By My Side (Nabrina AU)

Chapter 17

Sabrina climbed back up to her bedroom. Who knew that a stranger, in the guise of the Trinket Man would give her that answer that she sought. However, there were things she needed to do before she'd go through her plan.

She knew that the Trinket Man said she might end up inside the box too, but she knew that she would. There was no way out of it. Even if she managed to trap the Void and close the lid without getting herself sucked in, she couldn't teleport herself back to home if she wanted. The distance was simply too far away. She didn't have time to think of other solutions. The Void is coming and time is of the essence. She needed to act now.

She took a large breath and let it out along her fear and doubts. As long as they're safe, she said to herself. A moment ago, she didn't know what to do and now that she does, there's nothing that could stop her.

She didn't want to tell her family or Nick, they would probably just stop her anyway. So she took a piece of parchment and a pen and began writing her goodbye. She addressed it to her Aunts, Ambrose, her friends, and Nick.

Nick.

Her heart fell. She was never gonna see him again. It wasn't long ago, well, it was literally hours ago that she wanted to make love to him, to show him how much he meant to her but now, she's writing him a goodbye letter.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered their exchange on the porch. Her hand enclosed on the necklace that hung around her neck.

"Don't do this, my dear Sabrina."

Her heart thumped. It was Salem's voice in her head. She stood as she turned around and her familiar was there.

"I have to. You know I have to, Salem."

"No, you don't. There are more people out there who deserve to perish from this earth but not you. Not you." Salem's voice sounded mad and sad at the same time.

"It's one life against billions, Salem. And it's my choice. I want this to end. For you to be safe. For my family to be safe. For my friends, and for Nick."

"But what about you? You're just sixteen. You've barely lived your life, child." Salem reasoned out.

"I know, Salem. But I have to do this or else it will not end."

"Don't you mean we?"

Her head turned to the voice she didn't know she was longing for till she heard it. Her heart started hammering.

"Nick? Why are you here?" She swallowed hard. She wasn't expecting this at all. She felt like she was caught doing something she shouldn't be doing.

"Nice timing." She heard Salem say but her eyes were focused on Nick. She saw the pain in his eyes.

"I talked to Ambrose." He took one step towards her but she also took a step back. She knew that if he came any closer, her resolve might falter and she couldn't let that happen.

"I knew the moment you got back that there was something you weren't telling me. I could see it in your eyes, Spellman." He took another step towards her.

Too bad for her, she could no longer take another step back. Still, she can't give in. "I can't let you stop me, Nick. You know I have to do this."

"I'm not stopping you, Spellman. I learned long ago that it's the one thing I can't do, especially if it's for the ones you love." He shook his head. "I'm doing this with you."

There was an immediate refusal from her. "No Nick. Only one of us has to go. I can't have you going with me. You already have built a life here. With or without me, I want you to carry on with it." It broke her heart to finally say it but it was the truth no matter how much it hurt.