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他们在找你。
They're calling you.
要我回电话给你吗？
Like me to call you back.
电话在响。
The phone is ringing.
一个陌生来电的留言。
A message from an unknown caller.
一个难以辨认的声音。
A voice unrecognizable.
来自阴影中的语音留言。
Audio messages from the shadows.
但有一条信息很清晰，它说：准备好迎接《无眠播客》吧。
But one message is clear, and it says, brace yourself for the no sleep cast.
我们全速冲过校园，只有几个赶早课的学生模糊地瞥见了这一幕。
We took off across the campus at a dead run, witnessed only by the few blurry students on their way to morning classes.
当终于看到莱利时，我踉跄地绊倒在路面上，血液仿佛瞬间凝固。
When Riley finally came into view, I stumbled on the pavement as my blood turned to ice.
从我们的有利位置，可以清楚地看到角落房间的窗户都关着。
From our vantage point, we could clearly see the windows of the corner room were closed.
欢迎，各位聪明人。
Welcome, brilliant people.
你问为什么我称你们为聪明人？
Why do I call you brilliant, you ask?
啊，求知欲旺盛的头脑才是在成长的头脑。
Ah, the inquiring mind is a growing mind.
你们聪明是因为选择了收听《无眠》播客。
You are brilliant because you have chosen to listen to the no sleep podcast.
只有最优秀最聪明的人才会这么做。
Only the best and brightest do.
我猜你们的智慧来自生活经验的积累，可能还受过些正规教育。
And I assume your intelligence comes from a combination of life experiences and likely some formal education.
你有一颗求知若渴的心。
You have a curious mind.
知识使我们充实。
Knowledge enriches us.
在这动荡的时代，懂得如何学习、如何运用批判性思维至关重要。
And during these tumultuous times, knowing how to learn, how to exercise critical thinking is paramount.
而踏入神圣的学术殿堂通常是学习的最佳途径。
And entering the hallowed halls of academia is usually the best way to learn.
学习专业知识，认识世界，也认识自我。
Learn about your disciplines, the world, and yourself.
此刻你们好奇的头脑可能在想，老卡明斯为何要絮叨大学和教育这些事。
Now your curious minds might be wondering why old Cummings is nattering on about college and learning.
那么，若将恐怖播客与大学教育话题相结合，根据传递律与非自然成因的先验附加条件，我们只能得出本集故事讲述的是人们遭遇与大学生活相关的噩梦情境。
Well, if we take a horror podcast and combine it with talk of university educations, ipso facto due to the transitive property and the a priori adjunct of non naturalistic causes, we can only conclude that the stories on this episode feature people dealing with nightmarish situations based in or around the collegiate life.
证毕。
QED.
所以我们要聪明地对待这件事。
So let's be smart about it.
让我们了解恐怖如何在试图用知识充实大脑时渗透进我们的生活。
Let's learn about the ways horror can infiltrate our lives while we're trying to infiltrate our brains with knowledge.
我们要做的就是倾听。
All we have to do is listen.
现在，你敢拿起电话，聆听那些呼唤你的声音吗？
Now, do you dare pick up your phone and listen to the voices calling to you?
在我们的第一个故事中，我们遇到了柯克。
In our first tale, we meet Kirk.
他和朋友们正在寻找校园附近的住所。
He and his friends are looking for a place to live close to campus.
这并不容易，但随后一套完美的公寓出现了。
It's not easy, but then the perfect apartment comes along.
但在这个由作者瑞安·乌利曼分享的故事里，柯克知道这个地方并不完美，一切都因为一块非常显眼的污渍。
But in this tale, shared with us by author Ryan Ulliman, Kirk knows the place isn't perfect, and it's all because of a very noticeable stain.
本故事由凯尔·埃克斯、阿提克斯·杰克逊、格雷厄姆·罗维特、杰西·科内特、艾莉·赫希曼和妮可·古德奈特演绎。
Performing this tale are Kyle Akers, Atticus Jackson, Graham Rowett, Jesse Cornett, Ellie Hirschman, and Nicole Goodnight.
当你对某些事感觉不对劲时，确实很难解释清楚。
So when you don't feel right about something, it's hard to explain.
尤其是当你被当场质问时，情况就更棘手了。
It's even tougher when you're put on the spot.
拉斯假装绝望地朝我搓着手，但他声音里的挫败感根本藏不住。
Russ wrung his hands at me in mock despair, but he couldn't hide the frustration in his voice.
这房子有什么问题吗，柯克？
What's wrong with it, Kirk?
独立卧室，免费有线电视，免费WiFi。
Private rooms, free cable, free WiFi.
浴室看起来跟全新的一样。
The bathroom looks brand new.
只要你指出这房子一个毛病，我立马跟你一起摔门走人。
Tell me one thing that's wrong with the place and I'll walk out that door with you.
但在我看来，这个地方堪称完美。
But as far as I can see, this place is perfect.
我对拉斯提出的每一点都点头表示赞同。
I nodded at each of Russ's points.
这些确实都是优点。
They were good points.
而且这是我们今天看的第四处房子，离校园只有三个街区。
This was also the fourth place we'd looked at today, and it was only three blocks from the campus.
那里有块污渍。
There's a stain.
拉斯盯着我看。
Russ stared at me.
污渍？
A stain?
就在衣柜里的地毯上，我知道自己这话在他听来有多牵强。
On the rug in the closet, I knew how lame I must have sounded to him.
在那个房间里，我补充道，好像这样能加强我的说服力。
In that room, I added, like it would bolster my case.
我指了指离前门最近的那间卧室。
I pointed to the bedroom closest to the front door.
