Fake Human Case

"Why are you still carrying your backpack? Put it aside."

Xuan’s backpack had a pinhole camera that Ruan Xun had secretly placed there. He wanted to record any strange behavior from the woman. If things escalated, he wouldn’t be able to explain himself without evidence.

Xuan placed the backpack in the corner of the room, with the camera aimed directly at the dining table.

"Xuan, why don’t you want to go home?" The woman was getting straight to the point.

"I just want to play…"

Such a flimsy excuse wouldn’t fool her. She definitely knew Xuan had figured out that she wasn’t her real mother.

"And what did you talk about with that big brother today?" The woman’s voice was soft, but to Ruan Xun, it sounded like an unmistakable threat.

"I didn’t say anything… I just wanted to watch a movie!" Xuan’s voice faltered.

"I see… eat quickly, and then do your homework!" The woman patted Xuan’s head, her tone still too calm.

The air in the room was stifling. Neither of them dared to speak openly, but they both knew what was happening. Xuan quickly finished her meal, then ran to her room and locked the door behind her.

The woman stood up to wash the dishes, but then she noticed Xuan’s backpack still by the wall. "This child, how forgetful. Hmm, what’s this?"

"Shit!" Ruan Xun’s heart skipped a beat—she had found the camera!

He watched in horror as the woman fiddled with the camera, muttering to herself, "What is this thing?"

Suddenly, she brought her eyes right up to the lens. "Who are you?"

The three words sent a shockwave of fear through Ruan Xun. He bit back a scream, but a loud "crack!" filled the air as the screen on his phone went white—the woman had stomped on the camera and crushed it.

The camera was destroyed, and now Ruan Xun had to make a decision: should he rush in immediately, or follow the plan and wait for Xuan’s signal? His mind raced with uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Xuan was still unaware of what had happened outside. She sat on her bed, her expression distant.

—Knock knock knock...

"Xuan, you didn’t bring your backpack in. Open the door!"

"What!?" Xuan jolted upright in panic—she had left the backpack outside!

It was too late. The woman had definitely noticed the camera. Xuan’s heart raced as she debated whether she should open the door.

"Xuan, open the door! Are you asleep?" The woman’s tone was now impatient, and the knocking grew louder.

Xuan pressed her hand to her mouth, trying not to make a sound. Should she risk opening the door and running for it? Ruan Xun was outside, but the thought of confronting the woman terrified her.

"Open the door! Open it!" The woman’s knocking turned into violent banging. Her voice grew more shrill with every strike.

After a minute, the banging suddenly stopped. Xuan felt a wave of relief, but then she realized that her hand had bite marks from gripping her mouth so tightly. She hadn’t even noticed the pain until now.

But what happened next made Xuan freeze in terror. The woman was unlocking the door with a key.

The sound of the key turning in the lock echoed in the room. Xuan screamed and rushed to the door, pressing her body against it to block it.

The woman, much stronger than Xuan, started to push the door open inch by inch. Xuan could see the woman’s six-fingered hand creeping through the crack!

"Xuan... sweetie, open the door and let.. Mommy in!" The woman’s voice was no longer soft, but shrill and distorted.

"No..." Xuan’s heart pounded in her chest as the door slowly opened. She knew she couldn’t hold on much longer, so she quickly stepped aside.

The woman stumbled forward, almost losing her balance. Xuan huddled against the corner of the bed, trembling with fear.

"Who are you?" Xuan whispered, barely able to breathe.

"I’m your mother, Xuan. What’s wrong? Don’t you recognize me?" The woman’s face twisted as she moved closer, her features warping and melding together, until they completely disappeared.

Xuan’s eyes widened as she saw the "faceless" figure before her. She couldn’t hold back her terror anymore and screamed.

"Don’t move!" Ruan Xun’s voice rang out from outside the door.

The faceless figure turned toward him, and Ruan Xun, though prepared, was still taken aback. "What the hell is that thing?"

"It’s you?! What do you want?!"

The faceless figure sneered at Ruan Xun, seeing him holding up a lighter. "You think this is going to stop me?"

"But it’s windproof," Ruan Xun retorted.

The tiny lighter in his hand seemed utterly useless to the creature, and Xuan seized the opportunity. Without the creature noticing, she dashed behind Ruan Xun.

They were at an impasse. Ruan Xun didn’t dare attack first—the creature’s abilities were still unknown. The faceless being didn’t dare get too close either; it truly feared fire.

But a small lighter was no match for it!

The creature’s face began to contort again, turning into a swirling vortex. Its missing features reappeared, but now they were even more grotesque. One eye was wide open while the other was the size of a grain of rice. Its nose was now a thick horizontal scar, and its mouth was filled with sharp, spiny protrusions.

"Today, you’ll both die here!"

"What the hell are you?! Where is Xuan’s mother?!"

"Who knows... I only know that you both are going to die today!" The creature’s clawed hand reached out toward Ruan Xun.

"Xuan, did you get the stuff ready?" Ruan Xun held his ground, positioning himself in front of Xuan.

"It’s ready!"

Ruan Xun stepped forward and kicked the creature in the stomach with all his might. His years of experience as a security guard weren’t for nothing.

The creature staggered back, its twisted face filled with confusion. "Wait… what is that smell?"

"The smell you love most—FIRE!"

When Xuan returned to her room earlier, she had secretly poured oil on the furniture under the bed. She hadn’t dared to spill it on the floor, knowing it would be noticed.

Ruan Xun tossed the lighter into the oil, and in an instant, flames burst to life. He quickly slammed the door shut behind him.

The creature let out a blood-curdling scream, its voice warping as it pounded on the door. "Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!" It repeated the words in a maddening, distorted chant.

Ruan Xun shouted, "Xuan, call the fire department! Once they arrive, the creature will burn to death!"

If the fire spread outside, things could spiral out of control. He needed to ensure the safety of the other residents while killing the creature!

The pounding on the door slowed, and the screams grew quieter. Ruan Xun couldn’t afford to relax, still holding the door shut with all his strength.

Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears—the firefighters had arrived.

"Put out the fire!"

Ruan Xun let go of the door, watching as the creature inside was reduced to a charred, unrecognizable mass. All that remained were faint human outlines.

"The person inside is a human intruder. They’ve been burned to death!" A firefighter called out as Ruan Xun stepped aside. The danger was over for now. No one could see the creature’s true form, and as long as Xuan didn’t speak, no one would know the truth.

"Ruan Ge..." Xuan gently tugged on Ruan Xun’s pants, then pointed to the door. "My dad’s here!"

Ruan Xun followed her gaze and saw a tall, dignified man standing in the doorway.

He walked in with measured steps, his posture confident. Xuan instinctively shrank behind Ruan Xun, avoiding eye contact with the man.

The fire was under control, but the man didn’t show much shock at the sight of the burnt body. He crouched down beside it, his gaze lingering on the creature’s six-fingered hand. 

With a heavy sigh, the man stood up and walked out of the room. 

He moved toward Xuan, reaching for her hand, but Ruan Xun stepped in front of him.

"Mr. Bai..."

The man’s expression darkened. "Young man, I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things here and contact you later."

His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of someone who had been through countless trials in business. Ruan Xun slowly let his guard down, but doubt still lingered in his mind.

"Mr. Bai, I’m the building’s security guard. I’ll leave things to you, but Xuan is better off staying with me for now."

The man nodded. "That’s fine. If you need anything, have Xuan call Uncle Zhang."