Chapter 29: Who Should I Believe?
Chapter 29: Who Should I Believe?
Xue Fei, move aside!
Upon seeing the lifeless face of the mannequin, my whole body was covered in goosebumps. Without even thinking about the recording, I grabbed my camera and swung it towards the moving mannequin.
Perhaps the disparity between imagination and reality was too great, as Xue Fei turned pale and his legs went weak, unable to move a muscle.
Lets go! I shouted after smashing the camera onto the mannequins head, causing some unknown substance, either paint or blood, to splatter everywhere.
Turning my head, I noticed that the youngsters were frightened and dumbfounded. I kicked the mannequin away and yelled, Run! Go back to the first floor!
I grabbed Sakurako, paid no attention to anyone else, and rushed towards the first floor, taking three steps in two. I felt like I kicked human flesh just now. How could the mannequin move in the first place?
As I arrived on the first floor, I was about to head towards the art room, but the slightly ajar door opened on its own, revealing another lifeless face.
Oh no, I forgot there was another one in the art room! Remembering that I had just held this mannequin with my own hands, I felt a chill run down my spine.
Trapped and unsure of what to do, I turned my head and saw the second-floor mannequin chasing after us. It moved slowly, but its presence was suffocating.
Panicked and without a clear plan, the three kids and I hurriedly sought refuge in a deep corner of the first-floor restroom.
Close the door and dont make a sound! I held Sakurako and Hideki in the last stall while Xue Fei, who was larger, hid in the second-to-last one.
Be quiet!
Fear permeated the small and dark space, and I struggled to control my racing heart. I took a deep breath and pressed my ear against the door panel.
The sound of the mannequins footsteps echoed through the hallway, and the sound was getting closer and closer to the restroom.
Taptaptap.
Its coming.
My eyebrows furrowed and my lips pressed tightly together as I focused intently on the sounds coming from the hallway. The footsteps passed by the restroom door but didnt come in; it simply moved on.
That was close, My heart was beating rapidly, and my furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
But then, just as I was about to catch my breath, the haunting sound of footsteps turned back around!
Silent as a ghost, it stopped right outside the restroom door!
Dont come in, dont come in, dont come in Hidekis lips trembled as he finally realized the full extent of his fear.
After what felt like an eternity, just when we thought the mannequin had left
Creak The door outside the restroom opened.
Bang! The first stalls wooden door was forced open.
Bang! The second stalls wooden door was also flung open.
I gritted my teeth, sweating profusely on my forehead, as if waiting for the guillotine to drop as a condemned prisoner. This final moment was particularly agonizing.
There were only six stalls in the restroom, and quickly the third and fourth ones were opened. Then there was the fifth one, where Xue Fei was hiding.
The door shook, and someones hand fell on the handle.
Bang!
Dont kill me! Dont kill me! As Xue Fei screamed, I pushed open the wooden door and grabbed Sakurako, running wildly towards the outside. At this point, I couldnt spare a thought for anything else, as my own survival was at stake.
In that moment of crossing paths with the mannequin, I saw Xue Feis face twisted with fear and deformation, but I couldnt save him.
We ran as fast as we could, making our escape!
Keep up! Keep up! shouted Hideki from behind me. We ran all the way to the art classroom and jumped out the window.
As my feet stepped back onto the desolate path of the campus, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Youve seen it all, havent you? This place is very dangerous. Ill figure out a way to rescue Xue Fei and Shen Meng. You two, dont make trouble for me here, I said, placing Sakurako in my arms down and handing her to Hideki. Take her home quickly and have the adults there call the police, got it?
However, Hideki didnt seem to have any intention of taking care of Sakurako. He appeared to be frightened and shook off my hand, saying, I wont stay with her. You should take care of her instead.
Hideki spoke firmly, as if there were hidden implications in his words. I paid close attention to the details but didnt say much in response, simply stating, In any case, go home. There are too many strange things happening in this school
Go home? My parents only know how to make money. If I die out here, they probably wont even know. Can that place really be called home? Hidekis words left me unsure of how to respond as I glanced at the pitch-black laboratory building, still able to hear Xue Feis desperate cries for help echoing in my ears.
