Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
The Last Tenant of Room 404
墨書 Inktalez
I stood at the door of Room 404, clutching the key in my hand, hesitant to insert it into the lock. The motion-sensor lights in the hallway flickered on and off, casting an eerie glow in the damp autumn air.
The landlord had mentioned that the low rent was due to a death that had occurred in this room, but I hadn't expected it to be so cheap—only eight hundred a month, utilities included.
The sound of the key turning echoed sharply in the empty hallway. As I pushed the door open, a musty odor mixed with an indescribable metallic scent rushed at me.
I turned on my phone's flashlight and fumbled for the switch on the wall. The old fluorescent light flickered a few times, buzzing with electricity before finally illuminating the space.
The room was small, a one-bedroom layout. The wallpaper in the living area was yellowed and peeling, revealing patches of crumbling cement beneath.
Dragging my suitcase inside, the wooden floor creaked underfoot. Suddenly, a cold breeze swept past me from behind. I whipped around to find that the sliding door to the balcony had been left ajar.
"Must be from the last tenant not closing it properly," I muttered to myself as I walked over to shut it.
Just then, I heard a soft laugh behind me, a sound that seemed to come from far away yet felt as if it were right next to my ear.
A chill ran down my spine as cold sweat soaked my back; my fingers froze on the doorknob.
"Who’s there?" I asked, forcing calm into my voice.
No one answered. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned around. The living room was empty, but the light from the fluorescent bulb seemed dimmer now.
I noticed a picture frame on the coffee table containing a yellowed photograph.
In it was a woman wearing a red dress, standing on the balcony and smiling at the camera.
As I picked up the frame, I saw a small inscription on the back: "Forever love you, Xiaoyun."
Suddenly, an icy dread surged from my feet up through my body. I felt as though something was watching me; its gaze was palpable, raising every hair on my skin.
I slowly lifted my head and saw a figure reflected in the glass door of the balcony—a woman in a red dress standing right behind me.
My hand trembled, and the frame slipped from my grip, shattering on the floor with a loud crash that echoed through the silent room.
When I looked up again, there was nothing in the glass door. But I knew it wasn't an illusion.
As I crouched down to pick up the pieces of glass, I noticed a trail of wet footprints leading from the balcony right to my feet.
I curled up on the sofa, wrapping myself tightly in a blanket.
The rain outside intensified, pounding against the glass like countless fingers tapping insistently.
My phone showed it was two in the morning, but sleep eluded me. Ever since that strange encounter earlier in the afternoon, I had remained on high alert.
Suddenly, there was a loud "thud" from the kitchen, as if something had fallen to the floor.
I held my breath and strained to listen closely. Then came a gurgling sound, like water dripping from a leaky faucet.
I remember clearly that when I moved in, I checked all the pipes, and they were all in good condition.
I pulled out my phone and turned on the flashlight feature. The pale beam cut through the darkness as I tiptoed toward the kitchen. The sound of water grew clearer, mixed with a strange "drip" sound, like… blood dripping onto the floor.
My palms were sweaty, and I nearly dropped my phone. Just as I was about to reach the kitchen door, a sigh suddenly came from behind me.
The sound was so close that it felt as if someone was right next to my ear. A chill crawled up my spine, and it felt like all the blood in my body had frozen.
"Don't turn around…" a woman's voice said softly, "you will regret it…."
I froze in place, feeling as if breathing had become difficult. The beam of my phone began to shake violently, not because my hand was trembling, but because… the light seemed to be distorted by something.
A metallic, rusty smell filled the air—one I had noticed earlier in the afternoon, now intensified.
"Who… who are you?" I asked, trembling.
"I am Xiaoyun…" the voice replied, "this is my home…."
At that moment, I heard footsteps behind me—very light, but definitely approaching me.
I felt a chill at the back of my neck, as if someone was breathing there. Fear made me lose my sanity; I suddenly turned around, directing my phone's beam behind me—a woman in a red dress stood less than a meter away. Her long hair clung to her face, her complexion as pale as paper. The most terrifying part was her eyes—there were no pupils, just a blank whiteness. A strange smile curled at her lips, and bright red liquid trickled down from her temple.
I let out a scream and turned to run for the door. But the doorknob wouldn’t budge; it felt as if it had been welded shut. I frantically twisted the knob and pounded on the door, but it was all in vain. Behind me came a "cackling" laugh that grew closer and closer…
"Why are you running?" Xiaoyun's voice echoed in my ear, "Stay here with me… forever…."
I felt a cold hand rest on my shoulder. Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door from outside.
"Is anyone there?" an elderly voice called out, "It's Grandma Zhang from downstairs."
That voice struck like thunder, breaking the eerie atmosphere in the room. I felt the hand on my shoulder vanish, and the chill in the air lessened significantly. Trembling, I opened the door to find an elderly woman with silver hair standing outside.
"Child, are you alright?" Grandma Zhang asked with concern, "I heard you screaming…"
I opened my mouth but couldn’t make a sound. Grandma Zhang's gaze passed over me and into the room; her expression suddenly turned grave.
