浮生 隨筆 詩

Japanese believe that those who die with deep resentment would occupy their original houses, while any visitors to the houses would be doomed to be in entanglement.
Eve had come to Japan for advanced studies since 1998. For a long time she wished to serve as a caretaker in a Japanese family. Yet her application drew no customers, though she never gave it up. The identity of Eve may be the main reason that she found no job here. To be a caretaker in Japan, she had to speak Japanese at least, or she had better had some Japanese friends who could tolerate her to speak English. But the fact is that she had neither.
However, the fate had a turn to Eve.
One day a American lady came to find Eve. She had employed a girl before, yet the lady dicided to alternate that girl with Eve at the salary extremely high. It made Eve’s eyes turned brilliant at an instant. “It must be a great deal,” thought Eve. She was not full of anticipation until she got such a high-paid job. But did Eve make a right decision ? The family had their house in the suburbs. It took Eve hours to drive there,arriving at sunset. the building was a two-story architecture built in Japanese style with a yard in the front. It was the first time Eve had her job here in Japan.
Eve walked up to the door, ringing the bell. No one came to answer. Where was the lady? Again she tried. She looked into the dark house, and hesitated whether to leave or not. “Once I leave, I have no job again.”
In order to catch the gleaming chance, Eve stretched her hand to the handle.
Much to her surprise, the door opened.
“Is anybody here?”
It seemed as if there had been no one ever living here.
“The house must have been deserted for a long time,” said Eve.
All of a sudden, Eve heard a voice coming from the depth of darkness. ”Oh! My lady, I do not want to play the game anymore.” It was a woman’s voice. So curious was Eve that she moved her feet to the end,
“Soon a girl would take your place!” Another voice answered. Eve dared not utter any sound when she walked. Eve was sure of something with the sixth sense. She remembered the day when her grandmother passed away when she had seen a soul floating in the air before. Yet since then, she had never seen that scene anymore. “It was simply a mirage, not Grandmother,” Eve explained to herself.
However the voice generated a deadly appeal to the girl. Now Eve had to face the fear. At last Eve came to the door behind which was the voices. For a long time, Eve kept blind to ghosts but now she might face them. Everything would have changed once Eve opened the door. The tide of terror came to a strong extent.
The sight Eve saw at a glanced almost took her breath. An old lady was floating above the bed like the way Eve had seen at the funeral.
The mother was floating in the air, staring at the ceiling.
It was the same as Eve had seen beside her grandmother’s bed. The memory surged suddenly. Eve collapsed at once.
The room had two doors. The other led to the second floor.
Was the lady dead or alive?
“It cannot be,” Eve said. “Someone should pay me to take care of the dead!” Eve almost run out of her mind. She would rather have no job at all than earn a big fortune by watching the dead floating in air. At this moment, the mother said to her, “Here you come! Some lady wants to play with you.” In fact, the mother was occupied by demons. What was it and why was the lady looking angrily at the ceiling? Maybe something or nothing in air needed someone to sacrifice himself. What had happened to the mother? Would Eve stay to play the game?
Eve chose to stay.
She took a deep breath; then walked in. All at once, the mother turned the head, facing Eve with a weary look and repeating,” Here you come, the chosen girl.” Eve, though frightened, came up to the lady. Her blood was frozen at the moment.
She boldly came close to the lady and somehow stepped onto stairs which had been deserted for a time. Something had controlled Eve's mind, leading her to the game.
Turning left at the end of the stairs, she saw an aisle to the end of which lay a room whose door was a magic mirror.
It was odd enough that the door was like an entrance to another world, the death land.
Eve was so astounded that she could hardly walk to the mirror. In the dark, Eve saw a lady walking to her as well. They both came to the mirror. Suddenly Eve stopped. She got rigid in her body at once. Something more frightening caused her not to move again. Guess what? The woman in mirror was walking with blood pumping out of her neck and wrists; besides, she resembled the lady who employed her. The woman had her long hair covering the right side of her face. It was not easy to see all her face, but Eve could identify her with her special ability. “I’m sure it is the employer,” said Eve. But why was she here?
