The deceased were all drowned, exactly like the院长 described, yet no signs of water were found in the mental asylum, nor were there any lakes or rivers nearby.
To this day, the police haven't figured out what happened at the Anxi Mental Asylum. And us, today...
What's happening? Where's the cameraman?
Mr. A Long! Mr. A Long's body...
Don't come any closer! Please! Don't come any closer! I was wrong! I was wrong! Isn't that enough? Don't come closer, *waaaah*!
It seems we shouldn't have come here...
The scene was extremely chaotic, tearing apart with waves of water filling the screen. A large amount of blood splashed onto the screen, and finally, a massive, tearing maw opened, revealing a deep throat!
The image cut off there. Not to mention others, even I felt an indescribable terror. How could this happen?
I said, "Is this special effects?"
"No, we investigated Da Xing Ren, and he and several people from the television station have gone missing!"
"Did they go to the mental asylum to look for them?"
"No one dares to go there. You know? I investigated the information about Anxi Town. Rumor has it that the Anxi police also had an accident. Several police officers committed suicide by hanging themselves after going to the mental asylum. And their director also showed signs of drowning!"
"What did you say??"
I shuddered, every nerve in my body tensing. If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I would have thought this was just a horror movie. I asked He Xin to send me an address, which was indeed the address of the Anxi Town Mental Asylum. I refused to believe that there were unexplainable terrifying events in this world; it must be that some sinister secret was hidden. Knowing my resolve, He Xin didn't hesitate and sent me the coordinates of Anxi Town.
"Captain Liu can't be with us for now, but everyone don't be sad. Gao Mingqiang, Xiahou, Xiao Yuande. Well, He Xin will replace Captain Liu. How about it?"
"Dad, I'm fine, but do we really have to go to this mental asylum?"
"Of course, is everyone afraid?"
Gao Mingqiang stammered, "Uh, I've heard of this place before. It's very eerie. That, uh..."
"I don't mind. All those terrifying rumors are just hearsay," Xiao Yuande said nonchalantly, his arms crossed.
Xiahou clenched his fists. "I'm actually a bit interested in this case."
He Xin also stood up and said, "Since everyone is so driven, I won't back down either!"
"But you forgot, there were police officers who went there before..."
I took out a police baton and glared fiercely at Gao Mingqiang, slamming it onto his desk. "From now on, if anyone wants to quit, then I'm sorry, there will be no place for them in the Punishing Sin Group!"
As soon as I finished speaking, no one dared to utter another word.
First, I had Shao Zhengzhi and others investigate the information on Da Xing Ren and Mr. A Long. Then, I dispatched officers to conduct interviews. However, the technical police couldn't find the physical IP address that mailed this video. It was estimated that the other party's hacking skills were also very strong. Of course, if it were that easy to find, they wouldn't have sent it. They must have had foolproof methods to have such audacity.
I asked Shao Zhengzhi to continue following up, while other officers handled other matters. We drove to Anxi Town by noon that day.
I didn't know until I got here that the entire Anxi Town was shrouded in a dead silence and oppression. The faces of the people seemed to be covered with layers of gloom that couldn't be shaken off.
I went into a convenience store and asked the salesperson some questions. The salesperson answered perfunctorily, as if devoid of life.
For some reason, seeing these expressionless people, Gao Mingqiang couldn't help but feel scared again. "These aren't also..."
"Don't scare yourself!" I chided. Just then, an uncle entered the convenience store and bought several packs of cigarettes. I could see that his expression was relatively relaxed. As he walked out of the convenience store, I intercepted him and showed him my police badge.
"Ah, provincial police? You're not here to investigate the Anxi Town Mental Asylum, are you?"
"Yes, uncle, why do the others look so worried?"
"Alas, something has happened at the mental asylum again. How can people be at ease? This damned place never stops being troublesome. Almost a few people go missing every year."
"Every year?" I was surprised.
"Yes, and it's said to be on the same day, July 9th."
I looked at the time; it was July 10th. I had seen the date of the video was the 9th. This meant that after the terrifying event yesterday, that person sent us the video. I wondered if this person was also at the scene? Otherwise, how could they film the scene at that time? If they were at the scene, haven't they escaped yet?
Thinking of this, a chill ran down my spine.
Seven years ago was July 9th, and it was this day again this year. I asked the uncle about this matter, "Aren't these things separated by seven years?"
"No, from 2015 to now, I don't know if it's a coincidence, but almost every July 9th, some people, as if not afraid of death, arrive inside the mental asylum. They have many reasons, but the final outcome is always disappearance. No one has found them, and even their bodies have vanished. Since these things happen every year, the people in our town become particularly nervous during these days. Look at everyone's dejected mood."
"Yes, uncle, why don't you look nervous?" He Xin said beside me.
"Haha, I'm a Buddhist, you know?"
"Ah, I see!"
After chatting with us for a few more sentences, the uncle left. After leaving the convenience store, we discussed what to do. I planned to find a hotel first, and everyone agreed.
After resting, I saw that it was getting late. I decided to go to the mental asylum under the cover of night.
I sent a message in the group chat. Gao Mingqiang was the first to reply: "Uh, going in the middle of the night?"
"If you're scared, you can stay at the hotel and watch our luggage!"
"Hmph, Team Leader, you underestimate me too much! Am I that disloyal? But I suddenly feel unwell! I don't know if it's because I ate too many snacks earlier..."
I covered my forehead. Although I was speechless, I let it go. I called the others. When we got downstairs, I found Gao Mingqiang had also come down. I deliberately teased him, "Didn't you say you were unwell?"