Kaleidoscope of Death

Chapter 104: Paying Debts

Kaleidoscope of Death by Xi Zixu

After Lin Qiushi spoke, Zhou Hanshans gaze fell upon the sculpture, and he didnt speak for a long while.

The sculptures tears had dried, its eyes returning to the immovable blankness of before. It was as if the hint it gave them just now had only been an illusion.

Gu Longming bent forward and picked up the wooden figure. He stared at the doll in his hand and asked, Zhou Hanshan, for real, how long were you and Zhu Ruyuan lovers?

Half a year, Zhou Hanshan answered. He headed to a corner of the storage room and grabbed a random bench. Without any care for the layer of dust on it, he took a seat. We usually met up during club activitiesShe said she was busy with school, and I said I completely understood.

He used to complain about love making people foolish, but found now that it was indeed the truth. Even the way they met was filled with incongruitytruly knowing and loving each other wasnt up for debate at all.

The very beginning of this story had been a mistake. But he was foolish. He drew out this mistake and paid a painful price for it.

Lin Qiushi listened to Zhou Hanshan talk but he didnt pick up the thread of conversation. It was only when Zhou Hanshan finished that he said, lets make a wish tonight.

What?

Zhou Hanshan thought hed heard wrong at first, but after seeing Lin Qiushis calm expression, he realized that Lin Qiushi really did say what he said.

You meanwere making another wish of this sculpture?

Theres not much time left. Lin Qiushi held out the shattered doll in his hand. You dont want to become like this, do you?

Their wooden dolls were all broken. They could run but they couldnt hide, not forever; something could happen at any moment to take all their lives.

So leaving this world and ending it all was the best option, though coming to such a decision wasnt an easy matter at all.

I dont sense any malice from it. You? Lin Qiushi was looking at the sculpture in front of him.

In the present moment, the sculpture was already very much like a person. Whether it was body warmth or the texture of its skin, it was rapidly approaching humanity. Zhou Hanshan stared at the sculpture for a while. Then, all of a sudden, he got up and pressed his cheek to the sculptures chest. Moments later, his face went pale, and he looked over his shoulder at Lin Qiushi.

Lin Qiushi could guess what he was thinking from his expression alone.

Indeed, Zhou Hanshans next words were: I hear a heartbeat.

Gu Longming startled, a heartbeat?

The shock had already made Zhou Hanshan numb. He said, thats right, a heartbeat.

Watching the sculpture, he carefully caressed her cheek with his hand.

Is she about to become human

Though this was a question, everybody knew well that in a few days time, the sculpture in front of them could very likely become human. They just didnt know that for her to come alive, what sort of price needed to be paid.

Lin Qiushi had already decided to stay in the activity room that night to make another wish.

Sitting in the activity room, Zhou Hanshan was inscrutably silent.

Lin Qiushi played sudoku, and Gu Longming had his head bowed inspecting the doll in his hand. The atmosphere in the room was tense and nerve-wracking.

In the middle of things, Lin Qiushi and Gu Longming went to the bathroom together. On the way there, Gu Longming asked, whats on your mind, Yu Linlin?

Lin Qiushi said, Im thinking about Zhou Hanshan.

What are you thinking about him for? Gu Longmings current impression of Zhou Hanshan was vastly different from before, because frankly, he was the catalyst of everything that happened. If he didnt go falling in love with Zhu Ruyuan, then this situation might never have happened.

Right, Lin Qiushi said. Do you think hes still lying about something?

Gu Longming nodded.

Everybody had secrets. But some of these secrets might be kept all the way up until the moment of death.

When evening comes, you should be careful, Lin Qiushi said. I dont think making a wish will be that easy.

Will that person try to stop us? Gu Longming asked.

Lin Qiushi looked down as he washed his hands. Cold water ran down the neat lines of his palms.

Are you talking about Zhu Ruyuan, or do you mean Zhou Hanshan?

"Zhou Hanshan? Gu Longming didnt understand. Why would he stop us from making a wish?

Because maybe our wish and his are contradictory. Lin Qiushi shut the water off and grabbed a paper towel to dry his hands. Do you remember where we met Zhou Hanshan?

In the classroomHang on, those three Gu Longming suddenly thought of somethinghe remembered what the three students were doing in the classroom. Those three were making another wish too??

Yeah. Lin Qiushis lips moved up into a faint curve. Say, how much do you think this Zhou Hanshan is actually hiding from us?

The bisected Xiao He, the beheaded friend, plus the surviving Zhou Hanshanwhen he and Gu Longming first met the three, they were in the classroom smearing blood onto their wooden figures. According to Zhou Hanshan, bleeding on the dolls was part of the wishing process, but there was an obvious hole in the logic herethere had been no sculpture in the classroom.

