Chapter 11: The World

Jingfei was silent, watching people pass by from the window sill. It was rare, and he would only grip his hands tighter every time he saw one. It was a new habit of his. No matter who it was, including Yang, he would grip his hands tightly into fists as a makeshift restraint.Wei and Ying had both pointed it out to him, told him that he shouldn't do that. But Jingfei still did. The sun was starting to set, nighttime soon awakening.Which meant his time was almost up.

"Jingfei, are you ready?": Ying asked, swinging Wei's long coat over him. He didn't know if Ying asked for it or not, but he wasn't going to ask. Jiangshi slid between Ying's legs, the vampire making sure he didn't step on the cat. Jingfei lightly shook his head. He was in his old clothes, the clothing that he wore when he was turned, now freshly washed and dried. The blood stains, gone.

Ying was taking Jingfei out somewhere. Some sort of street that sells different clothes. Ying said that he wanted to shop with Jingfei. But Jingfei knew the real reasons. "I don't think I should go out…" Jingfei muttered, not looking out of the window sill. His hands slowly untightened as a couple went out of view. Ying sighed, walking up to Jingfei. "You'll be fine. You worry about what you'll do to those people out there? I have blood, and even if things still turn south I'll stop it. Okay? You literally have your water bottle, filled to the brim." Ying said, gesturing to a Jingfei liter water bottle.

"That should last you an entire day-" "When I go outside, will everyone smell like food?" Jingfei asked, looking up at Ying. The man gave a hesitant look, combing his long hair out the way. He slowly and calmly nodded. "I won't lie, they will. You look at humans as humans look at cows. They are just food. Some vampires cherish them more than others. But you have to get used to that."

Jingfei was hearing that phrase a lot more recently. 'You have to get used to that.' Maybe vampires are normally used to everything. They are used to blood and drinking it, and dead bodies as soon as they turn into a vampire. Jingfei just wasn't meant to be one. He wasn't meant to do any of this. But he'll just have to get used to it, won't he? But how long will 'getting used to it' take.

Jingfei leaned down, grabbing his opaque water bottle. He stood up, looking at Ying. "Let';s go." Jingfei said, looking towards the door. Ying smiles proudly at him, before adjusting the messenger bag on his shoulder. The vampire walks up to the door, turning it slightly and opening it. He looked back at Jingfei, lending his pale hand. "Wanna walk together?" He asked, his small tumbler in his other hand. Jingfei looked down at Ying's hands, before nodding.

After a moment, Jingfei lightly placed his hand in Ying's. The vampling followed the elder, walking hesitantly out the building. The sunset was stunning, different pinks, purples and blues painted brightly in the sky. Jingfei stood for a moment to stare at the earthly masterpiece, before beginning to walk once again. He stepped behind Ying, his eyes low to the ground. He could hear people walking around them, hear everything. Cars block away, babies crying. He could hear. "Ying? Can you hear…"

"....Their heartbeats?"

Ying only nodded. "I can, but just tune it out. This house is placed on a busier street, but it'll get easier if we make it to Granville Road." Ying explained. He could smell many different things. From sweetened milk to fried rice. However there was one smell that became prominent to Jingfei. Something he couldn't ignore. It was a strawberry candy. Chinese Good Luck candies. He could smell it a mile away. Jingfei looked around. However, he knew he wasn't looking for a wrapper.

Ying didn't say anything, only gripped Jingfei's hand tighter. Jingfei looked forward once again, taking a small sip from his water bottle. The sweet strawberry taste flowed down Jingfei's throat. Wei was right. Blood really does transform into whatever he was craving. Jingfei sighed, sucking in the warm breath of springtime, before swinging his hair to the side. He lowered his water bottle, just as the sound of soft footsteps floated to his ears. A young girl skipped past Jingfei, a bright smile on her face. Jingfei watched her go, before sighing. He looked back up, turning to Ying.

The man had a soft smile on his face as he looked around. It was a very busy street, something Jingfei wasn't used to. Even as a human. He didn't really go near busy streets like these, instead wanting to avoid them. He didn't like crowds, but the fact that Ying was there with him made it better.

Ying stopped at a crosswalk, looking back at Jingfei. "Are you doing okay?" Ying asked, politely. Something Jingfei had to respect Ying for, was the amount of patience he seemed to have with Jingfei. It was something Jingfei had to thank him for when this was all over. He nodded. "I think so." He whispered. Ying nodded, looking right, left, then right again. Ying finally stepped onto the crosswalk at the sight of no cars, quickly jogging over to the other side. This side of the street was less crowded, as well as slightly shadowed from the ending sunset.

Ying pulled Jingfei onto a different street, where stores seemed to be never ending. Ying took a sip from his tumbler, before turning to Jingfei. He had a proud smile. Jingfei slowly let go of Ying's hand. The vampire sighed, waving it in the air. "You did very well, but you held my hand very tightly when we were close to humans." Ying pointed out. He held his limp hand with the other one.

Jingfei nodded, bowing slightly. "Sorry, I tend to do that." Jingfei mumbled. Ying waved it off, his proud smile still on his face. "Well, we're here. I have thirty two hundred dollars for you to spend, so we're going to go to all these stores and have fun. Vampires need to look hot, and that's not going to happen if you wear sweats all the time." Ying pointed out with a smile. Jingfei looked at him hesitantly. "But, But… Chan wears sweats all the time…" Ying laughed.

"That's the real Chan. You haven't met the persona though."