The surrounding buildings gradually became sparse and dilapidated, but they have not left the rich area, but are just far away from the bustling area.

The nearby scenery began to be a bit deserted, and various facilities also showed an old appearance. Most of the shops on the street were closed. There were not many passers-by, but they all stared at their vehicles with vigilant eyes. I wonder if it was because cars were too rare here or if there were other reasons.

The taxi stopped on the side of the road without going far.

They were still a little far from their destination, but the driver was reluctant to move forward any more. Elliot tried to convince the other party with extra money, but even the temptation of money could not shake the driver.

Helplessly, they had to get off the car on the spot.

Xia Ren asked in confusion: "What's going on? Is there anything ahead? Why is the driver unwilling to take us over?"

Elliot scratched his head and sighed and said, "Actually, there is no special reason. It's just that the driver is afraid. After all, when you go to such a remote place, the driver should also pay attention to his safety.

Moreover, there are some bad rumors about where we are going. Neighbors often hear strange sounds coming from there at night. They also say that they have seen terrifying creatures crawling against the walls in the dark alley. A few years ago, several children went there to play, but they disappeared. Neighbors sent out many people to search overnight, but they were not found. The residents who went to search were also scared and nervous. After awakening, they insisted that they saw groups of black shadows walking through the buildings, and several people were like this in a row.

Later, this story became more and more outrageous. There were ghosts wandering around every night, and the children were caught and eaten by ghosts.

However, the rumors are rumors after all. I prefer that children are captured and sold by gangs. This kind of thing happens a lot. The police are bribed by gangs and have tacit understanding between each other. Unless they are too old or the children of rich families, as long as they are not too much, even if they call the police, they will just record them perfunctorily and will not care about them at all."

As Elliot walked, he told Xia Ren about the situation around him.

After a while, they stood in front of an alley.

When we arrived here, the surrounding buildings were no longer inhabited. It was said to be a small alley, but in fact it looked more like a ruin. The buildings on both sides were full of ancient atmosphere. The bricks and stones on the walls became fragile under the long-term wind and sun. With a pinch of their hands, they could break off one piece. Many of them had peeled off themselves, and some were even crawled with vines, becoming a habitat for geckos and various insects.

The roadside of the alley is covered with weeds, and there is only a path that is walked out by people. It is not very conspicuous. Various domestic garbage is piled in the corners of the wall, and there are also traces of erosion by time. It is covered with a thick layer of mottled dust hit by rain. I don’t know if it was originally here or it was blown by the wind.

The windows of buildings on both sides are crooked, and the glass on them has either been removed by people or has been broken. Occasionally, a cold wind blows from the other end of the alley, and the decaying window frames make a desolate squeak, swaying left and right, making people always worry about whether it will fall down.

When they walked into the alley, their ears suddenly became quiet, as if they had entered a soundproof room. Even the afternoon sun above their heads seemed a little dimmed, as if they were blocked by an invisible layer of mist.

Xia Ren felt a chill in his heart and felt an unknown aura, but Elliot seemed to be unaware of it.

They walked into the depths of the alley, then turned left, and entered another even older alley.

It is so narrow that it can only accommodate two people walking side by side, and the bent and drooping eaves above the heads almost completely block the sunlight. There are strange sounds coming from the buildings on both sides. I don’t know if there are small animals moving or the sound of some furniture collapse.

After walking about a few dozen meters more, Elliot stopped in front of a building.

Xia Ren saw that the gate in front of him had been crittered with insects, but there were a few rows of neat hollows arranged strangely on the door. Then Xia Ren realized that this might be the trace of the decorations on the door falling off before.

The bottom edge of the door has touched the ground, and the connection between the door frame is also partially peeled off. It is supported by its own weight and the soil on the ground, so it does not fall down.

However, it is obviously impossible to push the door. Xia Ren even suspected that if he touched it, it would be possible to fall backwards and then break.

Fortunately, the door opened a gap that could accommodate people passing through, so they didn't have to risk pushing the door.

Elliot walked in front and said, "At first, I knew that Pickerman's studio was here, I was still wondering why he was looking for such a deserted house. But then I thought about it, maybe this ancient house with uninhabited people could bring more inspiration to his creations.

But to be honest, this kind of place is really remote, and it is difficult for normal people to find it. Maybe something is attracting Pickerman over, and his attributes are born with this kind of place."

When they walked into the foyer, the sunlight outside was blocked by thick walls, and could only illuminate a very small area in the door obliquely. The bright light and rich darkness clearly divided the boundaries like the essence, just like the intersection of two worlds.

"Pickman! Are you here with Pickerman?"

Elliot shouted.

His voice disappeared into the darkness, just like the light that broke in by the door, it was swallowed up by the house without any echo.

Again, no one responded.

Elliot turned around and smiled awkwardly to comfort Xia Ren and said, "Don't worry, Pickerman sometimes goes back to the basement to look for inspiration, and it's normal that he can't hear it."

It can be seen that he had been here many times, and walked to the wall very skillfully, picked up an oil lamp on the table that was almost black rendered by dust to light it.

Elliot took the oil lamp, walked forward two steps, turned back, and said, "Why don't you wait for me here? It's too dark below. I'm afraid you won't adapt. If I find Pickerman, I'll bring him up."

Xia Ren shook his head: "I'll go down with you."

"All right."

Elliot was a little happy. At least so far, the other party has not hated him.

Moreover, he knew that most women were afraid of the darkness. Walking together with two people might enhance their feelings.

Anyway, it was a good start for him.

With the help of the flames of the oil lamp, Xia Ren could see the glitz-like carvings on the walls around the hall. Although these carvings were basically covered with thick dust and spider webs, they could still easily imagine the glory of this place.

Elliot held the oil lamp and opened a door near the corner.

There was a downward staircase in the door, and the depths of the staircase were wrapped in darkness. A cool breeze blew upwards from inside, making people unable to help but feel cold on their backs.

Xia Ren couldn't help but shrink her shoulders, and a layer of goose bumps appeared on the skin of her arms.

The two walked down the narrow stairs, with only the sound of footsteps in their ears. The flames of the oil lamps swayed as they moved, as if they could go out at any time. The darkness that was forced back by the lights was also close and far away.
Chapter completed!