Claire's steps slowed down. Her breath was labored, her chest felt tight, and her legs felt like they were carrying an invisible weight.
Her eyes followed Eliza's figure as she moved further and further ahead of her, walking quickly as if she didn't know fatigue.
Claire bit her lower lip, trying to hold back the frustration that was starting to rise.
'I'm not fast enough,' she thought bitterly, then stopped at one empty corner of the market. Her hands rested on her knees, her body trying to take a deep breath.
In between her heavy breaths, her thoughts drifted to the necklace that had just been ripped from her neck. A first gift in her life, something simple but so valuable. Something that symbolized Eliza's sincere concern.
'That necklace...,' she thought to herself. 'I haven't even had the chance to take a close look at it. Am I just going to keep losing something valuable in my life?'