Death is much more terrifying than you can imagine, He didnt want to leave, and I couldnt force him to go away. so I checked my equipment. The camera was still functioning properly, and the live broadcast room was filled with a barrage of comments. The number of viewers had already exceeded five hundred.
Its just that there are no gifts yet. I put my phone in my pocket and thought about which building to go to next when Hideki suddenly pulled on my clothes. Host, I need to use the restroom.
I thought you were going to tell me some earth-shattering news. Come on, Ill accompany you. Sakurako, dont wander around here! I said, taking Hideki to the bushes about ten meters away. As we walked, Hideki suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice, Host, have you noticed that Sakurako is acting very strange?
I squinted my eyes, and many hypotheses flashed through my mind. However, I just replied nonchalantly, Whats strange about her? Besides, you guys are friends. How would I know?
Im not really familiar with her. This girl was picked up by Shen Meng, Hideki explained.
Picked up? Hidekis words piqued my curiosity.
He nodded, Me, Shen Meng, and Xue Fei all live nearby. Since we were young, weve been told by adults that theres a haunted school in the quarantine area that shouldnt be entered casually.
Although we came in during the daytime out of curiosity when we were young, weve never been here at night.
What does that have to do with Sakurako? I asked
As we grew up, we had almost forgotten about this place. But then Sakurako appeared. Every time, she would sit on our way home, and it would always be already 8 or 9 p.m. after our night classes. Can you believe that this little girl was wandering alone on the streets? Doesnt she have any family?
Upon careful consideration, there were many contradictions in what Hideki said, but I didnt point them out. Go on.
Just a few days ago, Shen Meng started talking to Sakurako. She pitied her for being homeless, so she decided to call us to help send Sakurako home.
Does Sakurakos home happen to be inside this school?
No, but its close. The address she gave is behind this school.
Maybe Hideki and his friends didnt know what was behind the school, but as someone who had searched for related information online, I knew very well that it was a incineration pit. It could be used to dispose of garbage by incineration or to destroy evidence by burning bodies.
So, thats why you came here? I asked.
Hidekis voice grew lower and lower as he spoke. Yes. Now that I think about it, the names of Sakurako and the ghost doll Hanako thats been circulating around campus are only one word different. Do you think the two of them could be the same person, or the same ghost?
His eerie tone sent shivers down my spine. Thinking back on Sakurakos unusual behavior, it was indeed different from that of an ordinary person. Normally, a young girl in her situation would scream or cry, but she remained strangely calm.
Why did you wait until now to tell me something so important? I asked.
If you hadnt seen those moving mannequins, would you have believed me? From the beginning, Ive been telling you about all the rumors surrounding this school, but you never took it seriously.
Now, Shen Meng and Xue Fei have been killed one after another. I guess it will be my turn next, and you probably wont be able to escape either. Hideki lowered his head and walked silently for a while before suddenly stopping.
Whats wrong? I asked.
We cant just sit and wait for death. Ive come up with a good idea that should put an end to this nightmare. A hint of sickness appeared on his young face, and his eyes were as bright as those of a black cat.
Feeling a little uneasy under his intense gaze, I spoke, Tell me about it.
Well team upand kill Sakurako!
It was hard to imagine such words coming from a childs mouth. After my initial shock, I forced a smile.
Whether Sakurako is a human or a ghost, its only your assumption. Until you have a complete chain of evidence, your intention is called murder. I patted Hidekis shoulder and turned to leave.
On this eerie campus, Sakurako sat alone by the flowerbed like an abandoned doll.
Dont be afraid. Ill take you away from the campus now. I gently picked up the girl. While the task given by the underworld show was important, I couldnt let the little girl die here.
As I walked towards the school gate, I hadnt gone very far when Sakurako, who had never spoken a word before, suddenly whispered in my ear, You should leave quickly. Theyre all ghosts!
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TN: I think that a lot of people already knows this but Ill clarify just in case: sakura is a type of flower and hana litterlay means flower, thats why sakurako and hanako sound really close and are only different by a word.
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