Chapter 3

Evelyn saw my helpless expression, reached out to hug me, and comforted me softly, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here with you. You can stay at my place for a few days until things settle down. But something about those embroidered shoes you mentioned seems strange to me.”

She let go of me and leaned back on the sofa. Her fingers tapped nervously on the table as she said seriously, “Think about it. What era are we living in anymore? Who gives out embroidered shoes these days? And those are rather strange-looking embroidered shoes at that. Maybe someone is trying to convey some message to you through those shoes.”

I watched as she gently tapped the table. Suddenly, my heart skipped a beat. Evelyn never did anything like that before. She was usually so careless in her actions. How could she suddenly start acting in such a delicate manner? But then I thought again that maybe I was just too nervous and imagining things. So I didn’t pay it any more attention.

Just then, a deep and unfamiliar male voice suddenly rang out in the living room, with a strange tone: “It’s a proposal.”

My whole body stiffened, and goosebumps covered my skin instantly. I turned to Evelyn abruptly: “Evelyn! What did you just say? Propose marriage? What do you mean?”

Evelyn stared at me with a confused expression in her eyes. “I didn’t say anything, Madison. Did you hear me wrong? You’ve been so stressed lately that you might be having hallucinations.”

Her expression didn’t seem fake, and the worry in her eyes was genuine. Could it really be that I was just imagining things? Yet, that voice sounded somewhat familiar, like the man’s voice from last night—but not exactly the same. For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I might have heard it before.

“Alright, enough already. Stop thinking about it,” Evelyn said, taking my hand and leading me into the bedroom. “It’s already 2 a.m. You must be exhausted. Go ahead and get some sleep. We can discuss whatever needs to be discussed tomorrow. In your current state, the more you think about it, the more confused you’ll get.”

I nodded. Indeed, my mind was in a complete mess right now. I was tired and scared, and I really needed to rest. Ever since Evelyn got a boyfriend, we rarely slept in the same bed like we used to. With someone familiar by my side, my tense nerves finally relaxed a little. Soon, I fell into a deep sleep.

In a daze, I found myself trapped in a strange dream. Everything around me was covered in thick fog. I couldn’t see anything ahead, not a single ray of light or sound. I was alone, wandering aimlessly through the fog. I had no idea how long I walked. My legs became numb from exhaustion. Finally, I saw a faint glimmer of light ahead.

My heart raced with excitement as I rushed towards the light, thinking I had found an exit. But upon approaching, I realized it wasn’t an exit at all. It was a ring that emitted a faint glow. The ring was set with a red gemstone, which sparkled brilliantly.

I reached out my hand, picked up the ring, and suddenly, a strong thought flashed through my mind, repeating over and over: Wear it, wear it—once you put it on, it’ll be yours. As if possessed, I instinctively wanted to put the ring on my finger.

Just as the ring was about to touch my fingertips, a figure suddenly emerged from the fog. It was a man wearing a black mask. He had a tall and upright posture, and his entire being exuded a cold aura. His demeanor was exactly like that of the man from last night.

Without saying a word, he snatched the ring from my hand and threw it far away. I panicked and instinctively tried to go after it, but he grabbed my wrist. His hand was cold and strong, causing pain in my wrist.

“What are you doing?” I shouted angrily, trying to break free from his grip. “That’s my stuff. Why would you throw it away?”

He didn’t say anything. He simply pointed at the ground with his finger. A deep voice spoke, identical to the man’s voice from last night: “Look for yourself. What’s on the ground?”

I followed the direction he pointed, and was instantly terrified—those dazzling rings had turned into wriggling maggots. There were so many of them that it made my stomach turn upside down. I couldn’t help but turn away and vomit.

The man with the mask stood right beside me, silently watching me without saying a word. When I finished vomiting and regained my strength, he turned around and walked into the fog. Suddenly, an inexplicable urge overcame me. Wiping the saliva from my mouth, I rushed after him, shouting, “Hey! Who are you? Who exactly are you? Were you the one last night?”

He didn’t turn around. His figure gradually disappeared into the thick fog. I tried my best to chase after him, but I couldn’t keep up. My foot slipped, and I fell off the bed. In an instant, I woke up from the dream.

I sat up abruptly, gasping for breath. My forehead was covered in cold sweat, and my heart was pounding wildly. When I saw the familiar surroundings of the bedroom, I finally breathed a sigh of relief—it was just another dream. But that masked man seemed all too familiar to me. His icy demeanor and deep voice were exactly like those of the man from last night. Yet, because he wore a mask, I couldn’t see his face at all, and had no idea who he really was.

Evelyn was awakened by my movements. She rubbed her eyes and looked at me with concern. “Madison, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare? You seem so scared.”

