The Dark Society

8

Sabrina had believed that meeting Tatum and Jennifer was inevitable, but as Jennifer's message continued to resonate, she needed to know more. Meanwhile, Tatum was busy preparing for their layover in Boston.

"We should stick together," Tatum suggested.

"A sensible idea," Sabrina replied.

The layover seemed threatened by the imminent rain, but they were nonetheless motivated to explore the city.

"The forecast doesn't look promising," Tatum observed.

Sabrina groaned at this news, but Jennifer was watching their interaction from the aisle. She quickly approached, seemingly determined.

"You're not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?"

"I wouldn't dream of it," Sabrina confirmed.

Jennifer retreated with a stride that revealed what words couldn't express. After she took her seat, Sabrina noticed an expression she'd seen countless times on her mother's face. The familiar look made her feel homesick again, but Tatum's warm southern smile eased her doubts.

"We're here," Tatum announced.

"Took long enough," Sabrina joked.

Tatum nodded and prepared to leave.

"If you're saying goodbye, now's the time."

Sabrina and Jennifer made eye contact again. Though they'd behaved cordially so far, something deeper passed between them.

"Did you get my message?" Jennifer asked, leaning over the headrest.

Sabrina had acted naive and innocent from an early age, but she wasn't inexperienced. Still, she always relied on her mother's advice and intuition.

"Where did you hear this?" she asked, presenting the napkin.

Jennifer stared.

"Do you remember when I said you remind me of someone?"

Sabrina nodded.

"It's a phrase she often used."

Thoughts raced through Sabrina's mind, but she didn't act instinctively or let her guard down. But, Jennifer remained persistent, eager to pursue the matter.

"Don't be nervous," she said, taking Sabrina's hand. "I know a witch when I see one."

Sabrina instinctively trembled as Jennifer caressed her left wrist--a touch that prompted a connection neither had expected. Sabrina had never possessed much mystical allure, but these feelings were unlike anything she'd experienced. Despite themselves, they drew closer, driven by an intense mutual power. But as their eyes locked, Sabrina broke the connection.

"It can't be," Jennifer whispered, retreating.

Sabrina looked equally startled.

"I have to catch a plane."

Jennifer straightened and composed herself.

"I hope we'll meet again."

She gazed at Jennifer with surprisingly emotionless eyes.

"You never know."

Sabrina entered the terminal shortly after and found Tatum seated alone.

"What happened?" Tatum asked.

Sabrina sat down, appearing nervous.

"Oh, nothing much."

Tatum frowned.

"And the note?"

Staring into the distance, Sabrina sighed.

"Something to remember her by, nothing more."

"I'm jealous," Tatum confessed.

"Of what?"

"The way you connect with people."

"It's surprising to me too," Sabrina admitted. "Apart from my parents, you're the only person I've spent more than two minutes with."

Tatum and Sabrina eventually navigated the terminals and boarded their flight to London. Unbeknownst to either of them, Jennifer stood watching from the shadows, reminded of a void in her life. She knew that Sabrina would prove to be unique, and she understood why.