The dusk burned like flame. The sun shone its last ray. Gao Ming looked out the window. He hadn’t seen the sunset for a long time already. In his memory, the sky was always occupied by dark clouds. After the sky darkened, Ling Ling returned with an evidence receipt and a black backpack. “The people from the security department insisted a patient as you go there in person to retrieve your personal items. I scolded them for you.”
Gao Ming accepted the bag eagerly and took out the things inside. There was a repaired laptop and a cheap, black phone. He switched on the laptop. It was filled with teaching lessons and work information. He was a very responsible teacher. “I was voted the best teacher for three years. I once represented the staff to give a speech during the school’s 30th anniversary…” There were a lot of files on the laptop. Gao Ming was absorbed in them. He studied the videos, pictures and articles about him, but he didn’t feel connected to them. However, after a while, he didn’t feel as opposed to them anymore.
“Take your time. I’ll go work, and I’ll be back.” The nurse didn’t disturb Gao Ming. However, she looked at him with pity. Amnesia was a painful thing. The door closed lightly. The laptop’s cold screen light shone on his face.
“I have no impression of these at all.”
Ah Fang kept moving the blocks, and Gao Ming kept tapping the keys. He saw his own past, but this answer was not the one he wanted. Compared to real life, his experience in the nightmare was more realistic.
Without any result, Gao Ming turned to the phone. He used his fingerprint to unlock it. The phone wallpaper was a picture. He and a woman stood intimately in the snow. Through the chat history, Gao Ming figured out the girl’s name was Liu Yi.
“The hospital said that I grew up at an orphanage and had no family. Therefore, they sent the nurse to look after me. However, didn’t I have a girlfriend who loves me? If the hospital really wanted the best for me, they should allow Liu Yi to visit me every day. However, the nurse mentioned that the hospital superiors purposely stopped Liu Yi from getting close to me. Why?”
Gao Ming felt like he had missed something important.
Gao Ming couldn’t fall asleep even though it was already midnight. The lights in the corridor were snuffed out. He picked up his phone to try to check his messages with his girlfriend when he heard the sound of nails scratching against the glass. Gao Ming turned to the window and almost died when he saw a man’s face against the glass.
The door opened quietly. The man wore a wrinkly patient’s garb. He stared at Gao Ming like the latter was some precious jewel. “You managed to escape.”
The first sentence caused Gao Ming to frown. Eventually, he replied, “Have we met before?”
“I left you a map.” The patient was intrigued. “Do you remember the question mark?”
Gao Ming’s head was filled with question marks. He had no idea what the man was talking about.
“Leave this hospital as soon as you can. Of the thirteen patients who participated in the latest treatment, only you and that kid are still dumb enough to stay here.” The man pointed at Gao Ming’s laptop and phone, “Don’t trust those.”
“What you talking about? What is this new treatment?” Gao Ming didn’t remember anything about this. However, 13 was a very special number for him. When it was mentioned, his brain was stimulated.
“I’ve been as clear as I can be. You, the self-lacerating painter and the brat who is waiting for his mother, the three of you have received the latest treatment. Figure out the similarity between the three of you, and you’ll understand what the treatment is.” The patient sighed, “You became because of the treatment. Since you’re awake, leave this hospital. Do not show any flaws. Don’t let them suspect anything.” The clock ticked. The patient smiled creepily at Gao Ming. Then, he tossed a tattered city map at him. “What do you see?”
The map had been folded many times. The sea near Xin Lu and Jiujiang had been circled in red.
“You have no impression of this?!” The patient frowned. “Why is your condition so serious? Something’s not right. I need to go. This is too scary!” The patient appeared to be mentally unsound. He grumbled and left without taking the map. He disappeared down the corridor.
“The latest treatment…”
The new day arrived. Gao Ming recovered a lot. However, his brain was still dull. Due to the visit from the strange patient, he didn’t have a good stay in the hospital. He was suspicious of everyone.
After a few more days of rest, Doctor Xuan Wen allowed Gao Ming to leave. He didn’t have the hospital inform the school or his friends. He didn’t want them to tell the media. He packed his things and left silently. At 6 pm, Gao Ming took a cab to the nearest subway station and took the train around the city.
When Gao Ming left the subway station, the skyscrapers were gone. Only dark windows and old apartments remained in his sight.
Xin Lu Northern Old City was Xin Lu’s poorest and most chaotic district.
Cement buildings were built illegally. The people on the lower floor basically had no access to the sunlight all year.
Gao Ming walked down a narrow alley. Dirty water poured out into the street. The stench was suffocating. Yelling and scolding surrounded his ears.
Gao Ming looked up. The sky was cut by electrical wires and laundry lines. Gao Ming couldn’t see the moon. He only saw ugliness, oppression and sadness.
Gao Ming walked past a dentist’s office and entered a dark staircase. He paused before Li Jing Apartments Block 3, Room 401. Gao Ming rubbed his face. According to his ID, this was his home.