The Eerie Village

The old woman's hair was completely white. She looked seventy or eighty, shuffling along as she slowly raised her head. Her dark yellow eyes gradually turned toward the people before her, and her pale, hoarse voice asked, "Who is it?"

Chi Li stared unblinkingly at the old woman, one hand brushing the gun at his waist.

The old woman's voice grew louder. Trembling, she took a few more steps and set the bowl on the table. "Who are you?"

The table was less than half a foot away from them. Chi Li caught sight of pale yellow porridge in the bowl.

The room held only an old, stale smell—no dust, no blood.

Chi Li withdrew his hand from his waist and heard Si Jinyan say, "Hello. We came here exploring and got separated from our group. Could we stay here for the night?"

The old woman slowly approached them, seemingly trying to see their faces clearly. Once she drew near, she studied them, and Chi Li studied her as well. He noticed that when her dim eyes turned to Si Jinyan, her cloudy pupils trembled faintly before the reaction vanished in an instant.

"Stay for the night? Of course." The old woman grabbed Si Jinyan's hand and patted it. "It's been so long since young people came here. I'll tidy up a room for you. You can stay as many nights as you like."

Still rambling on, the old woman turned and shuffled farther inside.

Chi Li and Si Jinyan exchanged a glance. Their thoughts were obvious without words: there was something wrong with this old woman.

Chi Li followed after her. "Grandma, why is this village so quiet? We were a little scared when we came in."

The old woman approached a partitioned room. Inside was an empty bed,