“Seungho-yah!” A girl screeched, stumbling as she ran looking back at him.“Keep Running!! Don’t! Don’t Stop!” Seungho yelled after the girl right before he turned around smashing his fist into the predator’s face. He growled at the killer whose face he had just bloodied.“You know your brother won’t let her live! Despite your efforts, she’ll die!” The malicious predator laughed while choking on his blood, Seungho glared at him with bloodthirsty eyes. He, forcefully, released him and ran after the girl fighting more predators along the way. The only thing he could do at the moment was protect her.Seungho had to protect her from his own kind.He caught up to her in no time, grabbing her arm, he pulls her back.“Let go! Let go! Le-““It’s me! It’s me!”“Seungho-yah!” She gasped seeing Seungho’s state. His mouth and clothes were covered in blood and blotches of it stained his pale skin.“Don’t worry about me—this way, hurry!” He pulled the girl by her hand, looking around as he trailed into a dark path that only he knew about.“This is my fault…I’m so sorry.” Her eyes began to tear up. Seungho turned to look at her.“It’s alright, I heal quickly, remember?” He said, trying in his best way to assure her. “I just need you to focus and do as I tell you to, okay?”“O-Okay.” She said weakly, trying her best to calm down.“They’ll be waiting for us at the bottom of the mountain. I need you to run as fast as you can. Don’t stop and don’t look back, just keep running in the direction I point to. Okay?” The girl began to cry, which only made Seungho frustrated. “OKAY?! DON’T FORGET WHAT I TOLD YOU!”“Okay! I won’t!” She said, frantically wiping the tears from her eyes as she looked into Seungho’s. Those glowing, red eyes that were so full of hate and blood thirst while the tips of his fangs lightly touched his bottom lip when he growled. She noted how his dark black hair and clothing made his skin radiate beautifully under the moon.This was the other side of him that she had recently found out about, but it didn’t scare her because this was Seungho.They neared the bottom of the mountain, Seungho let go of her hand and the girl became fearful. She saw them; all of them, hiding in the dark shadows, and the only thing that gave her strength just then were Seungho’s spoken words.“Promise me something…Promise me…that you’ll never return here. Ever again.”The calming and sweet sound to Seungho’s voice left her with sadness and pain. She nodded slowly as a tear ran down her cheek. This was the least she could do for him. She was the reason for the state he was in, but it broke her heart to know that she would never see him again.“I promise.” She said stiffly and Seungho pointed to the direction she was to run to. She gasped and ran as fast as she could with everything she had. She fought against the urge to look back and she held her fisted palm to her heart in order not to do so. As soon as she took off running, Seungho jumped up into the air, landing in front of the path the girl had taken off to. All the vampires swarmed in to attack him.She breathed out quick and sharp breaths as she left behind the monstrous noises that filled the forest behind

her. Tears streaked down her face as she tried to avoid the thoughts of Seungho in pain and as soon as she got home she felt relieved, but the guilt consumed her. She cried out painfully and curled up in her bed.Seungho panted, his arm pressed against his torso, as he struggled to stand up. He was covered in blood—some of it was his and some of it was from the ones he had killed.“We’re going to kill you for what you did!”“Stop.”Seungho’s eyes widened at the sound of the familiar voice. A man’s shadowed figure came into view once he was in the moonlit path. He looked at Seungho from head to toe. The man only frowned when he noticed the corpses from the vampires that surrounded his feet.“Hold him.”The followers quickly pinned Seungho against a tree. Seungho winced and growled as he saw the man before him.“Little brother, do you know how much trouble you are in?” Jihoon stared at him with cold, dark eyes. He was disappointed in Seungho. “I should kill you, you know that?”“Then do it.” Seungho said fearlessly as he glared at Jihoon.“That’s what you want, isn’t it?”“More than anything.”Jihoon angrily bit his lip, drawing a light stream of blood to flow down his chin. He grabbed Seungho’s chin forcefully and looked into his eyes, piercing him with an intense focus. Seungho cried out in pain. Blood began to flow out of his mouth, eyes, ears and nose which made his whole body tremble.“How does it feel?” Jihoon whispered into Seungho’s ear. “This is…what you want, isn’t it…brother?” Jihoon licked the younger vampire’s ear slowly, savoring the taste of his blood that poured out from his internal wounds. Seungho’s head slowly started to slide to the left lifelessly. “Death isn’t an option for you. You know that.” Jihoon signaled a follower to bring forth a meal. Jihoon walked over to the trembling human and quickly gashed his sharp nails across the prey’s neck. Seungho quickly gained strength when he smelled it—that sweet smell that he had longed for.He clenched his jaw as Jihoon held the fresh meal in front of him.“You know this is the only way you can heal from an injury of this degree.” He gave this evil, satisfied smile at Seungho, which the other vampire only found repulsive. “I know you’re hungry.” Jihoon became irritated and pressed the human’s bloody wound to Seungho’s mouth when the other refused to take it. “DRINK IT!” Seungho couldn’t resist it. His mouth trembled as he fought against his hunger. It was stronger than his resistance. Seungho opened his mouth and dug his fangs deep into the wound.Jihoon smiled and ordered his followers to leave them alone. Seungho’s wounds healed before he drained the human He slowly stood up straight.“I think it’s best if I leave someone with you.” Jihoon spoke as he walked over to the human and ended his life before he turned. “I’m not a child who needs to be looked after.”“This incident won’t be repeated again. If more humans find out about our existence…” Jihoon narrowed his eyes at Seungho.

“So, now this has become my fault? I didn’t ask her to come back!”Jihoon only chuckled. “Maybe...you just didn’t properly warn her the first time. You don’t need to associate yourself with humans, Seungho. All you need to know is how to kill them. Everything else…is useless.” Seungho turned away from Jihoon. “I’ll kill her myself this time since you seem to be having difficulty.” Seungho growled at him and Jihoon only laughed at the other’s reaction. “Why are you becoming so burdensome...is it because I left you?” Seungho tightly balled his hands into fists. “Seems I struck a chord.”“You didn’t strike anything!” Seungho angrily growled and grabbed a fist full of Jihoon’s shirt wanting to kill him just then.“Oh no? Then why are you so worked up?” Jihoon teased.“SHUT UP!” Seungho breathed deeply as he let go of him. He slowly grew to hate the man he once looked up to.“Do you honestly believe that saving one pathetic life would redeem you of all the lives you took from the past?” Jihoon’s words stabbed Seungho deeply, so much so that he hung his head low. “Nothing can ever take that away, Seungho. Nothing. You did it because you wanted to. You were a bloodthirsty killer, a strong one at that.” Jihoon spoke seriously as he narrowed his eyes at Seungho.“I became what you made me and you're wrong…I was able to save one life. At least one…today.” Seungho slowly looked up into Jihoon’s eyes.Jihoon looked at Seungho with an expressionless face. “She’ll be dead by tomorrow night. I'll make sure of it. Now...let’s go. The sun is coming up.” Seungho stood still as he watched Jihoon leave. ‘She’ll be long gone by then…’ Seungho thought, his eyes softening as he looked in the direction that the girl ran off to. “Don’t come back.” He whispered into the silent breeze.She stared at her bleeding finger, reminiscing about that night of horror years ago. The blood slowly dripped off her finger and the yelling voice in the back of her thoughts snapped her out of her trance.“Mom…Mom!”“Joon.” She whispered silently as she grabbed a napkin and wrapped it around her cut finger. With a gentle smile she walked over to her son’s room, grabbing the item she knew he was going to ask for. “Do you know where my gym bag is at?” Joon yelled as he crouched down to look under his bed. “Where did I put it” He whispered to himself.“Are you looking for this?” She asked as she leaned on the door frame. Joon looked over and smiled. “Yeah! That’s it!” He went over to her and kissed her cheek. She smiled and handed him the gym bag.

“You have everything you need?” She asked as she made her way over to his side. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I do.” Joon said as he looked around with a toothy grin. She stared at her son with a small smile before the corner of her lips turned down. “Joon why that school?” “Hm?” Joon looked over to his mom and sighed at her expression, he knew that sooner or later she would have this face on her. “Mom…” He started as he sat on his bed before pulling her gently to his side. “Because it’s a good school and it’s close to the University I want to go to. And…” Joon hesitantly said the last word quietly. “What?”

Joon chuckled and smiled gently at his mother. “It’s nothing~” He shook his head.“Tell me.” She assured him, pulling his chin up gently.“I just…have this feeling it would be a good experience for me.”She couldn’t help but smile and embrace him tightly in her arms as long as she could.“Aw, mom, c’mon don’t get mushy~” Joon said smiling as he hugged her.“I’m going to miss you.” She pulled back slowly, taking another look at her son’s face. “My little boy…” She whispered.Joon smiled coyly and chuckled. “I know. I’m going to miss you too. But, I’m a man now.”She only giggled and kissed his cheek. “Just…be sure to call me.““Don’t worry I will, every day and every hour!” He joked holding his hand up like a boy scout. “Thanks for letting me do this, mom. I’ll do my best…I love you.”He says as he held her hand and kissed it.“I love you too…Just…please…be careful.”“I will…nothing bad is going to happen.” Joon said smiling at her. She looked at her son and seeing Joon’s smile struck her deeply. She feared for her son immediately but it was only her nerves and thoughts getting the best of her. She looked at him and smiled, her hand gently placed on his cheek.“I’ll help you.” She suggested.“Okay!”

-----At the Airport-----

“Hey, mom?”

“Hm?”

“You spent your summer there, right?” Joon asked as he looked over the brochures the school sent

him.

“Yeah, it’s a beautiful place. It’s refreshing.” She smiled remembering how cool the weather was and

how the air smelled of pine trees after a rainy day. Joon only looked at his mother’s face and smiled.

“What about the people, are they nice?”

“Mhm. They’ll love you, don’t worry. Especially, the girls.” She nudged her son and giggled.

“Aaaah~ mo-mom!” He whined and blushed. She giggled finding Joon’s shyness adorable. “Well, what

about places? Is there a place that was your favorite?”

“Ah! Yes, there’s a café down by the library. The shakes are really good there. Hm, there’s a town

dance club that’s pretty decent. It’s easy to make friends there. Hmm…”

“Mom, I mean a…special place. That no one else knew about. One that you liked.”

“Oh…” She blushed. “There’s this lake in the forest. It’s peaceful, beautiful. Tall trees surround it and

after a rainy day the leaves are bright green. It makes you feel happy. It’s even more beautiful at night

when the moon and stars reflect on the water. It’s like...love. You can’t stand how beautiful, how

perfect it looks that you just can’t look away from it. It pulls you in, wholly.” Joon could only imagine

the place and he couldn’t help but blush at his mother’s words.

“Love?” He questioned himself. “Mom, were you in love?” he asked only teasing her.

She looked at him and blushed. She giggled and nudged him. “Don’t tease me.”“It’s okay. As long as it was before dad.” Joon laughed lightly.“Joonie, don’t be silly. I was a teenager back then.”“FLIGHT 186 NOW BOARDING –”“Oh, that’s me!” Joon said as he got up and gathered his belongings.“Okay. Don’t stay out too long and study hard. Stay healthy.” Joon only chuckled at his mother’s words and the worry she hid behind them.“I know, mom. I won’t be a burden on my relatives. I promise.” He leaned close to kiss her forehead. She leaned into him and hugged him tightly.“I have something for you.”“What is it?”“Mm, it’s a charm. To protect you from anything…bad.” She pulled out a little box from her pocket and handed it to him.“A charm?” He began to chuckle, taking the tiny box from his mother. “You believe in these things?”“Yeah, I guess so.” She chuckled. “It’s yours now.” She smiled at him and caressed his cheek one last time.“Bye, mom.”“Bye, Joon. Take care of yourself.”“I will, I’ll call you when I get there.”“Okay.” She fought back the tears as she waved to him. ‘Seungho-yah…if you meet my son…if something happens…please protect him as well.’ She thought and prayed deeply. Joon looked at his mom one last time before boarding the plane. He breathed out the unsettling anxiety from the pit of his stomach.‘Here I go.’ He thought to himself as he boarded the plane.“We’re so glad you’re here. I’m sure you’ll make yourself at home in no time.” Joon’s aunt spoke, giving him a hearty welcome to their home. After showing him around the place, the atmosphere made Joon feel at ease. It was better than what he expected.“Hey, Uncle, can you show me where the school is at?” Joon hesitantly asked.“Of course! We’ll go after we eat, okay?”“Okay.” Joon smiled and walked beside his uncle, who patted his shoulder and made Joon jolt. There was no doubt that he was nervous about beginning in a new school, as well a new town and lifestyle. He only hoped that this would be an experience he’d never forget.

------Evening Walk------

“Well, what do you think? You think you can remember the way to school?”

“Ha, Ha! Yeah, just go down the street to the other side.” Joon responded with a cheeky smile.

“Oh! I have to mention this beforehand, every month we’ll be gone for a week since we have to go to

the next town for business purposes. You’ll be able to handle the house on your own, right?”

“Oh! Uh, ye-yeah I’ll be fine.” Joon nervously scratched the back of his head.

“No house parties though.” His uncle chuckled and Joon just smiled. “Well, after you start school and

make friends you can stay over at their places, so you don’t necessarily have to stay at home alone.”

Joon only nodded at this and continued looking forward in an almost distant stare. “I mean…” Uncle

began speaking slowly as he noticed the adolescent’s despondent expression. “Joo-”

“Hey, uncle, there’s a lake around here, right?”

He only smiled and ruffled Joon’s hair. “Your mom told you about it, huh?”

“You know about it?” Joon asked surprised, fixing his messy hair. His uncle only laughed and shook his

head.

“Of course, I know! I live here remember? I showed your mom that place when she came to live with

us some years ago. She asked me for a quiet place, so that’s where I took her. No one in this town

knows about it because it’s deep in the woods.”

“Really? That’s weird.”

“Yeah. It’s mostly because people are scared to go in the woods. Several years ago, these tourists

found a corpse in there. The body was…mutilated.”

Joon gasped lightly and looked a bit frightened. “By what?”

“No one knows, they think it’s an animal or something. The funny thing is that it wasn’t someone

from this town.” Joon looked at his uncle with wide eyes that were full of dread. His uncle looked at

him in return and smiled. “Don’t worry. It was a long time ago. It’s been quiet since then. Just, be

careful when you go out there.”

“I will. So…” Joon blushed. Despite the story his uncle just told him he still wanted to go see the lake.

Uncle laughed at Joon’s impatience.

“I left marks to lead the way there from behind the house. Just follow the white bands around the

trees.”

Joon lit up and grinned. “Okay! I’ll go check it out now!” Joon started to take off running down the

street to the house.

“Just be back before 10! Take a flashlight, just in case!” Uncle yelled after the youth.

“Okay!”

------The Lake------

“Gah!” Joon yelped as he struggled to keep balance on the hilly ground. He followed the white bands painted around the trees till he caught sight of the shimmering lake. “There it is! Wah! Wow!” He started to jog, clumsily, tripping over his feet. He came up to the huge white rocks, which made up the shoreline. “This is huge, this is what they call a lake?” Joon grinned. He squatted down on a flat rock and turned off the flashlight he had. Reaching his hand in the water, he hissed at how cold it was. “It is peaceful…no one around.” Joon sighed and looked around. The trees rustled around him from the light breeze, the water hit the rocks so gently and soothingly. It smelled of pine trees and water. ‘Fresh.’ Joon thought, knowing now what his mother meant. The air stopped blowing and it was nothing but stillness and silence. Joon looked around the lake finding it strange how quiet it was before his eyes fell on a man. He was a few feet away and Joon slowly stood up.The stranger was undeniably handsome. His skin lit a gentle white under the moon’s light. Some of the buttons from his red shirt were left unbuttoned and it exposed his torso with the light-blowing breeze. The red shirt suited him so well that it almost seemed like that was his color. The stranger’s hair was a glossy black, slightly messy, that covered half of his face like he had just woken up. He had good posture and Joon didn’t know why he found that sexy. He bit his lip as he neared him slowly. Seungho turned his face towards the intruder. Joon stopped in his tracks and stared at the man, completely mesmerized by his allure.Seungho stared at the man standing a few feet away. ‘Human…’ He thought to himself.He watched those innocent gentle brown orbs and the shy smiling lips of the intruder. He tilted his head a bit when he noticed the man’s face turn red. Seungho wasn’t luring the intruder to him so he wondered why the man just stood there. He inspected the intruder from head to toe slowly.Joon became flustered when he noticed the other was checking him out.‘You can have me anytime, anywhere.’ Joon chuckled; he was embarrassed by his thoughts.“H-hi…I’m Joon…” Joon spoke coyly. He couldn’t concentrate on what else to say when his eyes devoured the man’s erotic exhibition. His eyes, they were dark and mysterious but had a piercing gaze that made you feel intimately captivated. It made Joon feel breathless and weak at the knees. “God, those lips…” He mumbled. They were perfect and plump. A sexy shade of red that made them look appetizing. It was like looking at the perfect man. Joon whimpered low and his heart raced in his chest. “Just one taste of those lips…” He uttered. Seungho noticed the others behavior and wondered if something was wrong with him. He licked his lips and when he did, the other man gasped and held his chest. Seungho parted his lips as he was about to say something to him.“Joon!”Seungho looked behind Joon, which only made Joon look back too.“Joon!” Uncle called out to him.“I’m right here!”

