Wings

Following Xu Feng’s lead, Uncle Shui pulled the car up in front of an old residential complex on Huacheng Avenue. The area was surrounded by several schools, making it a typical rental community filled with parents staying to support their kids and students commuting back and forth.

“You live here?” Uncle Shui glanced into the back seat. Xu Feng, still dangling a blood pack from her mouth, gave an affirmative “Mm-mm” and nodded.

“Head on out, then. Or do you need me to walk you in?” Seeing how small she was, Uncle Shui still couldn’t quite shake his worry.

“No problem, I know this place like the back of my hand. Thanks for driving me home, Uncle Shui.” Xu Feng gathered up her bags and reached for the door handle, only to find it locked. Uncle Shui was holding the master switch.

“Check both sides for oncoming traffic… Safety first.”

The moment the words left his mouth, a van sped past, the wind whistling against the windows.

If Uncle Shui hadn’t kept the door locked, she would have foolishly stepped right out and been flattened. Xu Feng swallowed hard, her heart still hammering against her ribs. She waited a moment, then carefully opened the door, hopping out and waving goodbye. Uncle Shui waved back before driving off.

The walk home was short—less than five hundred meters—but it was the most attention-grabbing walk of Xu Feng’s life.

After all, imagine a soft-looking little loli walking down the street, her silver-white hair shimmering in the sun and wind, her tiny frame lugging a heavy bag like a miniature adult. She’d take a few serious, dignified steps, only for her inner child to take over, sending her into a sudden, joyful trot.

Who wouldn’t stop to take a look? For the busy passersby, a few seconds spent watching her was enough to heal the soul and soothe the eyes.

Finally, Xu Feng reached the security booth with her heavy bags. Seeing a cute, unfamiliar face, the old security guard stood up curiously and poked his head out of the window to address her.

“Little one, are you here all by yourself? Where are your parents?”

Caught off guard, Xu Feng’s eyes darted around until a brilliant idea popped into her head.

“Hello, Grandpa Security! I’m visiting my aunt’s house! I know the way myself!”

Xu Feng looked up at him as she spoke. Before getting out of the car, she had put on a pair of small sunglasses Uncle Shui had given her, which successfully kept her red pupils from drawing too much attention.

“I see, I see. Which building are you headed to, little one? If you’re lost, I can point the way.” The guard was quite the helpful sort.

“Mmhmm, I know it! It’s right there!” Xu Feng stood bolt upright and pointed toward her own home. The guard chuckled and let her through.

She climbed the stairs and reached her front door, only to realize one thing.

Her keys were likely still inside the house.

“How am I supposed to get in…” Xu Feng muttered to herself, propping her right elbow in her left hand and stroking her chin as she searched for a solution.

Since I’m a vampire, flying shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Xu Feng reached back to feel her shoulders, but the downy, little wing-buds had disappeared—likely because she had just fed.

Speaking of which, shouldn’t a vampire show their wings after drinking their fill? Why did they shrink away?

Just as she was wondering, something furry brushed against her face.

“What is that?” Xu Feng turned around and saw a strange pair of black wings fluttering in mid-air. They even had eyes, which blinked at her before crinkling into a smile.

My wings have turned into a gremlin!

Xu Feng instinctively recoiled, but her foot caught on the edge of the floor mat, sending her tumbling backward.

Poof!

The wings transformed into a black blur, darting behind Xu Feng to catch her.

Xu Feng had already squeezed her eyes shut in fear, but when she felt the steady support against her back, she allowed herself to be pushed back into a standing position.

Oh, so this little gremlin isn’t going to hurt me.

Xu Feng gazed at her loyal little wings. They gave an excited flutter, fanning a gust of wind right into her face.

“Stop, stop. Are you my little sidekick?” Xu Feng poked the wings. They felt like canvas to the touch but had a normal, warm temperature.

The wings curved their upper “body,” and the left side manifested a tiny hat, which it held against its “chest.” It was a gesture that looked like both a bow and a nod.

These wings are awfully clever. Who taught them manners?

“Can you fly me in?” Xu Feng pointed toward the hallway window. The wings tucked the hat away and gave a confident shimmy.

“I’m counting on you then.” Xu Feng reached out and gave them a little tap.

Upon receiving the command, the wings moved behind Xu Feng and snapped open into a pair of black wings with a two-meter span.

Whoa! That was fast!

Before she could react, the wings flapped autonomously. With a sudden whoosh of wind, she was airborne, drifting past the windows of the apartment block.

Suddenly, there was nothing beneath her feet; her entire weight was supported by the wings on her back.

Everything on the ground looked tiny, but she was so high up!

“Over… over there…” Xu Feng pointed shakily toward her balcony. The wings quickly delivered her there.

Tumbling through the unlocked balcony window and back into her home, Xu Feng sat on the floor, gasping for air and clutching her chest to calm her racing heart. The wings shrunk back to their original size and drifted uneasily by her side, seemingly convinced they had messed up.

“It’s okay… just go slower next time… Also, from now on, I’m calling you ‘Xiao Hei.'”

The wings bobbed, accepting the name.

After resting for a moment, Xu Feng opened the front door, gathered the blood packs scattered outside, and tucked them safely away in the refrigerator.

Now, the rest of the day belonged to her.

She walked into her bedroom. The familiar scent soothed her soul, and her phone was still lying on the nightstand.

Please, who actually uses a phone with only two apps?

Xu Feng picked up her own phone and checked her messages.

June 17, Jiang Yun: Yo man, why aren’t you online? Come pull an all-nighter with me!

June 18, Game Invite from Jiang Yun: Where are you?! Did you drop dead?

June 19, Game Invite from Jiang Yun: For real? Are you serious?! Say something, man! Don’t actually be dead!

The last one was the most recent, sent five hours ago.

Jiang Yun was Xu Feng’s best friend and deskmate from high school—someone she’d played with since primary school. They talked about everything; he was one of the few people who knew about Xu Feng’s past.

Xu Feng frowned, wondering how best to respond to his concern after being gone for so long. Just then, Xiao Hei drifted over and accidentally tapped on an emoji, sending it.

Xu Feng: 🌹

“Huh?” Xu Feng looked at Xiao Hei in disbelief. A “?” popped up over Xiao Hei.

At the top of the chat interface, the “Online” status changed to “Typing…”

One second later.

Jiang Yun: You little brat! How dare you cut me off for this long! I’ll **** you! You scared the crap out of me! How are you still alive?!

Jiang Yun’s cursing was one thing, but his concern for Xu Feng was genuine.

Xu Feng smiled and tapped out a reply.

Xu Feng: Sent the wrong emoji, sorry. I’ve been in the hospital for the past few days.

Jiang Yun: Sick? Did your family stay with you? You want me to come visit?

Xu Feng was just about to reply when the screen flickered—her phone had run out of battery and shut down.

Wait, Jiang Yun isn’t actually going to show up, is he?