Book 5: Chapter 19: Summer trip story, (3)

Book 5: Chapter 19: Summer trip story, (3)

The rain grew ever heavier. Bean-sized droplets landed on our faces. We were unable to keep our eyes open, and it even stung painfully!

We left in a panic, not knowing east from west, north from south. We just instinctively went the opposite direction from the pond. When there was no path, we would go through the undergrowth.

The sky was too dark. It wasnt just the rain. It was as if there was a layer of mist rising from the trees. We couldnt see each others faces clearly despite being a foot away. The storm blew against the trees, the swishing making it hard to hear our own footsteps.

We were going uphill and the road was slippery in the rain. People were constantly falling over. To avoid rolling down the mountain and to keep track of each other while blinded and deafened, Ah Zhan had us use a rope to form a chain. We would walk single-file and count off every now and then.

He was in the very front, using a branch to clear the way forward. I stood at the very back to prevent any accidents.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

..

Fifteen!

The final voice came from in front of me. It was Zhao Jiang. I could tell it was his voice. But how was he the last person? I was clearly the last one!

I was startled, but then comforted myself. Someone must have miscounted due to their anxiety. Itll be fine. As long as we arent missing anyone, it means everything is fine! Itll get back to normal next time!

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

.

Fifteen!

Once again, the count ended before I spoke up!

Then again, and then again! Every time, the counting stopped when it reached Zhao Jiang!

I started panicking. I didnt know what to do. Ah Zhan was in the very front and no one checked up on me. Was someone repeatedly messing up due to fear? Or was something within our group?

As I was hesitating, the counting started once again.

As the numbers started getting closer and seeing it about to end with Zhao Jiang again, I gritted my teeth. When fifteen came from the darkness, I immediately shouted sixteen!

Everyone was currently terrified. As the only calm one, Ah Zhan became everyones backbone. They immediately followed his orders. He shone the flashlight on their faces as he personally linked their hands together. I was still in the very back. When Ah Zhan came over, I planned on giving the bloodwood sword back. However, he stuffed it in my hand. Youve offended them. You need it more! He said.

We thus struggled onwards. What accompanied us wasnt just the wind, rain and occasional thunder and lightning. There was always a womans sobs, an infants laughter and that woman speaking to herself. It drifted over every now and then from the surrounding woods!

Oh, my son. What a vicious person. Your heads been cut in two. Come, dearest, dont be scared. Mommy will sew it up!

The sound of sewing thread rang out. It sounded right by their ears, making them feel like touching their own faces to make sure the needle and thread wasnt going through them!

Mom, Im hungry! A male voice said.

The voice caused everyone to freeze, especially me. It was clearly an infant. It cried and laughed like one, but why was it an adults voice? No wonder it had the eyes of an adult. But this was too weird! Or was there another person!?

The womans infant started crying. Mom has let you down, my dearest. WuwuIve let you go hungry! Wuwulets go find some people to eat, ok?

The infant started laughing, seeming very happy. The sound of gnawing on bone rang out in everyones ears at the same time!

Crunchcrunch.

It sounded like grinding on a rough metallic surface, like nails over stone, making people feel it was their own bones being gnawed on!

One of the girls finally couldnt take it any longer. She screamed and let go of the other two students, covering her ears.

Everyone get down! Ruan Zhan suddenly cried out!

The frightened students hurriedly went prone. From the ground, I looked up and saw Ah Zhan standing there. He waved his hand in an inexperienced manner, drawing a seal in the air. There was a bang and a burst of sparks. A dark, twisted shadow was revealed in the light wearing red silk clothing. It cried and screamed as it fled!

It was the floating red clothing from the pool!

Take a headcount! Ah Zhan gave out orders once again. He confirmed it twice, yet still had to announce that one of the girls had gone missing!

At this time, the worst situation unfolded. Due to the extended period of time spent frightened in the dark, the students started causing a disturbance. They started having their own opinions and were no longer unified.

Some said that girl hadnt listened and let go of them. It was her own fault and they couldnt risk everyone elses lives by trying to save her. Some said they couldnt just abandon her, and no one should be left behind. Some wanted to stay and wait for dawn. Others wanted to leave as soon as possible. Some wanted to stay together while others said there was a better chance of surviving by splitting up!

Regardless, there were more who wanted to flee. Only Nana, Zhao Jiang and I were willing to listen to Ruan Zhans orders and try to save the girl. Ah Zhan didnt comment and watched coldly as the group argued!

Quiet down you guys! Arguing like this will only get us all killed! I truly couldnt stand it anymore and started yelling.

I dont know if my angry appearance was too fierce or if my voice startled everyone. Regardless, everyone fell silent. Yet before I could speak again, the conversation between that woman and the weird infant could be heard from the trees.

Oh son, dont run around. Those bad people want to cut your head open again! Mommy doesnt have needle and thread to sew it up anymore!

But mommy, its too cold here. Let me out!

Ah. There was another cry. However, it didnt come from the mother and son in the woods. It was one of the guys from our group!

He charged out as though he had seen something, running towards the voices in the woods. His cries dragged on, echoing, alternating between near and far. He ran a circle around in the woods before charging back out!

He yelled as he ran, running back towards us. Yet when he got backhis head was missing!