26. The Trap

The airport was alive with activity—voices rising and falling, suitcases rattling, and the faint hum of announcements echoing in the background. But for Freen, the world narrowed to one figure stepping out of the arrivals gate. Becky.

Becky's golden eyes found hers almost instantly, and her tall, commanding presence cut through the chaos like a beacon. Freen felt her breath hitch as Becky moved toward her, a mixture of relief and longing flooding her chest.

As Becky reached her, she didn't hesitate, pulling Freen into her arms with a fierce urgency. Freen sank into the embrace, the tension of the past days crashing over her like a wave.

"Freen," Becky murmured softly, her voice steady and grounding, "I've got you now."

Freen pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting Becky's. Her lips parted to speak, but no words came. Instead, she leaned in and kissed her, her hands gripping Becky's shoulders as if to anchor herself. The kiss was desperate and filled with everything she couldn't put into words—fear, love, and the weight of everything she hadn't yet said.

When they broke apart, Becky rested her forehead against Freen's, her voice trembling but firm. "We're going to figure this out. I promise."

Freen nodded, blinking back tears. "I missed you so much," she whispered.

"I'm here," Becky said, cupping her face. "And I'm not going anywhere."

---

As Becky turned to greet Richie and Irin, Freen's phone buzzed in her pocket. She froze, her stomach churning as she saw the unknown number flashing on the screen. The world around her seemed to blur as she stepped away from the group, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Freen," a smooth, mocking voice purred on the other end.

Her blood ran cold. "Mile," she whispered.

"Ah, so you do know who I am. Good. This saves us some time."

Freen's heart pounded as she glanced back at her friends, who were still talking. "What do you want?"

"What I want is simple," Mile said casually. "You. But I thought I'd give you a little incentive to cooperate."

Her breath caught as he continued, his tone laced with cruel satisfaction. "Nam and Heng—do those names mean anything to you?"

Freen felt her knees go weak. "What did you do to them?"

"Relax," Mile said, laughing softly. "They're alive. For now. But their fate depends entirely on you. Meet me at the pool—you know the one. Come alone, Freen. And don't try anything clever, or your friends won't live to see the sunrise."

The line went dead.

Freen lowered the phone, her hands trembling. She looked back at Becky, who was smiling faintly as she spoke with Richie and Irin. Her heart clenched painfully as she realized what she had to do.

"I love you," she whispered under her breath, tears stinging her eyes. Then, without another word, she turned and slipped into the crowd, her legs carrying her toward the exit.

---

"Freen?" Becky turned around, her smile fading as she scanned the space where Freen had been moments ago.

Richie and Irin froze, their eyes widening as they realized she was gone.

"She was just here," Irin said, panic rising in her voice.

Becky's chest tightened as she called out, "Freen!"

Irin suddenly gasped, clutching her head. Her eyes glazed over, and she swayed on her feet. Richie caught her as she muttered incoherently.

"What do you see?" Richie asked urgently.

"The pool," Irin whispered, her voice distant. "She's at the pool... and he's waiting for her."

Becky's jaw clenched, anger and fear surging through her. "We need to move. Now."

---

The pool was eerily quiet, its still water reflecting the dim glow of overhead lights. Freen stepped onto the cracked pavement, her footsteps echoing in the silence.

Mile leaned casually against the fence, his sharp features twisted into a smug smile. "Right on time," he said smoothly. "I knew you wouldn't let your friends down."

"Where are Nam and Heng?" Freen demanded, her voice trembling.

"Safe. For now," Mile said, stepping closer. "But let's talk about you, Freen. You're quite the special one, aren't you?"

Before she could respond, two more figures emerged from the shadows. Devika, her grin sharp and predatory, and Mike, his cold gaze fixed on Freen.

"She doesn't look like much," Devika said, her voice dripping with disdain. "And this is supposed to be the key to everything?"

Mike sneered. "Pathetic."

"What are you talking about?" Freen asked, fear creeping into her voice.

Mile tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with cruel delight. "Oh, you really don't know, do you? You're the human girl. The one in the prophecy."

Freen frowned, confusion mixing with fear. "What prophecy?"

"The one that says you'll destroy everything we've built," Devika snapped, stepping closer. "The one that says your love for a vampire will undo the curse. And we can't let that happen."

Freen's breath hitched. "I don't understand..."

Mile laughed, the sound low and mocking. "Of course you don't. You're just a pawn in this game, Freen. But make no mistake—if you're allowed to live, we all lose. Immortality, power, everything. Gone."

Mike's voice was cold and final. "That's why we're here. To end this. To end you."

Freen took a step back, her heart pounding. "You're killing me because of some curse? Because I might fall in love?"

"You're already in love," Mile said, his grin widening. "That vampire, Becky... she's the key. And so are you. Together, you're dangerous. Alone... you're nothing."

Tears stung Freen's eyes as the weight of their words sank in. Her chest tightened with despair, but she refused to let them see her fear.

"You think killing me will solve everything?" she said, her voice trembling but defiant.

"Oh, it will," Devika said, her smile razor-sharp. "And I'll enjoy every second of it."

As they closed in, Freen's mind raced. She didn't know how to fight them, didn't know how to survive—but she wasn't going to give up.

"I'm not afraid of you," she said, her voice shaking but resolute.

Mile laughed softly. "You should be."

The confrontation hung in the air, the tension crackling like a storm ready to break. Freen braced herself, knowing that whatever happened next would change everything.

__________________________________________

Vote * Comment * Follow for more