矮壮的公寓主人对我露出宽容的微笑，但他对拉斯说话时，就像他是家长而我是那个挑剔的孩子。
The stout little apartment owner smiled indulgently at me, but he spoke to Russ as if he were the parent and I was the fussy child.
那地方在我买下之前就有了。
That's been there before I even bought the place.
他无奈地摊开双手，尴尬地笑了笑。
He spread his hands helplessly and gave an awkward laugh.
我请过专业清洁人员来处理地毯。
I've had professionals out to clean the carpet.
恐怕这房子就是带着这个污点。
I'm afraid the place comes with a stain.
拉斯对我低吼了一声。
Russ growled at me.
我们就租这间了。
We're taking it.
我讨厌他这样。
I hated when he did that.
我们从二年级就是朋友了，但拉斯总是表现得好像能逼我做他想做的事。
We'd been friends since second grade, but Russ always acted like he could bully me into doing what he wanted.
这是他试图跟我讲道理后的下一步，通常意味着把我当白痴对待。
It was the next step after he tried reasoning with me, which usually meant treating me like a moron.
我知道自己可能挑剔又优柔寡断。
I know I can be picky and indecisive.
拉斯确保我痛苦地意识到自己的缺点，但我不是白痴。
Russ made sure I was painfully aware of my faults, but I'm not an idiot.
怨恨在我心中凝结。
Resentment hardened inside of me.
我们继续看看吧。
Let's keep looking.
我们一直在找这个地方。
We've been looking for this place.
我可不想再为租金讨价还价了，就为这么一块污渍，如果这就是你的目的的话。
I ain't knocking more the rent, not for just one stain, if that's what you're after.
我摇了摇头。
I shook my head.
我讨厌被这样当众为难。
I hated being put on the spot like this.
那块污渍就是让我莫名地不舒服。
There was just something about that stain that I didn't like.
它颜色很深，看起来像一张被裂嘴尖叫几乎劈成两半的脸。
It was dark and looked like a face almost broken in half by a mouth splitting scream.
每次看到它，那块污渍都会让我浑身发冷。
Every time I saw it, the stain sent a bolt of cold fear through me.
拉斯自信地转向房东。
Russ turned to the owner confidently.
让我来跟他谈。
Let me talk to him.
然后他抓住我的胳膊，把我拖进了小厨房。
Then he seized me by the arm and dragged me into the small kitchen.
你是认真的吗？
Are you serious?
我不喜欢这样，拉斯。
I don't like it, Russ.
而且我不想在一个让我感觉不对劲的地方住上两个学期。
And I don't wanna get stuck living here for two semesters when I don't feel right about the place.
听着。
Look.
我们试试看吧。
Let's give it a try.
如果这个地方真的不适合你，我会买下你的合同。
If this place just isn't right for you, I'll buy your contract.
用哪来的钱，拉斯？
With what money, Russ?
你连工作都没有。
You don't even have a job.
我说过我会的。
I said I would.
这还不够吗？
Isn't that good enough?
他又一次在操控我。
Once again, he was manipulating me.
又一次，我能说什么呢？
Once again, what could I say?
我们能不能就再看一处地方？
Can't we please just look at one more place?
别求我，柯克。
Don't beg, Kirk.
再说了，如果我们去看别的地方，这地方肯定会被别人抢走。
Besides, if we go somewhere else, someone's gonna snatch this place up.
我敢保证。
I guarantee it.
一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林，柯克。
A bird in the hand, Kirk.
我做了个鬼脸。
I grimaced.
好吧。
Fine.
但如果我不喜欢的话
But if I don't like it
这会成功的。
This'll work out.
罗斯赶紧走向房东。
Ross hurried over to the owner.
我们要了。
We'll take it.
另外两位室友都来自拉斯和我的家乡，一周后搬进了公寓。
Our other two roommates, both from Russ's and my hometown, moved into the apartment a week later.
那个运动健将约翰跟拉斯的关系比跟我更亲近。
John the jock was more Russ's friend than mine.
只要我不碍他的事，我们还算相处得来。
We got along if I stayed out of his way.
豪伊通常开学两周后就退课，这样就能整天沉迷于游戏。
Howie usually dropped his classes two weeks into the semester, so he could immerse himself in his gaming habit for hours on end.
他父亲支付学费和住宿费，所以豪伊根本不急着完成学业。
His dad paid his tuition and housing, so Howie was in no hurry to finish his education anytime soon.
尽管我极力反对，拉斯还是安排我住进了衣柜有污渍的那间房。
Despite my best efforts, Russ arranged it so that I had the room with the stain in the closet.
最初我选的是离那间房最远的卧室。
Initially, I'd chosen the room farthest from it.
我已经把所有衣服都拿出来挂好，笔记本和显示器也都接上了。
I had all my clothes unpacked and my laptop and monitor hooked up.
但当我那晚下班回来时，我所有的东西都被搬到了那个有污渍的房间里。
But when I came back from my job that night, all my things had been moved into the room with the stain.
这间房碰巧还是四个卧室中最小的一个。
It also happened to be the smallest of the four bedrooms.
谁动了我的东西？
Who moved my stuff?
我跺着脚冲进客厅质问道。
I demanded, stomping into the living room.
罗斯和约翰正瘫在沙发上看喜剧节目。
Russ and John were displayed on the couch watching some comedy.
豪伊在厨房用微波炉加热五个冷冻牛肉豆子卷饼。
Howie was in the kitchen microwaving five frozen beef and bean burritos.
罗斯耸耸肩，装出一副无辜的样子。
Russ shrugged looking innocent.
我到家时东西就在那儿。
That's where it was when I got home.
约翰？
John?
当然。
Sure.
