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The sun was starting to set over the horizon, flooding the land with pinks, oranges and lilacs. Trees restlessly swayed with the slight breeze passing through, creating an ominous yet somewhat comfortable atmosphere.

Wooyoung walked with Seonghwa around the campus. The bell signalling dinner time was due to ring anytime soon, so they wanted to pass the time beforehand.

Their feet guided the way, neither having any real destination in mind. As the same alley between the school building and human dorms neared, Wooyoung found his eyes drawn to it. That place was really the turning point for a strange new life at school. Had he just ran straight past the scene and ignored it, he wouldn't have been tangled up with Choi San now.

Yet he wouldn't have changed a single detail of that night. Even if he had to relive it.

"You're spacing out again," Seonghwa murmured as he dug his hands deep into his trench coat pockets, "It's more frequent now."

"Sorry," the younger uttered listlessly, staring into the alley until it disappeared from sight. "I've had a lot on my mind."

"Welcome to my world," the brunette scoffed playfully whilst nudging Wooyoung's shoulder with his own. "I've had to put up with a pureblood for about a year now. You've only been running around for three months."

"Actually, since we've come to this topic," the purplette hummed, "I have a question."

"Go on."

"What does Yeosang actually do to you? I mean, you've always complained that he doesn't respect your personal space, or that he's too confident....but has he ever laid a finger on you?"

"He's a vampire, Woo. Of course he has."

"No way! Seriously?" The shorter gasped, looking up at his beautiful friend's face and studying each feature carefully. "How? You've never mentioned it before...."

"Because it's never anything important. Unless you consider kissing a crime."

That's so weird, Wooyoung thought to himself as he stared down at his moving feet. San only ever hugs me or something....will he grow more assertive like Yeosang has?

"Don't worry yourself over it," Seonghwa assured him. "They can't harm you under the school's roof. And if they do, being a pureblood doesn't act as a 'jailbreak' card."

"I know, I know," the younger sighed, rubbing his face exhaustedly and pushing the thoughts away. "I'm not scared of them."

The chime of the bell rang throughout the courtyard, and both teens groaned as they turned around to shuffle back towards the school. A lone crow squawked once they reached the door, making Wooyoung peer over his shoulder at the bird perched upon a power line.  

It fell silent, though the animal itself tended to follow vampires about. There was something dark and foreboding about them, ultimately making the purplette shiver and walk on inside.

"Ugh, what's that smell?" Seonghwa cringed, standing in the lobby and waving his hand around to disperse the nasty metallic scent.

Wooyoung looked around, sniffing once or twice and widening his eyes at the realisation. "Hwa, that's blood...isn't it?"

The brunette nodded slowly, pulling his coat up further around his torso and trying to work out where the smell was coming from. "We should go," he murmured cautiously, "Dining hall."

Wooyoung followed the other as he briskly walked towards the double doors leading to the canteen. Once those doors opened, the smell seemed to dull down a bit, though the vampires on the right side of the room were all visibly anxious.

"What's going on?" The younger enquired, more so to himself than to anyone in particular. Some humans were chatting lowly and shifting their gazes to the blood sucking people then back to their friends. Clearly the whole school were aware of the dangerous lingering scent.

"Ah, here you both are," someone spoke up behind them, taking their far shoulders in his hands and pushing them forward. "San and Yeosang have been waiting for you."

Seonghwa tilted his head to view the tall boy behind him. His typically black hair was slightly frizzy, hanging quite close to his eyes and making him feel that bit more dangerous.

"It's been a while since I've seen you about, Mingi."

"I'm only down here because San summoned me. I take it you've noticed the smell?"

"Of course!" Wooyoung hissed, "What the hell is that?"

The older rolled his eyes and shook his head like the whole story wasn't even worth telling. "Yunho got out again. Yeosang didn't want either of you out while he is."

Both humans gave each other a worried look, having had minimal engagement with the tallest vampire due to his savage nature.

"Did he kill somebody?" Wooyoung squeaked, pulling away from Mingi's hand and wrapping his own arms around his torso for comfort.

"No, but there's a dead fox somewhere around here. Once all students have entered the canteen, the principal is subtly going to lock us all in until they find both the fox and Yunho.

Seonghwa spotted Yeosang and San seated at their own table near a window. Jongho was quietly standing behind the younger of the purebloods, eyes scanning everyone who came near.

His heart started to beat faster as Yeosang looked over in their direction. He wanted to somehow thank him for wishing for their safety....but he was too stubborn to do so. Sitting with him wouldn't have been such a huge ask.

Many eyes seemed to watch them as Mingi walked calmly behind the pair, an aura of an untouchable person surrounding him.

San stood politely once all three made it to the table, extending his hands to check over Wooyoung's face. He tilted it in various directions, investigating for any signs of damage before sighing with relief. "Sorry to bother you both," he said with seriousness. "But if Yunho was to lash out at anyone, it'd be you boys since he knows you."

Seonghwa took a seat, followed by Wooyoung who stayed near San. He felt like he needed more answers, and the older was the only one who seemed to tell him anything.

"So," the shorter pressed, "What's the deal? How did that psycho get out of his room?"

Mingi visibly tensed up beside Jongho, catching his lower lip between his teeth. "I left the door unlocked when I left this afternoon."

"Mingi!" Jongho hissed, slapping his shoulder with an irritated look. "You're always doing these things. So damn careless!"

"Sshhh," San hushed them, "He isn't at fault here, because Mingi shouldn't have to babysit someone older than himself. Yunho needs to get that bloodlust in check, or I'll have to train him."

"Why'd you change him in the first place?" Yeosang sighed, folding one leg over the other and taking a sip of a questionably red substance from a glass. "He was always more work than your other three boys."

"Yunho is loyal, even if he is a bit childish," San explained quietly, moving a plate of food towards the humans since vampires never really needed to eat. It was just for show, most of the time. "He's preotected me in the past, and I'm not giving up on him."

Wooyoung watched his delicate features from the corner of his eye, a small smile desperately trying to spread at the knowledge of the other's good will. It was times like these, where he felt like he was the bad guy. Like a pathetic brat.

"Everyone please remain in the canteen until further notice!"  The familiar voice of the principal boomed throughout the loud speaker system. "We are running through some safety measures."

"Like anyone would believe that," Mingi scoffed, folding his arms and sighing deeply.

"I'm glad you're here and safe," San whispered into Wooyoung's ear, pulling away and standing up. "But now I must go."

"Wait!" Seonghwa hissed, "Where are you going?"

"To find him," the younger sighed softly, "He's my responsibility after all."

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