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Jin Ling ran, his feet thudded the ground harshly and his rough pants grated against his ears. Too loud. He could hear the rapid footsteps of his pursuers as they chased after him.
He skidded across a corner, ignoring the sting on his foot when sharp bits of trash sliced cleanly through his calf. He cursed under his breath as blood flowed steadily down his leg. It would leave a trail for his pursuers to find him with.
Hushed, inaudible whispers reached Jin Ling’s sharp ears. Panic bubbled inside him, even greater than before. He raked his eyes around him; only more alleyways. He felt like a lab rat being hunted.
The comforting shadows he once cloaked himself in had become mocking curtains; they no longer protected him. Instead, they sheltered and aided his hunters.
Another corner, another alley. He once knew them like the back of his hand, but now it felt like he was in unfamiliar territory. The young vampire bared his fangs at the air in front of him, frustrated and helpless. He had to get out.
The murmur of whispers grew louder. Jin Ling’s blood ran colder, if it was even possible. Just his luck. The vampire was just out for a meal when he had the misfortune to run into the hunters from the Wen Sect.
As he ran, his world tilted and the ground came rushing to him. Pain flared up again as his injured leg twisted unnaturally. His palms stung from as he caught himself.
Pushing himself up, Jin Ling stumbled forward. Unable to regain his balance quickly, the vampire dragged his body to rest under an old crumbling doorway.
Reaching into his pocket, he took out his phone. His heart sank as the words, ‘No Signal,’ glared back at him. He was on his own now.
“Over here!”
“Left a trail? How careless.”
“It’s our luck then. Let’s follow it.”
He could make out their voices clearly now. The voices swirled around, taunting him. It was time to move. Jin Ling forced himself up, acutely aware of the stabbing pain in his leg. It was harder to ignore now that the adrenaline had receded.
Limping out from under his meager shelter, he dashed away once more. Trying valiantly to ignore the hot flashes of pain that emerged from his foot each time it hit the ground, Jin Ling scanned the area. He didn’t recognize any of his surroundings. There wasn’t anyone else in sight, nor was there any sound from the bustling market that should have been nearby.
“Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!”
He couldn't help the string of curses that escaped him. Jin Ling wasn’t certain if he could make it out alive, but he would be damned if he wasn't going down without a fight. He would also take as many hunters as he could down with him.
He turned the corner and caught sight of an elegantly embroidered, white robe. The emblem of the sun was proudly displayed: the Wen sect hunters.
The vampire itched to sink his teeth in their throat and rip it out. But before he could spring forward, a deft hand grasped his sleeve and yanked him backwards. Another sealed his mouth to muffle him as he flailed in his attacker’s grasp. Jin Ling would’ve sunk his teeth in their hand if it wasn’t for the fact that the other’s scent was very familiar.
His attacker’s efforts to prevent any noise failed. One of the Wens was already looking in their direction.
“There’s someone there.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t your imagination? The trail leads the other way.”
“Why don’t we split up then?”
With frightening efficiency, the group split into two. Majority stayed on his trail of blood. They soon vanished, out of sight. The remaining members turned to the alley he was in and advanced.
“This way,” a startling familiar voice hissed into his ear before tugging him in the other direction. His feet had other plans. He stumbled, knocking over a can with a resounding crash.
The hunters, upon hearing the noise, sped up their descent into who the alley. Jin Ling scrambled to regain his balance and followed the insistent tugs.
“Lan Sizhui?” He whispers, shocked.
“We have to move,” the other replied. Before long, the alley widened, and the moonlight reflected off of Lan Sizhui's angelic robes. Distress reflected off his eyes when Jin Ling emerged limping from the darkness.
“What are you doing here?” He couldn't help but ask, as Lan Sizhui skillfully navigated the labyrinth of back alleys.
“Looking for you.” Lan Sizhui replied distractedly. His brows furrowed as he concentrated on finding the way out. “You were supposed to meet up with me and Jingyi a few hours ago.”
“I don't need a minder!” The vampire hissed. The footsteps of their pursuers were getting closer, but Jin Ling could hear the hubbub of sounds from the night market. They were almost free.
“Of course not,” Lan Sizhui pacified. He had led them in the right way, but they wouldn't make it in time.
“Over here!” The hunters were just around the corner. They were so close to escaping. Jin Ling could see the lights, stalls, and people in the bustling night market. But they wouldn't make it on time, not at the speed he was going. His injuries and exhaustion were catching up to him.
Evidently, Lan Sizhui noticed it as well, as he whirled around and easily scooped him into his arms.
“Let me down!” Jin Ling yelped, completely forgetting to stay quiet as he struggled in his grasp. Now, they were incredibly close to the market. He could make out a stand selling tanghulu.
“In a bit,” Lan Sizhui said, as he darted down the street. “Stop moving.”
He vanished within the crowd with Jin Ling just as the hunters burst into the alley. He pulled the vampire closer to his chest as people milled around them.
“We’re out now. Let me down!” Jin Ling protested, pushing against Lan Sizhui’s chest, trying to force the other to let him down.
“Just a bit more,” He serenely said, as he glided through the crowd with ease, taking no notice of Jin Ling’s struggles.
Lan Sizhui ended up refusing to release Jin Ling until they were in the safety of his room. He gently set the vampire on his bed before he vanished into the adjacent bathroom.
He soon returned, holding damp towels and gauze in his arms. Setting them softly on the ground, Lan Sizhui kneeled down in front of Jin Ling to inspect his leg.
“You don’t have to do that.” He scowled, moving his leg away. The wound was only sluggishly bleeding, and it was covered in dirt and grime.
“A-Ling, you’re hurt. Let me see,” Lan Sizhui said sternly. Unperturbed by Jin Ling’s protests, he reached out to firmly grasp the injured leg. With gentle hands, he reached for a towel and started carefully cleaning.
“It’s fine!” Jin Ling stubbornly insisted. He continued his efforts to remove his leg from Lan Sizhui’s grasp.
Lan Sizhui’s only response was to tighten his grip with a placid smile. He continued his steady movements of washing the wound, glancing up every few seconds to watch Jin Ling’s expression.
He wore a scowl on his face, but kept quiet and allowed Lan Sizhui to continue tending to his wound.
Once the dirt and grime were gone, Lan Sizhui reached for the bandages. Gentle fingers danced around the cut as he expertly applied the bandages.
“Hey, watch it!” Jin Ling hissed through gritted teeth when the gauze was pulled a little too tight. He couldn’t help but think it was done on purpose as Lan Sizhui apologized. The unassuming smile never left his lips.
Lan Sizhui was nothing if not efficient, and he was done in no time. Patting his hands, he stood up and took a seat next to Jin Ling, who was still scowling. Taking his head in his hands, Lan Sizhui leaned in, close enough for their foreheads to touch,
“Be more careful next time.” He breathed out.
“It was a one-time thing! I could have handled it myself.”
“Of course you could have.” he said, “But it still worries me. So stay safe, for me?” Worry glimmered in his grey eyes as he stared pleadingly at the vampire. It was so unfair. Jin Ling could only nod.
“Fine.” He said, giving in once again,
Delighted, Lan Sizhui gathered him in his arms and pressed a soft kiss to his temples.
“That’s all I ask for.”