Ghost Breath - C19
“Sister, I want to eat cake.”
Every evening, Jiayi would drag Xiao Ze downstairs to take a walk. On the way, they would hide things from their parents and go to the convenience store to buy some delicious snacks, such as cakes, ice cream, chocolate, potato chips and more. Whatever his brother wanted to eat, his sister usually agreed.
This was also the happiest time of the day for Xiao Ze. Because he didn’t have a mother to control him, he could only protect his sister, so he was able to eat and drink to his heart’s content.
The reason her elder sister doted on her little brother so much was because his elder sister Yang Jiayi was ten years older than his younger brother, Yang Jiaze. The other reason was that Xiao Ze was truly adorable and mischievous, liking almost everyone around him.
The autumn day had already been shortened, and once dusk came, it was almost no different from night. pulled Xiao Ze and slowly walked towards the convenience store.
In the recent few days, because her father was away on business and his mother was on duty every night, Jiayi had to take care of her brother and take care of the breakfast and the kindergartens. However, since their parents were not around, the siblings were unscrupulous. They could stay up late and even bring home those snacks that their mother hated the most.
After buying a piece of cake for Xiao Ze, Jiayi led Xiao Ze out of the residential area. As they were walking past the entrance, a middle-aged security guard surnamed Wang habitually carried Xiao Ze up from the guard room. Xiao Ze just indifferently nibbled on the cake.
The security guard’s name was Wang Feng, and he was on good terms with the siblings.
“Oh right, Jiayi, recently, try your best not to bring your brother out for a stroll tonight.” After putting Xiao Ze down, Wang Feng spoke with a serious expression.
Jiayi was a little not used to Wang Feng’s expression. After all, he would usually laugh when he saw him.
“Why?”
“Don’t ask, just listen to me.”
“What? What’s the matter?”
Jiayi was a person who would not let things go, she would clarify everything that happened to him.
“Didn’t you hear about the incident a few days ago?” Wang Feng asked.
Jiayi shook her head.
“Last night, at the small park, didn’t you also see a lot of people there? Don’t you know what they were talking about?”
“I don’t know.” Those are all old aunties, usually the most gossipy ones. Who cares about them. ” Jiayi was straightforward, she was not afraid of offending anyone.
“Heh …” “That makes sense.” Wang Feng was amused by Jiayi, and immediately stopped smiling, “Let me tell you, in these few days, the two children in the neighborhood have all been lost.”
“Lost two children?” Jiayi was startled.
“Right, two!” Wang Feng nodded.
Xiao Ze stopped eating cake and seemed to have nothing to do, so he started to urge his sister to leave quickly.
“Okay, okay, Xiao Ze, wait a minute …” “Hey, Uncle Wang, how did this child get lost? Did you find him?”
“Where can I find one!?” The two lost boys are as old as your Xiao Ze. Where do you think a child of his age would go? They all disappeared on the slide in the little park. Someone must have carried them away. ”
“Ah?” Did you call the police? ”
“It’s already been reported to the police. The police have come a few times already! Right now, both families had gone mad with anxiety. It was said that they had all happened while the elderly were taking care of their children. Sigh … “That’s why I told you to be careful in the near future. Don’t go out when you have nothing else to do.”
“Oh, it’s like this …” Jiayi frowned, holding tightly onto Xiao Ze’s hand. Xiao Ze was no longer noisy and was listening attentively, as he vaguely understood what was going on.
“Oh right, there’s one more thing. I heard those women talking yesterday, they said someone saw the person who carried the child away.” Wang Feng suddenly lowered his voice and said.
“Who is it?”
“It seems to be an old woman, not someone from here. What did she say …” She was wearing a fur coat, and the man saw her sneaking around in the little park.
“It’s really scary.” Although she was still young and had not yet attended high school, but she had heard quite a lot about stealing from other people. She was also one of the more widespread problems in society today, and knew that it was usually traffickers who threw away boys, and it was said that it was very difficult to find them again, because these children would usually be sold to the more remote parts of the village, places where ideas were lacking. Some of the children could not be born, and some families that did not have boys would simply buy one.
If Xiao Ze was also kidnapped by a trafficker, it would be unimaginable for them since their parents would definitely go crazy. Thus, when he heard Wang Feng out of it, Jiayi didn’t hesitate to pull Xiao Ze up and leave.
“Elder sister, where are we going?”
Xiao Ze must have felt it was strange that he would not normally return home so early.
“I’m not playing today. Didn’t you hear what Uncle Wang said? With an old lady wearing a big leather jacket, who specially came to catch children as big as Xiao Ze, would Xiao Ze be afraid? ”
“I’m afraid.” Xiao Ze blurted out as he stared at his.
