lets go

I moved through the motions in a daze, checking in, going through security.

I turned to look back at Kristen one last time. She still had tears in her eyes but a smile on her face, and she waved me goodbye.

I waved back at her.

Mackenzie looked at me.

"Let's go Karim," Mackenzie urged, his voice a lifeline pulling me through the fog.

We boarded the plane. Each step up the narrow aisle felt like a step away from my life, from Kristen, from everything that made sense.

I sank into my seat, the weight of my duty pressing down on me.

 The hum of the engines starting up was a low, ominous drone in my ears.

As the plane took off, I looked out the window, the city of Wisteria growing smaller and smaller below. My heart ached, a physical pain that threatened to overwhelm me.

In my mind, I replayed every moment we had shared, the laughter, the quiet evenings, the promises whispered in the dark.