但约翰的嘴角扬起一抹狡黠的坏笑，而豪伊只是耸了耸肩。
But one side of John's mouth curled up in a sneaky half smile, Howie just shrugged.
我什么都不知道。
I don't know anything.
我是瑞士。
I'm Switzerland.
我保持中立。
I'm neutral.
我盯着拉斯和约翰。
I stared at Russ and John.
肯定是他们干的，但我又能说什么呢？
It had to be them, but what could I say?
住手。
Cut it out.
你就像只秃鹫一样杵在那儿。
You're like some vulture just standing there.
要么坐下，要么滚出去。
Sit down or get out.
我冲进房间，砰地关上门。
I stormed into my room and slammed the door.
那晚我第一次做了那个梦。
That was the first night I had the dream.
我来到另一个地方，那里的空气更沉更稠。
I was in another place where the air felt heavier and thicker.
脚下是湿滑蠕动的墨绿色菌毯，让我浑身发颤。
The ground beneath me squelched and squirmed, a swampy greenish fungus that made me shudder.
头顶的天空翻腾着所有颜色，却又仿佛毫无色彩。
Above me, the sky seethed with every color and no color at all.
有巨大笨拙的生物在沼泽地里蹒跚而行，用骆驼般的嘴巴舀起大团滴着水的真菌，咸涩的液体顺着它们蓬松的脖颈滑落。
There were these large lumbering things shambling through the swampy landscape, scooping up great mouthfuls of the dripping fungus in their camel like mouth, briny water slithering down their shaggy necks.
黑色寄生虫紧贴在巨兽身侧蠕动，争先恐后地寻找动脉。
Black parasites clung to the thing's flanks, wriggling and jockeying for an artery.
当笨拙的巨兽用长脖子回身时，会用粗钝的牙齿碾碎寄生虫，发出刺耳的尖叫声。
They'd shriek when the lumbering things reached back with their long necks, crunching the parasites between big blunt teeth.
然后那低沉的鸣叫声从树顶传来，回荡在四周。
And then the hooting began, deep and echoing from the treetops.
那些树木——树皮坑洼如鳞片、颜色似干涸血迹的畸形生物——开始剧烈摇摆，笨拙的生物们惊慌失措地奔逃。
The trees, hideous growths with pitted scaly bark the color of dried blood, began to thrash, and the lumbering creatures panicked and stampeded.
死亡已经扑向了它们。
Death was already leaping onto them.
掠食者形似猿猴，体型庞大，长着六条粗壮的狼蛛般的腿，全身覆盖着尖刺状的紫黑色毛发。
The predators were ape like, massive with six thick tarantula limbs and spiky purple black hair that covered their bodies.
它们从树上跃下，扑向那些蹒跚的巨兽，用贪婪的利齿撕开它们的喉咙。
They launched themselves from the trees, latched onto the lumbering things, and tore out their throats with ravenous teeth.
苍白的血液染红了它们紫黑色的皮毛和泛绿的牙齿。
Whitish blood stained their purple black fur and their greenish teeth.
就在掠食者开始大快朵颐时，其中几只突然将目光转向了我。
Just as the predators began to feast, some of them turned their eyes on me.
那些深邃、血红、复眼般的眼睛，每只都有六颗之多。
Deep, red, multifaceted eyes, six a lot of each had.
那种可怖的鸣叫声再次从它们厚实的胸腔里响起。
That hideous hooting rose from their thick chests again.
我尖叫着试图逃跑，听见身后黏腻的地面上传来那些强健肢体的追击声。
I screamed and tried to get away, hearing those powerful legs tear through the slimy landscape behind me.
接下来那周我几乎没怎么睡着。
I didn't sleep much that next week.
这个梦境不断重现，每次都完全相同，只要我一合眼就会立刻开始。
The dream kept returning, always the same and always starting as soon as my eyelids slammed shut.
我熬夜学习、看书、玩手机游戏，但缺乏睡眠让我无法正常生活。
I stayed up late studying, reading, playing games on my phone, but I couldn't function without sleep.
最终，我开始在课堂和工作中打瞌睡。
Eventually, I started dozing off in class and at work.
我无法集中精力完成作业，脾气也越来越暴躁。
I couldn't concentrate on my assignments and I became more and more irritable.
一周后，我在Russ的房间里与他当面对质。
A week later, I confronted Russ in his room.
好吧。
Okay.
真有你的。
Very funny.
现在我的冬季收纳盒在哪？
Now where's my winter box?
什么盒子？
What box?
我衣柜里的那个盒子。
The one in my closet.
天气预报说下周最高气温50度，我正准备把外套什么的拿出来，结果盒子不见了。
The weather guy's predicting 50 degrees is the high next week, and I was gonna unpack my jacket and stuff, but the box is gone.
这又是我的错？
And this is my fault.
为什么这么说？
Why?
这种事像是你会干的。
It's the kind of thing you do.
我知道这话会激怒人，但必须得说出来。
I knew those were fighting words, but they had to be said.
令我意外的是，拉斯没有立即冲我发火。
To my surprise, Russ didn't light into me right away.
我不知道做了什么要受这种指责，但我没拿你的盒子，柯克。
I don't know what I did to deserve that, but I didn't take your box, Kirk.
搜我的房间。
Search my room.
他指了指他的物品。
He gestured to his belongings.
我扫视了一下房间。
I glanced over the place.
当然，到处都没有我那箱子的踪影。
Of course, there was no sign of my box anywhere.
我本想坚持搜他的衣柜，但他让我觉得自己很小心眼。
I wanted to insist on searching his closet, but he made me feel petty and small.
拉什耸了耸肩。
Rush shrugged.
或者不搜。
Or don't.
随你便。
Suit yourself.
