It had been nearly a week since Chen Li fled from his apartment, but the nightmares only grew more vivid. His mind was haunted by the image of the figure, and even during the day, he couldn't escape the feeling of being watched. He had to find the old man—there was no other way.
One evening, as Chen Li wandered through a crowded market district, he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. It was a familiar shape—a dark coat, a wide-brimmed hat. His heart skipped a beat as he realized it was the old man.
Chen Li broke into a run, weaving through the crowd as he followed the old man. His eyes never left the figure as he pushed past people, his desperation mounting. He couldn't lose him, not now.
Finally, the old man turned down a narrow alley, and Chen Li quickened his pace. He reached the alley and found the man standing at the far end, waiting for him. The dim light cast long shadows, giving the alley an eerie atmosphere, but Chen Li had no time to be afraid.
"You!" Chen Li shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. "You knew this would happen! You knew the painting wouldn't stop it!"
The old man turned to face him, his expression as unreadable as ever. "I warned you," he said quietly. "I told you the painting was a doorway. Once you opened it, there was no going back."
Chen Li's anger flared. "Then why didn't you tell me how to stop it? Why did you let me burn the painting if you knew it wouldn't work?"
The old man's gaze darkened. "Because there is no stopping it. Once the Wraith has chosen you, the only way out is to face him. You can't run, and you can't hide. He's already crossed over into your world."
Chen Li felt a cold weight settle in his chest. "So what do I do? Just wait for him to take me?"
The old man shook his head. "There is a way. But it's dangerous. You'll have to confront him in the place where it all began—the forest."
Chen Li's eyes widened. "The forest? The one from my dreams?"
The old man nodded. "It's not just a dream. The forest is real, and it exists in both worlds. The Wraith uses it as a bridge to cross over into ours. If you can find him there, you may be able to stop him. But be warned—the forest is not what it seems. It will test you, twist your mind, and play tricks on your senses. If you aren't careful, you may never make it out."
Chen Li swallowed hard, the weight of the old man's words sinking in. The thought of returning to that dark, twisted forest made his skin crawl, but what choice did he have? If he didn't face the Wraith, he knew it would only be a matter of time before the shadowy figure claimed him for good.
"How do I find the forest?" Chen Li asked, his voice barely a whisper.
The old man reached into his coat and pulled out a small, worn map. "This will guide you," he said, handing it to Chen Li. "But remember—once you enter the forest, there's no turning back. You must finish what you started."
Chen Li took the map, his hands trembling slightly. The paper was old and faded, marked with strange symbols and paths that led deep into a forest. His mind was racing with fear and uncertainty, but he knew that this was the only way.
The old man's voice broke through his thoughts. "Go at dusk. That's when the boundary between the worlds is weakest. And whatever you do, don't lose sight of the path."
Chen Li nodded, his throat tight with fear. He had no idea what awaited him in the forest, but he couldn't afford to hesitate. Time was running out.
As Chen Li turned to leave, the old man spoke once more. "One last thing—when you find him, don't listen to his voice. No matter what he says, don't let him into your mind."