“C’mon, it’s getting late! You need to get some rest for tomorrow.”“Okay.” Joon turned back to the man but he was gone. Joon looked around and didn’t see him anywhere. He pouted and hesitantly walked over to his uncle. He was around his age; he wondered and hoped that he’d see him at school.Seungho watched Joon leave with the man into the woods towards the town. He was curious about him, there was something about him he found familiar. “Joon…”

-----High School Begins-----

It was the first day of school and Joon made sure he had everything he needed before leaving the house. He couldn’t deny the fact that he was really nervous, so much so that he had even skipped breakfast. His hands trembled and he couldn’t move his body any further than the gates of the school. ‘I have to keep going if I want to see that guy again…but I’m too nervous right now.’ Joon thought to himself, as he made soft panicking noises.“What are we looking at?” A helium-pitched voice whispered into his ear and he jolted, yelping as he stumbled into a nearby bush. “Whoa! Are you okay?” The other boy followed, holding his hand out for him. Joon looked at the boy and wondered who he was but nonetheless, took his hand.“Yeah, thanks.” He said embarrassed and was pulled out of the bushes.“You’re new, huh? I’m Sanghyun Park. But you can call me Chundong.” The other boy said kindly, shaking Joon’s hand with a smile.“I’m Joon.” Joon smiled in return. “I’ll show you around then.” Chundong picked leaves off of Joon’s shoulder and hair strands.“Okay! …Thanks.” Joon breathed calmly and felt relieved. His muscles relaxed as he took a step forward when Chundong took him by the arm gently.“C’mon, you don’t want to be late on the first day.”Seungho laid on the concrete rail of his balcony with his eyes closed, the music played out to him from his stereo. The soothing sounds of the piano relaxed him and his mind wandered off to the guy by the lake. Joon. Seungho remembered every curve of his face, the look in his eyes, and the smiling lips.“Here you are.”Seungho sighed when his vision of Joon washed away from his mind. “What do you want?” He asked bothered. GO smirked at Seungho’s response.“Just wondering why you’re up early again. It’s been several days already…is something bothering you?”“I didn’t know I had to wake up at a set time, now.”GO rubbed the back of his neck, not in the mood to get into an argument with Seungho. “That’s not what I meant.”“Oh, that’s right. You’re just here to “watch” over me.”“Look, I’m not in the mood to fight with you, I just wanted to make conversation. We’ve been living together for years now, I just thought…”“You just thought we’d become friends?” Seungho looked over to GO. GO sighed and shook his head,

he leaned his back on the doorframe to the balcony.“You’re impossible.” He whispered and crossed his arms.“Yah! Why was I left behind?” The noisy youth came stomping onto the balcony. Seungho’s eyes sulked, sighing; he turned his face away. “Seungho, you weren’t planning on leaving us to go get into trouble, were you?” Mir crossed his arms, glaring at Seungho. Mir smacked his lips together when he was ignored. “Yah! Answer me!” He punched Seungho’s arm. GO stood straight and went behind Mir.“Mireu~” GO said sternly, nudging Mir’s arm, to hint him to calm down.“I wasn’t going anywhere. Not like I can anyway.” Seungho got up and looked at GO and Mir. Hopping off the rail, he walked into his room and slumped on the couch. There were no words for how much GO despised that neutral aura Seungho emitted.“Aah! You make it sound like you’re a prisoner!” Mir whined and stomped behind Seungho. He jumped on the couch next to him. Seungho stared at Mir with a hollow darkness in his eyes. Mir only pouted in an adorable manner. When it didn’t move Seungho one bit, Mir slumped on the couch defeated. He thought for a minute and snapped his fingers as a bright idea came to mind. “Let’s go to the town!” He smiled and looked from Seungho to GO.“Are you crazy?” GO laughed.“C’mon! We can just make an appearance at the club, no one’ll notice us!”“Yeah, right! Our presence will attract everyone’s attention! Or did you forget that we’re vampires?”“It’s not like we’ll bring anyone home, GO.” Mir rolled his eyes and turned to Seungho. “What do you say, Seungho-yah? A change of view from this place?”“Yeah, let’s go.” Just then GO and Mir’s eyes grew wide at Seungho’s response.“Really?” They asked in unison.“I’m getting tired of seeing this place.”“Let’s get ready then!” Mir exclaimed excited.

------Late night dance------

“Joonie-oppa! Dance with us!” Some of the girls from school begged as they pulled on Joon’s arm. Joon gave a shy laugh and turned to Chundong.“Go! Go!” Chundong chuckled as he pushed Joon up.“You too Dongie-oppa!”Joon laughed and pulled Chundong with him as the group made their way to the dance floor. Just then GO and Mir stepped into the club with Seungho close behind them.“Wah! Look at this!” Mir said excited and rubbing his palms together. “So much food around.” He chuckled. GO grabbed the others shoulder.“Hold it, that’s not what we’re here for, remember?” GO said strictly.“Yeah, yeah. I know!” Mir said shrugging GO’s hand from his shoulder. Mir smiled deviously as he walked through the club, luring girls and guys left to right.“Agh!” GO growled. He walked over to the booth where Mir was. “Mireu, I just told you-““GO calm down, they’ll pamper you too, right ladies?” Mir smiled and watched as a few of his guests flocked over to GO. “Where’s Seungho?” Mir asked but not entirely worried as he whispered sweet nothings into his companion’s ear.Seungho walked in the club and looked around at all the people. Everything was new to him. He could

smell that sweet taste in the air. He could hear the beating sounds in every human’s chest. He was starved and he had to hold back the urge as much as possible.“Hi, handsome. Haven’t seen you around, what’s your name?” The woman spoke close to his ear. Her hand caressed his jaw line, her fingernails smoothly slid on his pale skin. Seungho didn’t pay attention to the woman nor did he try escaping her grip.Joon only smiled as one of his classmates twirled in front of him just before the song finished. “Let’s go see if our drinks are at our booth.” She said out loud to the group. “Okay!”Chundong went over to Joon and put his arm around his shoulder pulling him. “That was fun, huh?” Chundong asked in which Joon only grinned. As much as Joon was happy to have made friends he still couldn’t shake this empty feeling in his chest. He looked around the club as he stood by their booth, drinking his ice-cold beverage.Seungho began walking away from the woman when he spotted GO and Mir in a booth. He walked over by the railings, noticing that the club was pretty spacious for a small town club. He stopped midway when he breathed in that familiar scent, and when he opened his eyes, there he was. Joon. Just a few feet away, staring at him the exact same way. Seungho laid on the concrete rail of his balcony with his eyes closed, the music played out to him from his stereo. The soothing sounds of the piano relaxed him and his mind wandered off to the guy by the lake. Joon. Seungho remembered every curve of his face, the look in his eyes, and the smiling lips.“Here you are.”Seungho sighed when his vision of Joon washed away from his mind. “What do you want?” He asked bothered. GO smirked at Seungho’s response.“Just wondering why you’re up early again. It’s been several days already…is something bothering you?”“I didn’t know I had to wake up at a set time, now.”GO rubbed the back of his neck, not in the mood to get into an argument with Seungho. “That’s not what I meant.”“Oh, that’s right. You’re just here to “watch” over me.”“Look, I’m not in the mood to fight with you, I just wanted to make conversation. We’ve been living together for years now, I just thought…”“You just thought we’d become friends?” Seungho looked over to GO. GO sighed and shook his head, he leaned his back on the doorframe to the balcony.“You’re impossible.” He whispered and crossed his arms.“Yah! Why was I left behind?” The noisy youth came stomping onto the balcony. Seungho’s eyes sulked, sighing; he turned his face away. “Seungho, you weren’t planning on leaving us to go get into trouble, were you?” Mir crossed his arms, glaring at Seungho. Mir smacked his lips together when he was ignored. “Yah! Answer me!” He punched Seungho’s arm. GO stood straight and went behind Mir.“Mireu~” GO said sternly, nudging Mir’s arm, to hint him to calm down.“I wasn’t going anywhere. Not like I can anyway.” Seungho got up and looked at GO and Mir. Hopping off the rail, he walked into his room and slumped on the couch. There were no words for how much

GO despised that neutral aura Seungho emitted.“Aah! You make it sound like you’re a prisoner!” Mir whined and stomped behind Seungho. He jumped on the couch next to him. Seungho stared at Mir with a hollow darkness in his eyes. Mir only pouted in an adorable manner. When it didn’t move Seungho one bit, Mir slumped on the couch defeated. He thought for a minute and snapped his fingers as a bright idea came to mind. “Let’s go to the town!” He smiled and looked from Seungho to GO.“Are you crazy?” GO laughed.“C’mon! We can just make an appearance at the club, no one’ll notice us!”“Yeah, right! Our presence will attract everyone’s attention! Or did you forget that we’re vampires?”“It’s not like we’ll bring anyone home, GO.” Mir rolled his eyes and turned to Seungho. “What do you say, Seungho-yah? A change of view from this place?”“Yeah, let’s go.” Just then GO and Mir’s eyes grew wide at Seungho’s response.“Really?” They asked in unison.“I’m getting tired of seeing this place.”“Let’s get ready then!” Mir exclaimed excited.

------Late night dance------

“Joonie-oppa! Dance with us!” Some of the girls from school begged as they pulled on Joon’s arm. Joon gave a shy laugh and turned to Chundong.“Go! Go!” Chundong chuckled as he pushed Joon up.“You too Dongie-oppa!”Joon laughed and pulled Chundong with him as the group made their way to the dance floor. Just then GO and Mir stepped into the club with Seungho close behind them.“Wah! Look at this!” Mir said excited and rubbing his palms together. “So much food around.” He chuckled. GO grabbed the others shoulder.“Hold it, that’s not what we’re here for, remember?” GO said strictly.“Yeah, yeah. I know!” Mir said shrugging GO’s hand from his shoulder. Mir smiled deviously as he walked through the club, luring girls and guys left to right.“Agh!” GO growled. He walked over to the booth where Mir was. “Mireu, I just told you-““GO calm down, they’ll pamper you too, right ladies?” Mir smiled and watched as a few of his guests flocked over to GO. “Where’s Seungho?” Mir asked but not entirely worried as he whispered sweet nothings into his companion’s ear.Seungho walked in the club and looked around at all the people. Everything was new to him. He could smell that sweet taste in the air. He could hear the beating sounds in every human’s chest. He was starved and he had to hold back the urge as much as possible.“Hi, handsome. Haven’t seen you around, what’s your name?” The woman spoke close to his ear. Her hand caressed his jaw line, her fingernails smoothly slid on his pale skin. Seungho didn’t pay attention to the woman nor did he try escaping her grip.Joon only smiled as one of his classmates twirled in front of him just before the song finished. “Let’s

go see if our drinks are at our booth.” She said out loud to the group. “Okay!”Chundong went over to Joon and put his arm around his shoulder pulling him. “That was fun, huh?” Chundong asked in which Joon only grinned. As much as Joon was happy to have made friends he still couldn’t shake this empty feeling in his chest. He looked around the club as he stood by their booth, drinking his ice-cold beverage.Seungho began walking away from the woman when he spotted GO and Mir in a booth. He walked over by the railings, noticing that the club was pretty spacious for a small town club. He stopped midway when he breathed in that familiar scent, and when he opened his eyes, there he was. Joon. Just a few feet away, staring at him the exact same way.Chundong and the girls engaged in a conversation that Joon attempted to pay attention to, but it was difficult when he could see the man in the corner of his eye staring at him. “Joon?” Chundong nudged his side. “You okay?” he said into his ear noticing Joon slightly tensed. Joon blushed and smiled.“Yeah, just a bit nervous right now.”“Why?”Joon bit his lip nervously. “Um-”“Don’t tell me you like one of the girls! Which one?” Chundong spoke excited but low. Joon looked at Chundong and frowned.“No, that’s not it. I’m not into...” Chundong tilted his head at the beginning of Joon’s response. Joon stopped himself and got up immediately. “I’m going to the restroom.”“O-kay…”Seungho watched Joon leave the group he was with. He started to head in the same direction when GO stopped him.“Seungho-yah, where are you going?” He firmly asked, noticing Seungho’s eyes change to red.“Just going to get a drink, GO.” He replied with a low growl, shoving passed him.“Seungho-yah!” GO said out loud.“GO just let him walk on his own! Maybe he found something entertaining.” Mir said nonchalantly, his face covered in lipstick. GO sneered, grabbing Mir away from the humans surrounding him.“You know as well as I do that we can’t be surrounded by humans. Especially in a tight place like this! I can hear every heartbeat in here!” GO’s eyes pierced into Mir’s.“Alright! Alright…party pooper.” Mir pouted and sighed.Seungho could distinctly smell the sweet scent, he licked his lips tenderly. His eyes changed to hazel and his fangs slightly inched out. He wanted to get a closer whiff of Joon.“Dammit…” Seungho winced, placing his hand over his torso. The pain of starvation was unbearable. Joon came out of the restroom and was walking by the bar where a few drunkards began to quarrel. He nearly fell when he was jostled from behind but Seungho caught his wrist, pulling him close. Seungho led Joon away from the commotion to a secluded area. Joon was at a loss for words as he stared into Seungho’s eyes. He was captivating and gentle, so much so that it made the butterflies in Joon’s stomach flutter uncontrollably. His heart raced and his cheeks burned.“Thank you...” Joon said smiling.“You’re welcome…Joon.”“You remembered my name.” Joon said cheerfully.

“It’s not the only thing I remembered.” Seungho bluntly spoke as he eyed the pulsing vein on Joon’s neck.“Why do you stare at me like that?” Joon asked nervously.“I was going to ask you the same thing.” Seungho said as he licked the corner of his lip, his resistance diminished by the second. He swallowed and pinned Joon against the wall. “Mm, I can’t tell you that.” Joon flirtingly said. “What’s your name?” “I can’t tell you that.”“Why?”“Because I would have to kill you first.” Joon chuckled unaware of Seungho’s deliberate meaning. “Please?” Joon felt embarrassed at his pleading tone and behavior. Looking at Seungho with big round innocent eyes and lip between his teeth.“Guess...”“Can you give me a hint?”Seungho shook his head. He wondered why Joon smelled familiar. It was like an obstructed memory that begged to be remembered but this hunger was distracting his thoughts.“What about the first letter?”“Hm?”“The first letter to your name…” Joon blushed.“Just one hint. It’s an S.”“An S.” Joon said softly to himself curious to know more about Mr.S. “Do you go to school?“No.” Seungho shook his head.“Why?” Joon asked intently. Seungho looked at Joon’s facial features.“I’m…sick.” Seungho hesitantly said not wanting to give too much away.“Sick?” Joon asked gently. Seungho nodded.“I have…too many…complications.”“So, you’re at the hospital a lot?”“No, I stay at home. It gets…out of control sometimes.” Seungho looked away from Joon’s orbs. His hunger tortured him and he fought against seducing him. Joon lightly placed his hand on Seungho’s arm and rubbed it gently. Seungho felt weak at the touch, taking the other’s gesture as an invite.“Well, maybe I can come by and keep you company…if you want.” Joon smiled. Seungho grabbed Joon’s arm and pulled him close.“Wha-what are you…you doing?” Joon stammered, his hands lightly grabbed at Seungho’s shirt. Seungho’s hand cupped Joon’s neck and tilted it to the side. Seungho’s eyes changed color and his fangs became more visible.“I just want a taste.”Joon blushed, he couldn’t help this feeling, it took control of him and he willingly submitted to it. Seungho pressed his nose against Joon’s skin, the intoxicating scent, awakened the demon in him. He let a deep growl escape his lips as they parted, his tongue glided against the throbbing vein.“Ah…” Joon let a low moan escape his mouth.“Seungho-yah!” Mir yelled, shoving the people he passed by. Seungho turned to the direction as he heard his name. “Seungho…” Joon whispered, looking hot and bothered. Mir immediately grabbed Seungho away from the other man. He bit Seungho’s lower lip, making it bleed.“Hey, snap out of it.” He said as he slapped him gently. Seungho’s eyes became hazel and his hunger

pains returned. He leaned on Mir for support. “Get me out of here before it happens...”GO caught up and looked at Seungho noticing the color of his eyes. “What is it?” He asked helping Mir support Seungho.“Seungho, are you okay?” Joon asked, tugging his shirt. Mir looked at the stranger’s face and wondered who he was. He grabbed the stranger’s hand and pulled it off.“I’m sorry but he’s not feeling well right now. We have to go.”Joon stares at the boy in front of him wondering who he was. GO and Mir began to escort Seungho out the nearest exit.“Wai…wait!” Joon said out loud.Seungho noticed GO’s reddened eyes and serious expression. He parted his lips and was just about to question it.“It’s a good thing GO stopped me when he did. I was getting hungry with all the walking meals.” Mir giggled. They walked out of the club and Seungho pulled away from the two.“Ngh, Just give me a minute.” Seungho told them, collapsing his back against the wall.“Seungho!” Joon said out loud as he exited the club seeing Seungho by the wall, he rushed over to him. Mir and GO glared at the stranger and watched him closely. Seungho looked at him and held his hand out to stop him. “I…I just want to know if you’re okay.”“I’m…fine.” Seungho looked from Joon to the other two behind him. Joon slightly turned his face, seeing them in the corner of his eye. Their hostile glares made Joon turn back to Seungho.“I…um…hope you get better.”Seungho leaned his head back on the wall and looked at Joon with cold, dark eyes. It was silent for a moment and Joon could feel the different aura coming from Seungho.“Joon, it’s an incurable disease. It won’t ever get better.” Seungho walked towards Joon but stopped at his side facing GO and Mir. “Don’t even think...about following me. I can’t stand…people like you.”Joon was left in silence as Seungho walked off. The other two were surprised by his cold words to the stranger. Mir glanced back just to see the stranger’s head hang low.

