The black police officer was a young man of rather portly stature, with a naive-looking face that probably beamed with infectious cheer when he smiled.
But at this moment, he was likely incapable of any such expression, as he lumbered and quavered towards them, drenched in sweat with his back, armpits, and chest all soaked through. It was a bright, sunlit day, yet he appeared as if caught in the direst chill of winter, his entire body trembling.
Even the slowest to catch on could tell he was in the throes of intense fear.
"Ronnie, what happened? Didn't you and Nade just go out on fieldwork, to a murder scene?"
Nathan, the white detective in the sweater, stepped forward to greet him and asked.
Everyone in the office sensed that something was amiss and gathered around. Ronnie the officer, clearly past the point of pleasantries, looked straight at Stanna, his lips trembling as he began to speak and fervently handed over a photograph he was clutching tight.
"This morning, we received a report. Number 18 on Tulip Street, an old house there reeked of intense blood and stench, suggesting a murder might've occurred. Nade and I rushed to investigate, but after entering, we saw—saw these..."
"I think, this kind of case, should—should be for your team."
"Buzz"
Listening to his description, everyone turned their attention to the crumpled photograph in his hand.
Then, a collective hiss escaped from their lips, their breaths held, pupils constricting sharply, even the seasoned, perceptive, and wise old detective Gideon couldn't help but frown, a look of horror crossing his face.
Even Reine the forensic girl showed a shocked expression after seeing it.
It was clear they had never seen such a sight before.
Tang Qi, not far away, glanced at the photograph and frowned as well.
The photo depicted the interior of an old house; the photographer was either an old man or someone shaking terribly from overwhelming fear, resulting in a somewhat blurred image. Yet, everyone who saw the photo could surely sympathize with the photographer's state of mind.
The cramped living room, the narrow staircase, the faintly-visible décor from decades ago—none of these were the issue. What horrified everyone were the things that covered these items.
Blood!
Whether it was the staircase, walls, or even the floor, up to the chandeliers on the ceiling, everything within sight was slathered in sticky blood, with bits of flesh, curled hair, shattered teeth, chunks of organs... even one or two toes.
As their eyes fixed on this dreadful scene, a bone-chilling air, like slowly writhing strands of hair, tangled around them, bringing an icy shudder, an unconscious response emerged in everyone, driving them to look away in desperation.
Yet bizarrely, it required tremendous willpower to do so.
Just one glance at the photograph resulted in this?
No wonder Ronnie, upon returning from the scene, was this terrified.
This must be, no, this was certainly a scene straight out of hell?
Everyone fell into silence.
"Let's go, right now."
Stanna's sharp words suddenly broke the silence; she swiftly snatched the photograph from the black officer's hand, began gathering her gear, clipped on her holster with the Red Rhino, stuffed her badge into her pocket, donned her overcoat, and headed for the door.
Nathan and the slightly curly-haired black detective Havier, also responsible for fieldwork, snapped out of their shock and scrambled to follow. The old man Gideon went to contact the on-site forensics team, among them the forensic girl.
Before them, however, Tang Qi's figure had already moved alongside Stanna.
"Tang Qi, it's your first day on the job, and this case hasn't even been confirmed to be within your consulting scope. You don't need to come."
Tang Qi was somewhat surprised that Stanna actually stopped him from following.
Glancing at the lingering horror on Stanna's face, Tang Qi smiled faintly, a scholarly smile that quickly dissipated the tension in Stanna's heart. He touched his glasses with his finger and said, "You went to the trouble of forging a Fake Appointment Letter just to have me come; isn't it for now?"
"Let's go; I'm looking forward to seeing what spoils I'll get this time."
After speaking, Tang Qi took the photograph from Stanna's hand and slowly walked out of the police station and got into the police car.
This time, he chose the back seat.
"Interesting scent!"
Tang Qi quietly muttered as he looked at the scene in his hands portrayed by the photograph.
Although his ability wasn't able to discern the truth through the photograph, something piqued his interest within it.
Right in the center of that cramped living room, where a small table had once been, was an empty space. Despite the large areas covered in blood and flesh, Tang Qi could still spot some strange symbols, burned-out candles, and a bloodstained dagger through the sparse gaps.
These traces all pointed to an event that had transpired in the living room.
A ritual, someone had conducted a negative, Evil ritual there.
The only question was whether they did it deliberately knowing what would happen or out of sheer folly, not anticipating a successful outcome.
The crime scene at 18 Tulip Street sat on the edges of the Central District, a place of decline behind the bustle. The residents of these streets were those whose economic situation was much better than those from Blank District but still couldn't afford a decent life, desperately squeezing towards the Central District.
The police car did not sound its siren, but quietly drove for a while and soon entered Tulip Street after passing through the bustling avenue.
There were no tulips here.
Just a series of old houses and gnarled trees that had lost their leaves, looking somewhat desolate due to lack of maintenance.
It was uncertain whether it was the atmosphere or a psychological effect.
As Tang Qi and his colleagues got out of the police car and walked towards the house with its police tape, the air suddenly turned cold. It was as if an invisible, chilly wind was creeping in, bit by bit, penetrating the flesh and scraping against their bones.
"Why has it suddenly become so cold? Have I got a bad feeling about this? If I'd known, I should have listened to my grandma and worn that protective charm."
Havier, who usually had a big, bright smile, was muttering to himself, but now he could hardly smile, so his big white teeth were not visible.
Next to him, Nathan let out a hollow laugh to change the subject. It was then that several detectives who had been guarding the police tape came over together, led by a heavyset black man who was presumably Detective Vid.
He had clearly received a call earlier, and as he quickly approached the group, his face was as pale as death. With a funeral-like expression, he said, "You—you're finally here. I'll leave this to you; I—I'm leaving."
After speaking, he turned to summon his subordinates to leave.
But just at that moment, his face changed, and he suddenly asked, "James? He's not going to... has he?"
"Shhhh~"
Hearing his query, his subordinates almost simultaneously looked towards the sealed-up old house.
It was at this moment that a piercing, horrifying scream erupted from inside the house.
ps: The next chapter has been censored. The recovery date is to be determined. Everyone can join the group (number 726582990) to catch up.