Haunted and Numb

The sky was darkening, due to the sun having set not too long ago and the heavy clouds rolling by overhead. The breeze picked up, causing the trees flutter and whistle against the buildings on the street as Wei Ying walked home.

He stopped to zip up his coat and pull his umbrella out of his backpack before continuing on his way. It looked like it would rain any minute now.

Wei Ying sighed. He should have left the college that he attended a few hours earlier. However, the school had a special event after his last class, and he decided to check it out. Once it was over, he went to buy a snack before leaving the campus. He let his fiancé Lan Zhan know that he was on his way, having told him that he would be late already.

He couldn't help but smile as he thought about him. They had gotten together when they were fifteen, though they had liked each other long before they did. If Wei Ying hadn't plucked up the courage to ask Lan Zhan out after several weeks, there was no telling when the other's feelings would have been known.

They spent as much time as they were able to with each other. They went on dates after school or on the weekends. Wei Ying would visit Lan Zhan at his uncle Lan Qiren's house, or he would come to the home where Wei Ying lived with his family.

Currently, they were in their junior year of college. Wei Ying had moved in with Lan Zhan the previous year. The latter had earned enough money to buy a nice two-story home, even though he only worked part-time at his uncle's firm. Then again, Lan Qiren did pay him rather handsomely. He proposed to Wei Ying shortly after, and if everything was good before, it was nothing compared to how wonderful it was now.

It started to drizzle then, breaking Wei Ying out of his thoughts. He opened his umbrella and walked faster. Not many people were out, but those that were could be seen hurrying home.

Luckily, his was not too far away. He considered waiting for the bus in case the rain picked up, but it didn't run often since the city he lived in was not that big. He doubted one would come any time soon, in any case. The last one had less than an hour ago.

He was just coming upon an alleyway when someone in a bright red hoodie stepped out of it, clutching a dark liquor bottle. Wei Ying rolled his eyes after seeing who it was.

Wen Chao, his former classmate from high school.

He had already been terrible and annoying enough to begin with. Harassing and bullying people, stealing from them, vandalizing property. He dropped out a year before his graduation, preferring to waste his time by causing more trouble with the gang his older brother Wen Xu had formed.

He became worse when his brother was shot and killed two years afterwards. All over town, people often talked about how he was arrested every other week or two for one thing or another. He was almost always drinking, doing drugs, or both. He lived with his father Wen Ruohan, who was notorious for the crimes he had done in his own heyday and only enabled his behavior. Wen Chao's girlfriend, Wang Lingjiao, was no better either.

Not wanting to be bothered, Wei Ying lowered his head so that he wouldn't catch his attention. Unfortunately, Wen Chao noticed him immediately.

"If it isn't Wei Wuxian," he announced, slurring a bit. "Long time, no see."

"Thank goodness," Wei Ying huffed. "Leave me alone, Wen Chao. I don't have time for you tonight."

He snorted while falling in step beside him. "What's the rush? Have homework to do? Studying?" he inquired, eyeing his book bag.

"That's none of your business."

Wei Ying attempted to get away from him, but he stood in his path.

"Come on! We haven't seen each other in years. Don't you want to catch up?"

"For what? There's nothing to catch up on. I don't know why you're even talking to me. You never liked me to begin with."

This was an understatement; they downright loathed each other. What really caused Wei Ying to despise him were his insults about his and Lan Zhan's sexuality. He could ignore whatever Wen Chao said about him, but when it came to Lan Zhan, he didn't hesitate to call him out on it or punch him in the face.

Lan Zhan never approved of this, though he understood his reasons. He told Wei Ying that he was more than capable of defending himself.

"Still want to...catch up. How have you been?" Wen Chao asked in a falsely kind voice.

"None of your business," Wei Ying remarked. "Now, move."

He refused to. "Don't you want to tell me how you've been? Don't you want to know how I've been?"

"Hell no! Why would I? I don't give a damn about you any more than you give a damn about me. For the last time, move out of my way. You're really starting to piss me off."

Wei Ying was pushing past him when Wen Chao grinned and blocked his way a second time. "I've been great. My life is amazing right now. Don't need to go to school...don't need a job. I don't have to worry about money; I can get it anywhere. I can do whatever I want.

"But enough about me. I know why you're in a hurry. You're going home to your boyfriend, aren't you?" he sneered.

The former didn't respond, but he didn't need to. Wen Chao took his silence as confirmation.

"Hmph. I told you I...knew it. You two've been joined at the hip ever since we knew each other in school. You're disgusting. Both you and...your boyfriend."

Wei Ying glared at him hatefully.