Eve dared not answer because of the terrific scene. She could not stand up to it but to surrender to fear. Suddenly, she thought of an old tale:
It is said that evil spirits were turned from the entanglement released from those who had committed unforgivable sins and they were abandoned by Heaven even if they stopped harming lives. To cheat God from punishing them, they take some others to sacrifice. At the approach of humans, they managed to have the victim’s soul by all means. Therefore they could escape the judges after they died. Thus, if Eve had escaped- that is, she lost the courage to overcome the evil-she might become one of sacrifice. The only way to survive is to play the mentioned game with the blooded lady.
Nevertheless Jane was so frightened as not to protect herself. She liked to play but now she was playing reluctantly. How to finish the game and fight demons? Eve wondered. The first idea to her was to escape.
As Eve was about to escape, the doorbell rang loudly, which awoke Eve to the real world. Eve had gradually got released from terror but the trial was not over. She came downstairs, passing the grand hostess’ room, and coming to the doorway. Eve opened the door, but something weird happened.
The door was not an exit but an entrance. The world behind the door was not woods but the same place Eve stayed. That is, she could not run off the house now. Whether to leave or stay struck her again. Yet this time Eve had no choice but to play the game.
Eve went back to the house. It was terrible to spend a night in the haunted house. As a foreign worker, Eve had to search help from her friends immediately or, if possible, the employer.
Still there was light in the darkness when Eve’s cell phone rang in the nick of time.
“Where have you gone?” a boy said through the phone, “I am worried about you now.”
“Adam, I too don’t know where I am located. In fact, I have a big trouble now, “Eve answered. Eve told Adam that she was forced to play a life-taking game and that she needed help from him.
“Are you out of your mind?” At first, Adam did not believe Eve’s crazy words. However, Eve was such an honest girl as not to tell lies. Adam knew that but what she said was too unacceptable. Suddenly, Adam thought of an old fable. A legend took place in Japan. It was about a navigator and his wealth. He had heard of the story in his childhood and Eve might be involved in it. If Eve was telling the truth, she might be there. But, first of all, Adam had to search some information about the house.
The game was still going on. “Stay calm!” Eve told to herself. Though Adam had changed his mind to believe her, Eve still confronted the entanglement alone. One second in the darkness was as long as a century. She just spent two hours in the house but she could not bear it any longer.
“I have to take some measures. “ Eve went back to the old lady’s room.
Meanwhile Adam was surprised at the coverage in the newspaper. It said that there was once a homicide happened in a mansion. The family in the house had been killed in a cruel way, except a lady. The newspaper covered a photo of a couple and their children. Taking a closer look, Adam became astounded at the sight of the wife who was injured the way as Eve told him. Cuts in her neck and wrists were so horrible that no one dared to take a second look.
In the room, Eve, though pretending to be strong, dared not see it for another time. Maybe the house had its own will, and it had been cursed for a long time. Eve kneeled down, while she never thought that she would see the images once again. Majoring in physics, Eve understood that she was at the edge of science. Such a case as would absolutely break science might never be easy to work out the explanation. Moreover, she had to take good care of the lady in the air, so she had better stay in the room or she might break the contract-lose the game.
Now, Eve could not help but close her eyes. She began to hallucinate. As everything around her changing greatly, she could not realize she was out of the house until she opened her eyes. However, it was 20 years the time before Eve entered the house. The house was brilliant, which made Eve surprised at first.
Eve stood still for a while until a car came from the horizon to the gate. Four people, two adults and their kids, came out of the car. Eve’s eyes got bigger than ever at the sight of them.
It must have something wrong to them! Eve considered. She followed them at the hind into the house. Indeed, it was widely different from that haunted house and Eve could hardly believe it would become a haunted house in the end. The furniture was luxurious. Never had Eve viewed the same house; nor did she imagine any house of this kind appear in the world. “But why would this place turn from heaven into hell?” she was confused, “and why did the hostess resembled the blooded woman?”
As careful as can be, Eve made her way stealthily in case they might notice her. But as it was, they were unaware. In the mean time, Eve could feel a deep entanglement accumulated in the air. No smiles appeared on their faces, though they had such a nice mansion. Eve soon found out it was quite a strange place to be. Lots of ghost stories flashed through Eve’s mind; she was also a character. It seemed as if she stood on an endless road stepping out into the great unknown. Yet this time she was not making research, but figuring out a way to the real world. Suddenly she came back into the room watching the floating mother. She stopped hallucinating.
