Finally Found- Wu Xie x Zhang Qiling

Chapter-6

Its your fault they died.
You shouldn't have made a fuss.
You are responsible.
They never did anything wrong.
You killed them.

You should have died instead.

"NO!" Wu Xie let out a strangled scream as he sat up, covered in a thin sheet of sweat. It had been a while since he had this nightmare, it probably resurfaced because of his uncle's outburst yesterday. Wu Xie's breath picked up as he began to hyperventilate, vision blurry due to his tears.

The scream startled the ever alert Zhang Qiling and he sat up straight in a split second. He looked around him and his gaze landed on the panicked Wu Xie.

Everything around Wu Xie turned dark as he was lost in his own mind, voices haunting him, reminding him that he was the cause of the death of a beautiful and young couple. He was shaking violently, hands digging into his scalp as he tried to block the voices in his head to no avail.

They are right, I should have died instead.

"....ie, ....u Xie, WU XIE!" Zhang yelled out as he held the shaking boy in his arms. He had never comforted anyone before, yet here was, trying his best to calm the male down.

Wu Xie snapped out of his trance and noticed the strong arms around him. He looked up to see Zhang's face contorted into an expression of pure worry.

"Xiaoge.....?" He called out weakly as the latter let out a small hum in confirmation. Zhang held the boy close to him till he was breathing normally again.

"Are you okay?" Zhang asked as he released Wu Xie from the hug and the terror-stricken boy nodded slowly. Zhang got up and headed out of the tent without another word, leaving Wu Xie alone with his thoughts.

A few moments later, Xiao Hua entered the tent along with Wu Sanxing, worry on their faces clear as day.

"Xiao Xie! Are you okay?! Zhang told us you were hyperventilating, what happened?" Wu Sanxing asked as he cupped his nephew's face in his hands.

Wu Xie looked over to Zhang who had his arms crossed and eyes locked on the younger.

So that's where he went.

"Uncle, I just had a nightmare but I am fine now. Nothing to worry see?" Wu Xie said as he gave off a huge smile. He couldn't let them know what he was thinking cause he knew the answer would be the same. It wasn't your fault.

After the matter died down, everyone got ready to start the actual expedition. Wu Sanxing instructed everyone to get in pairs of 2 so if anyone was separated by accident they wouldn't be alone.

"You'll be with me." Zhang demanded as he pulled at Wu Xie's wrist.

"I was gonna say that to you actually. You can't get rid of me so easily Xiaoge." Wu Xie said as he sent Zhang a playful wink. Zhang's eyes widened slightly but he held his composure.

"Care to be with me Hau'er?" Xiazi asked Xiao Hua as he offered his hand to the latter.

"I won't care if you don't stop doing this weird stuff." Xiao Hua said as he swatted Xiazi's hand away and the latter faked a look of hurt.

"Hua'er, that hurt." He whined as he rubbed his hand dramatically.

"Get used to it."

"So, has everyone found a partner?" Wu Sanxing asked as he wore his bag, adjusting the stubborn straps.

A series of 'yes' echoed through the tranquil silence of the forest and a small smile of satisfaction rested on the old man's face as he saw who is nephew paired with.

He'll be safe with him.

"Alright, if you're done, let's get moving!" Pan Zi announced on behalf of Wu Sanxing at his order.

"Let's go." Zhang said as the latter nodded.

They all made their way through the damp forest, the air cool enough to send shivers down your spine and the trees shadowed over the group as if they were protecting them of an unknown danger.

Suddenly, they came across a point where the road divided into several other paths. Everyone was perplexed on which trail to tread on as they glanced at their leader for some advice.

"We divided into groups right? The time to make use of them came faster than I expected so here is what we're gonna do. Each group is to take on one road and if you find something useful, use the smoke sign of colour blue. If you are in danger somehow, use red and if you find the cave itself, send purple smoke into the air. Am I clear?" Wu Sanxing instructed and once the again the group became lively, chanting incoherent sentences along with distinct 'yes'.

"Xiaoge, let's choose this path." Wu Xie said enthusiastically. You can't blame him, it was his first expedition trip and he was extremely excited. Zhang only nodded as he followed the puppy like man down the path queitly.

"Xiao Sanye, are you sure you can leave Master Wu Xie alone like that?" Pan Zi asked Wu Sanxing worriedly as his face contorted into an expression of concern.

" Pan Zi, he is not alone, Zhang Qiling is there with him, he will be safe. You said it yourself right? That he is the best man there is for tomb raiding? So trust him a bit more." Wu Sanxing said as he laid a comforting hand on Pan Zi's back and the latter relaxed.

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Wu Xie and Zhang kept walking, Zhang lead the puppy like male as he once gain held his hand. Wu Xie didn't mind though, im fact he loved the feeling of the warm hand around his, giving him a sense of safety.

"Cold!" Wu Xie exclaimed all of a sudden as a drop of liquid fell on his nape. Zhang turned around and saw the man rubbing his nape and when he brought his hand in front of him, they both froze, eyes wide in panic.

Blood.

The duo looked up to see the bodies of humans laid out on the branches of the trees, kept there as if they were some sort of sickening prizes. All bodies were mangled and there was a familiar feature in all of them, their bodies were somehow broken at the waist line and neck. Since all of the bodies had the same mark, it.meant they were all killed the same way.

"Python." Zhang whispered and the latter's eyes widened animatedly in shock.

"One python did all that?!" He yelled but Zhang slapped a hand over his mouth.

"You're too loud." Zhang warned and Wu Xie nodded wordlessly, not that he could say anything as Zhang's hand was plastered tight over his face. He tapped on the hand as a sign that he would remain quiet and Zhang let out a small apology.

"We have get out here fast. All of these bodies are scari-" Wu Xie stopped mid-sentence as his breath began to get heavier.

"Wu Xie? What's wrong?" Zhang asked concerned as all colour drained from the latter's face.

"Pangzi......there....." Wu Xie replied as he pointed in a certain direction with shaky hands. The body of fat male laid there but that wasn't what scared Wu Xie, it was how the body laid there.

Lifeless.

And that's it for this time! If you like it so far, please do leave a comment, it makes me so happy knowing my reader are liking what I am writing. Thank you so much for reading and I hope I will be able to update more regularly.

Over and out(⌒o⌒)