“Hmm, I had a really scary dream,” I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and glanced at the clock. It was already 7 in the morning. “I can’t sleep anymore. It was too terrifying.”

Evelyn yawned and stretched. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Oh, Madison, today is Saturday, so there’s no need to go to work. How about I invite Serena Doyle, and we can go back to our hometown together? It’s been a long time since you’ve been there. It would be a good way to relax, and maybe you’ll find some clues. Besides, everyone in the town believes in ghosts and spirits. Maybe someone there can help you understand these strange events.”

My hometown in the small town… I remained silent. I hadn’t been back there in ages, and I never wanted to go back either. There were memories I didn’t want to recall, and the presence of my parents still lingered there. But the events that’ve happened recently are too strange. I can’t shake a sense of unease. It seems like something serious might happen. Perhaps, by returning to the small town, I might find some clues.

I nodded. “Okay, let’s go back.”

When Evelyn saw that I agreed, she immediately called Serena Doyle excitedly, asking her to come pick us up and then accompany me home to pack my clothes. I packed several sets of clothes and necessary toiletries. I planned to stay at Evelyn’s place for a few days after returning from my hometown. I simply didn’t dare to go home alone.

After packing her things, Serena Doyle arrived as well. Along the way, Evelyn and Serena Doyle flirted with each other, creating a lively atmosphere. I leaned against the car window, watching the scenery pass by in reverse, yet I felt calm inside. Evelyn’s boyfriends kept changing—none of them stayed for more than a month. But Serena Doyle had been by Evelyn’s side for three months already. It was clear that Evelyn meant it this time.

Evelyn and I come from the same small town, not far from the city where we work. Although it’s called a “small town,” transportation is quite convenient – it takes just over two hours to get there by car. Evelyn and I met in that town. Her family is very wealthy; her parents run a business. Every year, they take her back to their hometown for a while. Her hometown is actually not far from my home.

When I was a child, I was very outgoing. I liked to visit people’s homes all the time. Over time, I became close friends with Evelyn. Later, we were admitted to the same university, chose the same major, and lived in the same dormitory. Our relationship became even closer, and we became best friends who shared everything with each other.

After graduation, Evelyn went abroad to study for two years. By the time we met again, several years had passed since we graduated from college. Her parents were very busy, constantly traveling for business. Even when they returned to the small town, they rarely spent time with her. So, she moved to the city where I worked, so we could go to work together and take care of each other.

After driving for over two hours, we finally arrived at the town. Evelyn suggested that we stay at her place. I immediately agreed. She owned a duplex in the town, with servants taking care of the house and keeping it clean. As for my home, it had remained vacant ever since my parents passed away. No one had lived there in years, so it must be covered in dust and completely uninhabitable.

“Madison, Madison, what are you daydreaming about?” Evelyn waved her hand in front of my face. “We’ve arrived. Get out of the car now.”

I came back to my senses and realized that the car had already stopped in front of Evelyn’s house. Serena Doyle had gotten out of the car, carrying our luggage, and was waiting for us by the car. I smiled awkwardly and got out of the car with Evelyn.

Selina Doyle was very tall, with handsome features and a kind personality. She was especially obedient to Evelyn. As soon as Evelyn got out of the car, she stood on tiptoes and kissed Selina Doyle. Then she told her to carry the luggage inside: “Go ahead and bring the luggage in. Thank you, my dear.”

I watched as Serena Doyle carried two large suitcases by herself, plus my backpack. I felt bad and wanted to take them from her: “Serena Doyle, let me carry them. They’re too heavy.”

Evelyn immediately stopped me, waving her hand. “No need, no need. He’s here to do his job. Don’t spoil him too much.” With that, she stuck out her tongue at Serena Doyle, looking quite playful.

Selina Doyle smiled helplessly and rubbed Evelyn’s hair. “It’s okay, Madison. I’ll take care of it. After all, I’m the only man here. It’s only right that I do it.”

Since Selina Doyle said so, and Evelyn was right there to stop me, I had no choice but to give up. Evelyn led us inside, arranged the rooms for us to stay in, then took Selina Doyle and me out to explore the town.

It’s been a long time since I last visited the small town. It hasn’t changed much at all—it’s still just as it was before. The houses are closely packed together, with stalls lining the streets. Everyone I saw was someone I knew. The air was filled with the familiar atmosphere of a small town. We took a quick tour of the town to get reacquainted with the surroundings, then returned to Evelyn’s house.

But deep down, I feel uneasy. I have a sense that this return to the small town isn’t just a simple trip to relax. Perhaps, the answers to those strange events that have been bothering me can be found in this town.