If everything were as Zhou Hanshan said, however, and they made wishes to the sculpture, then why were those three doing the ritual inside the classroom? Either the wishes didnt actually have any effect, or the sculpture didnt.

Actually, Zhou Hanshan is not the only survivor left in the school, Lin Qiushi said. Remember the librarian?

I do. Gu Longmings mind was a jumbled mess, but he kept feeling like in all these interlocking clues, there was a vital point, and that point was where to begin parsing all this. The librarianDo you mean

Hes still alive, Lin Qiushi said. And he has that doll too. This indicates that Zhou Hanshan is indeed lying.

Gu Longming chuckled, pained. I feel like Im doing a really difficult math problem.

Lin Qiushi flipped a palm up.

A math problem would be way easier than this. We just havent thought through a lot of the details yet. The librarian is still alive, which is proof of one thing.

What? Gu Longming could only ask.

Making a wish doesnt kill you, Lin Qiushi said. It might be true that you have to pay a price, but that price isnt necessarily your life.

Upon this realization, Gu Longming fell into a beat of silence.

Then why did they

Im beginning to suspect that the sculpture and Zhu Ruyuan arent the same things at all, Lin Qiushi said. The sculpture grants wishes, and the resentful spirit goes on killing sprees. Of course, this is all just a guess, and I dont have any evidence.

Gu Longming, thats why you want to make a wish?

He had been pondering why Lin Qiushi wanted to make a wish to the sculpture. Now, it was clear that there was something Lin Qiushi wanted to prove.

Yes, Lin Qiushi said. By night, all the mysteries will be solved. Keep an eye on Zhou Hanshan when the time comes.

Okay, Gu Longming nodded.

Lets go. Lin Qiushi was done, but found Gu Longming still staring at him. He felt a bit strange. What are you looking at me for?

I just think youve changed a lot, Gu Longming said. After going into the door with me, have you gone into many more doors?

Not at all, Lin Qiushi said. I only went into one low-level door with a friendWhat is it? He found Gu Longmings question odd.

Nothing. Then you improve really fast, Gu Longming said. Compared to last time, youre even better now. With a sigh, maybe some people really are just naturally suited to the doors.

Lin Qiushis eyebrow twitched up. He didnt think hed hear this from Gu Longming as well. Though Ruan Nanzhu had said something similar to him in the past, he hadnt felt any particular way about it. Hed thought that it was purely Ruan Nanzhus way of encouraging a newbie.

When the two returned to the room, they saw Zhou Hanshan with his face plastered to a table, looking listless.

Glancing at the time, Lin Qiushi said, come on, we can grab some lunch.

Im not hungry, Zhou Hanshan said. I dont really want to eat.

Gu Longming, then youre not scared of being here alone?

Zhou Hanshan thought about it, and did still seem scared. He said, alright. A busy cafeterias a bit more comforting.

They all had things on their minds. There was no joy to be had in eating right now. At the cafeteria Lin Qiushi spotted Zuo Sisi, and after some thought, he went over and greeted her.

What are you up to? Zuo Sisi asked. Havent seen you all morning. And I was looking for you too.

Activity room, Lin Qiushi said. Is something the matter?

Zuo Sisi glanced beside them.

Do you know who that NPC youre bringing around is?

Lin Qiushi said, what about him?

Zhou Hanshan seemed to have discovered something in her investigations and came specifically to tell Lin Qiushi. She said, His name is Zhou HanshanHe was really close to the group of dead kids.

Lin Qiushi nodded his understanding.

His classmates said he was dating a girl named Zhu Ruyuan. Seeing Lin Qiushis placid attitude, Zuo Sisi lowered her voice further. But Ive looked into it. Theres no fourth year named Zhu Ruyuan at all.

Thank you, Lin Qiushi said. Thats right, Zhu Ruyuan isnt a fourth year.

Then what year is she in? Zuo Sisis eyes were wide.

Shes dead. After some contemplation, Lin Qiushi still told this to Zuo Sisi.

Zuo Sisis expression twitched. Are you serious?

Lin Qiushi, yeah.

Zuo Sisi, then why are you so calm about it? A thin layer of goosebumps had appeared on her arms when she heard this news.

It isnt that. Ive already been scared.

Zuo Sisi sighed: Fine, youre still better at this. It took me so much to find that info, but you guys already knew about itThe door and key? Youve got clues about that?

Lin Qiushi, only a bit.

