The Dark Society

31

 The holidays began with the usual round of farewells. Tatum looked forward to visiting relatives, but more so hoped to see Sabrina. Her best friend had remained secluded since the festival. Thus, Tatum sensed something was wrong.

Meanwhile, Sabrina arranged bags as Big Ben's distinctive silhouette loomed against London's skyline. Her flight was leaving at 11:00, but there was still time to say goodbye if she wanted to. Across the city, Luis woke up, rubbing his tired eyes. Light snow fell as he glanced at the calendar, and a sudden knock echoed.

"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. From the moment their eyes met, expressions said everything.

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

Luis watched as Tatum rushed out the door. He knew Sabrina would downplay the intrusion, but he followed anyway. Yet, without a gate number or flight details, finding Sabrina would be impossible. Still, as Tatum arrived, she began searching terminals.

"Any flights to Boston?" Tatum asked 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, Luis had more at stake with Sabrina's departure.

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

"I'm afraid not," Luis replied.

Tears streamed down Tatum's face as she excused herself. Luis felt sympathy for Sabrina's situation. But as the plane taxied, a cold finality settled over him. Sabrina was leaving, and he would be alone again.

Moments later, Tatum returned and collected her things. She had her own flight to catch, but Luis noticed her fragile emotional state.

"Are you alright?"

Tatum's grief was unmistakable.

"Sabrina was my best friend, the only one who understood me. I thought she cared."

At those words, Sabrina emerged from the shadows and embraced Tatum.

"I do care," she said.

Luis stared in shock, unable to understand why she'd 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 bought this for you," Sabrina said, producing a round-trip ticket.

Luis marveled she'd stayed to say goodbye, even if it was 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 leaving mounted, Sabrina struggled with emotions. Nevertheless, she couldn't leave without some sense of closure.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Luis felt compelled to speak his truth.

"I've loved you since the first day we met."

Though touched by his confession, Sabrina knew any interactions were brief and superficial.

"Why me?" she asked.

Luis grew frustrated.

"I don't know exactly, but it feels natural, and that's why I trust it."

Sabrina nodded.

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

Mentioning Karen stung, though Sabrina was right; she meant a lot to him. Meanwhile, Luis searched her dark eyes, hoping for 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 close.

"What are you doing?" she protested.

Gazing into her eyes, he leaned in and kissed her. Sabrina resisted at first, but as the kiss deepened, she responded. Deep down, she wanted this to happen. So, when he finally pulled away, somber expressions softened.

"That was..." she breathed.

Luis's eyes sparkled.

"Intense." Sabrina added.

He smiled.

"I don't want you to forget."

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

The three moved through the terminal together, feeling content and melancholy. But as the last boarding call blared, reality returned with sobering clarity.

"I don't know what 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 seemed like an eternity.