Into The Sea

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the dilapidated hospital building.

Suddenly, the sound of gunshots rang out from the dilapidated hospital wing. Ji Lingyue clutched her injured left arm, staggering down to the second floor.

As she turned into the deserted corridor, she was met with several staggering figures.

The stench of decay hit her like a wave. Her heart raced as she quickly raised the dagger in her hand, slashing at the nearest zombie’s neck.

But her injury had weakened her, her strike lacked force. Instead of severing the heads, she only managed to slash them, splattering her with foul blood.

Rapid footsteps closed in from behind. Ji Lingyue gritted her teeth, shoved open the nearest door, and as she squeezed inside, kicked the groaning zombie towards her pursuers.

“Damn it!”

More gunshots echoed behind her. She quickly locked the door, turned, and scanned the room before dashing for the half-open window.

Bang!

The door shuddered violently. From the other side came a furious shout, “You bitch! Give it back!”

Ji Lingyue reached the window and glanced down. Then, she peered at the small window on the door, where the man’s twisted, furious face was reflected, his mouth spitting venomous curses. Another loud crash, and the door began to splinter, the handle bending out of shape.

Without hesitation, Ji Lingyue bit down hard and threw herself out the window.

As soon as she landed, a searing pain shot through her ankle. Ji Lingyue groaned, tears welling up in her eyes. She blinked them away, forcing herself to stand, hobbling toward the hospital gates.

Her ragged breaths echoed in the silent parking lot. The few wandering zombies froze, then slowly turned their rotting faces. Pairs of cloudy eyes locked on her from all directions.

Ji Lingyue’s heart leaped. She gripped the strap of her backpack and picked up her pace.

She could make it… just one more block. Find another shelter.

She could do it.

Bang!

A shot rang out.

Ji Lingyue stumbled forward, her hands and knees scraping against the rough ground. A sharp, burning pain shot through her leg. She whimpered, turning her head to see her pant leg rapidly soaking with blood.

From the second-floor window, the man lowered his gun and gave her a smug, victorious grin.

Ji Lingyue felt a chill run down her spine. She forced herself up and stumbled forward a few more steps before collapsing again.

Low growls came from behind.

A wave of foul air washed over her. Her heart clenched. She instinctively rolled to the side, but sharp nails tore through the sleeve of her arm. When she looked up, a face twisted by blood and blackened veins loomed inches from hers.

She froze. Her body refused to move. She could watch the rotting face draw closer.

But then, it stopped, as if someone had pulled it back, preventing it from moving forward.

“Ugh, so gross…”

Two slender, pale fingers pinched the zombie’s collar as Lan Wu, her face twisted in disgust, tossed the creature aside like a piece of trash.

Ji Lingyue lay on the ground, dumbstruck. Her eyes were wide, lips slightly parted, staring at the strange girl who had just saved her.

Lan Wu nonchalantly removed the hat from her head. Dressed in an elegant, stylish black dress, she held an umbrella in her right hand. She grinned, revealing her two sharp fangs. “Caught you, little liar.”

After dragging her to a furniture store by the street, Lan Wu finally let go. Ji Lingyue just stared at her, “How did you find me?”

Lan Wu smirked. “I told you, my nose is very good.”

Ji Lingyue blurted out without thinking, “Better than a dog’s?”

Lan Wu was speechless.

She’d chased the scent here out of pure spite, and now this girl had the nerve to insult her on top of it? Unforgivable.

She tossed Ji Lingyue onto a nearby bed, pinning her down before the girl could struggle. Without warning, Lan Wu sank her fangs into Ji Lingyue’s neck.

Her icy teeth pierced her skin, and Lan Wu drank deeply, her throat moving as she consumed far more blood than usual.

Ji Lingyue’s face paled rapidly, her vision blurring and her head spinning. She tried to push Lan Wu away, but her arms felt like lead.

So cold….

She shivered, feeling like she was holding a block of ice. The only warmth she possessed was being stolen by Lan Wu. As her blood drained away, it felt like her life was slipping away too.

Her eyelids grew heavier. Ji Lingyue opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

She closed her eyes, and everything went dark.

***

At some point, the first rays of dawn slipped into the room.

In the quiet corner, Ji Lingyue groaned and groggily opened her eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling. As if sensing her awakening, the vampire, boredly lying on her chest, lifted her head and released the blood-soaked nipple.

“You’re awake.”

Ji Lingyue blinked, her gaze slowly focusing on the vampire above her.

Lan Wu met her gaze, grinning with that innocent smile. If they weren’t both naked, and the sheets weren’t stained with blood, Ji Lingyue might have been fooled by her docile face.

Still weak, Ji Lingyue gave her a tired glance before closing her eyes again, ready to drift back into unconsciousness.

Not pleased with this reaction, Lan Wu frowned and grabbed Ji Lingyue’s wrist. Her cold fingers trailed up the girl’s arm until they found the wound. Without hesitation, she pressed down hard.

Ji Lingyue shuddered, letting out a stifled cry. She struggled to pull away, looking at Lan Wu in fear. Lan Wu continued to smile, pressing even harder on her wound. “Aren’t you going to apologize?”

Tears welled up in Ji Lingyue’s eyes, her long lashes fluttering as she whimpered, “It hurts…”

“Shh,” Lan Wu leaned in, her lips almost touching hers. “Don’t cry. You’ll attract other nasty things. I don’t want to share you with them.”

Ji Lingyue trembled, biting her lip, looking at her with pleading eyes.

“Don’t make me angry,” Lan Wu stared at her, her blood-red eyes still pure and flawless, yet somehow changed. “You tricked me and ran so far away. That was very naughty.”

Ji Lingyue choked back a sob, stammering, “There… there are others in the hospital. They have plenty of blood…”

Lan Wu frowned, staring at her for a moment before suddenly laughing. “See? You’re trying to be smart again…”

She lowered her head, pressing her cold lips to her delicate neck, feeling the sweet blood flowing beneath the thin layer of skin. “Those humans in the hospital want to kill you. You would love for me to take care of them, wouldn’t you?”

“No…”

“But I can help you,” Lan Wu interrupted, smiling and kissing her lips. “Your blood is delicious. If you promise to be my obedient blood slave and help me get home, I’ll protect you. I’ll even make your wishes come true.”

She smiled sweetly. “Deal?”

In this position, Ji Lingyue had no choice. She closed her eyes, her lashes trembling for a long moment before she finally forced out a single word: “Deal.”

“I’ll be your blood slave.”