ă€ŠIf The Moon Can Be Counted As A Stară€‹


 Chapter 1 - ? Prologue ?

    ________________________

    Domino, Nine hundred years ago

    ?

    [Wind howling as the snow flakes are falling on the tip of the isolated mountain]

    Documents of a hundred places that describes the Werewolves transformation has been hidden together with its location.

    [A blood encircled the sword in the middle of a heavy snow]

    On the territory called Domino the documents had a range of many progenitors wrapping a hundred years of witches protection.

    [An human-elf opened its palm as the daughter of the Moon Goddess watched her blood dropping on the snowy ground as she reached out a hand facing the distant sword]

    A long time ago, the first daughter of the retired moon goddess that was in charge of the Werewolves fell in love with a human boy and conducted a bond that was forbidden on both sides.

    The daughter of the retired moon goddess was punished for what she did.

    [Rocks were shaking. The human-elf uses its magic to remove her powers. At the same time some areas in the snowy ground exploded like glaciers together with a resounding laugh that surrounded the entire area]

    "The daughter of the former moon goddess, you are the new titleholder. You lost your focus on a human boy. Risking the whole process of the Werewolf''s life. Conducting a forbidden bond!"

    [The Sun God emerged out from one of the glacier holes in the ground which causes the daughter of the former moon goddess to spill out a few drops of blood from its mouth due to the harsh impact as her powers slowly being taken away from the human-elf]

    With its remaining strength, the moon Goddess daughter speak up, "One day, from the werewolves clan there will be a son that will fall in love with a human girl and I promise you, he will find you and with my powers being taken away, he will inherit them by the time he reaches the young adulthood. And you know, no one could erase what I said since it is for the universe to keep until the day it will come to give it back to its new, legitimate owner."

    "And you think that the human girl can help your so-called son from the werewolf''s clan?" The Sun God ticked off her unreliable beliefs.

    "Do not underestimate the future generation. You do not know what they are capable of. And yes, she will prove you wrong!"

    "Your mother must have been disappointed with this. You unfilial child!"

    [The daughter of the former moon goddess spilled out more blood from her mouth, she could not feel her powers flowing in her veins anymore. The human-elf successfully removed her powers.]

    "I die today with a cause. And the effect will bounce back to you and the rest of those who wanted me dead!" She screamed out every word she said. She was the Moon Goddess, her mother -- the retired moon goddess looks down upon her werewolves, will she bless them or curse them?

    [The Sun God and Human-elf will be witnessing how the first daughter of the retired Moon Goddess dies]

    With one last breath, she whispered ''I will be the one to bless them with a genuine love even if one of those two will live on with the curse.''

    and then the hand she reached out, gradually falls on the bed of snow that covers the ground, leaving her pair of eyes open as she dies.

 Chapter 2 - ? 1 ?

    [Present day, China, Tianjin]

    Fading out background noise of Christmas music reminded the woman that it was nearly the end of November. She used to be excited about it but not any more.

    She pulled out her wet, declining quality of shoes. She did a quick window shopping but still, she does not have enough money to buy a new pair of shoes for her self.

    Malls are also getting busier and busier. Thanks to the upcoming December, people that are working in the mall will get their bonus salaries. In addition, Love confession are prominent every twenty-fifth of December.

    But what was the difference from the year before? When half of the population of the earth will open up boxes and do exchanging gifts. Meanwhile, the other half of the population could not afford anything, and the rest would just go to sleep , they do not celebrate it at all.

    She then go straight to her room , grab hold of the netbook and open her mind to the other side of the world and just like that she made an example of how to celebrate Christmas with her daily set of rules.

    [Daily Rewards Popping Out]

    Daily Rewards has always been the first thing she saw every time she entered into the game. She minimizes the window, while the program was still running. She glanced on the different application.

    Then she got a notification from discord.

    Well aside from her Wechat, she also has access to Discord; she only uses it for gaming purpose and to be updated with her team.

    She looked into her squads message on Discord with a server name (Hulk Army):

    [RagingLightSpeed is online]

    YarBaby: Rage! You are finally online let''s play one game. With two squads only!

    SendHelp: With two squads only? Aren''t we supposed to be a team? Should I leave this server?

    [RagingLightSpeed is typing. . .]

    She has to decide if she will go with two squads, because she will use her time practicing with it only. But if she chooses a group squad that consists of four, then she will have a chance to bring the team in the list for the approaching competition.

    RagingLightSpeed : How about we go with four instead of two?

    ChiefMan: Rage is sensible. So who will send the invites?

    SendHelp: Let me log in first.

    YarBaby: You did not log in yet?

    SendHelp: Nope. Not yet.

    ChiefMan: I am in the lobby.

    SendHelp: (? ¨Ś ?;)

    [RagingLightSpeed set its status into Busy]

    She minimizes the discord screen and clicked back at the android emulator of were the game was. She adjusted the emulator window and placed it on the left side of the screen to proceed on doing her research.

    While she was waiting for her team to send an invite, she opened bing and searched about beautiful animal photography. The image page was still loading in, white screen.

    And when she was about to look away, her eyes got locked in with a two beautiful pair of wolfs eye. As if she knew the wolf, she stared at the picture for a minute. Her heart thumped. As she tried to scroll down for a different picture, she accidentally pressed the wrong button and made the wolfs eyes image expand to fullscreen.

    She immediately avoided looking at the image and pressed the Esc (Escape) key for the third time in a row.

    Her heart throb even more. And for whatever the reason was , she panicked. The photography style of the wolfs eye was captivating. She can not forget it, even if she close her eyes , once , twice, the image has been completely printed out perfectly in her memory.

    As the image goes back to its normal size , she instantly look at the emulator.

    [BattleAxeEmpress (A.K.A. SendHelp) invites you to a group battle]

    She accepted the invite by pressing the check mark. The group battle was about to begin. And she chose to close down the other window from the right side of her screen. She can continue her research after the game ends. Plus, she needed a balanced ping for a smooth gaming experience.

    But, she can not forget the eyes of that wolf.

    [In game countdown: Three, Two, One]

    RagingLightSpeed was her in game name , and her character was a woman who wears a bombed head as her hat, and set with crop top, black hood paired with black, fitted jogger pants.

    The aircrafts camera view was realistic , she sees the game like she was there for real. Ordinary people would not understand the kind of imagination she has. As the leader in game she pinned the drop off location.

    She slightly giggled in front of her netbook, as she watched the three members of her squad jumped out from the aircraft on her pinned location.

    They did not realized she tricked them until they noticed she passed by from the pinned location she marked.

    With no warning , GunChaser (A.K.A. YarBaby) opened the mic on his side. He did not stop himself from mentioning her.

    "Rage! I swear if you did this just because you wanted to drive the new sticker of your Lamborghini --"

    "Just let it be, Chase." RoadKillerRifle (A.K.A. Chiefman) said through his mic as he breathed on it.

    With her two male squad talking on the other side , she eventually let go of the mouse from her right-hand and with her left hand moving away from the keyboard too.

    She then covered her ears using her hands due to the sharp noise coming from one of her male squads or maybe it was just her netbook trying to keep up with her.

    Gladly, her team went speechless and the sharp noise disappeared with it.

    But then her in game screen says : Reconnecting. . .

    At the same time , the timer from her alarm clock that she set, beeped. She hurriedly turned her alarm off by just throwing it inside her rusty cabinet.

    And the in game screen says : Reconnected

    She then saw her character jumped out from the aircraft.

 Chapter 3 - ? 2 ?

    As her character falls, she tapped her left fingers on the netbooks base panel. She was waiting to press the ''accelerate'' button for fast drop, downwards. Her character was in a free falling status.

    In terms of angle, she continued facing north with her targeted location of where she wanted to drop her character off.

    She opened her mouth and began counting numbers from eight, with a silent voice.

    ". . ."

    As she nearly reached three, she mumbled out the words, "Three. . .Two. . .One."

    Using her right hand, she pressed the acceleration control using her mouse. Her characters'' body speeded down. When she was halfway near the top of a abandoned building, she pressed spacebar to open her parachute.

    Her characters body swayed with the parachute, she adjusted its position a couple of times from left to right , slowly. Until she hit the ground. However, when she landed her loot radar broked.

    It was not a perfect landing.

    Then her squads profile located at the left corner blinks again like before as they open their mic.

    GunChaser: "Oh right, by the way Rage what are your plans after November?"

    She smiled sourly in front of her netbook as she heard the question.

    BattleAxeEmpress: " I bet she will confess her love under a mistle toe, while snow flakes fall. It will be a romantic scene."

    GunChaser: "She? Have you forgot Rages deep voice? Rage is a he."

    She tried to ignore thinking what she would do after November. Gladly, GunChaser shifted the topic after they went silent again for a second.

    GunChaser: "Anyway aside from Rage, how about you Empress? What are your plans?"

    BattleAxeEmpress: "My plans? Well, I wanted to confess something. . it means what ever I say now, just leave it here. Do not tell any one else about it. I will trust you on this one guys."

    She was just currently listening to what her squad was saying at the same time. While she proceeded on letting her character head towards the ''Adens Creek''. She has to grab a rifle, coins, medi kits and even a basic level one backpack?

    GunChaser: "We are family here, you can say what ever you want. Besides I would not even remember what you said afterwards. Since I also have different thoughts of my own."

    RoadKillerRifle : *breathing on his mic*. . .

    BattleAxeEmpress: "I have some one I like, but, I can not stay happy while my father is hurting. He would not be home after November. My mother died on December twenty forth. So technically, I will be home --alone."

    RoadKillerRifle: "Chase, you are a bad, insensitive man."

    BattleAxeEmpress: "Nah, do not blame him. I just wanted to speak up for my own selfish reason."

    GunChaser: "See, we four have been together for nearly one year already. We even use our dummy accounts just for fun, and still here we are intact, like a family. And RK you can not just say I am bad and insensitive, I just did not know what she has been through until now."

    She then noticed a glowing pistol as she jumped by pressing spacebar. There were considerable cottages on the location but she only entered one and her eyes twinkled as soon as she saw her favorite stickered skin on a G18 pistol.

    RoadKillerRifle: "Yeah. Sure. If you say that then I am good with it."

    BattleAxeEmpress: "Guys, I found a motorbike!"

    GunChaser: "How about we race later? Let me grab that Monster Truck first."

    RoadKillerRifle: "No one can beat me with my Tuk-tuk."

    She can not stop herself. She laughed silently as she heard what RK said.

    GunChaser: "I assumed that Rage will take his Lamborghini."

    They must have expected for her to open mic. However, the also know that she does not talk much in game nor on discord.

    They only heard her voice twice and she uses the male deep voice changer. And no one knew it. So her squad can not tell if she was a he or he was a she. Even her character was a woman, she could pick and change it into a man because of the free fire Cards.

    But since gender was not that important for them and it was not appropriate to disrespect a person for it, they just change topic directly to forget about it.

    Then shortly, she heard a footsteps coming from a distance. As she change her direction of running away from ''Adens Creek'' she saw an enemy jumping out from the window of a cottage.

    "Hunting time." She whispered and she became a different person in front of her netbook. She slightly smiled and it seems to teeter on the edge of a loud cackle with her eyes dancing with thrill as she observed her enemy.

    She crouched, waiting. . .

    "Come on, get on the point." She commanded as if the enemy heard her. And when it stepped on the point were she anticipated, she run forward, aiming her pistol on the target and shoot.

    [Headshot]

    [DeadByGuns has been killed by RagingLightSpeed]

    Her characters hair swiftly swayed as it stands.

    The enemy''s body slowly fades away.

    "G18 you are a badass." She complimented the pistol and then she resumed her character on moving forward by sprinting, leading the way to the ''Clock Tower''.

    BattleAxeEmpress: "You killed Guns. ."

    RoadKillerRifle: "Rage, beware. If you have time you can search about DeadByGuns background. Try the free fire forum. But I will say this again, beware."

    She does not know what was happening, it was not like it was her first time to shoot some one with a pistol. Besides, that was the main goal of free fire, to shoot and kill others. So what was the big deal with it?

    She shrugged off the thoughts and did a short exercise for her neck until she hear a cracking sound.

    She then glanced away from the netbook screen and looked at the hanging calendar on her wall, "December twenty fifth." She said.

    "I did not know it is the twenty fifth, today.." She then inhaled some air.

 Chapter 4 - ? 3 ?

    Well, it was still November twenty-eight. However, she put an early interval inside the house. If she could only wish that in just one blink it would be another year starting from January again.

    Her eyes and mind technically sees that it was December twenty fifth. She exhaled the bitterness. The rice cooker that she forgot to remember bleep.

    Her door was wide open because it has been broken for almost nine years now. She looked at the floor from the dining room. A shadow moved.

    "Xiao Mei Zhi!" She actively yet gently lowered her netbook carefully, trying not to damage the bezel that protects her LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

    It was her mother screaming her name. Misses Zhi always appeared at home drunk. And by always, it means from day one her father left them until the upcoming days. It was already counted for her.

    Xiao Mei Zhi''s said with a heavy heart, "Not again. . ." To think her mother, Misses Zhi did not change for the better at all.

    Meanwhile, her squad noticed that her character did not move anymore and with the help of the in-game alerts it gave out a noticed to her squad : RagingLightSpeed went AFK

    Her squad opened their mic while she was away,

    "Where did Rage go?"

    "What happened?"

    "Rage will be back. Rage would not be afk if it ain''t that important."

    "Something must have happened."

    "Who knows."

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not just asked her team to do a four squad battle without any reason, she wanted to get her team listed in the potential winners list of FFWC : Free Fire World Cup. For her the World Cup will be her new chance for a bigger change in the environment.

    The prizes were not being mentioned yet, however, the in-game forum was already on fire. Their rivals were trying to guess the prize with some jokes.

    "If Rage does die, then we would not be in the list."

    "We must keep our battle record high."

    While her squad felt worried on the other side, they still trusted her skills and they just did their own business. In spite of that, her team does not even know that her life out of the game was more difficult.

    She walked away from her bed after she covered her netbook with a dirty pillow case.

    Then she heard the sound of a breaking cups, it was an anthem since her childhood. And it was a unhealed scar from her mothers life.

    Xiao Mei Zhi rushed out from her room , with her broken door creaking as she passed by.

    "All of these man, I will tell you! They are all bastards!"

    Xiao Mei Zhi''s eyebrows slightly angled upwards ,forming an inverted ''V'' above the nose with a barely noticeable wrinkles on her forehead.

    Seeing her mother pulling the table cloth wildly as the glass parts were smashed mercilessly into a hundred of glittering pieces. As a daughter, she can not do any thing to remove the pain that her mother has been enduring all those years.

    "Mother. ."

    ''My mothers'' current lines in the forehead is just a hint that she is stressed about a lot of things. Her medium-length burgundy colored hair that is shag, and thin eyebrows are giving her a 10 years younger looking face for a 35 years old single parent.''

    Xiao Mei Zhi bit her tongue inside her mouth to stop herself from crying. Sometimes she wanted to give up life, but if she did do it. . .who would take care of her mother? What will happen to her mother? If she will be gone, then her mothers'' life will be filled with agony until the day she will perish.

    "Mother, I am still here. Forget those man, you are beautiful."

    Xiao Mei Zhi''s voice was low, almost unstable, as if her she was about to cry any minute. How could she stop her self from holding back her tears? It was difficult, she looked up at the ceiling for a second.

    Then she smiled at her mother and said, "I love you, Mother. Welcome home. Sorry if I greeted you late." Her mother suddenly hesitated pulling the cloth.

    Xiao Mei Zhi was desperately trying to hide her approaching tears. She maintained her face and her words straight and stern as much as she could.

    "My. . . life is a mess." Her mother said as she blankly looked at the floor. With that, she felt the exhaustion of having to put up with a smiling face all the time. She glanced at the plastic food box that has their dinner on it.

    Xiao Mei Zhi braced herself up by avoiding the negative thoughts that were about to come on her way. When she calmed down, she then informed her mother, "Your life is not a mess, Mother. You and I. . . together we will fix it. How about you take a nap and will wake you up when I finish cleaning everything. Ok?"

    Misses Zhi did not say anything until her breath was taken away, from the realization that her daughters'' arms were around her, "Mother, this is the only way to help you relax. You are still a human not a titanium."

    Xiao Mei Zhi sensed that her mother gradually cooled down. Misses Zhi gently hold her daughters'' arms and pushed her lightly. She face her with a watery eyes along with what she was about to say, "What would I do with out you? . . . My precious daughter. . "

    Xiao Mei Zhi has always wanted to talk about her father but she choose to never ask her mother anything related to it. She was highly disappointed everytime she thought about him.

    "Your decision to keep me was not his choice, you keep me alive Mother. I will remain with you until my last breath." Xiao Mei Zhi said as she hold her gaze at her mother.

    "But dear, you have to grow. ." Misses Zhi finally let go of the table cloth that was on her hand the whole time.

    Xiao Mei Zhi shifted her gazed at the broken sofa. There were a few strings popping out, she has to repair it by sewing another cover for it. Still, her mother can use it.

    "Now, you need some rest. Your energy has been consumed by your scream and actions."

    Note: Zhi is a surname and so as Xiao but since I like the meaning of Xiao I put it as the main name. I hope you enjoyed reading it!

 Chapter 5 - ? 4 ?

    As for her team mates inside the game

    "Cape town bombing! Abort Looting! Abort!" RoadKillerRifle warned the others while they were searching for higher level guns.

    BattleAxeEmpress knew that she was being hunted. Well, some of those who chased Empress were dead now. She had to pick up another suitable gun for her to play well.

    RoadKillerRifle : "Go! Find shelter! Now!"

    RagingLightSpeed has been away for sixteen minutes but they had to keep learning and understand to whatever situation it was.

    Her abilities and the weapon she carried--were all that useful cause it had kept her alive through the game. When she was not yet AFK (Away from keyboard).

    BattleAxeEmpress: "Rages location is far away from us. We have to go to her!"

    "Let''s go get those wheels!" GunChaser had suggested ''wheels'' again. However, Empress laughed it off through her mic.

    "Was it funny?" Chase asked with an unpleasant tone.

    Empress can still be heard holding back her giggles while she was speaking, "I already have a motorbike remember? Chase, you have a weak memory."

    "Call it weak, it would not bother me anyway. Besides, you will be killed like this--" Chase throws a grenade across the building then there were enemies running.

    "Road Kill!"

    RoadKillerRifle was already aiming for those enemies. With his Scar that has paired with x4 scope it was easy to spot one by one. However, these kind of scope does not distinguish enemies from objects.

    "Bombing over! We have to go ahead!"

    Gunshots triggered, showering a couple of bullets at the fallen enemies. Until the sound faded out.

    Misses Zhi stared at her daughter who was currently spacing out by looking at the sofas string. She knew that her daughter was trying to understand things. She must have been a burden to her.

    Without interrupting her daughter, Misses Zhi just slowly walked onward and quietly laid down in the sofa as she close her eyes.

    Xiao Mei Zhi snapped back to reality, "Mo-" she lowered down her tone, "Ther."

    She sighed, "Sorry if I spaced out Mother. Sleep well, I will prepare our dinner." She was just thinking previously about applying for another part-time job.

    Then she head towards the kitchen, "Ouch!" The injury run through her left foot was like a fire. She disregarded the sharp shattered pieces in the floor for a second.

    But the pain from her left foot was like syringes that had been injected into her skin and dipped with an alcohol. She took a deep breath as the pain from her foot gave out a shock of electricity being wired into her spine.

    She glanced at the corner of the kitchen, near the garbage bags. There she spotted those pair of wet shoes she have and it seems like they were waving at her and telling her to wear any kind of footwear since was barefooted.

    She placed those shoes aside about an hour ago and then she reconsidered on taking it back at the moment, "It would not be a bad idea to keep wearing you." She told her lifeless shoes from a distance.

    As she limped her way forward facing near the sink, the pain from her foot remained. She grab a hold of the wire that was connected with the cooker as she pulled it off gently.

    The only things that were on the counter was two forks, two spoons, two pairs of chopsticks, the useful cooker, and the box of food for dinner. The cups were supposed to be used as their substitute plates, however her mother broke it into pieces.

    No matter how hard her upcoming days be, as long as she has her mother then she can and will avoid the negative thinkings.

    Now, her available option was to use half of the food box and cut it into half. It would fit them both. With her steady concentration in preparing dinner she manage to tore the food box apart without the food jumping out.

    "One for mother."

    Xiao Mei Zhi limped away from the near sink counter holding the other half of the food box. She forced herself to ignore the injury. Her fingers were starting to get a little shaky. Yet, she did not care for it. She placed down the food on the table while the floor was still a mess. Then she goes back to the near sink to get her share.

    "And one for me." She said while taking the two pairs of chopsticks with her.

    When the food has been settled down on the table, she remembered that she has a game to finish. She accidentally pressed her injured foot on the floor as she attempted to rush towards her room. With that action she realized there was a glass splinter on her foot-- when she confidently thought that she only got a skin cut on her foot from those pieces. She could have doubled check it before rushing, but she was not thinking about it at all. So much for trying to ignore it.

    Xiao Mei Zhi slapped a hand over her face, letting out a groan of frustration as she continues to hurriedly go to her room while limping all the way. She must put a good record on the game, if she fails to bring her group in the list then she failed her whole team.

    They would not be mad at her, would they? Besides, she does not trust people. Even her own mother, she doubt it. Because of the past, it gave her a chance to grow a thick wall inside her self. Technically, no one should trust her too. No one can be trusted online but since they do not know her personally, she just pretended to be her alter ego ''RagingLightSpeed''.

    And even in real life, no one can be trusted. All those words she said to her mother were all positive points. However, even if she said that she would stay with her mother until she perish, she always have a doubt that her words could not be trusted at all. But she still insisted to do it.

    The other side of her mind was just different.

 Chapter 6 - ? 5 ?

    When she entered her room , she took a few more limping steps before choosing to immediately sat down on the left side edge of her bed, there was a first aid kit underneath it. The Game maybe one of those places that help her forget reality but her health was the priority.

    Xiao Mei Zhi lowered down her right arm underneath the bed. She roamed her hand as it searched the areas that her hand can reach. There was no kit, so she reached out her hand further under.

    In her memory, the first aid kit looks like a suitcase. But what she eventually got and gripped underneath was a mini travel friendly kit, the style was just similar to a wallet.

    She opened the kit after placing it on her side of the bed. Now that she did not ignored the injury, the pain rises up, "It does hurt."

    If only she was not clumsy enough.

    She grab the mini scissor from the kit. With a pause, she studied it for a brief moment, "I hope I am doing this right." She put together herself to say it.

    Reluctantly she started putting pressure on the wound using her left hand. While her right hand was holding the scissor, she was focus on getting the glass piece out.

    She thought the glass piece was small , unfortunately it was a large piece. Even if she put pressure it was hard for her to take it out. The more she struggled on pulling it out, the more pain will add up. It would not be a good idea if she continued. It will just make her injury worse.

    "This can not be appearing. . .over again,"

    Xiao Mei Zhi took another deep breath, measuring each increase and drop from her chest. She then slightly face the other way, "Guess I have to deal with you later after the game ends," her eyes glimpse at the direction of the clock that she throwed away, "I only have an hour left before it strikes again."

    Even in pain she pulled her body upwards to her bed, making the first aid kit drop of the floor as she was using her strong hand on grabbing out the dirty pillow case that has her netbook covered by it.

    "Pain, you better calm down for twenty minutes. Let me play peacefully." She said while she got a hand of her netbook and started re-opening the game.

    If she only knew that she would get injured,she would not have got on to the game.

    [RagingLightSpeed removed the AFK status]

    BattleAxeEmpress : "Rage! Run!"

    And that was the first thing Xiao Mei Zhi heard when she got loaded into the game successfully. She glanced at the upper, left corner of the in game screen. It was the map that she was looking at.

    GunChaser: "We must go to her now! Empress, use your motor! Get her alive!"

    Empress''s character moved from the map view, as Xiao Mei Zhi runs on an open field. They were 3.83 kilometers away from each other, 12578 foot to be exact. They have to double up their speed to catch up with each other at one point were both of them are safe.

    [Zone shrinking]

    GunChaser: Rage!

    Xiao Mei Zhi''s character was outside the zone, running. Her life has been reduced every second. The zone continued to keep moving far away from her and Empress was still 5 thousand foot off.

    With no other choice Xiao Mei Zhi opened her mic together with the voice changer being activated alongside, "Let me die. There are still five more days to enter another battle. If dying will ruin the record then I must not repeat the same mistake twice. Just revive me."

    No one said anything from her team. They must be surprised that she talked about it.

    RoadKillerRifle : "Is that why you almost abandoned us?"

    RagingLightSpeed: "I already told you from the start when you teamed up with me. Do not trust what I even said."

    Everyone in the team heard RK scowled. She was not affected by it. They already know what they have to know from the moment she got into the team and made her the leader. Except for the other part of her.

    [RagingLightSpeed Died]

    Xiao Mei Zhi tapped the in game screen using the cursor while she watched the current environment from the screen. Her team as of now were far away from each other. She assessed the members in preparation to talk,

    RagingLightSpeed: "Revive me if you all need me. If not then do not do it." With an impatient mood coming from her RK bluntly inquired about it,

    RoadKillerRifle: "Do you play for the team or do you play this for yourself? If you were interested to get ''OUR'' team on the list then do not say anything that sounds like we rely on you to much!"

    With her current situation, she tried to appear calm as she spoke through the mic, with her deep voice,

    RagingLightSpeed: "I play for the team. But its what ever. I do not want to put a fire with fire here. Just end this game."

    She was in no mood to defend herself. Cause RK seems to be right.

    RoadKillerRifle and RagingLightSpeed have a history of being foes. RK was not that bad but it had taken weeks for them to settle a deal and agreed to be part of the team. They both learned that with each others skill everything would be set in motion.

    However, when she played for the first time with RK on the team, She had to quit playing for awhile because RoadKillerRifle was the third person who triggered her anxiety.

    RK told her on their first game, ''You are not worthy to be here.''

    RoadKillerRifle just remained in view of the fact that GunChaser was in the team. He would not have joined in if it was only Empress and a random pick together with her.

    Either way, as time goes RK slowly recognized her presence even if it was not totally.

 Chapter 7 - ? 6 ?

