It has been several hours since the sun went down, leaving behind a gloomy grey in the afternoon sky. Several yards from the quiet neighborhood of Bloomfield, in the clearing, surrounded by pine trees, a young man, Wei Ying, stood frozen in his tracks, his eyes doubling, and his feet were on the verge of collapsing.  

A foot-front from where Wei Ying stood, a deep, almost ringing howl of a wolf echoed throughout the dark, lifeless forest, sending the little woodland critters scurrying on in different directions. 

Having nowhere left to run and completely out of breath, Wei Ying panicked, his fingers trembling. He has been running - escaping from a wolf, at least, that was what he believed. Although he hadn't seen the creature, the growling and howling were enough for him to figure out what had been chasing him.

Desperately seeking a way out of the forest, Wei Ying took off once more. He ran through bushes and stumbled onto branches, tripped over twigs, and dodged tree stumps until, finally, he made it out into the open streets of Bloomfield, where it was clear. 

Home. Wei Ying will be home soon. 

However, when Wei Ying thought he was safe from harm's way - for a second time, a deep growl crept up from behind. This time, he didn't bother looking back as he took off, sprinting for dear life and screaming as he went, in hopes someone - anyone, could hear him. Unfortunately, there was no one. He was alone with the wild beast - a beast whose intention was to kill. 

As Wei Ying continued running, he stumbled and fell, landing in a puddle of dirty water on one of the street potholes. Heaving, he twisted around - unbothered by the cuts and scrapes on his hands and knees - he gasped. 

Wei Ying could hardly believe his eyes. There, looming above him, stood the wolf - white as jade, a breathtaking creature, eyes a soul-stealing gold whenever it glistened against the full moon, and canines bared as blood dripped from its mouth. It was no ordinary wolf. It was a werewolf - a creature that shouldn't have existed unless in fairytales and fiction novels. 

When the creature pounced on him, Wei Ying screamed.

----------

Wei Ying jolted awake. His screams filled the room he shared with his younger adoptive brother, Jiang Cheng. As he clutched tightly against his racing heart, his silver eyes scanned the room, searching for the werewolf. There was no werewolf, no creature chasing him - God-dammit, it was a fucking dream. 

Slowly, relief washed over Wei Ying, and he could feel his heart rate coming to ease. Unfortunately, when he heard the low groans coming from the opposite direction of his bed, he turned his head and - oh shit. It was Jiang Cheng, sprawled on the floor where he had fallen from Wei Ying’s unmanly screams. Dammit, Wei Ying swallowed down the lump in his throat, ready to face the wrath of his brother. However, when the branches from outside rattled against the windowsill, his bravery swiftly went through the roof as his feet bounced off the bed, running over to Jiang Cheng and nestle himself under his brother’s sheet cover. Stupid dream, Wei Ying trembled, hoisting the sheet over his eyes. 

Jiang Cheng bolted off the floor, his face red, covered in invisible steam. “Again?” he yelled, his voice sending tremors throughout the bedroom walls. “I swear to God if this happens one more time - I’m going to lock you outside for the rest of the night,” he continued, waving his hands in the air, emphasizing what he meant before snatching the covers off Wei Ying’s face. 

“Give it back,” Wei Ying gritted, quickly snatching the sheet away from Jiang Cheng’s hand and covering himself for a second time as he continued shivering like a frail leaf.

Fucking hell - it’s all his neighbor’s fault. Since that creep, Lan Zhan, moved in next door, Wei Ying has been having all these nightmares of a damn werewolf. A freaking werewolf! It’s all because of those damn dogs Lan Zhan has, howling at night, causing a ruckus. Stupid dogs. Don’t get him wrong, Wei Ying loved animals, it’s dogs he hated with a passion since his childhood days as he had spent most of his young life running away from street dogs before Jiang Cheng’s parents adopted him, and even a forever home couldn’t save him from being chased by strays every day on his way back home when he had attended primary school. The furry creatures left a damaging impression on him, and a wolf wasn’t much different. In fact, a wolf would be ten times worse. 

Jiang Cheng sighed, rolling his eyes, he plumped himself back on the bed and patted Wei Ying on the head, comforting his older brother. Given their one-year age gap, it was Jiang Cheng who played the role of an older brother and though Wei Ying believed his little brother didn’t mind, considering his annoyingly shitty behavior, Jiang Cheng would often feel left out and underappreciated. “Is it the wolf's dreams again?” he questioned, gaining a swift nod and a shit-eating pout from Wei Ying. “Well, snap out of it,” Jiang Cheng slapped him at the back of the head. 

“Ouch - such mistreatments, it’s so unfair,” Wei Ying whined, rubbing at the back of his head to ease the sting. “Why do you have to be so mean? Don’t you know you should be showing me more brotherly love in a time like this? Humph.”

“Well, stop behaving like a three-year-old -”

“But I am,” Wei Ying pouted and batted his eyelashes.

“No, you’re not - this is the second time tonight,” Jiang Cheng complained getting back into bed beside Wei Ying. "Get back in your own bed and go to sleep, I don't have time for your nonsense. We have school tomorrow. And I mean it, Wei Ying, if you wake me up one more time, I'm putting you outside and locking the door."

