Vendetta

Deceptive Comforts

Edward and Katherine walked through the bustling entrance of Boston Logan International Airport, the hum of the crowd surrounding them as they navigated through the terminal. The overhead announcements echoed throughout the vast space: "Flight 227 to Los Angeles, now boarding at Gate C3," followed by a reminder about security protocols. Katherine clutched Edward's hand, her heart racing slightly, not from nerves about flying but because the weight of what they were about to embark on was starting to sink in.

The airport was alive with movement—families rushing to catch flights, business travelers hunched over laptops, and the occasional child tugging at a parent's hand. Edward glanced around, his sharp eyes taking in every detail, the thrumming energy of the place at odds with the quiet tension between him and Katherine. They moved past the café, where the smell of fresh coffee mixed with the crispness of the winter air seeping through the automatic doors.

"There you two are," a voice called from behind them. They turned to see Jordi approaching, his expression tight with impatience. "How late can you be? We need to hurry," he said, checking his watch. His usual calm demeanor was frayed, the sense of urgency evident.

"Traffic was a nightmare," Edward muttered, though he knew it was more than that. The weight of what was happening—what was coming—seemed to slow everything down, as if time itself was giving them one last chance to reconsider.

"Let's just get this over with," Katherine added, her voice steady but her grip on Edward's arm tightening.

The trio moved quickly toward the check-in counters, the lines surprisingly short for such a busy day. Edward handed over their tickets, the woman behind the counter barely glancing up as she printed their boarding passes. "You're all set. Gate B12, and the flight boards in thirty minutes," she said in a practiced, monotonous tone.

As they made their way toward the security checkpoint, Edward's thoughts drifted. The Alchemist's letter, the ominous invitation, the costumes—everything felt like pieces of a puzzle they weren't ready to solve. Katherine's fingers grazed his hand, bringing him back to the present.

After passing through security, they hurried toward the terminal, where a sleek black vehicle waited to escort them to the plane. The driver waved them over, and Jordi glanced at Edward with a nod, signaling it was time.

As they ascended the staircase to the sleek black jet waiting for them on the tarmac, Edward noticed a flicker of something cross Katherine's face—a fleeting moment of unease. He leaned closer as they reached the top of the steps. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

Katherine paused for a brief second, meeting his gaze with a small smile before shaking her head. "Nothing," she whispered and moved forward toward the entrance.

Settling into the plush leather seats in the first-class cabin, Edward allowed himself a moment to relax. The interior was designed for comfort, with wide compartments, soft lighting, and a quiet hum of efficiency. Katherine busied herself with the reclining seat controls, and Edward's mind wandered.

This wasn't his first time traveling in luxury. He remembered the first time he had flown internationally, sitting in a similar seat, the excitement mixed with nerves. He had been much younger then, traveling with his father and Luna. Their family had always been able to afford comfortable travel, but it wasn't the wealth that he remembered—it was the feeling of freedom that came with it. He had looked out the window as a boy, wide-eyed at the sight of cities shrinking below, the clouds enveloping the plane, and the whole world opening up before him.

Now, as the memories swirled in his mind, he found himself lost in thoughts of the past, of simpler times before the darkness of the present had cast its shadow. His reflection was interrupted by Katherine's voice coming from the compartment beside him.