    After three minutes, Xiao Mei Zhi detected from her screen that Empress was able to reach the revival spot. It has been mark with a heart icon located on the map. Empress step inside the glowing area of the revival point and stayed for 15 seconds.

    Even though the pain that lingers from her foot was on and off, it did not stop her from continuing the game as her character has been successfully restored.

    "I have to drop you off to the peak."

    She told her character on screen. Her mic was already off earlier when no one seems to keep on talking anymore after she did not dare defend herself from RoadKillerRifle.

    She selected the ''Peak'' because there are great amount of enemies on the location and they mainly sneak on the rooms. Not just cause of the looting nor the airdrops. It was because of the kills--they, even she wanted to get a lot of kills. Her character came down and dismounted its parachute above the roof, there was a rubber tire from the right side of where her character.

    She let her character step on the tire and prepare itself to jump on the other side of the building. And with her own will, she started to attract enemies by shooting on the open field of the Peak.

    Xiao Mei Zhi then uttered a low wail, signifying pain. "Argh. . ." It was hard for her at the moment and she might end up going to the hospital. She suddenly thought, if the game was part of her reality then tomorrow would be another day for her to survive. Although tonight was already a bit rough for her.

    She made her character visible from the open field. She was confident with her thermal x4 scope as she drop the G18 with her favorite sticker on it, "I have to let you go little one. I have to do this quick. Quicker than I use to."

    Then her screen turned red on the side. It was an indication that somebody shoot her from afar or a near location behind. However the enemies did not make it hard for her. She saw them running on the left direction. With her adrenaline kicking in, she shoved the cursor down to the pinned taskbar of her screen and click the media player.

    Now Playing: Decode - Paramore (8D)

    She dragged her cursor back to the in game screen and with no one stopping her she hurried on going towards the one team of four , alone.

    (How can I decide what is right? When you are clouding up my mind. I can not win your losing fight all the time.)

    Time was ticking like a bomb for her. Still, the adrenaline would not last for to long. The music just makes her pull out some cords of the hidden energy she has left.

    (How can I ever own what is mine. When you are always taking sides, but you would not take away my pride, No. Not this time, not this time.)

    The one team of enemies knew that she would tracked them and she was also being chased by another set of teams. Since she wanted to join the game just to be in the list earlier, she must do one thing: let the ones who followed her be eliminated by those ones she stalked.

    As they tried to ambush her, she laid her character down the grass. Gun shots has been released from the area. The bloodbath has begun once more. And as soon as she starts crawling on the ground to go have a good look at the enemies on picture the bomb locater from the sky shows up.

    (How did we get here? well I used to know you so well. How did we get here? Well I think I know. The truth is hiding in your eyes and its hanging on your tongue. Just boiling in my blood.)

    Which means any minute the bombing will be disposed in this area. She wished to end the game--and in a haste--when she felt that it was time to clean every thing up she stood up at a clear point before shooting all of the teams that were there on the field.

    She commenced on cleaning up the mess on the field. With a single shot she got the head shot streak, "One, two, three, four, five. . ." with a mild tone in front of her netbook she counted up the kills that was part of her mess.

    (But you think I can not see what kind of man that you are. If you are a man at all. Well I will figure this one out on my own. (I am screaming, ''I love you so'' ) on my own (My thoughts you can not decode))

    Even from the ones who were hiding in the corner, from those windows inside the rooms, even in the gloo shield, no one can escape when she steal kills for benefits.

    "Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve."

    Her thoughts about how she acted was like a wolf, seeking simple meat and with this ,those prey would be surprised. When she achieved her goal in clearing up the field, the bombing just began. Her character just walked into the field of exploded bombs. She did not got hit by it. The background noise help her to keep fighting.

    Xiao Mei Zhi then look for her Lamborghini. She must ride it at all cost and with good luck she saw it being parked at a garage by a enemy. With no time spared for the enemy to hide, she shot it from behind.

    [RagingLightSpeed killed RogueWolf]

    She noticed the numbers of players that has survived , 12/60. However, the player that she just killed was the person she would not like to meet again in the game. RogueWolf was weak and had no goal, that player alone was not even aware of its surrounding.

    [Meanwhile at Switzerland --2:35 pm, two male Werewolves are playing at the living room]

    "The future Alpha played a game for the first time and instantly died after riding the lambo? I just can not stop laughing man."

    "Shut up! I hate this stupid game! And I hate that player who killed me!"

 Chapter 8 - ? 7 ?

    [China, Tianjin--Zhi''s Residence]

    Xiao Mei Zhi sneezed out of the blue. It was a hint that someone must have commented bad about her. Obviously, those players she killed was her hypothesis. They must have hated her character by now. She did not kill them on purpose, the game rules are to be obeyed. So what can she do about it? Kill. Just continue killing.

    She glanced back down at her injured foot then she came across to imagine that it was an opportunity to continue practicing her character in a casual mode.

    With a sharp, tingling feeling from her foot, she mumbled

    "Pain do not come back yet." Hoping that her words would take effect. It was every so often she would glance back to the game screen and peek back to the foot injury. As her in game character was moving.

    She sighed, "Rest to wake up happy." She recollected herself. Even if her positive opinions were holding back the negative thoughts. Nonetheless, she has the intention to feel an opposing heavyweight from her head.

    "Game on."

    She then guided her in-game character towards the car before she hopped in. She was now driving ''Her'' so-called Lamborghini. With the background music that was still playing, she lowered down the media players volume from 100 to 20. With a clear noise in reality she can now hear the sound of a few vehicles that passed through their housing area. Which was not there before.

    She catches a glimpse at the window. There was a beam from a cars'' headlights coming over and illuminated her entire room for twelve seconds.

    "What would it be like if I have a Lamborghini in real life?" She carried that thought while proceeding with what she was doing in the game. But it disappeared the moment RoadKillerRifle talk through its mic,

    "I do not think this is about team work anymore. Lets just try to win this and be on the list. However, I do not think I would like to join again in this kind of team. The setup should be about cooperation but I feel we are doing this separately now."

    Xiao Mei Zhi wanted to explain something but it will just turn stuff the other manner around. She did not even believe RK''s words. Two option: One was-- No one can be trusted by words nor action. Second--He would like to join the team in the next group battle.

    It was already understandable. People like him just say ''No he does not want to play'' but at the same time it was a ''Yes I do want to play''

    "You know guys, I just realized that Rage can be a car passing by at some bodies house. She entirely lights you up for a quick amount of time but then she will give you a darkness that even your shadow will disappear with it."

    "Road, I think you crossed the line."

    BattleAxeEmpress stops RoadKillerRifles'' remark about her. Empress does not even have a clue about Rages true value. "Empress, if you only meet me in real life I would not even dare put a trust on people like you. No one should be trusted even if you put up a good word. Everything is a big lie." She was not ready to sulk in with questions about people, but she said it-- off mic. Because it was the truth. Or was it not?

    She stopped her character in the game at Empress''s location.

    How? . . how can she keep up with being optimistic when every one was trying to make her think pessimistic? Her value was in line with a negative infinity.

    Then both of them left the Factory while riding their chosen vehicle. The factory was the place were Empress was located.

    With her being swallowed slowly with unfavorable thoughts, Empress began a new subject,

    "How about we race now? The first one who goes to the ''Peak'' will get diamonds!"

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not feel positive after hearing Empress talk. She muted the speakers from her netbook. With her mood going less and less energetic, she can only do one thing right, "Finish the game now!" She thought screaming the words out loud would take out the brewing unpleasant vibes.

    But it made her worse.

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not know for sure, but she was pretty sure that the feeling she felt has happened before --When RoadKillerRifle told her ''You are not worthy to be here.''

    And it goes on . . .

    and on. .

    Some voices echoed now inside her head, ''You could have been aborted.''

    She was still looking at the in-game screen. Road, Chase, and Empress that was near her almost reach the ''Peak''.

    ''Your mother chose to keep you? A whores'' daughter will also grow up to be one of those future whore generations!''

    ''You should just go away together with your mother!''

    A lot of different voice from her past came inside her mind. The past that she does not want to go back.

    What was happening to her? She was bullied at school before RK even came into the view. But it did not made her feel like this until now.

    ''I would never trust anyone ever again!''

    Xiao Mei Zhi''s fear paralyzed her for a minute.

    At the same time her in-game character just arrived at the ''Peak'' together with her squad.

    She had never given the group a chance to kill. She was in a hurry to end the game. She shoot the enemies that were seen on spot.

    [RagingLightSpeed killed Player 12]

    Her in game screen counted the endless streak of kills.

    ". . ."

    [RagingLightSpeed killed Player 8]

    8/60 -- eight players left. Which means she has only to kill 4 more. The 4 enemies may be playing alone and the rest of their team members already died.

    She must clear it up. But before she was able to do it, the voices came back.

    ''You are not worthy to be here''

    ''Not worthy''

    "Stop!" She begged her thoughts to evaporate while shooting on the field.

 Chapter 9 - ? 8 ?

    [RagingLightSpeed killed Player 4]

    "Xiao Mei ?" Misses Zhi barely sobbered up than before and was calling for her daughters name from the living room. Not really sure where she was but certainly she knows that she was not far from her daughter.

    [RagingLightSpeed killed Player 3]

    "Xiao Mei Zhi?" Misses Zhi called her daughter again but all she can hear was an intensifying clicking noise from her daughters room. She remembered that Xiao Mei Zhi told her to take a nap because she will prepare their dinner.

    Misses Zhi took a glance at the dining table.

    [RagingLightSpeed killed Player 2]

    A great tremor overtook Xiao Mei Zhi''s hands. She was so focused in the game that even the call from her mother that just woke up can not be heard.

    [RagingLightSpeed killed Player 1]

    As she completely killed the remaining players, she furiously yelled out , "Stop!" Misses Zhi seized effort, she rushed to her daughters room.

    [In game screen winners sign: BOOYAH!]

    The in-game screen dimmed as her team won. She did not wait for them to speak on the mic or get a direct message on discord, she just close everything that was open on the netbook''s screen.

    "What happened to your left foot?" Misses Zhi put into her eyes with a look that a concerned mother needed to find out when her daughter did something she did not even know how it happened.

    "It is nothing." Xiao Mei Zhi was not willing to disclose information related to what happened to her foot and she was not even looking at her mother.

    Misses Zhi raised an single eyebrow, "You are bad at hiding."

    "Just leave me alone , Mother. Go eat your dinner. I will eat later." Xiao Mei Zhi refused to think about it. When her mother looked away, she secretly look at her from the opposite side.

    "I saw you peeked at me." Xiao Mei Zhi did not want to look at her mother. Misses Zhi usually seemed to be restrained, loving and gentle because her heart was already broken like glass fragments. When they communicated , they sometimes end up not talking with each other for days, the longest was a month. It was hardly unlike her Mother to be concerned. Could it be that it was also part of the reason why she does not fully trust anyone?

    "Mother, can you just let me be? For now?" She hastily tapped on the left side of her bed to remove some curved lines from the sheets.

    Misses Zhi looked at Xiao Mei Zhi, who suddenly got shock that her mother pulled her up by letting her lean on to its shoulder. "We are going to the hospital." She obviously wanted to speak up but Misses Zhi gazed next to her, with a cold face.

    "I do not want to go!" Even though Xiao Mei Zhi protested her mother did her best to pull her out the house.

    Misses Zhi ignored her daughters'' uneasy screams and proceeded with pushing her limit just to take Xiao Mei Zhi to the nearest hospital.

    "Mother, you know we can not spend another yuan! I am not going! Please, just take me back to our house. Please. . . please. . ."

    [Zixiu Hospital]

    The departing ambulance was wailing its sirens.

    Xiao Mei Zhi just kept her head down, staring at the white, glossy hospital floor. It was the people--she does not like crowded places that much.

    "We are going this way. Then that way." Her mother was limping with her, but it just made their walking intolerably slow.

    Misses Zhi went on with blabbering out the directions that Xiao Mei Zhi did not even care to know. They passed by from a lot of people, but then Misses Zhi stopped.

    "Here it is. We should go inside. The doctor is my friend." Xiao Mei Zhi, she seemed somewhat taken aback from what her mother just said. Since when did her mother got a friend? How did they even meet? Her mother lied again?

    They entered inside the room of a Podiatrist with a name Doctor Silver Frei plated out in his office door.

    A middle aged man from the right side raised up some parts of the curtain with his mouth that slowly drops open as he saw Misses Zhi. His respectable, unusually fine-looking-- bearded but bald.

    "Han Caihui Zhi?" He walked towards her mother. "Am I seeing this for real?" He asked again.

    "I am going to hand her to you. My daughter." Misses Zhi pulled Xiao Mei Zhi like she was just a toy that limps. He was not that old. He wore a long, white laboratory coat. His triangle jaw and chin were stubbled.

    "You have a daughter? I thought you died back when the Alpha--" Misses Zhi faking her coughed. She was trying to stop him from what he was about to say.

    "Excuse me? Are you not supposed to take this glass splinter away from my skin?" Xiao Mei Zhi reminded them about the reason why she was there. She slightly look up and stared at the Doctor.

    "Right, go sit down on the bed. Let me wash my hands first." Xiao Mei Zhi sat down in the bed, Misses Zhi just watched them.

    When the Doctor Frei finish washing his hand on the mini sink, he wiped them on a clean cloth. He looked at Xiao Mei Zhi and reached his left hand out for a handshake, "By the way I am Silver Frei, Doctor Silver Frei."

    Xiao Mei Zhi was not convinced to befriend with her mothers artificial friend. Whoever he was, she does not like to be involved to whatever her mother has done.

    "I guess that was a No?" He said, "She is smart but a snob. It made me think about the future Alpha."

    "Alpha?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi has the intention to feel that she has more to learn about her mother. She was delighted that she trust no one, not even her self.

    Misses Zhi heavily breaths out some air, "Silver, stop saying weird things to my daughter. I just lend her to you for a bit.. Once you are done taking that splinter out then we will go".

 Chapter 10 - ? 9 ?

    Doctor Silver Frei clenched and lowered his left hand when Xiao Mei Zhi did not welcome him with a handshake. He then turn to face Misses Zhi with a smile that was childlike and charming, "You know that he will come and they will find you. Both of you."

    Xiao Mei Zhi fixed her gazed at the door with her eyes slightly wide open. And Misses Zhi could see that her daughter does not want to listen to their conversation. Without any visible fear Misses Zhi advised Doctor Frei, "You should keep your distance away from my daughter after this. I only showed my self to you now because I do not have any other choice."

    The smile from Doctor Freis'' face faded away, "I will respond to that phrase later. But for now I have to check the size of the splinter." He bend his body down to gazed at the wound.

    "Did you touch your wound?" She said nothing, "A silence means a yes."

    "Yes, you are not wrong." Xiao Mei Zhi said. She should not lie about it. But she was almost to tired to tell the truth. At least she had not explained everything.

    "Well, do you know what you were doing then?" She looked at Doctor Frei, "Do I have to explain everything?"

    He smiled, "No, you do not have to." He said without even looking at her, "Your wound got infected. You did something carelessly."

    For an absence of a decent excuse she said, "I was not wearing any footwear."

    He released his gazed away from the injury and turned around to say some thing at Misses Zhi, "She needs surgery. The glass splinter is almost a size of a thumb. I will transfer her to an orthopaedic surgeon."

    Doctor Frei stood up straight and direct himself towards his telephone.

    While Doctor Frei was busy, Misses Zhi goes near to her daughter and rubbed their hands together to give a little warmth. Xiao Mei Zhi barely moved a muscle from her face as she pulled her hands away from her mothers touch.

    She kept her head down just like before when they entered the hospital. Her hands are now tucked in between her knees. Well, Misses Zhi was in the situation to cheer her daughter up, but she was not actually confident about it. She did not know what to say to her.

    Misses Zhi moved her hands away from Xiao Mei Zhi. Her daughter was not looking good and her hands were a bit cold.

    "Do you need water? I will get some for you." She nodded at her mothers good choice. She reckoned that they could go home fast but she was wrong.

    Until she got night sweats, her current clothes got soaked. She wrapped her arms around herself, as she can feel her skin chilled from the unforgiving cold and could not stop herself from shivering. The teeth in her mouth shattered together uncontrollably.

    "Are you alright dear?" Xiao Mei Zhi heard the question from her mother but she was not able to respond as her eyesight went unclear.

    "I--uh--ih--cold" She whispered and stuttered out her response. Misses Zhi did not hear the first part but she did hear ''Cold''.

    "Silver, something is wrong with my daughter!"

    Doctor Frei gestured Misses Zhi with a forefinger standing up which simply means ''Wait''.

    He said , "I have a patient here and she needs you. Also do not tell anyone about this. Anyway, I will let you go - I do not want to hold you up any longer." Then he put the phone down.

    "Her wound got infected which obviously means she got a fever now."

    "I really doubt your skills."

    "Look , Han. You see I am just a Podiatrist not a surgeon. Do you even know what Podiatrist do? We only devote ourselves into treatment of foot conditions, ankle and related structures of the lower legs." Misses Zhi was not just really aiming to doubt Doctor Frei skills, but she just said that to make him think she does not know what was coming to her.

    "Fine. I will got take her to the surgeon now."

    "Oh. Wait. We are not going to use the front door. Have you forgot I am not alone here." He said.

    "Silver my original scent has already spread out. I do not even know how."

    "You did not know?" Doctor Frei replied. "Listen, the surgeon is the last person that you are going to see today. You must have an idea right? You must decide to where you and your daughter needed to go. I will help you with the transportation. So we won''t repay anything from each other anymore."

    "Repay? What did I owe you? Why are you even doing this?" Misses Zhi asked suspiciously, "Why ?"

    "What are friends for Han? Now that you got your original scent back, you know I am the only who can help your daughter. Even if you have been hiding all these years just like today you realize that you can not lie low forever." He paused. "You have to survive after this."

    "I think I remember what you meant by repayment. Do you think I seriously forgot that you can tempered the scents? All these years since I gave birth to my daughter , you were protecting us. Correct?"

    "No. It was not me. You got it wrong Han."

    "Who else got that kind of talent if it was not you?" Doctor Frei looked at Xiao Mei Zhi.

    Misses Zhi gasped and was not able to comprehend what she learned. How can she not notice? They have been together all along. Her daughter.

    "Is it her? Are you certain about it?"

    "Yes. That is why I want to be her friend but she obviously does not like it. But oh well, there are still a lot of days maybe she will find me by herself." Misses Zhi glared at Doctor Frei. She was not sure if she should stay in Tianjin with her daughter or go somewhere far away again.

    "Alright. Our time is short, both of you will have to go now."

    With no idea, a violet smoke appeared out of nowhere.. Misses Zhi and Xiao Mei Zhi disappeared from Doctor Freis room.

 Chapter 11 - ? 10 ?

    Outside in a diverse room, there was a name tag : Orthopaedic Surgeon--Yu Jie Gmeis

    The violet smoke fades away as Misses Zhi and Xiao Mei Zhi arrived inside a different room. Xiao Mei Zhi was leaning back on her mothers shoulder, while her injured foot has been slightly lift up by her with a good control.

    "Give her this." Without any seconds wasted the Surgeon gave Misses Zhi a small gel medicine. The surgeon looks younger than Doctor Frei and Misses Zhi. Young but barely past. Her tanned skin, soft blunt bobby hair just makes her green eyes look dramatic.

    Misses Zhi did not ask the surgeon about the contents or purpose of that medicine. However, the surgeon itself talked about it.

    "I gave her that medicine to make her fever go away. Not instantly but it would work. The contents inside are safe since it has ibuprofen." The surgeon then suggested, "Now I want you to take your daughter over there." Misses Zhi looked at the light blue clinic chair and guide her daughter to go there.

    Xiao Mei Zhi who was half awake followed her mother, she sat down on the chair with no problem. The surgeon can see it from her eyes that Xiao Mei Zhi was far away from reality, and so she waved a hand on Xiao Mei Zhis faced before she passed out. Misses Zhi however, did not noticed that the surgeon drizzled a sleeping dust.

    Misses Zhi was lost in thoughts. She was thinking about the surgeons name , her face seems familiar to her but where did she even met her?

    The surgeon tilted the chair at five degrees and adjusted the foot sections. She did not adjust the chairs height since it was just right.

    Good thing, Misses Zhi brought her self back to reality as the surgeon responded to her thoughts, "My name is Yu Jie Gmeis, we met at Switzerland when you were taken away by a rogue. Silver Frei was also there and I hope you remember that memory now."

    Doctor Gmeis just finish adjusting the chair. "Do not force your self to remember it. If you can not." She reminded Misses Zhi before picking up a Antiseptic Towelette from one of the lower drawers near her sink.

    Misses Zhi suddenly wears a permanent pucker of the brow as she seems to remember a memory. The surgeon darted at her, "Welcome back, Luna." Doctor Gmeis spoke in preparation to cleaning up Xiao Mei Zhis infected wound.

    "Do not call me that. I already died once and I do not want to die again. So keep silent if you are still one of those good witches." Misses Zhi told her with a warning.

    Doctor Gmeis was not planning to provoke Misses Zhi by letting her remember a memory so she focused her gazed at Xiao Mei Zhis wound and just silently spraying a cold medicine on it.

    After the successful process of the surgery, Doctor Gmeis stood up, "She will be fine. Your daughter is strong even if she is a human." Misses Zhi nodded while she looks at Xiao Mei Zhi, resting.

    "I forgot that she got out from the house with me barefooted." Misses Zhi had put up with word from her irresponsible duty as a mother.. Doctor Gmeis got speechless with her eyes wide open as she eyed Misses Zhi.

 Chapter 12 - ? 11 ?

    Misses Zhi seemed to be looking around quickly, without any focus. So Doctor Gmeis take in a empty styro cup on her right hand and placed it on the single serve coffee maker.

    "Tell me. . . what got you so nervous out of the blue after I said she will be fine?" Doctor Gmeis asked as the empty cup has been filled with a warm brewed coffee.

    The cup was almost full, Misses Zhi stared at it. "Have you tried being a mother?" She verified. Doctor Gmeis suddenly changed her mood, the inner corners of her eyebrows were deliberately pulled up together with her upper eyelids drooped and eyes looking down at the coffee.

    With setting aside the mistakes that they have done as a witch from the past, Doctor Gmeis admits her lost before, "I was once a mother," she gawked at Misses Zhi with a stoical grin-and-bear-it attitude. "I killed my own daughter to prove my loyalty to the merciless Alpha before."

    The sound of a last drop of coffee from the cup got Misses Zhi thinking, "When I was being chased were you still a desolated witch?", Her mood calmed down.

    "Yes. Before I met you and the rest of your pack, I have to show my loyalty first to that monster. But I was selfish, when I killed my daughter, I realized how precious her life was. It was to late to bring her back to life. So I take this step. I started to learn how to be a surgeon and it got me here. Far away from them." Doctor Gmeis talked while walking towards Misses Zhi.

    "Your situation before is similar to me now," Misses Zhi said while Doctor Gmeis focus her eyes on holding the mouth of the cup tightly, to make sure it would not slip easily away from her thumb and index finger. It was a bit hot.

    "Now it seems we can talk about something related to the future Alpha since you asked me about being a mother." Misses Zhi expected an exchange of favors by using questions, "Alright, I will only answer it if your question stays in the line." She reminded Doctor Gmeis with her limits.

    "Sure. I will keep my self off to that limits." Doctor Gmeis handed over the mouth of the cup to Misses Zhi gently to avoid incidents.

    Misses Zhi studied the surface of the coffee, making sure it was not mixed with any witches power, "Take it first so that we can continue talking."

    When she was sure that there was nothing, she gladly took the cup away from Doctor Gmeis hold, "Do you have any clue about what the future Alpha from Switzerland is capable of?"

    Misses Zhi drank a little from the bitter cup of coffee, she responded after, "I was told just a while ago about that."

    "Then you must know this, you have to let your daughter go with you. Take her somewhere far. Far away from here."

    "I will but not now. She has a future too. And I can not just rob that away from her like a thief. Tell that to Silver. "

    "Will she be ready if she finds out?" Doctor Gmeis analyzed Misses Zhis side. Misses Zhi could not wait to know the name of the future Alpha and what does he look like. He could possibly show up here in Tianjin, anytime.

    "I will make sure that she will be ready."

 Chapter 13 - ? 12 ?

    Xiao Mei Zhi was sprinting independently in the forest that has been surrounded by a tower of pine trees, she turned around to see a black diamond pattern traced in a grey fur. It was blocking her sight. A rush of fury went through her until her entire body was unable to move.

    [A sound of a door being closed : Slam]

    She unhurriedly open her eyes. At first sight, her vision was not yet clear so she twinkled once again. The wolf''s beautiful pair of eyes that was seen before got perfectly printed again in her illusion.

    It was a thick, bright gold eyes. She felt that it carries an internal spark of power. However, it shortly vanished as she started hearing people whispering out side the room. Her eyes wandered.

    She surveyed the surrounding, and no one was there in the room with her.

    She let out a slow, thankful breath, "That was just a dream," She was not even sure if what she saw was the back or the front. It was all fur, imprecise.

    [The door creaked as somebody was pushing it open]

    "You can not connect with it or something?" She peeked at the person who opened it. It was Doctor Frei. She could recognize her mother and Doctor Gmeis behind.

    Doctor Gmeis moved her head from left to right, "No, I do not think so."

    "Careful, I could easily lock you back inside the box." She listened to his angry voice and the rumble that comes forth from his mouth.

    Misses Zhi draped her arm over Doctor Frei''s shoulder, "Are you that angry?," She then whispered some words that made Doctor Frei looked at Xiao Mei Zhi.

    Xiao Mei Zhi had not seen her mother acted like that to anyone. All those years that they have been together, this was the first. She could definitely tell that her mother was glad to see him. But she only has one thing that she was not sure about, their tight friendship could be just a lie.

    "Your daughter is awake now." Doctor Frei notified Misses Zhi.

    Misses Zhi shook her head, "We can discuss about it. In some other time." Doctor Frei voluntarily shoved Misses Zhi away from him. "Go to your daughter, interrogate her if she wants to stay here in Tianjin."

    Doctor Gmeis flashed an evil grin at Doctor Frei, Xiao Mei Zhi saw it. Even if there was a length apart from hearing their voices it was obvious that they were discussing something serious.

