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墨書 Inktalez
As the sun sets in the west, a soft golden light spills into Amy and Nick's new home, illuminating the ancient oil paintings and furniture hanging in the living room. The siblings glance at each other and nod in understanding. It's time to go meet the new neighbors.
Nick looks at Amy and asks, "Mom, can we go play at the neighbor's house?"
Laura hesitated for a moment, "Okay, but you must be careful."
First stop, they arrived at Alan's house.
"Knock knock knock—"
The door slowly opens, and a sense of drama and artistry rushes in, almost giving the feeling of being in a private theater.
Paintings, puppets, and various trophies fill the entire living room. Elegant long curtains hang from the ceiling to the floor, as if to tightly envelop the entire room.
A classical-style chandelier elegantly hangs in the center of the ceiling, its design exquisite and clearly carefully chosen.
"Oh, are you the new kids who just moved in?" Alan asked warmly, his face wearing a kind smile, but his eyes shimmering with an inexplicable light.
"Yes, hello Uncle Alan, we are Amy and Nick," Amy responded, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness but also full of curiosity.
"Hello Uncle Alan, we just moved here not long ago and it feels like such an interesting place," Nick also said.
Amy and Nick immediately walked into Alan's house. Nick excitedly asked, "Uncle Alan, can you tell us about the history of that old house?"
Alan walked over with a cup of tea, sat down slowly, and smiled, "That old house, well, it has a very rich past. Do you know that big tree next to it? That tree is even older than the house, its gnarled roots entwined around the whole house, as if to tightly bind it."
"Really? But that tree looks a bit... strange," Amy said nervously, thinking of the door hidden in the old tree.
"It is said that this house was originally owned by a lady named Margaret. She was a puppeteer," Alan said, his tone suddenly becoming serious, as if oppressed by some indescribable emotion.
"Puppeteer? What's that?" Nick appeared extremely curious.
"A puppeteer is someone who controls puppets, but Margaret is different. Her puppets are extremely lifelike, even somewhat eerie," Alan replied.
"What happened next? Where did she go?" Amy asked eagerly.
"She suddenly disappeared, just like that, without leaving any clues. Since then, the house has been empty, and later it was bought by a wealthy aristocrat," Alan's voice carried a strange quietness.
"What's so special about that old tree?" Nick tried to break the eerie atmosphere.
"That tree? Well... it always stands there so quietly, year after year. But there's something very strange about it. Whenever new people move in, it seems to change slightly," Alan's tone was full of meaning.
"What kind of changes?" Amy couldn't help asking.
"I can't say for sure, but... every time there's a new person, the tree seems to become more vibrant."
"Vibrant?" Nick frowned.
"Yes, vibrant. Like finding a new... source of nourishment," Alan's voice gradually turned cold, as if he also realized the unusualness of it.
The two of them suddenly felt a chill, Amy and Nick exchanged a glance, understanding that this old house and this old tree were definitely not as simple as they appeared on the surface.
"Uncle Alan, do you know where the other two neighbors went? We went to knock on their doors today, but no one responded."
"Oh, Francis and Michelle are not here today," Alan seemed to brush it off, "but I'm sure they'll be very happy to meet you eventually."
Amy and Nick felt an inexplicable force weighing on them as they left the retired Broadway actor Alan's house and entered their own old home. Pushing open the door, they seemed to bring in a chill that permeated every corner of the room.
After dinner, Amy and Nick cleared the table and walked to their room with heavy hearts.
Nick suddenly said, "Do you think that puppet world is really as wonderful as they say it is?"
Amy sat on the edge of the bed and said thoughtfully, "I'm not sure either, but that world is too perfect, it's like a carefully designed trap."
"Yes, everything is too perfect. So, what are the intentions of those Puppets after all?"
Amy stood up. "Now, I just want to make sure of one thing - we won't enter the world behind that door anymore, right?"
Nick responded, "You're right, we can't go back anymore."
As night fell, Amy and Nick were lost in thought in their respective rooms, each filled with unease and doubt.
Nick absentmindedly pushed open the door to his room. His gaze immediately fell on the puppet on the bedside table.
Those emaciated eyes seemed to be staring at him, making him feel oppressed. Nick couldn't help but turn around, walk to the window, and gaze through the glass at the intricately tangled tree in the courtyard.
The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, as if sighing or whispering something.
"This tree has always been there, seemingly harmless, but why does it always make me feel uneasy?" Nick thought to himself.
At the same time, Amy stood at the doorway of her room, her gaze sweeping over the cloth covering the puppet. Her heart was filled with doubt and unease, and she felt a cold breeze quietly pass by, as if it were some kind of omen.
"Who are Puppeteer and Margaret? And what is hidden behind all of this?" Amy murmured to herself, hands clenched tightly, palms almost sweating.
At that moment, a faint knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She nervously turned around and found Nick standing outside the door.
"Amy, I can't sleep," Nick said, his eyes revealing a hint of unease and confusion.
Amy felt her brother's discomfort and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I know, Nick. What we learned tonight is just too strange."
Nick nodded and walked into Amy's room, closing the door. He sat on the edge of the bed while Amy sat on the stool in front of the dressing table.
"Did you feel like the puppet our parents gave us is always watching us?" Nick said, sounding somewhat shocked.
"It's not just the puppet, the big tree feels that way too. I feel like they both have life and consciousness," Amy responded.
"Yes, nothing feels right here. I've felt uncomfortable since the moment we moved here," Nick clenched his fists.
That night, neither of the siblings could sleep well. Outside the window, the shadow of a big tree swayed in the moonlight.
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