"That house eats people."
Old Chen's voice trembled as he spoke.
The deep bell rang again.
Dong!
This time, movement came from the surrounding houses.
Doors opened and closed. Feet shuffled across the dirt paths, moving in the direction of Chief Gao's residence.
The villagers did not speak.
Their silence made the situation even more unsettling.
"What do you mean the house eats people?" Lu Tao asked.
Old Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Every traveller brought into the village is asked to stay there. At first, Chief Gao treats them well. He gives them food and water, then waits until they fall asleep."
"The water contains something," Leng Pan said.
Old Chen looked at her in surprise.
"You know?"
"We discovered parasites inside it."
"Parasites?"
Old Chen appeared genuinely confused.
He had known the water was dangerous, but he didn't know why.
"Continue," Lu Zhen ordered. "What happens after the travellers fall asleep?"
