"​​Chapter 1​​

I’ve never believed in gods or ghosts—I’m a staunch materialist.

One day, my close buddy sent me a blurry video. In it, a crowd was running frantically while a man shouted, ""It’s catching up!""

A chaotic clattering sound followed, then screams cut through before the video abruptly ended.

The whole clip lasted barely ten seconds. It was impossible to make out what was chasing them.

My buddy claimed the Lanling Community was haunted and that these people had been taken by ghosts.

I replied with a laughing emoji, dismissing the supernatural. But the name ""Lanling Community"" felt familiar. After a moment, it hit me: that complex was right next to mine.

Bro, you’re way off. It’s literally next door. Want me to report you for spreading rumors? I texted back.

Shit! It’s next to you? Don’t go home tonight, man, he replied. I pocketed my phone, indifferent.

That evening, as I headed home, residents in the community WeChat group shared another eerie video. Dark hallways filled with motionless figures, their skin bluish-purple, eyes tightly shut—like corpses.

The person filming gasped heavily, voice trembling: I’m in Lanling Community. Help me.

The video ended. Chilled, I peered out my window toward Lanling. The complex was pitch-black, not a single light on.

What’s happening over there?

Initially, I assumed a power outage. Unconcerned, I brushed my teeth and went to bed, thinking of work the next day.

Curiosity led me to check Weibo before sleep. The local trending topic stunned me: HAUNTING AT LANLING COMMUNITY!

As I tapped the headline, heavy knocking rattled my door. Grumbling, I got up and peered through the peephole. A man in property staff uniform yelled, ""Emergency lockdown! No one leaves! From now on, trust ONLY my instructions! IGNORE EVERYONE ELSE!""

Before I could ask questions, he left. I reopened WeChat—no signal. Hundreds of unread messages flooded the group:

After property staff left, rescue workers knocked. They’re evacuating us house by house! We’re saved!

DON’T TRUST THEM! THEY’RE NOT RESCUERS! TRUST NO ONE!!!

No further messages followed. A cold dread seeped into me. I rushed to the window, but the streets below were deserted and dark.

What is going on?

"