Let the darkness become so dark that it swallows all hope. Only then can you find the light in your heart.
Let the darkness become so dark that it loses all sense of direction, only then can you feel who is still by your side.

*****

Escape

In a very physical sense, Xiao Hua felt the effects of the extreme move from a decent and orderly life to a street life. Some injuries from being hit by the waves were still felt and throbbed painfully in several parts of his body. He couldn't imagine how much pain Hei Yanjing had endured from the gunshot wound, even though it was not too deep. But he saw that the man in black did not show any pain, whether he was really strong or just pretending to be a hero.

"It seems like it will take days for us to recover as before," Xiao Hua's lips began to crack and tremble. His body felt very uncomfortable, as if he had a fever.

"For you, not for me."

Hei Yanjing's lips were no less pale as the two of them stumbled along the stretch of rough, rocky sand, on the other side of the Gris Gris beach area.

"Come on, don't act tough."

"I am strong." Then he winced as Xiao Hua took his arm and put his weight on his shoulder.

"Then, help me walk straighter."

Hei Yanjing smiled lopsidedly. "Don't be spoiled," he protested, but he didn't move the young man's body that was leaning on his shoulder. Their steps were side by side, although slow, they were sure they could find a house.

Gray clouds sailed across the cloudy morning sky. The wind blew harder than usual, although it was not a storm. But the gusts were enough to make the sky seem to move, and the trees around them groaned loudly.

"Even the weather is getting bad. Gosh, I've been so unlucky lately," Hei Yanjing hissed with a confused frown.

"Are you blaming me?" Xiao Hua pouted.

"No. Even though in reality you are the source of all the problems that have occurred."

Xiao Hua chuckled briefly, between his ragged breaths. The road in front of them stretched out deserted, framed by many trees. Squirrels were jumping from branch to branch, and there were birds calling in the distance.

"I think you've lost weight." Hei Yanjing put his arm around Xiao Hua's shoulder, patting it gently.

"Well, for two reasons. I can't eat at my regular restaurant anymore, and I don't have an appetite. My body hurts from sleeping on the floor. The constant actions of the damn vampire queen, and the street hunters nearly crushed my bones."

Hei Yanjing laughed in amusement at all the complaints.

"You're such a boss," he commented.

"So, please return me to my fancy, expensive desk."

"Ugh, do you think I'm happy going through all this? You didn't even compensate me."

Xiao Hua smirked. "If I become a vampire, you can take my assets."

"It's not impressive to enjoy wealth all by yourself," Hei Yanjing scoffed at the idea, accompanied by a pat on Xiao Hua's cheek, he said seriously, "Fight to stay human."

"It's hard, without your help."

"I've betrayed my friends to protect you. What else can I do?"

"You can go back to Phoenix and carry out your plan about the ritual."

"I need a Dybbuk," Hei Yanjing's sentence was cut off as they saw a few simple houses in the distance. A characteristic smirk etched on Hei Yanjing's lips, glancing at the young man in his arms.

"And it looks like I need your money."

He stuck out the tip of his tongue in an annoying manner.

Xiao Hua followed his gaze and hissed. There was nothing left on him except for the clothes. But at least there was still some hope.

Although it was difficult to survive in the current conditions, the two of them felt lucky to be alive. Luckily they were able to find shelter after being plunged into the dark sea for some time before finally being saved by fate. They managed to convince an old fisherman who lived with his only daughter, and asked for shelter for two or three days.

"No clothes, no money, no cell phone. You even threw your motorbike on the road, what now?" Xiao Hua asked the man in black as they sat on a wooden bench in front of the fisherman's house.

"You still have something in the city. Tell them that you will compensate after the matter is settled." Hei Yanjing picked up a banana that was available on the wooden table. It tasted sour, and he frowned with an ugly expression.

"The food here is bad. I'm afraid you're getting thinner," he said flatly.

"Think about your wound. You should get someone to help you remove the bullet. After that, how are we going to reach Phoenix in this condition?"

"Only I'm going," Hei Yanjing corrected, this time looking serious.

