Jing found himself lost, though paradoxically he had not physically moved from his location. Earlier that day, he had managed to evade capture within the confines of the school building with assistance from soone he knew as Right. However, this evasion did not equate to an escape from the haunting predicant that had him in its ominous grip.
In his desperate attempt to elude an eerie old man, Jings panic had driven him into a modest grove consisting only of a small cluster of landscaping trees. However, under the blanket of the inky night sky, the grove morphed into what felt like an infinite, prehistoric forest with its re few dozen of trees. No matter which direction they attempted to venture in, Jing and his comrades found themselves ensnared within the tree-filled maze, incapable of finding a way out.
Damn it, Jing muttered, a string of hushed curses slipping from his lips. Fear painted his face a ghastly white while cold sweat trickled down his sides. Why is that creepy old man pursuing ? His target should be Miles, not , Jing pondered aloud. His mind was a flurry of desperate thoughts, Miles must be dead by now. Thats why the old ghost has singled out. Thats the only logical explanation.
The future is unpredictable, it seems. I have sohow taken Miles place as the object of the old specters attention, Jing ruminated, filled with a heavy sense of regret. He wished he had used his cunning to manipulate Miles into being the front man while he himself could have remained safely in the background.
Jing realized his folly he had been hasty, overlooking the fact that Miles was not his most dangerous adversary. The real enemy was, in fact, the old man.
Jing Jing, listen. Those footsteps are back, a voice by his side quivered, interrupting his thoughts with a terrified warning.
How is that even possible? Jings head shot up in alarm. He quickly scanned the small group of people who were left by his side. All of them now seemingly distanced themselves from him as if he was a harbinger of bad luck.
From the mont he had first taken the lead by shoving Miles into the restroom, Jing had left behind several peers Zhao Qiang, Wan Feng, He Qiuyan, among others. So had made the choice to break free from Jings oppressive leadership, disappearing into the shadowy abyss, never to be seen again.
Now, only a handful of students, five or six at most, remained in his company. They were reluctant to make a break for it, fearing that those who had left earlier may have t a terrible fate. Despite their growing trepidation, they believed that sticking with Jing was their best shot at survival.
Cowards, Jing murmured to himself, picking up on the hostile vibe radiating from the group. Theyve all learned to maintain their distance from . If I were to ask anyone to cover our escape, they would likely abandon .
This ti, Jing refrained from commanding anyone to stay behind. Instead, he insisted that they all rush through the shadow-dappled grove. Just as he was directing his companions, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was from William.
After a monts hesitation, Jing decided to take the call. He considered the possibility that William and the others, who had been separated from them earlier, might have so important information to relay.
Jing, this is Miles, ca the voice from the other end of the call, ringing sharply into Jings ear.
Aah! Jing recoiled, almost fumbling his phone in surprise.
Are you not dead? Are you human or have you beco a phantom? Jing managed to sputter out, his voice laced with confusion and fear.
Thanks to you, Im still alive, Miles responded, his tone marked by a chilling indifference.
Jings face morphed through a rapid succession of emotions. He had personally thrust Miles into the infamously haunted restroom, yet sohow, Miles had survived. The average person would have undoubtedly succumbed to such a terrifying ordeal. What could possibly explain Miles survival?
Whats the purpose of your call? Jing asked, striving to steady his voice and calm his racing mind.
Do you want to make it out alive? Do you want to escape from this accursed school? Miles posed the question, a subtle challenge in his words.
Do you have a way out? Jings voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and nascent hope.
Guess what? Ive beco a ghost tar, what do you think about that? Miles replied, a taunting undertone lacing his words.
Thats thats fantastic, please, you need to get out of here, Jing implored, a note of desperation creeping into his voice.
Miless response was a chuckle, a laugh tinged with a palpable hint of scorn and derision.