------Punishment------

On the way home, silence was shared between the three roommates. As soon as they stepped into the house, GO grabbed Seungho and slammed him violently against the wall. Startled at first, Mir grabbed GO to restrain him.“How Long?” GO yelled furiously. Seungho gritted his teeth as he glared at GO who had him pinned against the wall.“What does it matter to you?”“Jihoon left you under our care! What good is it if you’re starving yourself!”“You call this care!”GO slammed his fist against the wall just beside Seungho’s face over and over. It only ticked GO off more that Seungho didn’t even flinch.“GO! Stop!” Mir yelled, pulling GO away from Seungho. “Aaah! Why do I get stuck in the middle?” Mir only sighed as he stood between the two.“What, exactly, is going on here?”GO and Mir’s eyes grew wide and they both bowed before the man.

“Master Jihoon.”Seungho turned to look at Jihoon. “Dogs.” He scoffed. GO growled at him and Mir frowned. Jihoon walked over to Seungho, grabbing him by the neck.“Starving yourself, hm?” Jihoon stared at Seungho’s eyes despising his defiant nature. “Well, let’s see how long you can go without it.” With one swift move, Jihoon ripped into Seungho’s shoulder, blood spewed out of him.“Gah!” Seungho slouched and pushed Jihoon away from him weakly. Jihoon only chuckled at his state. “You dick…” Seungho breathed painfully, the hunger pains sent him to his knees.“Ah, you really are starving. Wow, now you can have hunger and pain as your only companions in the chain room.” Seungho looked up at Jihoon with wide eyes. Jihoon walked away from him, and looked at GO and Mir seriously before turning to his entourage. “Put him in the chain room.”“Yes, sir!”“GO, Mireu, come with me. I need to speak with you.”“Let go of me!” Seungho put up a struggle which only frustrated Jihoon. He came charging towards Seungho and punched his gut. Blood came out of his mouth and his eyes slowly drifted shut.“Don’t make it difficult! He’s not even at his high peak!” Jihoon scolded the pathetic followers and shoved them. “Now. Take him to the chain room.”“Sir…”The two dragged Seungho’s unconscious body to the chain room that resided in chambers down below the house. “Damn…He’s heavy!”“Ye-ah, I know. Let’s just hurry up. Right there.” The follower pointed to the empty, dark chamber.“Okay.”The two followers panted as soon as they got Seungho sitting against the wall.“You know, I never thought I’d see the day that this guy would be knocked out.”“Yeah, well, it’s only because he weakened himself on purpose.”“…True. I still don’t understand why Master Jihoon keeps him alive. It’s not like he wants to live anyway. He should just get rid of him, once and for all.” The two followers tied Seungho up in silver chains.“You shouldn’t say that, if Master Jihoon hears you he’d kill you himself. After all, this is his younger brother.”“Yeah, well, this guy is out of control. Whether he’s out killing people or not!”“Alright, calm down. Let’s just go, he’s already tied up.”The followers walked out of the room and one of them turned around to glance at Seungho’s unconscious body. “Jugeum Demon…it’s hard to believe it’s this guy.” He closed the door to the room that consumed Seungho in darkness.

Seungho’s eyes were half opened and clear white. His fingertips lightly scraped the bloodstained floor. He lay there in silence. He had lost count of the hours and days he had been locked in.“Is he still alive?” Jihoon’s voice was heard on the other end of the phone.“Yes, sir.” GO said and Jihoon stayed quiet.“Master Jihoon, are you…?” GO worriedly asked.

“I’m alright. Just…let him go now. It should be safe.”“Okay.”“GO, it’ll be a while till I can come over and check on him. Much less, call. Just…” He grew silent, as the words didn’t find their way past his lips.“I’ll be sure to keep him safe.”The corners of Jihoon’s lips turned up slightly at the assuring words.“Don’t call this number. I’ll call you when it’s safe.”He hung up the phone up and looked to Mir. “We can let him go.” Mir sighed in relief. “After a whole year!” He furiously yelled. As much as GO wanted to say, he kept his mouth shut instead. Mir mumbled curses under his breath as they made their way down to the chamber. GO grasped the door handle, opening it. They looked in and ran over to Seungho’s unconscious body.“Seungho! Seungho!”“Let’s get the chains off of him.”GO and Mir ignored the burning sensation of the silver chain on their hands and GO lifted Seungho’s body with difficulty.“You have him?” Mir asked, noticing the abrasions on Seungho’s wrist and neck.“Ye-yeah! I got him.” They quickly got Seungho to his room and GO laid him on the bed gently. He panted and wiped the sweat from his face.“Mireu, get the pouches. They should be in the kitchen.“Okay!” Mir ran quickly to the kitchen, grabbing a crate of blood pouches.“Seungho-ah?” GO repeated, attempting to wake him.“He’s not dead, right?” Mir sadly sat at the edge of the bed and opened a blood pouch.“No, he can’t be. He…shouldn’t be.” GO grabbed the pouch Mir was handing to him and he put a few drops to Seungho’s lips. They both watched Seungho for any reaction but after 5 minutes, nothing happened, not one flinch from Seungho.“Seungho-ah!” GO caressed Seungho’s cheek and squeezed them together. His lips parted slightly and GO put a few more drops in his mouth. No reaction again.“I’m calling Jihoon!” Mir yelled as he ran for the phone.“C’mon, Seungho-ah, drink.” GO pled and gently lifted his head. Seungho slowly opened his eyes. A familiar taste wandered down his throat and he weakly swallowed it.“M-more…” His voice was hoarse and low.“Mireu! He’s awake! He’s alive!”“Really?” Mir ran in and looked for himself, he hopped on the bed to Seungho’s side. “Seungho-ah! You’re alive!”After trying to get Seungho to keep drinking without passing out, GO and Mir decided to let him rest.“How much did he drink?” Mir whispered.“Hm, less than half.” GO frowned after looking at the cup. “Let’s just…let him rest for now, we’ll try again tonight.”Mir nodded and went over to the windows, shutting the dark curtains to Seungho’s room. “It’s almost daybreak, we should head down to our rooms.” GO nodded and made his way out of the room, drinking the remaining contents in the cup. Mir followed behind and looked at GO curiously.“Is it good?”GO sneered. “No. It’s disgusting. It’s only good when it comes from a warm body.”Alone in his dark room, Seungho lay in discomfort. Afflicted by past memories, he tossed and turned

in his bed“Jugeum Demon.” The voices repeated as they surrounded him in shadows.Seungho was crouched in the middle of a dim-lit spotlight. He held his legs together and rested his chin on his knees. He stared absent-minded at the dark puddle underneath his feet and as he heard the voices he slowly looked up.“What do you want?” He coldly spoke.“We want you.”Seungho rested his chin on his knees again. “You’ll have to wait.”“We’re done waiting!” The voices yelled furiously. Seungho gave an evil smirk and dipped his hand into the dark puddle. When he lifted his hand up the blood dripped down.“I’ve killed you all once before and I can do it again!”“Your attempts won’t work here.”“You think so?” Seungho slowly stood up; his eyes were pitch black as he looked at his past victims. All that could be heard were screams of pain and predatory growls.Seungho’s hunger drove him out of his bed. Mindlessly, he found himself walking through the woods and ending up at the lake. The sun had set a few minutes ago and a chilly breeze roamed in with the evening. Seungho lifted his head weakly, opening his eyes gently when he heard the rustling of the trees and the silent waves reaching onto the shore. He could smell a faint thirst quenching scent nearby. Seungho was drowsy and confused as to how he was at the lake so suddenly. He staggered toward the shore.After the sunset, Joon decided to pack his things up. He was trying to draw the view in front of him but he couldn’t get passed his lack of drawing skills.“Hate homework…drawing homework especially.” Joon mumbled and pouted. He grabbed his sketchbook and put it in his bag. “I’m calling it a day.” He stood up and put his backpack on. When he looked up he noticed Seungho standing by the shoreline.“It’s…him.”His eyes were wide and he stayed frozen. It had been a year since he had seen him last. Even though his words were harsh, Joon couldn’t deny that he longed to see him again. Joon rushed over when he saw Seungho collapse.“A-Are you okay?“ Joon spoke sympathetically and he gently placed his hand on Seungho’s shoulder. Seungho pushed Joon away and held his hand out.“D-don’t…I don’t need your help!” He placed his hand over his face. The hunger growing strong at how close Joon was.“Stop. Or I’ll…I’ll-“ Seungho fainted.“Hey!”

-----Minutes later-----

“Hey! Seungho-ah! Wake up!”Seungho slowly opened his eyes and stared into a pair of brown orbs.“Hey, what’s wrong? …I can get you help but I have to get you to my house first.” Seungho slowly started to get up. “What happened?”Joon looked at him worried. “You passed out.”Seungho looked away. “…I’ll be alright.”

“But you look weak. I can help you. Just come with me.”“I’m fine.” Seungho snapped. He started to get up but faltered. Joon caught him and held him close“Trust me. I just want to help you.”Seungho tensed and started shaking at the closeness. Ignoring the pain, he tried to pry out of the other man's arms.“I just need…some space.” Seungho replied as he managed to break away from Joon's embrace. Joon frowned and sighed. He knew exactly how to handle Seungho. He forcefully grabbed Seungho's arm and made him stand. Joon put Seungho’s arm over his shoulder and held his waist.“Well, you can have your space when you’re better.”“Let go of me!”After struggling so much with Joon; Seungho felt drained. He began to stagger and lean against Joon.“You’re really heavy, you know that?” Joon panted as he leant Seungho against a tree nearby. “Seungho-ah, hang on just a little longer. We’re almost at my house.” Joon looked at Seungho who had a distant gaze. “Hang on, okay?”Joon tried to make eye contact but Seungho only hung his head low. Seungho mumbled quietly and Joon only grew curious. He leaned in close to hear him.“I don’t…understand…why you came back.”“What do you mean?” Joon asked as he lifted Seungho’s chin up.“You promised…not to come back.” Seungho’s eyes were fixed on Joon and Joon was taken aback by his words.“I don’t know what you mean.” Joon shook his head as Seungho’s eyes slowly blinked and he started to lean to the side. “Come on, my house isn’t far. Just a few more steps.”Seungho stared at Joon from the corner of his eye the whole way to his house. There was a feeling Seungho got from Joon since their very first encounter. It was an unsettling feeling that twisted Seungho’s stomach into knots. It was hate, he assured himself.“We’re here.”Seungho looked forward seeing the house Joon lived in. Joon walked up to the door and reached into his pocket for the key. Seungho just stood there mindlessly watching Joon before it hit him. He wasn’t supposed to be there, especially with a human.“I have to go back.”Joon looked at him confused.“We’re here, though. I can get you a doctor.” Joon said gently.“I don’t need your help and I don’t need a doctor.”“That’s why you weren’t leaning on me all the way here, right?”Seungho glared at Joon only to be given a charming smile in return. Suddenly Seungho’s stomach growled painfully loud. He slumped down to the ground and covered his mouth. Joon heard it and opened his eyes wide.“Wah! That’s loud. I’ll get you something to eat.” Joon unlocked the door and ran inside, grabbing some fruit off the dining table. Seungho was close to going insane. He could hear Joon's beating heart and the way his blood ran through his veins. He could smell the scented trail that is left behind him.

Seungho dug his hands into the dirt and closed his eyes.“Here. Eat this.” Joon said holding a banana in front of him. Seungho looked at the banana and then up at Joon with an atrocious expression.“Here. A banana.” Joon blushed and knelt in front of Seungho. Seungho pushed the banana away. “You should eat it. It’s good.” Joon insisted, Seungho leaned against the wall of the house watching Joon peel the banana.“I don’t want it.”“Well, your stomach does. Here.”“I said no!”Joon mounted Seungho while trying to put the banana in his mouth. Seungho falls back as he attempted to dodge it. “Well it’s not up to you!” Seungho growled which makes Joon fall back fearful.“Seungho-ah!”“Hm?” Joon looked up and saw two men running towards them. It was the same ones who were with Seungho at the club. Joon bit his lip nervously when the two men arrived by their side.“Seungho-ah, you’re not supposed to be out of bed.” GO said angrily. He stood by Seungho and lifted him up.“I hope he didn’t cause you any trouble.” Mir said to the stranger and crouched beside him smiling. Joon stared at Mir blankly and shook his head.“N-no, no! I was just helping him! He fainted and I…didn’t know…he’s hungry-” Joon ranted and blushed as he stood up. The three men stood there staring at him. GO looked over to Seungho and Mir chuckled.“No wonder he came to you!”“Huh?” Joon looked at him puzzled.“Mir, shut up.”“Let’s go, Mireu.”Joon couldn’t help but notice how weak Seungho looked. He walked over to him and looked bashfully before looking down at his banana and thinking about giving it to Seungho.“I hope you feel better, Seungho-ah.” Joon smiled softly. Seungho looked at him before turning away and GO tried to hold in his laughter. Mir couldn’t help but giggle behind his hand.“Well, thanks.” GO said bowing before he walked away with Seungho.“You're welcome.”Joon watched the two leave, forgetting the third one was still there beside him, and Mir only smiled at Joon's profile. He cleared his throat gently before giggling low.“Um, don’t worry. Seungho’s strong. He’ll get better soon.”Joon yelped and felt embarrassed. Mir smiled at how amusing he found Joon.“I’m Mir, by the way. That other guy is GO.”“Oh! I’m Joon.”

“Joon…Hm. How do…you two know each other?” Mir asked curiously.“Oh! We don’t know each other. I saw him at the lake. Then, at the club…”Mir looked into Joons eyes and Joon couldn’t but look away because he felt nervous. Mir narrowed his eyes when Joon mentioned the lake.“Wow! What a coincidence…”“What do you mean?”“It’s nothing.” Mir shook his head and smiled.“Well, I like you. So, I’ll get you what you want. Alone time.”Mir began to walk away.“Wait! What do you mean?”Mir turned and walked backwards. “Oh c’mon! You wear your heart on your sleeve.”“Bwah! Ahhh!”Joon blushed speechlessly and Mir laughed.“How long though?”“2 days!”Joon grinned and chuckled lightly to himself as he took a bite out of the banana.“Bye!” Mir yelled just before disappearing into the nightAs soon as they got home, GO went to Seungho’s room and laid him on the bed.“Wait here.” He said seriously and Seungho became fidgety.“Relax, Seungho-ah.” Mir said nicely. He walked over to his side and took a seat.“Trust us.” He stared at Seungho with curled lips that only made Seungho glare at him.“What?”“Tell me about Joon.” Mir chuckled. Seungho ignored his request and tried to get comfortable in his spot.“Did you kiss him?”“No.”“Did you tell him he’s hot?”“No.” Seungho said with a little growl.“Did you hold hands?”“No.”“Did you tell him you love him?”“Mir.”“Yes?”“If you don’t shut up, I will kill you.” Seungho stared at Mir and Mir stared back at him.“I think you should go out with him.”Just when Seungho moved to strangle Mir, GO showed up.“Here.” GO handed Seungho a blood pouch. Seungho looked at it strangely.“What is this?”“It’s our new diet.” Mir sneered while GO ripped the pouch open.“Drink it slow.”

Seungho grabbed it and chugged its contents. He breathed deep and dranksloppy.“Seungho-ah! I said drink it slow!”“More!”GO opened another blood pouch as Seungho licked his bloody lips. A stream of blood began to flow down from the corner of his lip and Mir is fixated at the stream of blood on Seungho. His eyes glowed red with desire and hunger. Seungho finished the second pouch and Mir took his opportunity.“It’s bothering me.”He grabbed Seungho’s chin and licked the stream up in a seductive manner.“Mireu!” GO yelled out of jealousy. Mir ignored GO and leaned into Seungho. He looked into Seungho’s eyes with a flirty smirk.“Seungho-ah, you shouldn’t waste it.” Mir licked his lip and turned to look at GO with a delightful expression. GO glared at him. Seungho started to drink another blood pouch, slower, in order to savor the sweet taste. Mir giggled at GO’s expression.“What? Seungho-ah, doesn’t mind when I do something like that to him.”GO growled and fisted his hand tightly. Mir couldn’t help but enjoy how GO gets worked up about it.“Alright, alright. Sheesh!” He chuckled and waved his hand at GO nonchalantly.After finishing off a crate of blood, Seungho passed out. His wounds healed and his figure became healthy again.“He smells better now.” Mir said relieved.“Yeah. But in a way, it was easy to find him.” GO smiled gently as he looked at Seungho’s sleeping form.“You are one messy eater.” Mir pouted and cleaned Seungho’s mouth with his hand. GO laughed low and tugged at Mir’s shoulder.“Let him rest for now.”The two went out to the balcony quietly. The cool breeze scented of pine blew and a faint smell of water lingered in the air. The trees swayed and the leaves danced as they fell off the branches.“Looks like it’ll rain.” GO said as he leaned on the rail.“Hm?” Mir looked up and breathed in. “Yeah, I guess it is.” He looked back in the room when Seungho moved in his bed. “Seungho is something else, huh?”GO chuckled. “Yeah, he is. It’s the first time I came across someone like him.”Mir grinned. “I remember the first time I saw him. It was that night, the incident with the girl. He was unbelievably strong. It was a fight I really enjoyed.” Mir said nostalgically. GO turned his head slightly.“That night. I remember that night perfectly. That girl, her son who is now here.”“You figured that out too, huh?”“It isn’t difficult. It was a distinct scent that reminds me of the bloodbath.”“Yeah.”“What did the boy tell you?”“Hm?”“I know you stayed back talking to him. What did you ask?”Mir giggled. “Ah! Curious, huh?”

