Cadell spammed the doorbell of an apartment, five presses per second. A deadpan expression, which had refused to disappear for quite some time, planted on his face.

He sniffed. What am I doing here? It was more of a rhetorical question because he knew exactly the reason.

He was lost. And whenever he was lost, Maya somehow knew the right thing to say. Maybe she could help him find direction again. Maybe she could find a spark inside him that would help solve every single one of his problems. Maybe some kind of inspirational speech?

Cadell stopped pressing the doorbell, evaluating his reasoning. He was an idiot. It was best if he just left. A purple portal materialised.

“Cad?”

Shit.

Cadell’s eyes focused on the ground. Seconds dragged by. He didn’t know what to say because he hadn’t thought of what to say. Because, again, he was an idiot.

“Well, nice seeing you,” Maya said, closing the door.

“Wait!” Cadell looked up and was surprised to see a smile teasing him.

“No super suit and you actually pressed the doorbell? You must really be feeling terrible.”

Cadell examined her concerned look. It had been two years since they last talked but it was like nothing had happened between them, as if he was visiting her late after days spent combating overwhelming waves of enemies. And she looked exactly the same. Long black hair, large circular glasses and a mischievous grin. Her eyes and clothes radiated neon purple, a unique and mesmerizing hallucination that produced an otherworldly presence.

“Well?” Maya asked. “What do you want?”

“I need you,” Cadell blurted. “Y-your help, I mean. I need your help. Like I don’t need you specifically. But I need your help. Just to clarify.”

The Voice chuckled. Very smooth.

Maya agreed to help Cadell only on the condition that he sent her to Whitehaven Beach in Australia. It was a 7 kilometre stretch along Whitsunday Island which could be accessed by boat, seaplane, helicopter and, if you were really lucky, a freaking portal.

“Ahhh, this breeze is so nice,” Maya said as they walked along the beach. “And what a beautiful night sky.”

Not wasting any time, Cadell immediately spilled out everything that was troubling him. “So, what are your thoughts?”

“I can’t help you,” Maya said candidly.

“Why?”

“Because you won’t like my advice. There’s no point. Besides…” Maya stopped walking and looked up at the starry sky. “Your obsession can’t be stopped by anyone or anything. You will conquer your phobia. I’m sure of it.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“You’re battling an internal war within your mind every day. A little phobia isn’t going to hold you back for long, Cad.” Maya gently punched his shoulder. “This isn’t like you. Where’s the unwavering confidence gone?”

“Tell me your advice,” Cadell said, very much puzzled.

“Stop being a superhero and stay with me. For once in your life, be selfish and put your happiness first. Forget cleansing crime and the burden of the past, change your identity, and start a new life.”

Maya laughed when she noticed his annoyed expression. “I said you wouldn’t like it!” She grabbed his hand. “But I’m serious. If you ever lose your obsession by some miracle and I’m not taken, find me. I’ll always love you.”