    Misses Zhi sat on the edge of the bed near her daughters waist, she quickly closed the distance between them. "Reach one of your hand out." She told Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Why?" She hesistated doing it at first but her mother continued telling her.

    "Just do it." She held her hand out and Misses Zhi pulled her into a tight mother-daughter hug. She did not feel anything, no concern, no love, it was nothing.. Hugs were supposed to feel warm but at of this time, she was cold-blooded.

 Chapter 14 - ? 13 ?

    The walls that were made from her past and present pressures was gradually taking over her emotional state. She does not even know that it was there all along as she grows up.

    Xiao Mei Zhi glanced around the room, "You can let go of me now, Mother. I do not feel comfortable." Noting that there were audience , for her it was already to much of attention.

    Misses Zhi laughed good-naturedly as she released her, "I did not know my daughter is a shy person."

    The Doctors inside the room held a respect at Misses Zhi. Xiao Mei Zhi could tell that in their gazes.

    Doctor Gmeis stepped forward, "So how are you feeling little Zhi?" She was not ready to be called ''Little Zhi''. She looked at her mother to remind Doctor Gmeis about her name.

    Misses Zhi understand her daughters eye gesture, "Yu jie, she does not like to be called little Zhi." Doctor Gmeis smiled at her strangely, "Alright I shall call you, Tiny cactus!"

    And at that point Xiao Mei Zhi does not know how to make Doctor Gmeis stop calling her with those different names. However, she responded back to her question, "I feel fine now." She observed the hard-shoe on her left foot. It was protecting the bandage inside of it as it also provides protection from her wound.

    "And your fever?"

    "It calmed down, I guess."

    "Then our Tiny Cactus can go home!"

    Misses Zhi glanced at her daughter and said, "Just let her call you whatever she wants. It would not hurt you. So do not think too much about it, ok?"

    "Besides you would not stay on your old house now." Doctor Frei naturally said it as if Xiao Mei Zhi would agree with it. This Doctor Frei , he was made to be confident but he can not just directly say that to her! Where would they even go and stay now?

    Xiao Mei Zhi had to bite back a curse. She was not used to saying ''Takoyaki'' as a curse. But it made her calm down when she highly disagrees. But even she was like that her mother knows what to do with it.

    Misses Zhi lessened her gazed at Doctor Frei, "Give her five days to decide." The only thing that matters to Misses Zhi was her daughters decision. She can not force her to do something that would be against her will.

    Doctor Frei glanced at Xiao Mei Zhi, "I will give her two days to decide and that is final." Misses Zhi was caught of guard, she was about to stand up from the bed but Xiao Mei Zhi stop her.

    She did not dare to be mad and could only obediently agree the two days of deciding whether to move out or to stay. But what was there to think? She was not interested in moving out.

    "I want to stay!" She bravely said her choice but Doctor Frei only handed a card to her mother with his phone number written down on it as his first response to her.

    And his second response was, "Your mind will change within two days.. Just call me if you can not handle the pressure."

 Chapter 15 - ? 14 ?

    [Day 1- leaving Zixui Hospital (Recovery Stage)]

    After Doctor Freis second response , Doctor Gmeis already booked a cab for Misses Zhi and Xiao Mei Zhi. "It is time for the both of you to go home."

    As they step out from the hospital, the cab appeared in front of them, Doctor Frei willingly opened the left side door of the backseat, "It is 3: 35 am, your day one of preparing the right decision has just begun. Recover well Xiao Mei."

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not like to listen. She just lift her head up, to see a blanket of stars reflecting into her eyes. ''What was there to think?''

    Misses Zhi firstly put the pair of crutches at the back of their seat with Doctor Gmeis helping her from behind. Afterwards,

    "Xiao Mei, you can go inside now." they guided her as she get inside the cab. She was not saying anything. She just glanced at her mother and Doctor Gmeis.

    It was like the tide shifted in these last few hours. Even if it was just 7 hours ago, she did not expect a small change from her mother.

    Misses Zhi followed inside, "Alright. Bye and thank you." Doctor Gmeis waved at them , Goodbye. As for Doctor Frei he watched Xiao Mei Zhi with caution.

    Xiao Mei Zhi stared at the sideway of the hospital ground and continuing her thoughts about meeting new people. It was the first time her mother introduced her to someone. Then it got to the point were she has to think about moving out.

    What was really going on?

    Lamps from the streetlights glowed brightly, filling the road with light. Xiao Mei Zhi and her mother did not communicated on their way home, silence was back. She wanted to asked somethings but she hesitated and eventually she hold herself back from doing it so.

    Until ,she did not expect to fall asleep.

    Misses Zhi gently tapped her daughters shoulder to wake her up, "Xiao Mei, wake up my precious daughter."

    Xiao Mei Zhi felt someone was looking at them from the darkness, bead of sweats formed on her forehead.

    Misses Zhi then tried again to wake her daughter up,

    "Wake Up!"

    She suddenly open her eyes then glanced at her mother. It was weird that she can also hear her heart palpitating through her ears. The cold sweat gradually slipped down on the side of her face. She could still actually feel it. Someone was there.

    Misses Zhi said as she opened the cabs door, "We are here." The driver also got out from its cab to help them. It participated on guiding Xiao Mei Zhi setting her injured foot out.

    Misses Zhi thanked the driver after and left the area.

    Xiao Mei Zhi scanned the surrounding ''No one else is here. It is safe.'' , then she leaned to her mothers shoulder, while her other hand was on her chest to make herself calm. "I will only use the crutches when I need it." She said.

    They finally arrived home.. Misses Zhi handed over the crutches to Xiao Mei Zhi.

 Chapter 16 - ? 15 ?

    When Xiao Mei Zhi used her crutches, she lowered her gaze as she got into the house and she turned away from her mother. "How to even use this?" She was a little embarrassed --who would not be? It was her first time trying it.

    She take a step to drop those unnecessary thoughts away, "Squeeze the crutches between your upper arms and ribs." She slightly drop her mouth open as her mother told her what to do. That would not be comfortable for her armpit!

    "Just follow my instruction and you will be fine after 2 days." Her mother assured her with a suggestion. She squeezed the crutches and her armpit felt the pad. It was not one bit comfortable even her expression instantly pull off a fish lip look.

    "Do not give me that look. You are doing great. Just put your weight through your hands not your armpits." Misses Zhi informed her.

    She had to admit , while she only tried to feel the crutches on her upper arm , especially the pad on her armpit, it was not already convenient for her to do so and she can imagine that it was not even pleasant to stand and walk everyday with crutches by her side.

    Her face was surrounded with disgusts as she bit her lower lip and said, "I manage to got out from the hospital without using those crutches." Misses Zhi took the crutches away from her, "Then let me see if you can handle it, Alone."

    She move her stronger foot first, "I can do it!" And she fell on the floor, staring incredulously at her injured foot who was the cause of everything, her hands clenched for non-existent kettlebells. "Takoyaki!" Her last thought as she cursed.

    "I did told you that you still require a support." Misses Zhi then placed down the crutches beside Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Stand up by yourself."

    Misses Zhi turned away from Xiao Mei Zhi to get things started, she noticed that there were still shattered portions of fragments on the floor of their kitchen and she can not let her daughter clean it due to her current situation.

    Xiao Mei Zhi looked at the crutches laying beside her on the floor. She would be glad if her mother help her however, she have doubts about it. It was already healthy for her that her mother left her behind. ''Good'', she thought.

    "Here''s what you need to do, big miss. I will give you enough time to think how crutches work without my instructions since you are trying to be a rock head big miss Zhi." Her mother passed by at her, bringing the trashbag. Misses Zhi did not bother looking at her. Because obviously something was needed to be done without anyone''s help.

    A few minutes later, her mother just got back and strolled leisurely at her side of the floor. Xiao Mei Zhi was dying to go to her room and get a good rest. She did not want to think about the things she will miss for today.. Her class at 6:30 am until 4pm, in addition to her part time at 5pm until 8pm.

 Chapter 17 - ? 16 ?

    She looked at the ceiling not for at least a minute, "Why is my life like this?" Then she decided to plan on dragging her injured foot towards her room. But primarily, she has to make sure that her mother was not there to see her do it.

    Her mothers attention was fixed at the remaining chores and yet Misses Zhi talk, "We did not had dinner also, would you like to eat on the floor? I can accompany you of you want me to." Misses Zhi said while she pulled a chair to sit on.

    But as her mother was talking, she heard a distant noise outside; her ears were too attenuated to detect sounds properly. She was not even sure if that was a person or a animal.

    "Is there something wrong dear?" Her mother asked. She frowned, "No."

    "Well alright, I will take out the last remaining trash bag. I was planning to take it out later like maybe an hour long but since you are not sure if you want to eat dinner, I will just send them out. Also, do you still need that shoe?"

    She glimpsed at the shoe, "I do not need it anymore." She said and that was her final decision for the decaying shoes.

    "Fine. It is not a problem for me at all. Then I will go take them out now." Misses Zhi stood up from her sit to go take out the other trash.

    "Sure." Xiao Mei Zhi said. Challenge inside her rippled through her will like water, her weight felt lighter even if her type of position was hard.

    When her mother walk straight out from the house. She initiated her plan, she dragged her feet while her forearm move forward. It took her only 10 minutes to reach the room.

    As Xiao Mei Zhi got near to her bed, she grab a part of her bed sheet before preparing to take a move in pulling herself up.

    However, from across their house there was a man standing still on the dimmed freeway with his dark red eyes glowing. He snarled, "Xiao Mei Zhi. I will kill you." He turned away, with blood dripping down on his hands. And deliberately disappeared into the thin air from the shades.

    When she eventually got her body on the bed, her plan to prove that she does not need any support from the crutches succeeded.

    But she paused. . . as her heart surge up, gazing over the man across their house.

    Now, she could no longer think right. There were shadows gathering before the loneman vanished. Her fingers clenched the sheets so tightly that her knuckles nearly snapped out of the room. Over the time, she had learned a lot of more strange occurrence. It was a struggle and she knew it will shatter her at any moment.

    She can not tell her mother what she saw. Her mother will definitely tell her that she was crazy.

    She turned around and saw her mother looking at her while holding the crutches, "Would you mind telling me what is wrong with you? You are looking pale, has your fever gone back?"

 Chapter 18 - ? 17 ?

    Xiao Mei Zhis mouth opened. But when she was about to speak, there was no voice. It was about time she close her mouth. At the same period she removed her hold on the sheets.

    Misses Zhi then nodded as if she knew what her daughter wanted, "Ok. I will go get a water bottle for you. You do not have to talk if you hate these crutches that much." Her mother shakes the crutches in front of her,

    "But I will still put this near you. Just in case you change your mind about it." She let her mother be while the crutches has been positioned down beside her on the bed before her mother walk out.

    And again she was left alone in her room.

    Xiao Mei Zhi sighed. She did not need water to drink. She wanted to wake up from this dream. But it was not possible, cause it was not even a dream to begin with.

    Could it be that those shadows from her dream were meant to tell her something was coming?

    She kept quite while darting at the netbooks black screen. It was time to search the answer. Suddenly an illusion from the screen came to view--the man with shadows.

    She cleared her throat. . . Like come on, students like her would also search about the meaning of their dream. She press the turn on button in her keyboard, then it loaded her in. She click the search bar and type : What does it mean when I dream a someone was watching me behind the shadows?

    After a second of scrolling down the page of her screen, she effortlessly found the answer; It was a symbol of being unsure to herself and unconciously wondering if she was doing things right in life.

    So in other words, she was just hallucinating. What she saw was nothing. She could rest well now, as she massages the upper part of her nose bridge using her left hand. It was relieving tension from her pressure.

    Her mother then came back with a glass of water, that was enough to accept it as her dinner. "I think, I am still half-awake." She then rested her back on the pillow that was supported by the wall, "How about your homework?" Misses Zhi asked.

    Then Xiao Mei Zhi was thinking about her research, "I will do it now," but she can not ignore the fact that the money she will earn will affect their house bills. She got used to dividing her income already in advance and this was one of those days that she will pay late and another interest will add the bills up.

    In extension of her thoughts, she just hoped that her mother would stop drinking beers for good. As she emptied the glass of water, "I am done taking my dinner," she said, then began on doing half of her home work.

    Misses Zhi took the glass with her and watch her daughter, "After you finish the half of it you go rest directly. Understood?" Xiao Mei Zhi glanced towards the glass on her mothers hand, "I understood."

    [Two and half hours of doing homework]

    After the last paragraph of her answer, she touch a hand on her mouth. "Done." She prevented a feigned yawn of tiredness as it caught up with her.

    She was drained. Dizziness captured her to another place.

    But why she was now standing still somewhere?

    A giggle reverberated. As a vine spreads out at her door. Misses Zhi called out but she was muted. Two people were chasing each other.

    One of them was a woman with a soft voice , "Come human let''s run away!" Another was a man hesitating to follow the woman, "What is this place?" He said then a deer run in front of them, going north.

    And it slowly. . .

    Slowly. . . turned into a huge hand. Heading towards her,

    ''Run!''

    It catches up until Xiao Mei Zhis face was filled with darkness and its maniacal laughter echoed with a scream of horror,

    "Mwahaha!"

 Chapter 19 - ? 18 ?

    Xiao Mei Zhis intense hazel brown eyes snapped open, feeling like she stopped breathing. When she take a deep breath in, it cause her to cough. She was fighting with her breath as she turn to face the other side of her pillow.

    How could the darkness come back and use a deer to ruin her sleep?

    The afternoon light shined bright outside, the sound of cars passing by steadied her down in relief until she was able to breath naturally. Her crutches, to-do list, papers, and open books from her bed greeted her.

    A reminder that she was not done yet with her homework.

    She sighed. She just woke up. No difference. She allowed herself to lay in her relaxing bed. Before she can lay no more.

    She get up on her bed with the crutches-nightmares and this was not usually something she look forward to. Some of those were assuredly linked to her instinct to stay up late or simple just stumbling around the internet with the casual games.

    She inhaled the cool fresh air coming from her window. Threads from her light brown hair lashed in front of her eyes; It tickles!

    She hooked them behind her throbbing ears with a calm hand. There was no ''exact'' mirror as if she could see much of herself anyway. However, the reflection from her netbook was sufficient.

    Her white oversized shirt with dark printed bearbrick kaws put more light on her lily white complexion, as if it glimmered with the afternoon sun that differentiated their outlines over the floor.

    "I have to change my clothes." She whispered, then took the crutches with her as she stood up. Armpit may rest in peace, however when she stood in the door way of her room only then she notice her mother was not there.

    "Mother?" It ain''t wrong if she tried calling out, just to make sure. Her mother does not leave the house without saying ''I will go now, my precious daughter.'' But then she guess. . . that maybe while she was asleep her mother must have decided to leave her alone with no daily goodbyes.

    She glanced at the empty storage, a mournful smile formed on her lips, "Seriously Mother, you left without filling a water for me to survive as my auxiliary food?" She admitted it through the air, it was not like she was acting crazy.

    As she sat down on a chair in the dining table, a knock from their door made her alert. She stared at it, "Who is there?" But no one answered. She had only stood up to listen to her particular place.

    A chill wind abruptly beat against her and she immediately yank the crutches, employing it as a protection.

    "Stay away from me!"

    And Xiao Mei Zhi was entirely unaware that somewhere near in their residence was a huge area of vacant buildings. On that street, Vampires already occupied it over night. Werewolves can not track them but witches can.. And Doctor Gmeis was the first one to find out about the danger that will fall into them.

 Chapter 20 - ? 19 ?

    Misses Zhi peeked on the right side of the paper bag that she was carrying, she tried knocking at the door of their house twice since she was sure that her daughter has slept enough and was awake at a time like this.

    When she was about to knock for the third time, the door itself opened. And Xiao Mei Zhi was standing on the dining area with the crutches support, her expression can not seem to be explained.

    "I want to speak with Doctor Silver Freis." She whispered before folding her lips into a thin harsh line. Was this part of the pressure he told her? She bet that he planned all of the strange happenings in her. But what proof can she give?

    She glanced at the door and saw her mother standing.

    "What is wrong with you? Why do you have another wound on your face?" Misses Zhi inquired and was not willing to leave the certain area she stands on.

    Xiao Mei Zhi gradually shift her left-hand position to reach for her injured cheek , "Where?" She searched her face until a warm fluid can be felt on one of her finger. The left crutch then fell down on the floor.

    Misses Zhi then touch her chest while she was holding the paper bags string, she sense of coldness taking over her. She realized that there will be a threat coming to her daughter.

    "I see, that wind scratch me." She looked at the blood sliding on her fingers, then she diverted her attention to what her mother was bringing. "Mother, what are you even holding?" She tried to change the topic. The injury from her face starts to sting. She does not like recognizing a tiny bit of pain. And as much as possible it would be better if no one see her hurting.

    "This," Misses Zhi raises the paper bag on her right hand, "I bought this for us to have new clothes, new shoes, new house materials like cups, plates and extra mini rice cooker."

    Xiao Mei Zhi was shocked to hear the information. After all those years? Why would her mother act like this now? And one thing she wanted to verify was--

    "A lot of strange things happened to you, Mother. But I do not need your reason. I only need a answer, have you also decided to stop drinking?"

    Misses Zhi nodded.

    "Do you think that I did not plan on stopping? I was just hibernating my pow-I meant my self."

    Over the years, Xiao Mei Zhi finally heard her mother agreed to it.

    But what happened next made Xiao Mei Zhi twitched. Four lanky unknown people randomly entered their house, wearing a raven, fitted racer jacket.

    Misses Zhi throws the paper bags on the sofa before telling her daughter, "Here take this," she swiftly throw the card with Doctor Freis number towards Xiao Mei Zhi. "Run!"

    She hook the card with her shaky hands but then how can she run fast? She has an injured foot! She was greatly panicking.

    "Dang it Xiao Mei! I said run, forget your injury! Go now!"

    Misses Zhi defended herself at the one edge of the group as she watch her daughter tried to move faster while taking the crutches. She looked back at the attackers to realize they were,

    "Vampires. . " Misses Zhis eyes widened as the rivals made an attack.

    Doctor Gmeis car was waiting on the side of their house, fortunately Xiao Mei Zhi achieved in escaping through the window. It was hard but she listened to her mother,

    "Tiny Cactus! Come on, double time!" Doctor Gmeis yelled at her inside the car at the driver''s seat, "Whatever you do, do not look back!" But it was to late for Doctor Gmeis to stop Xiao Mei Zhi on looking back.

    She saw her mother looking at her with a knife stabbed on her chest. Until she can not hear anything else.

    A one drop of tear made her mind alternate.

 Chapter 21 - ? 20 ?

    A drop of her daughters tear made her feel at ease. Since Xiao Mei Zhi will be sent to a safe place. But Misses Zhi would not allow herself to be killed by the Gamma Vampires. They were the lowest of their rank.

    She got choked by her own blood thinking about them.

    "This would not happen if you paid what you owed from Mega," One of the Gammas grab and squeezed Misses Zhis cheeks harshly by just using a prominent hand, "You know, your daughter should pay the price. Correct?" Misses Zhi severely swayed away her face from a Gammas grip. It hurts but she must not let them do what they wanted!

    She spitted a blood out from her mouth while she was laughing hysterically, "So you think I would let you all touch my daughter? Bulls***! I already paid half of it," her voice changed, she growled and her eyes slowly distorted their color from black to lavender. While she unhurriedly clasp out the knife on her bloody chest.

    "Come and get me!" Misses Zhi provoked them by throwing the dining table before everything flashed around with gold.

    [Inside Doctor Gmeis car]

    "Tiny Cactus?" Doctor Gmeis called Xiao Mei Zhis attention. Doctor Gmeis, her eyes were paying attention to the road while her hands are on the steering wheel. She was alleviated that even Xiao Mei Zhi saw what happened to her mother, she still decided to get in the car with her. It was a difficult choice for Xiao Mei Zhi. And she bet that questions are flooding inside her sanity presently.

    It was supposed to be a relaxing day for them, if only those people did not barge inside their house. . everything that occurred runs quickly like a movie being played in fast forward. It will take Xiao Mei Zhi for a while to process what went on.

    "Both of you knew about it," and this was another reason why she do not trust any one at all. No matter if it was reality or online, she keep reminding her self that isolation was better.

    Her gaze climbed up at a black wide gate, "You will be safe here." Doctor Gmeis consoled her but how about her mother?

    "How about my mother? You would let her die right? What ever she owed you, I will be the one to pay it! Was it about the hospital bills? You know Doctor Freis was eager to let me and my mother move out from our house! Or," she pointed her index finger at Doctor Gmeis, "Was it you who ask? Did you pull out tricks? "

    Xiao Mei Zhi herself doubted that Doctor Freis and Doctor Gmeis were good people, she knew there was something wrong with them! The kind of thought was toxicating her, and her lips raised aloft with a sluggish smile.

    "Tiny cactus, I can not explain further information about this. You have to wait for the right time. "

    "Right time? When is it then? My mother was killed, she got stabbed into her heart! You saw that, and you told me that you can not explain? " It was hard to stay calm for her. She shook her head in awestricken sadness.

    Then someone else said, "Aren''t you supposed to be dead?" It reached out a hand up and locked its arm on Xiao Mei Zhi neck, she was instantly puffing.

    Doctor Gmeis was just watching her with a malicious grin.

    "Die!"

 Chapter 22 - ? 21 ?

    Xiao Mei Zhi did all of her best to avoid getting hurt as Doctor Gmeis punch the person who was choking her to death. A punch that no mortal can do.

    "I am sorry but tiny cactus, you must go to sleep now." With that said, Doctor Gmeis snapped her index finger together with the thumb finger and rapidly her power has taken effect on Xiao Mei Zhi.

    Xiao Mei Zhis vision starts to get clouded. "What did you do to me?" She asked in front of Doctor Gmeis, her body wobbled.

    Until she blacked out.

    "It is time to let her go."

    Doctor Gmeis car passed by at the label placed on the side of the road to where the entrance was and it has words written down on it : Freis Residence

    The door from the living room opened, as a maid entered bringing drinks and foods.

    "I think she got traumatized." Doctor Gmeis informed Doctor Frei who was shoving one hand on his drop-crotch pocket and stooped against his white swivel bar chair. It was almost 6 pm, they have been keeping an eye on Xiao Mei Zhi. She had been gawking at the floor for one hour.

    The Freis Residence are not well known from the vampires so it was the stablest place now for werewolves, witches, and of course, including Xiao Mei Zhi who was just a sheer human.

    Knave wolves that does not understand respect can not even enter their territory. It was made to be the exact concealing spot.

    She scowled at the smell of beer, "Mother?" She said while standing up from the couch, "I am here, mother." She called out while searching the living room, her eyes were shining with a threat of upcoming tears. "Where are you, Mother?" Her voice thickened with breaks.

    "Who requested beers!" Doctor Gmeis interrogated everyone and Doctor Frei raised his left hand up, "It was I." He then waved a hand at the maid that demonstrated that she can leave the room.

    "M...mo..ther..." Xiao Mei Zhi hold back herself, the smell of the beer, the memory of what happened today, made her stomach clench in a tough twinge.

    "She is expected to survive. Han Caihui told me that she will be ready. We must approve of her words."

    "Those vampires are really crossing the line!" A unit from the pack announced.

    Xiao Mei Zhi knew nothing about the environment of where she was now, "Vampires?" She whispered. Are these people crazy? Her mother just died and few of them are talking nonsense! What does her mother certainly do for a living? How did she withstand all those years?

    "We need to talk." Doctor Gmeis pulled the member with a talkative mouth and they step out from the room.

    Xiao Mei Zhi was processing everything. She was not weeping either. She was the later option and she never felt this kind of turmoil before.

    "I knew that you would come to look for me," Doctor Frei tilted his head behind and breathed the other wolves in the building.

    "They are here!"

 Chapter 23 - ? 22 ?

    Not half of the people who are inside the room knew who was coming. Though, Doctor Freis sniffed out the scent it was not a positive one. It made Xiao Mei Zhi look ridiculous, which was nearly as natural than being awful.

    Then the other side of the door opened. Additional individual came with its hand pointing towards the hall way. The person was breathless while announcing,

    "They are here!"

    The footsteps outside the hallway can be heard, louder and louder. It was like a vacuum of the chambered-out attitude of human-elf.

    "From here onwards, whatever you may see. . you must acknowledge that these is a fact."

    I will never accept these kind of truth! Xiao Mei Zhi cried out inside her head, silently. She judge everyone in the room as a threat to her. All of them are liars, even her mother!

    It will took her a long way to recover her mental issues, her anxiety. Well to think it might be a small problem, however, for her, she knew nothing more about the relationship of her mother and the people who are taking her in. Was her mother part of a sorority? Gangsters?

    "What is this?" A high-pitched voice captured her attention that came from the open door. A quiver of blended fear and tension ran away under Xiao Mei Zhis spine. She did not persuade herself to glance at their looks.

    Acting as a human should be, she contemplated at the new arrivals while they are surveying the entire room.

    "Why did you come here with out sending me a letter?" Doctor Frei stood up on his chair and walk towards Xiao Mei Zhi. He was protecting her, "You know this can be reported."

    Xiao Mei Zhi who does not have any idea what was going on reminded her mind, Do not make a move. She could just peek to the corners of the wall to the floor.

    "Even if I did send out a letter to you, would you even dare to welcome me and my lineage?"

    "No," Doctor Frei was quite proud of his response.

    "The deceased first daughter of the moon goddess may pick a wrong human for your future Alpha. Better kill her now."

    "You do not have the rights to say that! " Doctor Frei snarled like a wolf while his people stood up with him. They were all now safeguarding Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Silver, oh Silver Frei. You look dumb sufficiently for almost anything as I watch you and your pack protecting that weak human."

    "Better step aside wolves!" A powerful breeze prompted Xiao Mei Zhi to close her eyes directly.

    "Xiao Mei! Do not look into the eye!" Doctor Frei advised her as he coughed. Her eyes were still shut. Yearning that everything was just a nightmare, again.

    Then she was solidified by a coldness that pass through her chin. Someone touched her using its finger.

    "Open your eyes human to see the other world you missed!"

    "I said open your eyes!"

    Xiao Mei Zhi then felt a sharp stinging sensation on her left arm.