“That’s why we have to go home. It’s fine as long as we stay at home.”
“Oh, but… “There’s still big brother and big sister playing over there.” Through the forest, following the direction that Xiao Ze pointed, Jiayi saw that there was a man and a woman playing on the swing at the skating ladder in the small park. The two children looked slightly older than Xiao Ze, and they both wore yellow hats.
“They’re all going back to eat, too.” Jiayi casually made up a lie, but in her heart she thought: I really hope that I don’t hear about these two losing them in a few days.
The two of them returned home smoothly. Jiayi still had lingering fear in her heart, so she called his mother, who was a little nervous when she heard the news. Naturally, she told Xiao Ze not to go out, and would personally take care of Xiao Ze’s kindergarten.
Several days passed and the two siblings did not go out for a walk in the evening. Their father was still away on business and their mother was still busy. There were no more news of their child being taken away from the district, but it seemed that the two missing children could no longer be found.
Today was Saturday, so they didn’t have to go to school. Mom was in the hospital all day, at least until midnight. Jiayi casually brought Xiao Ze something to eat. Seeing that his brother was bored to death, Jiayi brought him to the center of the city square to take a walk. She thought that as long as they went to a lively place, they would be safe.
In the evening, the two returned home in high spirits. Jiayi suddenly remembered that there would be a reunion tonight, the birthday of a classmate of her who was also her best friend. She had to go, and coincidentally, her parents were not home, so Jiayi had wanted to take this opportunity to have a good time.
Normally speaking, leaving Xiao Ze alone at home would not be a big deal, but because of the recent special circumstances, not only was Xiao Ze worried, he was also worried that he would feel scared.
“Xiao Ze, sister has something to discuss with you.” After hesitating for a long time, Jiayi decided to participate in the gathering.
Jiayi believed that as long as they were at home, Xiao Ze would not be in danger.
“What?” Xiao Ze played with the wooden block as he replied absent-mindedly.
“Sister is going out to eat dinner tonight, I’ve made an appointment with a classmate. I’ll make Xiao Ze’s favorite sandwich and put in a cartoon for him. Once it’s 9, Xiao Ze will go to bed on his own, is that okay?”
Xiao Ze slowly raised his head and looked at Jiayi with an innocent gaze.
“When is elder sister coming back?”
“As soon as possible, maybe Xiao Ze still hasn’t fallen asleep, but Big Sis is already back.”
“Alright!” Although he was unwilling, Xiao Ze still agreed.
“So obedient, there’s more. Just like last time, you’re not allowed to tell Mommy about Big Sister going out.” Jiayi laughed slyly.
“En!”
Jiayi was overjoyed, she immediately made a sandwich for Xiao Ze, then opened the children’s channel’s program on TV. After everything was arranged, she changed her clothes and prepared to leave.
The moment he stepped out of his house, he saw Xiao Ze staring at him anxiously. Jiayi was still a little worried, and could only remind him:
“Oh yes, if there are any strangers knocking on the door, Xiao Ze must not open the door, remember?”
Xiao Ze nodded his head heavily.
When his sister closed the door, Xiao Ze immediately felt a sense of loneliness. He stood there for more than ten seconds before slowly returning to the living room.
After a pause, he got up and went to the kitchen to get his sister’s sandwich.
At this moment, he noticed that the light in the kitchen was not turned on. It was pitch black and looked somewhat eerie.
Xiao Ze unconsciously slowed his pace. The distance from the living room to the kitchen was very short, but he felt that it was incredibly long.
Finally, he found the light switch for the kitchen. After turning it on, the kitchen was instantly bright. After thinking for a moment, he turned on the bedroom, the bathroom, and the corridor lights.
Xiao Ze was finally relieved. He held the warm sandwich in his hand and sat on the sofa to eat it quietly.
It was different from normal times. When eating the sandwich, Xiao Ze did not dare to make too much noise, as if he was afraid that someone or something would hear him.
But he clearly knew that he was the only one left in the family.
While eating, Xiao Ze suddenly had the urge to cry. He was five years old, and logically speaking, he should have been a big child, but he was rarely left alone at home like tonight. Moreover, the recent events in the neighborhood had touched on some of his weak nerves, especially the name: leather-clad mother-in-law!
According to my sister, that mother-in-law will carry the child away. Will she come and carry me away?
This was a terrifying guess that had currently stopped in Xiao Ze’s mind.
At this moment, he had a nagging feeling that something was wrong at home. Moreover, it was strangely quiet. The place that he should have been most familiar with, however, was a place that he was extremely unfamiliar with.
