Mascarade

Steps In the Dark

This update is for @weiweilan1! Get well soon! <3

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Special Investigation Department Headquarters an hour before:

"What do you mean, you lost contact?!" Zhu Hong yelled through the speakers.

Lin Jing jumped in his seat out of fright, as if she stood right in front of him, ready to kick him as usual. "They... they must have found the implant..."

"You said it was a prototype and a super new technology?! That NO ONE will find it?" A starting engine could be heard and Lin Jing only wondered, whether she's going to give a blind chase after their kidnapped Chief or whether she's heading back to the HQ, just to give him a beating.

"W-well... you know we just fished out that one spy..." Was it enough as an excuse to survive?

"You're basically telling her you decided to use the technology, even though you knew it might have been compromised." Chu Shuzhi was stating the facts. Lin Jing turned to look at the bear-like giant next to himself who seemed to be void of any emotion. Yet, he had to wonder whether he's maybe only good at hiding it. He's definitely fanning the flames so he can later watch Zhu Hong go nuts and beat up Lin Jing.

With his disbelieving eyes still accusingly fixed on his expressionless collegue, Lin Jing switched his cell phone from reproductors to a quieter mode. "Yeah, yeah... Look, this won't help us. I will send you the last position to which I tracked the Chief. I was already wondering where they're taking him. Chen's brothers have no property at this area but since the info got leaked..."

"They have to be connected to that twin-vampire!" Zhu Hong finished his sentence and speeded up on the highway.

"Well, yes. Obviously. I have no idea why that guy helped us with his brother during the mascarade but whatever truce they had with our Chief, it was broken the moment he fished out their spy, so they probably joined the other side. I'll search out this guy's... what was the name... Ye Zun? I'll search his and his brother's properties. Let's hope it's not registered by some fake name or whatever. Chu Shuzhi will..." Lin Jing turned around but his black-clad vampire-hunting collegue was already nowhere in sight, only the young intern Guo Changcheng pointing towards the door. "...he's on his way to you. I'll send you both the location when I have it."

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Zhao Yunlan felt the grip on his arm tighten before the long fingers clutching his biceps muscles gently relaxed and slid off. The Chen brothers were screaming at Shen Wei mostly, confused at what he's doing. Then Zhao Yunlan felt Shen Wei's breath close to his ear, whispering: "You keep going. The exit is right in front of you, about 10 steps away."

He nodded, feeling his pulse quicken. His hightened vampire-hunter's senses could feel the murderous intent of the attackers lounge at them but no blow ever landed on him as Shen Wei's presence quickly vanished from his side and he could hear a person landing heavily against the wall on the other side of the room. And then another one. And again.

Zhao Yunlan made the first step. Still cautious, the bottom of his feet trying out the irregularities of an untidy floor. He'd noticed this when they had brought him here. It is most likely a dilapidated, abandoned house, lots of debris on the floor, the long-settled dust now up in the air everywhere with Shen Wei and the three vampires engaging in a battle.

A second step and all his hair stood up as something big and heavy flew right past him, crashing into some probably wooden stuff, protesting nastily. He gulped and made three or four more steps, finally feeling a slight breeze from where he was heading. Stretching his arms, he tried to feel around to get to the door and out. Mayhem ruled all around him, yet not a single finger had touched him and he found himself trusting in the power of that no-longer-vegan vampire more and more. It was still sort of puzzling as to why Shen Wei had come for him, and an even bigger enigma would be why Zhao Yunlan himself KNEW this one will come. What were the odds of that? Afterall, he openly went up against Shen Wei's brother. Were vampires interested more in the blood of mortals than their own blood ties afterall? Not like there was any time to ask.

Two more steps and he almost tripped but out of nowhere a person who slid around him while engaging in combat pushed his shoulder, preventing a nasty fall. "Thanks, Xiao Wei!" Zhao Yunlan yelled in response and tumbled quickly forward. His hands finally caught onto the door frame and he let out a deep breath that he didn't realize, he still kept on holding.

Finally, with one hand holding onto something steady, he felt more confident about his surroundings and could concentrate on the situation at hand. Previously, he was stripped of most of his weapons but not like he couldn't get any. He bend down, just as a vampire was thrown exactly his way and over his back. Feeling around for a bit, he soon found a piece of wood that looked sharp enough. Then he listened closely as the owner of the thrown body got up and with a scream started to run towards him. Carefully counting the distance, Zhao Yunlan made a small step to the side at just the right moment to evade the dangerous hands aiming for his torso and with as much force as he could gather he stuffed the piece of wood in the vampire's neck, feeling the enemy's vital fluids splash on his face and the whole body slide to the ground as the mouth still tried to produce some choking sounds.

"Ugh, gross..." he mutered and tried to wipe his face. "Don't play with them too much, Shen Wei!" he yelled back and stumbled outside, trying to get away on his own as far as possible. Better if he doesn't get in Shen Wei's way. Feeling the sun at his left side, knowing it's the afternoon hours, he walked a few more meters until he felt a sturdy asphalt roadway under his feet. Then he turned towards the sun and started walking. West. That should be the city. A few minutes later he heard a car pull up next to him from the direction of the old house, one person got out from the driver's seat and stood next to him.

"Zhao Yunlan," Shen Wei's voice sounded calmly and a moment later the Chief's arm was seized gently and Zhao Yunlan found himself being led to the passenger's seat.

"Ah! You caught up finally," Zhao Yunlan smirked.

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Hey, guys! Sorry for the time skip last time! Since this was meant as a one-shot originally but I still decided to continue it with a cliff-hanger... I had sort of trouble finding inspiration for a continuation. And when that happens, time-skips usually get me over the slump. XP I have still no idea what I'm doing with this story, just writting whatever's on my mind.

Listening to Barns Courtney, lately. Feeling like a badass whenever I do. Plus when you pull fashion styles like a palestine-scarf worn instead of a regular face-mask bandit-style. XD Still better than my cousin who literally bought himself a gass mask... I think he also means it as a reccession but he's seriously wearing it everyday to work... I'm not the craziest one, it seems but the crazy sure does run in the family!