The Promise

Chapter 2: A Haunting Introduction

The next day, Becky found herself drawn back to the bar where she had met Freen.  She couldn't shake the feeling of excitement and apprehension that lingered from the night before.

She found Freen sitting at a table with a group of friends, laughing and chatting.  Becky approached, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Hey," Freen said, her smile lighting up her face.  "I was just telling everyone about you.  This is Becky, the girl who stole my heart."

Becky blushed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.  She looked around the table, meeting the eyes of Freen's friends, who greeted her with smiles and nods.

"This is Sze," Freen said, gesturing to a woman sitting beside her.  "She's my girlfriend."

Becky's smile faltered.  She had assumed that Freen was single, and the thought of her being in a relationship came as a surprise.  But as she looked at Sze, a chill ran down her spine.

Sze was beautiful, with piercing blue eyes and a sharp, angular face.  But there was something about her that made Becky uneasy.  She seemed distant, almost cold, and her eyes held a strange intensity that made Becky feel uncomfortable.

"Nice to meet you," Becky said, forcing a smile.  "It's great to finally meet you."

Sze nodded curtly, her eyes never leaving Becky's face.  "Likewise," she said, her voice a low, almost guttural murmur.

Becky felt a sense of unease around Sze, a feeling that she couldn't quite shake.  She tried to dismiss it as her own imagination, but the feeling persisted, a nagging sense of unease that lingered in the air.

As the afternoon wore on, Becky found herself increasingly uncomfortable.  Sze seemed to be watching her constantly, her gaze never leaving her for more than a moment.  Becky tried to engage Sze in conversation, but her attempts were met with short, clipped responses.

Freen seemed to be hiding something, and Becky noticed a shift in her behavior around Sze.  She was more subdued, less playful, and her eyes held a flicker of fear that Becky couldn't ignore.

As the afternoon drew to a close, Becky felt a sense of relief as she said goodbye to Freen and her friends.  She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that there was a darkness lurking beneath the surface of Freen's life.

As she walked away, she felt a cold hand grip her arm, and she turned to see Sze standing behind her.

"Don't get too close to her," Sze whispered, her voice a chilling rasp.  "She's mine."

Becky felt a shiver run down her spine.  She had no idea what Sze meant, but the threat in her voice sent a wave of fear through her.

She pulled away from Sze's grip and hurried away, her heart pounding in her chest.  She had no idea what she had gotten herself into, but she knew that this was only the beginning.