Chapter 3: The Devil in the Nightmare

  "The gates of hell open."

  Gradually, I started to face my responsibilities, just like Xiaoyan said, if you can't change it then try. Every night, I go out with the prisoners to catch ghosts, and every time I catch one, I feel a lot more comfortable physically, as if nighttime activities don't affect my daytime life, it's really like having a dream.

  Finally caught another one, these days the places where the seal brought me were all like low-level ghosts without a face, but I could also feel the power in my body growing stronger and stronger.

  Tonight, following the prisoner's instructions, I stepped into the night again. The destination was an abandoned factory where crying sounds were said to be heard. But the prisoner said not to worry, it was just a small ghost that wouldn't harm humans for now. I knew the factory the prisoner mentioned, it was on my way to school and few people would take that route, but indeed there was plenty of time to spare. Once when I was about to be late, I reluctantly took that shortcut and heard an inhuman voice, as a result, I saw a female ghost sitting there staring at passersby and crying. At the time, I plucked up my courage and left as if nothing had happened. Later, I vowed never to take that route again.

  Suddenly, halfway through, I caught a whiff of something different. This was the kind of power that could make me afraid. In the south, there was an aura of a ghost that was absolutely unlike any before, it was too powerful!

  "Change route, head south." A calm voice came from the pendant, it was just a small matter for him.

  "But, however... The opponent is really much stronger than me." A faint and feeble plea, I simply can't go.

  "I'll take action, don't be afraid."

  On the quiet evening, I walked firmly towards the south. The air was still echoing with his words. I don't know why I, who had always been isolated, believed every word he said.

  What is this? The breath was coming from not far away, getting clearer and clearer. This is a high-end residential area, with a light jump, the window is open? I walked into the room, directly through the spacious living room, closer, it's just behind this door. I hesitated for a moment, but still passed through that door.

  Damn it! It's too late. The girl is lying on the bed with no signs of life, is that her?!

  One rainy afternoon, I ran into two girls on campus. One of them was very familiar to me, it was Jinna, who had been bullying me since childhood. The other one seemed to be their classmate, she looked at me with curiosity, constantly sneaking glances at me. At that time, I didn't think about talking to them, but it was this girl, I saw her life energy was very weak, and also saw the heart inside her body, transparent and clean. I was very surprised, how could a girl like her be friends with Jinna, who was a bully? I didn't say anything, especially when Jinna was there, they would definitely think I'm crazy.

  I'm used to walking in the rain, it makes me feel comfortable and relaxed. Many people looked at me with strange eyes along the way, but I didn't care at all. Just as I passed a fork in the road, an umbrella covered my head, it was her, she whispered a sentence, don't catch a cold, my home is nearby, use this umbrella, then ran away. Unexpectedly, tonight, she really died like that.

  "Haven't run far, Xiumeng, hurry and chase." The prisoner reminded me, yes, it's not too late, I will go and retrieve my soul!

  It might be the stimulation that triggers my super long ability, this is the first person to die around me, I absolutely won't let that ghost get away so easily. The speed surpassed every previous time, an unstoppable frantic dash, no object in this space will be my obstacle.

  "No, no, let me go quickly. Please let me go." That was her mournful cry coming from ahead.

  Finally, I see you! "Let her go!"

  It was clear that the ghostly figure hesitated for a moment, and the girl immediately turned around, seeing it was me.

  "Xi Meng, how did you end up here? Hurry and leave, go call the police, he's a bad guy!" It seems she has no idea that she's already dead.

  I didn't have time to explain, the sky would soon be bright. The ghostly figure turned around, wearing a black cloak, with its entire body wrapped in black cloth, only revealing a pair of blood-red eyes, which were terrifying and made me shudder.

  This completely transcends my abilities, I absolutely can't seal him, there's a dark aura on his body that's different from those ghosts before, I don't know what it is.

  "Step down, Xi Meng." The captive finally agreed to show up, but at this time his expression was unprecedentedly solemn.

  "Was it she who brought you here?" The captive did not heed me again, those beautiful eyes staring at the ghost in front.

  "This is King's plan, don't interfere." A cold male voice came from the opposite side.

  "I saved this person, go back and tell her to stop immediately, otherwise, there will be no chance of redemption." I don't know why, but the prisoner's voice is getting weaker and weaker, and his tone is no longer casual, it's sad and makes me want to cry, my heart is trembling. Who is the he/she that he mentioned?

  The ghost seemed to hesitate, and finally turned around and left, putting down the girl.

  "This is a dream, time to sleep, girl." The prisoner smiled gently at her, and the girl closed her eyes and fell into his arms. At that moment, I started to feel jealous, but soon I sighed and wiped away this thought.

  The girl's soul returned, and later we went to seal the female ghost again. She was also a poor female ghost whose child got lost there, and she just waited there day and night. The road was very quiet, and I couldn't see him clearly anymore. He kept pulling away from me, increasing the distance between us. I hated it, really hated this feeling. Thinking of this, I stopped in my tracks, sulking.

  "What's wrong, Ximeng." Qiu stopped and turned around to look at me.

  Hehe, yeah, what can I do? "Nothing, let's go. It's almost dawn."

  Back home, I lay in bed with a head full of questions and couldn't fall asleep.

  Suddenly, a light and cold thing was imprinted on my forehead. "Sleep, little Xi Meng, lovely little guy." It was Qiu's voice, rarely gentle, just like the way he spoke to that girl earlier. Was that cold thing Qiu's lips?

  I fell asleep with a sense of satisfaction and joy, but why is my heart beating so strangely...

  In the morning, the weather was so bright and beautiful. I smiled as I opened the window, took a deep breath of fresh air, and felt really good. My hand unconsciously touched my forehead, and I couldn't help but smile.

  "What's so funny early in the morning?"

  "Ah, mom, when did you come in? Why didn't I hear you?"

  "Right when you're smiling foolishly."

  "Mom." I was afraid she would ask something else, so I quickly pulled her downstairs with me.

  "Hurry up and eat your breakfast, we'll be late."

  As I walked on the road, I hesitated for a moment and still headed towards that small path. Sure enough, the crying stopped, and no other figures were seen. Actually, I was puzzled - ghosts are also divided into good and bad, she was just a mother waiting for her child here, never harming anyone. My initial intention to get rid of all ghosts began to waver. Now, here, it's quiet, with only me left.

  "Good morning, Xi Meng." Who was it? I turned around. It was that girl from last night.

  "Good morning." I nodded.

  "Look, Soo-jin, they don't even bother with you." It's that annoying Ki-na again. I didn't feel like arguing and turned back around to keep walking.

  "Nana, I feel that Xi Meng isn't as you described her, my impression of her is quite good. Yesterday, I even dreamed that she saved me, it seems my subconscious still likes her..." As they walked further and further away, he couldn't hear what she said next.

  Did I dream of saving her? Hehe, this is what a captive does. However, I don't need her gratitude at all. Thinking of the captive, I still smile with a good mood. Thank you.