoenix.

Phoenix cradled Maya, now unconscious. "M-Maya! Are you okay?"

Phoenix helped Maya into a patrol car, which took them home. He carried her out of the car, and upstairs, where he set her down on his bed. Phoenix sat in the chair next to his bed, watching Maya until he fell asleep.