“Just tell me, Mir. I’m not in the mood right now.”“Aww, fine.” Mir pouted. “His name is Joon. He’s hot. And he met Seungho at the lake.GO turned to Mir. “What a coincidence. What is up with that lake?”“Same thing I said.”“So you agree that he’s hot too, right?”“I choose to ignore statements like that from you.”“Humph.”For a moment, there was silence between the two. Mir moved over to GO’s side.“GO…?”“What?”“Mm. Uh. …” Mir was at a loss for words and GO raised an eyebrow at him.“What?”“I can’t find the words to ask.”“About what?”“Jugeum Demon.”GO stood straight and sighed before looking away.“Do you think there’s a way to make it go away?”“No.”“Why?”“Because, no matter what anyone calls him, he’s Seungho.”“I don’t think it is. It’s not Seungho. Like a double personality.”“Why do you keep referring to him as two different people? It’s not a double personality. He’s Seungho.”“But he’s calm now. To a certain extent.“The only reason he’s like this now is because of Jihoon.”“Yeah, I forget. Locking him up in chambers and starving him on purpose is the only way to deal with him!”“You don’t know what you’re talking about. If you only knew...”“Knew what! That Jihoon abandoned Seungho here to go off and start his own clan?”“That’s not true!”“You know, I don’t blame Seungho for hating him so much. In fact, if my brother did that to me, I’d-”“Be careful with your words, Mir! I won’t allow it and if you force me I won’t hold back.” GO’s and Mir’s eyes turned to a crimson color. Their fangs were revealed and growls emitted from their throats.“What makes you think I would hold back? I’m tired of following Jihoon’s orders. I won’t be his dog, anymore.”GO charged towards Mir. They grabbed each other’s hands and pushed against each other. “If Jihoon cares about Seungho, even the slightest, he wouldn’t do these things to him!”“Jihoon does these things because he does care!”Mir and GO slammed their foreheads together, the blood trickled down their faces.

“He nearly died last night! Where was Jihoon? No where!”GO growled. He gripped Mir’s hands and swung him around throwing him into the air“He knows Seungho won’t die! He always looks after him! Even when Seungho isn’t looking!”Mir grounded his teeth as he flipped in the air. He tried to grip onto the tree branches but crashed down on the floor instead. GO jumped off the balcony and met Mir on the ground.“So Jihoon is testing his strength, is that it? Is he going to send him to kill off his enemies?”“It’s not what I meant!”“Then why are we here? Tell me! Keeping an eye on the merchandise?”GO fisted his hands and ground his teeth. The truth itched to be said but he knew very well that he shouldn’t. Mir walked towards GO.“We’re not bodyguards! He doesn’t need protection from anyone! You know as well as I do that he could’ve killed us that night! If it weren’t for your precious Jihoon to take cheap shots!”“Shut up!”They ran towards each other with growls. GO bit into Mir’s shoulder and Mir punched GO in the ribs.Seungho slowly blinked his eyes open. He looked around dazed till he realized it was his room. He didn’t see GO or Mir, so he safely assumed they were in their rooms or somewhere else around the house. He felt better than before. So he decided to get a bit of fresh air out on the balcony. As soon as he stepped onto the balcony, Mir landed by the rail with a staggering stance. A strong scent of blood lingered from Mir and Seungho narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the wounds on Mir’s body.“Ah. You’re awake. You look better.” Mir tried to sound carefree but it didn’t fool Seungho. GO landed on the balcony with his back turned to Seungho. Seungho glanced over at GO. Both men were panting and bleeding which only led Seungho to one conclusion.“Dogs.” Seungho said annoyed.“I’m not a dog anymore!” Mir retorted as he turned to look at GO’s back. GO didn’t say a word. He simply turned around and walked pass the two in silence. Seungho waited till GO left the room before speaking to Mir. “Mireu. The Jugeum Demon is the name I received for killing people before I became a vampire.”Mir’s eyes were wide open. He slowly stood up and stared at Seungho completely surprised by his words. Seungho’s eyes were filled with a void that Mir had never noticed before.“I am the Jugeum demon. Killing is the only thing I know. Everything else…has no meaning to me.”After a moment of silence, Seungho looked away from Mir and walked back into his room.It was a rainy Saturday morning, and Joon and Chundong were at a café drinking hot chocolate together. They sat at a table out in the patio and Chundong looked over to Joon. Just a couple of days ago Joon was smiles and laughs, but now he seemed less talkative and distant.“Joon?”“Hm?” Joon looked over at Chundong from across the table. “What’s wrong?”Joon just shook his head lightly, “Nothing.”“C’mon. I know there’s something bothering you. So, spill it.”Joon gently smiled at Chundong’s precise guess. He sighed and laid his head on his arms, wondering

how he could tell Chundong what was bothering him without coming out to him. Chundong reached across the table to get a hold of Joon’s arm and lightly squeezed it.“Is it because of Dae-Jung bullying you at school?” He asked.“He’s the last thing on my mind.”“Really? Then, what is it? Tell me.” Chundong pouted. Joon attempted to resist the pout, but Chundong just looked too adorably cute and Joon laughed.“Okay. Stop doing that.” He said as he sat up straight and pulled his chair in closer. “Chundong, just…don’t freak out, okay?”Chundong raised his eyebrows and sat straight, leaning closer to hear Joon speak. Joon’s heart raced, his palms were coated in sweat and there was a lump in his throat. He forcefully swallowed the fear and courageously said the words.“I…I like guys.”Chundong just stared at Joon in silence. The silence scared Joon. He began to wonder if Chundong had heard him at all. His chest tightened uneasily.“Is that what’s bothering you?” Chundong finally spoke and Joon shook nervously in his chair.“No, there’s something else. But, you’re okay with that?”Chundong smiled, “Joon, you’re my best friend. I don’t want you to hide things like that from me. I’m not going to hurt you. I’ll always be here for you—no matter what.”Joon grinned happily. He stood up and headed over to Chundong, embracing him tightly, “Doongie!”Chundong returned the hug and looked up to Joon, “You’re going to tell me the rest right?”Joon nodded and walked back to his seat to sit down.“There’s this guy-” Joon started flushing.“It’s not me, is it?” Chundong joked and Joon kicked Chundong under the table, narrowing his eyes.“It’s not you! His name is Seungho.”Chundong furrowed his eyebrows at the name.“Seungho?”“Yeah. Does it sound familiar?”“No. This is the first time I’ve heard it. Are you sure you weren’t dreaming?”“I’m sure! I saw him three times already. He’s real.”Chundong giggled and blocked Joon’s punch with his free hand, “I was kidding! Calm down. So, how did you meet him?“A couple times at the lake by my house and then once at the club.”“The club?”“Yeah. Sang hee’s party.”“Is he the reason why you got so gloomy at the end?”Joon nodded and made a sad face, “Well, yeah cause of what he said to me.”“What did he say?”“He hates people like me.”“He said that!? And you still want to meet up with him?” A tone of anger could be heard in Chundong’s voice. Joon looked up and smiled.

“Doongie, it’s okay.”“No, it’s not! He doesn’t even know you that well, right?”“Yeah, but-““Joon, don’t be stupid! He’s a jackass!”Joon looked into Chundong’s eyes after slamming his hand on the table, “Don’t say that about him! You don’t know him either!” Joon breathed heavily and he quietly sat back down, not quite understanding why he defended Seungho like that. “Look, Chundong. I don’t know how to explain it. Just that when I saw him for the first time…and I looked into his eyes…there was something. I felt something inside of me…like I was being awakened.”“Awakened?”“Yeah. I felt like there was something he needed from me.”“Joon, that’s crazy.”“I know! I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t…stop. When I’m with him, I feel protected.”“With him? Protected?” Chundong worried at Joon’s words.“I was alone with him one night several days ago. He was sick, completely pale and cold. I was taking him to my house and just being close to him felt really nice.”“Joon, I’m…I don’t know what to say about this guy. You’re actually creeping me out.”“Why?”“Because this is a guy that I’ve never even heard of and has only appeared to you, also the way he is…it doesn’t feel right.”“Chundong…I’m not imagining him. I know he’s different.”Chundong sighed after realizing he was unable to change Joon’s mind about this Seungho guy, it only made Chundong curious about him.“I haven’t seen him even though I was promised I would.” Joon continued.“Promised?”“Yeah, one of his relatives, I guess, promised to let me see him after he was better but it’s been a week already. I just hope he’s…okay. Otherwise, I would feel cheated.” Joon looked down sadly and Chundong couldn’t help but feel bad.“It’ll be-” He started only to be cut off.“Chundong! Joon!” A girl’s voice was heard nearby and both boys turned to look.“Hey, Sang hee~” They said in unison.“Can I join you guys?” She smiled and made her way over to their side.“Of course.” Chundong said as he pulled out a chair for her.“Thank you. So, what are you guys up to?” She sat comfortably, putting her drink on the table and her purse in her lap. Both boys looked at each other and laughed.“Well, there’s really not much to do on a rainy day, right?” Joon said sarcastically as he blew at his hot chocolate.“Don’t be a jerk early in the morning.” Sang hee said with a slight glare.“C’mon, don’t start.” Chundong intervened.

Sang hee smiled and took a sip of her coffee. “Fine, fine. So, are you guys going to ask somebody to the winter dance?” She asked sitting up excited.“No.”She smacked her lips and put her hands on her hips.“Oh c’mon! There’s a bunch of girls at school that you can ask! Don’t be lazy!”“I’m not a good dancer.” Chundong laughed, looking a bit embarrassed. Joon and Sang hee looked at him smiling.“How cute!” She squealed and then turned to face Joon. “What’s your excuse?” Joon only gave her a charming smile that made her blush. “Oh whatever.” She grumbled.“Sang hee, are you going with Dae-Jung?” Chundong asked and Sang hee looked at him seriously before smiling.“He asked me but I haven’t given him an answer yet.”“Don’t you like him?” Joon teased and she playfully kicked him under the table.“Yeah! But it’s better to make him wait around for an answer.”Joon and Sang hee laughed.“You’re a devil.” Chundong retorted. Sang hee gasped and punched his arm.“That’s mean!”Joon laughed again and watched the two play-fight until a deep voice was suddenly heard beside him.“Sang hee, are these two idiots bothering you?” Joon looked up at Dae-Jung and his posse surrounding their table. Sang hee shook her head.“Of course not! They’re my friends. You know that.” She answered.“Are you ready for our date then?”“Yup!” Sang hee stood up and winked at the two boys who were sitting with her.“Your friends are outside waiting.” Dae-Jung said and signaled that the rest of his posse to go with her.“Oh! Okay! Bye guys!” She waved at Joon and Chundong. Dae-Jung looked at Joon with a piercing glare. He hovered over to him and Joon didn’t move an inch.“I thought I made it clear to you to stay away from Sang hee.” Dae-Jung demanded.“She’s my friend.” Joon answered back coolly.“I don’t care. Stay away from her.”“You think you scare me?”“Maybe I should remind you how badly I can hurt you.”“What you did last time, only tickled me.” Joon gave off a cheeky smile and Dae-Jung slammed the table, breathing heavily as if he was ready to wipe the smile off of Joon’s face.“Stop it!” Chundong said out loud and Dae-Jung only laughed before knocking over Joon’s cup of hot chocolate.“Have a nice date you dickwads!” He left laughing.“What an asshole!” Chundong growled wiping up the spilt chocolate. “Here.” He said handing Joon some napkins to clean himself off with.“Thanks.” Joon mumbled as he took them.

“I really think we should tell Sang hee about Dae-Jung.” Chundong suggested.“No.” Joon said seriously.“But he’s an asshole!” Chundong protested.“Sang hee really likes him and there’s nothing to worry about. If Dae-Jung ever goes farther than this I can take him.”Chundong laughed sarcastically, “Are you serious? If you ‘can take him’ then why haven’t you done anything?”Joon looked over to Chundong with a smile, “Because I was disciplined to take so much before I put my fists into it.” He answered.“Yeah right.”“Let’s get out of here.”Joon returned home later that evening after talking to Chundong about Seungho. He had told Chundong every detail he remembered of their encounter. But the memories weren’t enough; they only made him sad to think that maybe Seungho was gone. He walked quietly to his room and threw himself on the bed.“I hope you’re okay.” Joon thought to himself as he covered his eyes with his arms. The light tapping sounds on his windows from the rain echoed in his room and His breathing slowed down as he slowly started to drift into sleep. Suddenly, Joon heard a stronger thud and jerked his head up.“What was that?” He whispered and looked around his room. He turned to the window when he noticed a dark figure and his eyes widened as he realized just who it was. He quickly made his way over and opened the window.“Hey.” Mir greeted sadly.“Hey? That’s all you have to say to me?” Joon asked frustrated.“I know! I promised you in two days but something came up. Sorry.”Joon looked at Mir angrily, who was soaking wet from the rain. Mir only grinned hoping to soften Joon’s mood, but it didn’t work.“Well? Are you going to invite me in or are you going to be rude?” Mir decided to huff instead.“Me, rude? You’re the one who broke your promise!”“I’m sorry! I had a fight with GO!”“What?“We got into a big fight.”“But what about Seungho? Is he okay?”“I’m here telling you about a fight I had with GO and the only thing you ask about is Seungho?”“Well Seungho is sick! You seem fine!”“Sick?” Mir looked at Joon confused.“Yeah. Seungho told me he was sick.”Mir stared at Joon before giggling.“Oh, I see!”“See what?”

“Nothing, Seungho’s fine. He’s healthy as a horse.” Mir shrugged and Joon bit his lip. “Are you going to invite me in or not?” Mir asked once more.“No, you’re not allowed in here.” “Why!”“Because I said so! Now, take me to Seungho like you promised a week ago.” “Ooh! You’re good! But you know what? Seungho is a tough cookie to break! Good luck with him!”Joon stammered which only made Mir laugh.“Can I ask you something?” Mir asked him.“What?” Joon countered cautiously.“Seungho and you…have never met before right?”Joon stared at Mir with wide eyes and slowly shook his head, “No. We haven’t.”“Joon…would you ever believe that Seungho is a monster?”Joon chuckled at first, but seeing the intensity in Mir’s eyes made Joon skeptical.“…No.“Would you ever hurt him?”Joon snorted at Mir’s ridiculous questions.“Why are you asking me these weird questions?”“Just answer me.”“I’m not going to hurt him. I just want to get to know him.”Mir sighed, “What a catch.”“Hm?”“Seungho’s a lucky guy.”Joon blushed.“Do you have any friends that are like you?” Mir continued, Joon laughed and flicked Mir’s forehead.“Take me now.”“Really?” Mir got excited as he was about to pounce Joon.“To Seungho!” Joon clarified pointedly.“Oh. Fine.” Mir sneered, “But I’m not promising you a good time with him!”“Why?”“Because Seungho has been testy lately with his brother not-” Mir covered his mouth.“His brother?” Joon asked perking up.“I’m going to give you a heads up. Don’t ever mention his brother to him. Ever. Promise?”“Why?”“I can’t tell you that. You have to…learn that stuff from him.”Joon chewed his lip gently, “Okay, I promise I won’t.”“Alright then, let’s go.”“Okay.” Joon walked toward the window before Mir stopped him.“Just use your front door.”“Oh! Yeah, that’s right. I’ll meet you downstairs then!”“Yeah.”

Joon made up the excuse to sleep over at Chundong’s place for the couple of weeks that his Aunt and Uncle would be out of town before heading out of the house. He happily made his way to Seungho’s place while following close behind Mir.Joon panted and shivered from the cold rain. He was constantly tripping over tree roots and slipping from the wet grass.“Mir, where are we going?” He asked irritated.“Duh! To see Seungho!”“We couldn’t just drive there?”“No.”“Why?”“Because our house isn’t by a road, it’s in the middle of the woods.”“What?”Mir sighed when he heard Joon stop walking.“The middle of the woods?” Joon asked.“Yes, Joon. We’re almost there anyway.”“But still. It’s raining! How can you even see out here? It’s pitch dark.”“Well, I…have special eyes.” Mir said smiling and holding his hand back to Joon. “Reach for my hand.”Joon blindly stepped forward pouting. He swung his arm from side to side until he got a hold of Mir’s wrist.“I’ll help you out. Just don’t let go. We’re almost there, okay?” Mir told him.“Okay, fine.” Joon mumbled, keeping close to Mir along the way. He let out a light grunt and then a cough.“You okay?” Mir asked concerned.“Yeah, just cold.” Joon answered back.“Don’t worry, we’re here.” Mir said as he finally saw the dimly lit front gates standing before them.“Finally.” Joon breathed with relief and Mir laughed, pausing so that Joon could regain his breath.“There’s something I should let you know before we go in.” Mir started and Joon fixed him with questioning eyes. “What is it?”“Don’t tell anyone about our place. For Seungho’s sake.” Mir told him, smiling lightly“Oh, okay.” Joon nodded, although he found the words rather suspicious. He really just wanted to get inside and to maybe find some dry clothes. Mir opened the gate and headed toward the house.“C’mon, it’s coming down hard.” Mir said gesturing to the rain that had started to pound down around them.“Okay!” Joon looked around in complete awe as he walked into the house, dripping wet. “Do you have a towel or something? I’m wetting your floor.” He asked.“Yeah, I’ll get it for you.”Joon looked around the place admiring how clean and luxurious it looked.“Wow.”“I’ll be right back. I’ll get you the towel.” Mir looked Joon up and down slowly. “But, I think you’ll need a change of clothes too.”“What?” Joon looked down at his soaked clothes. “Oh! If it’s okay with you.” He bashfully smiled.“It’s fine. Wait here.” Mir headed over to the restroom and left Joon by the door. Joon shivered and looked around. Everything seemed untouched. He sneezed a few times before Mir showed up again.

