Shadows Over Nanmen: The Unraveling of a Massacre

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a long shadow over Nanmen High School, a once-idyllic institution now marred by tragedy. The air was thick with the scent of rain and the lingering fear that had settled into the hearts of the townsfolk. It had been a month since the first death, a student found in the gymnasium with no apparent cause of death. The school had been shut down, and the students sent home, but the mystery remained.

Detective Liu Huan stood at the edge of the gymnasium, his eyes scanning the room. The gym was now a crime scene, every detail meticulously documented. "The first death," he murmured to himself, "a warning, perhaps."

He turned to his partner, Detective Wang, who had been with him since the beginning of the investigation. "Wang, have we found anything new?"

Wang shook his head, his face a mask of concern. "No, Detective. The students are still silent. They're scared, Liu. They won't talk."

Liu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to find a way to break through their fear. This is more than just a series of deaths. There's something deeper at play here."

As they left the gymnasium, Liu couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He turned, scanning the perimeter of the school, but saw nothing. It was just the eerie silence that seemed to follow them.

The next morning, Liu received an anonymous call. "Detective Liu, I know what you're looking for. Follow the echoes of blood."

Confused, Liu asked, "Echoes of blood? What does that mean?"

The voice on the other end of the line chuckled. "It's a hint, Detective. Follow it, and you'll find the truth."

Liu and Wang decided to start their investigation at the school's library. It was a place that seemed untouched by the chaos, a sanctuary of knowledge amidst the turmoil. Liu approached the librarian, a woman named Mrs. Chen, who had been with the school for decades.

"Mrs. Chen," Liu began, "we're investigating the recent deaths at Nanmen High. Do you know anything about them?"

Mrs. Chen's eyes widened with fear. "I... I've heard rumors, Detective. But I can't say for sure if they're true."

Liu pressed on. "Rumors? What kind of rumors?"

Mrs. Chen hesitated, then whispered, "There's a legend about the school. It's said that a long time ago, a student was wrongfully accused of a crime he didn't commit. He was expelled and driven to madness, and he vowed to take revenge on the school."

Liu's heart raced. "Expelled? Wrongfully accused? And he vowed revenge?"

Mrs. Chen nodded. "Yes. And it's said that his spirit still haunts the school, seeking justice."

Liu and Wang left the library, their minds racing with possibilities. They knew they had to follow the echoes of blood, but they had no idea what that meant.

The next day, they received another anonymous call. "Detective Liu, the echoes of blood lead to the old administration building. Go there, and you'll find what you're looking for."

Liu and Wang made their way to the old administration building, a dilapidated structure that seemed out of place among the modern buildings of the school. They entered, the air thick with dust and the scent of decay.

As they walked through the building, Liu felt a chill run down his spine. The echoes of blood seemed to call to him, guiding him through the labyrinth of hallways and rooms.

Finally, they reached a small, dimly lit room at the end of a long corridor. In the center of the room was an old, wooden desk, covered in papers and letters. Liu approached the desk, his eyes scanning the documents.

One letter caught his attention. It was addressed to the school's principal, and it detailed the events that led to the expulsion of the student who had been wrongfully accused. Liu read the letter, his heart sinking.

The principal had been aware of the student's innocence, but he had chosen to ignore the evidence. Instead, he had expelled the student, setting off a chain of events that would lead to the student's madness and, ultimately, his death.

Liu turned to Wang. "Wang, this is it. This is the truth we've been searching for."

Wang nodded, his eyes filled with anger. "But what about the recent deaths? How are they connected?"

Liu sighed. "I don't know, Wang. But I'm sure they are. This student's spirit is still here, and he's not done seeking justice."

As they left the old administration building, Liu and Wang knew that their investigation was far from over. The echoes of blood had led them to the truth, but the story of Nanmen High School was far from finished.

The next day, Liu received another call. "Detective Liu, the echoes of blood lead to the old gymnasium. Go there, and you'll find the final piece of the puzzle."

Liu and Wang made their way to the old gymnasium, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They entered the gym, their eyes scanning the room.

In the center of the gym was a large, wooden box. Liu approached the box, his hands trembling. He opened it, revealing a set of old, blood-stained clothes.

Liu's eyes widened. "Wang, look at this. This is the student's clothes. He wore them on the night of his death."

Wang nodded, his face pale. "So, he didn't die of natural causes. He was killed."

Liu turned to Wang. "Wang, this student's spirit is still here. And he's not going to rest until he gets justice."

Wang nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Then we'll help him. We'll bring the truth to light, and we'll make sure that justice is served."

As they left the old gymnasium, Liu and Wang knew that their investigation had changed them forever. They had uncovered the dark secrets of Nanmen High School, and they had faced the echoes of blood that had haunted the town for so long.

But the story of Nanmen High School was far from over. The echoes of blood had only just begun to unravel the truth, and the town of Nanmen would never be the same again.