“There were four ghosts with you. Where are they now?” Ou Yang Susu carried the resident with the ruined face. She was anxious.
“I might have eaten them. I feel so full.” Fan Li checked the wounds on his hands. “I’ll lose control once I use that thing.” Everyone had their own secrets. Ou Yang Susu didn’t probe. She took out the med kit and handed it to Fan Li.
“He needs it more.” Fan Li opened the kit and bandaged the resident swiftly, “His injuries are serious. If he doesn’t leave this place tonight, he’ll die here.”
After being fed some water, the resident recovered slightly. His lips opened. “Save my mother. Please.”
“Your mother?” Fan Li looked around. “Why were you captured by those ghosts? What happened here?”
“It’s madness. Everyone here has lost their minds. Their faces have been stolen, and they have turned into monsters.” The man uttered intermittently. “At first, it was the auntie from the neighbourhood committee who picked up something back. She said it was magical. Once you worship it, everything you wish for will come true. But as more people worshipped it, more inexplicable things started to happen! You must be careful!”
“Why were you spared? Is it because of your face?” Brother Lee was curious.
“God likes perfect faces and good memories. I was born with a facial defect. It was my mother who looked after me. My dad is never home. My life is so sad that even the ghost looks down on me.” The man said through tears. “I did this to my own face. I am cowardly. I did many bad things. I’m not a good person. It doesn’t matter what happens to me, but you have to save my mother! She listened to the aunties from the neighbourhood committee. She went to find the mud figurine and hadn’t returned in a while already!”
“Then, I fear the worst has happened to her.” Once Brother Lee said that, he was rewarded with a glare by Ou Yang Susu. “I was just telling the truth.”
“If you have something good about you, it’ll be taken away by the ghost in the mirror. I am a parasite that lives off my mother. I’m better off dead.” The man cried. He should be quite young, but he felt aged.
After meeting the ghosts, Fan Li told them to leave. The girl flew out of her home to chase after them. Before they were trapped, Brother Lee and Ou Yang Susu shoved Teacher Liu into the side room. They had no power to defend themselves, but they subconsciously wanted to save others. This was something special they had.
Most times, the world was not shone by the light. Instead, the world was lit up by normal people like them who carried the sun.
Teacher Liu was still so scared even though the ghosts were gone. She didn’t even dare look at Gao Ming, much less approach him.
“You are a responsible teacher, and we’ll be responsible for your safety.” Gao Ming grabbed Teacher Liu by her wrist, and they went downstairs.
The night was thickened by the fog. The neighbourhood became creepier. There were figures standing on the balconies, facing away from the view.
“You’re finally here! We need to move!” Youyou had urged Bai Shu multiple times. If they stayed at a fixed location for too long, they would be targeted so easily.
“The activity is on the fourth floor of Block Seven. Granny Lee’s home is on the second floor of Block Seven. There are only two floors between them. Do not make too much noise.” Wu You lay on Fan Li’s back and said weakly, “If you really run into powerful ghosts, you can toss me out as bait. It doesn’t matter if I die. I hope you can save my mother.” The ugly and scary face pressed on Fan Li’s shoulder. Wu You’s sudden speech frightened Youyou and Bai Shu. “Brother Fan, are we really bringing him with us?”
“We’ll go to our destination first,” Fan Li ran ahead. He would not give up on Wu You like he wouldn’t give up on anyone around him. People like him were born to be the main characters.
Block Seven was built in the deepest part of the neighbourhood. There were sundry shops on the first floor, a kindergarten on the third floor, and the fourth floor, which had been modified into an elderly activity room. The neighbourhood committee would organise activities there too.