我有更重要的事要做，没空应付你的无理取闹。
I've got better things to do than to deal with your tantrums.
这话让我火冒三丈，但我还是保持语气平稳。
I bristled at that, but I kept my tone even.
更重要的事？
Better things?
比如？
Like what?
他露出讥笑。
He smirked.
这个嘛，我有约会。
Well, I've got a date.
一次约会变成两次，然后三次，后来拉斯和瓦妮莎正式交往，她就成天往这儿跑。
One date became two, then three, then Russ and Vanessa became boyfriend girlfriend and she was over all the time.
她人倒是不错，但每次拉斯或约翰取笑我时，她都会跟着笑。
She was nice enough, but she laughed along whenever Russ or John poked fun at me.
她正和他们俩一起看电影，双腿搭在拉斯膝盖上，这时我冲进客厅，用手指一戳关掉了电视。
She was there watching a movie with the two of them, her legs draped across Russ's lap when I charged into the living room and switched the TV off with a stab of my finger.
嘿。
Hey.
约翰站了起来。
John rose to his feet.
他比我高出好几英寸，但我现在怒火中烧，根本不会退缩。
He towered over me by several inches, but I was too enraged to back down now.
我的背包。
My backpack.
我需要它。
I need it.
那它在哪儿？
So where is it?
拉斯把头往后一仰，疲惫地叹了口气。
Russ lolled his head back and heaved a weary sigh.
没人进过你的房间，柯克。
No one's been in your room, Kirk.
就像没人动过我的东西一样？
Just like no one moved my stuff in there?
就像没人偷过我的冬衣箱一样？
Just like no one stole my winter clothes box?
我受够了，拉斯。
I'm sick of this, Russ.
我要复习经济学考试，需要背包里的笔记。
I need to study for my economics exam and I need the notes in that backpack.
我没时间耗在这件事上。
I don't have time for this.
约翰用两根手指戳着我的胸口。
John jabbed two fingers into my chest.
也许你不该自己乱丢东西，然后怪别人偷了它。
Maybe you shouldn't lose your crap and then blame other people for stealing it.
我没有弄丢它。
I didn't lose it.
我把它放在衣柜地板上，现在不见了。
I left it on the floor in my closet and now it's gone.
也许是衣柜怪物拿走了。
Maybe the closet monster got it.
我猜瓦内莎是想开个玩笑缓和气氛。
I guess Vanessa was trying to cool things off with a joke.
她将手指蜷成爪状，皱起精致的小鼻子，一边发出呜呜的咆哮声一边在空中抓挠
She curled her fingers into claws, wrinkled her dainty nose and made these mewling snarling sounds as she pawed at the air
或者是内裤小妖精。
or underwear gremlins.
又或者是床底下的东西。
Or the thing under the bed.
瓦内莎顽皮地把她的爪子转向了他。
Vanessa playfully turned her claws on him.
他紧握她的手腕，两人挣扎着笑作一团。
He gripped her wrists struggling and laughing.
约翰厌恶地冲我摇摇头，重新打开了电视。
John shook his head at me in disgust and switched the TV back on.
我站在那里气得发抖，却不知还能做什么说什么。
I stood there trembling with rage, but I didn't know what else to do or say.
我总是被这些人耍得团团转。
I was always outmaneuvered by these guys.
愤怒又无力地，我回到了自己房间。
Angry and powerless, I returned to my room.
但这次我没有摔门，因为一个念头突然闪现——我发现了之前没注意到的关联。
But I didn't slam the door this time because a thought came to me, a connection I hadn't made before.
虽然只是巧合，但我突然想起放下冬衣箱子的场景。
It was just a coincidence, but I remembered when I set the winter clothes box down.
我当时正好把箱子放在了那块污渍正上方。
I'd set it directly over the stain.
我想起掩盖那可怕东西时感到的解脱。
I recalled the relief I felt at covering the awful thing up.
我的背包也是如此。
It was the same for my backpack.
我把它扔进衣柜，恰好落在了污渍上。
I tossed it into the closet and it happened to land on the stain.
然后我像在NBA总决赛投进制胜球一样祝贺自己。
And I congratulated myself like I just made the winning shot at the NBA finals.
站在那里时，我想起了瓦妮莎说过的话。
As I stood there, I thought about what Vanessa had said.
也许并不是真的有衣柜怪物偷我的东西，但如果是某种奇怪的东西呢？
Perhaps it wasn't really a closet monster stealing my things, but what if it was something weird?
某种与污渍有关或与污渍上方空间有关的东西？
Something associated with the stain or with the space above the stain?
我决定做个实验。
I decided to experiment.
最近，我把屏幕碎裂的旧智能手机换成了新机型。
Recently, I'd replaced my old smartphone with a cracked screen with a newer model.
我从存放的抽屉里取出旧手机，小心翼翼地把它放在衣柜地板上，正对着那块污渍。
I pulled the old phone out of the drawer where I'd stowed it and carefully set it on the closet floor directly over the stain.
我后退几步，关上了门。
I stepped back and shut the door.
出于习惯，我关掉了衣柜的灯。
Out of habit, I switched off the closet light.
我数到五，然后开灯打开了门。
I counted to five before turning on the light and opening the door.
手机不见了。
The phone was gone.
就这么消失了。
Just gone.
我盯着那块污渍看了很久，想起了我做过的那些梦。
I stared at the stain for a long time and I thought about my dreams.
我想象着我的背包放在一堆黏糊糊的绿色真菌土丘上，或是我的冬衣箱被那些笨重生物中的一只大脚踩碎。
I picture my backpack sitting on a mound of slimy green fungus earth or my winter clothes box getting crushed beneath the heavy foot of one of those lumbering things.
