MurderMyst

{ (set: $death to 0) (set: $days to 0) } (display: "Main")

You were surprised by the voice in your mind but didn't take it seriously, considering it a hallucination from the euphoria. The setting sun through the window cast a dim yellow light in the room. You greedily scanned the faded poster on the wall, the neatly arranged books on the desk, and a fresh flower on the bedside table. Only then did you realize how lovely everything seemed to you, wishing you could capture them all with your eyes. (text-colour:yellow)[''"Ring—Ring—Ring—"''] After a while, your joy was interrupted by the ringing of a clock, reminding you it was now 6:00 PM, and it would soon be dark. You decided to go downstairs for a walk, to see the beautiful sunset and the people coming and going on the streets. ''Before leaving, you glanced at the white cane in the corner but chose'' [[Not to take it]] [[Take it]] [[Stay at home]] [[Drop from window]] <audio src="https://dl.sndup.net/fx62/Old%20Ringing%20Phone%20Sound%20-%20Old.mp3" autoplay> </audio>

This time, you clearly heard that voice. You were momentarily startled and quickly asked, "Who are you?" There was no response. As your gaze swept across the room, you felt a strange sensation. For instance, the poster on the wall of Kobe taking a shot was different from what you remembered; he was supposed to be holding the ball with both hands, but the image showed him using only one. Also, the books on the table were open with blurry text, filled with typos and large blank spaces. Just as you sensed something was wrong, the clock on the desk ''rang''. The ringing echoed in the empty room, and even though the windows were closed, you felt an intense chill as if an invisible wind blew in. The time was again (text-colour:green)[6:00 PM]. ''You decide to'' [[Take a Walk|Not to take it]] [[Not to go out]] [[Drop from window]] <audio src="https://dl.sndup.net/fx62/Old%20Ringing%20Phone%20Sound%20-%20Old.mp3" autoplay> </audio>

(set: $death = $death + 1) You carefully controlled your expression, picked up the white cane beside you, and planned to leave the house before your parents returned. As you cautiously approached the door to peer through the peephole, the quietness of the living room, marked only by the ticking of the second hand, heightened your tension. Peering through, you saw two expressionless figures standing at the door, resembling your parents. Despite maintaining composure, the man at the door suddenly grinned eerily. Then, an eye suddenly appeared at the peephole, startling you. In a moment of courage, you opened the door to find your parents standing silently as if they hadn't moved. Pretending not to see them, you navigated past with your cane. However, as you reached for the stair railing, relieved to be descending the stairs, you felt a strong force push you from behind, causing you to [[fall down the stairs and lose consciousness before feeling any pain.]]

(set: $death = $death + 1) However, before you could open the door, your parents came in. Though it was odd for them to be home earlier than usual, you didn't comment on it. You excitedly told them about regaining your sight, and they were very happy, even preparing a lavish meal for you. You enjoyed the meal greatly, sharing many things you were usually too shy to say. They just listened, nodding silently, without saying much. Perhaps due to happiness, you fell asleep with a smile on your face. In a drowsy consciousness, it felt like a long time had passed, yet it seemed instant, you opened your eyes again to a gentle orange light, sitting in front of your desk, lost in thought. Suddenly, a voice in your mind said, "Don't tell them you can see." You stared at the clock in confusion; the time was now (text-colour:green)[5:45 PM]. [[This was your first death|askstart]]

After calming down for about 10 minutes, your parents hadn't returned, which was odd. Wondering if you were overthinking and perhaps everything before was just a dream, you decided to go downstairs for a walk. However, the moment you touched the doorknob, the door opened. Your parents came in, and after exchanging looks, everything happened as it naturally would. You told them about regaining your sight, and they prepared a big meal. Despite their warm looks, you lacked enthusiasm and ate in silence, lost in thought. Confused thoughts entangled in your mind, exhausting you. Unable to sleep well into the night, you heard your door open in a half-asleep state. Squinting, you saw a dark figure walking towards you against the light. You felt a pain in your throat followed by suffocating agony. Struggling and writhing, your consciousness gradually sank into darkness. Suddenly, you woke up, gasping for air, hands clutching your throat, feeling a wave of palpitations. Your heart's violent beating indicated your unrest. Suddenly, a voice in your mind said, "Don't tell them you can see." In a panic, you looked at the clock, which still showed the time as (text-colour:green)[3:45 PM]. [[This was your second death.]]