After sitting in a daze for a long time, he began to watch the children’s program. However, he was still a bit absent-minded, and would look towards the door from time to time.
He wished so much for his mother, sister, and father to come back together now, to talk and laugh as they usually did.
When the clock struck eight, it was already eight in the evening. Xiao Ze just sat there, numb in his seat.
Just as he was looking around, suddenly, a light noise came from outside the door. Xiao Ze’s ears were perked up and his nerves were sensitive to the noise, causing him to instantly sit up straight.
The sound of the television was very soft, so Xiao Ze was able to quickly distinguish that it was the sound of a person’s footsteps.
However, Xiao Ze’s house was on the sixth floor, and it was already the highest floor of the building. Most importantly, his neighbor had moved out half a year ago, so Xiao Ze knew that there was only Xiao Ze’s house on the sixth floor.
In other words, the people who were going up to the sixth floor were definitely going towards Xiao Ze’s family.
Furthermore, Xiao Ze felt that it was strange that the person outside should have gone up the stairs instead of using an elevator. Otherwise, he would have been able to hear the sound of the elevator door opening and closing.
At this moment, the footsteps stopped. From the looks of it, the person was standing outside the door.
It was absolutely impossible for this person to be his parents or sister. If it were them, they would have opened the door and come in a long time ago.
The more Xiao Ze thought about it, the more afraid he became.
After a long while, this mysterious guest did not knock on the door, nor did he go downstairs. Xiao Ze did not know what this person wanted to do.
Another minute passed, Xiao Ze was still staring at the door, it was dead silent.
He decided to gather his courage and go to the gate to take a look.
He slowly moved his feet, moved a stool over, placed it in front of the door, stuck it close to the door and carefully stood up. Xiao Ze was not tall, this was the only way he could clearly see the situation outside through the small window above the door.
Xiao Ze held his breath, his small hands gently opened the window, he was hesitating, afraid that he would see something he shouldn’t have.
Outside, it was dark and still, the sound control light off.
Xiao Ze glanced at the door. Because it was too dark, he couldn’t see anything at first.
But in the next instant, in the darkness, an old woman’s face, coarse and ugly, appeared. It was a face, but it seemed more like a piece of rotten meat that emitted a fishy stench. There were scars all over her face, like countless earthworms wriggling. There was also her black, asymmetrical leather dress!
Xiao Ze was so shocked that he almost fell off the chair.
At the same time, a voice sounded in his mind: “Grandma Pi Yi!”
As expected, the leather-clothed old lady came to capture him! While his mother and sister weren’t home!
Xiao Ze had completely lost his square inch. The scene just now had caused his weak and young heart to be branded with a terrifying imprint that would never be erased.
After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Ze looked out of the window once again, he realised that the leather-robed granny had disappeared. While he was pondering, that rotten flesh-like face suddenly appeared from the darkness, and it was even closer to Xiao Ze this time.
Just at this time, he heard two soft knocking sounds coming from the door. Xiao Ze thought in his heart: There’s a knock on the door, Grandma Pi Yi is knocking, she’s going to take Xiao Ze away. Father, Mother, come back!
The knocking stopped after a while. Although it was impossible for Xiao Ze to open the door, he was afraid that Grandma Pi Yi would pry open the door and rush in. His mind was filled with the scene of her carrying him away from home.
Finally, Xiao Ze thought of an idea. It was the method his mother had taught him before to deal with strangers who came with ill intentions.
Xiao Ze immediately turned around and shouted towards the door: “Mom, Mom, don’t sleep!”
After a short pause, he added, “There seems to be someone outside.”
After he finished speaking, Xiao Ze watched the door silently and waited quietly.
These two sentences had almost exhausted his last bit of strength.
One second, two seconds, one minute, two minutes … Time passed slowly.
Xiao Ze’s method of pretending that his mother was home seemed to be very effective, as the knocking on the door never sounded again.
“…”
When Jiayi returned home, she saw Xiao Ze standing stiffly in front of the sofa, his eyes red and his expression nervous.
She felt that something was wrong and quickly asked:
“Xiao Ze, it’s already so late, why aren’t you sleeping? What happened? ”
Xiao Ze pursed his lips, at the moment, fear was mixed with grievance, he could not help but cry.
“Elder sister, I’m scared!”
After that, Xiao Ze told Jiayi everything that had happened. When Jiayi heard this, her entire body shivered, and she regretted leaving Xiao Ze alone at home.