颤抖从我的双手开始，逐渐蔓延至全身。
This shaking started in my hands and spread to my whole body.
我的牙齿不住打颤。
My teeth chattered.
我感觉被注视着，仿佛梦中的掠食者正蜷缩在我的衣柜里，等待开始它们的嚎叫。
I felt watched as if the predators from my dream crouched in my closet, waiting to start their hooting.
我猛力关上柜门，抓起新买的外套（用来替换冬衣箱里那件的），一言不发地冲出公寓，和其他人一样陷入锈蚀般的沉默。
I slammed the closet door, grabbed the new coat I'd bought to replace the one in my winter clothes box, and ducked out of the apartment without a word to rust with the others.
我需要思考，理清头绪，决定是否还能在那间房里入睡。
I needed to think, to sort this out, to decide if I could ever sleep in that room again.
我在街头游荡数小时，暮色渐凉，秋叶在鞋底发出碎裂的声响。
I walked the streets for hours, the evening turning brisk and cold, autumn leaves crunched under my shoes.
我乘公交去了商场，在店铺间的温暖通道徘徊，却始终无法鼓起勇气走进任何一家。
I took a bus to the mall and walked the warm concourse between shops, but I couldn't bring myself to enter any of them.
每家店铺都像是通往另一个世界的入口，它们彼此相邻或层层堆叠。
Each shop seemed like a doorway to another world, and each of them was next to another or stacked on top of each other.
我怀疑那块污渍就像两家店铺之间的通道，只要在特定条件下把东西留在那里，就会掉入下方世界数小时。
I wondered if the stain operated like an opening between the two shops, so that things if left there under the right conditions dropped through into the world beneath hours.
商场大约九点关门，但我依然不想回家。
The mall closed around nine, but I still didn't wanna go home.
我在商场的多厅影院买了最新超级英雄电影票，却在预告片结束前就睡着了。
I bought tickets for the latest superhero movie at the mall's multiplex and fell asleep before the previews ended.
这次，我没有梦见那个地方。
This time, I didn't dream of that other place.
这是我几周来睡得最好的一觉。
Best sleep I'd had in weeks.
我直到午夜过后才回到家。
I didn't get home until after midnight.
客厅里漆黑一片，空无一人。
The living room was dark and empty.
我从豪伊门缝下看到了他电脑发出的熟悉亮光。
I saw the telltale glow of Howie's computer under the crack beneath his door.
约翰房间里传来塞蒂的鼾声，而拉斯房间的门关着，灯也熄了。
Seti's snoring came from John's room, and the door was closed and the lights were out in Russ's room.
我悄悄溜进自己房间，啪地打开了灯。
Quietly, I slid into my room and flicked on the lights.
我坐在床上脱掉鞋子。
I sat on the bed and took off my shoes.
有什么东西踢开我书桌旁的椅子，从下面咆哮着冲了出来。
Something kicked the chair away from my desk and burst out from underneath it snarling.
我吓得跳起来，但很快发现那是拉斯。
I leaved to my feet but quickly saw that it was Russ.
他爬出来，捂着肚子笑得侧倒在地。
He crawled out and fell onto his side gripping his stomach as he laughed.
很好。
Good.
我
I
皱起了眉头。
scowled.
我想，如果你喜欢玩残酷的恶作剧，这可能会很有趣。
It would be funny, I guess, if you enjoyed playing cruel pranks.
如果你喜欢不断挑剔别人，总是试图证明自己有多聪明或优秀。
If you enjoyed constantly picking at people, always trying to prove how much smarter or better you are.
我突然意识到拉斯是个社交掠食者，而我不过是他温顺笨拙的猎物。
It came to me that Russ was a social predator, and I was just his docile lumbering prey.
我要走了。
I'm leaving.
来吧，柯克。
Come on, Kirk.
不。
No.
我要卖掉我的合约。
I'm selling my contract.
我要离开这里。
I want out of here.
这只是个玩笑。
It was just a joke.
拉斯转身朝我的衣柜喊道。
Russ turned and called out to my closet.
瓦妮莎，出来劝劝这家伙。
Vanessa, come out and talk some sense into this guy.
我的胃部突然一阵绞痛。
A fist clenched my guts and gave them a sharp wrench.
我转身看向紧闭的衣柜门。
I turned to look at the closed closet door.
瓦妮莎没有回应。
There was no reply from Vanessa.
门后没有任何动静。
No movement behind the door.
拉斯猛地站起来，走到衣柜门前用指节叩门。
Russ swung to his feet and went to the closet door wrapping on it with his knuckles.
出来吧，瓦妮莎。
Come on, Vanessa.
我们本来应该一起跳出来的。
We were both supposed to jump out.
假装你不知情毫无意义。
No sense trying to act like you weren't in on it.
依然没有回应。
Still no response.
拉斯咂了咂舌，打开了门。
Russ clucked his tongue and opened the door.
瓦妮莎不在里面。
No Vanessa.
只有衣架上的衣服，架子上方的箱子，以及地板上那狰狞的污渍盯着我们。
Just my clothes on the racks, my boxes on the shelves above the racks, and that awful stain on the floor leering at us.
拉斯走进去，检查了我挂着的衣服后面。
Russ went inside and checked behind my hanging clothes.
但她去了哪里，我艰难地咽了口唾沫。
But where did she I swallowed hard.
他转过身，睁大眼睛盯着我。
He turned and stared at me wide eyed.
柯克，发生什么事了？
Kirk, what's going on?
她...她去了那里。
She she went there.
我又开始像之前那样发抖，但更严重了。
I started shaking like before, but worse.
我努力控制住自己的声音。
I fought to keep my voice under control.
