The Dark Society

7

Sabrina peered through the window as the last remnants of home vanished below. Tatum, her traveling companion, often flew and unlike Sabrina, she enjoyed it. More importantly, her parents had supported her decision to attend school abroad, and she didn't want to disappoint them.

As they settled in for the long flight, the two young women got better acquainted to ease their anxieties. Sabrina was mentally and physically strong, but with Julia's guidance she'd learned to conceal the symptoms of her condition.

Despite brief moments of clarity, she often felt alone. Sabrina frequently gazed into the darkened sky, seeking something she couldn't quite name--some spirit or power to command. However, Jennifer, their flight attendant, proved reliable and honored her promise to check on them.

"How are we doing?" Jennifer asked, approaching their seats.

"Not bad, all things considered," Sabrina replied.

"You two know each other?" Tatum questioned, noting something in their exchange.

"Kind of..." Jennifer said, her gaze lingering on Sabrina. "Can I get you anything?"

"Scotch, neat," Tatum requested.

"And for you?" Jennifer asked Sabrina.

Sabrina chuckled. "The same."

"I'll be right back," Jennifer said, crossing the aisle.

"She's perceptive, isn't she?" Tatum observed.

"What do you mean?"

Tatum smiled knowingly. "The eyes never lie."

Sabrina laughed. "Now you sound like my father."

Tatum watched carefully as Jennifer returned and arranged a folded napkin under Sabrina's glass. Sabrina didn't notice at first, setting the drink on her armrest, but Tatum grew curious.

"What's that?" Tatum asked.

"What?" Sabrina looked confused.

"Open it and see what it says."

Sabrina froze as Tatum reached for the napkin.

"I bet there's a message."

Sabrina quickly reclaimed the napkin and tucked it away. Then, pursing her lips and squinting, she sipped the cocktail.

"Not much of a drinker, are you?" Tatum teased.

"Not really."

Tatum retrieved a bag from the overhead compartment. "Then why did you order it?"

Sabrina slumped into her seat. "I thought it would make me feel older."

Tatum turned to face her. "Older? You can't be more than nineteen or twenty."

Sabrina giggled. "Thanks for the compliment."

Tatum's eyes widened. "How old are you?"

Sabrina finished the last of her drink. "Seventeen."

Tatum looked shocked. "Do you think the flight attendant knows?"

Sabrina shrugged, but her curiosity about Jennifer's mysterious behavior got the better of her, so she pulled out the napkin and unfolded it.

"What does it say?" Tatum asked eagerly.

Sabrina looked toward the front of the cabin, then back at the napkin.

"'See through the lies--the truth is everywhere,'" Tatum read over her shoulder. "What does that mean?"

"It's something my mother often says," Sabrina admitted quietly. "But how could she know that?"

"Strange way to make friends, don't you think?" Tatum joked.

Sabrina was still processing the message when she noticed a thick manila envelope protruding from Tatum's bag.

"What's this?"

Tatum pulled out several documents. "Admission paperwork for Imperial University."

Sabrina looked up in surprise. "That's why you're going overseas?"

"Yeah, to study Criminal Justice. Why?"

"Marketing and Accounting," Sabrina said, producing her own identical forms. "You could say I'm going there too."

"Well," Tatum said, shuffling through her papers, "let's see what else we have in common."

Sabrina leaned in to look.

"No way!" she exclaimed. "Looks like we're going to be roommates!"

Sabrina considered this unexpected turn of events. "Seems like we were meant to meet, doesn't it?"

Tatum nodded silently, a small smile playing at her lips.