    "Do not kill her!"

 Chapter 24 - ? 23 ?

    "I will open my eyes!" Xiao Mei Zhi decided. It was now or never. Who cares about pain, Who ever they were, what ever they will do to her there was no point on living without her mother on her side now. Why would she even listen to Doctor Frei? She actually left her mother to die. A choice that she regretted giving attention to. She was heartless!

    And at that portion of time, the Xiao Mei Zhi from before became more doubtful at everything. Accelerating further the anxiety she has. With a recollection from how her father left her flickers shortly on her head.

    It insanely boiled up her blood from deep within. She was emotionally unstable at the moment.

    And so she eventually unfold her sights.

    "No!" It was to late for Doctor Frei to take action.

    Xiao Mei Zhi gaped at the human in front of her with a fair ivory skin, wearing a royal blue translucent cape, however, when she observed their ear she hold her crutches firmly. It was not a human at all. Part of their features symbolizes elves. ''Do not look'' she warned herself but she stubbornly did it anyway.

    Her eyes met with the human-elf at the same time she hushed her emotional state. Elxidors amber protruding eyes was brightly staring at her.

    "I will let you see a memory that you have relinquished,"

    "You are a human-elf." She murmured in terror before her memory has been obtained back when she was just six years old.

    [Switzerland, Xiao Mei Zhis Memory]

    Xiao Mei Zhi went out from their house while riding at the back of a wolf. Suddenly she remembers, it was her first friend. She happily played with that predator. Then a human-elf appeared, the wolf hid her somewhere in the forest that even elves can not detect her smell and that was the last time she was able to see that wolf.

    "Do you know that wolf?"

    She did not answer.

    "You must know now. That wolf was your father."

    "Lyari Elxidor, stop. She can not sink everything that happened today!" Doctor Gmeis stated at the elf.

    As Elxidor and Doctor Gmeis continued to argue, Xiao Mei Zhi veered into her wisdom. .different dialogue from various moments, piling up one on top of the other in her mind. Most were from her mothers, some were from the previous bullies.

    ''I want to get drunk because I do not need a daughter like you!''

    ''Ha! She does not have a father, maybe her mother cheated!''

    It was back, the voices from her head. Her heart battered in her chest and she merely abstained from crying out. She enclosed her ears, even she understood that it would not help.

    More voices from her past got in. The words were blending together.

    ''My cute young Zhi, do you believe that werewolves exists?''

    Her mother once used to look over books of spirit sagas to let her speculate. She always claimed that none of it was real. And she never let her mother tell stories after that question.

    While she did not care, she knew that her existence was a threat by just looking at the people around her. She was exactly something a tool for the eyes.

    "She must be killed! Can you not even see? She is this weak!"

    Xiao Mei Zhi use her crutches to stand up, she opened her mouth to say,

    "Kill me!"

    She was sure that she meant herself.. There were so many lies that she can not even accept the truth of it.

 Chapter 25 - ? 24 ?

    Elxidor laughed at Xiao Mei Zhis words, "Did you not hear her? She wants me to kill her," then it gazes directly to Doctor Freis.

    "Not a chance, Elxidor." He said as he turned away.

    "There could be more reason to why I do not agree on your forgotten Lunas'' decision."

    "Then you already know they were alive?" Doctor Gmeis eyes were jumbled with disappointments and control.

    "I am a human elf. A part of me is human so how would I not know about it?" Elxidor peeks at Xiao Mei Zhi, "That human child has no use to us. She is not strong enough to break the key."

    "Strength can be built up. Spare her, you should not underrate her." Elxidor crinkled its face unhappily and accepted the terms from Doctor Gmeis -- perhaps it was for the best to test the weak human child.

    "But Elxidor why now? After all those years, you appeared here. On a crucial moment." Doctor Frei needed to clarify it. He was trusted by Misses Zhi.

    "They will meet. He will find her. Silver Frei you know that he is coming."

    "Who ?" Doctor Gmeis skeptically looks at Doctor Frei who was standing on the door. He avoided having an eye contact with Gmeis by diverting his attention to his people.

    "I do not know who he is, I was just being told by the mirror fairies." Elxidor lazily explained her side, she was not that vicious. She just want every one to be safe and as a human-elf, it was their job. "Anyway, that child would not accept us. She is not one of us."

    Doctor Gmeis bravely face Elxidor, "She will understand, we will help and tell her everything she lacked to know. She will receive us."

    "I do not want to expect anything from a deceiver. Hopefully, one day I will just have to wait for the good news." Elxidor loosened up her tough glare at Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Human Child. From this day on, what you saw here are not part of a dream. It is reality. "

    She knew what it means-- ''From here onwards, whatever you may see. . you must acknowledge that these is a fact.'' Doctor Frei said it before.

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not wanted to feel anything, nor listen to what they were all saying to her. Everything was a hodgepodge. Who would not be confused? When trust from her side has been disabled.

    Then her whole head flared with a headache. Her eyes were still open while she saw how everyone got replaced with a considerable twinkle of light gold. It was like a bomb erupted inside her sight itself.

    When the light of gold left her sight. The elves that were standing before and Doctor Freis people, including Doctor Gmeis go down on both of their knees. It was to show their devotion to her.

    Elxidors scrutiny was remedied solely on Xiao Mei Zhi, "I had no idea that her soul is connected with the deceased daughter of the Moon Goddess."

    Xiao Mei Zhis fingers numb while she was still holding the crutches. Maybe she should have said it seriously,

    "Then, I will just kill myself!"

 Chapter 26 - ? 25 ?

    They would not mind if she just kill herself, she had enough even the term, ''Moon Goddess?'' They are all out of their minds! Her opinion whispered.

    They kneeled like she was one of those royals. Can they not see that she was already striving to keep up the pace on comprehending every single one of it? Fortunately, there was a sharp, qing Zhanmadao sword positioned at the upper wall that can be reached with her height.

    She did not postponed to step up with her crutches benefiting her. Let''s not forget that her armpits would not feel comfortable about the crutches.

    "Calm down tiny cactus!" Doctor Gmeis said gently as she interrupted her.

    Xiao Mei Zhi did let go of the crutches. She was shaking like a leaf, nonetheless, she continued getting a hold of the blade.

    Doctor Freis with a sudden hacking twice calmly said, "Listen, I know right now you do not understand any of this including what you have to see but give us a chance to explain. "

    Elxidor did not just stayed her head down, she raised it up and unexpectedly told Xiao Mei Zhi about the opposite side, "If killing yourself child is what you want then do it. I support your decision."

    "She is just confused." Doctor Gmeis used up a sharpening tone at Elxidor.

    Elxidor stood up, heading to Xiao Mei Zhi. "Let me guide you on killing yourself. First you must squeeze the handle of the sword with that mighty prominent hand."

    "What is wrong with you!" Doctor Gmeis was trying to stop Elxidor. When she thought that the human-elf finally appreciated Xiao Mei Zhis responsibility.

    Might have been worth taking her chance to slash her throat by herself. Though, she knew that it was a wrong debilitating scheme.

    ''There is one way for you to keep your emotions balanced. Just give them a chance frail one.'' A representative from her mind said, snagging her vigilance.

    She shakes her head in opposition, "I do not want to understand any of this! You are all insane! This is not some kind of reality joke that can be aired on televisions!" When Xiao Mei Zhi was about to hurt herself Doctor Frei roared using his Beta Wolf.

    "Drop that rapier now!" He demanded, "If your mother sees you acting like this. . .she would blame me for it. What have you become in just hours?"

    She shortly let go of the cutlass while her hands were squirming. With that shiver was a moment of her life, a life without the definite influence of sentiments that no disguise could steadily keep it.

    "None of this is real. None. . ."

    Doctor Gmeis exchanged glances together with Doctor Frei. What can they do to reduce the complication that Xiao Mei Zhi have right now directly?

    She was below the line of guiltness. Maybe she should have taken her time to save her mother. She had been already afraid from the first time that the glass splinter got in her foot. And now strangers are about to take her in.

    She pushed the jars on the wooden book shelf that was under of were the upper cutter was showed. Intentionally even in so much grief, she urged herself to kneel down with her hands on the ground, digging its skin on the sharp stones that were once inside the jar. It abraded her palms and scraped her knees.

    Bleak she dropped her face on the ground, "Cold. Mother its cold." For a long while ,she did not move. Could not. Would not even want to. ''Mother, take me with you.'' She thought. ''I do not want to stay here. Please.''

    As she changed her position to fully laying down on the floor with pointed rocks, her stability looked like it would soak altogether. Her temples vibrated. ''I wish I could live in a different life.'' The mouthpieces of her emotions were still firing on her.

    Closing her melancholic visions, she pulled the crutches close to her. Tightly. She hugged it like it was her mother.

    "Mother."

 Chapter 27 - ? 26 ?

    "Dang it Xiao Mei! I said run, forget your injury! Go now!" Misses Zhis face unhurriedly altered as skeleton. With her hands turning to plain dusts.

    "Mother!" Xiao Mei Zhi put up her right hand out to nobody.

    Misses Zhi faded out with a terrifying screams to end the dream.

    And this does not only happen once. Every night since that day visions of how Misses Zhi got a knife on her chest comes as a nightmare now, consciously, painfully, every time Xiao Mei Zhi woke up, she always knows that anytime she would have to stare at nothing and wish that she was dead. This must be her greatest sin. She has been punished for leaving her mother behind.

    Her eyes were now open, but her soul. . perhaps left. While her hand shortly falls to the sheets.

    Dullness flowed into the silences of Xiao Mei Zhis mind with no threat anymore from the darkness that she got used to breaking out was not the precise antidote. Before, she was desperately pushing to the limit to flee.

    However, it came to the point were she would never felt this tired, so depleted of vigor without doing nothing, including denying the food that were sent to her that was supposed to be eaten by her too.

    And she does not wonder why. The answer was recognized, the loss of her mother, the different world that she continue in concluding that it was just a dream, the terms that she needed to hear everyday, the spokespeople inside her psyche and many more to deal with on her future days.

    It was to much to fight and take in. With a considerable breath she agreed on to let herself get puffed up back into the forgetful thoughtlessness.

    "Tiny Cactus, are you awake?"

    "Calm down Yu Jie, let me handle this."

    [Infernal Banging on Xiao Mei Zhis door]

    An interval later, she interfered in opening her heavy eyelids. She blinked, while listening to the marvelous uproar of the door being banged with letting her eyes get harmonized before glimpsing around her bed and to the surroundings.

    What was new? This was the typical days. From the period that she was sent here to the Freis Residence, the new hymn begins with a loud banging from the late mornings of her manner of living.

    "Open up the door tiny cactus!" Doctor Gmeis pleaded.

    "The mourning days are over for you Xiao Mei Zhi! Have you even overlooked about your mother?"

    A frigid sweat popped up across her skin as she stared at the hatch with the nosy people outside.

    ''Mother. . '' The adverse surrounding embraced her with cold, mildewed air might possibly pricked on her nose and each breath created her lungs ache. Just like the thoughts about her mother ,gave rise to her heart ache.

    "Just break the door already you weak people!" Xiao Mei Zhi piped off the harmonious sound. As she was pushing herself up to a sitting position in the bed, "Stupid, you both have the spare keys !"

    "We want you to open the door for us. The spare keys are not to be used when it has no emergency related."

    "Ugh! Can any one here just kill me!" A profound distress shot through her spine from laying down in the bed with a poor posture.

    "We have collected your belongings including your mothers thing."

    ''Are they telling the truth this time?'' She knows that they use a trick to bait her out. Even if they see her as a weak person, she must not let a lie drag her out.

    "Let''s just kill her already. She has been useless for the whole month of staying here!"

 Chapter 28 - ? 27 ?

    Yes, it was the truth. She has been living in the Freis Residence for roughly a month now. The things she have done was just going outside the room, lifeless. Then she goes back inside after eight to fifteen seconds.

    There was no point in attending school, doing jobs and even the gaming world. She resigned her odds.

    "Xiao Mei, I know you wished to end yourself one day so I want you to come with me and see what you needed to learn for you to grow." Doctor Frei explained even if she was not in the personality to pay attention.

    "I am hungry for her soul, can we just eat that human ?" A unfamiliar voice mumbled. Where was she? Right, the Freis Residence. They use a uncommon name, ''Moon Goddess'' , ''Sun God'' and such.

    Imagining about it again just made her clutched a hand over her mouth. It got her sick, even focusing on taking slow, even breaths it was formidable.

    The last time that she felt bad like this was when her father left them. And that was December 24 at 12:00. Precisely at Midnight, the first one second of 25th in December. She might have forgot the righteous memories of her childhood connected to the wolves.

    She was not glad that the human-elf, Elxidor brought about her former remembrance when she was six. Then they told her to rest. No one dared to kill her, for whatever reason it may be due to that light she saw inside her sight.

    Well, after that night, she did not set a foot on the stairs. She even sworn that never trust anybody. Seclusion.

    Because of them, she became like this.

    Because of them, she lost her mother.

    But generally, because of her. . .

    She died.

    "Shut it up you insignificant chatty gnome!" Doctor Gmeis cautioned its phrase with domination.

    Xiao Mei Zhi tap a hand on the side table of her bed, she touch the digital clock, dodging with a glint to lift her head up by defying her throbbing head. They were so loud outside.

    A average cactus covered the lantern hanging overhead. Brightening her room a limitedly. With the walls painted gray as if she was floating around with dark clouds.

    How the hell did she end up seeing it now?

    "Tiny Cactus, open the door now. I know you need to unlock it."

    Prompt her then. . What was there to see from the open world? She closed her eyes and tried to calm her raising heartbeat down. ''I am sorry mother. I know I messed up bad. I should not. . should not have left you fighting those man alone. .''

    She remembered then, how her emotions flowed when she saw her mother get home drunk, and how she would say words to her.

    "What have I done to myself, mother? . ."

    She flinched as her voice imitated throughout her spacious room. Nothing particular was about to happen if she would not give herself a trial.

    ''Go, open the door. Let yourself try. No harm shall be done.''

    That was the tip of her reason.

    She push the tangled layers away on her bed, moving her legs to the edge before her toes touch on the cold, white carpet.

    "Stop!"

 Chapter 29 - ? 28 ?

    Her habbit of eight to fifteen seconds will start. What she needed was not an unfamiliar habbit, they were so many reasons that she could just avoid doing it whenever time can be conceivable. It brought out the worst in her.

    She endured to buckle her lips together until she stands in front of her door. She sighed, ''It is only eight seconds, nothing could go wrong.'' The only difference from the previous days was : nobody else was watching her. However, today was not the same as the ordinary. Doctor Gmeis and Doctor Frei was on the different viewpoint of her door.

    She twisted the lock on the doorknob before it unfolded the three figures that were in front of her. Two of them were smiling, but the extra one was not smatteringly delighted, its chin protrude in the obstinate, self ethical way.

    "Tiny Cactus, there is something I have been wanting to ask you." Doctor Gmeis hold her wrist gently, no signs of stopping her on doing what she was expected to do.

    Doctor Frei was the one who instantly told her, "Come with us today. Only for today."

    No point of staying out for to long, she looked at her other hand that was near the doorknob which she would pulled it back to let the three people vanish from her view.

    "Do not go there yet."

    She paused to frown at them. "I guess you all think that you can just drag me out and take me somewhere right now? Let me make this clear, ''I-do-not-want-to-go.''" She convinced herself to actually open the door but the part that she has to go out from the residence was a different story.

    "I want you to know that we will be suffering if you would not cooperate with us, with Elxidor observing you with no progress at all, she will go against you," The short man managed to catch her eye,

    Doctor Gmeis did spared some time to introduced her companion, "I forgot to introduce to you, the one who strangled you on the car when I carried you here for the first time," She looked at the 3.6 footed man with a sharp edge hairy eyebrows. "His name is Ban Muckbuckle. Even if you would not believe my words I must say it simply for you to recognize that he is a deep gnome." Here we go again with the terms, she must be half-awake. How can she really accept this kind of reality when the short man was not a man at all. Muckbuckle has a skillful character by just looking at his hatchet face, close-set glittering black apertures.

    It was grinning at her like a rotten fierce gnome. Gnomes has always been spoiled by the witches as what Doctor Gmeis told her.

    They are not going to leave, she thought. The doctors have already planned this and they are hopeful that she can not proceed with withstanding them.

    "Give me back my egg!" It was a good timing for Xiao Mei Zhi to escape, she turned around seeing the kids chasing each other upwards from the staircase. One has a tiny basket suitable for portable foods, the other was holding a chicken egg.

    But when she was about to step inside back to her room, every one froze as the time slowly dealt with its advantage.

    "Stop!" Xiao Mei Zhi''s heartbeat increased again, her eyes opened wide as she stared at the egg , she was not able to move. That portion was something like a explosion of energy within and can not do anything else aside from witnessing the egg crack on her head, while its yolk gradually slips down to her dry hair and passed through her cheeks.

    Ban, the gnome chuckled at the sight of her, "She could at least try to look like she is enjoying herself with the yolks."

    Doctor Freis frown was thoughtful, not offending her in any way, as he tried to remove the yolks that she did not want to stay longer in her cheeks and hair. "I guess that this must be a good improvement. You will be dealing more like this from now on," She rolled her eyes. So she must expect more eggs crash landing on her head then? And Doctor Frei realized what he said which precipitated him to elaborate, "I meant communicating with us like this, not the eggs or yolks."

    Xiao Mei Zhis lips squirmed at the idea of communicating with them. She could have told them to just stay at their limit since she had been taken herself aside from the crowd after being taken inside these place.

    She glanced around. There was no excuse for her now. Even if she pretended her stomach ache, she has period, her head hurts, they already got immune to it. There was no other way to just go with the flow.

    "I will come with you but only this time. Give me a few minutes to prepare my self." Her gazed jerked back at Doctor Frei before she slammed the door to their faces.

    She rested her back at the door for a second before heading towards the bathroom.

    [Inside Xiao Mei Zhi''s Shower Area]

    Her eyes popped open, as the icy drops from the shower cued her of the rain. Fear trickled to her veins as she saw the laughter from their faces--when she got dirtied with the egg yolk.

    The coldness even with a heater on was like a winter flood. Why the heavens made her remember what happened next to that day when the bullies laughed at her. .just why.

    Those faces of the bullies were ingrained on her mind. Still, there are memories that she could not recollect. Then a sound of a her bathroom door creaked, her thinking got stimulated. She did lock her main door. So who was there?

    Her eyes narrowed as she observed outside her shower glass. She wished she did not care but a shadow jogs quickly, making the hair on her arms stand up. Her gut stirred at the abrupt action.

    Then the shower stop sprinkling, she yanked her head up and immediately yearned in keeping it down.

    "Help!"

 Chapter 30 - ? 29 ?

    "Help!" She screamed silently inside her mind, there was no one else but her. She just knew that she, herself was day dreaming as a shadow.

    After Xiao Mei Zhi finished taking a relaxing shower, she wiped her neck with a face towel then tap the remaining moist on her face, then casually took a final look at the rectangular bathroom mirror and then left the shower area.

    The day dreaming juncture has been fallen, that random spacing out dispersed, but how long was she doing that? She can not count it. Either way she just breathed a sigh of remedy. It was also close to thirteen minutes and she made everyone wait for her outside the room, so she left straight to the closet. As she grab any pants, shirt, underwear, a late thought came to her, those kids that caused her to bring back an awful memory did not even said ''Sorry.'' Disrespectful.

    "Why is she not out yet?" Muckbuckle was not a patient gnome, he was loud and straight up to throw questions and whoever answers it will be in a heated pad.

    Xiao Mei Zhi was done putting her clothes on, without any expression she opened up her door. The two kids bowed at her, "Sorry. We did not mean to." However, she ignored them.

    "Xiao Mei, when do you think that you have a time to act like this? I know you are not happy being here, but do not include this innocent kids. Do not be tough to them."

    She lazily laid her eyes on the two kids and harshly said, "They are not real kids, are they?" She waited, and waited for Doctor Frei to slap her, or possibly Doctor Gmeis to say something bad, including the gnome they said. She wanted herself gone.

    But it became quite.

    "Let''s go kids. Do not listen to that uneducated human child." Muckbuckle broke the stillness and encouraged the youngsters toward the stairs.

    And she can see that there were only a few people walking, leaving the substantial empty ground in the first foundation of the house. Where are the spare tenancies?

    She enabled herself to think twice, if she goes out there was no turning back and if she would not go, there will be no changes.

    Fortunately for her, there was a delay. Doctor Gmeis got a phone call from a client and she was ask to wait for her in the lobby, while Doctor Frei talked with his people. So as a mortal, she slumped aside and loitered quietly for both of the doctors to complete the chitchat they partook.

    She faced on the east, holding the arm of the chair while the afternoon rays shone abundantly clear. Its radiance expressed on the fresh, watered green plants through the cosmetic horse figure lamp.

    "Mother." Her voice was polished in conversing with chinese, still , it was not lovely even if it attained in an even way from the far side of her thin, attractive lips, "It was not a good start for us Mother. That moment we entered the hospital."

    She walked instead of sitting down, a form of her pitiful shadow fiddled across her expression when she strolled on the glow.

    She was growing, not in a mature kind of path. Adorable, however, she has a sharp character. Strong from the outside, yet she was regardless a deserted youth from the inside. She seemed unguarded, like even being surrounded with an unusual people on the resident she could just further show off that she was new.

    Then a limited jiffies later, she heard a group of people gossiping about her. She had never cared about it. But, she had to admit that it was making her anxiety expand. Even if she had been holding it for a month, she should have been excused with her self by now but sometimes, she would just let it flow, even if it was having a major effect.

    Xiao Mei Zhi was not even aware that she was wearing a pair of blue skinny jeans, white shirt. She took her index finger towards her lower lip, thinking of biting it. In addition, her throat was running out of saliva, she gulped making her larynx rolled slightly along with a considerable distance from her neck, it was a reminder of her well-known female hormones.

    "Tiny cactus, it is time to go."

    Xiao Mei Zhi lowered of her hand smartly and had the atmosphere of a beggar dressed like a leader as she looked at Doctor Gmeis. She did not said a word about what was going on and soon as Doctor Frei followed them, he looked at her but he did not speak.

    Then Doctor Gmeis started a conversation with Doctor Frei that ended quickly, "Did they accept her?"

    "No."

    "What are we going to do about it?"

    "Nothing."

    Doctor Gmeis peered unconcerned at Doctor Frei under her frosty orifices and Xiao Mei Zhi persuaded not to look at them in their eyes, now she stared down at the floor.

    "It is not good if you both start of like this." Xiao Mei Zhi smiled coldly while she keep on staring at the ground.

    Doctor Gmeis said with a smile as she touched Xiao Mei Zhis chin to raise her head up, "We are not starting anything," she then looked at Doctor Frei who was walking forward leaving them behind. "It was just some grown-up labor that we need to handle with."

    "What should I need to achieve when we arrive there?"

    "No spoilers. You will know once we get there, alright?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi composed the words she wanted to say to Doctor Gmeis, "Did you know that you are forcing yourself to accept me ? I heard gossips about me around here that I do not bother caring at all ,however, if you can send me of somewhere else--"

    "I am afraid that I did not hear anything you said," Although Xiao Mei Zhi knew that Doctor Gmeis gave attention to it apparently, she just pursed her lips and said nothing.

    "She is here."

    Xiao Mei Zhi was ready to die.

 Chapter 31 - ? 30 ?

    Doctor Freis automobile hustled forward to Xiao Mei Zhi. She eyed the headlights with a shortage of emotion, expecting that it would whack her.

    She smiled, "She is here." Doctor Gmeis could not help herself to incredibly say it strongly but not in a means of screaming, it was generated with an effort to transmit the warning to Doctor Frei.

    Go to hell Xiao Mei Zhi!

    She has no other plans even if both Doctor Gmeis and Doctor Frei was there, in the same area, but unfortunately. .

    When Xiao Mei Zhi reflected of how her mother died, she admitted guilt so much that got her face turn the air blue ,"At that time," she starts muttering. "How could I possibly leave my mother to die? How would I even know that one day I will be living with different kinds of breeds? Obviously, I can not accept it."

    "We could at least do something productive with each other in return, am I right, tiny cactus?" She kept up on idling for Doctor Frei to jolt its auto to her corpse.

    "It was better if I did not step on that piece of shard." Xiao Mei Zhi scattered her limbs wide and was ready to die at the midst of the path. While Doctor Gmeis was grabbing her to be positioned in a slightly effective standpoint.

    Doctor Freis car goes closely, and with a thud,

    She deliberately turns on her sight extensively to face Doctor Freis windshield with a giggle, "Haha."

    A blaze of pain squeezed on her chest rising up to her head, with her visions brimming with miserable tears the smile tugging on her lips wiped out into a grin. She does not know what her facial expression looks like. All she wanted was death. Living with no mother? Was painful. It can not be compared than losing a father.

    Doctor Frei pressed his car horn, signaling her by using its loud, sharp blast. "Are you out of your mind! For your mothers sake, stop acting like this Xiao Mei!"

    The tune of the day was the horn. Xiao Mei Zhi was just getting started, although she was one of the exceptional people who did nothing, she was just eating and sleeping.

    Doctor Gmeis throwed its scarf instead of handling it with care, "Enough! Why would you not listen!" Doctor Frei unintentionally did a quick bark of laughter. It was the not the first time he saw Doctor Gmeis behaved in demoralized behavior but for a long time, he got to see it again.

    Doctor Gmeis hands launch a lines of orange lightning coming from her palm, "Tell me, do you want your mother to die in vain? Or do you not want her to rest in peace?" With her fixed bones and worm-eaten statements, Xiao Mei Zhi has left with no extra move so she kicked off a stone in front of her.

    "Takoyaki! Takoyaki!"

    She repeated her favorite and only cursed word to use even though she banged the doors car and she was about to start up an alley journey that she has no clue about.

    "Here is your scarf," Doctor Frei handed it over to Doctor Gmeis as he got out for a minute from his car.

    "Thank you," With a gust of ease, Doctor Gmeis get in to the backseat of the vehicle with Xiao Mei Zhi.

