Holding both of their arms, Jing was terrified, and so was Chu as he shook slowly. Gu, however, stared unblinkingly at the coffin. Two minutes passed in a second as the smoke stopped shooting out of the coffin.
Jing placed her face in Chu's shoulder as he was even too terrified to look at her. They watched as the top of the coffin slowly slid off it. Landing on the ground with a thud so loud, it made the trio yelp a bit.
Slowly, a figure began to rise, defying gravity as he floated onto his feet, looking sideways at the wall before slowly turning his head towards the trio. Seeing the creature's decayed face with two giant fangs on its mouth, the trio screamed as they began to pound the metal door.
"I can't die here!" said Chu as he tried his hardest to pry open the metal door.
The creature, however, only heard their sweet, delicious blood pumping through their bodies. Placing their backs against the metal door, they all watched as the creature jumped down stiffly, holding both arms out.
Black, sharp nails as the creature's mouth began to emit black smoke. "J-J-J-Jiangshi!?" shouted Jing as she heard tales about this creature in folklore.
Gu and Chu's eyes widen in horror, Jiangshi, ancient creatures who feed on life force...
Growling a low guttural growl, the Jiangshi slowly hopped towards them, relishing in their fear. Looking at Jing and Gu, Chu clenched his fist and ran towards the creature in an act of foolishness, or bravery?
The creature, caught off guard by that, let the punch land on his face as he just stared his soulless eyes into Chu's. Screaming in pain, Chu felt that his hand was broken in many places. Staring into the creature's eyes, he was too scared to move.
Piss began to slowly go down his pants. The creature, seeing this, licked his lips and tried to grab Chu's shoulders, but in a split second, Gu pushed Chu away as the creature grabbed him instead.
Chu, seeing that Gu pushed him away, stumbled back towards Jing and just watched in horror as the creature breathed into Gu's face, smelling his life force and blood. "Gu...!" shouted Jing as she tried to run towards Gu, but Chu held her close.
"Don't!"
Crying, Jing watched slowly as the creature bit into Gu's neck and began to drain his blood and life force. His attention leaving the two other humans, the metal door came open, seeing this, Chu ran out carrying Jing. "NOOOO! GU!!!" yelled Jing as Chu ran out of the cabin.
Looking at two of his friends leaving him, Gu felt something; was it hatred? Or was it acceptance? Feeling betrayed in his heart, Gu closed his eyes as the creature began to swell up, as his face became less decayed.
Letting go of the lifeless Gu, the Jiangshi hopped towards the two who got away, feeling something weird. He looked at Gu, who was still holding his leg, refusing to let go, even though he had no life left in his body.
For a long time, the Jiangshi felt a bit of sadness, but this was quickly overwhelmed by the need to feed. Jumping out of his grip, Gu's body slowly began to grow cold. The last memories he had were of his two friends betraying him and leaving him to die.
"OH MY GOD!" yelled Gu as he woke up in his bed, sweating bullets in his bed. "What the actual, what was that dream...?"
Rushing into his room, his grandma stared at Gu's sweat stains on his bed. A sinking feeling began to rush to her gut as she hugged Gu, "Grandson, are you okay?"
Gu, feeling a bit okay after the hug, nodded, "Grandmama, I had a weird dream."
Grandma, looking at Gu's sweaty face, nodded, "I...understand, don't dwell on it too much, just go to bed."
Feeling Grandmama was hiding something, but not pushing further, Gu fell asleep on his sweaty bed. Walking out of the room, Grandmama looked at the picture of Gu's father and mother in Taoist Robes. She sighed heavily, "I hope you guys don't give him the same path, please, world."
With the last words, Grandmama went to sleep. In the morning, Gu heard knocking and walked outside to find Jing and Chu holding breakfast. "Breakfast time, or are you too busy studying to eat with us?"
Smiling honestly, Gu nodded, and they both walked to school. "Are you guys ready? We are gonna be freshmen starting today."