"What do you mean? You're going to leave me here for the hunters to find?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Hei Yanjing sighed. "If you and I wander around, it will be easier to be found. As long as your shield necklace is not lost, the hunter's compass will not detect your tracks for the time being. They might have returned to Batulage because they thought we were killed by the waves. But I'm not sure how long you can last. So, I'll go and come back as soon as possible."

Xiao Hua listened. His gaze was blank. The sense of anxiety about the unknown had not disappeared, at least for now. Although the hunters were probably no longer lurking in the dark.

"You know the access to my apartment, right? Take what you need. Damn, I need my phone right now to contact Jiasha," Xiao Hua sighed, his expression complicated.
"You can go to him to make it easier for you to get the Dybbuk. He probably found my abandoned car on the street before you and your gang caught me that night."

When Xiao Hua brought up the dramatic event, Hei Yanjing waved his hand lazily. "You make me feel ridiculous. In my career as a vampire hunter, I have never been so confused. It seems like there is something wrong with my brain lately."

"You can be charged with kidnapping," Xiao Hua poured oil on the fire, but secretly felt amused.

"Kidnapping at that time was not a serious charge, especially when the victim turned away and did not want to move away from the kidnapper."

"Nonsense!"

They laughed briefly to ease each other's anxiety. At that moment, the old man who owned the house approached them, examining his two guests with many questions and doubts. He had agreed to accept the two men for the promise of a large compensation from Xiao Hua, and now he had managed to bring a local health worker who was dressed like a commoner in general.

"This lady can help you with your gunshot wound," he said to Hei Yanjing.

From behind his sunglasses, Hei Yanjing saw a young woman with yellow skin and long black hair that was neatly tied up, wearing a white shirt and black trousers. Her appearance was simple but elegant. Her face was not very friendly, but her gaze was fixed on Hei Yanjing. Thrilled by his mysterious charm.

"As you wish," he replied, looking away, avoiding eye contact.

"Come in," the lady said.

"We can't take off your clothes outside."

"You have a nice jacket," the old fisherman interrupted, showing his interest.

"This won't fit you," replied lazily, Hei Yanjing stood up with Xiao Hua's help.

"The process must be painful. But don't worry, the doctor is beautiful," Xiao Hua whispered in his ear.

This was the first time in their friendship that Xiao Hua commented on something in an unusually odd tone. He was sarcastic, without even saying anything. But this time it wasn't his typical sarcasm. It was like annoyance that stung the heart, but was trying to hide it. Hei Yanjing still continued to avoid eye contact, grimacing as he walked carelessly. As a result, his feet stumbled until his body swayed forward and almost hit the young woman. Luckily Xiao Hua's two hands held his arm, and the drama was averted.

"Damn it," Hei Yanjing hissed as he held his wound as his body swayed slightly.

"Stay focused, Hei Ye," Xiao Hua taunted again, to which the man in black replied with a cruel grin. Accompanied by the young doctor's surprised glances, they stepped into the house and began the process.

"Take off your clothes. Let me see the wound," the young doctor began to take out equipment from the black bag he was carrying. Half lying on the wooden bed, Hei Yanjing obeyed his instructions. Busily taking off his jacket, then his black T-shirt.

"How about my pants and underwear too?" he asked in a simple tone, as if he were the most innocent person in the world.

"Shut up!" the young woman hissed.

Standing near the foot of the bed, Xiao Hua rolled his eyes in annoyance. For the first time he wanted to transform into the Rose Queen and suck Hei Yanjing's blood dry.

All day long, his wound throbbed, but after the treatment process, Hei Yanjing was sure that everything would get better soon. The fisherman intended to take his black jacket but he managed to hold on to it with the promise of a large amount of compensation which would of course be taken from Xiao Hua's account in the city. The young woman who acted as a doctor disappeared, who knows where after torturing the man in black with a rough and unprofessional treatment method. But it was better than letting the wound fester. If the hunters did not find and beat them in this simple house, Hei Yanjing would consider himself lucky.

The house was small and cramped, with dim lighting and minimal furniture. The two men began to wonder what would happen all night. Four adults, one bedroom and two small beds. It seemed like they would be made to sleep on mats on the floor.

Ugh, poor Xiao Hua, he thought to himself amused.

