Chapter 29: The Murder in the Shadowy Forest

That afternoon after school, Chief Hope came once again to visit Number Eleven. Since her identity issues remained unresolved, she couldn’t show herself in public and was confined to the house each day. In the evenings, Lin Xiao or Will would teach her some lessons.

It had to be said: Number Eleven, with her awakened abilities, learned at an astonishing pace. She quickly caught up to Will’s progress and could begin studying high school materials.

The American education system differed from that of China. Elementary school lasted six years, middle school only two, and high school four years. In essence, however, the content was much the same, with differences mostly in naming. That meant Number Eleven’s current knowledge was about equivalent to a second-year middle school student, ready to tackle the subjects of the third year.

Jonathan’s grades had never been remarkable, but Lin Xiao, in his previous life, was something of a prodigy. Besides, American middle and high school curriculum was indeed simpler than China’s, so his grades had improved dramatically, nearly making him a true academic star.

Over dinner, Chief Hope spoke about recent events in the town and, without meaning to, mentioned a murder that had occurred in the shadowed woods behind Joy’s former house.

“Jim, we’re eating. Could you not talk about things like that? They’re still kids,” Joy complained, noting how Chief Hope’s visits had grown more frequent, as if he considered their home a cafeteria.

“Joy, don’t you realize that Jonathan and Number Eleven both have supernatural abilities? This case is quite unusual—the victim’s wounds are strange, neither gunshot nor caused by any conventional weapon. It seems they were killed in some special way. I suspect it might be related to creatures from the Upside Down.”

At Chief Hope’s words, the mood at the table shifted abruptly. Joy looked tense, while Number Eleven and Lin Xiao exchanged eager glances, faces full of interest, urging him to continue.

Joy no longer tried to stop him. She knew the portal to the Upside Down hadn’t closed; monsters from that world could return at any time. If they came for Will or Jonathan again, that was her worst fear.

Seeing no objections, Chief Hope continued, “The victim’s death was horrific—as if their limbs were torn off with incredible force. The torso was damaged, apparently gnawed by some carnivorous animal. But our investigation found no large predators in those woods. So I want to ask: have you ever encountered any wild beasts while living nearby, aside from creatures from the Upside Down?”

As he finished, everyone instinctively put down their knives and forks, glancing at the roast chicken on the table, faces pale and stomachs churning.

Chief Hope looked awkward, accustomed as he was to such things, forgetting the others were ordinary people, unused to such graphic descriptions.

“We haven’t seen anything, Chief Hope. Will and I have explored the shadowed woods many times—at most, we’ve seen rabbits and foxes. If any large predator appeared, you’d have received a report,” Lin Xiao replied.

Last time, the Mind Flayer’s fragment had been destroyed; it couldn’t possibly return so soon to cause trouble. Besides, they had moved to this side of town. If the Mind Flayer wanted revenge, it would come for them, not hunt elsewhere.

“That rules out large predators. So our suspect list narrows. We can’t exclude the possibility of monsters from the Upside Down. Jonathan, be careful. I have a feeling the town is about to get turbulent again, and a monster attack may be imminent.”

Chief Hope spoke gravely. He had thought the last incident was over, but now trouble was rising again.

Joy’s face turned ashen as she looked anxiously at Will. He had suffered terribly from the last ordeal and still bore scars. If such a thing happened again, Will would surely be unable to endure it.

“No, if I had to guess, it’s probably not a monster from the Upside Down. The Mind Flayer was repelled; it wouldn’t return so quickly. And with its intelligence, it wouldn’t risk alerting us, drawing our attention,” Lin Xiao said. He knew the Mind Flayer well—in the third season, it hid in the shadows, weaving its schemes, only revealing itself when it could strike with overwhelming force.

Now, its fragment destroyed, it lacked a medium to operate. Unless it pulled someone into the Upside Down and planted its seed again, using that power to cross into the real world.

“No, the Mind Flayer hasn’t returned. My wounds don’t hurt,” Will suddenly said. Number Eleven glanced around and echoed, “It’s not the Mind Flayer. I’ve used my abilities to probe the Upside Down recently and found no trace. Not only the Mind Flayer—there are no monsters anywhere in town, or else my senses would have noticed.”

With Lin Xiao’s guidance, Number Eleven had been practicing her powers frequently and now used them with ease.

“In that case, things are still unsettled in town. After school, don’t wander off—go straight home, understood?” Chief Hope cautioned. Will nodded; lately, he and Jonathan always went to and from school together, so he felt safe.

The next day, Lin Xiao drove Will to school. In class, there was a buzz of conversation—apparently about a transfer student.

Lin Xiao had inherited Jonathan’s taciturn nature, rarely speaking in class and preferring to stay at his seat, uninterested in making friends.

“Hey, Jonathan, interested in earning some extra cash tonight?” A boy with a freckled face approached. This was Jonathan’s only friend in class, Eric, with whom he worked at the fast-food place.

“No thanks. Last time I helped, my brother went missing, and my mom scolded me for days. Better not ask me to cover for you—I have to take care of Will,” Lin Xiao replied. Partly, he wanted to look after Will; partly, the small wage didn’t interest him at all.

He had supernatural powers now—working part-time? Never in his life.

“Okay, I’ll ask someone else. By the way, did you hear? There’s a new transfer student today. Supposedly really handsome and a member of the county basketball team. Strange he’d transfer to a small place like ours,” Eric said, settling into the seat behind, clearly excited.

Lin Xiao shook his head. This guy was hopeless. Why did grown men care about handsome boys—was he planning to come out?

“I’m not interested in boys. That’s Steve’s problem, not ours,” Lin Xiao said.

Just then, the bell rang and the grade advisor entered, accompanied by a boy.

The newcomer was strikingly handsome, standing about six foot three, with delicate, beautiful features almost feminine in their grace. His eyes were a clear blue, reminiscent of the sea, and his tousled golden hair immediately drew shrieks from the girls.

“Hello, everyone. This is our new classmate, Stephan Cullen. Let’s give him a warm welcome,” the advisor announced.

The girls rose applauding, eager to get rid of their seatmates and have him sit beside them.

The handsome newcomer was expressionless, waving listlessly as a greeting. His cool demeanor only further excited the girls.

“Hmm, strange—there’s something about him…” Lin Xiao leaned back, secretly observing. A moment ago, he had felt his own magical energy stir, as if reacting to something outside.

Standing at the front, Stephan Cullen’s gaze shot toward Lin Xiao like an arrow, piercing his eyes. Was it an illusion, or did he glimpse a faint red gleam in the boy’s eyes?

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