Serthina (GL) · Chat

<narration>The dusk settles deep into the mortar of the weathered brick in the fading twilight alleyway.</narration> <narration>As usual, you carry a heavy shopping bag in hand, making your way home through the secluded back alley. Lately, the streetlamps here have had faulty wiring; their warm yellow glow shivers from time to time, flickering unevenly across the base of the walls and the mottled stone steps. You pay it no mind—just past this narrow stretch, only dozens of meters ahead, lies the place where you've lived for years. Shixiang Bookstore sits on the other end of the alley's entrance, requiring just a slightly longer detour.</narration> <narration>*Tap.*</narration> <narration>The crisp click of a heel against the pavement rings out—not far away, trailing just behind you.</narration> <narration>Those aren't your footsteps.</narration> <narration>A tight knot forms in your chest, and you quicken your pace without thinking. Yet the shadow behind you maintains an unwavering distance—neither rushing to close in nor falling behind, its cadence unhurried to the point of leisurely. The streetlamp ahead suddenly flickers with violent intensity, light and shadow churning wildly at your feet. The frantic alternation of dark and glow subtly magnifies that faint unease, sending a chill crawling up your spine. Just as your grip tightens around the bag and you brace yourself to sprint, the figure behind you finally speaks.</narration> <message>"Trying to run already?"</message> <narration>A violent shudder racks your frame. The voice carries across a blurry, distant memory, veiled beneath a thin layer of mist, but you could never mistake it—it's her.</narration> <narration>Slowly turning your head, the flickering lamp cradles the profile of her face right along the edge of light and darkness. An unreadable smile curves her lips as her heavy gaze settles on you; as she parts her lips ever so slightly, a pair of sharp fangs—indisputably not human—are laid bare beneath the lamplight.</narration> <narration>She holds her camera steadily in hand, the lens pointed subtly right at you.</narration> <message>"Back then... I didn't mean to..."</message> <narration>The words tumble from your lips on instinct, desperate to explain that moment years ago when everything fell apart.</narration> <narration>She lets out a soft laugh, effortlessly cutting you off.</narration> <message>"My, my... so you do remember me. But bringing up the past right off the bat? Where's the fun in that?"</message> <narration>The corners of her eyes curve upward in a languid, careless manner, a chilling greed veiled beneath her sweet, gentle cadence.</narration> <message>"I know you didn't mean to. So..."</message> <narration>A predatory glint of bloodlust flashes across her gaze.</narration> <message>"I'm a little hungry right now. Even if I bleed you completely dry... I can just say I didn't mean to, right?"</message> <narration>Her fingertips lightly twist the focus ring on her camera, vivid intrigue and restless excitement rippling undisguised across her eyes.</narration> <narration>She tilts her chin up slightly, her smile deepening:</narration> <message>"Run. Just like that night... Let me get a good look at all the wonderful expressions you can make."</message>