“You okay?” He asked.“I hope so.” Joon smiled with a red nose.“Here. I put some dry clothes in the restroom so you can change. Just leave your wet clothes in the basket.” Mir told him.“O-kay.” Joon grabbed the towel and wrapped it around himself.“After you’re done, just head up the stairs and down the left hallway, the last door on the right.”Joon looked at Mir confused.“Why?” He asked and Mir laughed.“Because the one you’re looking for is in his room.” Mir answered.“Oh! Okay, thank you.” Joon smiled, walking over to the restroom.Mir watched him leave and sighed.“Now, to sweet talk GO, but first change my clothes.”

-----Seungho’s Room------

After getting dressed, Joon slowly exited the restroom and quietly made his way up the staircase.“Wow.” He whispered to himself. The crystal chandelier that hovered over his head was glimmering gently against the white walls. The lights were softly dim which give off an inviting, warm feeling. It smelled of refreshing pine and rain.He headed toward the hallway on the left, shivering as he felt the chilly air breezing through. He sneezed and then sniffled. Hugging himself, he staggered when he suddenly felt dizzy.He arrived at the last door on the right.Completely nervous, Joon stared at the door, contemplating on what to say or do. After a moment, he mustered up enough courage to raise his arm and just before he was about to knock, he breathed in deep and slow. He knocked on the door just when as loud crash of thunder was heard outside. Joon glanced out the window with a glare.“Thanks.” He mumbled sarcastically. He breathed deep again before knocking once more. Seungho slowly opened his eyes and gave an irritated eyebrow twitch. “Since when do these dogs knock?” Seungho thought as he leaned on the doorframe of his balcony listening to the stormy rain. “Come in.” He said and sighed low.Joon bit his lip and opened the door when he heard Seungho’s inviting words. The breeze whirled through his room rapidly and Joon shivered and sneezed again. Seungho immediately turned around and saw Joon standing there.“Hi.” Joon sniffled while smiling weakly. Seungho stared at him with wide eyes. Joon was slightly panicked when there was silence between them. He could clearly see Seungho was surprised but somehow he also seemed angry.“What are you doing here?” Seungho coldly asked, heading towards him.“I came…to see you.” Joon said smiling charmingly. Seungho stared at Joons face.“You need to go. Now.” Seungho roughly grabbed Joon’s arm and started to lead him out of his room, but Joon pulled his arm back just as rough.“I’m not leaving!”

“Yes, you are! You’re not supposed to be here!”Joon looked at Seungho suspiciously.“Why? Are you hiding something?” Joon couldn’t help the words that were coming out of his mouth since Seungho was making him angry.Seungho huffed and turned away from Joon. He could have easily killed him right then, but he knew he wasn’t supposed to. Not even one of the locals from the town was to be killed under Jihoon’s orders. It was the only rule that Seungho found reasonable to abide by. Joon watched Seungho and sighed, pouting. “I don’t want to fight with you. I just…I wanted to see you to make sure you’re okay. The last time I saw you I was left worried…” He explained and Seungho narrowed his eyes while turning to look at him again.“Worried? Why?” He demanded and when Joon made a dizzy step forward, Seungho couldn’t help but throw a sympathetic look at him.“Because you looked so weak, I thought you’d-”“Die?” Seungho supplied, staring into Joon’s eyes. Joon looked at Seungho with puppy eyes. Seungho just looked away and walked past him.“Don’t look at me like that.” He grumbled. Joon bit his lip and smiled, moving to follow after Seungho.“You’re not going to throw me out?”“You’re obviously not going to leave even if I did throw you out. Mir would only bring you back here.”Joon grinned. “How did you…?” He tilted his head, but then he looked down at his clothes. “Oh, right.” He remembered, sneezing yet again. Seungho studied Joon with an expressionless face and Joon blushed.“What is it with you and Mir?”Joon looked at Seungho surprised.“What do you mean?” He asked.“Did you bribe him to get you here?”“No! He promised to bring me here after you got better.” Joon looked at Seungho with resentment. “I’m not that type of person you think I am.” He added and Seungho raised an eyebrow.“Really?” “Yes, really!” Joon yelled furiously and Seungho let out a deep chuckle, finding him amusing.“Why do you care what I think of you, anyway?” He asked the boy.“I…uh…because…you said…last time.” Joon stammered nervously.“What?” Seungho laughed.“At the club...you said you hate people like me. What did you mean?” Joon finally asked and Seungho sighed, leaning on the doorframe of the balcony. He looked out at the pouring rain and hoped his silence would give Joon a hint to not ask questions anymore.“What did you mean?” Joon prodded again.“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”“No.”“Then forget I said it.”

“I can’t! Just tell me.”“Why is it necessary for you to know that badly?”“Because I want to know you better!”Seungho was surprised at the answer and stared into Joon’s eyes, searching them. That gentle and playful look in his glimmering orbs was forbiddingly attractive. Seungho abruptly turned away from Joon. “You should go.”Joon frowned and shook his head. “I don’t want to go yet.”“You’ve seen me. I’m better. You don’t have to be here anymore.” Seungho said a bit irritated.“Why do you want me to leave so badly?” Joon countered. Seungho held back the urge to snap at him and clenched his fist.“Because you’re not supposed to be here.”“Not supposed to?” Joon echoed.“What?”“You said you want me to leave because I’m not supposed to be here.” Joon continued, watching Seungho closely. “Are you not allowed to have visitors?” He asked.“Get out, Joon.” Seungho said as he walked away from Joon.“No.” Joon said through another sneeze. Seungho turned back to glance at Joon. “Can I close the door? I’m getting cold.” Joon asked shivering. Just then the blaring thunder struck again and Joon yelled running scared toward Seungho, hugging him tightly. Joon could feel the sudden tension in Seungho’s body.“You’re trembling.” Joon said as he looked up to Seungho’s face. Seungho closed his eyes tightly. His lips quivered as he resisted biting Joon. Seungho could feel the hunger rising in him. He began to breathe heavily.“Let go of me.” He growled.“What’s wrong?”Seungho broke away from Joon’s embrace and roughly pushed him back. Joon hit his head against the bookshelf and fell to the floor unconscious. Seungho covered his face with his hand and dropped to his knees. He bit his lips hard enough to make them bleed profusely. After a few minutes, Seungho slowly stood up and saw Joons body on the floor.“Joon…” Seungho said as he walked over to him. He kneeled down and shook the other boy’s body gently.“Joon?” GO rushed into Seungho’s room.“Where is he?” He growled furiously and glanced around Seungho’s room.“GO, he’s harmless!” Mir pleaded, tugging at GO’s arm.“What did you do to him?” GO said shocked as he walked over to Joon’s body. Mir looked over and gasped. “Seungho-yah! If you didn’t want him you could have given him to me!” He pouted and kicked Seungho’s leg.

“This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t bring him here!” Seungho shot back as he pinned Mir

against the wall. “What did you do to him?” GO asked again. “I pushed him away when he got close.” Seungho explained furiously.“Are you an idiot? He’s a human! You probably already killed him!” GO angrily grabbed at Seungho’s shirt. Mir freed himself from Seungho’s grasp and kneeled down beside Joon’s unconscious body.“Not one of the locals is supposed to die by our hand, do you understand that?”Seungho stared at GO.“What do I care if he dies?” He scoffed.“If he shows up dead, they’ll come looking around and they’ll find our place! Where would we find shelter from the daylight, huh?” “Humph.” Seungho looked away from GO. “Then I’ll kill them all.”“To you killing solves everything, doesn’t it?” GO retorted.“Seungho-yah, help him! He helped you!” Mir yelled furiously. He stared into Seungho’s eyes with a serious attitude. He laid Joon on his back and put his head on his lap, caressing Joon’s hair gently.Seungho was furious. To save Joon’s life would only complicate things. He looked down at Joon’s body and noticed a necklace tucked in the crease of his shirt. He kneeled down, grabbing and holding the charm in the palm of his hand.“You promise to protect the person wearing this necklace~” Seungho remembered the soft words of an unbreakable promise. He sighed and placed his hands over Joon’s chest. Mir and GO glanced between each other before staring at Seungho. Seungho closed his eyes. He could feel Joon’s body healing rapidly. Seungho opened his eyes and looked down at Joon’s face. He seemed less pale and the warmth returned to his body gradually.“He looks better.” Mir said amazed and Joon groaned lightly but remained asleep. GO looked at Joon and then turned to Seungho who had stood up.“What exactly did you just do?” He asked.“I didn’t bring him back to life if that’s what you’re thinking. I…gave…him some of my life force. Enough to heal him.” Seungho looked over to GO. Mir raised his eyebrow, surprised.“So he should be alright now.” Mir said relieved.“You’re sharing your life force with him…” GO gazed piercingly at Seungho.“He’s alive like you want him to be.” Seungho replied coldly. GO grabbed him by his arm.“Only a Master vampire can bind to a human.”“Exactly.” GO’s eyes widened at Seungho’s response.“Then are you going to bind-?”“I’ve only given him the first mark because of his injuries. I don’t plan to bind to such a pathetic being.” GO stared into Seungho’s eyes and couldn’t help but feel that this was a bad idea. That maybe Seungho was right about Joon—that they should kill him. However, what was done was done. Now GO could only hope that things turned out right.

“I’m going to move him to your bed, okay?” Mir asked cheerfully.“No. Take him to a spare room.”“What? Why?”“I don’t want him here.” Seungho said angrily.“Just put him in the spare room across the hall, Mir.” GO told him.“Okay.” Mir lifted and carried Joon’s body to the room across the hall.“Are you crazy!?” Seungho demanded with his eyes burning red. GO glared and stared into Seungho’s orbs. “What!”“Master vampire.”Seungho groaned and walked away from GO. GO followed close behind. Seungho stopped by the door to the balcony and looked out the window.“Since when have you been a Master vampire?” GO continued.“…A while.” Seungho admitted.“How long is a while?” GO asked as he crossed his arms.“Several years. I don’t remember.” Seungho sighed frustrated. He leaned his arm against the door and rested his forehead on his forearm.“So is this why you became so hostile towards Master Jihoon?”“I don’t know.” Seungho muttered.“There can’t be two Masters to one clan, Seungho-yah.”eungho looked down. “You know, Joon can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”“Yes, well, we can’t just leave him out in the rain. You’re the early riser. I’m sure you can manage on your own.” GO said to him. He stepped closer and placed his hand on Seungho’s shoulder. Seungho opening up to him so easily and not shoving his hand away surprised GO. “Seungho-yah, don’t get too close to him. I think there’s something he wants from you.”“What do you mean?”“You haven’t noticed the way he looks at you?”“Wha-”“Hey guys? I think there’s something wrong with him. He’s kind of warm.” Mir said as he walked in.“Humans are warm, Mir.” GO pointed out.“No, I mean he’s warmer than the norm.”Seungho and GO started to walk over to the room. Mir led the way and walked next to the bed. “See.”Joon was bundled up in the comforter, shaking. He had a fever. Mir placed his hand over his head.“He’s really burning up. I think he’s…humans get it…” Mir fumbled as he tried to remember the word.“What?” GO and Seungho asked in unison.“Sick!” Mir snapped his fingers. “Humans get sick. They burn up like this. I think there’s something they take to get better.” Mir sighed. “If only one of us remembered these human things.”“If we don’t give him anything then what?” GO asked.Mir looked at GO and Seungho. “Well, they die. I think.”

Mir and GO began to converse and Seungho looked over to Joon’s body. He thought of how he couldn’t remember the last time he was sick. It was difficult to remember the life he had before or how he was when he was human. All his past memories were forgotten as the years went by. Now, Seungho didn’t remember anything. “Let’s go see what we have.” GO said to Mir.“Okay. Seungho watch over him.” They left before Seungho even knew it and he was alone in the room with Joon. He stared at Joon’s shivering body. All he could think of was how fragile and pathetic Humans were.“Joon…?” He said carefully. Outside, silent lightning flashed, which made the lights go out for a few minutes. Seungho walked over to Joon’s bedside and kneeled down. He silently observed him. His eyes glowed in the dark, much like a dog or cat at night. The ends of Joon’s hair were soaked in sweat. He was trembling and whining low from the throbbing pain. Seungho looked down.“Why should I care for him? The promise I made to his mom doesn’t apply to him. I should just end his life. But at the same time...”“It…hurts…” Joon mumbled. Seungho raised his head to look at Joon. He hesitantly placed his hand on Joon’s forehead. Joon opened his eyes slightly and placed his warm hand over Seungho’s cold one.“Feels good.” He whispered. Seungho jolted and looked into Joon’s eyes, forgetting about his glowing eyes. Joon stared into Seungho’s orbs until a flash of lightning lit up the dark room.“Seungho-yah…I’m sorry.” He said softly. Those gentle words pierced through Seungho’s chest. Joon’s painful expression made Seungho feel compassionate for the first time. He knew why Joon was apologizing. Seungho couldn’t fight the urge to help Joon get better. It ate at him deeply. Joon’s face had haunted Seungho since the day he had first laid eyes on him.“You’ll feel better soon. Just stay still.” Seungho’s thumb caressed Joon’s forehead gently and Joon only gave a half nod. “Close your eyes.” Seungho said, making sure that Joon obeyed. Seungho closed his eyes and gave Joon more of his life force.After a few more minutes, the thundering rain began to quietly calm down. The lights came back on. Seungho opened his eyes and removed his hands from Joon’s body. Joon was comfortably asleep.“His fever went down.” Seungho noted as he gently placed his hand back on Joon’s forehead.“We found it.” Mir said walking in with GO close behind. Seungho pulled his hand away and stood up.“We found this and thankfully it hasn’t expired yet.” Mir said happily. Seungho walked toward the door and stopped to look back. Mir prepared the medicine while GO touched Joon’s forehead.“He’s cooled down.”“Hm?” Mir said as he poured the bottle’s contents onto a plastic spoon. “We can’t be too careless.” Mir walked over to Joon and lifted his head. Seungho returned to his room at that moment, closing the door behind him.“Joon, drink this.” Mir cooed. Joon slowly drank it with his eyes slightly open. Mir laid him down on the bed and Joon fell to sleep. GO and Mir watched him for a few minutes in silence.“Do you think it’s okay to leave him here? I mean, with Seungho and with what happened today?” Mir asked worried.