At night, the floor began to feel cold, and while sitting cross-legged on the mat, Hei Yanjing was awake and alert. His ears were even more sensitive to the sound of rustling leaves, the buzzing of nocturnal insects and the crashing of waves in the distance. He looked at Xiao Hua lying not far from him, briefly guessing how he felt. What crime had he committed that he was stranded in the middle of nowhere and chased by hunters. He could be killed at any time, until he perfected his plan of sealing the spirit that his ancestors had done in the past.

Hei Yanjing took a long, heavy breath. He was not hungry, and his wounds were still stinging. But the thought of food also crossed his mind. What about Xiao Hua, maybe he would run out of food and water. The basic things felt important.

He could not delay any longer, let the problem drag on. When morning came, he had to leave for Phoenix and start the first step of his plan.

*****

Hei Yanjing left the fisherman's house before sunrise. In fact, he did not want to tell Xiao Hua at first. He was very sure that the young man would insist on going with him to Phoenix, even if he had to stop a sand truck in the middle of the road. It was not very easy for him to wander around Phoenix with Xiao Hua. He remembered Detective Henry Cox on the day the vampire bite victim was found. They probably would not suspect Xiao Hua so easily. However, they would definitely feel watched.

"I'll be right back," he patted Xiao Hua's shoulder, then glanced at the fisherman's daughter who had just left the house to look for vegetables.

"It's not good to leave a young man with a girl for too long," he whispered again, then grinned as usual.

"Seriously," Xiao Hua hissed.

"Alright. Take care of yourself. Don't let anything happen, get hurt, let alone die. Remember, you owe me and that old man a lot."

"Gosh..."

Xiao Hua grinned back. This didn't make sense, letting himself stay and hide in someone else's house for one reason or another. However, Xiao Hua didn't want to argue with the man. He had his own plans. The news of his disappearance had probably spread among the museum staff. Jiasha must have repeatedly contacted his cell phone that had fallen somewhere. Maybe he had also filed a missing person report with the police. Xiao Hua also thought about the murder he had committed. Although the heinous act was beyond his control, a crime was still a crime.

He prayed that there would be no witnesses or any recordings that would drag his name into the vortex of the case. After Hei Yanjing left, he had been pensive for a long time, wondering in his heart what other problems would entangle and destroy her life.

*****

How nice it was to escape. Life felt as free as it should be. Finally, escape from the gloomy and suffocating place. Hei Yanjing got on the truck that rumbled towards Phoenix. He did not feel the strong wind blowing, but rather thinking about his next move. He did not show any emotions, sitting still, staring out the window. He secretly worried about Xiao Hua and imagined the cold and cruel hand of death would drag him back into the circle of danger. He always had that feeling, that Lao Wei and the others were somewhere, watching him. It felt like he could no longer trust anyone, he even doubted his decision to hide Xiao Hua in the old fisherman's house that could meet an unfortunate fate at any time. But he was sure, this time Xiao Hua would be more careful in guarding his shield necklace. To prevent him from becoming a monster at least for a short time, until the red full moon appeared in the sky.

Hours passed by and miles passed by. His nerves were getting more and more tense as the truck would soon stop at its destination and he would have to change transportation in order to get to Phoenix with a free ride. The relief never lasted long in him, in fact it probably never felt like relief. As Hei Yanjing jumped out of the truck that had stopped on a dirt road about fifty meters from the rest area, he was suddenly startled by the roar of a motorcycle heading his way.

Dust rose, billowing almost to the nose as the truck's tires rumbled before finally slowing down. Hei Yanjing brushed the dust away from his face, as another motorcycle sped by without any regard for the situation, and circled Hei Yanjing.

"Nice to see you again, Chief!" a voice full of sarcasm jolted Hei Yanjing. He already knew who these two men were, and the fact that they had found him so quickly made his blood pressure rise at that moment. The answer to his doubts was clear now. He felt that his action of leaving Xiao Hua was the right choice.

"That was fast," he hissed to himself, wincing in horror.

Annoying!

They were great and fast.

Well, they were really his men.

[Tbc]

***Mauritian Moonrise***
By Shenshen_88