    [The interior events in Doctor Freis Car]

    A music has been played inside, bass boosted. Xiao Mei Zhi has been squeezed in the center, between Doctor Gmeis and Ban MuckBuckle. Yes, the gnome was with them. They were currently swaying, dancing their body with a underrated english kiddie song.

    They caused a mass disturbance to Xiao Mei Zhis growing anxiety that they did not even thoroughly noticed.

    "Sing the new song with us!"

    Xiao Mei Zhi rolled her eyes. She was thinking about how did this type of people switched up their attitude? They were not the same at what she was seeing. The gnome was shaking its arse, swirling with its knees progressing up and down. It was not even comfortable to watch. Mainly, on Xiao Mei Zhis side.

    "Here it goes," Doctor Gmeis from being frustrated at her to unduly excited.

    Everyone yelled except for Xiao Mei Zhi who dug up her body on the tip comfort of the pad, "We are going on a mission, start the countdown," Doctor Frei acted out first, while he was still focused driving and looking on the road.

    MuckBuckle yelled, "5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"

    "Everyone to rocket, rev it up now Rrrrrrrrrrr," Doctor Gmeis brought in her cringe.

    Then all of them singed the childrens melody, "We are going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship, zooming through the sky Little Einsteins. Climbed aboard, get ready to explore there is so much to find, Little Einsteins!"

    ''What am I seeing right now?'' Xiao Mei Zhi could now possibly want a request to Doctor Frei, she needed to see a monk. She must restrict this people to express the time with her like this. A repelled ,written proclamations from a paper to avoid freaks like them would be much of a good help.

    ". . . . ."

    She was just only thinking of her mother, even if the rest of them was having fun, which daughter can bear abandoning their mother like that? None, right? Oh wait, she was the only one who could do that. Shameless.

    Doctor Gmeis on the side was keeping a gap in between fun and being serious. Xiao Mei Zhi seems to be having a hard time letting that tragedy go and even until now they tried to do that scenario just in case they can finally see her laugh with them, smile with them.

    Xiao Mei Zhi has out casted herself from the outside world, they were afraid that she would mislay her mentality. Maybe they can not overhauled all of her problems but at the least they genuinely assist her. And having to let Xiao Mei Zhi get out from the residence was a huge step for them to celebrate.

    If only she knew.

    "We have arrive to the destination."

 Chapter 32 - ? 31 ?

    Xiao Mei Zhi whispered the sign that was set on the right side in the Antique white wall as the gate plate , "Bright Sides Orphanage."

    While Doctor Frei drove his car towards the Parking lot, she glanced irrelevantly from the side window. She get a glimpse of fragile kids playing on an accessible space.

    The car stop yet Xiao Mei Zhi was not paying attention to it. Doctor Gmeis smiled as it looks at Doctor Frei who was nodding together with Muckbuckle. Xiao Mei Zhi may hate them for now. Nonetheless, they hope that soon Xiao Mei Zhi will live happily.

    With a three out of the blue fast knock coming from Doctor Freis side window, Xiao Mei Zhi barely leaped her body in fright. She turned around only to find herself overlooking at Muckbuckles face,

    "Aah!" She screamed, while the people in the car directly covered their ears. For the love of their hearing senses. It must be protected.

    Muckbuckle hurriedly get out from the car while Xiao Mei Zhi was still crying out half way before she finish.

    Additional beat from Doctor Freis side window made him lowered the front door glass to see and talk to the person.

    "She must be an ancient alarm in the past," A man cracked up with a look-like he was to be nearly in a particular age, pushing forties. Xiao Mei Zhi examined him while taking notice. His style was sharp and age appropriate. Light blue, short sleeve shirt, loose clothes, paired with denim jeans. It achieves as someone knowledgeable but effortless, with a layered, smart casual outfit above, a casual game of a Chinese dad dressing up was on the point.

    "Hello Doctor Silver Frei! I am glad to see you here," The man reached out a hand to Doctor Frei.

    "I am glad to be here too Mister Pan." He accepted it and they shake hands.

    "You do not have to be polite, Pan Shirong would be enough. We have known each other for a long time now." Pan Shirong give a quick gaze at Xiao Mei Zhi while he toned down his voice, "Tell me, what is her issue?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi could still hear them talking even if they did use a low tone kind of conversation. At the same time she just completed looking at the old man. Then Doctor Gmeis answered a question that was not even for her, "Oh, no. . no , she is not an orphan, we are her family."

    Doctor Gmeis then added up her words with a suggestion to Doctor Frei, "How about we go out now from the car? So you two can handily talk over it."

    "Sure, sure!" Doctor Frei turned off the car''s engine and he stepped out from his car. Xiao Mei Zhi did not follow, she was left behind inside.

    "Tiny cactus, are you not planning to join us here? There will be no point if you stay there." She then looked back at the children happily playing with their playmates.

    ''Mother, I am here watching a view that you wanted. I listed it down on my to-do list.'' Well, after that shock from Muckbuckles face, she calmed down to realize what she was missing. Love and the to-do-list. She promise to accomplish it. . She already listed the things that they wanted to do and that was before Misses Zhis death.

    Why did she even forgot about it? Does she need that to stand up on her feet then?

    Possibly, yes. But there was something wrong with herself that keeps on dragging back negativity.

    Xiao Mei Zhi left from the car and followed the others with Doctor Gmeis walking beside her.

    "Xiao Mei, you can go explore and play with the children. If you like?" Doctor Frei suddenly asked her, with no words she just nodded. And that was her first time agreeing to him without any problem.

    Doctor Gmeis smiled at her, "I will go with you."

    Xiao Mei Zhi then took to a different path which was heading towards the playful children. Leaving Doctor Frei and Mister Shirong aside.

    "I seem to be surprise , Silver Frei." Pan Shirong placed a hand up over its head to cover himself from the afternoons heat.

    "Why?"

    "You do not like taking a human being in your residence , not even a human child to be precise. So what changed you?"

    Doctor Silver Frei looked at Xiao Mei Zhi with a smile from her back.

    "The change? My wife died , and I have a daughter to live on." Pan Shirong did not know that Doctor Frei has a family however, he further does not want to intervene with it. At least he knows that both of them are werewolves.

    "Now, how about you tell me what changed you? Since when did collaborated with the Orphanage? I also thought you do not like seeing happiness in the childrens face."

    "Me and my wife signed an agreement. Our foster son will appear here soon if he acknowledged us."

    Then the laughter from the children that were playing covers up Doctor Frei and Mister Shirongs conversation so both of them decided to go inside the Orphanage building.

    In the meantime. .

    "Tiny cactus," Doctor Gmeis and Xiao Mei Zhi kept an eye on the children, "They are vigorous." They are sitting down on a stiff, broad seat.

    "Tell me about it," Muckbuckle inserted in between the small space that Doctor Gmeis and Xiao Mei Zhi had with each other. Just to sit down.

    However, in the midst of the children laughter, there was one child that did not participate in playing. "Doctor Gmeis, I can do what I want here, right?" She asked while her view was focused on that lonesome junior.

    "Yes, we brought you here. You are our special guest." She has this regulation that she must not implore or disturb other peoples privacy but the kid got her to do it. Why was she interested? Cause one thing was for sure, she saw herself through that girl.

    "Then I have to go talk to someone.. Do you know who she is?" She pointed out the girl and asked Doctor Gmeis before standing up of her seat.

 Chapter 33 - ? 32 ?

    "Tiny cactus, do you think I work here? I do not even know that kids'' name."

    "Right. I should not have asked you about that." Xiao Mei Zhi was like a barfly lady. Raising a question that was unconnected to Doctor Gmeis. Without delaying her plan, she was now getting on to the direction of the girl.

    Muckbuckle and Doctor Gmeis was also looking at the girl that Xiao Mei Zhi was making an effort to go near.

    Xiao Mei Zhis'' footsteps tapped against the dry soil that has limited grass. The girl did not mind her presence when she was standing beside her. She just can not let the girl accomplish nothing, she does not like to visualize what these girl would come to be when she matures. It will ripen like her.

    The girl darted at her shadow at the bottom, "When evening recedes, you will be alone again." There was a sudden rage pumping up through her body. This girl had prompt her about what she has breathed through, it was another thing that she did not expect to be appearing since she reckoned that she could keep herself in the room like a prisoner.

    She understood quite well enough to act as a proper young adult at the moment, "You are your own key of survival." She informed the girl. She was trying to make it less a pain in the head, since one isolated person was enough --stating herself.

    ''A minor girl should not be acting like this, she is still young. I even guessed that her age must be in between 9-13 years old.''

    "What are you talking about? Who are you to get in my own business? You are just a nobody!" The girl squinted at Xiao Mei Zhi, she was trying to push her away and did some made up efforts as an excuse to let her stay on the so-called ''Limit Line''.

    She froze. ''You are just a nobody!'' Her breath whooshed out of her lungs like a deflating balloon. The girl was right, she was just a nobody but she would not let this girl be that ''Nobody'' too and so she will put together a conclusion that will reflect the girl as a part of her life now.

    "Doctor Gmeis!" Xiao Mei Zhi called out, which got the other youngsters looking at her direction.

    In just three minutes, Doctor Gmeis got to them. Breathless. Of course, she was running. Xiao Mei Zhi gave her a scare.

    "Yes-" Doctor Gmeis raised up a hand to her chest as she breaths deep before breathing out a long sigh. "Yes, what is the problem tiny cactus?" Doctor Gmeis eventually said the words out clearly.

    "You and Doctor Frei wanted me to see how meaningful the world is, right?"

    Doctor Gmeis nodded, "Yes. Any plans about it?"

    "I need you to provide information about this girl and Doctor Freis permission. I want to take her with us."

    "You mean," Doctor Gmeis stared at Xiao Mei Zhi and the girl without blinking. "You want to adopt her?" Xiao Mei Zhi then scanned the girls'' feature. She has this turned up, tiny nose with a few freckles. A tired eyes with noticeable dark circles, that incorporated well with her long wavy lashes and messy choppy bob hair.

    Thereupon surveying the girls outline she then told Doctor Gmeis, "Yes. Is there something wrong? I already asked you that I can do want I want here right? and you told me that I am a special guest. Now, I want her. So you better keep your word." Xiao Mei Zhi did not meant to be a mean looking person, she just wanted to let the kid learn from her based on experience and in return she can also learn something about herself through the girl.

    The girl shook her head as she heard what Xiao Mei Zhi was saying at Doctor Gmeis. The girl was not sure how to catch up, her face said ''This is not happening''. For the girl, it was a nightmare and an illusion that it got trapped in.

    Nausea got the girl engulfed. It made the girl dropped herself on the ground with her knees and hands touch the warm soil, while she emptied the contents of her stomach.

    Doctor Gmeis then whispered at Xiao Mei Zhi, "She is just like you, but this kid is over dramatic. And I guess this is why you want to adopt her, huh?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not replied back at Doctor Gmeis. She rather put up with spare time at the girl, "Good! Take that problem out, get that negativity out of your nasty system!"

    Xiao Mei Zhi did hissed like a liable ignorant grown-up that even her words became intimidating but that was not a plus points for her. On the contrary it was a deduction. She may feel that she needed to save the girl, however, she can not even save herself from what she was now. Still, it would not be to late to start with a little change.

    "Are you done?" Xiao Mei Zhi asked the girl who sitted back, and dragged the back of her left hand to wipe across her mouth. The girl glared at Xiao Mei Zhi, "You will regret later if you will adopt me. I will make your life miserable." The girl was acting like a missing daughter from a Chinese gangster family. It made Xiao Mei Zhi more enthusiastic about the girls'' life.

    "You can curse me inside your head," Xiao Mei Zhi told the girl and it would explain why her heart was thumping hastily in excitement.

    "You do not know what you are dealing with." Xiao Mei Zhi chuckled as she listened to the girl. "I hope you are ready for what is coming."

    It was Xiao Mei Zhis turn to squint at the girl, "I am always ready for anything. Including the people that are coming for me."

    "Alright, it is time for us to take that girl inside the building. The other children are starting to get tired, some even left their playmates." Doctor Gmeis interrupted the harsh speech between Xiao Mei Zhi and the girl.

    The girl suddenly tored down the right side of her skirt.

    "I will tell the caretakers that you both pestered me to play," Xiao Mei Zhi examined the girl. It surely provided her thoughts a kicked-up wave of positive dust in the existence of her life path.

 Chapter 34 - ? 33 ?

    "Come on, let''s go." Xiao Mei said as she turned to look in a different direction and the next thing she noticed was listening to Doctor Gmeis curse.

    "Dang that kid!" Doctor Gmeis touch the girls'' shoulder , and got smacked by the girl while using the back of her hand before sprinting off to were Xiao Mei Zhi was looking.

    "Come back!" Xiao Mei Zhi was about to chase the girl however, she thought of another way to locate her.

    "Let''s go to the building now so we can catch up to where she is," Doctor Gmeis bobbed her head as they rush to the building.

    With a good timing as Doctor Gmeis and Xiao Mei Zhi got inside the building they unexpectedly came across the caretakers who knew the girl.

    "That kid again. . she does run away when some couple wants to adopt her." The current guardian that was assigned for the girl told Xiao Mei Zhi.

    Then another caretaker ask while looking back and forth at Doctor Gmeis and Xiao Mei Zhi, "Did any of you mentioned about adopting her?" With no secrets, Xiao Mei Zhi explained, "Yes. I want to adopt her."

    Doctor Gmeis defended Xiao Mei Zhis phrase quickly to help her encounter less problem , "She meant Doctor Frei wants to adopt that child. But we must find her location."

    "Blessed Doctor Freis kindness and you must not worry much, we have hidden cameras all over the place." The guardian of the girl calmly notified them.

    "Good that this place have cameras. Let''s go to the technical room," Xiao Mei Zhi instructed Doctor Gmeis without waiting for her reaction, she quickly head of.

    Doctor Gmeis was hesitant to resign from the caretakers and so she told them in behalf of Xiao Mei Zhi, "Sorry. But we have to go now."

    As Xiao Mei Zhi entered at the technical room she clenched her fists. That kid. She does not want to be doing all of this just to make the recovery. She was also sure that the girl does not want to get adopted by the time they found her. Though she could tell that the girl was just trying hard to be a cold, stubborn one just like her. A mirror to herself but in a minor version. .Now that she seems to think about adopting, Doctor Frei was more suited to accept that girl than her. It seems necessary that she needed Doctor Freis guidance on that girl. Also, she felt that Doctor Gmeis was defending her from the caretakers. She just bluntly answered back to them without even understanding the situation at that time.

    "How may I help you, Miss?" The technician greeted Xiao Mei Zhi. She looked at the name badge on its uniform, "Bai Biao." She whispered before calling the technician, "Mister Biao, I am trying to find--"

    "How may I help you, Miss?" The technician greeted Xiao Mei Zhi. She looked at the name badge on its uniform, "Bai Biao." She whispered before calling the technician, "Mister Biao, I am trying to find--"

    "She is on the west side. Here, I will let you have a look." Mister Biao who''s name was pure live up to its meaning. Even if it sounded like a girl, his parents have chosen a right word also his quitted undercut says a lot about his age in between 21 to 25.

    According to the surveillance coordinates in the orphanage that Xiao Mei Zhi was looking, the girl should be approaching the destination where it was off limits.

    "She is going for it," Xiao Mei Zhi was staring concentratedly as she said it, while she was standing near the right side of Bai Biao. She slightly squatted her body causing her left cheek to go near at Bai Biaos face.

    Bai Biao gradually laid his buttocks to the swivel chairs back support, flattening his hands on the faint red desk. Xiao Mei Zhi was close enough that Bai Biao could smell her unique scent. He was holding his gaze at the computer screen that was reflecting on his chestnut eyes, ignoring the fact that Xiao Mei Zhi was there. In addition, Bai Biaos'' short, thin lash goes well on his monolid eyes while it slightly twitched.

    "Where is the zoom button?" Xiao Mei Zhi asked, however, it was a wrong move on Bai Biaos side. He turned back to face Xiao Mei Zhi. With that action their face was close enough with each other. It only has a distance in between a grain of rice.

    Xiao Mei Zhi and Bai Biao was both waiting tensely to look away from each other before regaining back the calmness they wanted themselves to feel.

    Xiao Mei Zhi did the first motion. She turned back to the computer and that made Bai Biao hurriedly click the zoom button before he excused himself, "I will be right back."

    "Go ahead." Bai Biao heard a shrug in Xiao Mei Zhis voice. "I can handle this by myself."

    "Alright then, good luck." Bai Biao stepped out of the technical area, with his frozen dark brown eyes.

    When the sight of Bai Biao was completely gone, Doctor Gmeis commented , "Actually, that was not a pretty bad scenario. I like what I was seeing even if only lasted for a minute."

    Xiao Mei Zhi presently flat out did not give a damn if anyone else repeat what Doctor Gmeis just said. She could not even curse out the best of ''Takoyaki'' at the instant. And that was not supposed to be damned hard for her to do anything about it.

    She glanced at Doctor Gmeis who was tilting her back at the side jamb of the technicians door. "What should we do to that kid?"

    Doctor Gmeis was more than aware of the look of narrow-eyed suspicion that Xiao Mei Zhi shot at her as she pushed the swivel chair and inserted under the desk in its proper place.

    "I can deal with her later, but for now. . I have to convince her to come back." Xiao Mei Zhi memorized the whole territory of the orphanage entailing the little paths that leads to somewhere else. It was off-limits.

    If only she knew what demons she was fighting inside of her.

    "Really?" Doctor Gmeis proudly asked for assurance of what was running through Xiao Mei Zhis head.

    "How ironic for you to decide like this tiny cactus. You were ''I do not want to live anymore'' from ''I want to adopt that kid''. A good stepping stone to start changing."

    Then an awareness of certain panic began to fill Xiao Mei Zhi, tightening her throat and threatening to seize her ability to speak.. She could not be frightened by what Doctor Gmeis meant.

 Chapter 35 - ? 34 ?

    ''A good stepping stone to start changing.'' Xiao Mei Zhi imagined, so she grabbed a ballpen and a paper to write down what she wanted to happen. Anyhow, what got her terrified? The change that she wanted to try? Or helping the child to save herself from being like her?

    Xiao Mei Zhi was not like showing up another unprecedented side of her openly at Doctor Gmeis, because she would have definitely blow of her desolated cover forthwith. A mortal like her did not just got a cold heart cause she wanted to. Besides the bitter Xiao Mei Zhi even stands out due to it. She needed to blend in with those hybrid humans. It was additionally hard for her.

    Xiao Mei Zhi moved forward to Doctor Gmeis, she slowly gave a small paper and headed off from the room into a opposite hallway and walk towards outside the building.

    Doctor Gmeis read the note that Xiao Mei Zhi gave her,

    I do not like to write this down but you have powers. Go use it to save that kid. Whatever you are going to do, I have owed you one.

    Xiao Mei Zhi sighed sadly, "Since it come to this, there is no going back." She then stand still, listening for any signs of danger that she might experience. The rhythm of the few crickets and the rustle of dead leaves filled the area and she assured herself that she was alone.

    Within twenty five minutes of taking the path that leads to the child, she met a messenger, "What took you so long human?" Muckbuckle said, bringing a package containing a box of lemon juice.

    "Is Doctor Gmeis here with that girl?"

    "Yes. Just walk straight then you will see a path that has been covered with weeds." Muckbuckle instructed Xiao Mei Zhi. Yet, when she was about to say ''Thank you'' , Muckbuckle reminded her, "Jie needed something to locate that girl. Fortunately, there was a remaining scent from were we sat down a half hour ago. In the circumstance, at least she could use that fragrance to find her visually."

    "I will not forget what she did today."

    "You know, young human. . do not get into a situation were you force yourself to accept a change. Sometimes it would end up hurting you before you even get a chance to start it."

    Muckbuckle adjusted the box on his arms and three lemon juice popped out, "Go get this beverages. Let that kid drink up. She must be tired of hiding."

    Xiao Mei Zhi slid her fingers to grip on the transparent bottles then she lifted it up with a good hold. Her sweet human nature made Muckbuckle glared at her with a threat, it hit his gnome personality right through his gut, sending his body lurching and his face hardened by a thought how unpleasant humans can be.

    She noticed that Muckbuckle was not looking good, "Are you feeling ok?" He shook his head, shaking off the daze that she did put on him by the sweet human nature alone.

    "Yes, I am. Go now. Doctor Gmeis is waiting for you." She could even see that Muckbuckle was forcing himself to put his mind onto the objective of what he was aiming to finish. He then move on the side to begin again in strolling off.

    Xiao Mei Zhi lifted her face up facing the sky with almost totally red light color of the passing sun below the horizon. In addition to feeling the coldness running up through her veins because of the bottles that were on her hands while sniffing the smell of a mixed fresh and rotten leaves together with the crisp of spring air mingled on her nose.

    A jolt shot through her body when she heard a argument from the path that Muckbuckle told her. Her hair even settled upon the wind as she ran towards the noise.

    Doctor Gmeis and that girl.

    "You have to face the one who is willing to adopt you. Anyway, you should not just jump into conclusions with seeing how a family relationship works. If you continue , you should not expect to make peace with that kind of attitude in this era."

    "Last time, the caretakers introduced me to a couple who was not afraid of anything even if I did not tell them my identity as a bane."

    Doctor Gmei and that girls argument got Xiao Mei Zhi walk back and hide to listen. Since it was not just a argument for nothing. She did experienced that too. She squeezed her eyes shut and forced her body under control. ''Mother.'' Now was not the time to think of it.

    She heard the girl sighed, "A person like you would not get it! It was extremely difficult for me to squeeze out my self from trying to let them see how happy I was as I prepared for those couple to adopt me."

    "What happened? and why did you tell me this? It is not like I am the one who will adopt you."

    "I lost them. I lost those couple. I tried to avoid the name that the other kids called me. Bane. But it caused me to fight back. Over time I have become to like fighting with those bullies! However, when the couple find out and at the same time I was supposed to leave the orphanage..The adoptive father that I should have had died."

    "He died because?"

    "I killed him on the spot."

    Xiao Mei Zhis pulsed sped up as she heard ''Killed''. She wanted to say her side to that girl , ''She killed her mother too.'' She bared her sharp teeth. Every dreadful image of how she left her mother to die for her has invaded her mind.

    "So that woman your are with , is she still going to adopt me?"

    "I do not know. How about you come back with me so that you can both discuss it."

    Without noticing, the girl smirked at Doctor Gmeis before she exposed Xiao Mei Zhi , "She is eavesdropping already. Hiding in the corner for about five minutes ago.. She must have greatly underestimate a kid like me."

 Chapter 36 - ? 35 ?

    Xiao Mei Zhi poked out her head on the side that she was hiding, "I got lost for a bit." She lied while glancing at Doctor Gmeis, "I am glad that you found each other here."

    "Hey, you!" The girl called Xiao Mei Zhis awareness in a disrespectful wile. Her attitude was like a baked pancake displayed in a shop with the hottest season from July''s sun.

    Xiao Mei Zhi curled her fingers into a fists, clenched her muscles, and force her negative thoughts aside with control. ''Alright, Xiao Mei Zhi. . remember she is just young. You do not have to scream nor yell at the girl. Just tell her that her safety is the priority. They must come back unharmed.''

    "I do not think you can adopt me with your current situation. By the looks of it, you are just like me. Alone."

    Xiao Mei Zhi walked embracing the bottle of juices on her arms. The girl stepped backwards until she was underneath a nearby Elm tree and flipped a stone with her soft, leather casual shoes. While Doctor Gmeis reached out to Xiao Mei Zhi to grab her share of the lemon juice, she did also pulled out another bottle from Xiao Mei Zhi on behalf of the girl.

    Since when did they become friends?

    The girl then hit Xiao Mei Zhis thumb finger with the stone. She dropped her lemon juice. She controlled herself from crossing the line. The plan was just simple. Find the girl, get her back to the orphanages building, let Doctor Gmeis get some information about the girl and explain to Doctor Frei about adoption or in second thought no? And just get the hell out from this place before she ends up throwing ''Takoyakis'' at the girl.

    "Is she always like that?" The girl throws out a question at Doctor Gmeis. While they were opening their bottle of juice.

    "Yes and No. Yes, she acts like this and No, not always." Doctor Gmeis replied back as if Xiao Mei Zhi was unseen while she picked up her beverage on the ground.

    "Doctor Gmeis !" Xiao Mei Zhi could not help herself, "We should at least go back with her now."

    "Fine. I will go back with you, " the girl only talked at Doctor Gmeis. "Since there is someone who keeps blabbering and I could not even see it. But it keeps telling me that I do not have chance to be free here," She has been completely excluded by the girl. Was she that bad at kids? Well, she ain''t a parent but still. . .she will try to become one !

    Xiao Mei Zhi decided to let the girl play the ''I am not sorry'' card : "You do not know that maybe the ''someone'' can make you be absolutely thrilled."

    "See? Did you hear that voice again? Guess that the invisible person may have so many issues in the past but it has no choice but to remain in the spot just to put them off."

    Doctor Gmeis then changed up the topic for Xiao Mei Zhi who was sipping on her bottle and said nothing.

    "You still did not answer my question before,"

    "What question?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi was going to go on listening to what the girl was saying to Doctor Gmeis.

    "The one that I said before, ''What happened? and why did you tell me this?''. You are aware that I am not the one who will prepare those adoption papers." The girl looked at Doctor Gmeis then she soon darted with despise at Xiao Mei Zhi. The girls mind must hated Xiao Mei Zhi from the moment she approached her.

    ". . . ."

    After another normal walk that endured extra twenty minutes they are eventually adjacent to the building , all of them were just walking silently now. Xiao Mei Zhi can even see Doctor Frei waving his hand as he stands between Mister Shirong and Bai Biao.

    Her sight were focus at Doctor Frei. For Xiao Mei Zhi there were still many things that she must clean up inside herself before everything turns a full mess on her consciousness. Which means she could not just relax for a moment after she will say what she has planned about the girl to Doctor Frei. She was hoping he would agree with it.

    When Xiao Mei Zhi and her two accompany reached at the entrance of the building, Mister Shirong moved forward before saying, "I am glad you three are back. Safe and Sound!"

    Mister Shirong excitedly greeted Xiao Mei Zhi and Doctor Gmeis. However, his smile rapidly fades away as he saw the girl. "I told you that you should be careful! Why would you not even listen?" Bai Biao tapped Mister Shirongs left should, "Boss, everyone''s watching. You will be reported if you yell at the child."

