VACATION 3

Ember walked, following the dark light, until she came to the edge of a steep slope on a rocky hillside. The dark light came to a stop and she also came to a halt. She was hypnotized by the dark light and kept walking towards the cliff. She was perched on the edge of a cliff and was on the verge of falling. Ember was startled when Jayden pulled her, but she came to her senses. Then the dark light vanished.

"Are you all right, Ember?"

Ember looked around her, and she was confused that she was on a cliff.

"Jayden, why am I here?"

"I was looking for you everywhere, and thankfully I saw you from afar, so I followed you. I noticed you following a dark light. However, the light has vanished. You don't remember you walked here?"

"Dark light?"

Ember recalled, and it was only then that she realised she had seen the dark light.

"I saw the dark light. But after that, I don't remember anything."

"I believe the dark light is attempting to harm you."

"What do you mean?"

"That dark light is the souls of the foxes who died here. That soul is one of the dark fox's souls."

Ember's expression started to change. She felt worried and didn't understand why the dark fox's soul wanted to harm her.

"But why does that soul try to harm me?"

"I apologize, but I'm not sure. Don't worry, you're safe now. We have to get out of here. We're not safe here, and we have to find them."

Jayden and Ember walk hand in hand, looking for Xander and Aubrey. They have looked everywhere but haven't found them yet. Aubrey spotted Ember from a distance and called out to her.

"Ember..."

Ember turned to look. Ember was so happy to see Aubrey, and they ran to each other and hugged.

"Aubrey, I'm glad you're safe."

"Likewise,"

"Master, the dark fox has shown up. Aubrey had been attacked earlier."

Jayden was startled and looked at Aubrey. So the dark fox also wants to harm Aubrey, not just Ember. But why? Is it because they were with us?

"I'm not sure why, but the dark fox wanted to harm both of them. I'm worried it's because of us."

"Master, we'd better get out of here. Return to Victor's home."

"Yes, let's go back. Ember, Aubrey, we have to return to Victor's house now,"

Both of them looked at him and nodded. Victor was already sleeping when they arrived at his house. They didn't want to wake him, so they didn't make any noise.

"Tonight, Xander and Aubrey should sleep in the same room."

Aubrey was astounded when she heard what Jayden said. I slept in the same room with him. No way! We aren't that close to sleeping in the same room, and the point is, we're fighting.

"Wait a minute! But why?"

"To ensure your safety, you were attacked before, didn't you?"

Hearing Jayden's words really shocked Ember.

"Attacked? What attacked you, Aubrey?"

"I'm fine. Ember, do not worry. I don't need anyone to accompany me to bed, Jayden. I'll be fine."

Xander thinks Aubrey's behaviour is stubborn. This woman really is stubborn. Did she not scare anything? Did she think the dark fox was a joke?

"However, this is for your own safety. What if you're attacked again?"

"Please inform the man standing next to you, Jayden. There's no need to be concerned about me. He only has to worry about himself."

Aubrey didn't want to talk to Xander because she was still angry. Xander also remains silent after she hears what Aubrey says. After she said it to them, she walked away, entering her room. Ember and Jayden were perplexed to see both of them. Jayden turned to look at Xander and wanted his explanation.

"Could you tell me what happened to both of you?"

"It's nothing, master. There is no need to be concerned. I'll excuse myself."

Ember and Jayden also return to their rooms. While in the room, Ember asked as they lay on the bed.

"Jayden, did Xander and Aubrey fight?"

"Maybe."

"But why?"

"I don't know either. Maybe it's a personal matter. You don't have to be concerned. They're no longer children. Let's get some rest. We'll leave early tomorrow."

Aubrey awoke at midnight to use the restroom. When she opened the door to her room, she was surprised to see Xander outside. Sleep in a seated position, leaning against the wall. When she saw Xander, he still insisted he wanted to protect her. She started to feel guilty. This guy really knows how to make me feel guilty, like I'm the one who's wrong. At least apologise to me, but you just ignore me.

She suddenly felt a strong urge to pee, which she struggled to suppress. She walked slowly, trying not to wake Xander.

"Where are you going?" Xander asked, making her startled.

"I need to go to the restroom."

Aubrey responded, then dashed to the restroom; she really needed to pee. When Aubrey came out of the restroom, Xander was leaning against the wall, waiting for her. Aubrey was stunned, but she ignored Xander. She rushed into the room. Aubrey still feels guilty inside the room. She doesn't know what to do.

"I feel like I'm being cruel to him. He genuinely wants to protect me. But he's also cruel and rude to me."

However, Aubrey, on the other hand, was uneasy. She made her way to the room's door and opened it slowly.

"D-Do you want to sleep in the room? There's a couch here."

"Don't mind me, you're just continuing to sleep."

Xander responded sternly. Aubrey became enraged when he heard Xander's words being cold towards her.

"Fine! You just sleep outside!"

She closed the door and burst into tears, and she was lying on her stomach crying. You are cruel. Xander, I'm trying to be nice, but you are so cruel.

Xander opened the door to Aubrey's room upon hearing Aubrey angry, and was shocked to see Aubrey crying. Xander entered the room and shut the door. He started to worry after seeing Aubrey crying.

"Why are you crying?"

"Do you hate me that much!"

She said this while still lying on her stomach. Hearing Aubrey's words, Xander felt his heart stabbed. Because he never hated Aubrey, but Aubrey thought he did.

"I... I don't hate you."

"So, why are you being cold and rude to me?"

Being cold and rude? That's how she sees me. Yeah, I also think I was cold and rude to her. I'm the one who makes her angry.

"I'm, I'm so sorry."

So he knows to apologize, I thought he still wanted to protect his pride. I feel so sleepy thinking about all of this.

"Forget it. I'm exhausted. You sleep on the couch. No more excuses, just sleep."

Xander sat on the couch, staring at Aubrey. I think I can't win against this woman. I make myself obey her. But since this is also my fault, I can't complain.

When Xander awoke at dawn, he got up from the couch and sat next to Aubrey, who was sound asleep. Xander gently touched Aubrey's cheek. I apologise for making you cry. I like you, but I have to stop liking you because we can't be together. No, I'm the one who can't be with anyone. Starting today, I have to stay away from you. So that I can forget about you and not hurt you. Xander leaves Aubrey's room at dawn with a sad expression on his face.

After they told Victor that they were leaving today early in the morning, he was sad.

"What's the rush?"

"Grandpa Victor, please accept my sincere apologies. Unavoidable events occurred."

Jayden explained, but he couldn't tell him about what happened to Aubrey and Ember. He also wanted to leave as soon as possible because he didn't want Victor to also become a victim. He didn't want to put Victor in danger. Aubrey saw Victor's sad expression and hugged him.

"I'll see you again, Grandpa. Don't be sad."

"If you come this time, please bring your boyfriend with you. I really want to see you get married before I go with your late grandmother."

"Why do you always say such bad things, Grandpa? You will witness my wedding and also witness the birth of your great-grandchildren. So Grandpa must live a long life."

"Okay, I'll be fine here. You're all the same. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again."

With a smile, Victor replied. Then they got into the car. This time, Xander was driving, and Jayden was sitting next to him. Ember and Aubrey sat in the backseat of the car. Aubrey was hesitant and sad to leave Victor alone. Xander glanced in the rearview mirror at Aubrey before driving away, leaving the place.

PS- Next title: GOOD NEWS