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The once vacant carriage, illuminated by the flash of my lantern, abruptly transformed into a nightmarish realm. Figures, drenched in fresh blood, sat or reclined in the seats, seemingly materializing out of thin air.

Most exhibited bloodstains, eyes shut, their pale complexion rendering it impossible to discern life from death. My breath hastened, mouth agape in nervous anticipation. Those individuals, dressed in antiquated Zhongshan suits, seemed to transcend time, surrounded by a chaotic tableau of half-consumed lunches, empty cans of luncheon meat, tobacco pipes, mahjong tiles, and military canteens – a scene reminiscent of a bygone era.

My adrenaline surged, my scalp tingling involuntarily. As my mind raced, questions flooded my thoughts. Were these the individuals who perished within the confines of this train all those years ago? Had they never departed this carriage?

My gaze shifted to the area where the seats were dismantled, revealing an organized array of numerous black iron boxes, intricately adorned with some delicate patterns and securely locked.

Simultaneously, a peculiar figure in the midst of the carriage captured my attention. Clad in cleanliness, arms crossed, head bowed with long hair concealing their face – a wig, the very same that had startled me earlier.

Tension gripped me, rendering my mind blank. I struggled to comprehend the situation. Suddenly, a grating "clank" shattered the eerie stillness. The scene before me dissolved like a mirage, returning the carriage to its uninhabited state in an instant.

A bewildering confusion enveloped me. Was I dreaming or experiencing a hallucination? The disconcerting sound of a second "creak" made me realize that this was the sound of reality. My gaze darted around, and through the glass of the connecting door, I spotted a towering figure in a dark green military coat stumbling towards me.

My heart plummeted, realizing all exits were sealed, and the only escape lay on the opposite side. I was too close; sprinting across wouldn't make it in time. Soon, that spectral entity would traverse the connecting passage, and I would confront it face-to-face.

Without hesitation, I hung the lantern on a rear seat, turned, and bent down under the opposite seats. This transpired in the blink of an eye. Just as I crouched down, a jarring "clank" echoed through the carriage as the door between the two compartments was forcefully opened.

Panic seized me as I realized this was a genuine sound in the present. I anxiously surveyed my surroundings, only to notice that the person or entity hadn't seen me. My relief was short-lived as the creature approached, its footsteps resonating in the quiet carriage.

Each step felt like a crushing weight on my chest, inducing cold sweat. I questioned the nature of the footsteps – rigid, unmistakably shod. Could this be a person? I contemplated the hidden intricacies of the events from those years ago. Were there individuals guarding this place?

In hesitation, contemplating whether to take a chance and confront this potential key to unraveling the past, a sudden recollection flashed in my mind. The monster we encountered in the underground chamber, known as a "Human Puppet," adorned itself with the clothing it stripped from the yellow-haired corpse. Back then, we speculated it was mimicking human behavior, possibly a result of human-to-monster transformation.

Considering the local climate, the wearer had no reason to don a heavy military coat. Realizing this, I immediately halted my movements, clinging to the ground. My mind raced, berating my recklessness. How could I face a Human Puppet, a creature even Han Sheng struggled against? It was a gamble with my life.

After a brief moment, the entity reached the middle of the carriage. I could now discern a deep, throaty breath, unmistakably inhuman. Grateful for my earlier restraint, I remained still, listening intently to the creature's movements.

In the quiet carriage, a monotonous sound echoed – a frictional drag, akin to something being pulled across the floor. Furrowing my brows, I strained to listen, the oddity of the noise intensifying. Cold sweat broke out as I suddenly realized the ventilation system in these old trains was lacking; air exchange occurred through a skylight in the restroom.

I swiftly raised my head, catching sight of what seemed like a face in the skylight. A cracked, skin-revealing arm extended downward, nearly grasping my head.

A startled gasp escaped me as I hastily swung the door open, fleeing the confined space. My mind blank, logic discarded, I ran towards the front of the train. In the darkness, an indistinct figure loomed ahead. Without contemplating the nature of the shape, I collided with it, the impact threatening to shatter my nose. Yet, oblivious to pain, my singular focus remained on escape.

The rhythmic "flapping" sound from behind indicated the creature descending from the train. Terrified, I abandoned all reason, using my phone to light the way. Stacks of large wooden crates filled the platform, bearing coded markings. In the distance, peculiar objects intrigued me, but time was a luxury I couldn't afford. Behind one of the crates, I noticed a ladder, hastily climbing it.

At its apex, a barrier confronted me. I tested it – it could be lifted, supporting my weight. I opened it, hoisted myself out, and illuminated the surroundings with my phone. Rows of filing cabinets met my gaze, a potential document room. In the corner, numerous snake-skin bags lay heaped, containing scattered sheets of paper.

Sensing vibrations in the ladder, I quickly closed the barrier, weighed it down with two snake-skin bags, and even toppled a row of cabinets for additional reinforcement.

After a brief wait, the ominous sounds ceased below. I cautiously descended from the cabinets, unwilling to linger. As I prepared to depart, peculiar objects along the wall captured my attention.