    Mister Shirong corrected Bai Biao, "I was not yelling. I was just telling her my concern." Bai Biao nodded as his response, he was avoiding looking at Xiao Mei Zhi but he was peeking a view--looking away and looking back at her. And Xiao Mei Zhi who does not care about him was just standing ,watching Doctor Frei. A face that has a lot of questions waiting to be asked and said by her.

    Then a suggestion coming from Bai Biao made Mister Shirong agree with him, "How about we head to the dining table and wait for our dinner to be served."

    "Ok." Doctor Frei politely said.

    "Tiny cactus, I will gather some information about the girl. You go first with Doctor Frei. I will catch up with you both later." Doctor Gmeis whispered in her ear before changing direction in going forward to leave them.

    "Jingyi, come join us. Do not put to heart what Mister Shirong just said." Bai Biao said as he look at the girl.

    Jingyi was the girls name.

    Note: Jingyi is pronounced "''cheeng-ee" and it means Quite, gentle , joy and harmony. Bai also means "White". Shirong also means "Scholarly honor.." The rest that has a name and I did not put it on the note will just have to wait. Enjoy reading!

 Chapter 37 - ? 36 ?

    Doctor Frei asked Xiao Mei Zhi from his back, "What did Doctor Gmeis tell you?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi was unsure what to respond, "She just told me that she will catch up with us later." Doctor Frei then nodded.

    They were heading to the dining area. Xiao Mei Zhi then saw other kids waiting for the food at their respective sits. She was just now listening to Doctor Frei and Mister Shirongs rambling conversation, admiring how they can keep their energy at an age like that but just as she was prepared to continue listening, they both went silent. Including the other kids that was about to witness something they should not remember.

    They were looking at the dining areas door.

    Doctor Gmeis came with a kick coming from her left foot to open the door with a bang after sorting out the information that she has to give to Xiao Mei Zhi while she was walking towards the table in preparation for placing down a stack of papers onto Xiao Mei Zhis space in the horizontal surface.

    Doctor Frei stood up and looked in front of Xiao Mei Zhi before glancing at Doctor Gmeis, "Doctor Gmeis? What is going on?" Doctor Freis tall physique blocked the light at once in Xiao Mei Zhis side.

    Xiao Mei Zhi looked up at Doctor Frei while she got startled, "The girls information that you are going to adopt Doctor Frei," Doctor Gmeis confidently said her part even if it was to risky to lie. She gently tapped on the stack of papers with her fingers, "It will be used for knowing what kind of girl she is plus there are detailed instructions on how to settle the adoption papers for her."

    "Doctor Frei, I am glad to know that you are adopting a child." Mister Shirong proudly said it as if it was an answer from the heavens above. He must be satisfied of the success in keeping the children from the orphanage just to be prepared for a happy family and their unknowingly permanent future.

    Doctor Frei however was dumbfounded for a moment but then he knew that Xiao Mei Zhi should start talking about the adoption thing privately with him at of this time. Doctor Frei told Xiao Mei Zhi to stand next to him.

    "Come here Xiao Mei Zhi. You must have something a lot from your mind. And I want you to tell me what is your opinion about me adopting a child."

    Xiao Mei Zhi was attached on getting Jingyi to be adopted that she even forgot that Doctor Gmeis was straightforward type of woman, she did not know that she will be in a hot seat. She can not reject Doctor Freis request which made her stood up and go stand beside Doctor Frei.

    Mister Shirong excused himself with Bai Biao, "Doctor Gmeis, the kids are now in a state of confusion. I have to help them so would you not mind if I asked you to join us?" He then smiled at Doctor Frei with Xiao Mei Zhi on his side, "I will be back. And by that time dinner will be officially served."

    Xiao Mei Zhi usually just avoid communicating in public just like this with Doctor Frei and Doctor Gmeis presence, she only wanted to stay forever in her room but after what everything happened. . she would start to try in attending this kind of gatherings since this time she has a reason --Jingyi.

    As Doctor Gmeis, Bai Biao and Mister Shirong left the table, Jingyi was just quietly observing everyone. Including Doctor Frei and Xiao Mei Zhis insect category of dialogue.

    "You can not just let Doctor Gmeis do that to me in public."

    "How would I even know about what she was about to say? I am not a goddess of prediction nor a tarrot card. And I am your guess. I have to remind you that you are going to give me what I wanted, remember?"

    "But that was only Doctor Gmeis side-"

    "What she said to me is what you wanted me to hear. So do not pretend that and also do not push a reason that drags Doctor Gmeis here." She defended Doctor Gmeis instead if Doctor Frei will criticize her when they get back to the residence. It would be much safer for Doctor Gmeis since she helped her on her behalf.

    Doctor Frei stared at Xiao Mei Zhi, "What is it that you want? How can I help with it? Since your opinion would not change on how you will look at me. So I will just let it be."

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not feel bad after hearing Doctor Freis side, she in fact feel a tiny, just a tiny bit of hope bloomed inside her. An illustration of those undeveloped chick that did not even know it breaks down its shell with small cracks.

    She looked at the stack of papers that were still intact on the opposite side of the table she stands in. As Doctor Frei reached one hand out to placed his palm down on the papers. She lowered her gazed with her special dark downcasted eyelashes vibing in. Then, Doctor Freis hand jerked gently as he saw Xiao Mei Zhis expression, leaving his hands shadow in the papers for a minute.

    With that, without holding back Xiao Mei Zhi explained to Doctor Frei as she turned to looked at Jingyi. She was sitting. Two chairs away from the other side of the table.

    "You must take a good look at the papers. Think of it as me. If I am the paper my life is easy. I came handy at first but in the end. . after being used, I will be left crumpled or worse thrown out in the trash can and definitely be burned. However, papers like me can be recycled. Just like Jingyi, she has a chance to have a second look in life."

    Xiao Mei Zhi poked the piece of paper that Doctor Frei grab and faced it in front of her, "Then what about you? What if the paper is Jingyi and you are Jingyi, what would you do?"

 Chapter 38 - ? 37 ?

    Xiao Mei Zhi analyzed her story about the paper and Doctor Freis question. Yes, she has been recycled but Jingyi was different from her. She does not have the same chance as Jingyi. However, she even thinks that if she was Jingyi then it will be a similar choice. The choice of rejecting and escaping the petition of an adoptive parents or individual. Then she rubbed that thoughts away to raise a question at Doctor Frei.

    "Why would you suddenly reverse the situation? From adoption then back to talking about me? . . why have you given your word about me being a guess and then do this?" In any case, Xiao Mei Zhi did felt slightly sad. ''Mother''. . another strike in her thoughts. She looked at Doctor Frei to only noticed that his eyes were just like her. Hazel brown eyes.

    Still, Doctor Frei did not feel any guilt in throwing a reverse logic at her. He expected Xiao Mei Zhi to think the future about the child at the back of her mind.

    "You have been into a state of depression. And I wanted you to also try going to a psychologist with me before you can be a mother of Jingyi and I must tell you this, I have finish transferring your previous college records to a new institute."

    She was not sure enough of what she heard. ''I got transferred to a different school? And not just that, I need to go to a psychologist. Which means I have to look for a job so I would not owe Doctor Frei?''

    "Also, you do not have to worry about looking for a job. I can provide your needs. Just tell me. You know, you can."

    "That is not the only problem. I disagree going or meeting a psychologist."

    "You need it."

    "Why?"

    "For Jingyi. You can not adopt her with your current situation and lifestyle."

    With regards to Xiao Mei Zhi''s plan in adopting Jingyi, Doctor Frei did not roughly just jabbed through it. Because Xiao Mei Zhi in the moment wondered ; What kind of Xiao Mei Zhi would be seen after three or possibly five years?

    Basically she would be much more in control of her emotions and other issues that she was not sure about on what to think. Even the tiniest achievements, the outcome would be worth it.

    Doctor Frei flipped the paper that he already has in his hand and the word they saw in the paper were "Requirements in Adopting a Child." Xiao Mei Zhi then double check the stack of papers on the desk.

    Takoyaki, the five pages of the stack papers were the list of requirements, no details about Jingyis biological parents! Not even those who previously succeed in adopting her!

    However, when she turned over to the sixth page there she saw Jingyis face. A eight months old chinese baby smiling at the camera with no teeth. A smile that can guarantee a relaxed sensation.

    It did involve much of a young adult lesson of restarting a new life with a child, the details that were listed on the paper got Xiao Mei Zhi taken aback. Mixed with a lot of personal feelings. She was confuse on what to do with it when her eyes landed at ''Adoptive Parents or Individual must earn 10,000 dollars as a minimum wage.''

    A person like Xiao Mei Zhi needed more than a psychologist to sort out her self and extract a mindful information from a experience just like this.

    Doctor Frei glanced at Mister Shirong from a distance before Xiao Mei Zhi decided to put a deal with him on the side and accept what she had missed out for a whole month pertaining to after new year.

    "Now, you must tell me." Doctor Frei said while he was still glancing at Mister Shirong.

    "I want you to adopt her, let her bring your surname. Make her legal."

    Doctor Frei gathered the stack of papers to his standpoint and told Xiao Mei Zhi, "I wanted to adopt you. But I can not force you. And you should not force Jingyi to put a surname if she does not agree, ok?"

    She was about to say a phrase, yet another unexpected scene was about to happen. . Muckbuckle punched the dining door while he furiously sniffed something in the air. Muckbuckle furrowed his brow.

    Mister Shirong was the first one to react, "Muckbuckle , do not intimidate the children here. Please, Doctor Gmeis already had done a lot before you.." He pleaded.

    Doctor Frei was shifting his glance around the room, he did not meant to put a shame on the orphanage including how the children will see this view.

    Still, after what Mister Shirong said , Muckbuckle did not respond but he walked fast. He manage to catch up and yanked Jingyis arm.

    Doctor Gmeis side was spacious and comfortable even if she was surrounded by a few children, and she felt that it sure was good to have a portion of memory like this. However, Muckbuckle cut her happiness off. Although, gnomes are the witches companion they must not cross in their line.

    "Mister Shirong, I am sorry about this commotion. I will have to leave this kids on you. I have matters to deal with."

    "Go. And thank you for helping us here." Doctor Gmeis bowed her head quickly before she leave the children with a heavy heart.

    Xiao Mei Zhi instinctively behaved like a parent, she also snatch Muckbuckles arm as if she was that strong.

    "Do not touch her!"

    Doctor Gmeis was thinking hard about why Muckbuckle performed that. He only did that kind of deed when he smell a Vampire. He had a grudge against Vampires.

    Just by assessing how Muckbuckle deeply look and sniffed at Jingyis clothes, there must be something wrong.

    "Let him go, Xiao Mei Zhi!" Doctor Gmeis said Xiao Mei Zhis name completely with molten anger poured through her. But because it was Jingyi that Xiao Mei Zhi was trying to defend , she made sure it would not hurt Jingyi first.

    And as of this juncture for an incredibly lengthy hung back, Xiao Mei Zhi gathered all her constructive energy to gain boldness out from her to just tell, "Then tell Muckbuckle to let Jingyi go!"

 Chapter 39 - ? 38 ?

    Doctor Gmeis instructed Muckbuckle, "Let Jingyi go! Let''s go back to the residence first, Muckbuckle." He let Jingyi go. Regardless his actions had a significance of rift, the adults that were watching would have trouble understanding his mood including the other witnesses.

    "I have to go Silver Frei," Doctor Gmeis excused herself while Muckbuckle walk ahead of her. "That child is a werepire--" Doctor Gmeis then covered Muckbuckles mouth with a hand which made Xiao Mei Zhi and the rest that was still close to them perplexed since they did not certainly hear what Muckbuckle just said.

    When Doctor Gmeis and Muckbuckles left the room, Doctor Frei gritted his teeth while he move to were Mister Shirong was and did what he could to put less shame on what just happened: "My companions did not do that in purpose to offend the orphanage staff and children here. I am sorry Mister Pan Shirong. I am saying this in behalf of what they have done. It would and will not happen again. I will certainly handle it better next time!"

    Xiao Mei Zhi thought about how upright Doctor Frei was as he did an apology in the public. Mister Shirong instantly saw through Doctor Freis sincerity, he tapped Doctor Freis shoulder, "You sound like a teenager who stole some bread at a store. It is fine Silver Frei, the storm has calmed down."

    By the time Mister Shirong finish his sentence, the cook and a few caretakers have arrived and they slowly brought in their dinner that came from the kitchen.

    "Good timing," Bai Biao gladly said it loudly in relief. As for the children who got intimidated by what Doctor Gmeis and Muckbuckle did, they (the children) were slowly calming down.

    Mister Shirong encouraged the kids to settle down on their sits. "Serve the dinner first on this side," He requested the caretakers that were handling the food. Then he continued to guide them in the next few tables.

    Xiao Mei Zhi wanted to serve the other children but she was with Jingyi the whole time. It was her first time defending a child, it felt different with adrenaline rush. She was feeling dizzy when she used a tone like that at Doctor Gmeis. She do not know how to face Doctor Gmeis next time.

    Jingyi mumbled, "Can you get me a glass of lukewarm water?" Xiao Mei Zhi was the only person near Jingyi but still asked for a sure thought, "Are you talking to me?" Xiao Mei Zhi tilted her head to see Jingyis face that was covered with a few strands of hair.

    "Idiot, I will go get it by myself," When Xiao Mei Zhi expected that there will be a friendly progress between them. Unfortunately, not at the moment.

    Yet, Xiao Mei Zhi would not allow this chance to slip away, she needed to develop a trust on Jingyi.

    Even if that trust for Xiao Mei Zhi was hard to accomplish.

    Then she shortly recalled what Doctor Frei told her, ''I wanted you to also try going to a psychologist.'' She might need it. So with confidence coming from Xiao Mei Zhis stubborn pride, she stop Jingyi from standing up from her sit.

    "I will go get your glass of water,"

    "Make it quick."

    When Bai Biao noticed Xiao Mei Zhi walking away from the table, he asked permission to Mister Shirong. "Mister Shirong, I have to get water." Mister Shirong who was busy settling down the rest of the kids just nodded and said, "Get a glass of water for me too." With that said, Bai Biao did not waste a minute to touch on the water dispenser.

    "Why you come alone here? The water can be served by someone else or you can always call me to do this kind of stuff."

    Xiao Mei jiggles her head as an indication of denying Bai Biaos advice, "No, it is fine. I do not want to be a bother. Besides aren''t you supposed to be monitoring the surroundings at this time?" She dragged one glass away from the kitchen trolley. When she placed the glass near the heat button Bai Biao then inserted his index finger to push the control for her, "Let me help you. You are our guest here."

    Xiao Mei Zhi was startled for what he did. But it only lasted for seconds.

    "Mister Biao, its fine. I can handle this. You go get your glass. I will go now." Bai Biao was about to get a hold on Xiao Mei Zhis wrist but he stopped. Not because he was controlling himself but because of Jingyi who was grimacing at him like he was a pest. And when Xiao Mei Zhi shifted her view to look at Jingyi, she lowered back her head down and Bai Biao was qualified to walk again. He felt weird and just continue on getting a glass of water for himself and Mister Shirong.

    Meanwhile, Xiao Mei Zhi got back to Jingyis side.

    "Here is your glass of water--" Jingyi grabbed the glass without any sound, with no ''Thank you'' at all. Her procedure in taking the glass from Xiao Mei Zhi was like air. Fast wind blowing a leaf.

    "Seems like you are way, way thirsty." Xiao Mei Zhi said as she tugged her hair to ponytail, she was slightly sweating and her scent streamed into Jingyis nose.

    It was a delicious smell but Jingyi pretend to be disgusted. So she harshly said "You look ugly. Drop your hair down. Filthy person." Xiao Mei Zhi almost plunged her jaw after what Jingyi said to her. ''You look ugly.''

    ''Filthy person.''

    Those voices added up another words in her heads recollection. It was like a tape being set up already in a radio to be replayed all over again when it was time to listen.

    So she let her hair loose and just let her sweats be. Xiao Mei Zhi was not focused. She returned to her chair, since Jingyi does need her anymore. Even if Jingyi did not say anything, she already know that.

    "You can not convince her at this point even if you did defend her," Doctor Frei said before he sat on his chair facing Xiao Mei Zhi. While the servers placed a plate and foods on their table.

    "You do not want to sit beside me?"

    "No." Xiao Mei Zhi directly responded but then Doctor Frei looked up and started staring deeply at the door. He was listening or observing something that Xiao Mei Zhi and the rest of those normal people can not see nor sense.

    "Doctor Frei is there something wrong?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi asked and Doctor Frei lowered his tone mysteriously.

    "Another group are coming for us."

 Chapter 40 - ? 39 ?

    "Huh?" Xiao Mei Zhi who does not understand the words that Doctor Frei said just massages the sides of her bridge.

    Doctor Frei stood up and his eyes were still gazing at the door, "Xiao Mei, you go eat dinner with them," He then diverted his attention at Mister Shirong who was also looking at there angle.

    "I need to breath some fresh air, Mister Shirong. I hope you would not mind." Doctor Frei told Mister Shirong then he left. Making Xiao Mei Zhi be the same as how Jingyi was now, upsetting their composure of looking at the ground, with their heads eased down.

    Mister Shirong comprehends Doctor Freis gesture so he did not extend more of his time. He knew that he must protect the children and that includes Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Do not worry Miss Zhi. Doctor Frei will be back. He just needed a breath of fresh air." Xiao Mei Zhi who can not leave and do anything just remained placid.

    Even if there was no wrong with breathing of fresh air, there could be a hidden message to it.

    Eerie silence went by on the dining area as they prayed before putting up with the meal. Afterwards, the kids were happily eating up their food, the sound of forks and spoons were clashing.

    Except for one child, it was no other than Jingyi. While Xiao Mei Zhi was taking a chunk to munch on, Jingyi pushed her plate away. It seems she does not like the food nor have an appetite.

    "Can I go up first?" Jingyi obviously asked Mister Shirong steadily without looking at him.

    "Yes you can. But you have to eat your dinner. I will your assigned caretaker to change your food. Alright?"

    With an engaging tone from Mister Shirong, Jingyi nodded before she vacated her chair and deported herself from the hall. Mister Shirong knows how to bargain with kids well that are comparable to Jingyi.

    As for Xiao Mei Zhi who was contemplating the conversation, she chose to let Jingyi do what she wanted. So she did not stop Jingyi in leaving the table and the room.

    Who was she anyway to stop and let Jingyi stay for some time in the room?

    Doctor Frei was also back, him and Jingyi passed by from each other without knowing.

    With Doctor Freis beyond mood that can not be describe, ineffable. Mister Shirong gawked at Doctor Frei and wiped a white cloth on the lips before speaking, "You are back and it seems you are going to leave with Xiao Mei Zhi now?" Mister Shirong then tilted his head on the side to where Xiao Mei Zhi was eating, "Are you almost done with your food?" Doctor Frei asked, she feed herself with a last chunk and bobbed.

    "Now, I am finished with my share."

    Doctor Frei then decently excused himself together with Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Let''s go now." It would not be a good night for them. Mister Shirong agreed with a smile. Mister Shirong who was one of those trusted people that can be sure of Doctor Frei would not ask further questions to why it happened and why it was an urgent business for them to leave the place like that. And Bai Biao who was listening just continued on eating, he knows his limit.

    "You have to wear this watch. It has a gps (Global Positioning System) chip underneath." Doctor Frei told Xiao Mei Zhi as calm as he can be to make her understand his words without a hint of panic or nervousness.

    ''What did Doctor Frei saw outside the orphanage? Why is he acting like this?'' A question coming from Xiao Mei Zhis mind. She stared at the watch while putting it on the left side of her wrist. However, Doctor Frei without any statement harshly clutched her arm as they got out from the room. Gladly, she finished putting the watch on herself.

    "There is a path that connects to a forest. Just go straight and turn to the right side. When you see a tree house just climbed up there. We will meet there."

    "But --"

    "Now go run, they are coming."

    "Who is showing up?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi persisted to ask Doctor Frei. But He pushed her, making her fall in the ground. "Do not turn your face around," Xiao Mei Zhi then find the moment similar to how she left her mother. Would she do the same to Doctor Frei? No.

    She was about to turn around but a loud growl obviously coming from a huge wolf made her wobbled up to stand up and run as far as she can in the path that Doctor Frei instructed her to go.

    She held a arm on her side stomach, ''For the sake of running, I forgot I just finished dinner.'' Despite the darkness, Xiao Mei Zhi has a good sight and it did not obstructed her vision away.

    She snapped off some branch that were blocking her face, there was no time for her to lay down and take a break. The last thing she needed was to ignore what has happened. Doctor Frei was fighting back to protect her just like what Misses Zhi did. And with the same choice, she left them behind.

    Then in the other side of the woods a black figure shows up in Xiao Mei Zhi peripheral viewpoint. Because she was frightened, her camouflage scent got activated. It was an ability that protects her. A gift from the deceased moon goddess. Still, it only last when she stays frightened or have a fear of something before if wore off. The gift that she has was unknown to her. Who would have thought? Only Doctor Frei knows.

    Xiao Mei Zhi needed to find that tree house Doctor Frei told her, and get out in this situation with a strange figure that was chasing her.

    She was running.

    Fast!

    But not that fast. . .

    A recent sharped claws gripped one of her ankle. Xiao Mei Zhi was half kneeling on the dirty, rocky ground of the woods.

    She was trying to kick off the person or creature or whatever that being was. In pain she screamed as she felt a knife digs under her skin.

    "What do you want from me!" She yelled out in irritation.

    "Death." A dreadful voice responded.

    Fear become tangible, the living force that crept over Xiao Mei Zhi was like some hungry beast, immobilizing her ; her brain, holding her captive.

 Chapter 41 - ? 40 ?

    Doctor Frei on the other part smacked a head on the hard, pointed edge of a rock. It was the last vampire that he killed while the left index finger pointing at the upper rooms of the orphanage. Jingyi probably saw him, killing. Doctor Frei has already assumed that Jingyi was not a human. His intuition was not wrong. Jingyis fragrance was mixed with faint vampire and werewolf scent. Affecting Muckbuckles attitude before.

    He can not shift back to his human form like this. He needed to protect Xiao Mei Zhi now. Since he was done protecting the orphanage.

    The visit and the chase were not only because of Xiao Mei Zhi but it also includes Jingyi. The child was born a werepire and its blood has a natural strong genes. The vampires that were against with it wanted Jingyi gone. Including Xiao Mei Zhi with her tempered scent that vampires needed to dominate in the hybrid world.

    Vampires might have find out Xiao Mei Zhis special ability after Misses Zhi died.

    But without even knowing that Xiao Mei Zhis camouflage scent being activated, it was hard for Doctor Frei to find her. The scent has a trick by itself. It blends well on the natures smell.

    Regardless, the heaven did not allow Xiao Mei Zhi to be killed easily. Hot Blood may be sliding down through her ankle, she did what she could to fight back. Picking anything that she can throw at the creature behind her. Which cause her scent to rapidly change. Fear disappeared, it has been replaced with a virtue. A morality to live. Survival.

    Xiao Mei Zhi''s human scent was back. Making Doctor Frei guide himself like a metaphysical rope, leading him towards the path of the tree house that he told Xiao Mei Zhi before. It was got at the center of dense timbers.

    Doctor Frei galloped on the woods, his paws slammed into the cold, dirty paths while dodging low-lying obstacles. The forest was silent, and it got him worry more about Xiao Mei Zhi. Silence was another way to describe danger. Then he saw a figure chasing Xiao Mei Zhi while she was crawling away.

    She was still recovering from her glass splinter injury even if one month has passed. With the additional pain ,she was active enough to keep on going. Escaping.

    Doctor Frei who was waiting for the right time to take action observed the figure. It was another vampire and he knew it was not a weak one to handle with. He keep his body hidden. Then a young person jumped out, facing the opposing opponent that injured Xiao Mei Zhi with an aggressive growl and bared fangs, making the rival startled.

    Whoever the young one was, he or she protected Xiao Mei Zhi and Doctor Frei was now supporting the young one. Trapping the creature.

    "What do you think you are doing!" The young person bit his or her tongue to make him or her self calm down, then for a moment the smell of fresh blood from Xiao Mei Zhi''s ankle got the person mad.

    "You have hurt her?"

    With no mercy, the young protector of Xiao Mei Zhi showed a long, sharp claws. Illuminated with broken shadows from the moon being covered by the trees. Doctor Frei saw the expression of a werepire blood, Jingyi.

    Xiao Mei Zhi who was drained due to excessive energy use while crawling away finally reached the roots connected to the tree house. She sloped her body against it to benefit her irregular breathing. Her sight were beginning to get clouded and even her hearing has has been impacted on.

    Jingyi raced the vampire as it tried to back away but Doctor Frei blocked the way.

    "You are not going anywhere!" Jingyi screamed with a threat. After that her claws scratched the vampires'' back like a fruit peeler, the visible sight of blood squirting out as the muscle palpitated in every small movement that the vampire was doing.

    "Ahh!" The painful howls, the exquisite reaction released by the vampire made Jingyi smirked. It was not enough. So she goes deeper, poking the Thoracic curve in the spine. The vampire braced for the pain.

    The vampire let out another gasp from the pain, shaking from in misery. Jingyi did a major damage. There were a sight of the spinal cord bone, the skin has been thrown somewhere on the path. It was a slow, horrifying scene.

    Nevertheless, Doctor Frei advise Jingyi. "Let this vampire live. I will take him with me." Jingyi halted, glaring at Doctor Frei. Even after a huge loss of blood coming from the vampire, Jingyi knew that the vampire can withstand those scrapes.

    "Are you sure you are an adult?" Jingyi sighed with irritation, she knew that the vampire does not need a chance to survive after what happen to Xiao Mei Zhi. And Doctor Frei understands that and so he said, "I have to bait the other vampires out. And you have to protect and help the children on the orphanage."

