Nightmare Assault

With the elementary analysis out of the way, their search was more targeted. Fatty stuck close to Jiang Cheng. Man Li grumbled that his big size was blocking people’s view and scolded him several times. Fatty ignored him and the others couldn’t do much to him. Soon, they found something in the main bedroom.

There was a solid wood picture frame hanging on the wall. There was an old picture in the frame. The picture had been soaked, and the background had yellowed. Only the family of four in the centre of the picture could be seen.

The male and female owners stood in the middle. The mother had her hands on the shoulders of a girl with two pigtails. The girl stood obediently before her mother. The other, taller girl looked more rebellious. Her pants and sleeves were rolled up. Her thin arms were covered with tattoos. She stood beside the father and lifted her chin in defiance. It looked like this was the family that once lived here.

The strange thing was all of their faces were blurred out, and so was the background. It was impossible to tell where the picture was taken.

Chen Xiaomeng was stunned when she saw the picture, and then she said excitedly, “I remember this picture wasn’t there in the morning! This whole wall was unadorned in the morning!”

Sister Nuan was calmer. She was used to strange things happening in the dream realm.

“We probably found the right clues and triggered the progression of the plot.” Man Li explained.

Jiang Cheng looked at him, “Kinda like a game?”

“I suppose so.”

Then, they found a pair of pliers in the room where Xie Yu’s body was found. Beside the pliers was a squashed round tin box. It was the kind used to store candies. Fatty picked up the box and shook it. It made a rattling sound.

“What is it?”

Just as he wanted to use his large hands to twist the box open, Jiang Cheng held him back. Jiang Cheng grabbed him and stared at the pliers. His expression shifted.

“What’s wrong?” Fatty was scared.

Jiang Cheng’s expression slowly returned to normal and said, “Nothing. I suddenly remember there might be more clues in the bedrooms, so I’ll go there for now.’

“Oh. Okay.” Fatty nodded. He wanted to go with Jiang Cheng, but he was too curious about the contents of the box. Three seconds after Jiang Cheng left, Fatty finally opened the box. His eyes turned from curiosity to confusion and finally fear, “Ah..!”

When Jiang Cheng returned with his hands over his ears, Fatty had stopped making any sound. Man Li covered Fatty’s mouth and tossed the shivering man to the side with annoyance. Jiang Cheng poked his head over and saw the box lying on the ground. A few milky-white buttons were scattered around the box.

“I knew there would be teeth.” Jiang Cheng nodded with satisfaction.

Man Li and Sister Nuan apparently had the same guesses because they didn’t show much shock. However, Chen Xiaomeng’s face paled. Even her teeth chattered.

“Men are all pigs,” Sister Nuan said coolly, “Bunch of animals!”

Jiang Cheng heard that and looked at Man Li. Man Li was startled and then groused, “Why are you looking at me for?”

Jiang Cheng shrugged and turned to the Fatty at the corner. He met the latter’s accusing gaze. Jiang Cheng scratched his head and turned away in embarrassment.

There were no more clues. Jiang Cheng suggested they check behind the door on the third floor. Man Li stopped him and pointed out the window. It was almost dark. Exploring a new area in the dark was not a good idea. Therefore, everyone decided to stop the search and went to rest. Fatty thought that everyone would sleep together, considering the incident that happened the night before. However, Sister Nuan had no such idea. She even kicked Man Li out and slammed the door.

Man Li stood before the main bedroom door with his blanket and pillow like an abandoned husband.

“It’s alright, brother.” Fatty consoled him, “You can sleep with us.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll sleep downstairs.” Then, Man Li carried his stuff and went downstairs. His footsteps echoed along the steps. Jiang Cheng turned back to the bedroom. Fatty thought about it and followed Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng switched on all the lights and then leaned on the door to listen to the movements outside. After a while, Jiang Cheng slowly moved away from the door and sat down on the couch.

“Brother, are we still sleeping here tonight?” Fatty’s face was green as his eyes kept moving to the bed. The ghost came from under that bed yesterday night.

“Of course not. I’m going to the study later.” Jiang Cheng admitted.

“I’m coming with you!”

About 10 minutes later, the sky was fully dark. Jiang Cheng glanced at his wristwatch, stood up and sidled to the door to open it. Then, he slipped to the other room, slowly eased the door open and fluttered into it. Fatty followed him.

After they closed the door, they found chairs to sit on. Fatty wanted to open the lights but was stopped by Jiang Cheng.

Fatty looked at the scary darkness around them and couldn’t help but say, “Can’t you let me switch on the lights or else I’ll feel like ghosts are everywhere.’

Jiang Cheng sighed and compromised. “Fine.”

Fatty moved around and finally found the switch on the wall. As he was about to press it, Jiang Cheng’s voice floated from behind him, “This way, the ghosts will definitely be able to find you.”

“...”

On the bed in the main bedroom, Chen Xiaomeng hugged a pillow and sobbed quietly. The ghosts in this mission were scarier than the ones in her last mission. Once she thought of the pliers and the teeth in the box, her body trembled. Sister Nuan sat om the couch. Her normal arrogance was gone. Chen Xiaomeng reminded her of her former self.

“Alright, stop crying.” She said gently, “You should be able to tell that the ghosts here only target men. We’ll be safe after chasing Man Li away.”

Chen Xiaomeng raised her head to reveal her red eyes. “Doesn’t this mean the three are in danger?”

“Don’t be silly. Our main concern is ourselves.” Sister Nuan glanced at the door and her face darkened. Then, she turned around to say after a pause. “Remember. In the dream realm, the thing that is often the most dangerous is not ghost but other humans.”