Chapter 13

Acting together, the girls unbolted the doors and arranged to pass through. Though, in so doing, Sabrina suddenly appeared pale and unwell. As this happened, she'd access a nearby countertop with her head down. As one would expect, Tatum stood panicked, but didn't intend to leave a new friend alone.

Ensuingly, she'd recover a bag, set it on the counter, and start scouring. Throughout, Tatum figured she carried a remedy, but instead removed something bizarre: a sacred medallion. At which point Tatum withdrew and observed as she clutched the artifact and mumbled.

"What's wrong...?" she requested. "You're scaring me."

Time and again, Sabrina canvassed reflections as eyes morphed from dark to light. Tragically, it was as she feared; the ascension had progressed.

"It's nothing." she whispered, turning away.

For a time, Tatum stood tentatively, reflecting on what she'd seen. About this, Sabrina wanted to explain, but Julia had sworn her to secrecy. Given that, she moved across the room and nestled on the couch as a sudden rain evoked a welcomed sense of calm. Without cease, visions of places and faces she didn't recognize persisted. Though, due to the ascension, such occurrences were expected. As a counterpoint, Sabrina swept her dark hair aside and beckoned Tatum to join her.

"It's alright..." she reassured, gesturing. "I won't bite."

Begrudgingly, she eased into the cushion, gawking like a child on Christmas morning. From this perspective, Sabrina was at a disadvantage, not knowing how she'd react. Therefore, she wanted to ease any fears, before inviting inquiries.

"How'd you do that?" Tatum questioned, drawing closer.

"Do what?"

Gradually, she'd come to grips.

"Your eyes."

Expeditiously, she reached into a nearby bag.

"It's a long story, but this should help you understand."

"Tarot cards?" Tatum debated, seemingly confused.

"You've seen them?" she inquired, arranging several billets on the table.

"Here and there, but I thought only witches used them."

"No, as do devotees and people of faith."

"So, which one are you?"

Easing, Sabrina smirked.

"Does it matter?"

While on the subject, she gestured to the birthmark on Sabrina's left wrist. But as easily, she'd pull away and adjust her sleeve.

"I guess not." Tatum muttered, pouting.

At her leisure, Sabrina flipped the initial card: the upright fool. A recognizable effigy representing innocence and new beginnings. At the time, this would've been a reading to savor, though Sabrina also recognized the prophecies of recklessness and betrayal.

"What is it?" Tatum urged, noting Sabrina's expression.

Peering, she grinned.

"You're at the threshold of change."

"And you?" Tatum questioned sternly.

Like a shot, Sabrina stood, shifted to the window and parted the drapes.

"I'll let you decide."

"Meaning?"

"Move your hand over the cards..." she advised. "Then, turn the one you feel the most energy from."

In a timely fashion, she hefted a note from a uniform row of three.

"The upright Empress."

All at once, Sabrina agonized and her eyes dropped, because it's the same card she'd drawn a hundred times; an ominous prophecy of emptiness, compounded by the foresight of darkness. (A foretold destiny she could no longer avoid).

"Who are you?" Tatum muttered, standing.

Sluggishly, Sabrina peered over her shoulder.

"A small-town country girl, nothing more."

"No..." she persisted. "There's something else, because from the moment we met, I knew you were special."

More and more, Sabrina twisted.

"I don't want to be."

Caringly, Tatum embraced her.

"Even like this, I'm glad we found each other, because I couldn't do this alone."

Smiling, Sabrina brushed her auburn-colored hair to the side.

"Me too."

Since that time, the girls grew inseparable, adopting mannerisms that mirrored the other's personality. And yet, Sabrina continued to suffer from nostalgia and unexplainable visions. In consequence, she withdrew, ignoring queries about family, the past, or spirituality. Whereas, Tatum was making fast friends, and discovering the diverse spiritual sects throughout campus. In doing so, she'd gain a vast insight into occultism; one of many reasons she and Sabrina meshed so well.

On a related note, curiosities about Sabrina's affiliation soon heightened. And though theological customs among learners varied, she remained the exception. Still today, Imperial remains teeming with dark lures and factions; roads of calamity Tatum didn't intend to entertain.

Instead, she often studied with Sabrina and promptly formed an innovative and tenacious spirit. Along the same line, she realized the worth of life and mastered the virtue of sacrament. In light of that, Tatum confided the newfound interest to her parents.

However, they didn't endorse the association, because Sabrina embodied a sinister and untrustworthy spirit. This under advisement, Tatum opened the window and embraced the brisk breeze. Unfavorably, she lives in a precarious period and battles spiritual diversity. For these reasons, only time would tell if this girl from southern Georgia could adapt.