    "If you will bait the extra ones, it will just cause more conflict. I will surrender myself to them. I know they want me and not her." Now, Doctor Frei realizes that the isolation and the attitude of Jingyi was to protect the people including the fragile ones that were surrounding her. She already knew at her early age, she has to go through worse than Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "You are still young to understand the different types of vampires. Do you think they actually want you? Only you? Xiao Mei Zhi probably got injured because they want her to die with you too. Both of you are important. Death does not deserve either of you. Now go take Xiao Mei Zhi,"

    Jingyi who wanted to talk back at Doctor Frei just followed his request, she rushed to were Xiao Mei Zhi passed out. With her strength, she carried Xiao Mei Zhi like a baby in her small hands. Xiao Mei Zhi groaned in pain even she was unconscious.

    While Doctor Frei was waiting for Jingyi to lay Xiao Mei Zhi down on his back. It was thinking that it would be a convenient option to do it because he also has a huge wolf form for a beta.

    And When Jingyi successfully placed Xiao Mei Zhi at the back of Doctor Frei he glanced at the large, dark smoke spreading throughout the sky to just recognize it came from the orphanage, "Jingyi, something happened at the orphanage!"

    Without no delay, Jingyi disappeared quickly leaving Doctor Frei in the woods.

    "That kid is really something else," He whispered before grabbing the shirt of the half-awake vampire hostage using one paw, then he pushed Xiao Mei Zhis arm that falls on the side of his fur using his jutting out nose.

    "We will be home soon Xiao Mei Zhi. . My beautiful daughter. just hang on. Please.. We still have a lot to talk about."

 Chapter 42 - ? 41 ?

    Doctor Frei just told Xiao Mei Zhi the role he has on her life even if she was not able to hear it. Doctor Frei only hopes that she will live happily, and give her the life that Misses Zhi should be the one giving it. A mothers love and a fathers protection. It was not to late for him to show how sincere he was to do anything for his daughter.

    Plus, this was not the only unexpected encounter that happened, Doctor Frei already had sensed a lot of Vampires showing up in Tianjin but Xiao Mei Zhi and Misses Zhi did not plan to leave. The Vampires, they probably got a connection with one of the geriatric. Any hybrid could have leaked out the information about Xiao Mei Zhi and Jingyis whereabouts. And this was before Misses Zhis death. Someone already have known this would happen and they initiate their plans with the timing.

    When Doctor Frei got closer to the orphanage, he surveyed the accessible surfaces of the Orphanage. "Damn this vampires!" He cursed and ran to a dark corner within the area. Then he peeked at the wound that was bleeding a lot from Xiao Mei Zhis'' ankle. She was losing a lot of blood. It was a hard time for Doctor Frei since he has no one to help with Xiao Mei Zhi. He needed one person, just one. . . with a small possibility, he crouched down his wolf and gently place Xiao Mei Zhi on the ground. The vampire that was also on his paw breathing as he pulled the vampire that was also looking bad at the juncture.

    "I will be back," Doctor Frei rubbed his face with fur on Xiao Mei Zhis forehead. If only Misses Zhi did not hide her daughter from him.

    As Doctor Frei left the place were he put Xiao Mei Zhi and the half-awake vampire. He directly go for the orphanage main door, running using his wolf. He saw some of his people. Several vampires fought with werewolves in their human form, destroying the calmness of the night.

    Doctor Frei even witness how Mister Shirong squinted at the vampire that was aiming for the children near him while he was holding a fire extinguisher. "Come fight this Chinese man you thirsty mammals! "

    The orphanage was on fire, everyone, including the caretakers were trying to save the children. Others were trapped but Doctor Frei and Mister Shirongs people were outnumbered. The vampire counts were rising. They can not fight back.

    "Mister Frei!" Bai Biao approached him as he turned on the gas-fire bag and pumped its content towards the attackers. He was a good choice to save Xiao Mei Zhi. Doctor Frei then generated his mind-link to Bai Biao.

    "Good timing young man," Bai Biao looked at him with confusion as he was pressing the pumper.

    "I want you to go at the corner of the orphanage, the lower ground that is a meter away from the parking area. There is a dark place with ruined wall, I put Xiao Mei Zhi there and the vampire who hurt her. Go save her! You can use my car, open the hood to get the key. Take them back to the Freis Residence." Bai Biao who was unwilling to leave Mister Shirong and the others from the orphanage got to decide a tough choice.

    "Do not worry, I will not let anything happen to Mister Shirong and the children. Now go save Xiao Mei Zhi!"

    True, Doctor Frei and his people were outnumbered but it does not mean he will let them take over the orphanage as the vampires want to.

    "You think that I did not notice the danger, Doctor Frei?" Doctor Gmeis with Muckbuckle on her side kicked some looming vampires to there angle. She was the one who brought Doctor Freis people. A good plan but not in a better time.

    Doctor Freis wolf howled as it became excited to see that his people were adding up. They were still outnumbered but it could be enough to fight back for now and use the chance to retreat.

    "It will be a long, long night for us."

    An agonizing shout echoed throughout the orphanage. Bai Biao was organizing the weapon he has by bringing it like a shoulder bag before then lifted up his head as he heard the outcry. There was no turning back. He could only rely on Doctor Freis word. And so he carried Xiao Mei Zhi, locked safely in his slender arms. While the vampire was in his back. Bai Biao''s current position can not be pictured out, he was like a luggage transportation.

    Bai Biao did not watch the disputes as he was focus on taking Xiao Mei Zhi safely towards the parking space of where Doctor Freis car was. Fortunately, only two cars were being parked, one was Mister Shirongs car that Bai Biao recognizes and the other car was obviously Doctor Freis. He put up with a speed, and reach Doctor Freis car to open up the hood using his head without letting anyone go from his support. Heavy as they maybe, Bai Biao will carry on his duty. And when he did got the key, Mister Shirong with the children guided and being secured by Muckbuckle has arrived.

    "Mister Shirong," Bai Biao speaks up while Mister Shirong assisted on carrying Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Let me help you carry her. We need to go to the Freis Residence. Doctor Frei told me not to worry about them." Bai Biao nodded. Doctor Frei was responsible. He kept his word. Now he should kept his.

    The kids including Mister Shirong tried to settle down in their sits but Doctor Freis car was not that big enough and since the children does not want to be separated, they were hugging each other, compressing.

    "I will stay." Muckbuckle said as he gets out of the car.

    When Bai Biao started the car''s engine, Mister Shirong directly ask a honest question. "Mister Frei did not change his wolf form, so how did you figure out that?"

    Bai Biao can not lie at Mister Shirong so he replied, "Mainly, I keep my identity hidden and you know that Mister Shirong. I am not just a technical boy, my family are hunters. And I was sent off to Switzerland before. There I met him,"

    "When did you go there?"

    "Not sure. But I think, it was 3 or 4 years ago."

    "Silver Frei." Mister Shirong mumbled and Bai Biao nodded.

    Abruptly, Mister Shirongs reaction as he hold Xiao Mei Zhi on the backseat has slowly changed, his nose and forehead scrunched up, with lines forming between the eyebrows.

    "No, no.."

    "What is wrong, Mister Shirong?"

    "Mister Frei will sacrifice himself. He could have expected this to happen but he did not know that it would be today ," Mister Shirong was taking action in going out of the car but Bai Biao halted him, "Decide what is right for the children and Xiao Mei Zhi! Mister Frei can handle this! Just believe in him, he is a big badass wolf!"

 Chapter 43 - ? 42 ?

    Even if Mister Shirong wanted to know more about how Bai Biao did actually meet Doctor Frei at Swtizerland, he has no rights to cross the line at the circumstances they were facing at these period. Since right now, they were leaving the Bright Sides Orphanage while witnessing a unforgettable scene. Muckbuckle was rushing back as fast as he can from in the distant view and he stole a glanced at them. The environment near the building has evolve into so barbaric that the creatures there did managed to get injured, slay each other off with their bloody rages.

    Three vampires were surrounding Doctor Frei, he shoved the first assaulter, they were arguing furiously. Apparently, the two vampires were not happy of the performance coming from the first one. So they drew themselves closer to Doctor Frei, the chaos just got real. Another vampire jumped behind Doctor Freis wolf, he jabbed the next foe and then his paws were flying. He threw away the recent aggressor.

    At that level, Mister Shirong looked away from a horrifying sight. Then he observed Xiao Mei Zhi, she was looking more paler and he touch her hands. . they were colder than before.

    "Mister Shirong, we should take a shortcut."

    "Do you know where the Freis Residence is?"

    "Yes. Mister Frei communicated with me inside my head. He send me the place with its directions and I know the paths here." Doctor Frei indeed gave the directions in Bai Biaos head. It was not entirely a mind-link before, but an image of the Freis place has been scanned into his thoughts.

    "Then lets choose the quicker way." Mister Shirong looked at the three children from the passenger hugging each other while sleeping, then he glanced at the children that were beside Xiao Mei Zhi, they were also sleeping. He then said, "We have to remove tonights memory of this children. They are innocent humans that does not need to be exposed with another beings in this planet. It will be hard for them if they keep that kind of memory."

    "Well, Miss Zhi is currently suffering from a lot of scenes like this, would it be better if we remove tonights memory too?" Mister Shirong thought for a minute but it was not their choice to make.

    "Let her keep it. Besides, would that be interesting to watch how Miss Zhi would grow, learning more ways of the hybrid world?"

    "Say, Mister Shirong. . Do you think she would survive?"

    "That question should be asked by another person to us too. Can we also survive? You only have weapons, I am also just a human who has a lot of resources. If those vampires would not stop, then maybe the witches will soon betray the werewolves."

    With no further topics and words. The alley trip cleared out quietly. And Bai Biaos'' idea of choosing the shortcutted paths was helping them out. They have reached at the Freis Residence. From the entrance, the poor injured vampire has been forgotten. Bai Biao did not mean to be brutal but he tied the chest with wires at the trunk of the car. He did that when Mister Shirong helped him carry Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Why is the vampire being tied up?" A guard from the gate of the Freis Residence ask and knocked at the drivers window that Bai Biao was sitting on.

    "Doctor Frei?" Bai Biao lowered down the window and when the other guards saw it was not Doctor Frei, they detected the atmosphere that was on the car.

    "Someone inside is badly injured,"

    "Yes, Xiao Mei Zhi is injured." Bai Biao did not know that the entrance in the Freis Residence has strict rules. And so he stated Xiao Mei Zhi out. At the least, it can pass.

    "Let them in," The guards listed to the human-elf who looked at the vampire, "But first take this vampire off from Doctor Freis car. Send it to the witches. Doctor Frei has a reason why he let this one survive."

    After the guards got the vampire off, Bai Biao continue to drive up hill.

    "She is cold and barely breathing," Mister Shirong worriedly said. He was not a healer, he can not do anything. The vampires'' claw did a massive damage in Xiao Mei Zhis ankle.

    "We are almost there, Miss Zhi. Just hold on." Bai Biao said while he was adding speed on the car as he steer.

    "We are here," Bai Biao notified and without any delay, Mister Shirong opened the car door, "Help here!" He called out to Freis people. Gladly they listened to him, "Her ankle is deeply injured by a vampires claw. Save her please. She is important to Mister Frei" Mister Shirong told the hybrids that were helping Xiao Mei Zhi.

    A female wolf did the talking, "We know. We will do everything to save her." And the one who took Xiao Mei Zhi was a witch. In a hurry to save Xiao Mei Zhi, they did not introduce themselves to Mister Shirong.

    Afterwards, Mister Shirong and Bai Biao has been invited to sit down with a cozy surrounding inside the Freis home. However, it was only Mister Shirong who entered Freis home. He was sitting down, facing the electric fireplace. While wiping out the dirt on his face with wet wipes. He wanted to take a warm bath but he was waiting for Bai Biao to sit down with him. . Well, after he did his job on settling Doctor Freis car.

    "Mister Shirong!"

    The children were running towards Mister Shirong. They were being chased by Doctor Freis people.

    "They are going to hurt us!" A child cried out. Bai Biao was also catching up, "They will not hurt you. They will protect every one of you." He calmly tried to convinced the children to not jog out.

    The children were still uncomfortable and crying louder.

    "I will go with them." Mister Shirong stood up from his sit and walked forward towards Bai Biao, "You go take some rest,"

    With a reminder from Mister Shirong, Bai Biao listened.

    "Take some rest, so you can attend in taking care of Xiao Mei Zhi in the next few hours and days."

 Chapter 44 - ? 43 ?

    "By the way, Mister Shirong."

    "Yes?"

    "Do you know where Xiao Mei Zhi is now?"

    "Those who took her did not tell me yet. But, of course, they will tell us soon about Xiao Mei Zhis situation and location."

    Mister Shirong together with the kids and the people who guided them then go separate ways now with Bai Biao in the residence.

    And at the moment, Xiao Mei Zhi stood up, she thought she was awake. While everyone''s attention was on her unconscious body, no one was attending to the border on the room. She eased away from her corpse, and attempted to step on the floor. There was no feeling of coldness. She was senseless.

    She then began to blend into a group of familiar faces that were seen in the Freis Residence. She was being noisy, however, no one seem to see her presence until they move the body.

    Her stomach clenched at the sight of her souless body. It clenched because someone poked her abdomen with a sharp syringe. But why?

    The odor that came from the room grew stronger. And Xiao Mei Zhi can smell it. .

    She does not like outsiders touching her body. What she hated was the syringe, and what she craved to scream was the two various aspects. Without expecting, she got dizzy. Her soul was being held up back to her body like an attraction.

    "We should tell Mister Shirong that Miss Zhi is now stable." A whisper coming from someone who helped Xiao Mei Zhi to survive her critical moment in time spoked.

    While, Bai Biao who was currently sitting in the cozy visitor''s area grab a book to read and it was about the forbidden romance of werewolves and humans. He who does not like courtship-related things put the book down. Then a reflection came into his intellect.

    "Those Vampires. . they knew the orphanages location and attacked with repulsive expression while going for Doctor Freis people." Bai Biao use a low noise as he speaks out what was on his mind.

    He caressed his shoulders against the back comfort from the chair, there was a slight excitement of blood lust vibrating in his veins. The foresight of eliminating those vampires rose up behind his eyes, almost blinding him with a passion to boil them.

    The vampires that attacked the orphanage did trap few other children that know nothing, died in vain. And Bai Biao only has one option and that would be; to locate another hybrid hunters. It was all he could do to avenge those children, besides he would gladly ripped those vampires throats out for annihilating those innocent people.

    Bai Biao needed a drink to cool himself down before he will break or punch somethings closer to him. He stepped away from the chair and made his way out from the guests room.

    "Excuse me,"

    Bai Biao stared at the female person, he concluded that she was part of that young wolf clique. "Yes?"

    "Miss Zhi is now stable."

    "Can you take me to where she is now?"

    "Yes, of course. That is mainly why I am here. If I am not wrong, you are Mister Shirong?" Bai Biao got out a tiny sound of a chuckle but he prevented himself from being uncovered since he was lying, "Yes. I am Mister Shirong."

    "I thought they said you look old."

    "What is your name kid?"

    "My name? I do not think I have one. However, they call me Qiji."

    "A miracle," Bai Biao and Qiji paused in front of a open door.

    "Here we are Mister Shirong. You may check on Miss Zhi so that you can tell Mister Frei about her current condition."

    "Yes, I will tell him."

    "Alright, thank you. I will go now." Qiji waves at Bai Biao and then left him alone with Xiao Mei Zhi. He did not even have a chance to say ''Thank you'' back at Qiji.

    Then he discovered that he missed to get the cold drink that he needed. Yet, he was the only one who was left behind to watch Xiao Mei Zhi. He glimpsed at her with care. . a kind of care that he thought he could ignore it. And the suspicion that he does not want to have nor notice; To like a woman that he can never be with.

    What was his problem anyway? It was not like he already want Xiao Mei Zhi. Through out what happened to them today, it was enough for Bai Biao to avoid encountering emotions that could affect him.

    And liking a opposite sex, was not part of his mission as a hunter.

    "Mother. ." Xiao Mei Zhi called out. She was having a nightmare. Bai Biao who shakes her body to wake up, failed. He did get out of the room to look for help but the corridor was quiet. He was the only one who can help Xiao Mei Zhi.

    So he tugged out a chair that was placed beside the closet, "You should try sharing the pain that you have been hiding," He gradually intertwined his right fingers with Xiao Mei Zhis stiff right fingers as he sat down. He does not like Xiao Mei Zhi at all. He only cared. Just care.

    "Mo. . ther. . please, come back." Bai Biao who was struggling on how to help a woman who has nightmares just planted a kiss on the back of her palm. His seldom, moist lips felt Xiao Mei Zhis coldness. He only did not kissed it once, not even twice , and practically not thrice. He kissed the back of Xiao Mei Zhis right palm five times until he worriedly whispered, "I am here, do not be scared. I am here."

    "I would not let go of your hands. Not until you wake up." Bai Biao added up a word of assurance even if Xiao Mei Zhi could not listen to it.

    He then rested his head on the side of the bed. He was closer to Xiao Mei Zhis waist. Staring at his fingers interlacing with Xiao Mei Zhi carved a term to Bai Biao that he must not let his sentiments take over.

    Or else, everything that the hunters plan will be ruined.

    "I should have not done any of this."

 Chapter 45 - ? 44 ?

    Mister Shirong just got out from the childrens'' room and Qiji suddenly passed by. She was bringing a notebook and wearing a Pikachu shirt that has been dirtied with a stain of water colors. Mister Shirong assumed that Qiji must be fourteen years old, she has this natural light blonde hair, sabled round eyes.

    "How is Miss Zhi?" He asked the kid out of the blue assuming that they knew each other ,still, even if Qiji did not know who he was she answered back.

    "She is in a stable condition and Mister Shirong is with her." Mister Shirong himself was dazed for a second , then he nodded.

    "Ok, Thanks for the information."

    "No problem but who are you?"

    "I am Bai Biao."

    "Hello Mister Biao, I am Qiji and bye Mister Biao. I have to go," Mister Shirong who pretends to be Bai Biao now smiled at Qiji then they both did their business. He does not need to ask the direction and room of where Xiao Mei Zhi was. Mister Shirong knows that she was safe with Bai Biao on her side.

    As for Bai Biao who just freed his eyes to see a sweaty hands intertwined in front of him. He did not realize before that he shut down to his dreamland which made him to forget that he was holding Xiao Mei Zhis hand like he meant to stay forever with her in the room alone.

    Gladly, Xiao Mei Zhi was not cold anymore, her face goes back to its healthy complexion. And Bai Biao was staring at the resting Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "I am glad you are back to normal." Bai Biao confidently said as he got to keep his word relating to Doctor Frei. Which also quickly got him to remember how he manage to find the Freis Residence location : Due to Doctor Gmeis amazing range of memory, she can make a map, a full view of the paths she drove in or memorized and she can use her witch''s power to add up markers to the visual view and to import this kind of power to a human, it needed a help of a werewolf. It needed Doctor Freis company.

    Which means a human hybrid hunter like Bai Biao got lucky that he was able to get those special powers with the help of a witch and a werewolf beta. Even if it only lasted for half an hour. It was part of a terrible and useful memory for him. The irony of how messed up the night was.

    Then a boisterous noise got Doctor Freis people in the residence be alerted inside their respective rooms, including Mister Shirong who was alone, walking in the first floor hallways.

    It was Doctor Frei and few of his people that managed to survive were breathing in, primarily tired so some laid down in the aisle of the house. Mister Shirong darted to Doctor Freis side at the moment he saw him. More people were coming to help Doctor Freis defenders to stand up, eat, sit down and take those who are badly injured to the witches rooms for medical supervision.

    "Where is Xiao Mei Zhi?" Doctor Frei shot a question when Mister Shirong help him up as he was leaning on the wall with blood shades around his crumpled, shabby shirt.

    "She is in a stable condition now and Bai Biao is keeping an eye on her," Doctor Frei grips hard at Mister Shirongs shirt, he must be in great pain while enduring it.

    "I am at eased to know she is fine and let''s follow the witches." Then Doctor Frei murmurs out "However, I have to go pay a visit in Switzerland."

    Mister Shirong only nodded then told him, "I also have to bring the children to a new orphanage. I only contributed with my money but I do not have to abandon them when they do not have nothing."

    Doctor Frei patted Mister Shirongs back, "You are a real man, a father figure that young male adults should follow," He said. He sounded happy since he and his people successfully bypass from the vampires.

    "I already booked a flight."

    "Where and when are you planning to take the children?"

    "After two days, I needed to ask the witches if they can remove--"

    "Mister Shirong, the childrens memory has already been replaced by the witches even if you do not tell them , they know what to do."

    "You are well prepared for emergencies but your heroic sacrifice is not part of that."

    "I can tell you this; Doctor Gmeis was one of those smart witches, so when those vampires appeared, I already gave a signal. Muckbuckles good play was the sign. Except the part that he was unable to control hurting Jingyi. When I did walk out from the dining hall, I was already preparing an optional plan with Doctor Gmeis, and that plan was to make a memory map for your boy Bai Biao to be guided thought-out the escape strategy. In case, I can not come back."

    "No wonder you have a lot of hybrids following your path. But do you have any other plans in escaping when you arrived at that cruel place again?"

    "Pan Shirong, I have been through a lot of hell places. Those vampires always has a reason to attack. They yearn something from us and in return they will quit launching their raids. So why would I ran away there? It would be a useless trip." Mister Shirong then placed Doctor Frei in a patients bed from the witches room as he was still speaking.

    "Then how about Xiao Mei Zhi? Who will guide her if you are gone?"

    "I want Jingyi to guide her for a week besides you would not mind that , right?"

    "No. However, my foster son will be coming here. I am hoping that he could stay here in your residence."

    "That would not be a problem. Did you already enrolled him to a college?"

    "Yes, I just do not know if he is willing."

    Mister Shirong and Doctor Frei had a good time sharing their opinions. He was not just a trusted friend, Doctor Frei sworn with Mister Shirong that they must not be deceived by making a blood oath. It was a brothers promise. He then closed his eyes, "Mister Shirong, thank-you."

    "Do not thank me.. You should say this to Bai Biao."

 Chapter 46 - ? 45 ?

    After twelve hours of recovery, Doctor Frei got a chance to acknowledge Bai Biao, "Thank you for saving Xiao Mei Zhi." Doctor Frei actually did not expect to meet Bai Biao in the second floor pathway. His wolf strength and power helped him gained back the damage cells from his organs, including the broken bones.

    "Mister Frei, I did not know we would meet like this again."

    "So tell me, am I stupid enough to sacrifice myself like that?"

    "Yes. No offense Doctor and I bet Mister Shirong will say the same thing."

    "Sacrificing myself to the vampires will help and benefit everyone to be safe including Xiao Mei Zhi. It may be stupid or heroic for some but for me. . as a father that did not get a chance to do a lot for my daughter because she was hidden away from me. . . I needed to do something that can make her remember me that even if I am not around anymore and she learned late that I am her father at least she knows that I care and still love her dearly." Bai Biao listened.

    And Doctor Frei with no more comment about himself just playfully messed up Bai Biaos'' hair like he was a funny kid, "Plus, I respected how you keep your promise 3 years ago, including the things I owed you yesterday and tomorrow with our deal that remained alive." Doctor Frei move his other hand and took out something from his left side pants pocket, "Here is the picture that I promise to give it back to you."

    Bai Biao smiled as he saw the picture of him and Xiao Mei Zhi, smiling together with a snowman in between them.

    "I already know you admired my daughter but do control your emotions. It will be trouble if you did fall for her, understood?"

    Bai Biao felt guilty, he recalled how he planted a kiss on Xiao Mei Zhis cold hands. It was not intentional, he hardly did not have another choice. Then he admitted that he could just have rubbed his hands with hers. So with white lie, he said, "I know my limits. Besides, she does not remember me."

    "I hope you do know your limits Bai Biao and it is a good thing for Xiao Mei Zhi to forget those memories when she was a kid. It was entirely wrong for both of you to have a memory of being childhood sweethearts. Since your mother betrayed my ex-wife."

    "Still, me and Xiao Mei Zhi knew nothing. We are innocent, I can protect her and you --" Bai Biao raised his tone unexpectedly and Doctor Freis'' eye widened.

    "You have done your job well as a hunter but that is just it. I will remind you, Do-not-cross-the-line." With force he looked away, "Just take me to her room. And do not forget to keep an eye on her while I am away." Doctor Frei then stepped on the right side of Bai Biao and whispered near his ear, "Yet, if I receive a news that you messed with Xiao Mei Zhi our deal is off."

    Bai Biao went silent as Doctor Frei followed him from behind. They were now heading to Xiao Mei Zhis temporary room but before Doctor Frei could enter her room, Bai Biao asked him with a lot of questions.

    "What if my mother did not cheated your ex-wife? Would you let Xiao Mei Zhi stay with me? If I could fixed what has been broken would you let me love your daughter again?"

    Doctor Freis hands were shaking after hearing Bai Biaos words, he can not let another hunter repeat the same mistakes again. "Get lost on my sight now or Stay here to end our deal? You must know that your mother is one of the reason why hybrid creatures like me got divided away from my family." Bai Biao left the area after hearing the things he does not want to know as Doctor Frei closed the door.

    Nevertheless, both of them have another agenda that they privately kept in their mind.

    Bai Biao then jogged to search for a beverage at the kitchen to calm down. However as he remembered what Doctor Frei told him, he whispered it while his dominant hand punch a wall from the kitchen, "Do not cross the line! Understood Bai Biao?" After a minute of releasing a few deep breaths in every other punch, he started removing his hand away from the wall. It was red and bleeding.

    "Shit! I do not think I can continue this mission if I stay here in the Freis Residence," Bai Biao throws his hand on the fridge and get a grip with a cold coke in the can.

    But what would the hunters do to him, if they knew what he did?

    He was unable to think clearly of a way to protect Xiao Mei Zhi and keep the mission going..

    "Brother Bai?" Jingyi who was standing in the door with a dried blood on her neck and knees, crossed her arms staring at him.

    "What? Do not give me that look,"

    "Oh please, as if you never saw me act like this."

    "Why are you here?"

    "You seem to own this place. Are you one of the Frei?"

    Bai Biao shifted his sight by avoiding Jingyi while he took a sip from his coke.

    "Last night was fun, right?" Jingyi taunted him as she poked his coke with her index finger nails.

    "Yeah, tell me about it. I almost died because of you." Jingyi then innocently smiled as she lowered down her index finger and raised up her middle finger at the same time her smile instantly disappeared in just a blink.