Jing smiled brightly and ran past both of them, "Whoever is last, don't get soy milk, haha!"
Sighing at her antics, Chu ran past Gu, who just jogged behind them slowly as his body was still growing. Arriving at the school, there were a bunch of students seated in the cafeteria, sitting down at an empty table, they pulled out their soymilk and deep-fried dough bread.
Most other students grabbed a bowl of hot porridge from the cafeteria, but the trio had always had the habit of eating together, ever since middle school. Grabbing the dough stick, Gu looked around; most of the school was comprised of girls more than boys.
"What, you see anyone that catches your eyes?" asked Chu, nudging Gu playfully. Rolling his eyes at Chu, Gu shook his head.
"Oh, you like someone Gu?" said Jing as she sipped some soymilk, some of it on her cheek. Noticing this, Chu handed her a paper napkin. "Thanks."
Wiping her mouth, Gu sighed again, "No, it is not like that, never mind, you two are insufferable."
Chuckling, the trio made small talk as breakfast ended, the first day of school was just a tour for the students and their classes, so they didn't get lost. Walking out of the trio, Gu went to the bathroom and met someone he had never seen in a long time.
The girl, finishing washing her hands, stared at Gu blankly, "Gu...long time no see..."
"Your sister...didn't tell me you were back?" said Gu, looking at her. Her black hair, deep bags under her eyes, and her attire screamed Don't approach.
"Typical Jing, she still hates me for that..."
Sighing heavily, Gu leaned on the wall and stared at her, "What you did was wrong, Ling."
Chang Ling, the twin sister of Chang Jing.
Turn her face away, Ling leaned on the wall as if it were the only thing supporting her standing. "I...let's not bring up old stuff, okay?"
Shrugging his shoulder, Gu asked, "How was overseas?"
"Boring, just the same old thing..."
"Did you even try to make any friends?" wondered Gu as he looked at her.
Avoiding his gaze a bit, Ling coughed a bit in embarrassment, "I...didn't try to."
Chuckling a bit, Gu walked away, "Come on, we can talk while we walk." Reluctantly following him, she kept a good distance of space between them, as if Infinity was in between them. Making their way to the gym where their school was, Jing spotted Ling, and a bit of a scowl came onto her face.
Chu, noticing Ling, widened his eyes a bit but remained cool. Spotting Jing, Ling lowered her head a bit and didn't dare look into her gaze. As soon as they stopped, Jing asked, "So, you decided to come to school after all, sister."
Gulping, Ling stared up at Jing slowly, "I-"
"Okay, no more death glares, she is here to enjoy school, just like you," interjected Gu, politely putting on a smile.
Reluctantly sighing, Jing looked away in annoyance as Ling just looked at Gu in thanks. "How have you been?" asked Chu, looking at Ling, who looked so similar to Jing yet so far from her.
Putting on a forced smile, Ling looked at Chu and spoke in a soft tone, "I am doing okay, you?"
Seeing the forced smile, Chu sighed, "Fine."
Turning towards the principal as he finishes the school tour, urging students to leave and come back tomorrow to officially start school. The four of them walked towards the exit, Ling walking slightly back, watching the trio make small talk.
Glancing back at Ling, Gu slowed his pace and walked beside her, making her a bit nervous. "You...don't have to pity me, I deserve it."
Gu chuckled softly, "I don't pity you, you forgot, I am still your friend."
Feeling a bit of tears trickle down her face, she wiped them away and smiled a bit to the side. "Thanks, for still...caring."
"Didn't I say, the only way I don't care, is if the world brainwashes me?" said Gu, smiling brightly.
Stuffing a weird feeling in her heart, Ling nodded silently and felt a bit more at ease. Glancing back, Jing slowly pushed her nail into her finger silently in agitation and something more.
Chu looked back and smiled a bit, seeing Gu and Ling talking sort of casually. Saying goodbye to the group, Gu walked inside his house as they walked past him to their individual houses.