Pollution throughout the territory

The surrounding buildings are gradually becoming sparse and dilapidated, but they have not yet left the wealthy area, just away from the prosperous area.

The scenery nearby began to become a little deserted, and various facilities also showed their old appearance. Most of the shops on the street were closed. There were not many passers-by, but they all stared at their vehicles with vigilant eyes, not knowing that the cars were here. It's too rare, or there are other reasons.

Not far away, the taxi stopped on the side of the road.

They were still some distance from their destination, but the driver was unwilling to go any further. Elliot tried to persuade the other party by adding more money, but even the temptation of money could not sway the driver.

Helpless, they could only get off the car where they were.

Xia Ren asked in confusion: "What's going on? Is there anything in front of you? Why is the driver unwilling to take us there?"

Elliot scratched his head, sighed and said: "Actually, there is no special reason, it's just that the driver is afraid. After all, when going to such a remote place, the driver must also pay attention to his own safety.

And there are some bad rumors about the place we are going to. Residents nearby often hear strange noises coming from there at night. They also say that they have seen scary creatures crawling against the walls in the dark alleys. Several children went to play there in the past few years and disappeared. The nearby residents sent many people to search overnight, but they were not found. Some of the residents who went to search were frightened and nervous. After they woke up, they insisted that they would see for themselves. It got to the point where swarms of black shadows were walking through the buildings, including several people in a row.

Later, the story became more and more outrageous. It was said that the place was the residence of the undead and demons. There would be ghosts wandering around at night, and the children would be captured and eaten by the ghosts.

But rumors are just rumors after all. I prefer that the child was kidnapped and sold by gangs. This kind of thing happens a lot. The police are bribed by gangs and have a tacit understanding with each other. Unless the trouble is particularly big or He is a child from a wealthy family. Otherwise, as long as it is not too much, even if the police are called, they will just record it perfunctorily and not take any care at all. "

As Elliot walked, he told Xia Ren about the surrounding situation.

After a while, they stood in front of an alley.

When we got here, the surrounding buildings were completely uninhabited. It was said to be an alley, but in fact it was more like a ruin. The buildings on both sides were full of ancient atmosphere. The bricks and stones on the walls had been exposed to the wind and sun for many years. It has become so fragile that you can break off a piece with a pinch of your hand. Many of them have peeled off on their own, and some are even covered with vines, becoming a habitat for geckos and various insects.

The roadside of the alley is covered with weeds, and there is only a less conspicuous path for people to stay. Various domestic garbage is piled in the corner, which also shows signs of erosion by the years, and is covered with a There was a thick layer of mottled dust beaten by the rain. I don’t know if it was originally here or if it was blown here by the wind.

The windows of the buildings on both sides are crooked, and the glass above has been removed by someone long ago, or has been broken. Occasionally, the cold wind blows from the other end of the alley, and the rotten window frames make a desolate creaking sound. , swinging from side to side, making people always worry about whether it will fall down.

As they walked into the alley, their ears suddenly became quiet, as if they had entered a soundproof room. Even the afternoon sunlight above their heads seemed to be dimmed, as if blocked by an invisible layer of fog.

Xia Ren felt a chill in his heart and felt an ominous aura, but Elliot didn't seem to notice it.

They walked deeper into the alley, then turned left and entered another, older alley.

The place is so narrow that it can only accommodate two people walking side by side, and the curved and drooping eaves above the head almost block all the sunlight. There are strange noises coming from the buildings on both sides. I don’t know whether there are small animals moving or some furniture. The sound of collapse.

After walking about a few dozen meters, Elliot stopped in front of a building.

Xia Ren saw the ancient-style door in front of him, which had been completely moth-eaten. However, there were several rows of neat holes on the door very strangely. Then Xia Ren realized that this might be the decoration on the door that had fallen off. traces produced later.

The bottom edge of the door has touched the ground, and part of the connection with the door frame has fallen off. It was only supported by its own weight and the soil on the ground that it did not fall down.

However, it was obviously impossible to push the door open. Xia Ren even suspected that if he touched it, it might fall backwards and break into pieces.

Fortunately, the door opened a gap just big enough for people to pass through, so they didn't have to risk pushing the door open.

Eliot walked in front and said: "When I first knew that Pickman's studio was here, I was still wondering why he wanted to find such an abandoned house. But then I thought about it, maybe this kind of deserted house The ancient house may bring more inspiration to his creations.

But to be honest, this kind of place is really remote, and it is difficult for normal people to find it. Maybe there is something attracting Pickman here, and his attributes are naturally compatible with this kind of place. . "

They walked into the foyer. The sunlight outside was blocked by the thick wall and could only illuminate a small area in the door obliquely. The bright light and the rich and substantial darkness clearly separated the boundaries, just like the intersection of two worlds. .

"Pickman! Pickman, are you there?"

Elliot shouted.

His voice disappeared into the darkness, just like the light that accidentally broke in at the door, and was swallowed up by the house without any echo.

Again, no one responded.

Elliot turned around, smiled awkwardly and comforted Xia Ren, saying, "Don't worry, Pickman sometimes goes back to the basement to look for inspiration. It's normal for him to not be able to hear."

It can be seen that he has been here many times, and he walked to the wall very skillfully, picked up an oil lamp on the table that was rendered almost black by dust, and lit it.

Elliot took two steps forward with the oil lamp in his hand, then turned back and said, "How about you wait for me here, it's too dark down there, and I'm afraid you won't be able to adapt to it. If I find Pickman, I'll Bring him up."

Xia Ren shook his head: "I'll go down with you."

"All right."

Elliot was a little happy, at least so far, the other party didn't hate him.

Moreover, he knew the situation in the basement. Most women were afraid of the dark. If two people walked together, they might be able to enhance their relationship.

All in all, it's a good start for him.

With the help of the flame of the oil lamp, Xia Ren could see the flashy carvings on the walls around the foyer. Although these carvings were mostly covered with thick dust and cobwebs, it was still easy to imagine what this place once was. brilliant.

Elliot held the oil lamp and opened the door of a room near the corner.

Inside the door is a staircase going down. The depths of the staircase are wrapped in darkness, and a cool breeze blows upward from inside, making people unable to help but shiver down their spines.

Xia Ren couldn't help but shrink his shoulders, and a layer of goosebumps appeared on the skin of his arms.

The two of them walked down the narrow stairs, with only the sound of footsteps in their ears. The flame of the oil lamp swayed with their movement, as if it might go out at any time, and the darkness forced back by the light also faded with time. close.