"It's just a minor issue. We're a team, how can I leave one person at the hotel!" Gao Mingqiang said sternly, patting his chest forcefully.
"Alright, but don't yell later, okay? That mental hospital is really creepy!" I made a face. Gao Mingqiang said indifferently, "Team Leader, nothing can scare me, Gao!"
I rolled my eyes and turned to tell everyone to get in the car. We drove directly to the vicinity of the Anxi Mental Hospital. It's said that one must pass through a small forest to enter the hospital. Zhang Keying and Xie Chuchu were also here this time, but they were both quiet on the way.
After getting out of the car, Zhang Keying became a bit more lively. "This place really gives off a horror movie vibe!"
"It's alright. It's late at night, with mist everywhere, and I can hear some animal sounds," Xie Chuchu replied.
We took out our flashlights and gripped our police handguns with our other hands. Although we were all well-trained police officers, facing the absurdly silent forest and the strange sounds, our hearts still beat a little faster.
We hadn't even entered the Anxi Mental Hospital yet, and we were already scared. I wondered what would happen inside. We gradually advanced towards a low building in the middle, which should be the Anxi Mental Hospital. Gao Mingqiang seemed to be the first to notice something and shouted out. I quickly covered his mouth. "Don't get excited!"
This guy is truly a handful. If there were still people in the mental hospital, you would scare away all the suspects by making such a noise. Gao Mingqiang immediately fell silent when he understood my meaning. I chided him, "When will you ever grow a spine?"
"Sorry, Team Leader He, I'll improve slowly!"
"Forget it, stop fooling us. It's been years and you're still such a coward!" He Xin said disdainfully.
"I'm practicing slowly! I'll be brave soon!"
"Alright, you lead the way this time. Going to Anxi Mental Hospital is a great practical opportunity."
"Uh, this..."
I knew Gao Mingqiang didn't have the guts, but he still braced himself and walked in front of us, constantly covering his eyes with his hands and making up excuses about sand getting into his eyes.
We didn't pay much attention to Gao Mingqiang's reaction, as we were getting closer to the mental hospital. The originally low building gradually became taller, and it looked dilapidated. Compared to the pictures, the Anxi Mental Hospital in reality looked even more mysterious and eerie. The surrounding walls had cracks, and you could vaguely see inside without even entering. The windows were covered with thick, dusty planks, some of which were broken and reassembled. The main gate seemed to be ajar, and the steps had signs of bricks being pried open. In front of the mental hospital, there was a road barrier sign from the Anxi Town police, stating: "Dangerous Area, No Entry."
There were also police cordon lines set up by the Anxi Town police, but most of them were fallen, likely destroyed by Da Xingren and his assistants earlier. There were also many footprints around, very messy. A rough count indicated that at least five people had been here.
Excluding Da Xingren and his group, had others come here before, according to past rumors? But judging by the depth of the footprints, these were recently left.
Gao Mingqiang took photos here. Xia Hou, as if unafraid, went to push the mental hospital's main gate, but for some reason, he froze outside the door, completely unresponsive. I quickly went to his side and was about to touch him when he suddenly said, "Something is looking at me from inside!"
"What?" I immediately pulled Xia Hou away and pushed the door open with all my might. A deep and long corridor appeared before us. The floor was covered with shredded paper, as well as many medical supplies, empty syringes, infusion bottles, or various mixed medicinal liquids. The pungent smell of decay and medicine was particularly sharp. Anyone with rhinitis would immediately feel extremely uncomfortable here.
"Our mission this time is to find Da Xingren and the others. I believe they are definitely still here, we just don't know where they've been hidden."
"Bizarre disappearances are mostly due to people being taken away. I don't believe in ghosts or gods," I said, and He Xin agreed.
"Follow me closely, don't get lost, especially you, Gao Mingqiang!"
"Team Leader, I won't be scared!"
Gao Mingqiang said this on the surface, but his legs were involuntarily trembling. I didn't say anything more, just shook my head and took a step forward. Then, I suddenly remembered something and turned my head in surprise towards Xia Hou. "What did you just say?"
"Someone is inside the mental hospital!"
"Let's go find them!" I raised my weapon and took a few more steps forward. The others slowly followed. Zhang Keying didn't seem scared at all and also held a gun with us. Although she's a forensic doctor, she can carry a gun in emergencies, and they have special privileges in our Punishment Team.
As we walked, Zhang Keying suddenly brought up the incident where she was held hostage last time. "Brother He Sheng, I haven't thanked you yet!"
"Let's not talk about the past. It's all over. But you were very brave that time."
"Of course. I knew he wouldn't do anything to me. He was just bluffing."
"No wonder, you saw through him early on!"
"You two are something else, still in the mood to chat at a time like this!"
Gao Mingqiang suddenly complained. We all immediately concentrated and stopped talking. I don't know where we were at this point, but the floor in front of us was sunken. It seemed that walking across would not be easy. Xia Hou and Xie Chuchu observed the ground. "We can only walk sideways. Look, there's a path on the side, and there are footprints on the top. It's likely Da Xingren and his group passed through here!"
The two of them said it in unison, as if they had a telepathic connection, which almost made us laugh. But under the circumstances, no one could laugh.
Xia Hou and Xie Chuchu turned their heads away, trying to mask their embarrassment with complex smiles. For some reason, Gao Mingqiang was a bit annoyed. "What's wrong with you two, walking so close?"
"What's wrong, Mingqiang?" Xia Hou asked, confused.
"If you want to go, hurry up, don't dawdle!" Gao Mingqiang said unhappily, as if he were the bravest one. He sidled along the wall, moving like a crab across this section.