Adam soon realized, if he did not help Eve at once, he would probably not see her again. It is easier to be said than done. “Who could believe such a big turbulence to science? “ Adam thought. He put the newspapers away. ”I must lead Eve to the end of the game,” he thought. Adam reminded himself of the legend again.
In the legend, a rich family immigrated from the west to Tokyo. At first, they were unfamiliar to the local residents who led poor lives. However, because they were glad to help neighbors, they came to be known in Tokyo. Gradually, their reputation spread among the nation, but what became more famous was their big fortune. “It was time when they fell into dangers,” said Adam. And the house, where they lived, was not as safe as before. Soon they all were killed in the house. No one dare to move into the house since then, except an American family and Eve.
Now 5 hours had passed, but nothing was found. How could he give help to her?
It was quite tonight, so quite as to push one into death. The house seemed to swallow Eve into silence. Brave as she was, the girl could not have more courage now. The previous night, she had a good dream on bed; tonight, a nightmare here. While Eve was tired on the floor, the mother’s face turned green, her finger pointing at a tattoo on the wall. The tattoo was designed as the door to the real world. What did the mother mean by the tattoo? Was she willing to let go of Eve?
Absolutely not1 the mother appointed Eve a mission to do-to carry a box back. “Bring back a box from a prisoner. He will tell you something about it. Remember what he said and do as such.” She finished her words then the tattoo started to rotate at high speed. Eve was confused about her words yet she was more interested about the box. What was wrong with the box which arouse Eve’s interest?
Eve thought she was played by Fortune, but it might help her to get away. She was asked to pass through the tattoo, which was able to transport Eve to a prison. Behind the tattoo, Eve found a prisoner in the cell, who used to be a sophisticated sailor who had ever traveled overseas. He had a wealth of voyage experience, including one mysterious cruise. The prisoner was surprised at the appearance of Eve. He had long hoped to escape from the prison. Perhaps Eve could help him. He promised Eve to tell the location of the box in exchange for freedom. Thus, they reach a deal, and Eve finally earned what she wanted. Here is the man’s story:
Once by himself to a far-off island with a view to searching for some gasoline and gold mine, he got lost on the way due to an unexpected storm. His ship crashed into pieces and he was taken to an island. Originally, he guessed he would end his life here but since he found a golden box in a dark cave, his life had been changed. The man was fascinated with the gold coins, as if they had magic over him. At the first sight, he had been more fascinated than surprised at those gold coins in the box. Not until now did he realize he was favored by Fortune. What is more, the island was not remote but on the route of another vessel. Soon he was rescued along with the golden box.
However it did not come as luck.
The box, at all points, had a deadly appeal to him. He turned greedier of jewels than ever. All his attention was fixed on the gold coins, which had a special tattoo on each.
“The tattoo?” Eve murmured. She thought of the tattoo transporting her here.
It was the tattoo. Each of coins drew him off his attractive wife and sweet wine. Sexy women and sweat wine were all the same insipid to him. The gold coins were his precious. Isolated from his family in addition to hostile from other sailors, he lost his company gradually. He stayed close to his precious gold coins for all day until a couple stole his box.
The sailor glanced Eve and said that he would find the box by all means. He kept the track of the couple, and he killed them in a mansion. Nevertheless, they did not tell him where the box was. “I’m sure it was still in the house,” said the man. “My lady, now the story ends.” The man finished his words. Eve went back the house and the tattoo stopped rotating.
Seated for 3 hours, Adam was still uncertain how to rescue Eve but at least he knew the road to the house. “There would be a way!’ said Adam. He could not wait any longer now. The time to rescue his girl friend had come. At midnight, his car dashed into the woods; soon it vanished in the darkness.
Eve showed much sympathy to the couple, since they had also died for the tattoo. Chances are they had gained the box that used to belong to the man. The box was in the house, but where was it? Eve thought of the lady in the magic mirror. She smiled at her as if she knew something. Perhaps Eve should try it. But it is not as simple as that when lack of courage. However, the answer was there and the key to it was Eve. If Eve dared not take the first step, the game would stop at one point. As a result, Eve would not strike demons away.
Outside of the house, Adam finally found the house. The door was locked! Apparently, Adam had to break into the house. In fact, it was useless because it was playing with Eve now. Meanwhile it did not wish someone to disturb the game. Soon the alarm exploded loudly, so was Adam in a big trouble immediately.