    "Say that again or I will use my fangs to kill you," Bai Biao put down his coke together with Jingyis middle finger.

    "Do not threat those who are older than you."

    "Idiot. I am not here to act kiddie kid with you brother Bai. Besides you are liable in killing those harmless children too."

    "What do you mean?"

    "Stop pretending that you are not to blame here," Jingyi then harshly pulled out a banana that has been placed at the center of a counter then she speaks again, "I know you send out my location to those Gamma vampires. Correct?"

    Bai Biao dropped his coke, the contents were spilled out on the clean floor, "If Mister Shirong and Mister Frei finds out about this," Jingyi slaps Bai Biaos face to looked at her, "You surely will die." She even behaved disrespectfully as she faintly smiled at Bai Biao while she positioned her right hand starting to the left side of her neck and slowly going to the right side.

    "Yet, there is only one solution and you know that you must clear this up with the other hunters."

    "By that phrase, you meant I should meet up with them and convince them to change their planning?"

    "Bingo!"

 Chapter 47 - ? 46 ?

    Meanwhile, at the accessible space outside the kitchen hall on the side Doctor Frei overhead the conversation and he was disappointed. He left before he will smack Bai Biaos face. When Doctor Frei thought that he could give a slight trust to Bai Biao, he just ruined his chance.

    As Doctor Frei got back from Xiao Mei Zhis room , Mister Shirong greeted him. "Silver Frei, I think I should take Bai Biao with me."

    "Ok. It would be better for the kids the have a young adult to accompany them when you are busy for instance like talking with another person."

    "Yeah. Also, why did I not see Doctor Gmeis and her companion?" Doctor Frei who does not want Xiao Mei Zhi to be disturbed ask Mister Shirong to go out from the room with him and he agreed. And now they are outside the room, talking.

    "After what happened to us today, Doctor Gmeis took a leave from her work and find some clues about what happened to Misses Zhi."

    Mister Shirong raised an eyebrow, "Is that your ex-wife''s surname?"

    "Yes. To make the long story short Mister Shirong, her body has not been found yet. Even the people that I sent there to check on, they found nothing."

    "Could it be that your ex-wife has done something that offended the vampires? And use your daughter as a bait to lure you out?"

    "Possible. Also, I just noticed that they would not be that desperate if it was simply killing them. If they only wanted the kids. Then those vampires should not have pushed to fight." Doctor Frei did not dare to mention Xiao Mei Zhi and Jingyis corresponding abilities. He wanted them safe and keeping some details hidden was much less of a problem.

    "Were they trying to rebel over another mistake from the past?"

    "It could be but it is a maybe. Still, it would be the best if I visit the witches on the Switz mountains."

    "Sounds like a good plan. I should also be cautious when I am with the children."

    "You must not let your guard down. Always keep an eye for Bai Biao. I do not want you to regret." Mister Shirong giggled, "Why? Bai Biao is harmless."

    "Mister Shirong, sometimes the storms eye changes its direction."

    Doctor Frei then gets inside Xiao Mei Zhis room since he felt that the last phrase was enough to be a excuse to leave. He did not meant to interfere with Mister Shirongs good outlook with Bai Biao, you could actually tell that Doctor Frei was trying to be a responsible friend. Xiao Mei Zhi watched Doctor Frei as he entered the room, they were glaring at each other and sighed long, hoping to get some explanation for what had happened.

    "I almost died because of you and this situation I am in," Xiao Mei Zhi suspected Doctor Frei, she could even recall how miserable she was in the woods.

    However, since she stayed in the Freis Residence, Doctor Frei always knocked on her door when the food has been delivered at her door. She could actually see that Doctor Frei was worried about her well-being, but there was no use in trusting people including him. The wound she got from the timbers was another streak for her to always stay further away from people, not to mention Doctor Frei.

    "If only you have not forced me out from my room. None of this would happen. None!" Her anxiety acquired an escalation from trying to keep it to shouting it out and when Doctor Frei was about to respond back, Xiao Mei Zhi glanced at the door, "Get out!"

    Doctor Frei did not give out any explanation for the time being because he can talk it out with Xiao Mei Zhi once she calms down. And when Doctor Frei closed the door as he stepped out from the room Xiao Mei Zhi wildly throws stuff inside. There was no use of letting Doctor Frei explain to her about what happened. She doubted him without knowing the fact that her father saved her together with Jingyi.

    Xiao Mei Zhi peeked at her ankle that has a wound. She paused. There was only a scar. She expected to see blood, deep cuts and gory view from it. . then she heavily sighed and said, "I forgot, I am the only human here."

    Then a thought got her to stood up quickly, causing her head and body to wobble. ''Jingyi.'' However, her sight started to get dimmer and dimmer on the sides. Probably because she stood up rapidly. ''I must know-how are the children in the orphanage. . are they safe?''

    Still, she needed more rest. She may not know that the witches that healed her was having a hard time, she got into that critical stage of where she was about to lose her life. The vampire that attacked Xiao Mei Zhi has poisonous claws that was the reason why her wound did not show signs of infection but her blood has been contaminated with venom.

    Fortunately for her Qiji entered the room, "Oh my, no. Do not move a lot when you are still recovering miss," she helped Xiao Mei Zhi walk back to the bed. She was getting sleepy.

    "Do you have any news about the children in the orphanage?"

    "Yes, I do miss. They are all safe." Qiji had to lie since she does not want to alert the patient (Xiao Mei Zhi) next to her.

    "Glad to hear that they are safe." Xiao Mei Zhi nodded before she was knocked out by nobody.

    Qiji then facepalmed, "Senior witches are smart to put a air refreshener exclusively for this human to go back to sleep in case she wokes up. Impressive. I should try to learn that sometimes." She observed the sleeping Xiao Mei Zhi. She may look like a kid but just like Jingyi , she also has a part of her memory that can not be erased. Witches can not use their power for themselves.

 Chapter 48 - ? 47 ?

    After hours that has passed onwards, Qiji place a mug on the minimalist table next to her at the same time Xiao Mei Zhi unhurriedly rise up from the bed.

    "You are awake Miss," Qiji poured out a water on the mug as she talks to Xiao Mei Zhi, "Mister Frei wanted to tell you that you must eat dinner with him."

    Xiao Mei Zhi stared at the light above her and confessed, "I do not know what to feel like anymore," Qiji puts down the pitcher that was filled with water and then gave the mug to Xiao Mei Zhi.

    When Xiao Mei Zhi decided to think of adopting Jingyi, she was sure of it. But when that alarming attack from the creature came, she chose to stay singled out. For the safety of everyone.

    "Then do some changes Miss. Try a way to help your self. If somebody suggested you that you have to do this for your sake, then maybe you should try it."

    "I attempted to, but it almost killed me for my sake they say."

    "I know nothing about you. You know nothing about me. We only have one similar connection," Xiao Mei Zhi closed her eyes for a second then she open her eyes to gave out a stare at Qiji, "Tell me,"

    "Life." Qiji genuinely was interested in Xiao Mei Zhis reaction but instead of getting one, Xiao Mei Zhi just move her shaky legs.

    "Take me to the dining spot."

    Xiao Mei Zhi got Qiji off guard with her phrase but it only lasted two seconds then Qiji nodded, "Then let me help you get there."

    It was not easy for Xiao Mei Zhi in every step she take. She was still dizzy. Still, she confidently look well from the outside. Qiji who was helping her smiled at the people that were looking at them.

    "Are we almost there?" Xiao Mei Zhi inquired with no evidence of standing unwell.

    Qiji responded, "Almost, Miss. Just continue walking."

    Xiao Mei Zhi did not blurt out another word after they reach the room and Qiji quickly choose a chair for Xiao Mei Zhi to sit on.

    "It seems she is well now," Mister Shirong said.

    Xiao Mei Zhi disregarded the dizziness that pokes on her temples as she speaks, "How are the children in the orphanage?"

    Bai Biao then entered the room, "They are fine." While Jingyi who was under the table pulling a thing that fell off from her peeks out, "Half are gone," she declared.

    As for Qiji who does not understand anything just waited for Doctor Frei to show up. At the same time, Jingyi was now sitting back to her chair.

    "Why are we all here?" Xiao Mei Zhi naturally raised a question for everyone to answer, however, she only got the obvious response, "Let''s just wait for Silver Frei to tell us," Mister Shirong was the one who told her.

    "Why is my name being called out?" Doctor Frei walked inside with a portable polyester folder that contains a lot of files that Xiao Mei Zhi and the rest needed to know.

    Mister Shirong who was older than Doctor Frei commented on the folder, "Is this a dinner-meeting?"

    "Yes," Doctor Frei did not meant to slam the folder on the free table area but it already escalated, a loud smack echoed.

    "What are we going to talk about?" Mister Shirong placed his elbows on the table as he studied the plates that were already there on. It was likely rude for the others but Mister Shirong only did that to rebel against Doctor Freis plan. He already know half about it. Leaving Tianjin and go back to the location he loathed the most.

    Doctor Frei with no additional delay, he opened the folder. "I should start talking about what would Qiji do, since she is new here."

    "Qiji has been found in a overcrowded part of an urban street." The details about Qiji has been explained by Doctor Frei to let Xiao Mei Zhi know that Qiji has no suspicious background and overall a good partner for her. After Doctor Frei discussed her background, he then go shared the task that she was about to do.

    "Qiji is here for Xiao Mei Zhi as a lookout since I would not be here for the next few months or probably a year," Doctor Frei then gave out the papers from the folder to Qiji.

    "Here is the detailed schedule and lists of additional information about the members in my pack."

    "Now, I would like Jingyi to get enrolled in the same school as Xiao Mei Zhi."

    Mister Shirong bobbed his head, "That would not be a problem. There''s a college and high school buildings in the same location. Which means they are schoolmates."

    "Which academy did you enrolled Miss Zhi?" Bai Biao curiously ask.

    "Here is the details for you Jingyi. I will be your big uncle from now on since your papers on the orphanage got burnt, Mister Shirong will handle that." Doctor Frei said, making Bai Biao presence unnoticed as he transferred the papers.

    "Which academy?" Bai Biao repeatedly ask.

    "Tianjins Perfroming Arts Academy, it has the photography classes that Xiao Mei Zhi likes."

    Xiao Mei Zhi who was still unsteady grasp her plate, she needed to eat instead of giving attention to Doctor Freis discussion.

    "Alright, any suggestions? Just in case the two of you are not satisfied on the chores." Doctor Frei directly look at Jingyi and Qiji.

    The two minors was just silently reading the paper they got. Subsequently, they nodded at Doctor Frei.

    "Ok. Then I will proceed now to Xiao Mei Zhi''s duty."

    Xiao Mei Zhi deeply sighed as Doctor Frei mentioned her name , the long round dining table that has been occupied by them gradually became noisier.

    "You will be meeting up with a psychotherapist to make sure you can handle your studies well than before."

    "That would be a good plan for her," Bai Biao who does not know Xiao Mei Zhis situation just agreed, because he could tell that she can do better in the future.

 Chapter 49 - ? 48 ?

    Doctor Frei continued talking about Xiao Mei Zhi''s work in progress as he provided her the details on the paper.

    "Aside from the treatment, you must bare all the hardships."

    Xiao Mei Zhi glared at Doctor Frei as if he does not see how much she was struggling to survive without her mother by her side. She wanted to decline the needs that Doctor Frei said however, if she would not follow then. . perhaps Misses Zhi died in vain.

    "Qiji and Jingyi will be keeping an eye on Xiao Mei Zhi. It would be even better if Xiao Mei Zhi could learn how to fight so she can protect Qiji and Jingyi too." Doctor Frei said with a hint of advice that was directing to Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "Also I prepared gifts for the three of you to communicate," Doctor Frei took out a remote with a blue button and pressed it with his right thumb. Then four people appeared, walking towards the table. They are bringing white, small boxes.

    "Give it to them," Doctor Frei ordered the three people that has the boxes while the single one who did not have a box explained the details of the item, "This is a new model phone, made by Freis company. The applications that are necessary for your daily life has been installed. It is built as water proof and gun base. Also, in possibility of emergencies just dial the number seven. Any questions?"

    "What is the phones brand?" Bai Biao asks.

    "Legacy."

    Doctor Frei created a legacy as an inspiration to get in touch with his daughter in the future which was Xiao Mei Zhi. He also has another business but he was doing it for the pack to survive, without this industry then werewolves, witches, elves and many more hybrids to mention will not be able to see and understand the human world.

    "Am I allowed to speak?" Xiao Mei Zhi raise her left hand like a clueless student. In addition, she stared deeply at the plate in front of her.

    "You are already speaking so.." Doctor Frei said as Xiao Mei Zhi started talking, "Why are you telling us what to do and in such a detailed manner? Are you leaving or what?" Mister Shirong glanced at Doctor Frei then he shifted his view at Xiao Mei Zhi, "See, I will not be around to watched my people here. Which means I need to rely on each and everyone to do their task well. Including Bai Biao and Mister Shirong but there jobs are different from the three of you."

    "Let''s not forget, my foster son will arrive here and I already told Mister Frei about this which got us in an agreement that Xiao Mei Zhi will guide him," Mister Shirong stated out.

    "Me? Why me? I have my issue to solve. I can not make another time with what kind of creature that person is." Xiao Mei Zhi reacted rudely at Mister Shirong which got Doctor Frei to insert in between the conversation, "You have no rights to reject this simple task as Mister Shirong and I already agreed upon by this and it has been printed out which means the papers you are reading and holding right now are yours to follow and keep."

    In shock, a sudden onset of frustration got Xiao Mei Zhi cursed, "Takoyaki!"

    Then she added, "This is invading my rights to decide,"

    Doctor Frei knew that however, for Xiao Mei Zhis safety he made a list for everyone to keep on watch for her even if he would not be around in the residence. That was part of his main goal as a father.

    "And here are your papers," Doctor Frei distributed the rest of the sheets to Mister Shirong and Bai Biao. But something was off between Doctor Frei and Bai Biao, they were both having an alarming attitude towards each other. Xiao Mei Zhi noticed that but only for a quick time.

    "I am thirsty," Mister Shirong interrupted Doctor Frei and Bai Biao as they hold the edge of the paper, "Yes sir, water coming right up," The active maid took the glass on Mister Shirongs side and poured the water on it.

    "Are you not going to let go of the paper Doctor Frei?" Mister Shirong reminded him. Thankfully, Doctor Frei let go of the paper and Bai Biao coughed up.

    "Should I get the foods now?" The maid asked Mister Shirong instead of Doctor Frei, "Should I do the honor?" Mister Shirong asked Doctor Frei but Jingyi told the maid to do it, "Go get the foods now. This adult talks are making me dizzy and hungry."

    Doctor Frei nodded at the maid and it was the cue to serve out the food for dinner.

    "Am I the only one who is seeing the soup turn cold in the center? No one noticed it? Or is it my illusion?" Xiao Mei Zhi said as she yank the table cloth.

    Literally , Doctor Frei did not mind the soup at first since he was to busy focusing on what to say to them and thought about the tasks he listed down , was he being harsh? No. He was sure it ain''t that hard for them to comply including Xiao Mei Zhis current state.

    "By the way," Mister Shirong pulled out a blood-stained gun that was on his belted waist under his shirt, "Are you surprise?" He leveled it up to Bai Biao forehead. That was uncalled for. Yet, Doctor Frei was not startled. This scenario has happened a long time , if Mister Shirong do that gestures it means that he wanted that person to be truth worthy enough for him to be at eased on every ideal step he will take. Mister Shirong might wondered what Doctor Frei told him earlier. Guess he made a choice back then. A test of courage and loyalty.

    "Bai Biao , I like that you are here and there protecting us," Mister Shirong move his desert eagle nearer to Bai Biaos forehead, while Bai Biao smirked. "Someone like me should not be scared to get shot or killed."

    Mister Shirong gradually pulled the trigger. While Xiao Mei Zhi, Jingyi, Qiji and the maids that were there was expecting a bang but it did not happen.

    There was no bullet.

    Bai Biao went wide-eyed. Doctor Frei let out a chuckle as Mister Shirongs gaze drifted casually to the arrival of the foods that was no being placed at the table.

    "That was not a funny trick Mister Shirong," Bai Biao stated with an uncomfortable laugh.

    "It was not. I hope you can stay in touch with me after this dinner." Bai Biao relaxed his back at the support of the chair.

    "I will be."

 Chapter 50 - ? 49 ?

    Mister Shirong gave his precious gun to Bai Biao, "Take care of it, for me."

    "Now, I shall give a reason for Xiao Mei Zhi to understand why Doctor Gmeis suddenly disappeared." Doctor Frei then inserted and started explaining while taking a glance at Xiao Mei Zhi.

    As for Xiao Mei Zhi, she was dazed because of what Mister Shirong did. She was not scared of the gun, however, it recalled her mothers'' last moment when she was stab on her chest.

    "Xiao Mei Zhi, are you feeling unwell again?" Qiji asked as she peeked on Xiao Mei Zhi''s current expression. She was straightly just pausing her stare at the wall.

    "When Doctor Gmeis left the orphanage she already told me if she would not be here at the residence then she must be on vacation. Enjoying life, forgetting the moment that she is a Doctor." Doctor Frei continued explaining not even knowing Xiao Mei Zhi was not fully listening to his phrases. Of course, she still listened half of his words but the rest were being thrown out on the other side of her ear.

    "So that is how Doctor Gmeis decided to get a break from work with Muckbuckle." Doctor Frei finished telling the side story, and Xiao Mei Zhi just nodded in spite of feeling a little dizzy.

    What did Doctor Frei talked about? She does not even know anymore. She only heard the part of Doctor Gmeis must be on vacation. The rest was causing her to have a hard time of hearing. Still, when the food got serve she ate a lot to get back her strength.

    And after the dinner, Xiao Mei Zhi got no interest in hearing the related discussion about the other peoples life. Qiji was the one who keeps her up to date.

    However, Xiao Mei Zhi looked down when Qiji started talking, "Are you able to start accepting what we really are?" An out of the blue question from Qiji that she does know what to say. She sighed heavily. Qiji understand the situation that Xiao Mei Zhi was in, so she did not have to force her to answer it instantly.

    "Miss Zhi, I may be young at age but I understand how my question affects you. You do not have to answer it for now. Special creatures like me can wait," Xiao Mei Zhi did not stop herself from looking down and she unhurriedly stood up from her seat, "I have to dismiss myself." She said and bowed before leaving her chair. Qiji on the other followed her quietly.

    Still, Xiao Mei Zhi heard what Doctor Frei said even if she was slowly walking out, "Live your life happily. That is all I can do for you and the word of protecting you, as a promise to your mother and my duty."

    Doctor Frei and the others was eyeing at her from behind as she fled from their sight. In extension of the uneasiness she felt , she moreover disliked having a person following her. It was obvious , yet Qiji would not allow to let Xiao Mei Zhi go alone to whatever destination she will take. Qiji grab all the papers that she needed to hold onto before she left the room with Xiao Mei Zhi.

    "You do not have to follow me here,"

    A high pitched noise coming from the door echoed in the second floors hallway as Xiao Mei Zhi held up her head high, inhaling deeply, Qiji who was staring at her continued watching.

    "You can go and disappear now," Xiao Mei Zhi told Qiji as she eased her head.

    Qiji placed her hand on the vacant part of a small flower desk while her other hand was holding the papers, including Xiao Mei Zhis''.

    "Here, you forgot this Miss." She reached out the papers with a smile on her face. She was trying to make it less awkward in facing Xiao Mei Zhi.

    Xiao Mei Zhi hold the edge of the paper but Qiji did not plan to release the papers to her. Not yet. Qiji has something to say to Xiao Mei Zhi, "Why do you have to portray a cold type of person when you really are not?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi release her grip from the paper and turned around to close her door. "Wait!" Qiji quickly halted Xiao Mei Zhi with her foot blocking the side of the door. She wanted to confess in front of Xiao Mei Zhi that they will be meeting a psychologist tomorrow for the therapy , still Qiji resisted herself from saying it. So she decided to say a different phrase.

    "I know it is not part of my business, however, I want you to know that everyone here is trying to help you. Appreciate this things now before you will regret it later." Qiji was hoping that Xiao Mei Zhi could slowly get used to it.

    "I do not have to talk much with this kind of stuff. I want to rest so let me be."

    "There are a lot of questions that you avoided hearing," Qiji tried to held up the papers again at Xiao Mei Zhi''s face, "Just take this. I will repeatedly bother you even if it pisses you off."

    Xiao Mei Zhi closed her eyes with her nose bridge wrinkling. Qiji was exactly getting to her nerves now with out any statements she grab the papers harshly and pushed Qiji out of her door way.

    Qiji screamed outside her door, "Do not give up!" It sounded like it was meant for her. She was making her way further to the corner of her room. The demons inside of her head remained. She sorted the clothes that were on the ground, then she spotted a silver platinum chunky padlock chain, sparkling.

    The chain was found from one of the pocket of her pants that she wore when running away as Misses Zhi got surrounded by those unknown people.

    And it triggered back a memory that slowly showed visions on her sight of how Misses Zhi look at her with agony on her eyes as the knife was being stabbed into her chest.

    The lingering sharp pain cause Xiao Mei Zhi to suffocate. Chest pain.

    "Wake up," A soft voice of a female whispered.

    "Mother,"

    Xiao Mei Zhi gripped her hands hard on the armrest as it was shaking, her eyes were gradually trying to open and see the view however, a pool of tears were blocking it.

    "Welcome back, Xiao Mei Zhi."

 Chapter 51 - ? 50 ?

    The quiet noise coming from a nestled steel balance ball in the table was the first thing she spotted.

    ''Where am I?'' When she realized the answer of her question that was currently running in her thoughts she heavily sough.

    Xiao Mei Zhi quickly looked on the opposite side and wipe her tears. It has been two days and here she was, in front of a psychologists.

    "This is ridiculous." She stood up, opposing the treatment. Still, the doctor stop her from leaving the room with just a steady tone for Xiao Mei Zhi to give attention to.

    "The result I found after I did a rapid study on your expression while you were sleeping and how you acted out like this, is because you have a fear of trusting people. You have a hidden development of a Pistanthrophobia."

    Xiao Mei Zhi continued to walk until her right hand eventually held on the doorknob, "Walk out now in my office and you will regret it. Your phobia will get worse and it is just starting." The psychologist did not tried to prevent Xiao Mei Zhi from leaving, yet, it was enough for her to just flee the therapy and that so-called phobia.

    And Qiji who was in the restroom just got out. Not knowing Xiao Mei Zhi already left the place.

    Xiao Mei Zhi think through what she was trying to ignore in fixing it all by herself. Her own efforts. Can she abandon it? The findings that she heard from a doctor, did she regret knowing it?

    Doctor Frei and the Pschologist were friends, he suggested the treatment for Xiao Mei Zhi to grow up and learn the purpose of her life, of course, the requirements of getting Jingyi and to trust people around her too.

    Will she back down now?

    Xiao Mei Zhi intersected the pedestrian path, with an average thought that made her forget reality for a second and got her shoved side to side in between a two people that just passed by.

    They were firing on glares at Xiao Mei Zhi. It was not like she wanted to plan on bumping close to them. She rolled her eyes as she go peacefully on walking towards a coffee store.

    While she was about to order, the two people that she bumbed before was behind her, "Hey you," the left male in the corner of her left shoulder said.

    "Do not scare her," One of the coffee crew that attended Xiao Mei Zhi notified.

    "We are not scaring her," The right male in the corner of Xiao Mei Zhi''s right shoulder gently declared openly.

    "We only wanted to asked her if she can help us out."

    "Let her order first," the left person suggested.

    Xiao Mei Zhi was a little bit tensed as she waited for the two people to move away from her. It was those one scenario that she does not want to see and feel ; followed by strangers.

    She can tolerate those people that willingly introduce themselves to her, however, at the moment. .it was different. She can not tolerate strangers so she will turn her back at them after telling the worker her order, "One Caramel Coffee Base,"

    "Espresso?"

    "Yes, with a lot of whipped cream."

    "Also, drizzled with a caramel sauce?"

    "Yes please." She needed a coffee to calm down the mettle that were shaking physically.

    "Alright," The worker smiled at Xiao Mei Zhi and place a paper in front of her in the available desk area with words written down : Be careful. -Raven Reed

    She nodded before glancing to the view of the room, getting at an available table and chair to sit on.

    "Hey girl, I know you can hear me." The right side male smirked at her as the other guy delayed Xiao Mei Zhi in taking another step. She was not in the mood, enraged by what the caked face looking guy did , she kept the annoying feeling down in her stomach.

    The man who was in the right side introduced himself first with a distinct apology, "Fine. I won''t annoy you more. I am Seven, sometimes they call me Zev." He has a low rounded eyebrows with a pair of honey eyes.

    "I am also Beat, just like the music however you are blessed since that is what my name is." In the left corner the man also acquainted himself to her.

    Xiao Mei Zhi wanted nothing better to just drink her coffee silently. And the type of crowd she was in ain''t helping. ''Calm down, they needed your help. They say.'' She swallowed the annoying impression she have for the two people as she pushed Beat away from blocking her path.

    "Oi, that was not nice." Beat told Xiao Mei Zhi however, Seven tap Beats shoulder to halt him, "She must be uncomfortable," he whispered at Beat while sniffing the atmosphere, "There are vampires here,"

    Xiao Mei Zhi was not that nice, Beat got some parts of the words that poked her on going anxiety.

    She turned around to see Beat and Seven merrily support each others body with their arms around each others shoulder.

    "Girl, can you tell us where the airport is?"

    Xiao Mei Zhi was now standing six meters away from them, so she loudly said the directions, "Go out from the coffee place, take more than one hundred steps before crossing the next road. Then choose a cab, ask them to send you two of the airport. Easy." She explained then resumed on heading to the chair she pick to sit down.

    Beat wiggled his flat bushy eyebrows while looking at Seven with his gold brown visions, then both of them nodded before looking at Xiao Mei Zhi who was now silently drinking her coffee after obtaining it from the waitperson.

    Seven deserted the stand point he was in and with a blink of an eye he sat down in front of Xiao Mei Zhi. She did not know that Beat was on watch out for the vampires and Seven was trying to protect the fragile humans. Xiao Mei Zhi, Reed and the other buyers that dined in.