就是...就是那个地方，我的冬季收纳盒消失的地方。
The the same the same place my winter box went.
他还在为那件事生气吗？
He's still mad about that?
不。
No.
不。
No.
不。
No.
是他们干的。
They did.
他们消失了。
They vanished.
他们就像瓦妮莎一样消失了。
They vanished just like Vanessa.
你觉得这很好笑吗？
Is this supposed to be funny?
拉斯指了指衣柜。
Russ gestured to the closet.
因为这一点都不好笑，柯克。
Because it isn't Kirk.
你都干了什么？
What did you do?
什么都没干。
Nothing.
你本想捉弄我，但你并不知情。
You were pranking me, but you didn't know.
现在呢？
And now?
现在瓦妮莎已经不见了。
And now Vanessa's gone.
她去哪了？
Where did she go?
我不知道。
I don't know.
如果你伤害了她。
If you hurt her.
但随后他停住了。
But then he stopped.
他的表情变得冰冷。
His expression went cold.
我要报警了。
I'm calling the cops.
什么？
What?
这一点都不好笑，柯克。
This isn't funny, Kirk.
这太恶心了。
It's sick.
你对她做了什么。
You did something to her.
如果你不告诉我，也许你会告诉他们。
And if you won't tell me, then maybe you'll tell them.
回想起来，我知道他当时无法证明任何事情。
Looking back, I know he couldn't have proven anything.
然而在那一刻，我感觉走投无路，仿佛生命即将终结。
However, in that moment, I felt trapped, like my life was about to end.
拉斯总会想办法把这栽赃给我。
Russ would pin this on me somehow.
这是他最擅长的，总是把责任推到我身上。
It was what he was good at, always putting the blame on me.
记得我们大概10岁时，他想从沃尔玛偷游戏卡带。
Remembered when he wanted to steal game cartridges out of their cases at Walmart when we were maybe 10.
他让我试着把游戏卡带带出商店，因为这是他想出来的主意。
He made me try to carry them out of the store because he'd come up with the idea.
当我们被我妈妈抓住时，他把整件事都怪到了我头上。
When we got caught by my mother, he blamed the whole thing on me.
我妈妈相信了他，因为所有卡带都塞在我的口袋里。
My mother believed him because I was the one with all the cartridges crammed into my pockets.
拉斯后来告诉我，如果我蠢到带着卡带被抓，那是我活该受的。
Russ later told me that if I was stupid enough to get caught with the cartridges, I deserved what I got.
瓦妮莎失踪这件事最终也会这样，只不过这次我会进监狱或者更糟。
It would end up the same with Vanessa's disappearance, except this time I would go to jail or worse.
这次不会了。
Not this time.
我从床上扑过去，双掌猛击在拉斯的胸口。
I lunged from the bed, slamming both my palms into Russ's chest.
他踉跄着退到衣柜里，脸上写满愤怒。
He staggered back into the closet rage on his face.
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我猛力撞门，以为他会用身体撞过来把门框都撞碎。
I banged the door expecting him to hurl his weight against it to splinter the door frame.
我和拉斯身高差不多，但他体重比我重将近四十磅。
Russ and I were roughly the same height, but he had almost forty pounds on me.
我抵住门准备迎接撞击，但冲击并没有来。
I braced myself against the door, only no impact came.
当我意识到自己做了什么时，喉咙里涌起一阵酸涩。
Acid bubbled in my throat once I realized what I'd done.
我猛地拉开门。
I whipped the door open.
衣柜里空无一人。
The closet was empty.
我有个表亲住在镇上，那晚我在他家的沙发上过夜。
I had a cousin living in town, so I spent the night on his couch.
第二天我收拾好所有东西搬了出去。
The next day I gathered all my things and moved out.
不过约翰和豪伊似乎并不在意，约翰还问我昨晚是不是被衣柜里的怪物抓走了。
John and Howie didn't seem to care though, John asked if the closet monster got me last night.
我说我觉得这一点都不好笑。
I said I didn't think it was very funny.
约翰只是大笑起来。
John just laughed.
我能不能想办法把他骗进衣柜呢？
Could I somehow lure him into the closet?
我及时制止了自己。
I stopped myself.
我不能再那么做了，即使对约翰也不行。
I couldn't do that again, not even to John.
我甚至不知道瓦妮莎和拉斯后来怎样了。
I'm not even sure what happened to Vanessa and Russ.
有时候我怀疑这是不是他们对我开的一个更大的玩笑。
Sometimes I wonder if this is just an even bigger prank they played on me.
多年后的某天，他们会突然出现在我家门口，嘲笑当初是如何愚弄我的。
Someday years from now, they'll show up on my doorstep and laugh at how they fooled me.
不过我并不指望他们会真的出现。
I'm not holding my breath waiting for them though.
失踪案发生几天后警方就介入了调查。
The police got involved a few days after the disappearance.
他们盘问过我，但最终认定拉斯和瓦妮莎可能是私奔了。
They questioned me, but concluded that Russ and Vanessa probably ran off together.
大学生们经常干这种事。
College kids do it all the time.
自从离开那间公寓后，我就再没梦见过那个异度空间，但有时会想如果回去会发生什么。
I haven't dreamed of that other place since I left the apartment, but sometimes I wonder what would happen if I went back.
要是我设法说服别人让我进入那间公寓，在那个房间小憩会怎样？
What if I somehow talked my way into the apartment and took a nap in that room?
我会在梦里见到拉斯和瓦妮莎吗？
Would I see Russ and Vanessa in my dream?
这个想法让我感到恐惧。
The thought terrifies me.
是啊。
Yeah.
但与此同时，我又充满了一种坚定的好奇心。
And at the same time, I'm filled with a determined curiosity.
