Chapter 2 Promises On The Bridge

Sophia's fingers dug into the icy railing. "Lucas," she whispered, "who is that?"

At the far end of the bridge, a figure stood half-hidden behind the rusted beam, a darker smudge against the night. The lantern they had brought barely reached that far; only the glint of a shoe caught the light. The river hissed below, black and restless.

Lucas stepped in front of her. "Stay here," he murmured. He moved slowly along the wooden planks, each creak echoing like a warning. "Who's there?" he called.

No answer.

The figure didn't move, only tilted its head slightly as though listening. Sophia's heart hammered against her ribs. She took a step after Lucas. "Come back. Please."

Lucas bent, picked up a small rock and hurled it down the length of the bridge.The splash echoed like a gunshot. It clattered off the metal, startling a bird into flight.

Sophia's breath misted in the cold air, and her knees went weak. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but her feet felt glued to the boards. She imagined headlines about bodies found under the bridge, imagined her father's furious face, imagined losing Lucas forever.

"Lucas!" Sophia cried.

He broke into a run, reaching the end of the bridge, peering over the side. Nothing but reeds and dark water. Only a crushed cigarette lay where the shadow had been.

Sophia joined him, shivering. "Who do you think it was?"

"I don't know," he said. He crouched, touching the damp footprint near the beam. "But someone's been following us."

"Do you think my father sent someone?" Her voice trembled.

Lucas shook his head, pocketing the cigarette stub as if it were evidence. "Maybe. Or maybe just a vagrant. Either way we should go."

They left the bridge quickly, cutting through the narrow track toward the road. The wind tugged at Sophia's coat, lifting her hair. She glanced back once. The bridge loomed empty, but she couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on her back.

---

The next afternoon, the river looked harmless again, a silver ribbon under pale sunlight. Sophia sat cross-legged on the boards, sketching the opposite bank in her notebook. Lucas arrived late, carrying two paper bags.

"You're late," she said, though she smiled.

"Boss kept me scrubbing pots." He dropped beside her, opened one bag and handed her a warm roll. "Lunch."

She broke it in half. "Thank you."She bit into the roll and closed her eyes. It was still warm, smelling of yeast and smoke. "You always bring the best bread," she teased. "One day you'll be a lawyer who still steals rolls from the bakery for me."

"Not stealing," he grinned. "I paid for this one. Barely."

"Barely?"

"I told them I'd scrub their floor later. I'd scrub ten floors if it meant you'd smile like that again."

He stretched his sore hands. "I'm signing up for night classes. Maths and English first, then the scholarship exam."

"That's wonderful," she said. "I knew you could."

He gave a half-shrug. "It's for you, Soph. So I can stand next to you someday without feeling like... this." He held up his cracked fingers.

She set her hand over his. "You already stand next to me."

He looked away, embarrassed. "Your father wouldn't agree."

She sighed, tracing the grain of the wood with her fingertip. "At home it's all rules and lessons. Here it's the only time I feel like myself."

They ate in silence for a while, listening to the water. Lucas leaned back against the railing. "That person last night-"

"I keep thinking about it," she said quickly. "What if someone saw us?"

"We've done nothing wrong," he said. "But if it makes you feel better, we can meet somewhere else."

"I don't want to lose the bridge," she murmured. "Promise me you'll never forget this place."

"I promise," he said softly. "Always."

Footsteps on the path made them both look up. A boy in a crisp school uniform appeared, carrying a violin case. He stopped a few feet away and smirked. "Sophia Kingston," he drawled. "Your father's been looking for you."

Her stomach dropped. "Go away," she snapped.

The boy's grin widened. "Wait till he hears you're out here with him." He tilted his head at Lucas. "The house staff's charity case."

Lucas rose, fists curling. "Get lost."

The boy shrugged. "I'm only saying what everyone knows. People like him don't belong with people like you." He turned, calling over his shoulder, "I'll tell him everything!"

"Stop!" Sophia cried, but he was already disappearing into the reeds.

Lucas cursed under his breath. "Let him talk."

"You don't understand." Her hands trembled. "If Father finds out-"I've been sneaking out. Father will lock me in that house."

"Then we'll find another way to see each other."

"Another way? There's no other way." She dropped her hands, eyes flashing. "You don't understand what it's like to live under his roof."

Lucas's voice softened. "Then tell me. Let me carry some of it, Soph. Please."

"I won't be ashamed of us."

She swallowed hard. "I'm scared, Lucas."

He softened, stepping closer. "Then hold onto me," he said. "No matter what happens."

She nodded, blinking back tears. "I will."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a rusty key tied to a string. "My hiding place. If you ever need me and I'm not here, leave a note under the stone."

She curled her fingers around it. "Thank you."

Lucas glanced at the opposite bank, squinting. "Sophia..."

"What is it?"

He pointed. Among the reeds, half-hidden, stood a dark figure - the same silhouette as last night. This time it didn't move. The sunlight caught on something shiny in its hand.

Sophia's breath caught. "It's here again."

"Stay behind me," Lucas said, voice low.

But when a gust of wind bent the reeds, the figure vanished as if swallowed by the river. Only ripples remained.

Sophia gripped the railing. "What's happening to us?"

Lucas stared at the empty bank. "I don't know," he said grimly. "But whatever it is, it's not finished."