Chapter 41: The Mysterious Disappearance of Joey

Without delay, Sheriff Hope drove home, packed a few simple belongings, and officially moved in. Most of the house’s furnishings were already complete, so there was little hassle. The mansion boasted numerous rooms: two bedrooms on the first floor, four on the second, each with its own bathroom; there was also a communal bathroom downstairs. Most notably, behind the door lay a private swimming pool—one could rinse off after bathing.

Beyond the bedrooms, the house featured a study, a walk-in closet, an entertainment room, a gym, a small open bar, and even a makeup room—presumably for the celebrity's usual preparations.

Despite the chilling aura and unsettling atmosphere, Lin Xiao had to admit that the lifestyle of the wealthy was extravagantly decadent—two words summed it up: utter debauchery.

They assigned themselves rooms; originally everyone planned to stay upstairs, but Joey insisted on the master bedroom downstairs, and Sheriff Hope accompanied her, choosing the other bedroom on the first floor. Lin Xiao and the other two settled upstairs. For Will’s protection, Lin Xiao had him take the central bedroom, while he himself chose the room at the edge, and Eleven the one furthest inside, sandwiching Will between them.

Stepping into his own room, Lin Xiao observed that the mansion was evidently well maintained. Everything was spotless, a few landscape paintings adorned the walls, and a luxurious double bed occupied the center. There were also a sofa and a dressing table, the style leaning feminine.

Approaching the window, Lin Xiao opened the retro casement; outside, Campus Lake sprawled directly below, and across the water lay the heart of Hawkins Town. From here, gazing down upon the town, he felt a surge of power—a sense of mastery over all.

Suddenly it was clear why the rich always felt superior: when you stood here daily, watching ordinary folk hustle and toil for their livelihoods while you slept until noon, free from worry, it was only natural to develop a lofty mindset.

What they pursued was survival; what the rich enjoyed was truly living.

“Debauchery!”

Lin Xiao left the window, paced around the room, and tested the bed. It was impossibly soft—far superior to his previous kennel, a veritable golden doghouse. Lying on it, he never wanted to get up.

His room included a private bathroom, fully equipped, with a painting of a bathing lady on the wall that made his face flush and ears burn.

The artwork depicted a classical beauty, reminiscent of the Venus de Milo: blonde hair, blue eyes, an elegant figure, voluptuous curves, an exaggerated waist and hips, skin so white it dazzled, a proud bosom, cherry-like points, and below, a dense forest—all radiating irresistible allure.

The lady sat atop a tub, her body half-reclined, neck tilted backwards, golden hair cascading behind her head. One hand grasped the edge, the other extended, as if beckoning someone to join her.

Staring at the painting, Lin Xiao's expression grew dazed. His gaze seemed pulled into the image, and his hand involuntarily reached out, attempting to respond to the golden-haired beauty.

Suddenly, the magic within him began to circulate of its own accord, sending a powerful wave of heat surging through his body and jolting him out of his trance.

“What’s happening?”

Lin Xiao stepped back, unsettled. He wasn’t someone easily swayed by lust. Thanks to the careful tutelage of the island girl, he couldn’t claim to have the heart of a saint, but at least wouldn’t be so easily bewitched by an image.

"Damn, what kind of place is this? Every corner reeks of evil—could this be a haunted house? Is the study next door some midnight bookshop?"

His mind raced. No wonder the house was so cheap—no one would dare accept it, even if it was given away. If not for Joey's insistence, and his supernatural abilities with Eleven, he'd have been ready to move out immediately.

“Ah!”

A scream erupted from the room next door, chilling Lin Xiao to the bone. His heart pounded wildly as he rushed out, throwing open Will’s door.

Will stood in the center of the room, pale, trembling, stupefied with fear.

Lin Xiao hurried to him, embracing him gently and asking what had happened. Will, pointing at the snowy white double bed, stammered in terror:

“I just pulled back the covers—there were two people lying inside!”

“What?”

Summoning his courage, Lin Xiao carefully approached, yanked back the bedding, and found the bed empty.

Now not only was Will terrified, Lin Xiao’s knees trembled as well. This was horrifying—he’d nearly been bewitched by an image, and Will had literally seen ghosts in broad daylight. How could anyone stay here?

“What happened to you?” Eleven entered, drawn by Will’s scream. Lin Xiao briefly explained, and the girl’s eyes widened. She darted forward, hugging Lin Xiao and sobbing:

“Let’s move out, Jonathan. This place is too frightening. I don’t want to stay here anymore.”

Lin Xiao felt the same urge. If it were a real monster, he’d confront it head-on—but how do you fight something so bizarre, intangible and unseen?

“Alright, I’ll ask Joey downstairs. If it doesn’t work, we’ll sell the house. I can’t take much more.”

The three descended together, Will and Eleven clutching Lin Xiao on either side, trembling in fear.

Downstairs, Sheriff Hope sat on the sofa watching television—a massive black-and-white screen, much clearer than any Lin Xiao had seen before.

“Sheriff Hope, we have something to discuss. We can’t stay here.”

Sheriff Hope stood, surprised, and asked what was wrong. Lin Xiao succinctly explained, then inquired about Joey’s whereabouts.

“She was just here, said she’d prepare us a lavish dinner—must be in the kitchen.”

They headed to the kitchen, but found no one. They checked Joey’s bedroom—also empty.

Lin Xiao’s expression grew grim, an intense sense of crisis swelling inside him. Perhaps it was illusion, but a chilling aura seemed to fill the house, and the light outside the windows dimmed rapidly.

It had been just before noon—a sudden darkness was impossible. No explanation was needed; Sheriff Hope clearly sensed something was terribly wrong. They were caught in an extremely bizarre situation.

The pressing matter was to find Joey. They searched every room, but she was nowhere to be found—she had vanished without a trace.

Dong, dong, dong…

Suddenly, the old-fashioned Western clock in the hall began to chime. A strangely shaped bird popped out, startling them.

The bird issued a sharp cry, and the clock's hands spun rapidly, hour by hour, until they reached midnight.

At that moment, a bustling noise filled their ears, as if they had entered a lively place. Voices surrounded them, too many to distinguish, but none clear enough to understand.

Will and Eleven trembled in terror, Sheriff Hope stood paralyzed with fear, and only Lin Xiao—his internal magic flowing incessantly—remained clear-headed.

“No, we mustn't panic. Right now, I'm the only one who can protect them. If I lose my composure, the whole family will perish here—march off together to meet the Reaper. But, wait, this is the West—most likely, we’d go straight to Heaven.”