Eve stepped onto the second floor cautiously. She would face with the terrible images again. Tonight Eve experienced too much and now she just hoped to get away quickly. She moved upstairs reluctantly, unwilling to the mirror. Strange as it was, there was no woman in it except Eve’s reflections. But taking a closer look, she saw a golden box in the mirror.
“It was the box,” Eve screamed with cheers. Suddenly, the blooded lady in the mirror squatted beside the box, which made Eve scream again. The lady stared at Eve with much resentment. She had guarded the box for long and hoped to guard it after she died. Eve stood still for a while lest she should cross the mirror to catch her. They both looked at each other through the glass. The box was still in the mirror. Was it the salary the employer mentioned? If it really was, Eve would manage to earn it at any cost.
Eve stretched her hands to the mirror. Much surprised, some ripples appeared on the mirror. It meant it was possible to go through the mirror. It was a surprise discovery, and Eve made up her mind to get the box.
Eve’s hand reached through the glass and then the body until she entered the land behind the mirror. The lady was surprised as well because no one had ever come in. She became fierce at once while Eve intended to touch the box.
Outside of the house, Adam got relieved temporarily. At the mid of night, the police was unaware of the alarm.
“Yet how can I break into the house?” Adam murmured.
Beside the house laid an abandoned well, too deep to see the bottom. Mud gathered at the edge of it and a wooden bucket hung with a rope. It is evident that it was built two decades before.
Adam was curious about the well. It was strange enough to see an old well built to the side of a luxurious mansion. Some clues might be there. As a matter of fact, it all originated from the well. To end the game, Adam should pulled up the bucket and see something.
At death land, the woman could not put up with Eve anymore. She rushed to the girl and gave her a blow. Eve was also irritated by the lady. She gave the lady a slap in return. Two women then began a fight for the box in the mirror.
Adam pulled up the bucket with much strength. To his surprise, he found a golden box with Eve’s necklace in the bucket. What was wrong with Eve? Why was she in the deep well? Adam soon became anxious about his girl friend. He screamed her name in his heart and with the necklace in his hands. Kneeling down beside the well, Adam worshiped to God wishing Eve to come back.
The box did have big appeal to Eve but Adam more. The necklace was the first gift Adam gave her. The necklace, full of love, was more precious than the box. Eve knew that for sure but the magic of the tattoo began to swallow the girl’s heart. Even though she had good brains and, in Adam’s eyes, warmer than the sun, she did not want to give away the box in vain to the lady. Meanwhile, the sound of the mother came to her ears,” Bring back the box.”
While Eve was fighting with the woman, the mirror turned brilliant gradually. Did Jesus come to Eve’s help? Or maybe Adam could rescue her in the nick of time?
“Eve! Wake up to the real world.”
What was it? At the sound, Eve realized the land was not in the mirror, but at the bottom of a well, and the box was gone.
“Am I dreaming?” Eve’s eyes blinked.
Yet the fact was she stood at the bottom of the well fighting with the blooded. Eve shivered. Since the box was not here, she had better go through the mirror again, or she would stay with the lady for the rest of her life.
“I must return to Adam!” Eve uttered. Nevertheless the way back turned dangerous and difficult. But for God’s blessings, Eve would vanish from the world. Never had any man return from the well, but Eve was any man. She gave a big fist to the woman with all her might. After that, she fainted away at the bottom of the well. It seemed unlikely for Eve to return.
“Adam……”
The night was finally over.
The next day, Eve woke up in her bed. Beside the bed were Adam and her friends. She was not in the well but in hospital. In fact, she had been lying in her bed since the previous night. Suffering a chronic disease since 1998, Eve usually had weird dreams in the hospital. As she dreamed, the day to hospital was the day to Japan, but the house was not a mirage she created. It was really there.
The previous night was the last night to Eve. However, she had a strange dream at the same time, in which she had an adventure in the house. On the other hand, Adam was also astonished because he dreamed the same dream as well. Something flashed into his mind, but he was not going to tell Eve what it was. Ignorance is bliss, as he thought.
No sooner had Adam made up his decision than he saw a piece of news appeared in the morning newspaper. On it was written:
A rich family was killed in their mansion where the police found a golden box. In the box were coins with strange tattoos on each.
The End