至少那样我就能知道他们到底发生了什么。
At least then I'd finally know what happened to them.
当然，我也开始怀疑是否会有东西最终从那地方爬出来，进入我们的世界。
Of course, I also started wondering if something could eventually climb up out of that other place and into ours.
就在我产生这个念头的时候，就在我转学到外州另一所大学之前，我在网上看到又有个大学生失踪了。
Around the same time that thought occurred to me, just before I transferred to another university out of state, I read online that another college kid had gone missing.
那篇文章的作者提出了一个有趣的关联：就在几个月前，还有两名学生从我住过的那间公寓里消失了。
The writer of that article made the interesting connection that two other students had vanished from that same apartment, my apartment, only a few months earlier.
只不过这次，警方在墙上发现了抓痕，地板上有血迹，衣柜里还有紫黑色的毛发。
Except this time, the police found claw marks on the walls, blood on the floor, and purple black hair in the closet.
在大学期间，你可能会在图书馆度过相当长的时间。
When you're in university, you likely spend a good amount of time in the library.
那里是学习和寻找答案的绝佳场所。
It's the perfect place to study and find the answers you're looking for.
但在汉娜·布朗分享的这个故事中，我们遇到了艾娃，她在大学图书馆里发现了一个独特的角落，并且知道如何获得她所寻求的答案。
But in this tale, shared with us by author Hannah Brown, we meet Ava, and she's found a unique spot in her university's library, and she knows of a way to get the answers she seeks.
由妮可·杜林、妮可·晚安和艾莉·赫希曼演绎本故事。
Performing this tale are Nicole Doolin, Nicole Goodnight, and Ellie Hirschman.
所以在浩瀚知识中，当你寻找藏书恶魔时，要小心你的所求。
So amidst all that knowledge, be careful what you ask for when you seek the demon of the stacks.
恩格尔伍德大学图书馆后角落有个拒绝改变的自习隔间。
There's a study cubicle in the back corner of the Englewood University Library that defies change.
周围摆放着软垫椅和白色塑料桌。
Around it are plush chairs and white plastic desks.
但这个自习隔间仍隐没在阴影中，保留着光亮的樱桃木和漆面，以及那把硬木靠背椅。
But this study cubicle remains tucked in a shadow, still with its shined cherry wood and lacquer, still with its hard backed wooden chair.
右上角镶嵌的原装墨水瓶里，暗红色的墨水泛着微光，一支羽毛笔斜靠在旁。
The original inkwell inlaid into the top right corner, glistening with murky crimson ink, a quill resting against its side.
表面只刻着一句涂鸦，如同祈祷文。
Only one piece of graffiti is carved into its surface like a prayer.
刺破手指，写下你的问题。
Prick yourself and write your questions.
艾娃盯着那支羽毛笔，仿佛它仍连接着被拔下的那只鸟，等待它离开自己。
Ava stares at the quill as if it is still attached to the bird it was plucked from, waiting for it to leave her.
他们说得没错，坐在这把椅子上就像直面枪口。
They were right when they said sitting in the seat was like facing down the barrel of a gun.
当她强迫自己的手动起来写下问题时，整个世界都褪去了颜色。
The entire world fades away as she wills her hand to move, to write her questions.
口袋里的手机发出恼人的震动。
In her pocket, her phone buzzes nastily.
整整一周，马修发来的消息都像愤怒的马蜂般嗡嗡作响。
It has been droning from Matthew's messages all week, turning into an angry hornet.
对他蜇刺的恐惧迫使她抓起了羽毛笔。
The fear of his sting pushes her to seize the quill.
她像握着一把蓄势待发的凶器般攥住笔尖，心跳漏了一拍后突然翻转手腕，让羽茎滑入指缝，轻轻抵在铺开的笔记本纸上。
She holds it like a dagger ripe for murder for just a heartbeat and then shifts, sliding its plumage between her fingers, settling softly against the notebook paper she had laid out.
一只幽灵般的手覆上她的手背，皮肤冰冷黏腻，施加的力道刚好让她需要挣扎才能挣脱。
A phantom hand wraps around her own, the skin cold and clammy, and pressing just hard enough that she would have to tug to be free of it.
艾娃咽下了冲到嘴边的尖叫。
Ava swallows a scream.
他们警告过她幽灵之手的钳制，却没人提及后颈感受到的阴冷吐息，或是脸颊旁游走的灵体发丝。
They'd warned her about the grasp of the phantom hand, but they hadn't mentioned the cool exhale she could feel at her nape, the tickle of ghostly hair against her cheek.
艾娃屏住呼吸，那些冰冷的吐息也随之停驻在她颈间。
Ava holds her breath, so too the cold breaths halt against her neck.
但覆在她手上的鬼手只是更用力地收紧了，带着洞悉一切的力道。
But the hand around hers only squeezes tighter, knowingly.
是了，代价。
Right, the price.
她将右手悬在墨水瓶上方，左手猛然刺下，羽毛笔尖扎进掌心。
Holding her right hand over the inkwell, she stabs with her left, the sharp end of the quilt pricking the heft of her palm.
鲜红的血液流淌而下，与先前浸染墨池的祭品交融，身后之物发出狂喜的叹息。
Bright red blood runs down, mingling with the previous offering staining the font, and the thing behind her sighs and ecstasy.
现在阻止已经太迟了。
Too late to stop now.
尽管手掌颤抖不已，她仍将羽毛笔移到纸上开始书写。
Even as her hand trembles, she brings the quill over to the paper and writes.
跟踪我的人是马修吗？
Is Matthew the one following me?
握住她的手迫使她继续书写。
The hand around hers presses her back to the page.
是。
Yes.