Zuo Sisi knew their group for sure had more information on that as well, but the two of them werent close enough to casually swap intel, so very sensibly, she didnt ask. She only had Lin Qiushi be careful of Zhou Hanshan, mentioning that something might be off about this NPC.

After thanking her, Lin Qiushi returned to his table.

What are you wishing for tonight? Zhou Hanshan had no appetite, stabbing at the rice in his plate with a chopstick as he asked.

What wish do you think would be suitable? Lin Qiushi asked.

For all of this to end quickly, of course. Zhou Hanshan was dead on his feet. I cant take anymore of this.

Alright, Lin Qiushi said. Lets have this all end quickly then.

Time spent waiting was always long. Night, which came so quickly on all the other days, felt years away today.

The three waited and waited in the activity room. Lying down on the table, Zhou Hanshan even fell asleep.

Lin Qiushi didnt dare rest. The broken wooden figure in front of him was a reminder that an accident could happen at any moment. When that thing wanted you dead, it hardly cared whether you were resting or not.

It began to rain outside. The hour hand looped around and around until it was finally 8PM.

The sky grew dark. Whistling winds brought with them rainwater as they poured through the edges of the windows. Glancing at his watch, Lin Qiushi made eye contact with Gu Longming. It was about time.

Lin Qiushi nudged the sleeping Zhou Hanshan awake.

Time to get up, its dark out.

Zhou Hanshan jumped, pushing himself up off the table. He mumbled, I had a dream.

What did you dream about? Gu Longming asked him.

I dreamt of my friends, Zhou Hanshan said. They said they missed me.

He swiped down his face with a hand.

Ialso miss them. Then he began to chuckle, in pain. I might be joining them real soon.

Gu Longming didnt answer, just patted his shoulder in comfort.

When night fully descended, they went into the storage room and pushed the sculpture out.

The sculpture was still unmoving, just with the body heat and feel of a human. This enveloped the statue in all sorts of weird feelings, and Zhou Hanshan carefully touched it, mumbling about how it wasnt going to turn human, right? If it really turned human, what were they supposed to do?

Lin Qiushi said, can we make the wish now?

Yes, Zhou Hanshan said. Cut your finger and rub your blood on the wooden doll. Then make your wish at the sculpture He looked to Lin Qiushi. What are you going to wish for?

But Lin Qiushi didnt answer. The dagger hed taken from his pocket and gotten ready over his finger suddenly halted.

What? Zhou Hanshan asked.

Lin Qiushi looked down at the ground.

There were three people total in the room. Since dinner, they had not gone back out, and this rain had started after they ate. But now, there was an extra set of watery footprints in the room. These footprints came from the door all the way to their feet, and judging by the size, they belonged to a woman.

Just like what Lin Qiushi saw in the classroom before, there was an extra person in the room. They simply couldnt see her.

After a pause, Lin Qiushi handed the dagger in his hand to Zhou Hanshan. He said, you first.

Zhou Hanshan startled. He didnt seem to expect Lin Qiushis reaction.

But Ive already made a wish.

Lin Qiushi, who said you cant make two?

I dont know what to wish for? Zhou Hanshan seemed a bit panicked. I

Lin Qiushi watched his eyes, and said, Zhou Hanshan, what did you actually wish for back then?

Zhou Hanshan, I

Dont lie, Lin Qiushi said. If you lie, Ill smash this sculpture right in front of you.

As he spoke, he approached the statue. He didnt seem like he was kidding at all.

Zhou Hanshan went silent. His expression was too complex, and he looked like he was jumping to say something.

Make the wish. Lin Qiushis voice was very light, but nobody thought he was joking around. Wish for all of this to end.

Dagger in hand, Zhou Hanshans face grew inscrutable.

Gu Longming too detected the change in Zhou Hanshans attitude. Frowning in suspicion, he kept staring at Zhou Hanshan and called out his name: Zhou Hanshan?

Zhou Hanshan smiled. He set the dagger down and said, in an even tone of voice: You know everything already, right?

Lin Qiushi sighed. His guess really did come true. Zhou Hanshan was still keeping something from them, and held a very important role in this entire situation.

Gu Longming also saw Zhou Hanshans turn, and instinctively spat out a curse.

Lin Qiushi said, Zhou Hanshan, let me guess, the wish you made back then really hasnt come truebut, its almost come true, right?

Zhou Hanshan was impassive. Compared to the cowardly, nervous version of him, this Zhou Hanshan seemed like a completely different person.

Did you get nervous? Lin Qiushi asked. When you realized the way your wish was being granted was different than you imagined?

Zhou Hanshan let out a long sigh.