"You know," he continued. "I really don't know...what your boyfriend sees in you. And I don't know what you can...see in him. Have you ever even...looked at his face properly? He's so ugly, frowning all the time. But I guess that's what you get for picking a guy like him when you could have...gotten...a pretty woman...like I did."

Wei Ying scoffed. His girlfriend was far from pretty with the way she acted. She was a menace.

"Don't deny it. I remember how much...of a flirt...you used to be back in school. With the boys and the girls. You could have had anyone, but you chose that bastard. But I guess that...neither of you could get anyone better." Wen Chao mulled this over. "Well...not true. Your boyfriend's rich. He could have had someone better...but instead, he picked you..."

If he doesn't shut the hell up right now, I swear to the gods I will beat his ass, Wei Ying thought as he balled his hands.

Wen Chao didn't. "As I said...don't know what he sees in you. Your boyfriend may be an orphan like you, but at least his uncle has money. You, on the other hand...you're lucky that people think you're cute. I wouldn't be surprised if...your boyfriend is using you for your looks..."

Wei Ying's knuckles cracked. How dare he keep bringing Lan Zhan into this?!

"...because other than that, there isn't anything special about you. You were nothing but that dirty little homeless kid...your foster uncle found on the street. You're lucky he knew your mother...or else you would still be on the street today..."

"Fuck off, Wen Chao!" Wei Ying exploded, having lost his patience. "Don't make me have to remind you of where you and your brother had to go after your father was arrested several times after your mother ran off."

Wen Chao's expression crumpled; he had touched a few sore points.

"Don't mention my mother, and don't ever mention my brother!" he hissed in rage.

"Then stop bringing up shit about me and my boyfriend that have nothing to do with you. I didn't come by here for you to bother me. Now, get out of my face before I get you out of it," Wei Ying threatened in a low, menacing voice.

He stepped closer to him until he was literally in it. "Come on. Do it, then. Get me out of your face. I dare you. Faggot."

Wei Ying punched him in the jaw, making him yelp as he nearly fell over. Then he stormed away, being sure not to turn his back to him.

It was a good thing that he didn't. Wen Chao rushed after him, lifting his hand to punch him back. He dodged him and slammed his umbrella in his face. Wen Chao swayed, cursed, then retaliated with another punch. Wei Ying moved away, but was caught off guard by a blow to his stomach.

He groaned as he hunched over in pain. The distraction allowed Wen Chao to hook his arm around his neck and pull him close to choke him.

"Mmmmm," he hummed as he sniffed him.

What the fuck?!

"You actually smell pretty good for someone who used to be a dirty little homeless - AAAH!"

Wei Ying had elbowed him in the chest as he said this. After that, he punched him with the back of his fist, then kicked his shin. Wen Chao howled, but didn't let him go. Instead, he dragged him to the alleyway he had in lurking in earlier, though not without difficulty.

"You sick bastard...get...your fucking hands...off of me!" Wei Ying gasped as he resumed his attempts to fight him off.

Unfortunately, he was unable to. For someone who was more than a little tipsy, Wen Chao was surprisingly strong.

"Never. I'm going to teach you a lesson for what you did. Let's see how...cute people will think you are after I'm done with you...OW!"

Wei Ying stomped on his foot at that moment, causing him to finally release his hold on his neck. He turned to punch him several times after that. "Don't...ever...touch...me...again!"

And with one last strike, he made to leave the alley. However, Wen Chao recovered just as he stepped out of it. There was a struggle as Wei Ying tried to push him away when he grabbed for him.

The next thing he knew, his head was bashed into the wall, making stars appear in his vision. The pain dazed him so much that he was unable to stop Wen Chao as he yanked him back into the alley from behind. He was dragged further in before he was smacked against the wall a second time, a third, and a fourth, then pushed to the ground. His jeans tore as his knees were skinned.

Grimacing, Wei Ying tried to stand up, but he felt too woozy. He didn't even notice that his book bag had been slung off his back until he felt a heavier weight on it.

"You disgusting motherfucker...I'll teach you not to ever mess with me again...You'll get what every faggot like you deserves," Wen Chao sneered hatefully. "Now...let's see what your precious boyfriend thinks is so special about you..."

Then, much to Wei Ying's fury and horror, his jeans were unloosened. He tried to fight him off again and move away, but another punch disoriented him further. He heard jingling, what sounded like plastic being torn...

And then there was pain as something forced its way into him. Excruciating, agonizing pain.

"AAAAAAAAH! What the fuck?! Get off of me! What are you doing...?!" he yelled.

Wen Chao yanked him up by hair and pressed the sharp edge of a knife onto his throat. "Shut up. If you scream again or make another sound, you won't leave here...until someone finds you."

"You won't do a fucking thing! Get the fuck off of...!"

