The Dark Society

25

Luis struggled to wake after a long night of cribbage, and though not an avid player, he enjoyed the time with his parents. Nevertheless, he pulled the comforter over his head as his mother knocked on the door.

"Go away!" he insisted.

Caroline entered, seeming more excited than usual.

"Are you dragging yourself out of bed sometime today?"

"Why should I?"

His mother turned.

"Because everyone expects you."

Luis gradually sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Besides..." she added, "you don't want to disappoint, right?"

Luis sneered and nodded.

"I guess not."

She arranged the laundry while considering another question.

"Is Karen going with the group?"

He sighed.

"As far as I know."

Life had progressed without much time to reflect over the past year. Tests, social activities, and the impending holiday meant that winter recess had come at the perfect time. Meanwhile, as various seminars concluded, Sabrina worked to finalize arrangements. She hadn't forgotten about Jennifer or the recurring visions since she'd witnessed other strange phenomena.

At the same time, university staff were busy refining plans for the inaugural event. The common was decorated to symbolize happiness and merriment--holiday traditions everyone enjoyed, but ones Sabrina would recognize as the last.

It was nearly 11:30, and Tatum and Lyndsey had spent the morning chatting while Kyle and Logan worried about Sabrina.

"It's not a wise idea," Logan declared.

"What do you think we should do?" Kyle asked, joining his brother in the kitchen.

"I don't know..." he replied. "But Lyndsey's spending a lot of time with Tatum."

Kyle pondered this.

"I'm surprised, seeing how Karen keeps her on such a short leash."

Logan glanced toward the ceiling repeatedly, expecting to hear something from the apartment above.

"Even so..." Kyle continued, "we should call Brie."

Logan nodded and began dialing. They'd tried to contact Sabrina many times recently but had received no response. This time, however, if there was no answer, they planned to visit in person.

The phone rang, and Logan pressed the receiver to his ear.

"Hey, it's been a while."

"Hi, stranger," Sabrina answered.

"Where've you been?"

"I needed time..." she confessed. "But everything's fine, so there's no need to worry."

Kyle moved closer and listened in.

"Are you attending the festival?"

"Yes..." she responded. "I look forward to seeing everyone."

Logan glanced at Kyle.

"Are you going alone?"

Sabrina hesitated.

"I'm going with the house..." she said. "I'll feel more comfortable."

Logan groaned but felt relieved.

"We can't wait to see you."

She paused.

"If anything changes, I'll let you know."

Logan hung up and looked at Kyle.

"Do you think she knows?"

He smirked.

"We have the advantage--no one does."