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Forgotten Offering
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter One
"The Zhongyuan Festival is a time when the realms of yin and yang intersect, a moment for the living to honor the deceased and pray for peace. Yet, due to a moment of negligence, I cast aside the Ritual, inviting an indescribable fear that clings to me like a shadow..."
The deep night enveloped the city like a vast black curtain. The streetlights emitted a dim yellow glow, which was ruthlessly sliced and distorted by the heavy fog, casting mottled and blurry shadows on the wet asphalt, resembling the eyes of ghosts. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, mingled with the unique smoky aroma of burning Joss Paper; this scent was not pungent but carried a hint of sweetness, reminiscent of some ancient spice, evoking an inexplicable sense of oppression and unease. Offerings adorned the doorsteps of every household, flickering candlelight and curling wisps of blue smoke silently narrating the special significance of this festival—honoring the spirits of the departed.
I, Li Ming, rubbed my tired eyes and lifted my head from the mountain of documents piled before me, stretching wearily. The old wall clock ticked rhythmically, its mechanical pendulum swinging back and forth, producing a clear "tick-tock" sound that resonated in the stillness of the night. Both the hour and minute hands pointed to midnight, a time that sent shivers down my spine.
"Oh no, it's so late," I muttered to myself, my voice tinged with annoyance and fatigue.
As an employee at a small advertising company, I had been working overtime for three consecutive days and nights, tirelessly pushing through an important project. For this project, I had nearly driven myself to the brink, sleeping only a few hours each day and relying on coffee and strong tea to keep going. Tonight, I finally completed all my work and could return home for some much-needed rest; my taut nerves could finally relax.
I grabbed my coat draped over the chair and hurriedly left the office. The empty street echoed only with the sound of my footsteps, which felt particularly clear and lonely in the quiet night. Suddenly, an inexplicable chill washed over me—not from the cool night breeze but from deep within my heart, as if invisible eyes lurked in the dark corners, coldly watching me and sending shivers down my spine.
I instinctively tightened my coat around me and quickened my pace, eager to return to the warmth of home and escape this suffocating atmosphere. However, when I reached my front door, I noticed something unusual. According to my usual habit, I always turned off all the lights before leaving; yet now, lights were on inside. Through the window, I could see something moving in the living room—shadowy and indistinct.
My heart sank suddenly as an ominous premonition surged within me. I quickly fumbled for my keys; my hands trembled slightly as it took several attempts before I finally managed to insert one into the lock. With a click, the door opened. Taking a deep breath, I pushed it open.
"Who's there?" I called out loudly, my voice echoing in the empty room with a tremor of anxiety.
Yet all that answered me was an eerie silence and hollow echoes. Cautiously stepping into the living room, I gasped at what lay before me. The room was in disarray; my most cherished Antique Wooden Cabinet stood wide open, its glass shattered on the floor reflecting cold light. The contents inside were scattered everywhere—my collection of Ancient Coins, old photographs left by my father, along with various trinkets—all lay in disarray across the floor.
My heart raced violently as if it would leap from my chest. What on earth was happening? Had someone broken into my home? But if it were a thief, why had they only vandalized this Antique Wooden Cabinet without stealing any other valuables?
I suppressed the fear rising within me and tremblingly dialed my neighbor Uncle Wang's number. Uncle Wang was a warm-hearted old man who had always taken good care of me.
“Hello, Uncle Wang, something seems to have happened at my house…” My voice quivered with a hint of tears, making it difficult to form complete sentences.
On the other end of the line, Uncle Wang's steady voice came through; he seemed not to have gone to bed yet. “Xiao Ming, what’s wrong? Don’t panic, take your time.”
“My… my Antique Wooden Cabinet, the glass shattered, and everything inside has fallen to the floor…” I struggled to control my emotions, trying my best to articulate clearly.
“Antique Wooden Cabinet?” Uncle Wang paused for a moment as if recalling something. “Xiao Ming, today is Zhongyuan Festival. Did you… did you forget to pay respects to your Ancestors?”
His words struck me like a bolt of lightning. I suddenly remembered that today was Zhongyuan Festival, a day for honoring the Ancestors. However, due to my busy work schedule, I had completely forgotten such an important matter.
“Yes, Uncle Wang, I… I’ve been so busy with work that I forgot…” I said with guilt, my voice barely audible.
On the other end of the line, I heard Uncle Wang let out a long sigh. “Xiao Ming, Zhongyuan Festival is a significant day. If you forget to honor your Ancestors, they might be upset. You should hurry to the cemetery and pay your respects; burn some Joss Paper, bow a few times, and apologize to your Ancestors. Otherwise… otherwise, something bad might happen.”
Uncle Wang’s words sent a chill down my spine; a wave of cold surged from my feet to the top of my head, spreading throughout my body in an instant. Could it be… could the strange occurrences earlier really be because I forgot to honor my Ancestors and angered them?
“Okay, okay, Uncle Wang, I’ll go right away,” I hurriedly hung up the phone, filled with fear and unease.
I frantically rummaged through the cabinet for some Joss Paper, incense sticks, and offerings—items leftover from last year’s Zhongyuan Festival. Without bothering to change clothes, I dashed out of the house in my pajamas.
The night had deepened further, and the fog thickened; the streetlights struggled to penetrate the heavy darkness. I stumbled along the path leading to the Ancestral Graveyard—a route I had walked since childhood and could navigate even with my eyes closed. Yet now, it felt so long, so unfamiliar, and so terrifying.
"Where will this road ultimately lead?" I murmured to myself, my voice echoing hauntingly in the vastness of the night. I felt as though I was stepping closer to an unknown abyss, each step filled with fear and unease.
I couldn't help but glance back at the tightly shut door of my home. The shattered glass reflected an unsettling light under the moon, resembling a series of eerie eyes watching me from the darkness.
"I hope... I hope everything will be alright," I whispered, my voice heavy with helplessness and confusion.
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