The Dark Society

31

The holidays had finally begun, bringing the usual round of farewells. Tatum had been looking forward to visiting relatives, but more than anything, she hoped to see Sabrina. Her best friend had been mysteriously absent since the festival, and Tatum sensed something was wrong.

Across the city at the airport, Sabrina gathered her bags as Big Ben's distinctive silhouette loomed against the gray London sky. Her flight was leaving at 11:00, but there was still time to say goodbye--if she wanted to.

Meanwhile, Luis woke with a start, rubbing his tired eyes. Light snow fell outside his window as he glanced at the calendar and a sudden knock interrupted his thoughts.

"What is it?" he called.

His mother entered, her face etched with concern. "You should come downstairs."

Luis followed and found Tatum waiting at the bottom of the staircase. The moment their eyes met, no words were needed--her expression said everything.

"She can't leave!" Tatum exclaimed, tears welling as her fists clenched in frustration.

Luis watched helplessly as Tatum rushed out the door. He knew Sabrina would be upset by the intrusion, but he followed anyway. Yet, without the gate number or flight details, finding Sabrina would be nearly impossible. Still, as Tatum arrived, she searched the terminals desperately.

"Any flights to Boston?" Tatum asked breathlessly at the information desk.

"Flight 682 is now boarding," the clerk announced, gesturing toward the departure board.

Tatum hurried to the gate window, praying Sabrina might reconsider. Instead, she felt only crushing helplessness as passengers filed toward the plane.

"She never told me," Tatum whispered as Luis approached.

"How did you find out?"

She turned to face him. "I wasn't certain, but I'd suspected something for weeks."

The sense of abandonment cut deep, but what Tatum didn't know was that Luis had even more at stake in Sabrina's departure.

"She's not coming back, is she?" Tatum asked, leaning against the cold terminal wall.

"I'm afraid not," Luis replied softly.

Tears streamed down Tatum's face as she excused herself to the restroom. Luis felt sympathy for Sabrina's situation, but as the plane began taxiing toward the runway, a cold finality settled over him--she was leaving, and he would be alone again.

When Tatum returned, she collected her things since she had her own flight to catch. All the same, Luis noticed her fragile emotional state.

"Are you alright?"

Tatum's grief was unmistakable. "Sabrina was my best friend, the only one who truly understood me. I thought she cared."

At those words, Sabrina emerged from behind a nearby pillar and embraced her friend tightly.

"I do care," she said.

Luis stared in shock, unable to understand why she had been hiding.

Sabrina looked into Tatum's eyes and smiled. "You're coming with me."

Tatum pulled back, torn between joy and disbelief. "I'd love to, but how?"

"I took the liberty of buying this for you," Sabrina said, producing a round-trip ticket.

Luis marveled that she had stayed to say goodbye, even if it might be for the last time.

"You knew we'd come looking for you?" he asked, reaching for her hand.

"I had a feeling," she replied, her fingers intertwining with his. "I regret leaving as much as anyone, but it's for the best."

Luis tensed. "I've thought about what to say, but I know it won't change anything."

As the pressure of departure mounted, Sabrina struggled with her own emotions. Even so, she couldn't leave without some sense of closure.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Luis felt compelled to finally speak his truth. "I've loved you since the first day we met."

Though touched by his confession, Sabrina knew their interactions had been brief and superficial.

"Why me?" she asked gently.

Luis grew frustrated. "I don't know exactly. It just feels natural, and that's why I trust it."

Sabrina nodded sadly. "That's exactly why it would never work. Besides, Karen is waiting for you."

The mention of Karen stung, though Sabrina was right--she did mean a lot to him. Meanwhile, Luis searched her dark eyes, hoping for some sign of a new beginning. Instead, she turned away to retrieve her bag.

"Forget about me," she insisted. "You'll be better off."

Anger flared in Luis, so acting on instinct, he pulled Sabrina into his arms.

"What are you doing?" she protested.

Gazing into her eyes, he leaned down and kissed her. Sabrina resisted at first, but as the kiss deepened, she found herself responding. Deep down, she had wanted this to happen, so when he finally pulled away, her somber expression had softened.

"That was..." she breathed.

Luis's eyes sparkled. "Was what?"

"Intense."

He smiled. "I don't want you to forget."

"Come on, we need to go!" Tatum interrupted, glancing at her watch.

The three of them moved through the terminal together, feeling both content and melancholy. But as the final boarding call echoed through the speakers, reality returned with sobering clarity.

"I don't know what any of this means," Sabrina admitted, "but I want you to know I'll miss you."

Tears filled Luis's eyes. "This isn't goodbye."

Luis watched as Sabrina and Tatum disappeared into the jetway, and though only seconds passed, it felt like an eternity.