Welcome to the Other Side

　　The warm water washed away the sweat and heat from his body. After his shower, Lin sat down at his computer, his fingers drumming on the keyboard as he typed four words: "Fairchild Bird."

　　Unable to decipher their meaning, he decided to seek answers online.

　　Within milliseconds, the search engine presented him with numerous results.

　　Clicking on the first link, he was directed to a forum discussing Grimm's Fairy Tales. 

　　It told the story of three siblings and a sorcerer disguised as a beggar.

　　The story went that the sorcerer, disguised as a beggar, went around kidnapping young brides. 

　　After capturing a bride, he would give her a key and an egg, telling her he would be away for a few days and forbidding her from entering a particular room. 

　　However, driven by curiosity, the young girl would always use the key to open the forbidden door after the sorcerer's departure. 

　　Inside, she would find a gruesome scene: the floor littered with dismembered bodies. 

　　In her horror, the egg would slip from her grasp and shatter.

　　Stained with the crimson blood, the egg became impossible to clean. 

　　Upon his return, the sorcerer, noticing the bloodstains, would drag the girl into the room and hack her to pieces.

　　Of the three sisters in the story, only the youngest survived. 

　　Using her wit, she not only saved her sisters but also brought about the sorcerer's demise.

　　Though fairy tales were meant for children, Lin found this particular story utterly chilling. 

　　The image of the youngest sister piecing her siblings' bodies back together, watching their resurrection with delight, sent shivers down his spine.

　　The story bore a resemblance to Bluebeard but felt even more gruesome.

　　But what did "Fairchild Bird" on the note imply? 

　　Lin fell into deep thought, trying to connect the words to his own experiences, but finding it far-fetched.

　　But if it wasn't about the past, could it be a premonition of the future? 

　　Lin recalled the twelve pitch-black doors, a sense of unease washing over him.

　　Finding no answers, he lay back on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

　　He had planned to quit his job and return to his hometown soon, but this incident had disrupted everything.

　　The events that transpired behind the door were beyond his comprehension, defying all logic and reason. 

　　Overwhelmed by the inexplicable, his thoughts were in disarray.

　　As he drifted into a light sleep, his mind still a whirlwind of unanswered questions, a faint sound broke through his slumber. 

　　Lin, a light sleeper easily disturbed, mumbled, "Chestnut..." assuming it was his pet.

　　There was no response.

　　The sound ceased, but a delicate, peculiar fragrance wafted into his nostrils. 

　　It was an unusual scent, reminiscent of ice and snow. 

　　At the same time, though his eyes remained closed, he felt a strange gaze upon him.

　　It was an inexplicable sensation. 

　　Despite his closed eyelids, Lin could distinctly sense someone observing him. 

　　The gaze was intense, almost scorching, sending goosebumps prickling across his skin, rousing him from his near-slumber.

　　Someone was in his apartment.

　　Lin's mind snapped fully awake, the realization hitting him with chilling certainty.

　　"So easy to wake," a deep, unfamiliar voice suddenly broke the silence. 

　　It was incredibly close, the speaker's warm breath practically caressing Lin's ear.

　　Caught feigning sleep, Lin had no choice but to open his eyes.

　　The room was shrouded in darkness, the only illumination coming from the faint moonlight filtering through the window. 

　　He could barely make out the intruder's features. 

　　He was strikingly handsome, with an undeniable masculine aura despite his delicate features.

　　He tilted his head slightly, a playful smile gracing his lips as his dark eyes, hidden in the shadows, made it impossible for Lin to decipher his true emotions.

　　"Awake now?" the man purred, his fingers gently tracing the curve of Lin's lips. 

　　His touch was icy, devoid of any human warmth, yet surprisingly smooth, like polished jade.

　　Lin instinctively tried to pull away but was stopped by the man's grip on his wrist. 

　　The man's strength was astonishing, his hand like an iron shackle. 

　　Even the slightest struggle sent throbbing pain through Lin's wrist, a clear indication that any further resistance would result in a broken bone.

　　"Who are you?" Lin demanded. "Breaking in is a crime—"

　　His words were met with a chuckle. 

　　The man leaned closer, studying Lin's features with an almost predatory gaze, before whispering, "Just as lovely as I imagined."

　　A wave of fear washed over Lin.

　　Just as he braced himself for the worst, the man unexpectedly released his grip and switched on the bedside lamp.

　　Light flooded the room, dispelling the darkness and the fear it held. 

　　Lin could finally see the man clearly.

　　He was even more handsome than Lin had initially thought, but his face was unfamiliar. 

　　Their eyes met, and the man, perhaps sensing the alarm and faint terror in Lin's gaze, smiled again. 

　　He extended a hand towards Lin, his voice a soothing balm, "Welcome to the world behind the door."

　　Lin didn't reciprocate the gesture, his expression guarded. "Who are you? Why are you in my home?"

　　Unfazed by Lin's coldness, the man replied, "Hello, Lin. My name is ARuan Nan. I know you have many questions, but I'm afraid I don't have the time to answer them all right now."

　　Lin pressed his lips together, a stubborn glint in his eyes.

　　Nan glanced at his watch. 

　　"You have ten minutes to get dressed. Then, I'll be taking you somewhere."

　　Before Lin could speak, Nan cut him off.

　　Despite his harmless appearance, the man exuded an undeniable aura of dominance. 

　　He smiled, but his words held a chilling undertone, "You don't have a choice."

　　Lin could only offer a helpless look.

　　He had experienced Nan's strength firsthand and knew that resistance was futile.