The airport was louder than Stephanie expected.
People moved quickly in every direction, dragging suitcases and speaking in different languages. The bright lights reflected on the polished floors as announcements echoed through the building.
Stephanie held her small bag tightly as she walked beside Maya.
Vanessa walked confidently ahead of them, her heels clicking softly as if she had done this a thousand times before.
"Stay close," Vanessa said without turning around.
Maya's eyes moved everywhere in excitement.
"I've never been in an airport before," she whispered.
Stephanie tried to smile, but her chest felt strangely heavy.
Everything was happening so fast.
Just days ago, they were struggling to keep Rosa's small eatery running.
Now they were about to leave the country.
Vanessa stopped near the check-in counter and handed the girls their passports and tickets.
"Keep these safe," she said calmly.
Stephanie looked at the ticket again.
France.
The word still didn't feel real.
"Are you nervous?" Maya asked softly.
Stephanie nodded.
"A little."
Maya smiled.
"Me too."
Vanessa finished speaking with the airline worker and waved for them to follow her.
"Come on. Boarding will start soon."
As they walked toward the security line, Stephanie suddenly felt something strange.
Almost like someone was watching her.
Across the busy airport hall, a woman stood near the entrance.
She stared for a moment.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Stephanie's face.
Stephanie didn't notice her.
But the woman did.
"That looks like…" she murmured quietly.
The woman was Stephanie's former neighbor.
She had watched Stephanie grow up for years.
At first she thought she was mistaken.
But as Stephanie turned slightly, the woman saw her clearly.
"It is her," she whispered in surprise.
She started walking toward them.
But the crowd moved quickly, blocking her path.
By the time she pushed through the people, Stephanie and Maya had already disappeared into the security checkpoint.
The neighbor stopped, breathing heavily.
She looked toward the boarding gates.
"They're leaving," she said softly.
Meanwhile, Stephanie and Maya walked beside Vanessa toward their gate.
Maya looked out the large airport window and gasped quietly.
The plane stood outside under the glowing runway lights.
"That's the one we're getting on," Vanessa said.
Stephanie stared at it.
A strange feeling stirred inside her chest.
Once she stepped onto that plane… everything would change.
She glanced back once toward the busy airport hall.
For a brief moment, doubt crossed her mind.
But Maya gently nudged her arm.
"Ready?"
Stephanie took a deep breath.
Then she nodded.
"Ready."
A few hours later, the neighbor stood outside Stephanie's childhood home.
She knocked urgently on the door.
Stephanie's mother opened it slowly.
"Yes?"
The neighbor looked worried.
"I think I saw Stephanie today."
Her mother froze.
"You… what?"
"At the airport," the neighbor continued.
"She was with another girl and a woman. They were boarding an international flight."
Stephanie's mother felt the ground shift beneath her feet.
"An international flight?" she whispered.
The neighbor nodded.
"I tried to reach them, but it was too late."
Silence filled the doorway.
Stephanie's mother slowly leaned against the wall.
Her daughter was alive.
But she was already gone.
Far away.
And the plane carrying Stephanie and Maya into the dark night sky was already crossing the ocean.