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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 8: Midnight Phantom
I stood at the entrance of the guesthouse, clutching the bag of case files that Captain Zhao had handed me, watching his Santana drive away until its taillights vanished around the corner. Only then did I shuffle back to my room like a puppet with its spine pulled out, dragging my heavy steps.
I closed the door, locked it, bolted it, and wedged a chair against it. This routine had become second nature to me, yet it offered no sense of security.
The room was suffused with an air of despair.
“Teacher Fang also said…” Captain Zhao's last words pierced my heart like a poisoned dagger, striking precisely at my most vulnerable spot.
They were indeed in cahoots! Fang Huai'an had known all along that I was investigating old cases. Captain Zhao’s seemingly coincidental encounter, his feigned concern, and his so-called “guidance” were all just a performance for my benefit! A complete and utter charade!
They treated me like a fool! As an outsider trying to uncover the truth, I was nothing more than a troublesome pawn they could manipulate, steer, or even “dispose of” at will!
A wave of humiliation and anger surged within me, but it was quickly followed by a deeper fear. I realized clearly that I had been completely exposed to their scrutiny, like fish on a chopping block, ready to be slaughtered. My computer was being monitored, my movements were under watchful eyes, and even my “curiosity” had been directed towards trivial theft cases that held no real significance.
What could I do?
I threw the heavy bag of files onto the table with a thud. I couldn’t even muster the energy to look inside. I knew what was in there—just some petty thefts and domestic disputes meant to waste my time and dull my resolve, forcing me to “behave” and refrain from probing into matters that were better left untouched.
Rebellion? With what could I rebel? I couldn’t even establish safe contact with the outside world! Any attempt to seek help could be immediately cut off by them or provoke even harsher retaliation.
Was I really supposed to follow their “arrangements,” obediently study these worthless files, pretend nothing had happened, and pray that I could survive this transfer period and escape this hellhole?
I slumped into the chair, burying my hands in my hair as if my head might split open. I was unwilling! I truly was unwilling! I was a forensic expert, not a pawn to be manipulated! The deaths of Zhou Dahai and his wife, the tampered reports, those damned Old Rules… they were like poisonous thorns embedded in my heart; if I didn’t pull them out, I would never find peace in this lifetime!
Yet reality was cold and cruel. Alone and trapped in a quagmire, surrounded by potential enemies. I didn’t even know who I could trust.
In the following days, I lived like a walking corpse or perhaps like a ghost wearing a mask.
During the day, I forced myself to go to the bureau, spending most of my time in the small, temporary office assigned to me. I spread out the case files on theft that Captain Zhao had given me, pretending to study them diligently. I even took notes, analyzing the methods of operation and searching for patterns in the clues, convincing myself that I was genuinely engaged.
I deliberately reduced my interactions with others, especially with the Criminal Investigation Team and the Technical Department. When I encountered Captain Zhao, I would immediately put on a respectful and slightly ingratiating smile, reporting my "insights" on the theft cases and thanking him for his "guidance." When I saw Fang Huai'an, I would lower my head from a distance, trying to avoid eye contact and presenting myself as a junior who had been thoroughly "tamed" after being reprimanded by a senior.
I knew this was humiliating and frustrating, but it was the only way I could think of to protect myself—playing the coward, acting foolish, pretending to be completely subdued by them.
Yet inside, I had never been so clear-headed and vigilant.
While I was in disguise, I used my peripheral vision like a radar to scan everything around me. I observed every colleague who passed by, trying to catch subtle hints from their expressions, glances, and casual conversations.
Who among them was Fang Huai'an's loyal confidant? Who was coerced by pressure or interests? Who might be like me, sensing something amiss but too afraid to speak out?
I noticed that the atmosphere in this small County Bureau was indeed somewhat... strange. Most people seemed numb, going through their routines while remaining indifferent to their surroundings. However, some individuals always carried an indescribable weariness and anxiety in their eyes; they spoke cautiously as if afraid of saying something wrong.
Particularly Xiao Li from the Technical Department—ever since I caught him lost in thought at his computer last time, he had been avoiding me. When we were in the cafeteria together one day and I stood behind him in line, he seemed to sense my presence; his hand holding the tray trembled noticeably, nearly spilling his soup.
He must know something! And he is terrified!
There was also an older police officer from the Criminal Investigation Team named Wang, whom everyone called Old Wang. He appeared taciturn and unsociable, always keeping to himself. But I noticed that during meetings or group training sessions when leaders spoke passionately or when Fang Huai'an occasionally chimed in, Old Wang's lips would briefly curl into an almost imperceptible smirk... was it mockery? Or disdain?
