Drip—drip—drip—Rainwater fell from the broken eaves, splashing into a pool of murky water. The warning light flickered, its crimson glow spreading across the surface like blood.
Huff—huff—A man's ragged breathing echoed unnaturally loud in the deserted street.
"Damn it! Where the hell is this place? Why is it still chasing me?!" Sweat poured down his forehead, his steps erratic as he dashed beneath the dripping eaves. His shoes slapped against the ground—slap, slap, slap—the sound reverberating in the empty street. His feet skimmed across the puddle, but the water remained as still as a mirror, without a single ripple.
From behind came a sharp whistle through the air, like claws slicing the void. Nothing appeared in the street. Yet within the puddle's reflection, a figure emerged—its torso twisted upward, limbs dangling, neck crooked, carrying two grotesque heads. Wisps of white hair hung from its bald skull, while dim red light glowed in its sockets. Its mouth was full of jagged, uneven teeth, drooling foul yellow saliva.
Though unseen by his eyes, instinct screamed at the man to keep running. The eerie atmosphere made his scalp prickle, his heartbeat thunder like a war drum.
Thump—thump—thump—At the far end of the street, the red lamp flickered on and off. Houses on either side had collapsed, their iron gates and window frames rusted through.
His throat burned dry, breath rasping like he was about to vomit. Just as he turned a corner—crack!—the sound of bones snapping. He flinched, glancing back, but still saw nothing. Only the sound of joints snapping, followed by a low, chilling laugh.
"Grk… grk-grk-grk…"
A shiver shot down his spine. He nearly stumbled.
"Don't come near me! Stay back!" he cried, legs flailing as he ran. His footsteps scrambled, while another sound followed. Scrape… scrape… Not footsteps, but claws dragging against the ground, shrieking like nails on iron.
Suddenly, every streetlamp went out. Darkness engulfed everything. The dragging stopped. But the man dared not halt. In the suffocating silence, only his frantic breath and pounding heart remained.
Then—an uncanny sensation touched the back of his head. Like hands reaching toward his face. He slapped wildly, grasping nothing. Yet the grip grew heavier. Crimson handprints appeared across his cheeks—long, twisted, unmistakably inhuman.
"Ahhhhh!" His scream pierced the night. His body tripped, slamming hard onto the ground. And suddenly—everything was silent again. The sensation was gone.
But ahead—two pairs of crimson eyes ignited in the dark, floating like ghostly fire.
Zzzzz—
"AHHHHHHHHH!" His shrill cry split the air. Blood poured from his sockets. If anyone were there, they would see the truth—his eyes had been gouged clean out.
On a red-stained bed, I snapped my eyes open and sat up violently. My breathing was ragged, every gasp stuck in my throat.
"Damn it… the nightmare again. And it's getting worse. Almost every time I close my eyes, I'm dragged back into it."
My name is Xing Yuan. Ever since I went into that abandoned apartment with my friends, nightmares have clung to me like a curse. At first, I only saw monsters. But then it escalated—chases, hunts, being bitten. I don't understand what's happening. Did I touch something I shouldn't have?
I remembered clearly: during that exploration, nothing strange happened. We met no one, touched nothing. The only oddity was when the flashlight went out for a moment. But once the batteries were replaced, everything seemed fine… or so I thought.
"Son! Another nightmare again, huh? How many times has it been already? I told you to sleep earlier! Stop lazing around! Come out and eat, I made something special for you!"
My mother's scolding voice echoed from outside the room.
"…Yeah, I'm coming." I dragged my weary body, slipped into my slippers, and walked toward the living room. A sudden chill crawled up my spine. I shivered. Summer heat outside, yet the air felt like an ice cellar.
I sat down at the table. The sliding door creaked, and my mother emerged from the kitchen, holding a dish. Her complexion was pale, dark circles beneath her eyes frighteningly deep.
"Mom, what's wrong with your face? Are you sick?"
"It's nothing, just didn't sleep well last night." She forced a stiff smile, placing the plate before me. "Eat this. Once you do, you won't have nightmares again."