The profound reality of the pain convinced you not to doubt the truth of returning from death, leading you to ponder several questions. You wondered who killed you, why someone would want to kill you, what was the nature of your deathly returns and the various odd occurrences, and most importantly, what you should do next. Unable to start with the first few questions, you focused on the last, contemplating a strategy. After unsuccessfully trying to communicate with the mysterious voice, you decided to follow its advice to continue pretending to be blind and to wait. You carefully controlled your expression, picked up the white cane beside you, and planned to leave the house before your parents returned. As you cautiously approached the door to peer through the peephole, the quietness of the living room, marked only by the ticking of the second hand, heightened your tension. Peering through, you saw two expressionless figures standing at the door, resembling your parents. Despite maintaining composure, the man at the door suddenly grinned eerily. Then, an eye suddenly appeared at the peephole, startling you. In a moment of courage, you opened the door to find your parents standing silently as if they hadn't moved. Pretending not to see them, you navigated past with your cane. However, as you reached for the stair railing, relieved to be descending the stairs, you felt a strong force push you from behind, causing you to [[fall down the stairs and lose consciousness before feeling any pain.]]

Time, (text-colour:green)[3:45 PM]. You exhale deeply to calm your fear, deciding not to linger and to head straight for the door. After spotting that eye through the peephole again, something flashes through your mind, but ultimately, [[you open the door]].

(set: $death = $death + 1) With the realization from experiencing death twice, you open your eyes thoughtfully. The sight through the window into the endless dusk brings a moment of clarity. "Don't tell them you can see," the voice echoes once more. [[This marks your another death]]

(set: $days = $days + 1) You had already adapted to life as a blind person, but suddenly one day, you regained your sight. At that moment, a voice in your mind said, [["Don't tell anyone you can see."]]

Your realized that your parents are an impediment to your leaving the house, regardless of the time, has been solidified through successive deaths. Doubt creeps in about their true identity. As the clock strikes 6:00, pondering the past only intensifies your headache, as if your body physically rejects these memories. The reason and duration of your blindness elude you, leading you to abandon this line of thought. However, the thick fog of doubt only fuels your desire to uncover the truth. Since the door is not an option, you turn to the window as an alternative escape route. Living on the sixth floor, which is not excessively high, especially with balconies on each level, you devise a plan. Within half an hour, you transform bedcovers and sheets into a sturdy rope, creating a makeshift [[rappelling device]] anchored to a wall fixture.

Living on the sixth floor, which is not excessively high, especially with balconies on each level, you devise a plan. Within half an hour, you transform bedcovers and sheets into a sturdy rope, creating a makeshift [[rappelling device]] anchored to a wall fixture.

(set: $death = $death + 1) At (text-colour:green)[6:30], as usual, your parents return home from work and start cooking dinner. You shout through the bedroom door that you're not hungry and not to be called for dinner. After receiving an affirmative response, you proceed to climb out the window using a rope made from bed linens, carefully descending toward freedom. Feeling more liberated than fearful, you skillfully make your way down. Your plan involves entering the fifth floor's balcony, knowing its resident, a young lady who works night shifts, won't be home. As you prepare for the final descent, a hand suddenly emerges from the balcony, seizing the rope. A violent shake follows, and as you fall, you glimpse a lifeless face. [[The sound of a heavy object hitting the ground marks your vision fading to black under a veil of blood.]]

(set: $days = $days + 1) Time, 3:45 PM. "Don't tell them you can see." With the voice echoing again, you angrily punch the desk, cursing. This death has taught you that escaping through the window won't work. Reflecting on why the lady on the fifth floor was home, and the early presence of your parents, a thought crosses your mind—they might never have truly left. Laying back, you notice the poster seeming to move. This death has made you cautious. Instead of leaving your room, [[you stay until your parents return at 6:30 PM.|Stay at home]] [[Drop from window]]

Instead of leaving your room, you stay until your parents return at 6:30 PM. After dinner, as usual, you listen to comedy and audiobooks on the radio, falling asleep to an online class. The night passes peacefully. In the morning, your mother replaces an old flower with a fresh carnation without making eye contact, yet her gaze never leaves you. It feels like she’s watching you, but [[you remain outwardly calm.]]

At (text-colour:green)[7:30 AM], your parents hurriedly eat breakfast and say goodbye to you, advising to be cautious outside. After hearing the door close behind them, you prepare to return to your bedroom, but are shocked to find your parents silently standing at the door, staring at you. In a moment of panic, you grasp your white cane, feeling as trapped as holding a slippery fish. Despite the fear, you decide to continue your routine of going downstairs to [[join Mr. Chen]] for listening to operas, a preferred pastime in the lively community gathering spot, contrasting the silent tension at home.