Wei Ying buried himself deeper into the mattress, refusing to leave. "Can't I sleep here tonight?" Wei Ying whined, "I'm telling you, it's our neighbor. I think he's a werewolf, Jiang Cheng. Have you seen the guy? He's a total grouch."

"That weirdo Lan Zhan?" Jiang Cheng asked, wiping the sleep from his eyes. Wei Ying nodded. "Yeah, the asshole's creepy."

Wei Ying nodded repeatedly through the covers, "There's something off about that man. I heard howling coming from his yard again."

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, "You're just hearing things, he doesn't have a dog."

Wei Ying peeped from under the covers, "Exactly my point." Wei Ying replied, "I think he is the dog. A Werewolf. It's the only explanation."

"Hmph," Jiang Cheng tsked, "You numskull, it's because of all those supernatural garbage programs you've been watching late at night and obsessing over. They're rotting your already dead brain. Now get to sleep before I break your legs."

Before Wei Ying could get another word out, Jiang Cheng mumbled, "Stupid shows," before the lights were switched off, leaving him once again in the darkness. At least this time he got to sleep beside Jiang Cheng.

As Wei Ying closed his eyes, another loud howl sounded through the outside of their quiet street. Trembling, Wei Ying clutched tightly on Jiang Cheng's arm. The night certainly was going to be a sleepless one.

----------

When morning arrived, both Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng sat at their small kitchen table. Wei Ying yawned repeatedly. Having not gotten a drop of sleep the night prior, it wasn't one of his best days.

Wei Ying's drowsy face leaned against the cereal bowl in front of him, ready to splash inside the contents at any given minute. He only gained back his balance when Jiang Cheng tapped him once or twice upon the shoulder to wake him from his daze.

"I'm awake." Wei Ying rubbed at his eyes. "I'm awake."

"Today is tryouts at school," Jiang Cheng said, stuffing his face with cereal, "What activity are you taking part in? I heard the school board added a few extra this year. You should join me on the field, it'll do you some good."

Wei Ying hummed, "Hmm." Thinking back to the time in high school when their school activities only involved sports. He hated sports for as long as he could remember. However, during his high school days, he was forced by Jiang Cheng to take part in the track and field events. Things didn't end well. Wei Ying ended up with a broken arm and a month being bedridden. Now at twenty-two and they're both in college, sports wasn't an option. He has the opportunity to take part in theaters, something he'd wanted to try for as long as he could remember.

"Nope. I'm thinking of going to try out for the school's play," Wei Ying replied, "Won't I make a handsome lead Jiang Cheng?" Wei Ying batted his eyelash at the younger. Jiang Cheng huffed. "Are you still going for those dumb games again?"

"Of course," Jiang Cheng shrugged like it wasn't already obvious, "And it's not dumb - oh shit. Look at what time it is." The clock upon the kitchen wall said 8:50. Jiang Cheng got up, ignoring Wei Ying, he headed for the door, "Get your ass up, we're going to be late."

"Coming." Wei Ying stuffed his face with the last bit of Cornwall flakes before following his brother outside.

----------

The two brothers walked side by side in the corner streets. The moment they reached the gates of Lan Zhan's home - the only dark, dreary, black soulless house within the street, which so happened to be the oldest, making it the most expensive amongst the others, a gust of wind suddenly blew by, causing Wei Ying to shiver.

Stopping at the spike gate entrance, "There's something quite not right about that Lan Zhan," Wei Ying said, folding his arms and staring at Lan Zhan's front door.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, "I'm pretty sure he feels the same about you." Jiang Cheng huffed, walking ahead.

Seeing Jiang Cheng strolling away, Wei Ying tsked before taking one last glance at the creepy house. Then, as if caught thieving, Wei Ying's eyes widen in fright. Staring back at him, at the very top window, stood a golden-eyed Lan Zhan in an ancient white Hanfu clothing, together with a forehead ribbon embellished with clouds. He looked outer-worldly, making Wei Ying gulped. Although the weird man who sometimes dressed in clothes that people wore thousands of years ago, and he might be a bit older than him. Lan Zhan was a well defined, polished, and graceful man. A rare beauty to behold.

Snapping out of his trance when Jiang Cheng was already halfway out the street. "Hey, wait up," Wei Ying called, running after Jiang Cheng. "Jiang Cheng!"

-------

As Wei Ying ran away, inside the old home, Lan Zhan sighed as he gazed down at the younger man. Ever since he'd moved in next door, his nosy neighbor had consistently been on his mind, and no matter what he did, Lan Zhan couldn't get Wei Ying off.

Lan Zhan had always been one to keep to himself no matter where he may go. However, something at the back of his mind kept telling him, no matter how many times he tried, he would not be able to keep himself away from Wei Ying. It's as if Wei Ying had somehow cast a spell on him.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan muttered, testing the sound of Wei Ying's name upon his tongue. Lan Zhan liked it. "Wei Ying," Lan Zhan said again. This time a small smile appeared across his porcelain features. Lan Zhan liked it a lot.

Observing as Wei Ying slowly faded away in the distance, Lan Zhan made his way back at the very depths of his gloomy home, repeating Wei Ying's name over and over, until the name played in his head like a broken record for the remainder of the day.

- Please Vote & Comment if you enjoyed this chapter Thank You.