National Geographic


‘One more beer! Hurry Up!!’ A drunkard’s impatient tone of voice could be heard clearly in the pub which seemed to be filled with dusty polluted air due to the conventional practice of smoking cigar and cigarettes.

‘Right away, sir!’ The bartender replied almost immediately, as if able to smell the hostile tone in the drunkard.

Just then, a young lad walked towards the drunkard and asked an absurd question boldly.

‘National Geographic for you, sir?’ the young lad asked cheerfully, as if his five senses were blinded by the urgency to make a living.

The drunkard shifted his drunken gaze to the young lad who stood rooted to the ground happily.

Drunkard: *grabbed him by his collar* You wanna be beaten up?

The rest of the pub seemed to acknowledge this scene and some patrons held their silence while others scoffed and sneered at the foolish act of the young lad.

‘I have no intention of doing so, sir. Are you sure you don’t want the magazine? Reading it here MIGHT save your life.’ The young man raised an eyebrow, as if suggesting something important.

Drunkard replied with a menacing tone: *widens his eyes* What are you saying?
Just then, the bartender interfered into the matter.

Bartender: Sir! Here’s your beer. No charges! Please let him go. He knows nothing.

Drunkard: *raised an eyebrow* All right, on account of the beer. *loosens his grip*

With that, the drunkard took the beer and headed for the back door, totally ignoring the young lad’s presence and the patrons’ stares.

Bartender: So, what now?

Young lad: *shrugs* I tried warning him.

Bartender: *smirks* So are you gonna save him or not?

Young lad: What do you think?

With that, the young lad walked followed the trail of the drunkard and disappeared into the back alley.

The bartender smiled while shaking his head: I knew it. *follows the young lad*

----Back Alley---

Drunkard: *singing* Lonely….I’m so lonely…I have nobody….I’m on my…

Just then, someone interrupted him- a smoking hot lady.

The drunkard squinted his eyes as he tried to get a clearer view of the lady.

Lady: Hi, my name’s Jolin. How are you doing? *smiles*

Drunkard: Are you a hooker?

Jolin: No. *pulls the drunkard closer* I *whispers* am a vampire.

The drunkard was taken aback by this answer: *scoffs* What rubbish is this?

Immediately after his comment, Jolin smiled and revealed her long and sharp canines. This was when the drunkard was loss for words.

Just when Jolin was about to strike, something hit her in her face – A National Geographic Magazine.

Jolin: What the…

Young Lad: Hey, pretty! Nice to meet you!

Before the drunkard and Jolin could react, the young lad had already dashed forward with a lightning speed and stabbed his long sword through Jolin.

Jolin: *mouth agape* I….I *looks down at the sword* You are….Aaron Yan?

Young Lad: Yea, one and only. *charming smile*

With that, Aaron (young lad) withdrew his sword as Jolin disintegrated right before their eyes.

Aaron: *turned towards the drunkard* Didn’t I tell you that reading National Geographic would do you more good?

Aaron turned around, only to find the bartender resting at one corner.

Aaron: Mr. Xiu, fancy skiving at this point of time?

Xiu: *smirks* Blame it on yourself for being too capable. My help would be redundant.

Aaron: *rolls his eyes* Let’s go. I have a date to rush to.

Aaron smiled while keeping his sword, which seems to be acting strangely.

Xiu: Your sword still wouldn’t give way?

Aaron: *shrugs* Nah. A vampire owner? I guess it needs some time. Come on, I bet Wu Xiong is with Gui Gui right now.

Xiu: Right. Let’s go!

With lightning speed, the two vampires set off to their date…

---Aaron and Gui Gui’s House---


Wu Xiong: Do you think I look fine in this dress?

Gui Gui: *Smiles sweetly* Of course you do!

Wu Xiong: *hugs Gui Gui* You are the best! No wonder I miss you so much.

The two pairs of couples had been separated for a few years since Aaron became a vampire. Aaron and Gui Gui had been searching for a remedy for Aaron’s situation but their efforts seemed futile as they, till today, could not locate the person that Calvin was trying to reveal.

Gui Gui: *smiles* Thanks for visiting us.

Wu Xiong: We missed you guys too much. *Smiles* So, how are things with you and Aaron?

Gui Gui: I love this life. It’s somewhat peaceful, probably because Aaron gives me a strong sense of security. But the down side is, we have to move from town to town every year. We don’t want others to locate us so easily, especially enemies. How about you and Xiu?

Wu Xiong: Us? We can’t stop fighting for a second. *laughs* But he’s sweet. We had been ‘touring’ around, killing vamps and helping humans.

Gui Gui: *smiles* It must be fun!

Wu Xiong: Join us someday!

Just then, the bell rang.

Gui Gui: *Excited* It must be the two of them! Aaron never brings a key!

Gui Gui hurried to the door excitedly and swung it opened only to come face to face with someone else.

Gui Gui: *stutters* You….

Wu Xiong entered into the living room and came face to face with the same sight as Gui Gui.

Wu Xiong: *exclaimed* Hebe?! What are you doing here? What happened to you?

There were blood trailing down Hebe’s arms and a dagger stuck through her ribs. She was filthy and bloody and she looked as if she could faint anytime.

Hebe: *weakly*Help…me…

Before she could utter another word, Hebe collapsed onto the floor.

Wu Xiong and Gui Gui carried her into the house and onto the sofa.

Gui Gui: *flustered* What..is going on? Why isn’t she healing?

Wu Xiong: There must be poison in the dagger and on her wound!

Gui Gui: What should we do?

Wu Xiong: *picks up a knife* She needs blood. *creates a wound on her arm*

With that, Wu Xiong fed Hebe with some of her blood as Gui Gui watched in fear.

Just then, Wu Xiong paused and looked at Gui Gui.

Wu Xiong: *Solemn* There’s something coming!

Within a fraction of a second, the windows were smashed and pieces of glasses flew into the room, accompanied by several intruders.

Wu Xiong: Gui Gui, run!!!
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