“He’ll be fine. Seungho won’t do anything to hurt him.” GO narrowed his eyes as he stared at Joon.“How can you tell?” Mir asked.“I just have a feeling.” GO said and pulled Mir away. “Let’s go it’s almost dawn.”Joon drowsily blinked his eyes open. He couldn’t understand why there was something different about his room. He felt an empty coldness surrounding him and not to mention an aroma that circulated in the room. There was something completely different about this place. Just when he was getting comfortable he remembered and Joon jolted up looking around.“This isn’t my room!” He looked over to the nightstand and saw the red, digital numbers displayed on the clock. “It’s 4:30 p.m.? I overslept the whole day!” He said, climbing out of the bed. He noticed his clothes neatly folded on a chair off to the side and after changing he stepped out of the room. He looked around noticing how all the lights were on and the curtains closed. He walked over to Seungho’s room and knocked lightly.“Seungho-yah?” Joon cautiously opened the door and looked in. “Seungho-yah?” he repeated. Joon walked over after hearing low groans from the bed. He could see movement under the blankets. “Seungho-yah?” He lightly touched Seungho’s shoulder. Seungho was curled up and had his face buried in a pillow. He grabbed at his chest and began to screech. “Seungho-yah! Wake up! Wake up!” Joon desperately shook him but Seungho wouldn’t open his eyes. “It…burns!” Seungho began to gasp for air and trembled uncontrollably. “Seungho-yah! Wake up!” Joon exclaimed tearing up. He didn’t know what to do so he yelled for Mir to come and help him, but there is no response. Joon climbed over Seungho and lay down beside him. After great difficulty, he managed to pull Seungho into his embrace. He stayed as calm as possible and whispered comforting words to him.In the tormenting darkness that engulfed Seungho, he heard repetitive thumps. They were soothing and mesmerizing beats and they made him feel warm and peaceful which he had never felt before. He felt his body lose its tension and it made him ache. He didn’t understand what was happening to him. He heard the relentless thumps become louder and heavier.Seungho slightly opened his eyes and was intoxicated by a sweet scent. He let out a deep moan before nuzzling his face into it. Joon giggled and loosened his grip from Seungho. Seungho’s eyes shot open seeing a chest before looking up into Joon’s eyes. He pushed himself away from Joon and fell out of bed.“What are you doing in here? In my bed!?” He demanded furiously.Joon sat up and simply smiled. “I’m glad you’re okay now.”Seungho looked at him confused. “What? What are you talking about?” Joon got out of Seungho’s bed and stood in front of him. He leaned down and held his hand out to him.“You were having a nightmare. A really bad one.”Seungho eyed Joon suspiciously and got up on his own. “I don’t have nightmares.”“Well, then, what else was it?” Joon stood straight and watched Seungho’s back as he walked away from him. “One thing you were saying over and over again was…‘It burns’.” Seungho stopped walking and narrowed his eyes before turning around. He looked into Joon’s eyes and said nothing. Joon

sighed and walked toward him. “I’m not lying to you. I saw you.”Seungho leaned back on his drawer and ran his hand across his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about that right now.” Joon slumps his shoulders and nods. “Fine.” Joon looked around Seungho’s room and suddenly realized how plain it was. It needed something. He walked over to the curtain and opened it slowly. The sun had already set and it was beginning to get dark. “Hm. I wonder what time it is.” Seungho looked over to Joon. “You should go home. Before it gets dark in the woods.” Joon bit his lip. “Will you take me?” He looked back at Seungho. Seungho looked over to Joon surprised then glanced away. “Don’t look at me like that.” He mumbled and Joon just held his smile back before walking over to him. “Please?”Seungho looked away from Joon. “Ask Mir.” Joon shook his head. “I don’t want him to take me.”“Then why should I? He’s the one that brought you here. He’s the one that should take you back.”Joon smiled slightly. “He was only keeping his promise. And…I know you’ll end up going to the lake.”“What makes you think I’m going there?” Seungho asked annoyed.“Well, you were sick and it’s been raining these past few days.”Seungho stared at Joon with an annoyed look and Joon stared at Seungho tenderly.“I’ll wait till you’re changed.” Joon decided as he stepped out of Seungho’s room. Seungho was furious. Why did he need to take Joon home? Mir should be the one taking him home. “And who does this human think he is, ordering me around. Like I’m his servant…if anything he’s my-”“Seungho-yah! Just do it!” Mir said as he peeked in from the balcony. Seungho glared over at him. “I’m going to seriously kill you!” Mir laughed and waved his hands. “Okay, you can kill me later but you should hurry.” Seungho fisted his hands out of anger as Mir passed him by and went into his closet, choosing his outfit. “You should be the one taking him home!” Mir handed Seungho his clothes. “Just get dressed. Unless…you’re scared of him.” Mir added amusement clear in his tone. Seungho growled and quickly snatched the clothes from him. He changed while Mir stood by the balcony door looking out.“Seungho-yah?” Mir spoke quietly and Seungho looked over to him but doesn’t respond. “Why do humans bother you so much?” He continued knowing full well that Seungho was listening.“Does it matter?” Seungho retorted coldly. “Yes.” Mir replied, turning around to face him. “You’re different from everyone else.” Mir’s reply made Seungho laugh. “Oh really?” Mir stared at Seungho seriously. “I don’t mean it in a good way. What I mean is…that you hate everything and everyone around you. I haven’t met anyone else like you. I even wonder sometimes if

there’s really anyone or anything in this world you’ll ever like.”Seungho slipped into his shoes. “There isn’t.”“That’s what I’m afraid of. At least…at least give something a chance.”Seungho felt irritated by Mir’s words. “Why are you preaching to me all of a sudden? It’s getting on my nerves!” Mir just smirked at Seungho. “What!?” Seungho growled and Mir smiled before giggling softly. “Ah, Seungho-yah, you’re way too easy!” He blurted out while laughing. Seungho grabbed him by the neck and squeezed.“What are you talking about?”“Okay, okay. Calm down. I’ll tell you.” Mir coughed after Seungho finally let him go. “I…” He cleared his throat. “I was stalling you with my conversation. Joon, obviously, can’t see at night. So you’re going to have to hold his hand ‘cause he’s super clumsy.” Mir grinned. Seungho balled his fists and clenched his jaw just before leaping toward Mir. Mir quickly vanished out through the balcony laughing in victory. “I’m going to kill him when I get back.” Seungho muttered under his breath.Seungho walked out of his room passing Joon. “Let’s go.” He demanded, still irritated from Mir’s words. “Hey-okay!” Joon said smiling. He took a glance at Seungho from behind and blushed. “Hurry up.” Seungho told him going down the staircase. “Okay, but what’s the rush?” Joon jogged up to Seungho. They passed the entrance gates and then headed down a path that only Seungho knew. “Wait, is this the right way?” Joon asked. Seungho walked with his hands in his pockets thinking about what Mir told him. “Seungho-yah?” Joon nudged him lightly. “Hmm?” Seungho looked at Joon. “Um, this is the right way, right?” “Yeah. It’s safer for clumsy people.” Seungho replied and Joon smiled softly. “Thanks.”They walked in silence and the awkward atmosphere was unbearable for the two. Joon felt nervous but decided to break the ice anyway. “How long have you lived here?” He tried staying close to Seungho the darker it became. “A long time.”“So, how come there’s no road that leads to your house?”Seungho slightly narrowed his eyes. “We prefer privacy.”“Oh. So, do you have any other friends besides those two?” Seungho stopped walking suddenly and Joon bumped into him. “Huh?”“S-Sorry! I can’t really see where I’m going that’s why I need to hear your voice.” Joon admitted. Seungho sighed and muttered to himself. “For a human, you’re pretty smart.” Joon was close enough to hear him. “What?”

Seungho held out his hand and turned away from Joon, blushing. Joon looked at Seungho’s hand and grinned. He took ahold of it firmly. Seungho started to walk faster.“Seungho-yah! Wait! You’re going too fast!” Joon yelped as he grabbed ahold of Seungho’s wrist with his other free hand.They walked in silence again through the empty, dark street on their way to Joons’ house. Joon glanced over to Seungho who was deep in thought but also seeming a bit sad. He bit his lip and nudged against Seungho gently. Seungho’s gaze jerked over to Joon startled and Joon returned his confusion with an awkward smile. He wondered if he was a burden to Seungho. It pained him to think it’s true. Seungho stopped walking and faced Joon when he realized the sudden abnormality of his heartbeat. Joon looked down with the smile erased from his lips.“It bothers you…a lot…to be with me, right?” Joon’s voice shook as he spoke. “Just tell me the truth. I’ll leave you alone-”“Joon?”Joon turned to the street to see his Aunt and Uncle sitting in their car. He immediately smiled and walked over to them. Seungho followed behind him hesitantly.“Where have you been?” His Aunt tried not to sound too harsh.“I-I was at-”“Chundong’s?” His Uncle interrupted. “We called him. He said that you two didn’t have any plans to hang out together.” Uncle looked from Joon to the stranger behind him. “Oh, Hello?”Joon immediately turned back to Seungho. “This is Seungho. He’s-” Seungho stepped forward and bowed politely. “I’m Seungho. Forgive me. It was my fault Joon didn’t come home last night. I’m new in town and Joon offered to help me move in. We lost track of time.”“Oh! Well that’s okay! Welcome to our town! I’m sure you’ll love it.” Joon’s Aunt spoke friendlier and now relaxed. Joon felt relieved but he had to wonder why Seungho lied.“Well, why don’t we head to the festival together? I’m sure you’ll love it!” Uncle suggested with a big grin.h! A great opportunity to meet some locals as well.” Joon’s Aunt chimed in. Joon pouted childishly as he moved to get in the backseat. He knew Seungho would say no and he also knew the answer Seungho would’ve given to his question earlier. Seungho glanced at Joon’s back and noticed the expression on his face through the reflection of the window.“Sure.” Seungho said nodding and Joon was surprised. ‘Am I hearing right?’ He wondered to himself.Uncle smiled. “Well, get in! There’s plenty of room.”“Joon? Get in, honey, so Seungho can get in.”“Oh! Sorry!” Joon climbed in and moved to the other end of the backseat. Seungho climbed in too and watched Joon.“Are you afraid of me?”

Joon became flustered at Seungho’s blunt question. His Aunt and Uncle just laughed.“Joon, don’t be mean.” His Aunt teased and Joon flushed, smiling like an idiot. “Oh, Joon, honey…before I forget.” She continued distracted as she dug in her purse.“Hm?” Joon turned to his Aunt while fanning himself.“You’re hot.” Seungho said seriously. Joon immediately turns to him surprised.“What?” He flushed and Aunt and Uncle laughed again. “Wha-wha-what do you mean?” Joon stammered nervously. Seungho just studied Joon’s face closely which made Joon cover his face and laugh embarrassed.“Here, hon. don’t leave your cell phone behind again. I already charged it for you.” Joon’s Aunt said between giggles as she handed Joon his cell phone.“Thank you.” Joon said sweetly.“Here we are.” Joon’s Uncle told them turning the A/C off. Joon couldn’t help but notice Seungho staring at him from the corner of his eye. He thought that maybe he was seeing things but when he turned to look Seungho was really staring at him. Joon grinned. “Uh, umm, could you open the window?” He chuckled and Seungho turned to look at the door not knowing how to do it.“I don’t know how.” Seungho admitted softly and Joon smiled before reaching his arm over.“I’ll do it.” Joon’s heart raced at how close he was to Seungho.“So, the parking is going to be here?” Aunt asked excited.“Yeah, that way other cars won’t be in the way.” Uncle replied as he scoped the area for an empty parking spot. Aunt occupied herself by greeting friends from town. “Where did you park at?” She asked the friend.“Try down by the river; they just opened that spot for parking. It’ll be bumpy though.”“Alright, thanks!” Uncle said as he headed in the said direction. “Well, we’re here. Let’s roll the windows up.”“Huh?” Joon asked, hearing his Uncle and he started to roll the window up. Uncle found a spot up on a small hill and pressed the gas.“That spots mine.” He shouted causing his wife to laugh. Joon bumped his head with Seungho’s on accident.“Ow.” He groaned and turned to Seungho. “Are you okay?” Joon asked examining Seungho’s head. He had a small cut right by his hairline. “C’mon, kids!” Aunt said stepping out of the car. “Ah, Hello!” Aunt and Uncle ran into some friends and they started up in conversation. Seungho looked at Joon. “I’m fine.” He assured, taking Joon’s hand away and opening the door to the car. He stepped out and Joon followed, putting his cell phone in his pocket. Joon glanced over to Seungho and noticed his cut was gone.“Joon, come here. There are some people who want to see you.” His Aunt said cheerfully. “Okay.” Joon walked over slowly. Seungho stayed a few feet back and observed them. “This is Seungho, one of Joon’s friends.” Aunt said as she pulled Seungho forward.

‘Friend?’

Seungho politely bowed and greeted everyone. As soon as they passed the entrance, Aunt and Uncle turned to the pair behind them. “Go have fun. If anything, just call, okay?” Aunt told them smiling.

Joon returned the smile. “I will.”

“Bye!”

“Bye.” Joon said and turned to Seungho. “Where to now?” Joon asked nervously before he noticed the look on Seungho’s face.

“What is this?” Seungho asked amazed.

“You haven’t been to a festival before?”

“No.”

“Not even when you were little?”

“I can’t remember.” Seungho accidentally let slip out as he walked toward a few booths. Joon came up beside Seungho, although it was amusing to see Seungho’s expression, his answers were really strange.

“Can’t remember?” Joon echoed.

“No.” Seungho looked at Joon. “What do you do here?”

Joon pointed from Seungho to the display of balloons on a wheel. “You have to pop the white one as the wheel spins on one try.”

“I’ll do it.”

“What?”

The woman in charge of the booth heard Seungho and made her way over. “Here you go, handsome. Free try.” She said grabbing Seungho’s arm and placing the dart seductively in the palm of his hand. Joon huffed and crossed his arms.

“Just go already.” Joon said as he glanced away.

Seungho smirked. “Make it go fast.”

“Of course. Anything else?” The woman flirting with Seungho made Joon sick to his stomach.

“Why don’t you close your eyes too?” Joon said bitterly, glaring at Seungho.

“Fine.” Seungho replied as he faced Joon and closed his eyes. The woman spun the wheel as fast as she could. Seungho held the dart up to the wheel and threw it popping the white balloon instantly.

“Wow! How’d you do that?” Joon exclaimed forgetting his jealousy issue. Joons smiling eyes gave Seungho a warm feeling in his chest. The woman came close to Seungho and leaned toward him.

“What would you like as your prize? A kiss?”

Seungho looked away and stepped back. “No, thanks.” He answered and Joon had to bite his lip in order to hide the smile that threatened to appear on his face. “I want that though.” Seungho said pointing to a handmade, dark red bracelet. The woman chuckled.

“Sure.” She reached for it and handed it to Seungho. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” Seungho turned to Joon and grabbed his arm.

“Wha-what are you doing?” Joon blushed as Seungho’s hand trailed down his arm to his wrist. Seungho wrapped the bracelet around his wrist and clicked it locked. The woman gasped, not out of disgust, but out of embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you were together.” She apologized and Joon turned even redder. He violently shook his head and tried to explain but the words just wouldn’t come out of his mouth. Seungho pulled on Joon’s shirt to steer him another direction. Seungho didn’t bother to explain nor did he want to.

As they walked together, Joon would answer Seungho’s questions, as childish as they were. The whole time Joon’s heart would flutter uncontrollably and even more when he glanced at the bracelet. They decided to take a break from walking, well, at least Joon did. They sat on a picnic table facing each other.

“Seungho-yah, are you hungry?” Joon looked at him innocently. “We can get something while we rest.” Seungho chuckled at the question. “What?” Joon asked curiously.

Seungho shook his head. “I’m not hungry. I’m okay.”

“Okay. Well, I’m hungry so I’ll go get something.”

Seungho watched Joon leave and a light breeze pushed through along with a scent that Seungho could distinguish. His eyes turned red and Seungho suddenly felt alarmed. He stood up and looked around, trying to figure out where it came from.

“I can’t do this here.” He mumbled, looking down to prevent any passers bys from seeing his eyes. “It’s not Mir or GO. It…can’t be Jihoon…then who?”

“Hey, you okay?” Joon asked as he put his food on the table.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Seungho calmed down before looking Joon in the eyes. He saw two others with him. Joon smiled.

“These are two of my friends from school. Chundong and Sang hee, this is Seungho. He’s new in town.”

“Whoa! I mean, Hi!” Sang hee blushed then bowed. “Hi.” Seungho said, returning the gesture. Chundong gave Seungho a hostile stare.

“So, you’re the Seungho that Joon talks about.”

Seungho looked at Chundong. “What?”

“N-no! I-it’s not like that…I-” Joon stammered.

“Anyway, I’m going to make this clear to you now. If you ever talk to Joon the way you did before or if you ever hurt him. I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you do.”

Seungho stared into Chundong’s eyes. He clenched his jaw tightly, his fangs cutting the inside of his mouth. Seungho reacted quickly when threats were made. It was the reason he had to be careful especially around humans.

Seungho walked away from them.

“Chundong, why would you say that to him?” Joon demanded before he went after Seungho.

“I’m going to have to agree with Joon on this one. That was harsh.” Sang hee shoved Chundong.

Seungho headed into the nearest restroom. He checked around for anyone before going to the farthest sink and spitting into it. The blood in his mouth was becoming poison. He turned the faucet on and let the water wash it away.

“Are you okay?” Joon worriedly watched Seungho after noticing the blood in the sink.

Seungho was startled. “What are you doing here?”

“I…I wanted to check on you. You’re feeling sick again?” Joon asked sadly. Seungho shook his head.

“No, I bit my tongue.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

“What?”

“You promise you’re not lying to me.”

Seungho looked into Joon’s eyes. He couldn’t understand what this feeling was every time he looked into those glimmering orbs. He either felt really strong or really weak. It was frustrating to want to be with Joon and far away from him at the same time. He hated this and he hated Joon for being the cause.

Or so that’s what he thought hate felt like.

“I promise.” Seungho finally answered. They walked out of the restroom and Dae-Jung bumped into Joon. He spilled his drink on himself in the process.

“Why don’t you watch where you’re going?” He hissed shoving Joon back.

“I was. You were the one who bumped into me.” Joon retorted. This was the last thing Joon wanted today, a confrontation with Dae-Jung especially in front of Seungho. Dae-Jung grabbed Joon and slammed him against the wall.

“I got a better idea. Why don’t I spill a drink on you then we can call it even.” Dae-Jung’s friends

laughed and handed him an orange soda drink.

Seungho stood there watching Joon. He saw Joon fisting his hands and he knew that Joon wasn’t going to do a thing. Just when Dae-Jung hovered the cup over Joon’s head Seungho grabbed Dae-Jungs’ wrist and squeezed it.

“Ah! What the fuck!”

Seungho pulled Joon from the other’s grip. Dae-Jung dropped the drink on the floor and held his wrist.

“I’m going to kick your ass!” He growled furiously and throwing a punch that Seungho easily dodged. Seungho retaliated with only half strength or maybe less than half, but still enough to send Dae-Jung reeling backward. Joon suddenly stepped in front of Seungho and pushed him back.

“Don’t! Not here.”

Dae-Jung’s friends did the same and pulled him away. “Dae-Jung, c’mon man, we’ll deal with him later!” Dae-Jung stumbled to regain balance. He held his aching wrist. “You’re bleeding, man.”

Joon watched Dae-Jung and the others leave and Seungho fixed Joon with a furious look. “Why didn’t you defend yourself?” He demanded. Joon turned to Seungho surprised.

“Because there’s no reason for me to do so.”

“No reason? He was about to pour that drink all over you!”

“It’s not like it would kill me!”

