Chapter 55: The Missing Children

Chapter 55: The Missing Children

All fourteen people who entered this door gathered in the plaza of the small town.

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Qiushi had been observing the surroundings the entire time. This small town seemed to be rather run down; a good half of the shops along the street were closed. During the few times a breeze swept past, itd lift the dust off the sides of the street making the small town seem even more desolated.

They were near a notice board at the side of the plaza. Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu, having walked over to take a look, discovered that missing posters of children around seven to eight years old were tacked on it. They were both males and females, and these posters have only just been put up recently.

Having seen these posters, Lin Qiushi straight away thought of the slenderman mentioned in the hint. Although the slenderman also targeted adults, its primary target was usually children. It seems that the disappearance of these children were more or less caused by the slenderman.

As the group of people were discussing spiritedly, an imposing middle aged man approached them from the end of the plaza. He gave a simple self-introduction to the group of people, claiming to be the mayor of the town. He then gave them the identity they were assigned within this door.

I hope that you are able to help us find the missing children, the mayor said. These children all disappeared within the span of a week. Weve searched everywhere within the town, but we couldnt find them. I hope that you all are able to complete this task that we entrust to you and find the missing children.

This was the clue the door gave.

After the mayor finished speaking, he brought them to the inn they were to be lodged at.

The appearance of the inn and the small town matched well; they were both very dilapidated. At the front of the inn sat an old man who was dozing off. At the sight of the mayor bringing people over, he didnt even open his eyes to greet them but casually took out a bundle of keys on a ring and then closed his eyes to go back to sleep.

The mayor was clearly accustomed to this and said, We rarely receive visitors and because weve lost some children, people have become quite wary and self-conscious. Please be considerate when you are inquiring for information.

The inn only had two-person rooms and the group quickly found a person to share a room with.

Without mishap, Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu ended up in the same room. Because he was playing the role of a mute girl, he was silent the entire time. When somebody looked at him, he pretended not to notice.

That Wang Tianxin seemed to still be interested in him, but he hid it well. Only, Lin Qiushi would occasionally feel his gaze on him.

Lin Qiushi acted as though he did not notice.

Once the matter of rooming was sorted, the mayor told them some facts about the small town.

This town was once a fishing village. After a dam was built, the fish population decreased and the economy began to deteriorate. There werent any other industries in the small town other than a fish cannery at the very west of the town. At the east end was the town cemetery, and the mayor told them to avoid going there if they could help it.

The group quietly listened; some of them even took notes. The key NPCs usually supply the most important information, and it would be these information that lead to the key.

After theyd dallied for some time, everyone was a little hungry. And so, they went downstairs to eat something light.

The food here tasted terrible. The bread was so hard and dry that it pained their teeth to chew. Other than the bred, there was only another sauteed fish that looked unappetizing. Lin Qiushi didnt dare eat after a single look at the wide-eyed corpse of the fish. Would he get some sort of food poisoning if he ate it?

Ruan Nanzhu didnt touch the fish either and only ate some bread. He hadnt spoken much after arriving at the inn, appearing to be thinking about something.

After they finished this terrible meal, the group decided to get some rest so that they could better welcome the coming of the second day.

Lin Qiushi also decided to rest and after washing, he climbed into bed.

It was a standard inn room with two beds. His was closer to the window while Ruan Nanzhus was closer to the door.

After taking a shower, Ruan Nanzhu walked out shirtless. As he dried his hair with a towel, he asked, What do you think?

Lin Qiushi was curled up at the headboard, messing around on his phone. Lets go talk to the parents of the missing children tomorrow and see what information we can find. he said, and after contemplating for a bit, he added,Since the mayor mentioned the cannery, maybe we should do some investigating there as well. The town wasnt very big and there were only so many clues. Logically, there should be information they wanted at the cannery.

Ruan Nanzhu, En. How do you feel?

Lin Qiushi thought that he was asking about his feelings about this door and thus obediently answered, Its okay. Its just that the food here really is unpleasant.

Ran Nanzhu raised an eyebrow, Im asking about how you feel about acting as a mute girl.

Lin Qiushi,

Ruan Nanzhu: Doesnt it make you happy?

In the face of Ruan Nanzhus menace, Lin Qiushi turned as timid as a puppy and gave a very faked laugh, It does, it does! Oh, why did he never think twice before speaking back then?

