Aaron stepped into the clearing but the scent stopped right there. He had picked up Xiu’s scent when he went through the forest earlier on. The blood stains affirmed his conjecture about Xiu being attacked right here, in the forest.

Determined not to alert any strangers that might be residing in the dark areas of the forest, Aaron decides not to call out for Xiu. After all, he couldn’t pick up his scent any further than the spot he was standing.

Just then, something caught his eyes- a watch. Aaron bents down and took a closer look at that and without another hint, he was sure it belonged to Xiu.

Aaron: *mumbles to himself* Xiu, what happened to you?

---At the house---

Hebe, Gui Gui and Wu Xiong were sitting in the living room, each harboring different thoughts and concerns.

Wu Xiong was definitely distraught by the fact that Xiu had been gone for so many days. It’s a worrying matter for a vampire to take 3 days to travel to and fro for 30 miles.

Gui Gui, on the other hand, was solicitous about Aaron’s safety. After all, Ella is still out there, ‘unrestrained’.

Hebe was concerned about other matters. She was pondering over the fact that someone actually double-crossed Ella, sending the secret message to Aaron. She was definitely curious about this peculiar matter.

Finally, for what seemed eternity, the deep silence in the room was broken.

Wu Xiong: *stands up* Can we get going already?

Gui Gui: Where to?

Wu Xiong: I don’t understand the rationale behind Aaron’s plan of leaving us behind!

Hebe: He has his reasons.

Gui Gui: I guess it would be safer to stay here then to go out in the dark.

Wu Xiong: It’s dangerous for Xiu and Aaron to be out there in the dark as well!

Hebe: All right. Wu Xiong’s probably right.

Wu Xiong: So does that mean we can get going now?

Hebe: No.

Wu Xiong: *frowns* Then I shall go alone!

Hebe: We have to stay here. Wu Xiong, you have to be with us. If any intruders were to barge in at this moment, I wouldn’t be able to fight them off while protecting Gui Gui. I’m still recovering.

Wu Xiong: But

Before Wu Xiong could protest against Hebe’s words, someone knocked on the door.
Gui Gui: *excited* It could be them!

Unable to control the excitement she feels in her, Wu Xiong rushed towards the door and swung it open without hesitation.

However, to her dismay, it wasn’t Xiu or Aaron standing on the front pouch.
Wu Xiong: *raises an eyebrow* Who are you?

‘Get ready to help’ the stranger replied coldly.

----At the same moment, 50 miles away---

Xiu woke up again after he loses his consciousness in the forest for the second time. This time round, he was in a room that was almost too empty for his liking. But right at the corner of the room beside the window, he could see the figure he would have traded anything for not seeing it ever in his eternal life again.

Xiu: What do you want from me?

Xiu looked across the room at the woman standing by the window, sipping her fine wine from the antique wine glass.

‘Why did you leave me, Xiu?’ She asked with deep melancholy.

Xiu: Weird. You should ask yourself. Han, let me go.

Han turned around to face Xiu with a small smile: I’m sorry for hurting you. It was inevitable. You were too strong. Stronger than before.

Xiu: Apparently not enough.

Han: I missed you.

Xiu: Couldn’t say the same to you.

Han: *takes a deep breath* It’s her, isn’t it? Wu Xiong.

Xiu: *frowns a little* No.

Han: You are lying. I could tell with a blink. What is she to you?

Xiu: Just another vampire.

Han: *laughs* You wouldn’t treat her so well if she meant nothing to you.

Xiu: What do you want?

Han: I just want the life we had.

Xiu: Find some other vampire to spend eternity with you then.

Han and Xiu looked into each other’s eyes intensely as none of them were willing to budge.

Han: I will give you time to consider.

Xiu: So what are you going to do? Lock me in this room?

Han: *scoffs* Of course not. Nothing could restrain you unless you are willing to be restrained.

Xiu: So you are gonna let me go just like that?

Han: I will find you, just like how I found your friend.

Xiu: Aaron? You attacked him?

Han: Just wanted to do a little test. He’s good, for an amateur vampire.

Xiu: Don’t you ever harass them again.

Han: I wouldn’t if you are with me.

Xiu stood up and headed towards the door: Don’t count on it.

With that, Xiu left the room with his healing wounds, leaving Han alone, reminiscing about the past with Xiu.

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