Isabelle let out a yelp of surprise as someone picked her up.
“Relax, it’s just me,” Harriet said. She brought Isabelle off to the side, out of the crowd. “I’m going to lose track of you if I don’t do something!”
“I don’t want to be carried,” Isabelle said firmly. Harriet leaned over, inspecting Isabelle’s backpack. “…What?”
“Ah-ha!” Harriet unrolled a leash that was attached to Isabelle’s backpack. “Toddlers usually have these so they don’t get lost. Guess you get one, too.” Harriet then buckled the backpack straps that went across Isabelle’s chest. “Perfect.”
“You can’t just leash me,” Isabelle whined.
“It’s that or carrying,” Harriet said firmly. Isabelle scowled.
“Fine. Let’s just go back.”
“Sounds good to me,” Harriet said. She and Isabelle went back into the crowd. To Isabelle’s frustration, the leash was certainly needed. If Harriet hadn’t been holding onto her, they would have been completely separated from each other. They eventually emerged from the crowd and walked into the dorm. Now free from the chaos, Isabelle came to a realization that made her stomach churn.