(set: $days = $days + 1) Surprisingly, your parents don't stop you but eerily follow behind silently. As you descend the stairs, the presence of lifeless figures in every doorway intensifies your unease, feeling like descending into a cave filled with shadows and devoid of light. At (text-colour:green)[''9:00 AM''], you and Mr. Chen sit side by side on a bench at the edge of the basketball court, listening to the radio emitting static noises along with intermittent commentary by Guo Degang. Despite the occasional laughter and chatter, the heavy clouds and the unusual behavior of your silent observers—a stark contrast to the lively discussions among the elderly—cast a shadow over the morning. This eerie atmosphere intensifies when the crowd abruptly silences as sunlight breaks through the clouds, highlighting your presence. This sudden shift prompts you to [[hastily leave]], feeling a silent threat.

(set: $death = $death + 1) Later, at 2:00 AM, awakened by a suspicious noise and an unpleasant odor, your attempt to investigate is violently interrupted by an explosion, [[sending you crashing through the window]] into the night, surrounded by demonic flames.

(set: $days = $days + 1) You had already adapted to life as a blind person, but suddenly one day, you regained your sight. It's now (text-colour:green)[3:45PM] At that moment, a voice in your mind said, [["Don't tell anyone you can see."|6death]]

Waking up this time, you feel somewhat exhausted. Bathed in the light of dusk, you reflect on your recent explorations. Though not entirely successful, you've essentially achieved your goal, making this the longest you've survived in these cycles. Venturing out of your building to the basketball court, you've confirmed the bizarre behavior of everyone in the complex, including your parents. Surviving for two days has provided you with more detailed information, and most importantly, you've come to trust the mysterious voice advising you to hide your ability to see. Keeping your sight a secret indeed seems to keep you safe. You realize that to uncover the truth, you must survive longer and gather more information, paying attention to every useful detail and connecting them like pieces of a puzzle. Without the genius of Sherlock Holmes, you rely on your own diligence and patience, reexamining your surroundings for overlooked details. Despite finding no new objects, the changes in familiar items, like the poster's evolving background figures and the increasingly blank pages in your books, hint at deeper mysteries. [[You took notes, and prepare for your next death]]

(set: $death = $death + 4) After enduring four more deaths, you've arrived at the eleventh cycle. Each revival seems to take a greater toll on your spirit, escalating from mere fatigue to unbearable pain, leading you to question the infinite nature of these returns. Throughout these cycles, you've expanded your exploration to the entire complex, yet a specific area remains untouched, evoking a deep, instinctual fear. You realize that if there's any answer to be found, it lies within that [[unexplored place]].

The place you mentioned is located to the north of Building 7, in the northeast corner of the community—a shabby villa. It used to be a sales office; after the properties were sold, it was converted into a church by religious people in the community, leaving only a few rooms for the property management office. Your impression of the villa is not strong; you only remember the outer walls covered in ivy, rustling with the wind, extremely cold. Tonight, you couldn't sleep, and in a daze, you even felt the wind blowing from the depths of the villa towards your room, chilling your neck, making you wrap yourself tighter in the blanket. The warmth of the bed provided you some sense of security, and you began to close your eyes and organize the information in your mind. First, the posters were indeed changing, now only a few people were left in the audience, and the basketball also disappeared from the poster. Secondly, books are becoming more and more blank, half a book without a single word, and moreover, the color of the community walls is constantly changing during your few outings; those blue and yellow wall paints are gradually fading, as if... [[something in this world is disappearing]].