I didnt intend for any of this to happen, I was rely trying to survive as well. As classmates, shouldnt we be able to settle any misunderstanding? If you assist in escaping, Ill do whatever you want, even let you puml without resistance, Jings grip tightened around his phone as he spoke, his desperation apparent in his voice.
Enough with the nonsense. If you want my help, you need to make it worthwhile for . Otherwise, prepare yourself to et your end here, Miles retorted bluntly.
What do you need from then? Jing inquired, curiosity and fear both evident in his tone.
I crossed paths with Right earlier. He ntioned that youve been behaving oddly. Soone in the classroom also suggested that you might have knowledge of the future. Is that true? Miles probed.
Yes, it is. I have knowledge about future events. I know everything that is going to unfold, Jing confird.
If you assist in escaping, Ill share everything I know about the future with you. As a ghost tar, your life span is bound to be short. But I possess a thod that can help you survive. Not only will you retain the power of the malicious spirit, but you wont have to fear the risk of possession either. This thod has been developed by an international research center and remains confidential. It will only be disclosed to the public three months from now, Jing proposed, the urgency in his voice underlining his desperate attempt at bargaining.
Imagine the advantage youll have over other ghost tars if you have access to my information beforehand.
Stop lying. Right made it clear that ti travel is impossible. He also ntioned that the research institute conducted experints on this matter, and these so-called ti travelers simply do not exist, Miles countered skeptically.
At that mont, the sound of encroaching footsteps from behind Jing intensified, compelling him to quicken his pace. Gasping for breath, he hastily explained, I dont possess mories from the future. The knowledge I have about the future cos from a parchnt I received, sent to by my future self through so unexplained thod. The parchnt was penned by , but a decade into the future. Miles, you need to save quickly. If I perish, all the information I have will go with .
A parchnt imbued with knowledge about the future?
This proposition intrigued Miles. If humans couldnt journey back from the future, maybe inanimate objects could.
I want that parchnt, Miles demanded without hesitation.
No, thats not possible. The parchnt is mine, Jing protested defiantly.
Youre in no position to negotiate, Miles retorted, Whatever is stalking you is getting closer. You wont be alive much longer. What good is knowledge about the future if youre no longer around to use it?
Jing was torn between his desire to keep the parchnt and his desperate need for survival.
However, his imdiate predicant left him no room for deliberation as the footsteps nacingly advanced from behind him.
Alright, Ill hand it over to you, Jing finally conceded, panting heavily, his stamina depleted. Activating the flashlight on his phone, he cast a feeble light onto his surroundings, revealing that he was still trapped in the forest. No exit was in sight.
His desire to live was so potent that he felt he had no choice but to relent.
But, Miles, I can surrender the object, but how can I be certain that youll actually save ? Despite the terror gripping him, Jings inherent cautiousness had not deserted him.
I have the capability to distract the ghost pursuing you, but youll get just one opportunity. If you attempt any trickery, I wont think twice about reneging on this agreent, Miles cautioned sternly.
Alright, whats my next move? Jing queried.
Veer left, Miles directed.
Summoning his last reserves of strength, Jing instantly altered his path, breaking into a sprint towards the left.
Now, swerve right, Miles continued.
As Jing complied, a sense of exhilaration washed over him.
The footsteps that had been ominously trailing him were gradually growing fainter; he was gaining distance from the spectral pursuer. Miless instructions were proving to be effective. He could actually save him.
Hand over the parchnt, Miles demanded bluntly.
Caught in a dilemma, Jing responded, If I relinquish it now and you fail to rescue , what then? Ensure my safe exit first, and Ill imdiately give you the parchnt.
Is that a refusal? Beware, your spectral hunter is closing in once again, Miles remarked coldly, disconnecting the call.
Simultaneously, the echoing sound of footsteps recomnced from behind Jing, sending a wave of icy dread coursing down his spine.
A hasty glance around revealed a chilling realization he was utterly alone. His classmates, who had been present just monts ago, had vanished without a trace.
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