Wall Painting

-----

Could you drop some reviews? It helps to get this fic a rating.

------

Whether it's Jodie Foster, Emily, or Sheldon, despite their different perspectives, they all watched 'Wrong Turn' once again. This time, while they still found many shots intriguing, their focus shifted to new aspects, as they attempted to uncover previously overlooked details.

For those viewers experiencing 'Wrong Turn' for the first time, this dilemma didn't exist. They continued to be captivated by the intense and impactful scenes, occasionally exclaiming in amazement.

In the back row, Christian and Charlize remained motionless, hands tightly clasped.

"Here it is…"

Charlize extended her left hand, touching the trees beside her. She couldn't believe that everything before her was real.

Just moments ago, she had been in the cinema, watching their movie with the man next to her.

Now, they found themselves in a forest, seemingly the location where they filmed 'Wrong Turn', the Vinales Valley. Notably, not far away, stood a decrepit wooden cabin, emitting an eerie aura, akin to a predator awaiting its prey.

Charlize instinctively moved towards the cabin, but Christian's grip on her right hand prevented her.

"I warned you, Sally. Don't let go, or we won't be able to return!"

"Can't go back?"

Charlize's heart raced as she recalled what Christian had said in the cinema. She tightened her hold on Christian's left hand.

"So, what now?"

"Well…"

Christian, previously tense, appeared more at ease now.

"Sally, have you heard of painting coming to life?"

"I'm familiar with murals."

Charlize couldn't help but roll her eyes. After her experiences with Alexis, she knew that Christian possessed occasional eccentricities.

"Whether you want to explain or tell a story, let's get started."

 "..."

Christian, feeling somewhat compelled, began somewhat embarrassedly:

"In ancient China, there was a man named Zhu Xiaolian who visited a temple one night and discovered a beautiful mural in the temple's main hall. He was captivated by one of the girls in the mural and, while gazing at her, suddenly found himself transported into the world within the painting, standing face to face with the girl..."

"Did they end up in bed?"

Charlize seemed highly intrigued by Christian's story.

"Your tale reminds me of 'The Thousand and One Nights,'" she remarked. "Was the protagonist in that story a cunning man who didn't enter the painting?"

"That might be a mistake in my memory," Christian replied, covering his mouth and grinning.

"Please, go on."

"No need for the rest," Christian said, losing interest in continuing the story. "Telling this story is akin to the Nan Ke Yimeng tale I shared earlier, as there's a hidden magic in it."

"Magic? Is it similar to the dream web I weaved before?"

"It's somewhat alike but more potent and perilous," Christian confirmed. "Sally, do you hear any peculiar sounds?"

"Sounds?"

Charlize listened and realized, apart from the gentle rustling of the wind and the forest's insect chorus, another sound occasionally echoed in her ears—an exclamation and sigh, the soundtrack from 'Wrong Turn.' That was..."

"Could it be...?"

"That's right," Christian nodded, pleased with Charlize's quick grasp.

"Our bodies are indeed still in the cinema."

"Then where are we now?"

"You can think of it as our souls, or anything else," Christian struggled to find the right words.

"In simple terms, our consciousness is on that movie screen."

"You mean the movie screen paints the world?"

Charlize began to understand.

"Exactly," Christian gestured, "No wall painting can be more realistic than the movie screen projection. I can use it to bring the magic of 'wall painting' to life."

"So, are we in the 'Wrong Turn' world created by your magic?"

"Sort of," Christian scratched his head, "Although it was created here, it's mostly powered by the audience in the movie theatre."

"Is this the theory where your magic draws from the emotions of the heart?"

Charlize raised an eyebrow.

"I can't fully explain it either," Christian admitted, "But you only need to know three things."

Christian raised his right hand, extending a finger, "First, don't let go of my hand, or you'll be stuck here."

He added a second finger, "Second, the emotions of the moviegoers outside affect us, whether it's fear or happiness."

Charlize was about to ask how, but Christian extended a third finger, "Lastly, we must finish what we have to do before the movie ends, or this world will vanish, and our efforts will be in vain."

"What do we have to do?" Charlize understood.

"You wanted to"

"Yes, seal the mandrill, Ghost Tiger"

Christian didn't mention the name Wei Changhui, both to protect Charlize and avoid alerting his formidable opponent.

"This opponent is much stronger than Alexis. I need to give it everything I've got and not make any mistakes."

"The time is running out" Christian checked his watch and listened to the audience's reactions outside.

"Let's head to that cabin"

"Ghost Tiger will appear there?"

To Charlize's guess, Christian nodded.

Remembering their previous encounter, Charlize, though usually brave, turned a bit pale.

"But why would he appear here?"

"Because it's a trap I set long ago", Christian explained.

"And he promised me a deal — he wants to become a true mountain god."

"In the previous premiere, I harnessed the audience's fear as a sacrifice, transforming him into a true mountain god, free from the rules."

"Unlike ghosts, gods are more powerful but bound by rules. They must respond to the demands of their worshippers since they've accepted sacrifices."

"Now, the cinema audience sacrifices their fear, and as a director, I can subtly guide them through the lens to make the demands I want."

Christian took Charlize's hand and led the way out of the cabin.

"My first request is for the Ghost Tiger to appear here."

With that, he pushed open the door.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want to support me check out my patréon at

https://www.patreon.com/Dark_sym

I tend to upload drafts of early chapters on there to get people's opinions of them so you can read up to 10 chapters ahead as a bonus.

Thank you guys for your support in these hard times.