(set: $days = $days + 1) (set: $death = $death + 1) The next day, at 9:01 AM, you went downstairs with a walking stick. Although you have walked the stairs many times, the sight of those eyes still sends shivers down your spine. To get to the villa, you need to pass through a small garden and cross a stone path, a short journey that only takes 2 minutes, but you have been hesitating there for 15 minutes. This hesitation partly comes from your own reluctance, and partly from the voices behind you. Previously, you were used to someone silently following you, like a shadow. But now, with every step you take, the same footsteps sound, dozens of footsteps echoing as one, starting lightly but growing louder as you proceed, and you can even discern that the distance between them and you is closing. "Thump, thump, thump!" Louder than the footsteps is your heartbeat, and your breathing becomes disordered. You didn't dare to look back, and, making up your mind, you decided to take a risk. You started to run quickly, thinking that even if this leads to death, reaching the villa would be worth it. At the end of the stone path is a flat bridge over a shallow pond; just crossing this stone bridge would allow you to rush into the villa in one go. The appearance of the villa became clearer in your eyes, dense ivy covering the dilapidated outer walls, dark red leaves layer upon layer, only a few narrow windows exposed, the door wide open, inside dark as a cave that could swallow light. You ran, the footsteps behind you getting closer. Your body tensed, you leapt onto the stone bridge, the footsteps abruptly stopped. You stood on the bridge and looked back, finding the crowd standing like trees, not moving forward. It seemed an invisible line separated them from the bridge. Indeed, this place was different; they dared not come close. You thought you had won the bet, feeling inexplicably relieved, and turned towards the villa. But the next moment, you heard a faint sound of water. A hand suddenly stretched out from under the bridge, grabbed your ankle, and you fell into the pond. You struggled to get up, but it seemed a force was holding you down, making it difficult to continue. Water filled your lungs through your respiratory tract, your windpipe filled with water, and you felt the pain of suffocation again. Soon, you lost strength due to lack of oxygen and stopped struggling. The last thing you saw through the water surface was the shaking sunlight and a ferocious face. [[Your consciousness sank into darkness.]]

(set: $days = $days + 1) (text-colour:green)[5:45 PM] "Don't tell them you can see." You open your eyes wide in fear, veins throbbing at your temples, gasping for air, but unable to alleviate the pain. Your body curls up, screaming silently, a few syllables crackling from your throat like a hoarse cassette tape. [[This is your eleventh death.]]

The pain lasts longer than you anticipated, and it's not until the bell rings at 6:00 PM that you manage to stand up, still shaky. Your consciousness, breaking free from the pain, is still sluggish, but you're able to think clearly. First, you notice something different about your eyes; everything looks foggy, as if a thin mist has risen, making everything blurry. Objects close by are somewhat discernible, but anything further away becomes just simple outlines and blurred blocks of color, turning the world into a giant abstract painting before your eyes. Next, you find that the poster now only shows empty seats and a half-burnt basketball in the center; the books on the table have turned into blank sheets of paper, and you frantically flip through them, [[finding not a single word.]]

Unseen behind you, a wilted petal gently falls to the ground from the vase on your bedside. You look out the window, exhaling deeply. Your bloodshot eyes stare unblinkingly at the setting sun until tears begin to flow. The pain of numerous deaths has already built up a tumultuous undercurrent in your heart, the long-suppressed anger boiling like magma in a volcano. "Why me? Why must I bear all this?" you think, and you start to laugh madly. Soon, as two pigeons fly past the window, the laughter abruptly stops. It's as if you've realized something, standing there quietly. [[Your silhouette is lonely and resolute.]]

Time:(text-colour:green)[ 6:30 PM] Your parents "return from work" on time. Instead of staying in your room, you do something unusual, greeting them with a smile, then, to their disbelief, you plunge a fruit knife into their hearts. As the blood pressure drops, the blood streams like a red ribbon flipping in the air. When the blood drains, they become like two black shadows, gradually dissipating into the wind with the ash. Perhaps it's an illusion, but you faintly see them smiling. What are they smiling at? With this question, you leave the house with the blood-dripping knife, without saying another word. Then, you see more ribbons, as your vision blurs further, the crowd turns into strange blocks of color. All you need to do is aim the knife at these color blocks' hearts to eliminate them. The color of the blood starts changing, from red to blue, green, yellow... until you see rainbows spurting out, filling your eyes. "How beautiful," you think. On the other hand, as you pass by, the walls of the apartment buildings begin to crumble and fall off inch by inch, leaves start to wither, and when you finally arrive at the villa, the entire community collapses into ruins with a loud crash, dust obscuring the sky. [[You don't stop for a second.]]

The moment you stepped through the door, your blurry vision finally plunged into complete darkness. But you found this more comforting than being able to see, as darkness was the color you were accustomed to. You didn't know how long you walked before a glimmer of light appeared in front of you. Then, the light burst open, whitewashing the entire world like a roll of film reversing its base color, or like an overexposed X-ray film. The world was reduced to just black and white. You vaguely recognized this place as a hall, with eight rows of long benches on each side, and a podium at the front. Behind the podium, on the wall, was a huge image of Christ. Was this the church inside the villa? [[You watched quietly. ]]

A white light flashed before your eyes again, and you saw the church filled with people, a priest in a black robe reciting the Bible. The crowd was silent and solemn, with only the priest's voice echoing through the church. In a daze, you felt a sense of déjà vu. A low rustling sound from behind interrupted your memories. You turned around to see ivy creeping in from the door, twisting and spreading everywhere. For some reason, a fear welled up inside you. You shouted at the crowd,[[ "Run, run!"]]