"You live in 404?" Grandma Zhang's voice trembled slightly, revealing deep fear and unease in her eyes. "That room… has been empty for a very long time…"
A chill ran down my spine, and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. "Why?" I swallowed hard, my voice hoarse as I asked.
Grandma Zhang glanced around as if afraid something might be eavesdropping. "Three years ago, a loving couple lived here," she said in a hushed tone, her voice dripping with mystery. "The girl's name was Xiaoyun, and she was incredibly beautiful, always smiling. Then..."
She suddenly stopped, a flicker of fear crossing her face. "What happened then?" I pressed eagerly, my heart racing.
Grandma Zhang sighed, her voice dropping even lower. "That night... her boyfriend cheated on her. When Xiaoyun found out, they had a huge fight. That night, she..."
Her words trailed off as if something had choked her throat. I felt anxious, scratching my head in frustration. "What happened? Please tell me!"
Taking a deep breath as if summoning courage, Grandma Zhang continued, "That night, Xiaoyun committed suicide by cutting her wrists in this very room. Her blood flowed everywhere, and the entire room was filled with the stench of blood. Ever since then, this place has remained empty; no one dares to live here."
I felt a cold shiver run through me, as if an icy wave was rising from my feet. No wonder I had sensed a metallic smell lingering in the room; it was the scent of Xiaoyun's blood.
"What... what should I do?" I stammered, feeling my voice tremble.
Grandma Zhang patted my shoulder reassuringly. "Don't be afraid, child. You can stay at my house tonight, and tomorrow I'll help you find a sorcerer to take a look."
I nodded, grateful as I looked at Grandma Zhang. Just then, I felt something brush against my feet.
Turning back to the room, I seemed to catch a glimpse of a figure in a red dress standing in the middle of the living room, offering me a sorrowful smile.
"Help me..." I heard her say softly. "Help me find him..."
The next morning, I couldn't wait to start investigating Xiaoyun's story. Grandma Zhang had given me some crucial leads; she told me that Xiaoyun had worked at a café called "Blues." With dark circles under my eyes, I set out on the journey to uncover the truth.
As I pushed open the door to "Blues," the aroma of coffee and soft jazz enveloped me. The wind chimes on the door jingled sweetly with my movement as if they were whispering secrets.
"Welcome," said a waitress with a ponytail and a warm smile as she approached me. "How many in your party?"
"Just one." I looked around and chose a seat by the window. The sunlight streamed through the curtains onto the table, creating a tranquil and warm atmosphere.
Taking a deep breath to muster my courage, I said to the waitress, "I’d like to inquire about someone."
Her expression shifted slightly; she regarded me warily. "Who do you want to ask about?"
"Xiaoyun." I whispered her name softly. "The girl who worked here three years ago."
The waitress's face turned pale instantly; she nearly dropped the menu she was holding. Her eyes widened as she stared at me, trembling slightly as she asked, "W-why do you want to know about her?"
Lowering my voice for added mystery, I replied, "I live in her old home. Some... strange things have been happening lately."
The waitress seemed startled by my words. She glanced around nervously and then lowered her voice, saying, "Lunch break, meet me at the back door." After saying that, she hurried away. I watched her retreating figure, filled with confusion and anticipation. What kind of secret was hidden behind Xiaoyun's situation?
I nodded and casually ordered a cup of coffee. While waiting, I noticed a group photo hanging above the bar. In the picture, Xiaoyun was in uniform, smiling brightly. But what caught my attention the most was the man standing next to her, who had his arm around Xiaoyun's shoulder while his gaze drifted towards another waitress.
During lunch break, I followed the waitress to the back alley. She lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. "My name is Xiaoyu, and I'm Xiaoyun's best friend. I was there the day she…," her voice choked slightly, "I was at the scene."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"It was Valentine's Day." Xiaoyu exhaled a puff of smoke. "Xiaoyun was planning to surprise AJie. AJie is her boyfriend and also the owner of this café." She pointed to the man in the photo. "But when we pushed open the office door, we saw AJie with another woman…"
Xiaoyu couldn't continue, but I could already imagine the scene. Xiaoyun loved AJie so much, yet she witnessed his betrayal firsthand.
"What happened next?"
"Xiaoyun ran out." Xiaoyu extinguished her cigarette. "We searched for her all night, and the next morning… the police found her body in the river."
I frowned. "What did the police say?"
"Suicide." Xiaoyu scoffed bitterly. "But I know it wasn't. Xiaoyun was heartbroken, but she would never take her own life. And…" she lowered her voice, "that night, I saw AJie drive after her."
My heart skipped a beat. "You mean…"
"I didn't say anything." Xiaoyu interrupted me. "But if you really want to help Xiaoyun, check out where AJie lives now. He sold the café and moved to a villa in the west side of town."
Just then, my phone rang unexpectedly. It was an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"I heard you're looking into Xiaoyun's case?" A deep male voice came through. "I'm AJie. Let's meet."
