Scarlet's mail

Alex took a deep breath, clicked back to the "Information" section, and searched for "Surgical Intern SCARLET". The page jumped, showing that her ID had replied to multiple posts with a cold, precise tone.

He found the "Hunting Grounds of Broadway" post; her comment was prominently displayed. He clicked on the ID, entering a personal page that was still blank, with only "Request Friend" and leave a message buttons. "Only thing to do is try," he whispered.

He clicked request, attaching the message: "I'm the guy from the alley. You sent me this website, remember?"

He refreshed several times, but there was no response. He shut down the computer, leaning back in his chair. The fog outside the window was thicker, like an invisible net.

The next day passed slowly and agonizingly. He had no interest in listening to the class. The professor's folklore theories passed by his ear like the wind. He returned to the dormitory, sat at the desk, staring at the clue board, waiting for a response.

As night deepened, the lights of New York outside the window flickered, the hand of time pointed to three in the morning. He turned on the computer, logged into the "Cryptid Society," and continued to consult relevant information. After a while, an email notification popped up in the lower right corner of the screen.

He clicked open. The title was "You there?", the sender was "Surgical Intern SCARLET", the time shown as three fifteen in the morning. The email read:

"Kid, you're a tough one. Tomorrow, four in the afternoon, Washington Heights, the alley behind the old church next to the 168th Street subway station. Don't be late, don't bring anyone else."

Alex's heart beat faster. "Washington Heights?"

Despite having been in New York for quite some time, he had yet to venture there.He knew that was where the Columbia University Irving Medical Center was located. There were many old buildings near the 168th Street subway station. That old church—St. Rose of Lima Church—was a secluded corner, the surrounding alleys narrow and deserted.

"Her choosing there... does it have something to do with the medical school?" 

Alex got up, adding "Scarlett Meeting: Alley behind the old church on 168th Street, 4 PM" to the clue board. "She chose a strange place." Washington Heights was secluded and quiet, completely different from the bustling lower Manhattan. The medical school and hospital complex there used to be the center of old medical experiments, and some corners were said to still emit an ominous aura.

As a poor student, Alex chose to take the subway. He stood on the platform, the roar of the train and the whispers of the crowd in his ears, but his heart was blank. He wasn't eager to uncover all the secrets, but vaguely felt that this meeting would change his perception of the city.

The train pulled into the station. He squeezed on board, leaned into the corner, and stared down at the tips of his shoes. 

The subway cars rattled along the tracks, mirroring Alex's troubled thoughts.