Promise

It had been easy to promise. And just as easy to break. Rachel allowed some reassurance on her part, knowing that it had been a stressful moment, that she had only done her best in the situation. But Rachel was never satisfied and she still blamed herself.

It had been several months since Denzil Kelly was taken away in a police car. An eleven year old boy who could barely read but possessed a gun. At least, that's what they had believed, even at the protest of his own mother. Now that the real culprit had been found- his own brother- it was time for Denzil to return to society, released from a young offender's prison.

Rachel had barely slept since the death of Maxine, not solely in grief for the girl, but in grief of the young boy who had been incarcerated. A high price to pay for two innocent people. She felt as if she had been the one to pull the trigger, to plant the gun in the boy's hand. That day, she had promised him that he would be okay and she hadn't kept that promise.

Eddie reminded her that she had done everything she could. She had protected the Kellys from the onslaught of abuse, allowed them to flourish in education, and on finding that Denzil hadn't been the one to fire the gun, had ensured the witness testimonies were given and produced in court. More than enough.

Not for her.

Denzil hadn't been okay and for her mistake, they had all paid the price. But as she stood on the stone steps of Waterloo Road, watching the Kelly family pass through the front gate, she knew this was another day. A fresh chance for him; one that she would not hinder. All she could offer was an apology, yet as he came to stop in front of her, big brown eyes staring into her uncertain ones, he told her that there was no need.

"Thank you, Miss."

She felt relief wash over her, a smile instinctively forming. "Welcome back, Denzil."

Thank you to waterlooroad9 and Lynny. I'm glad that there are still some of us around! Waterloo Road and Eva fans alike. I'll still be going in the WR and EP fandom, even when all is gone :') I'm like a barnacle.

Also, you should still try some writing, Lynny. It comes with plenty of practice so don't worry about it. You never know unless you try!