“Maybe not this time! But he’ll come back with something worse and you’re just going to let him kill you!”

“He’s just a bully! What he does is hardly anything worth fighting over!”

“You’re stupid to think that way! He hates you! You fucking push over!” Seungho stomped past Joon.

“Seungho…even if it does come down to something like that. I won’t let him.” Joon spun around to stare at Seungho’s back. “You have your secrets. I have mine.” Seungho turned to face Joon; he narrowed his eyes as Joon stepped toward him. “It’s probably stupid of me to say this but I know you’re hiding something…but…you can’t lie to me.” He said looking into Seungho’s questioning eyes.

“You promised.” Joon continued curling his pinky around Seungho’s.

Seungho laughed sadistically. He wanted to rip Joon apart, out of anger, for falling right into his hand. “You’ll regret it.” He settled for instead.

They headed back to the table where Chundong and Sang hee sat. There was complete silence between the three boys. Joon stared at Seungho from across the table and Seungho avoided any eye contact with Chundong or Joon. Chundong only looked at Joon and Sang hee.

“Wow, guys. This is beyond awkward.” Sang hee said looking at the three of them. “Seungho-yah, I’m sorry these two are weird. I hope they didn’t make you feel uncomfortable.” Sang hee got closer to him before he could answer and smiled. “Will you be attending our school, too?”

Seungho sat uncomfortably straight and looked at Sang hee. “No, I get sick easily so-“

“Home school, huh? Don’t you get bored?” Seungho just stared at Sang hee. “I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”

“No, I just never thought about that.”

“Thought about being bored?” Sang hee chuckled. “You’re really cute.”

“Cute?” Seungho questioned.

Sang hee giggled. “Don’t tell me, you don’t like to be called that either, huh? I guess most guys don’t.”

“Actually, no guy does.” Joon said annoyed by Sang hee’s flirting. Chundong chuckled.

“I’m sure one guy does!” Sang hee said giving Joon ‘the look’. She turned back to Seungho. “You know it’s hard to tell you’re sick when you look pretty healthy, but I guess looks can be deceiving, huh?”

Seungho looked over to Joon. “I guess so.” Chundong noticed the stares between the two boys and he kicked Joon under the table.

“Ow!” Joon winced as he turned to Chundong.

“Let’s go to the booths.” Chundong told him standing up.

“I already went.” Joon whined in a low voice.

“Did you go to the haunted house, then?” Sang hee asked as she stuck a piece of gum in her mouth.

“There’s a haunted house?” Joon echoed sitting up.

“Yeah, it’s right by the wood trail by the skating pond.” Chundong answered as he came up behind Joon and rubbed his shoulders.

“There’s an old house near there. The upperclassmen decided to use it for the haunted house this year.” Sang hee got up and shrugged her shoulders. “I guess you and Seungho can go together since you haven’t gone.”

Chundong stared at Seungho and let go of Joon. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Joon nodded and started to get up. “Okay…do you want to go Seungho?” Joon looked at Seungho who was watching Chundong.

“Yeah, why not.”

Sang hee could still feel the heavy atmosphere and pulled Chundong by the arm. “C’mon, doongie, let’s cool you off.” They parted ways.

A cold breeze swept through the night air. The sky was covered in glimmering stars and dark clouds.

The trees rustled and the owls hooted around the couple walking silently along the moonlit path

towards the haunted house. Joon felt awkward under this atmosphere surrounding Seungho and him.

He glanced and sighed deeply at Seungho just before he stopped walking. Seungho stopped at the

same time, making Joon look at him surprised. Seungho faced Joon.

“What’s with you?” He asked knowing something was wrong with Joon. By the way Joon breathed to

the way his heart was beating, everything was the same as earlier. Joon slightly parted his lips but felt

discouraged to speak so he just shook his head. “Suddenly you have nothing to say.” Seungho huffed

mockingly and glanced over to the pond nearby. Joon pouted and looked at the pond, as if under a

spell, and at the reflection of the moon on the surface of the water as he walked over to it.

“Let’s stay here.” Joon smiled and squatted down to dip his hand in the water. Seungho looked at

Joon with a confused expression.

“Why?”

“I’m just…not in the mood for a haunted house.” Joon said in a low voice, pursing his lips out slightly.

Seungho looked at Joon’s profile unable to look away from him. His smooth skin was illuminated a

soft white, the reflection from the water brightened his eyes and his perfectly straight brown hair

seemed weightless against the blowing wind. Joon turned to look at Seungho, catching Seungho

staring at him intently.

“What?” Joon became flustered. Seungho blinked back at him blankly and slowly shook his head.

Joon giggled in an embarrassed manner before biting his lips. “So…are Mir and GO related to you?”

Joon asked curiously.

“No, they’re not.” Seungho glanced out to the view in front of him. He leaned against a tree near the

pond as he watched Joon.

“Oh. Well at least you’re not alone. I bet, with Mir, there’s never a boring day.” Joon said sweetly.

“What’s with you and Mir?” Seungho said bitterly and glared at Joon. Joon was taken aback and

gasped. He stood up and shook his head.

“No, no, no it’s not like that. I just think Mir is unique and you seem gloomy and…angry all the time.”

Joon muttered the last few words under his breath when he noticed Seungho getting angry. “Well…

you do.” Joon bit his lip and pleadingly looked at Seungho.

Seungho stared at Joon and found his expression irresistible but forcefully turned away from him.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Seungho could feel heat encircling his cheeks.

“Seungho-yah, how come you lied…earlier…to my aunt and uncle?” Joon curiously asked. Seungho

turned to him, looking at him seriously.

“Why do you let Dae-Jung bully you?” He countered.

“Dae-Jung?” Joon questioned as he stared into Seungho’s eyes. He realized that Seungho wouldn’t

answer his question unless he answered his. Joon slightly frowned and sighed. “I don’t know you that

well to tell you.”

Seungho stayed quiet before turning away from Joon irritated. “Fine.”

“I mean...I want to get to know you better.” Joon nervously retorted, taking a few steps forward.

“Why, Joon? Why is it that you want to know who I am?” Seungho stared into Joon’s eyes as if he

were searching for something.

“I…I just think we’d be good friends.” Joon said sincerely.

“Friends?” Seungho echoed dissatisfied by Joon’s answer.

“Then what more do you want?” Joon bit his lip. ‘If you want to be more than friends then it’s fine by

me.’ He thought to himself blushing.

“Fine. Then tell me why you don’t stand up to him.” Seungho said as he stood up straight and took a

few steps toward Joon.

“I don’t think violence will solve our situation. Dae-Jung is a hot head. He does things without thinking

them through. I feel that if I talked to him alone he would give me a chance.”

“A chance?” Seungho questioned.

“A chance to be friends.” Joon finished as he stared into Seungho’s eyes feeling drawn in by them.

“You think talking is going to make him stop?” Seungho mocked.

“Yes.” Joon said firmly.

“Talking isn’t enough...it never is.” Seungho narrowed his eyes.

“It depends on how you talk to the other person.” Joon retorted, but Seungho only laughed.

“Not when that person hates you.”

“You’re saying it as if you know.” Joon said as he watched Seungho closely.

“I know hate can never be erased. He’ll come back for you and when he does, it’ll be worse than

tonight.” Joon didn’t know why those words shook his heart. “That’s what I hate about you. You’re

too trusting and naïve. You think this world is safe and uncruel, but it’s not.” Seungho told him angrily

and surprised Joon.

“That’s not true! I know how the real world is!” Joon countered furiously as he pinned Seungho

against the tree. “You don’t even know me well enough to say that I’m trusting and find the world

uncruel!” Seungho stared at Joon before turning away. Joon tried to calm down but he couldn’t just

let this go now. What Seungho said bothered him deeply. He pushed Seungho back against the tree

when the other tried to leave. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Let me pass Joon!” Seungho growled as he attempted to leave again. Joon pinned him again and

pressed his body up against Seungho’s.

“You don’t really hate me, do you?” Joon looked at Seungho stripping away his cold façade and

piercing into his core. Seungho felt hypnotized by Joon’s gaze.

“I do hate you.”

“Then why come after me?” Joon said, observing every detail in Seungho’s face.

“What are you talking about?“ Seungho glared at Joon feeling angry and confused. Joon fisted

Seungho’s shirt into the grip of his hand.

“If you hate me like you say you do…then why did you taste my neck at the club?” Joon whispered

into Seungho’s ear as his hands were placed at the other’s sides and slowly rode up his shirt.

“I didn’t do that.” Seungho lied feeling his body reacting to Joon’s seduction.

“Yes, you did. It was right here.” Joon pointed to his neck where Seungho’s tongue had once touched

him. Joon leaned close to Seungho’s ear. “That’s when you told me that you hate me and thought I

was going to follow you.” Joon’s voice in his ear caused Seungho’s body to tremble. It was a

suffocating, warm and soft feeling brewed inside of his chest and dropped down to his stomach

causing his knees to feel weak.

“Well, you were.” Seungho retorted stumbling in place.

“I wasn’t.” Joon lied. He leaned closer to Seungho and pouted. “Well, you took care of me when I was

sick last night.”

“I wasn’t taking care of you. That was Mir.”

“It was you!” Joon convinced himself. “I saw you.” Joon mumbled. “Then…why did you show up at

the lake when you were sick? Why come here with my family?”

“I only came because-” Seungho started and quickly glanced away from Joon.

“Because what?” Joon pressed, staring distractedly at Seungho’s lips. Seungho muttered something

that Joon didn’t pay much attention to. His hands began to slowly ride up Seungho’s neck. Seungho

looked at Joon’s eyes that were focused on his lips.

“What are you doing?” Seungho’s voice shook from the shivers crawling down his spine.

“I...want…” Joon mumbled as he glided his thumb gently over Seungho’s lips. “You don’t hate me.”

Joon whispered as he looked into Seungho’s glossy brown orbs. “Right?” He pleaded.

“Didn’t you just hear what I said…?” Seungho said feeling drawn to Joon.

“…My heart’s pounding too loud.” Joon said as he began to close the gap between them. Joon closed

his eyes as he neared the plump red lips, ready to devour them. Just as their lips would have touched

Seungho turned his face away—he was alarmed by the distinct scent from earlier returning only this

time it was much stronger. He knew he wasn’t imagining it. Joon kissed Seungho’s neck instead and it

sent electric shocks throughout Seungho’s body by the simple contact.

Seungho turned to Joon. “Listen to me…you have to stay close to me, alright?” His voice trembled as

he tried to stay focused.

Joon blushed and gently smiled. “What do you mean?” Joon was unaware of the danger surrounding

them.

“Well, if it isn’t the Jugeum Demon…at last.” A deep mesmerizing voice was heard from across the

pond. Joon turned to see a middle-aged man in dark clothing. His skin was as pale as Seungho’s and

he has short dark brown hair. His eyes were bright red and his sinister grin revealed pearl white teeth.

“Who is he?” Joon whispered.

“I don’t know.” Seungho stayed focused on the stranger while holding Joon close to him.

“Where are my manners?” The stranger said overhearing Joon and Seungho. Seungho sneered and

quickly skimmed his surroundings.

‘There’re hundreds of them.’ He thought to himself.

“My name is Kwan. I have business with the Jugeum Demon. But I’m sure I can give you my full

attention afterwards…human.” Kwan grinned at Joon. Joon looked at the man confused.

“Human…?” He muttered remembering Seungho said the same thing earlier.

“What is your name, human?” A gentle voice spoke from behind the pair. Seungho took a hold of

Joon’s hand surprised to see another man a few feet behind them.

“Don’t talk.” Seungho commanded. Joon just looked at the stranger who had appeared suddenly. He

was a slender, tall man with pale skin and lips red and thin. He had blue eyes and his hair covered one

side of his face. His hair was sleek and black. He had a graceful presence about him unlike Kwan.

“Joon~” Seungho whispered as he slowly started to move away from the stranger. Joon slightly

stumbled but followed Seungho’s lead.

“I’m sorry I should introduce myself.” The stranger bowed as he watched the pair step away. “My

name is Hyun Su.”

“What do you want?” Seungho demanded irritated. Hyun Su gave him a gentle smile. “We want a few

words with you…Seungho-yah.” Seungho’s eyes widened when the man called him by his name.

“How do you know my name?”

“You’re really cute.” Hyun Su said lovingly as he gently pressed the tips of his fingers on his cheek

choosing to ignore the other’s question. Joon could feel something disturbing behind Hyun Su’s

words. Joon squeezed Seungho’s hand tightly. Seungho noticed and felt frustrated by the situation.

“Alright, already! Let’s get this over with!” Kwan said impatiently. Hyun Su looked to him and smiled.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!” Kwan assured. “We should do this quickly since we’re being watched by leader Tae-Hyun.”

“Tae-Hyun?” Seungho asked himself. The name didn’t sound familiar at all but it was no surprise to

Seungho. “If this has to do with me then...” Seungho refused to bring attention to Joon but he had no

choice. “Let him go freely.”

“Seungho, wait.” Joon interrupted, clinging to Seungho’s arm.

“Trust me. You don’t want to be here.”

Kwan and Hyun Su observed the two before a small smile twisted on their lips. “Is this human

important to you Demon?” Kwan dared to push Seungho’s buttons. He began to encircle the pair with

a smile full of ill intentions. Seungho quickly turned to Kwan and made sure to keep Hyun Su in sight

as well.

“Why does that matter?” Seungho bared his teeth.

“Well, did you bring him out here to feed on him or is this human’s life precious to you?” Kwan

stopped and turned to Seungho.

“Feed?” Joon questioned. Hyun Su walked toward Kwan as he smiled at Joon warmly.

“Do you not know who the Jugeum Demon is?”

“Jugeum…Demon?” Joon looked at them confused. Seungho glared at Kwan and Hyun Su. He had to

admit that he hated the name coming out of Joon’s mouth.

“Well, it’s not that hard to figure out. He is standing right beside you.” Kwan stated annoyed. Joon

glanced from the pair to Seungho.

“He’s killed hundreds, or thousands, of people. He and his brother used to raid villages for goods,

goods for their own selfish survival.” Hyun Su said nonchalantly.

“Except, when he raided my village we killed him…at least…that’s what we thought.” Kwan said, his

words full of spite. Seungho stared at Kwan confused. Joon stared at the men strangely.

“What is this? What’s going on?” Joon asked himself. There was something that made him want to

believe their words but at the same time he felt like he needed to protect Seungho. “So, what are

you?” Joon asked of the men.

“We go by many names but the most common nowadays is…Vampire.” Hyun Su answered kindly.

Joon looked at Hyun Su baffled.

“Vampire? Are you insane?”

Hyun Su looked at Joon seriously before disappearing. Hyun Su suddenly appeared behind Joon.

“Don’t test me, human. I have low tolerance for insults.” He whispered into Joon’s ear and swiftly put

Joon’s arm behind his back. Seungho quickly countered with a punch to Hyun Su’s face, but he

dodged it with a back flip. “Hmph.” Hyun Su stared at Seungho with red eyes. Joon was pressed

against Seungho’s body.

“Are you alright?” Seungho asked without looking at him.

“I’m fine.” Joon slightly winced at the stinging pain of his arm.

“I think we should wrap this up now.” Hyun Su told Kwan.

“Finally! But I want that human. His scent arouses me.” Kwan licked his lips as he eyed Joon closely.

Seungho clenched his jaw tightly. There was nothing else he could do at this point but kill them. It

was either them or Joon. Just then, Kwan’s clan emerged from the shadows of the woods and is ready

to attack the pair in the middle. Kwan gave a cocky smirk before he ordered them to kill Seungho.

“Bring me that human unharmed! I’ll devour him myself.”

Seungho jeered.

“Joon, don’t move from this spot.” He said calmly and let go of Joon’s hand. “They’re not allowed to

use their powers on you, but I’m pretty sure they will. Just stay strong and don’t lose focus from

reality.” Seungho said as he disappeared. Joon’s eyes widened from seeing Seungho vanish right

before his eyes. He noticed the men running towards him ready to attack. “Seungho!” Joon yelled.

Just when the men neared Joon, something splattered out to Joon’s face. He stumbled back and fell

on his butt. He quickly wiped his face and heard growls, screams along with thudding noises. He

opened his eyes and looked around at the corpses and limbs lying on the ground surrounding him.

Joon’s eyes were open in awe. He slowly looked up to see Seungho standing right in front of him.

“Get up, Joon.” Seungho demanded. Joon was in shock. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He

couldn’t believe that these were dead bodies on the floor beside him. He couldn’t believe blood was

splattered all over his clothes. He couldn’t believe Seungho had just killed these men yet seemed so

calm about it.

Kwan narrowed his eyes. ‘He’s extremely fast and accurate.’ He thought to himself. He didn’t expect

Seungho to be strong. Now Kwan wondered if Seungho was a master vampire. “We can’t take

chances.” Kwan admitted to himself, “Hyun Su! How about we slow this demon down?” Kwan placed

his hands in his jacket pockets and ordered the remaining of his clan to stand down.

“With pleasure.” Hyun Su said as he gently smiled. He ordered his clan to come out of the shadows.

Seungho quickly turned to Hyun Su and kept an eye to Kwan.

“Joon get up!” He yelled frustrated. Joon jolted and quickly stood, attempting to ignore the dead

bodies on the floor, but it was hard to. He stayed focused on Seungho instead, not knowing whether

he should run away from him or defend himself against him. Hyun Su, however, made sure to have

Seungho’s full attention before using his power. Hyun Su’s eyes gleamed orange and his clan

members became skeletal bodies as Hyun Su drained them to ashes of their power and dashed swiftly

towards Seungho.

