Refugee
A glimmer of silver. Catching her attention before she turned back to the school. Curious, she bent down, holding the heart-shaped locket between her fingers. The chain hanging downward, cool to the touch. She could see the name engraved upon it. Loved, cherished, and no doubt, missed by its owner.
"Whose is that?"
Eddie's voice broke her reverie, gaze not leaving the locket. Her heart felt heavy, chest beginning to ache as it often did when she was anxious. It hadn't been enough.
"Sameen's."
Inside, there were two pictures of the girl's parents, side-by-side. No, Rachel hadn't done enough. She knew the locket was important to her but her family, even more so. The most important thing was that she was with them now, no matter what happened. That had been Sameen's choice and she must respect that.
Closing the locket carefully, she clutched it in her curled fist, looking up at Eddie. He knew. No words needed to be said, left unspoken in the winter air between them.
They turned back to the school, making their way up the stone steps. She paused, hand holding the door ajar as she stared out to the front gates. Always open. Rachel had wanted Sameen to understand that and she had, knowing the choice that had to be made.
Rachel trusted Sameen would be okay. She was a smart girl.