I tightened my grip on my phone, feeling a chill run down my spine. The voice reminded me of last night's coldness, but what concerned me more was how he knew I was investigating Xiaoyun.
"Alright," I replied, "time and place?"
"Eight o'clock tonight at Blues Café," he said. "I know you'll come."
After hanging up, I looked up at Xiaoyu. Her face was even paler than before. "He contacted you?"
I nodded.
"Be careful," Xiao Yu said, gripping my arm. "AJie... he’s not as simple as he seems."
As night fell, I returned to the Blues Café. The place was empty, with only a dim yellow light illuminating the bar. AJie sat there, playing with a lighter in his hand.
"Sit," he gestured to the seat across from him. "I heard you moved into 404?"
I eyed him warily. "How do you know?"
He smiled but didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled a photograph from his pocket and slid it across the table. It was a picture of Xiao Yun, but different from the one I had seen in my room. In this photo, she wore a red dress and stood on a balcony, her expression filled with fear.
"This is her last photo," AJie said. "I took it."
A chill ran up my spine. "What did you do to her?"
AJie's smile twisted into something sinister. "I gave her the punishment she deserved. Did she think she could leave me? Dream on!"
At that moment, the lights in the café suddenly went out. In the darkness, I heard AJie let out a scream. When the lights flickered back on, I saw him sprawled on the floor, a red mark around his neck as if something had wrapped around it.
"Xiao Yun..." I whispered.
A sigh filled the air, and I felt someone gently embrace me. It was a cold hug, yet it brimmed with sorrow.
"Thank you..." Xiao Yun's voice echoed in my ear. "Now, I can finally rest..."
AJie's screams reverberated through the empty café. I stood frozen, watching this once vibrant man writhe in agony on the ground. The red mark around his neck deepened as if an invisible rope was tightening.
"Help... help me..." AJie reached out to me, terror in his eyes.
I took a step back and looked at him coldly. "This is your just punishment."
Just then, the café door burst open. Two police officers rushed in, followed by Xiao Yu. She nodded at me, signaling that she had called for help.
"Don't move!" one officer shouted, aiming his gun at AJie. "We received a report that you are suspected of a murder case from three years ago."
AJie's face turned pale instantly. He struggled to get up, but the mark around his neck tightened suddenly, forcing a pained groan from him. In the dim light, I noticed what seemed to be a wisp of red mist floating in the air, coalescing into a vague human shape.
Xiao Yun...
The officers handcuffed AJie, and an older officer approached me. "Are you the one who reported this?"
I shook my head and pointed at Xiaoyu. "She called the police. But..." I hesitated for a moment, "I can provide some clues."
The officer nodded. "Please come back to the station to give a statement."
At the police station, I recounted my experiences in Room 404 in detail. The officer initially seemed skeptical, but when they pulled up the case files from three years ago, their expression turned serious.
"We did suspect AJie back then," the officer said while flipping through the files, "but we lacked direct evidence. When Xiaoyun's body was found, there were strangulation marks on her neck, but it was disguised to look like a suicide by hanging."
"Now we have new evidence." Another officer walked in, holding an evidence bag. "We found Xiaoyun's diary in AJie's villa, detailing his abusive behavior. And..." He paused, "we unearthed a bloodstained red dress in the backyard."
I shivered. That dress was the one I had seen in Room 404, the last one Xiaoyun had worn.
"AJie has confessed," the officer continued. "He admitted that he confronted Xiaoyun that night, and during their argument, he accidentally strangled her and then staged the scene to look like a suicide."
By the time I left the police station, dawn had broken. Xiaoyu was waiting for me at the entrance, her eyes red.
"Xiaoyun can finally rest," she said.
I nodded but felt that things were not yet over.
Back in Room 404, I noticed that the atmosphere had completely changed. Sunlight streamed through the windows, and the air no longer felt cold and oppressive. I walked to the balcony and found that the sliding door, which always opened on its own, was finally shut tight.
Suddenly, I noticed something reflecting on the coffee table. As I approached, I saw a picture frame containing a photo of Xiaoyun. This time, her smile was no longer sorrowful but filled with relief. Next to the frame lay a dried rose.
I picked up the rose and found a note pressed underneath it:
"Thank you. Now I can truly leave. This room is yours now. — Xiaoyun"
I looked around and felt warmth spreading through every corner of the room. I knew Xiaoyun's resentment had dissipated, and the curse of Room 404 had been lifted.
From that day on, strange occurrences ceased to happen. I continued living there and renovated the room. Whenever night fell silent, I could almost hear Xiaoyun's gentle laughter; it was no longer eerie but filled with gratitude and blessings.
Three months later, I received an unsigned letter. Inside was a photograph of a figure in a red dress standing by the sea at sunset. On the back of the photo were written words:
"I finally saw the ocean, just as I always dreamed. Thank you for giving me a chance at freedom."
I knew it was Xiaoyun. She could finally go wherever she wanted and see whatever scenery she wished to behold. Room 404 had transformed from a place filled with sorrow and resentment into a warm home.
Comment 0 Comment Count