Jiayi comforted Xiao Ze while thinking: Xiao Ze definitely wouldn’t lie, it seems like there really is an old lady wearing a big leather jacket, the two children I lost earlier were most likely related to her, it’s also true. If I stay at home and capture that old lady, I will have hope of finding those two children.
Due to being frightened, Jiayi coaxed Xiao Ze to sleep for a long time. For selfish reasons, Jiayi didn’t allow her to tell his mother about the Leather Nanny’s visit. After all, if his mother knew that Jiayi had let go of her brother and went to play, she would definitely be angry.
On the second Sunday, Jiayi decided to stay at home to accompany Xiao Ze.
Even after he had slept for a while, Xiao Ze was still nervous. From time to time, he would ask Jiayi if the Leather Nanny would come back again, and Jiayi would always try to distract him and make him happy.
In the afternoon, Jiayi still decided to make a trip to the security room to inform Wang Feng of what had happened last night.
“Xiao Ze, let’s go to Uncle Wang’s place together. Can you tell Uncle Wang about what happened last night again?”
“Yes, yes.” Xiao Ze nodded obediently.
After the siblings went downstairs, they immediately realized that the rain outside was heavier than they had expected. The sky was still overcast. It was only around three in the afternoon, but it seemed even darker than it usually was at six. It was simply depressing.
Jiayi held onto an umbrella with one hand and Xiao Ze with the other as she walked slowly towards the security room.
Suddenly, Xiao Ze released an “ah” sound of shock, and tightly grabbed onto Jiayi’s hand, and shouted: “Big sister, big sister, look! Look! ”
Jiayi was also startled by Xiao Ze’s shout. She immediately looked towards the direction where Xiao Ze was pointing towards and saw a hunchbacked old woman who was wearing a dome hat and a black leather jacket walking in front of a building. Her posture was extremely strange, but he was unable to tell what was wrong.
Because it was raining heavily, Jiayi could not see the other party’s appearance clearly. However, looking at Xiao Ze’s panicked expression, he guessed that it must be the leather-clothed granny.
Grandma Pi, who was also aware that she had been discovered, hastened her steps and ran towards a corner.
“Xiao Ze, this person is Grandma Piaomiao, right?” Jiayi confirmed.
Xiao Ze nodded with all his might.
“Alright, quickly go to Uncle Wang and call him over!”
Jiayi thought: This is such a good opportunity, I’ll see where you can escape to now.
Jiayi firmly believed that Grandma Piaomiao was related to the two missing children. If not because she was guilty, she would definitely not run away when she saw others.
Therefore, Jiayi threw the umbrella to Xiao Ze and chased after him. By this time, the leather-robed lady had already went around the corner.
Xiao Ze watched as his sister chased her all the way before turning a corner. Only until his sister disappeared from his sight did he slowly walk towards the security room.
As he walked, he would occasionally look around the corner to see if his sister had already caught hold of the leather-clothed old lady.
Unfortunately, Jiayi did not come back immediately.
Just then, Xiao Ze passed by the small park. The usually bustling and lively inside the small park, had become quiet and empty due to the heavy rain.
There was not a single person around. Rain was pouring down, washing away all the greenery.
Slowly, Xiao Ze heard footsteps behind him, as if someone was approaching him.
He stood still, and his whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Suddenly, Xiao Ze felt a strong power restraining her. A thick arm grabbed onto his waist and another hand quickly covered his mouth as they moved in one go.
Xiao Ze’s eyes were filled with tears, he did not even have the chance to shout.
He saw two people in front of him, both of whom looked familiar. They were the boys and girls that he saw last time he walked with his sister in the park.
They were both wearing yellow hats, as at that time, and the woman was wearing a flowery dress.
He clearly remembered that when his sister came home, she had said that she hoped that the two children wouldn’t be carried away by her.
But at such a close distance, Xiao Ze realised that the two in front of him were not children, but two ugly adult Dwarves that were only as short as children!
This was especially true for the female Dwarf. Her face was riddled with scars and she looked like countless worms crawling around. Xiao Ze recognized her at a glance.
Xiao Ze naturally did not know how these two traffickers had cleverly used their physique to disguise themselves as two children to scout the situation in the small district.
During the operation, the female Dwarf was mounted on the male Dwarf’s shoulder and wore a large black leather jacket. The two of them combined to form a leather-clothed mother-in-law.
Xiao Ze was their target that they had been eyeing for a long time.
Never would Jiayi have thought that after she was lured past a corner by two people, she would be swiftly abandoned due to the big leather jacket. What she saw were another two children, and Jiayi chose to continue chasing.
At this moment, the female Dwarf opened her big leather clothes and wrapped Xiao Ze up in one go.
“Alright, the third one!”
Oh no!