They hit each other, forearm to forearm.

Seungho growled and glared at Hyun Su and Hyun Su calmly stared into his eyes before smiling,

satisfied. Seungho pushed his arm out making Hyun Su jump back.

“I’m glad you’re this strong. I would hate to find that you were a pathetic weakling that’s not even

worth my time.”

“You’re the one who is actually not worth my time.” Seungho cockily said as he stood straight, wiping

the blood away from his lips. Hyun Su let out a low growl and just as he was about to attack, Seungho

appeared over him. Hyun Su quickly moved away but Seungho caught up to him. They exchanged

blows and dodged each other’s attacks.

Kwan looked from the two fighting over to the human stumbling on his feet. He smirked and quietly

made his way over to him. “Human.” Kwan called out to him. Seungho grabbed Hyun Su’s arm and

violently pressed him down on the floor before dashing over to Kwan. Joon slowly turned his head to

Kwan.

“Nuh-uh ah! Tisk, tisk.” Kwan smirked as he gave a signal. Three silver spikes flew at Seungho and

pierced into his body, splattering his blood on the ground.

“Gah!” Seungho gasped out in pain as the silver burned his flesh. Two of the silver spikes had pierced

his left thigh and the third one his right shoulder. Joon quickly rushed to Seungho without thinking.

“Seungho!” Joon yelled. He quickly squatted down beside Seungho and examined his wounds.

“You idiot.” Seungho said as he winced. He felt a bit annoyed by Joon’s assistance but relieved he was

back by his side.

“What?” Joon sadly looked at the silver spikes embedded in Seungho’s body.

“I told you not to lose focus from reality.”

Joon’s voice trembled before he continued, “But this isn’t real. It can’t be.”

“It is. You need to wake up.” Seungho looked into Joon’s eyes firmly. “This is happening right now. If

you don’t get a grip on reality then he’ll kill you, do you understand me? This is how my world is,

Joon.” Joon became distressed.

“That’s right…Joon. This is our reality. Our world.” Kwan said out loud as he smiled.

“Shut up!” Seungho yelled to him.

“What do we do?” Joon mumbled.

“Take these out.” Seungho said wearily. The slightest movement caused him more pain.

“No. You’ll bleed to death. I can’t. Just wait—I can get help!” Joon pulled out his cellphone but

Seungho placed his hand over Joon’s.

“Joon, I can get us out of this. Just do as I say.” Joon shook his head.

“Don’t lie to me!” Joon pulled his hand away from Seungho.

“I’m not lying!” Joon scrolled down to Chundong’s number but Seungho took the phone away from

him before he could press the talk button.

“Seungho! Give it back! You’ll bleed to death!”

“No! I won’t!” Seungho grew so frustrated that he grabbed the silver spikes in his thighs and

forcefully pulled them out and threw them elsewhere. He ignored the burning pain traveling

throughout his entire body. The blood began to drain from his wounds, which made Joon cry softly.

Seungho panted and looked up at Joon. “You have to help me…with this one.” He whispered as he

reached for Joon’s hand. Joon shook his head. “You have to…it’s better out of my body than in.”

“I won’t lose you!” Tears fell down Joon’s cheeks as he held the silver spike embedded in Seungho’s

shoulder. Seungho looked into Joon’s eyes.

“You won’t.”

“Promise?” Joon muttered.

“I promise.”

With those words, Joon closed his eyes and pulled out the silver spike. Hyun Su reacted quickly,

appearing behind Joon. He lifted him up and threw him into the arms of Kwan’s clan. Seungho looked

up into Hyun Su’s eyes and Hyun Su pressed his lips against Seungho’s, using his power; he began to

drain Seungho’s energy.

“Seungho!” Joon yelled as he attempted to free himself of the men that held him. Seungho looked

over to Joon who was fighting Kwan’s clan members.

‘Dammit, my body is getting weaker.’ Seungho thought, but forcefully moved his body and punched

Hyun Su’s gut. Hyun Su fell back breathing painfully deep. A few of Kwan’s men stepped in and

defended Hyun Su from Seungho. Instead of attacking, Seungho dashed over to Joon. He managed to

kill several of Kwan’s clan members but more began to swarm in. Joon couldn’t make his way over to

Seungho. Joon hit one of the assailants with an uppercut and high kicked another as he attempted to

make his way to Seungho. “Joon!”

“Seungho!” Joon yelled before several of them attacked him and pinned him down on the ground.

“Let go of me!” Joon squirmed. The clan members took him over to Kwan. “Let go of me!” Joon yelled

before they put him down on his knees in front of Kwan.

“Seungho-yah!” Kwan yelled with a cocky smile. Seungho looked over to him seeing Joon kneeling on

the floor. “Looks like I’ve won!” Kwan hit Joon in the back of his head knocking him out cold. “If you

want him…come and take him.” Kwan dared Seungho just before picking Joon’s body up. “That’s if I

haven’t turned him by then.” Kwan laughed in victory before whisking him away to their hideout with

Hyun Su close behind.

Seungho clenched his hands into fists, breathed deep and calmly, before he slowly looked up at the

remaining clan members. Seungho’s eyes gleamed a furious red as he entered the clan’s minds and

used their fears against them. The clan members trembled, pleading at Seungho for mercy.

“Tell me where Kwan is!” Seungho yelled furiously, grabbing one of the clan members by his shirt.

“Okay! Okay! It’s in the middle of the woods, heading west! Just don’t hurt-” Seungho smashed his

fist into the assailant’s mouth, disfiguring his face. The rest of the clan members began to run for

their lives as they were still under Seungho’s spell. After a few moments of screaming and pleading,

Seungho killed them all. He was covered in blood from head to toe. He stood hovering over a corpse

unable to shake the high from killing them. It was an awakening feeling that seduced every sense of

his being. He slowly licked his lips and slightly parted them.

“Seungho-yah!” A voice was heard from behind him. Seungho heard it but didn’t turn to look for

himself.

“Seungho-yah?” A softer voice repeated. Seungho opened his eyes after realizing the familiarity in the

voices, he slightly turned his head. “Seungho-yah?” Mir repeated again cautiously, GO signaled Mir

not to advance further.

“Wait. He’s not-”

Seungho appeared behind GO, “He’s not what?” He whispered into GO’s ear. GO opened his eyes

wide, surprised by Seungho’s speed.

‘It matches Jihoon’s.’ He thought to himself.

“Seungho, where’s Joon?” Mir asked as he kept his distance and stood in attack mode. Seungho

immediately turned to Mir with a glare. “You didn’t kill him, did you?” Mir asked, almost furious.

“I didn’t kill Joon. Kwan took him. I’m getting him back.” Seungho said, determined to do just that.

“You killed all of them?” GO asked as he looked at the corpses scattered around the pond.

“Yes. I did. They deserved it.” The sound in those words made GO cringe. He turned to face Seungho.

“They shouldn’t have taken him from me.” GO looked at Seungho strangely.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“…” Seungho looked into GO’s eyes.

“Are you restraining from killing us?” Seungho smirked, GO growled at him and Mir looked at

Seungho’s face.

“You fed…on fear, didn’t you? That’s what your power uses, isn’t it?” Mir retorted.

“And here I thought GO would get it right away. Guess I was wrong.” Seungho walked pass them.

“Where are you going?” GO furiously yelled.

“They have something that’s mine.” Seungho answered and Mir looked at Seungho’s back surprised

before he showed a toothy grin, satisfied to hear those words.

“I’m going with you!”

“Mireu!” GO stopped him.

“Don’t worry. I have a feeling he’ll calm down after we help him.” Mir said sure of himself.

“Him? Calm?” GO questioned, which made Mir laugh.

“Since when have you been afraid of him?” Mir took off after Seungho and GO shortly followed,

unable to shake a bad feeling off his chest.

-----The Hideout------

Joon slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurred and his mind completely unaware of his

surroundings. He heard voices and he could feel something rubbing against his body. Suddenly, Joon

remembered what happened and he jolted up. He saw Kwan and Hyun Su staring at him. His wrists

were bound together with rope on a hook that hung from the ceiling. He was gagged and shirtless.

“Don’t be afraid.” Hyun Su sweetly spoke. Joon panicked and squirmed to get free.

“The more you panic…the sweeter the scent you radiate.” Kwan admitted, licking his lips. “No wonder

he hasn’t turned you yet. Even I have the trouble deciding whether I should or not.”

Hyun Su smiled and walked towards Joon, “What is your relationship with this demon? It makes me

wonder…” Joon didn’t say anything, but just stared into Hyun Su’s eyes.

“It doesn’t matter.” Kwan said bitterly. “I’m sure he can care less about you, right?” Kwan placed his

hand on Joon’s abs and slowly glided it up his body to his chest. “You really are a diamond among

stones.” Joon exhaled and looked away. “I’m sure he didn’t make it through my clan. He should be

dead by now.” Kwan continued, sure of himself as his finger lightly glided against Joon’s neck.

“I hope not.” Hyun Su stated bluntly. Joon turned to Hyun Su surprised. “He is someone I would look

forward to facing every day.”

“Really?” Kwan scoffed. “Is that all you’re thinking about?”

“Well…among other things.” Hyun Su smirked. “Well, I’ll leave you two alone then. I guess I should go

report to Tae-Hyun now.”

“Fine.” Kwan agreed. Joon began to breath deep and sharp seeing the door close behind Hyun Su.

“It’s just us two, now.” Kwan smiled and his eyes gleamed. Joon shook his head and closed his eyes

tightly. Kwan walked over to a table with tools placed on it. He grabbed a freshly sharpened knife and

glided it on Joon’s chest. “I wonder…how good your blood tastes.”

--------------

“Stop!” Mir yelled to the other two. Seungho stopped and looked back to Mir.

“What is it?”

“I smell something over there.” Mir said as he began to trail the faded scent.

“Are you sure?” GO followed behind him. Seungho followed Mir and GO. He concentrated for a

moment and could feel the weak link between him and Joon.

“He’s here.” Seungho whispered.

“How are you so sure?” Mir asked.

“Well, it has to be it. There are clan members all around the area.” GO whispered.

“I’m sure they know we’re here.” Seungho stated before he walked out into the open.

“Seungho-yah!” GO yelled. The clan members surrounding the area swarmed in towards Seungho.

GO and Mir came out to fend off the minions.

“Go after Joon!” Mir yelled at Seungho. “We’ll hold them back!”

“Don’t waste your time!” One of the clan members retorted. “By now Master Kwan has already

turned him!” Seungho growled and held the assailant’s arms out and violently ripped them apart.

“Kyah!” His blood spewed everywhere as he died, falling back.

“Then I’ll make sure to kill every last one of you.” Seungho yelled in spite. Seungho left GO and Mir

behind to kill the remaining clan members.

He quickly entered a hidden underground headquarters that was next to an old dying tree.

“This is it.”

Seungho took the stairs down to a dungeon-like maze. More clan members began to come out of the

rooms to attack, but Seungho swiftly moved and killed them all. As he walked through the torch lit

halls, a bloody mess was left behind him.

“Joon!” Seungho repeatedly yelled through the halls. Kwan immediately looked back and smiled.

“Seems like you’re somebody to him after all.” Joon trembled and looked into Kwan’s eyes. “There is

something I want you to do for me though.” Kwan used his power on Joon to induce more fear into

his troubled mind. “I know you’re afraid…to the point that you’ll hurt him yourself.” Joon screamed

behind the bandana that was wrapped around his mouth.

Seungho could hear the muffled noise and followed it to a dark corner down a hallway. He smashed

the door in.

“Joon!” His eyes were bloody red and his teeth visible. Kwan smirked and stepped away from Joon.

Seungho looked at Joon—he was shirtless with a cut from his chest down to his abs, with blood

trickling out of his freshly made wound. Kwan began to laugh.

“You should see your face, demon!”

Seungho growled swiftly pinning Kwan to the wall. He grabbed Kwan’s face and crushed him into it.

“I’ll show you what’s funny.” Seungho dug deep into Kwan’s memory and used what he feared the

most against him. Kwan’s eyes widened with fear and he began to panic and beg for his life. Seungho

smirked before he glared at him. “Pathetic dog, you have no right to live.” He said disgusted and he

threw Kwan away at that moment.

Kwan crouched on the floor and moved to the corner away from Seungho. “Please don’t! Please!” He

pleaded. Seungho grabbed his head and quickly twisted it, breaking his neck. Seungho continued

pulling and twisting at it till he decapitated him. He breathed heavily, despising Kwan’s face. He threw

his head elsewhere and punched into his chest where his heart was located at—it was enough force

to crush his heart.

Seungho stayed kneeling over Kwan’s body. He panted before he threw his head back with his eyes

shut. He felt his body trembling and coldness deep inside of him. It was almost impossible to come

down from this high he was experiencing. He could smell Joon’s blood lingering in the room enticing

his senses. Seungho slowly stood up and staggered over to Joon.

Joon watched him with wide eyes. He couldn’t even feel himself breath and he tried not to move, but

Seungho was headed towards him. Seungho was completely covered in blood and the sight was more

frightening than any horror movie Joon had ever seen.

Seungho had an ominous expression on his face as he neared Joon. Seungho walked up to him and

laid his forehead on Joon’s shoulder. His arms slowly wrapped around Joon’s waist as he trembled.

Joon just remained still, unable to calm the fear he felt inside.

After a moment, Seungho gently raised his head and noticed Joon’s tied hands. He ripped the rope

apart and Joon, taking his chance, pushed Seungho back before quickly grabbing a tool from the

table.

“Stay back! Don’t…don’t come near me.” Joon said as he trembled and held the knife in front of him.

Seungho stared at him surprised before he took a step forward. “I said don’t!” Seungho ignored him

and continued to step forward making Joon move back until his back was pressed against the wall.

“Don’t…just don’t…please.” Joon begged.

Seungho lifted his arm and Joon reacted, stabbing Seungho’s shoulder and further agitating the

wound there. Seungho wrinkled his nose from the pain. He grabbed Joon’s wrist before he could run

away and pressed himself against him.

“Don’t. …Let go of me.” Joon muffled as he began to cry into Seungho’s shoulder. “Don’t…kill…me…

please.” He pleaded as they slowly began to drop down onto the floor with Seungho holding Joon

close.

“I’m not going to kill you.” Seungho finally spoke. “I don’t know why…I just want to give you a

chance.” He whispered into Joon’s ear.

--------------

“Should we go in and make sure he’s alright?” Mir said worried.

“No. Just give him a few more minutes.” GO stated, as he stayed focused on the direction Seungho

had disappeared to.

“What about these bodies?” Mir asked.

“We’ll burn them.”

“All of them?” Mir whined.

“We can’t leave them till morning and risk someone seeing them.” GO looked at Mir annoyed.

“Hmph. I guess.” Mir pouted, crossing his arms. Seungho emerged with Joon in his arms. “Seungho-

yah!” Mir yelled. The two made their way over to him. Seungho handed over Joon to Mir.

“Take him.” Mir grabbed a hold of Joon who woke up. Seungho collapsed on the floor.

“Seungho-yah!” GO exclaimed as he knelt down beside him. “We have to get you home. You lost a lot

of blood.”

“I don’t have…much energy left.” Seungho panted before his flesh began to sink in.

“I’ll carry you.” GO looked at him and forced him up to carry him on his back. “Let’s go.”

“I want to go home.” Joon mumbled. Mir turned to him and frowned.

“You will but not yet, okay?” Joon simply nodded and looked down sadly. “GO!” Mir said just before

GO took off.

“What?” GO questioned as he turned back to him.

“Do something. He’s not…himself.” Mir mumbled as he pleadingly looked at GO.

“I don’t care for him.” GO boldly answered.

“GO!” Mir angrily yelled, GO sighed and walked over to Joon. He placed his hand over Joon’s head

and closed his eyes.

“Kyah-!”

“Seungho-yah!” Mir yelled letting go of Joon and trying to pry Seungho off of GO. Seungho had bitten

GO deep in his neck, forcing GO to his knees.

“Seungho-yah!” GO gasped as he winced from the pain. Seungho growled, he wouldn’t let go of GO.

Joon sat on the floor looking down, ignoring what was going on. “He’s in shock! If I don’t help him

he’ll go insane! Is that what you want!?” GO yelled avoiding moving even the slightest.

“Listen to him Seungho-yah! Just look at Joon! He’s not the same!” Mir shouted as he shoved

Seungho. Seungho slowly let go of GO.

“If you do anything else. I swear I’ll kill you.” Seungho whispered into his ear. GO moved away from

Seungho and looked at him.

“I’m not going to do anything else but…help him.” GO walked over to Joon and placed his hand on his

head again. Joon looked into GO’s eyes sadly.

“Please…no more.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you.” GO spoke sincerely as he used his power to go through

Joon’s memories from earlier that night to change all the gory moments to something he could

withstand. After GO finished, Joon opened his eyes and felt drowsy. He was so worn out that his eyes

instantly closed. Seungho caught him and carried him.

“Seungho-yah…” Mir softly spoke.

“I’ll carry him.” Seungho interrupted. GO looked at Seungho feeling a stab of anger, he couldn’t stand

that Seungho wouldn’t trust them. He also couldn’t stand the fact that he’d go this far just for Joon.

Seungho took off and the other two shortly followed, heading back home.