Lost in the Otherworld

Around seven in the evening, the sky had darkened. Officer Huang roused the four resting companions, and under the cover of darkness, they quietly made their way to the graveyard on the western side of the village.

During the day, it hadn’t seemed eerie, but at night, the burial grounds took on an oppressive, sinister atmosphere. Fatty Jun, who was notoriously timid, turned pale and trembled uncontrollably. Despite walking in the middle of the group, he was still overcome with fear, jumping at every rustle in the wind.

With a flick of her wrist, Qing Ling summoned the shovel back from the tree branch, catching it deftly in her hand. “Who’s up?”

“I’ll do it!” Wang Zikai took the shovel, marched to Huazi’s grave, and began to dig vigorously.

While the grave was being dug, the other four stood guard, prepared to kill if any villagers appeared. Fortunately, no one came.

True to his formidable strength, Wang Zikai finished quickly, wiping the sweat from his brow and tossing the shovel aside. “Done!”

The group approached the pit. Under the faint moonlight, the coffin, half-covered in soil, emitted an eerie, cold aura. They exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to open it.

“You’re all such cowards,” Wang Zikai sneered, eager to act. “Move aside! I’ve got this!”

“No need,” Gao Yang stopped him. Not knowing what was inside, it was better to be cautious. He picked up the shovel, wedging it into the crack of the coffin lid before swiftly retreating. He glanced at Qing Ling, “Can you handle it?”

“It’s heavy, but I’ll give it a try.”

Qing Ling stretched out her hands. “Metal!” The shovel wedged in the coffin began to tremble as an invisible force pried it open. At this moment, Officer Huang drew his gun, and Gao Yang brandished his dagger, ready for whatever might come.

“Bang!” The lid finally gave way, creaking open.

Instinctively, everyone took two steps back, their hearts pounding in their chests.

A few tense seconds passed, but the expected danger didn’t emerge. The coffin remained deathly quiet, and even the stench of decay was absent.

The group exchanged wary looks before slowly approaching the pit and peering into the coffin. They were stunned.

The coffin wasn’t empty, but there was no supernatural force at play either. Huazi’s entire family lay inside—but all that remained were their bleached bones.

Gao Yang shone his flashlight in, counting. There were only four skulls. It seemed the bride’s head was still missing.

“That’s it?” Wang Zikai muttered in disappointment. “I thought it’d be more exciting!”

“Hasn’t Huazi’s family only been dead for less than ten days?” Qing Ling asked. “How could they have turned to bones already?”

“The police only returned the bodies three days ago,” Officer Huang said, frowning. “It’s only April. No matter how fast they decompose, it’s impossible for them to be reduced to skeletons.”

“Could the bodies have been eaten?” Fatty Jun speculated.

Gao Yang shook his head. “It doesn’t look like something ate them.”

“Hmm, it looks more like...” Officer Huang paused, “...they’ve been dead for a long time.”

A cold wind blew, rustling the leaves. Gao Yang felt a chill run down his spine.

“Let’s go,” Gao Yang said.

“What’s wrong?” Qing Ling asked.

“Let’s just get out of here,” Gao Yang’s expression darkened. “I think I know what’s going on.”

“Should we restore the grave?” Officer Huang asked.

“Leave it,” Gao Yang said, eager to leave immediately.

Without delay, the group quickly departed from the graveyard.

Around eight o’clock, many households in Gujia Village still had their lights on. The group carefully avoided the villagers and sneaked into Huazi’s house. Gao Yang immediately sealed the doors and windows, not even daring to turn on their flashlights this time.

“Brother, what’s going on? Stop keeping us in suspense!” Wang Zikai was growing impatient.

“I’ll start with the conclusion,” Gao Yang said in a low voice. “We haven’t traveled back thirty years to the Gujia Village of the past, nor have we entered some otherworld or dream realm.”

In the darkness, everyone held their breath, waiting for him to continue.

Gao Yang took a deep breath. “This... is the Gujia Village from thirty years ago.”