I lowered my gaze—on the plate lay a pile of flesh-colored beads, slick with blood, like organs soaked in gore. My stomach lurched.
"Mom… what the hell is this? Disgusting! You're kidding, right?"
"How could I joke? Eat it. Eat it, and the nightmares will vanish." Her lips curled unnaturally, a grotesque grin stitched across her face. Her voice dropped into a chilling hiss:
"Eat them… or those beautiful eyes of yours will taste far better in the dream…"
Her laughter shrieked across the room.
"You—you're not my mother! Who the hell are you?!" I yelled, shivering.
It didn't answer. Instead, it stared at me, eyes gleaming. Its voice was low and eager:
"Your eyes… look delicious."
Its head split open. Two blood-red eyes bulged out, and from its mouth slithered writhing tendrils of mist.
"Shit! Is this still a dream… or has the nightmare already entered reality?!"
The lights above flickered violently. Terror consumed me. Without thinking, I bolted out the door.
But outside—it was still the same dark, dead street.
"…Run. Just run!" That was the only thought in my mind. Behind me, claws scraped across the ground. My heart pounded, lungs burning, despair closing in.
I didn't know how long I ran. My consciousness blurred. Still, the scratching followed, taunting me like a predator savoring prey.
Then—the darkness tore open. A distorted sphere of light appeared, swirling in black, white, and gray. Without thought, I lunged, seizing it.
It exploded. Blinding light consumed me. The laughter ceased. Darkness shattered.
I jolted awake—Still the same street.Rain dripping, red light flickering, water still as a mirror.
"No… impossible! I grabbed it! I know I did!"
Everything was the same, unchanged. Yet unease gnawed at me—because last time, I had fallen to the ground. But now, I was standing in the street's center.
Drip—drip—
The puddle reflected—not the monster this time, but myself.
Only… my reflection's eyes were hollow, bleeding streams of red.
"…Hehehe…"
Its lips split into a jagged grin.
I stumbled back, but the water didn't ripple. As if I didn't exist at all.
Suddenly, the reflection's arm shot out, splashing upward, seizing my ankle. The same cold, skeletal grip I had felt countless times.
"Let go of me—!" I struggled desperately, but its hold only tightened. Laughter rumbled from deep within the water.
The buildings crumbled, iron gates twisted, and at the street's end, a gray door glimmered faintly.
My heart thundered. I lurched toward it. The moment I pushed it open—
The same street.
Rain, red light, still water.
"No… no, no, no—this nightmare has no end…"
Second attempt. Third. Fifth. Each time, I found only endless streets, grotesque mirrors, and countless laughing reflections of myself.
A cycle. An infinite prison.
I no longer knew how many times I had run. My throat was raw, my cries reduced to ragged gasps. My legs felt like lead.
Then—light appeared. The sphere again. But this time, enormous, devouring the entire street's space.
My instincts screamed—this is the way out.
I roared, throwing my shattered body toward it.
BOOM!
The light burst. Blinding brilliance engulfed me. My consciousness collapsed.
—
Cold wind pierced my skin. I woke to the sound of rain. My body felt fragile, tiny, limbs curled, my voice shrill and weak—like a newborn's.
Beside me lay a frail woman, blood pouring from her chest. She held me close, eyes filled with love and despair.
Her trembling hand caressed my cheek. Lips moved with her dying breath:
"…Yuan'er… I'm sorry… Mother can't stay with you…"
Her hand fell limp. The light in her eyes faded forever.
Agony pierced my soul, yet all I could release was a baby's cry.
Then—hurried footsteps.
"Huh? Someone's here? In this broken temple?"
A burly man stepped inside, torch in hand. His rugged face softened when he saw me cradled in the dead woman's arms.
"Sigh… what cruel fate." He checked her pulse, shook his head. "She's gone."
Then his large hands gently lifted me from the corpse's embrace. His voice softened:
"Little one, you're lucky to be alive. Come with me."
The storm still raged outside. But within that chest, I felt warmth.
I had been reborn.