The Dark Society

10

Luis drove through South Kensington, captivated by the bustling campus teeming with tourists and students. The university experience was something he had looked forward to since childhood, and seeing the sights was only the beginning.

He observed undergraduates gathered along the walkways that enclosed Imperial College's grounds near Hyde Park. Locating Alex would clearly be difficult from the start, so he retrieved his phone and texted his father.

"Where will he be waiting?" he messaged.

Jim took time to respond, so Luis waited, hoping the crowd of students would eventually thin. Class registration also appeared delayed due to the volume of returning scholarship students. Despite the chaos, he gazed through the commons feeling like the luckiest man alive as his father's answer finally came.

"At the Albert Memorial on South Carriage Drive."

Luis arrived at the monument on schedule and recognized a man with familiar features, so he rolled down his window.

"Alex!" he shouted, gesturing.

Grabbing a small satchel, Alex approached with a knowing squint.

"How are you?" Alex greeted while settling into the passenger seat.

After a hearty handshake and brief embrace, Luis smiled.

"I'm doing well. How long has it been?"

Alex chuckled and adjusted his position.

"Far too long."

They were pressed for time, so Luis accelerated along Carriage Drive, hoping to save a few minutes.

"Life seems to have been good to you," Alex mentioned.

Luis chuckled while watching traffic.

"I can't complain."

After several minutes, they parked and prepared to get out.

"Look at you," Luis remarked, noting Alex's professional appearance. "When did you start wearing a sport coat?"

Alex laughed.

"Since I grew up and became an adult."

Luis had also changed his thinking since their youth. Their parents' ideologies were beliefs each had valued, but with continual practice they'd become second nature. Meanwhile, Luis stood on the curb beaming as Alex approached.

"Like old times," he said.

Alex nodded, and together they walked toward the admissions building. As the sun blazed overhead, Alex gazed into the cloudless blue sky.

"Looks like it'll be a warm one."

"Why do you think I'm going to the beach later?" Luis answered.

Alex turned.

"Sounds like a great idea."

Luis grinned.

"Why don't you come along?"

"You don't have to ask twice. I'm there."

The morning remained hectic, and as Luis and Alex entered the building, the crowds seemed to grow. More significantly, Alex frequently appeared jittery and distracted.

"This will take all day," he muttered while removing his jacket.

"No worries," Luis assured him. "There's an open session for freshmen."

Alex nodded, and they moved further inside. Imperial College embodied an exciting and compelling world, so as they approached the front desk, mutual excitement flourished.

"I'll speak with the administrator," Luis said before stepping away.

Alex agreed and began organizing his papers as his phone buzzed again--something that had occurred frequently that morning. However, after a brief but detailed conversation, he appeared guarded once more.

"Did you find out anything?" he asked while pocketing the phone.

"We need to sign some documents," Luis explained.

Alex frowned.

"All this stress for a signature?"

There weren't many students majoring in pre-law, which allowed time to create compatible schedules.

"Good morning, gentlemen," the counselor greeted while extending his hand. "How can I help you?"

The young men stepped forward.

"We're here to enroll," Alex said.

The man nodded.

"And your major?"

"Pre-law," Alex replied, glancing at Luis.

"Both of you?"

"Yes," Luis confirmed. "Plus, we'd like to synchronize our schedules."

After a short time, they received various schedules and assignments, not knowing they'd arranged classes with two of Imperial's strictest professors: Schneider and Tollis. Nevertheless, the young men were pleased and happily reviewed the calendars.

"You prefer studying with Schneider?" the clerk questioned. "He's known to be abstract and not well-liked."

Alex leaned forward.

"That's exactly why we're here--to learn from the best."

The clerk smiled.

"That's an admirable attitude. I hope you do well."

Luis marveled at Alex's knowledge of school procedures, but at that moment Alex received another call.

"Excuse me."

Luis nodded as Alex stepped into the hallway, looking tense. Though, he soon returned, visibly shaken.

"Are you all right?" Luis asked.

Alex pocketed the phone and hesitated.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Then why are you acting so strange?"

Alex sighed and shifted through his belongings.

"Jim didn't tell you everything, did he?"

"About Karen?"

Alex considered his words, not wanting to provoke an emotional response.

"Yeah," he confessed. "I'm sorry, but she's on her way."

Luis groaned nervously.

"I wasn't expecting that."

Alex grimaced and placed a reassuring hand on Luis's shoulder.

"There's more."

Luis suddenly looked puzzled.

"She's still attending those gatherings," Alex confessed.

Luis recoiled, remembering.

"And the group?"

"Yeah," Alex added. "Kyle, Logan, Sienna, Dena, and Lesley--everyone."

Luis's expression shifted as Alex's attention was diverted by a familiar voice echoing through the hall.

"Fancy meeting you two here," Karen announced.