Could these people be potential breakthroughs?
But I dared not approach them recklessly. Under such tight surveillance, any proactive probing could backfire. All I could do was observe quietly and keep these details stored in my mind.
This heightened state of tension—constantly disguised while my mind raced with suspicion and analysis—was exhausting. I began to suffer from insomnia, unable to sleep night after night. Even when I managed to doze off, nightmares plagued me; I dreamt of being trapped in a dark basement or being watched intently by Fang Huai'an's piercing gaze.
My nerves grew increasingly fragile and sensitive; hallucinations began to creep in. While walking, I always felt as though someone was following me from behind. Any noise in the room would startle me awake. The sound of wind outside, footsteps in the hallway, or even the television from the neighboring room all felt like ominous omens to me.
I knew I couldn't go on like this; my mind was on the verge of breaking down. But fear wrapped around me like an invisible net, leaving me with no escape.
Until that night.
That night, I fell asleep late again. In a daze, I suddenly woke up to a strange sound.
It was faint, like... the sound of nails scraping against the door?
“Scrape... scrape...”
The sound was intermittent, sometimes loud and sometimes soft, coming from just outside my room!
My heart leaped into my throat, and all sleep vanished! In the darkness, I opened my eyes wide and lay still in bed, holding my breath as if I were a rabbit, straining to hear the noises outside.
The soundproofing in the guesthouse was poor; I could usually hear footsteps and conversations faintly in the hallway. But this sound... it was too eerie! It wasn't footsteps or voices; it was more like someone... or something, slowly scratching at my door with nails!
“Scrape... click...”
The sound paused for a moment, then there came an extremely faint noise, like a doorknob being turned!
Someone was outside! Trying to open my door?!
Fear surged through me like electricity! I shot up from the bed, cold sweat pouring down my face! I stared intently at the door that appeared so flimsy in the darkness and at the chair behind it that I had hoped would offer some protection.
Who was out there? Was it Fang Huai'an's people? Or Captain Zhao? What did they want?! To break in? To silence me?!
I fumbled around on the bedside table, desperately searching for something to defend myself with. A lamp? Too light. An ashtray? That wouldn't kill anyone. My heart raced as if it would explode, and my mind was a chaotic blur.
The sounds outside faded away.
Everything returned to a dead silence.
But I could feel it—someone was definitely out there! They hadn’t left! They had simply paused their actions!
I curled up in the corner of the bed, hiding under the covers, with only my wide eyes—filled with fear—peering out, fixed intently on the door. Time ticked by, each second feeling like an eternity in a frying pan.
I didn’t know how long it had been; maybe just a few minutes, or perhaps over ten. There was still no sound from outside.
Could it be… that I misheard? Was it just my nerves playing tricks on me?
Slowly, inch by inch, I slid off the bed, my bare feet making no sound as I crept toward the door like a cat. I pressed my ear against the cold door panel, listening intently.
There was nothing.
The hallway was utterly silent.
I hesitated for a long time, but finally mustered the courage to slowly and cautiously bring my eye close to the peephole.
The corridor outside was illuminated by a dim yellow motion-sensor light. It was empty; not a single shadow in sight.
Really… no one? Was I just imagining things?
I let out a long sigh of relief, feeling the cold sweat on my back had already soaked through my nightgown. It seemed that I had truly been too tense.
Dragging my weary feet back to the bed, I prepared to lie down.
At that moment, my gaze unintentionally swept over the corner of the room where I kept my suitcase.
Suddenly, my pupils constricted, and my blood seemed to freeze once more!
My suitcase... had been opened by someone!
The Black Password Lock was in the unlocked position! Although the suitcase itself appeared unchanged, I distinctly remembered that every time I left the room, I would lock the password lock! It was a habit I had cultivated over many years!
Someone had been inside!
The sound of the door scraping and the doorknob turning earlier was not an illusion! Someone had indeed tried to open the door! They might not have succeeded in unfastening the latch, but... they had entered by other means! Or... did they have a key?!
They had quietly slipped into my room while I was asleep and rummaged through my belongings!
What were they looking for?! Or... had they left something behind?!
A wave of fear, even more intense and bone-deep than before, seized me in an instant.
The danger was no longer an invisible surveillance or warning.
It had transformed into a concrete, physical threat, one that had already infiltrated my space!
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