But it seemed like they couldn't see you, they didn't respond, and when you tried to push them, your hands went straight through their bodies. You were like a [[ghost in the air.]]

The ivy quickly covered the church, the large leaves trembling and instantly catching fire, the flames engulfing the church. Only then did the crowd start to panic, scrambling to escape. The priest dropped the Bible, lovers ran in different directions, and you even saw a family separated by the crowd, a child screaming for his parents in the flames, unanswered. Amidst the smoke and chaos, the child's heart-wrenching cries and coughing, tears and mucus coughed out... The last thing you saw was the child's helpless face swallowed by the flames. You felt coolness on your face and touched it to find tears. Were you crying? You felt inexplicably sad: who was that child, and why did he seem so [[familiar]]? <audio src="https://dl.sndup.net/sn4m/People%20Screaming%20While%20Burning%20Sound%20Effect.mp3" autoplay> </audio>

When you opened your eyes again, you found yourself in a new scene, a primary school where many children were pointing and mercilessly mocking a blind boy. A mischievous boy snatched the blind boy's cane and even tripped him while he fearfully groped on the ground, begging them, eliciting even louder laughter from the crowd. The crowd dispersed, leaving the blind boy alone on the playground for the entire day until a teacher found him. You watched everything happen, powerless. Only your clenched fists revealed your feelings. Were you angry? Was this you? The scene changed again, confirming your suspicion; you were now in your [[very familiar bedroom]].

You saw your mother bought the Kobe poster you once wanted, describing every detail to you, but you cried and tore it to shreds. You saw your father bought a complete set of fairy tale books, reading them to you every night in a gentle voice, but you just cried, throwing the books all over the place. You saw your mother getting up early to buy fresh flowers for you to smell when you woke up, but you never accepted them. You blamed them recklessly, resented them for leaving you in a fire, spewing venomous words. They remained silent. Then, as if you had grown a bit, you became even more silent and withdrawn. You no longer went out, had no friends, and even stopped talking to your parents. You feared crowds, feared being stared at, feared your parents, and feared the church they lost, which should have been filled with holy light, but where you lost your eyes. You often huddled in a corner, shivering, [[as time passed day by day.]]

You grew into an adult but seemed to become even less talkative. To outsiders, you often appeared to be daydreaming, sometimes lost in thought for an entire day. But only you knew the wonderful world you had constructed in your mind. In this world, though you still couldn't see, you had a harmonious family and could talk about anything with your parents. You would chat with the girl living downstairs and often go out to listen to stories with the elderly men and women in your neighborhood. This world was dark, yet [[it was bright]]for you.

Over time, subconsciously, you even began to fear the return of light. For you, light represented a dangerous world filled with loneliness, mockery, and filth. You redefined your identity and sealed away the painful memories of your past. You sighed and couldn't help but [[close your eyes]].

When you opened your eyes again, you were in a new scene, seemingly in a hospital. Inside the ward, doctors and nurses were coming and going. You saw your mother, wearing the same hospital gown, rambling on to you: your father had an accident while driving long distances, and she had finally collapsed from overwork, with all her old ailments relapsing, not expecting to live much longer. Fortunately, at the last moment, they could use the compensation received from someone else's payout to cover the surgery costs and donate her [[corneas]] to you.

There would be some money left over from the surgery, enough to cover your expenses for a while, and she had already arranged everything for the future, so you didn't have to worry. Your surgery was scheduled for 5:45 PM. After being administered anesthesia, you were wheeled into the operating room. In a daze, you finally fell asleep. You've lived $days lives, you have died $death times.

(set: $days = $days + 1) You had already adapted to life as a blind person, but suddenly one day, you regained your sight. At that moment, a voice in your mind said, "Don't tell anyone you can see." [[Ask the voice]] [[Dont't take the voice seriously]] You've lived $days lives, you have died $death times. <audio src="https://dl.sndup.net/v8x5/Sweet%20Bird%20Sound%20-%20Morning%20Sound%20Effect.mp3" autoplay> </audio>