Chapter 3 Photos that cannot be developed

As I draw closer to the truth, This is also the moment when fear is closest to me. I am truly terrified that my suspicions may prove true. Yet, I have come to Er Gouzi specifically to verify that they are not – that everything is merely an illusion of my mind. Located at the eastern end of town, his photography studio is but a brief, fifteen-minute bicycle ride from my home.

During this period of sluggish business for the studio, upon my arrival, I find Er Gouzi absorbed in his headphones, fixatedly staring at his computer screen, oblivious to my entrance. Stealthily, I sneak up behind him and abruptly peer over his shoulder at the display, only to be confronted by a Japanese adult film in full swing.

"Who the hell is it?!" Startled, Er Gouzi jumps to his feet, eyes locking onto me as an awkward expression washes over his face. "Ah, Brother Sheng, what brings you here? This is a new release…"

I can't help but let out a bitter smile, never imagining that even after marriage, Er Gouzi would still indulge in such content early in the morning. Recalling his wife's figure, I can only shake my head in disbelief. Suddenly remembering my grandfather's matter, he consoles me, "Brother , I've heard about Uncle Lin's situation. Please accept my condolences."

Without further ado, Er Gouzi promptly hits the power button to shut down the computer. Initially intending to tease him a bit, I lose all inclination to do so as thoughts of my grandfather weigh heavily on my mind. Sensing my unease, Er Gouzi inquires, "Brother , is there something specific you came here for today?"

After a moment's contemplation, I pose the question, "Er Gouzi , do you believe in ghosts?"

"Ghosts? Did you tell me that you saw your grandfather turn into a ghost?? Is there some injustice surrounding his death, asking you to seek vengeance on his behalf?" At the mere mention of ghosts, Er Gouzi's mind races with ideas, bombarding me with questions. I remember now how he had an affinity for horror films since middle school; once, he skipped class to watch one at the local video arcade, ultimately getting caught and receiving a brutal thrashing from his father, suspended from a tree.

"No, no," I hurriedly clarify, briefly recounting the incident with the photographs. He grows visibly tense, taking the camera from me with a trembling hand and examining each picture, chuckling as he remarks, "Brother , you looked so childish when you were young! And where are those things you mentioned? I don't see any!"

Once he has finished reviewing the photos, he hands the camera back to me, leaving me utterly perplexed. In a hushed tone, I ask, "Didn't you notice anything unusual in the pictures?"

With a casual shrug, he replies, "There's nothing like what you described, Brother . I think you're just too preoccupied with your grandfather's passing. Take some time to rest and recover after this ordeal."

I scrutinize the photographs again, noticing that the shadowy presence seems weaker than the previous night. After a moment's hesitation, I request, "Er Gouzi, could you please develop these photos for me? I'll pay you whatever it costs."

At the mention of money, Er Gouzi becomes indignant. "Dang it, Brother , just because you're a college graduate now doesn't mean we need to be formal! Remember, if it weren't for you letting me copy your homework and helping me during the high school entrance exams, I wouldn't have graduated! Forget the photo expenses; we don't need your money."

Respecting his sentiment, I drop the subject. Ergouzi walked toward the inner room with his camera, while I waited at the door while talking to him.. Our conversation proceeds normally at first, but after a couple of minutes, the room falls eerily silent.

My heart skips a beat as I call out to Er Gouzi several times. The response I receive is a shrill, a chilling sound that sends shivers down my spine and raises goosebumps on my skin. Fearing for Er Gouzi's safety, I forcefully push open the door to reveal an eerie yellow glow illuminating the room, which now exudes an unsettling aura. There stands Er Gouzi, clutching the photographs, convulsed in a disturbing, high-pitched giggle. The sight is so terrifying that it leaves me trembling uncontrollably.

My legs tremble violently as I observe Ergouzi, now facing me sideways. I notice veins bulging on his face, and given recent events, I immediately deduced that he must be possessed by the ghost hidden in the camera.

Without hesitation, I demand, " Ergouzi, give me the photographs! Give them to me now!" As soon as I finish speaking, he suddenly turns to face me, his eyes filled with a demonic terror from the depths of hell, causing me to collapse to the floor in sheer fright . An eerie, sinister grin spreads across Ergouzi's face, his eyes turning blood-red.

The already terrifying scene is exacerbated by the dim, yellowish light within the room . My scalp tingles, and my nerves threaten to snap under the mounting dread, reminding me of my father's ritual burning of the wooden doll last night – a clear indication that matters are far from straightforward.

Realizing that Ergouzi's life is in peril should I leave him unattended, I grit my teeth and launch myself towards him. Just as I reach him, intending to shake him awake, his eyes lock onto mine with a fierce intensity. His body feels icy cold and rigid as steel; as I grasp him, an unbearable chill pierces my hand. He then flings me off with surprising force, following up with a powerful punch aimed straight at my chest.

我完全不知所措,在二狗子的攻击下瘫倒在地,撞到了身后的沙发上.我的背痛得难以忍受,尽管我拼命想站起来,但疼痛使我的努力徒劳无功.我在地上哀求:"二狗子,把照片给我吧!求你了!"

"想要那些照片,嗯?你还想要它们?!"他转过身来,恶狠狠地瞪着我,声音尖锐刺耳.在突然的疯狂中,他开始撕碎照片,表现得像一个精神错乱的疯子,同时疯狂地嘟哝着,发出令人毛骨悚然的尖叫声.然后,可怕的是,他开始掐自己的脖子,试图勒死自己.

一般情况下,是不可能有人将自己勒死成功的.然而,二狗子现在的状态却很不正常.他的脸色迅速变得发绀,除非我出手干预,否则他确实会成功结束自己的生命.我快速扫视了一下周围,发现附近有一根木棍.在没有其他选择的情况下,我咬紧牙关,强忍着疼痛,抓住棍子,准备出击.

二狗子见我要打他,反而松开了脖子,向我扑来.为了保护自己,我用棍子狠狠地打了他的头.木头折断的声音在房间里回响,棍子碎了,二狗子愣住了,我也愣住了,不知道下一步该怎么办.

当鲜血从二狗子的头上大量涌出,空气中弥漫着刺鼻的气味时,我感到一阵惊慌.如果我的强力一击把他杀了怎么办?我将对他的死负责.但随后,二狗子的目光就恢复了正常,疲惫的目光锁定了我,疑惑的问道:"哥,怎么了?你为什么这样看着我?我头好痛啊!"

他伸手摸了摸受伤的头,喘着粗气,"血...血!"扑通一声,他倒在地上,不省人事.我松了一口气,虽然受伤了,但他已经清醒了,我赶紧抱起他就往外跑,心里清楚,如果二狗子死了,我不仅会愧疚,也无法面对他的家人. .

在医院经过迅速的治疗和包扎后,二狗子疑惑地摸了摸自己缠着绷带的头. "刚才发生了什么?我什么都不记得了."我犹豫了一下,才向他讲述了整个过程,让他尖叫道:"难道我真的被鬼附身了?!"

虽然我听说过"附身"——一种寄居在人体内的邪灵——但我从未想象过亲眼目睹它.二狗子焦急地回忆道:"妈的,前几天我遇到了一个所谓的专家,他说我会遇到血腥的灾难,看来他说得对."