My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace

“I want to check out the Intest Xan too. But Xan, you’ve always had everything handed to you on a silver platter. How are you going to handle Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night with no ready–made food or drinks? Maybe Samuel should accompany you here? He cant play chef?”

Xanthea rolled her eyes at him, remembering the time he tried cooking beans for her when they were kids. They were undercooked and landed her in the hospital.

“If I bring you along, I’d kick the bucket even faster.”

“What are you talking about, child?” Susanna Lopez Nightshade pulled her daughter’s hand worriedly. “Xan, I’ve heard that show has had quite a few mishaps–people may get injured, faint from hunger, even encounter with wild animals. Maybe we should just skip it?”

“Mom, it’s not that dramatic. The crew has security, and I won’t stray.”

“But you can’t cook! They don’t provide food. What if you get hungry? Your father will worry.”

Xanthea shrugged. “I could just forage some wild berries or greens to tide me over. It’s only two days, and I’m in great shape!”

“Eating just greens might lead to malnutrition. Why don’t we bring Milo along? It’s great at catching fish!”

Samuel scooped up the teddy bear cat by the scruff of its neck; the cat meowed confidently, as if pledging loyalty, making everyone in the room laugh.

“Thud, Thud, Thud.”

The phone suddenly buzzed. Xanthea pulled it out to see a call from Orion and quickly tucked it away.

A few seconds later, it buzzed again.

Samuel asked, “Xan, who’s that calling you in the middle of the night?”

“Uh, it’s..it’s “Xanthea stammered, just a telemarketer.” Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Really?” Samuel raised an eyebrow, sensing her unease. “Who dares to bother my sister at this hour?”

“I don’t know, it’s an unknown number. I need to use the restroom: you guys carry on.”

Xanthea smiled and walked toward the bathroom, but Samuel’s long arm snatched her phone away.

‘Samuel!”

“Give it back to me!”

siblings quickly wrestled into a tangle, ending with Xanthea

Xanthea widened her beautiful eyes, and struggled fiercely with him. The overpowered and firmly pinned by Samuel on the couch, watching him mischievously unlock her phone.

“Wahhh!”

“Dad, Mom, Big bro, Uncle, Samuel’s bullying me. He invades my privacy!”

Xanthes played her last card: fake crying

Samuel scoffed, “Xan, cut the act. When have we ever had secrets from each other?”

*Samuel, you voyeur! If you dare look at my phone, I’ll never speak to you again!”

It was an old line from their childhood fights, one that had disappeared as they grew up but now resurfaced, making Samuel even more curious about the contents of her phone. What was she so afraid of him seeing?

sister?” Just as he was about to open her contacts, the phone was snatched by Oliver “Samuel, how old are you? Still bullying your Xanthea wriggled free from beneath Samuel and stuck her tongue out at him triumphantly. “Ha, serves you right for bullying me!

“Uncle, you’re the best!”

“Uncle, look how defiant she is! She’s protecting that phone so fiercely–there’s definitely something fishy!”

“You’re the one who’s fishy!”

Xanthea swallowed hard. She had to admit inwardly that Samuel really knew her too well.

Ethan interjected, “Xan, stop bickering with Samuel. I found some wilderness survival tips for you. Come and take a look.”