The Dark Society

4

Tim and Sabrina heard the rustling of utensils from the kitchen. Julia normally expressed her feelings openly, but as the customary creak of the screen door echoed, she surprisingly held back.

"Everything alright?" Sabrina asked.

"Yes..." her mother whispered, clutching a damp dishtowel. "Damn allergies."

"If you say so," Sabrina replied while moving toward the door.

"Wait...!" Julia cried out as emotions surged. "I don't want you to go!"

Sabrina stepped forward and hugged her mother as months of resentment poured out. Tim listened whenever possible, hoping Julia's pleas wouldn't fall on deaf ears. Eventually, he retreated into the yard, trusting they'd find common ground.

"Do you feel better?" Sabrina whispered.

Julia patted her daughter on the shoulder.

"Do I look all right to you?"

Sabrina sympathized, remaining attentive to her mother's feelings.

"I have to go; you know that."

Julia turned and slammed her hands on the counter.

"I don't mean to be selfish, but I promised to take care of you."

Sabrina drew close.

"In that case, what should I do?"

Julia grasped Sabrina's hands and caressed her left wrist.

"I don't know, but you're not like everyone else..." she admitted. "And soon enough the world will see that."

Her daughter leaned into her embrace.

"No matter where life takes me, I'll never forget where I come from or who I am."

They stayed huddled together until Tim suddenly burst through the door.

"What's this...?" he joked. "I'm out there shoveling a bloody hole and you two are chatting."

Sabrina and Julia giggled instantly and followed Tim into the yard where their daughter suddenly appeared mystified while looking at the canister.

"Are you going to keep us in suspense?" Julia asked as Sabrina knelt, closed her eyes, and began mumbling.

"What's she doing...?" Tim whispered. "Having an episode?"

Julia smacked his arm, earning a sarcastic stare from their daughter.

"Make me a promise..." Sabrina requested while lowering the cylinder. "If anything happens to me, remember this container."

Julia's face filled with horror.

"Don't say that!"

This wasn't something that she usually asked for, but it was something she felt she had to do. Sabrina rose and looked into her father's dark green eyes.

"Promise me."

His lips parted and eyes widened. He usually understood Sabrina's humor, but her solemn tone implied something different.

"Why ask this of us?"

Sabrina slowly moved closer as a tear rolled down her cheek. She wasn't particularly wise or educated, but she'd now brought closure to her adolescence. She'd struggled to master her inherited gifts, but the path ahead would be difficult despite the precautions she'd taken.

"If that's what you want, then I promise."

Sabrina smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you."

The words were difficult to say, but Julia smiled and took her daughter's hand.

"I promise."

Sabrina turned toward the hole.

"I have one last thing to finish."

About an hour passed as Tim watched from the kitchen sink. Burying a time capsule seemed odd, but the conditions Sabrina had attached to it terrified him.

"Why would she ask something like that?" he questioned, turning to Julia.

Her parents watched together as Sabrina packed down soil and spread new grass seed. Unlike Tim, her mother understood her daughter's reasoning.

"It's what she wants, so let's be supportive."

He took her hand and looked into her eyes.

"I'll try."

Tim had always been overprotective, so Julia aimed to contain his growing concerns despite her own doubts.

"Don't worry..." she insisted. "She'll be fine."

"I guess I have to let her grow up."

She stroked his face tenderly as Sabrina shuffled into the house.

"Did I miss something?"

Tim glanced at her with a grin.

"Always asking questions, just like your mother."

Julia spun around and narrowed her eyes.

"Let's get cleaned up, make some popcorn, and enjoy the evening."

Sabrina beamed.

"You remember how I like it, right?"

"Fresh and hot with caramel topping," Julia recalled.

Sabrina headed for the bathroom as her parents watched her go.

"We promised, remember?" Julia reminded Tim as he groaned and opened a cupboard.

"Doesn't mean I have to like it."