I really hate dealing with smart people. He got up off the chair and went to the sculpture, gently caressing the sculptures skin with one hand. Thats right, its different than I thought. SoI cant die.

He twisted over and looked at Lin Qiushi.

Ill have to trouble you two to die for me instead.

After he said this, a wild gust of wind whipped into the room. The lights above their heads creaked and groaned on the verge of extinguishing.

Lin Qiushi heard the sticky sound of water. Whipping around, he saw Zhu Ruyuan standing right behind him. She wore a long dress, and out of her pallid face, vicious eyes glared at Lin Qiushi. The water she left behind was all morphing into red blood.

Gu Longming jumped at her sudden appearance and reflexively took a few steps back.

But Lin Qiushi remained calm. He tucked a hand casually into his own pocket, and when he pulled it out, there was a smear of blood on his fingertip. He rubbed the blood on the wooden figure in his hand and said aloud his wish: I wish that Zhou Hanshans wish can never come true.

At first, Zhou Hanshan was still calm. But when he heard what Lin Qiushi said his face immediately turned. With a roar, he lunged at Lin Qiushi with the dagger.

How dare you

Lin Qiushi reacted at top speed. He dodged Zhou Hanshans attack, and then landed a kick on Zhou Hanshans hand, socking the dagger out of his grip.

Zhou Hanshan was frail to begin with. Gu Longming was out of the question, but he stood no chance even against Lin Qiushi.

Lin Qiushi landed a punch in his gut and shoved him to the floor. Behind Lin Qiushi, Zhu Ruyuans mouth cracked open into a hideous smile.

She said, as you wish.

No!!! Zhou Hanshan screamed.

Then, the sound of stone breaking came rang all throughout the room. Lin Qiushi looked up and saw that the sculpture beside them had begun to crack into little pieces.

Zhou Hanshan threw himself onto the sculpture, howling and weeping as he tried to protect it with his hands, to piece it back together again. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldnt keep the sculpture from falling apart. Zhou Hanshan gathered the pieces into his arms and wept in abject despair.

So close. We were so, so close

Lin Qiushi just watched him.

Gu Longmings expression was a lot more complicated. He said, so what did you doWere you exchanging your friends lives for something?

Zhou Hanshan didnt answer Gu Longmings question. All of his attention was on the sculpture in front of him. The sculpture had completely broken, and when Lin Qiushi approached, he found among the pieces a green copper key.

Even though hed already figured this to be so, when he saw the actual key, Lin Qiushi still let out a breath of relief.

Zhou Hanshan sat numbly on the floor, cradling the sculpture in his arms.

Zhu Ruyuans wish was for the sculpture to have soul. Your wish was to be together with Zhu Ruyuan, Lin Qiushi said to Zhou Hanshan as he picked up the key. There were two ways for you to be together. One, you die. Two, she becomes human. You chose the latter.

Zhou Hanshan lifted his head, watching Lin Qiushi in silence.

Lin Qiushi, the one who can grant the wishes likely isnt Zhu Ruyuan, but that sculptureright?

Zhou Hanshans shoulders were shaking. As if in tears, but also as if in laughter.

Lin Qiushi said, your wish never was to win the awardso there is no paradox. The price they paid was simply part of their friends bill.

How could reviving a dead person possibly be that easy?

Lin Qiushi even suspected that Zhu Ruyuans sculpture had gained its own soul as well. The soul looked exactly like Zhu Ruyuan, was the thing. The one granting Zhou Hanshans wish was that thing.

It wanted to kill me. Zhou Hanshan looked exhausted. Because it couldnt grant my wish.

The soul was still missing a part. Without that part, Zhu Ruyuan could never become human.

No. Lin Qiushi dropped the key into his own pocket. Have you never thought that its Zhu Ruyuan whos trying to kill you?

Zhou Hanshan froze.

Maybe she doesnt want you to keep going down that path, Lin Qiushi said. Do you think she was happy, being changed from a statue to a person?

Zhou Hanshan looked down at the broken pieces in his arms.

Of course, this is all just a guess, Lin Qiushi said.

After this, he spoke at Gu Longming: Lets go.

Gu Longming nodded and headed out with Lin Qiushi. When the two got to the door, however, they heard a muffled groan from inside. Lin Qiushi looked back, and saw Zhou Hanshan lying in a pool of blood. A sharp dagger was buried in his stomach.

It wasnt a startling sight. Just an uncomfortable one.

Gu Longming sighed, and Lin Qiushi turned back around. He left the room with no hesitation in his footsteps.

Everybody had to pay for their actions somehow. Zhou Hanshan got all of his friends killedwhether intentional or not, it was a debt that he had to pay off.