One was forced to admit that Lin Qiushis current expression in his female form was incredibly cute. It doesnt matter whether Lin Qiushi was willing or not, his answer made Ruan Nanzhu feel satisfied. He had even given him a light laugh, As long as you like it.

Lin Qiushi: Why did he feel a sense of foreboding?

After they talked for a while, the two went to sleep on their respective beds. New novel chapters are published on

The blinds that covered the window next to Lin Qiushis bed allowed him to see the shadows of what was vaguely outside. When there was a slight breeze, the trees would rustle. And although this hotel looks dilapidated, the condition inside wasnt bad. Its one flaw was that there were still mosquitoes in such cold weather. Their buzzing caused quite a disturbance. Lin Qiushi lay on the bed, trying to empty his mind as much as possible so that he could quickly slip into slumber.

Yet when he was just about to fall asleep, he felt Ruan Nanzhu gently poke his back. He wanted to turn his head around but was stopped by Ruan Nanzhus hushed tone, Dont move. Theres something outside.

Lin Qiushi jolted and was immediately wide awake.

As he carefully looked over, something very hard to describe had attached itself onto the tree branch. That creature seemed to have merged with the tree branches in a twisted manner. It was thin and slender like a snake. It was easily missable if one hadnt looked clearly.

Lin Qiushi watched as that creature slowly reached out its hand and placed it on the surface of the window. It flipped open a blind. Lin Qiushi had expected to see a pair of black pupils but instead saw a ghastly white face with nothing on it that creature did not have eyes at all.

Close your eyes, Ruan Nanzhu suddenly said.

Lin Qiushi immediately shut his eyes. His sense of hearing was incredible. He could hear clearly the blinds of the window being flipped open.

Soon after was a rustling sound, as if something was walking upon the grass.

Ruan Nanzhu never told him to open his eyes. At first, Lin Qiushi was able to restrain himself, but after his patience ran out, he asked, Is it over?

Silence.

Lin Qiushi felt his heart tighten. Worried that something had happened, he turned around and opened his eyes and found Ruan Nanzhu behind him, already fast asleep.

Lin Qiushi: It seemed like this sleeping pill spirit is not only able to induce sleep on others, but on himself as well.

Outside the window, the night returned to tranquillity, and closing his eyes, Lin Qiushi fell asleep.

It was dark and raining on the second day.

The temperature was a little cold and pitter-patter came from the rain.

Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu woke up early the next day. Together, they went down to the dining hall. Lin Qiushi could hear, from the moment they entered, the sound of flirting coming from Wang Tianxin and that girl. Both of them appeared to have gotten closer after a single night. The girl who was beguiled by Wang Tianxin was smiling brightly as they fed each other breakfast.

Lin Qiushi took a look at Wang Tianxin. Really, how admirable these people are. In a world such as one within the doors, they could still find it in themselves to indulge in such pleasures. From a certain aspect, they were truly elites.

Ruan Nanzhu followed after him into the dining hall. Once the both of them entered, they attracted the gazes of almost everyone within the hall. Some of them were looking at Ruan Nanzhu, who often had a striking appearance, but some of them had looked at Lin Qiushi sensually.

At first, Lin Qiushi found it baffling. It was only until, halfway though breakfast, when he went to the bathroom and glanced at the mirror did he realize that there was something off

He stretched out his neck to take a look at his reflection carefully only to discover that a red mark of unknown origin had appeared under his earlobe. That mark itched, probably left behind after a mosquito bit him. But although Lin Qiushi knew it was a bug bite, other people did not. Not to mention, its placement was ever so ambiguously intimate.

The missing childs name was Lauren and his room was in the attic. It was a very small and very messy room. A small bed was crammed into this small space, along with various books and other random things.

As the attic was truly too small, they couldnt all go in at once. They split off into smaller groups and took turns investigating.

Ruan Nanzhu, Lin Qiushi, and another woman were the first group to enter.

Ruan Nanzhu walked straight to the bookshelf, while Lin Qiushi began inspecting Laurens bed.

Soon, Lin Qiushi made a discovery. He found a diary hidden under Laurens pillow. He swiftly reacted and stuffed the diary into his clothes in the blink of an eye and nonchalantly continued his search. It was at this time that Lin Qiushi realized the benefits of womens clothing. Mens clothing were mostly rather simple and it would be difficult to hide something on their body.

Ruan Nanzhu found a large number of Laurens notes. Before he had disappeared, Lauren was doing research on the urban legends of the area. These legends were very abundant and among them was the slenderman the hint had contained.

