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.