The edge of his blade nipped his jugular. "I mean it. Shut up, or I'll kill you right now."

Fear tore at Wei Ying's heart. He didn't want to die, especially not like this. His eyes welled up at the thought of the devastation it would cause for his family, Lan Zhan, and everyone else he loved and cared about.

Seeing that he had gotten the message, Wen Chao grunted in satisfaction before doing what he set out to do.

Please...Lan Zhan...somebody...anybody...please help me...he wept silently.

It hurt. It hurt so bad.

And no one came for him. Even if anyone happened to pass by, they didn't notice that anything was amiss. That nearby, someone was being put through immeasurable, undeserved pain. Wei Ying continued to sob, continued to quietly beg for Lan Zhan, for anyone, to see what was happening and save him. But Wen Chao didn't stop. Not for what seemed like an eternity.

And when he finally did, he turned him around before jabbing the tip of his blade at his throat again.

"Exactly what I thought. There's nothing special about you at all. You don't even feel good. Not even enough to brag to my girlfriend about. Lucky for me I had a spare rubber. It's almost too bad it was wasted on you...but since you're a disgusting, attention-seeking, half-faggot whore, I'm glad I did. I'm surprised your boyfriend enjoys having sex with you. But as I said...he probably doesn't think he could get anyone better.

"But he definitely isn't going to want you if he finds out about this. He'll know this was your fault, being the flirt you are. And anyway, you would know better than to tell anyone. You know I have connections. You know they would do much worse than what I did if something happens to me because you opened your fat mouth," he threatened.

After that, Wei Ying was spat on before being shoved away. He vaguely watched as Wen Chao raised a bottle to his mouth as he left the alleyway.

He waited until he was certain that he was gone to stand up. He moved slowly; the pain between his waist and upper thighs caused him to tremble.

However, his mind was numb. He barely processed anything as he began to walk home, stopping several times when the ache became too much.

When that happened, he had to try not to think. Try not to remember the feeling of Wen Chao's hands as they clutched his hips, his elbows. When he pulled his arms behind his back and wrapped one hand around his wrists in a bruising grip. The other hand still holding the knife to his throat. The feeling of his body above his. Try not to think about the cruel words he said to him. Try not to think about what he did to him. Try not to think of him at all.

The situation had escalated so quickly, and he couldn't understand how...or why. But he was sure of one thing; he should left the campus earlier. And perhaps...perhaps this never would have happened to him.

And if he told Lan Zhan...perhaps Wen Chao was right. Perhaps he would no longer want anything to do with him.

But Wei Ying couldn't think of anyone he wanted more than him right now.

He needed him.

xXXXXXXx

Meanwhile, Lan Zhan was sitting in the living room of their house. To most people, he would have appeared calm as he read something on his tablet.

However, those who knew him would have seen that he was quite the opposite.

He was feeling considerably worried. It was after seven o'clock. Wei Ying had sent him a text a little more than an hour ago to let him know that he was coming home.

Of course, it was not unusual for him to return later than he told him he would. He often got sidetracked or went to the store on the way back. That was not a problem for Lan Zhan when that happened. He would simply put up his dinner or keep it warm, depending on how long he would take.

But this time...he had a feeling that something was very wrong. He had sent Wei Ying a few text messages earlier, asking where he was, and if he was all right. There was never a response.

That was not like him. No matter what was going on, he answered his phone immediately, or almost immediately.

Lan Zhan decided to wait five more minutes. If Wei Ying didn't come or at least send back a text, he would look for him. He didn't know why, but he sensed that Wei Ying may be in trouble somewhere. That he needed him.

Yet each of those minutes passed, and there was no sign of him. He shut off his tablet before pocketing his phone.

Lan Zhan was just about to leave the room when he noticed someone approaching the house from the front window. He couldn't see his or her face, nor could he tell who it was. He or she was moving stiffly.

He went to open the door. However, the relief he felt when he saw Wei Ying standing on the other side of it disappeared entirely when he examined him.

His black jeans were ripped at the knees, both of which were bleeding and raw. Bruises stretched across his head from above his eyebrows to his temple. There were some on his wrists too, as well as a superficial cut on his neck. He was also wet and shivering; it seemed as if he had walked home through the drizzle without bothering to even use his umbrella.

But the worse were his eyes. At first glance, they seemed blank and unstaring. However, the closer Lan Zhan looked, the more he could see that they were haunted. A darkness was in them that wasn't there before.

He was right; something was indeed wrong. Terribly wrong.

"Wei Ying...baobei, what happened?" he demanded, horror clenching his insides.

He didn't answer, just collapsed into his arms with a sob.

And behind him, the drizzle became a torrential downpour.