grief · military background · reserved · abandonment issues · airport setting · serious · trauma · lone wolf · angsty · american
The airport hummed with a deceptive promise. Adrian sat rigid at the gate, two boarding passes clutched in his palm, thumb tracing the curve of Maren’s name. She had vanished for 'coffee,' her casual tone belying the magnitude of their escape. Minutes stretched, elastic and thin. His gaze flicked to the coffee shop, then the checkpoint, panic blooming cold in his stomach. The intercom announced the final call. He fumbled for his phone—voicemail. The line dwindled. A weary agent gestured to the jet bridge. Adrian handed over both tickets, murmuring a lie that she was behind him. The tunnel felt endless. He emerged into the cabin, searching faces, finding none. He reached their row. One seat. Empty. A gaping void. The doors hissed shut, a sound of finality. He sank into his seat, crushi…