It seems that he knew something was off beforehand, Ruan Nanzhu said. Within this door, there are signs that foretell death.

Lin Qiushi nodded and signalled that he understood. He then pointed at the entrance.

Ruan Nanzhu looked at him and understood what he wanted to convey, Lets go out then.

Claiming that they wanted to take a breather, the two of them exited the house. After they found a place where no one else was around, Lin Qiushi dug out Laurens diary from the confines of his clothes.

Ruan Nanzhu grinned as he watched, You seem well practiced.

Lin Qiushi had been holding back for so long; he felt that he was about to die. Stop messing around, quickly lets see whats written inside.

Ruan Nanzhu nodded. He unlocked the lock on the diary with ease and saw the contents of the diary.

Recorded in the diary was the everyday activities of the child, complaints about his parents, complaints about his school, and such. Wait, theres a school?

Lin Qiushi asked, This town has a school?

Ruan Nanzhu, Probably, though its most likely in a neighbouring town.

Lin Qiushi, Oh the mayor didnt mention it.

Ruan Nanzhu, So it turns out this kid was not their biological child, no wonder his parents were indifferent.

Lauren wasnt related to his father by blood; he was the child of his mothers previous marriage. His stepfather never really liked him and often made trouble for him, going so far to even beat him. His stepfather seemed indifferent towards Laurens disappearance, as he did not care at all about the disappearance of this child.

What about Laurens mother? Lin Qiushi asked, puzzled.

Doesnt seem to have mentioned her, Ruan Nanzhu answered. now thats very strange.

It was indeed very strange. When they were in the house, they did not see the mistress of the house, nor did anyone bring up the fact that this house once had a mistress.

As Lin Qiushi flipped through the diary, he found some information about the childs disappearance.

In the diary, Lauren regularly complained about being constantly followed by somebody on his way to and back from school, but he could never figure out who it was.

At first, his tone was indignant and rather fed up, but soon, these attitudes dissolved into fear. Lauren seemed to have discovered something.

It appeared outside my window again. Im hiding under the bed, hopefully it wont find me.

This time Im hiding in the closet. Thank god I didnt hide under the bed, I saw him bend down and reach under the bed, as if looking for me.

Nobody believes me, they all think Im crazy. That creature squeezed in through the cracks of my window. I dont know what it is.

I know its name now, but there isnt enough time, its too late

Everything is over.

These were the most recent entries in Laurens diary. Just a few days ago, he wrote down the final three words: Everything is over.

That was the last entry. Lauren disappeared soon after and thus the diary was not written in again.

That creature appears to have taken the child away, Lin Qiushi said as he finished reading through the diary. The slenderman

Ruan Nanzhu, Where could it have taken the child.

Their gazes met and Lin Qiushi smiled awkwardly, He couldnt have been taken to the cannery, right?

The only place that stood out in this town was that cannery.

Ruan Nanzhu, Where should we go next?

Ruan Nanzhu, Did you eat canned fish this morning?

Lin Qiushi immediately shook his head. The canned fish never seemed appetizing, and Lin Qiushi didnt like eating heavy flavours for breakfast so he was even less interested in it.

Although he did not touch the fish, other people ate a lot. Especially Wang Tianxin, he seemed to be particularly fond of fish.

Lin Qiushi, Cant think about it in detail, its too disgusting.

Ruan Nanzhu, Where do you want to go next?

Lin Qiushi, There are still a few other missing children, lets go see their family. Itd be good if we can find something that they have in common.

Ruan Nanzhu nodded, agreeing with Lin Qiushis suggestion.

Thus the two of them headed towards the homes of the other two missing children. On the way, they began to discuss other details pertaining to the small town.

Of course, in order to maintain the persona of a mute girl, Lin Qiushi did not dare to speak too much. Pretty much from beginning to end, he was using the text-to-speech function on his phone to talk with Ruan Nanzhu.

Ruan Nanzhu took in the sight of Lin Qiushi looking down to type, and beamed: Qiuqiu, youre very cute.

Lin Qiushi: [Where am I cute?]

Ruan Nanzhu, All of you are cute. I want to pick you up and lock you up so only I could look at you.

Lin Qiushi, Ruan Nanzhu, do you know how much you resemble a pervert right now?

Ruan Nanzhu, Haha, I was just joking.

Lin Qiushi, Truth be told, with every time Ruan Nanzhu said these words, Lin Qiushi had the impression that he was being serious.

Translated by Lori

Edited by Dust Bunny