Jiang Cheng didn't know how to describe what he was feeling. It was as if he'd entered a dark tunnel, a long tunnel with no end, or been cast into an endless, frigid sea, alone and feeling the crushing weight of the water and the loneliness. Against his will, Jiang Cheng started walking faster, wanting to escape this place and this oppressive, maddening feeling. He even wanted to cast off his shadow and live as a truly complete person, all by himself.
But the old footsteps still echoed behind him. The dull thuds of shoes striking the bluestone road sounded like the dying whimpers of an old man, following close behind.
In his daze, Jiang Cheng had the feeling that if the footsteps caught up with him, he would never escape again. He would be caught once more, bound in a low, cramped room, and forced to live out a miserable existence like an exhibit.
"Thud—"
"Thud—"
The footsteps behind him grew faster, and Jiang Cheng finally realized what was wrong. These lonely footsteps weren't his at all. They belonged to someone else!
No, how could there be anyone else in a world like this? It had to be something else. Maybe... maybe something just like him!
Jiang Cheng ran for his life, but all he could see ahead was the darkness growing thicker. It was like tar that had been stirred around; once you were dragged into it, you could forget about getting out.
Even so, he kept running forward. He didn't know why. It was as if there was something in the darkness, and he was more drawn to it than he was to staying alive.
The darkness seemed to contain another world, and that world filled him with a cold sense of familiarity.
He reached out,