笔迹验证的信息如电流般贯穿她的全身。
The handwriting validation rushing through her.
那承诺藏于他流连的触碰中，那暴力显于他们唯一约会后他偷取的一吻中，那贪婪流露于他的言谈中。
It had been the promise in his lingering touches, the violence in the one kiss he had stolen after their only date, the greed in his conversations.
一滴泪从伊娃眼角滑落。
A tear trickles from Eva's eye.
尽管是通过这支被诅咒的羽毛笔，但看到确认、感受到被信任，仍有一种巨大的解脱感。
There is some great feeling of relief to see it confirmed, to feel believed, even if by this cursed quill.
伊娃闭目片刻。
Eva closes her eyes for a moment.
他会伤害我吗？
Will he hurt me?
那只无形之手再次牵引着她的手移动。
Again, the phantom hand moves hers.
是的，他会的。
Yes, he will.
伊娃用空闲的手抹过脸颊，将鲜血与泪水混在一起。
Eva scrapes her free hand over her cheek, smearing blood with her tears.
绝望像人一样直立起来，威胁要将她碾碎。
Hopelessness rises up on its hind legs, threatening to run her over.
她又深吸一口气，闭了一会儿眼睛。
She sucks in another breath and closes her eyes for a moment.
伊娃？
Eva?
伊娃猛地转头，越过肩膀看向穿过书架走来的马修。
Eva's head jerks around, turning to look over her shoulder as Matthew approaches through the stacks.
他的眼睛闪闪发亮，只聚焦在她一个人身上。
His eyes gleam, spotlighting on her alone.
幽灵的呼吸现在贴着她的脸颊，如同亲吻前的犹豫。
The phantom breath is against her cheek now, like the hesitation before a kiss.
自从马修拒绝接受她的拒绝以来，这是第一次有人与她同在，见证并知晓她所知道的一切。
For the first time since Matthew wouldn't take no for an answer, there is someone with her, watching and knowing the same as she does.
伊娃没有理会他，重新转向书页。
Eva ignores him, turning back to the page.
你能帮我吗？
Can you help me?
伊娃？
Eva?
马修笑了，尽管他立即侵入个人空间的行为毫无可笑之处。
Matthew laughs, though there is nothing funny about the way he moves immediately to invader space.
你在做什么？
What are you doing?
这一次，幻影没有立即行动，仿佛在权衡某种无法避免的必然。
This time, the phantom doesn't jerk into motion immediately, as if weighing some impossible inevitability.
但随后，那只手又缓缓引导着她。
But then, slowly, the hand guides her again.
是的。
Yes.
为了一个转机。
For a boom.
伊娃。
Eva.
马修坐到她身旁，一只沉重的手压在她膝盖上，将她整个人拽过来面对自己。
Matthew sits next to her, dropping a heavy hand onto her knee and yanking her whole body around to face him.
羽毛笔在纸页上拖出一道猩红的划痕。
The quill drags a crimson slash through the page.
为写字台里的幽灵准备的一声轰鸣。
A boom for a phantom in a writing desk.
那些小心形图案仍泛着湿润的血光。
The little hearts gleam still wet and bloody.
马修伸手触碰她的脸庞，抚过她涂抹在脸颊与嘴唇上的血迹。
Matthew reaches for her face, for the blood she smeared across her cheek and mouth.
你对自己做了什么？
What did you do to yourself?
伊娃猛地别过脸去，整个人重重跌回座椅中。
Eva yanks her face away, slamming herself back into the seat.
别他妈碰我。
Don't fucking touch me.
还没等他回应，她就在纸上印下一个血吻。
And before he can respond, she presses a bloody kiss to the paper.
那只幽灵般的手轻轻捏住她，嘴唇贴上了她的脸颊。
The phantom hand squeezes her softly, the lips pressing against her cheek.
她再次调整握笔姿势，将羽毛笔转得像匕首般凶狠。
Again, she adjusts her grip on the quill, turning it dagger like and brutal.
你他妈在干什么？
What the fuck are you doing?
当马修再次伸手钳住她的脸时，艾娃的手猛然挥出，在他喉咙上又划出一道血痕。
And as Matthew reaches out, grabbing her face in another vice like hold, Ava's hand lashes out, drawing another bloody line across his throat.
大学期间有很多东西要学，并不总是你正在研究的学科。
There's a lot to learn while in college, and it's not always the subject you're studying.
这也是学习社交互动和人际关系的时期。
It's also a time to learn about social interactions and interpersonal dynamics.
这不过是把'学习如何派对'说得花哨一点罢了。
That's just a fancy way of saying learning how to party.
在这个由作家AK·卡勒登与我们分享的故事中，我们遇到了正要去参加大型派对的贾里德。
And in this tale shared with us by author a k Cullerden, we meet Jared who is on his way to a big party.
他感到紧张是可以理解的。
It's understandable that he's nervous.
他可能不认识那里的很多人。
He might not know a lot of people there.
参与本故事演播的有：詹姆斯·克利夫兰、阿什·米尔曼、安迪·克雷斯韦尔、埃里卡·桑德森、杰克·本森、大卫·阿尔特和佩妮·斯科特·安德鲁斯。
Performing this tale are James Cleveland, Ash Millman, Andy Cresswell, Erica Sanderson, Jake Benson, David Alt, and Penny Scott Andrews.
所以他并不疯。
So he's not crazy.
请记住这一点——当我们听到贾里德讲述：'我收到了派对邀请'时。
Remember that as we hear Jared tell us, I got invited to a party.
那件事从未发生过。
That didn't happen.
我的头微微后仰，让我得以看清晴朗的夜空。
My head lulled back, allowing me a view of the clear night sky.
虽然我不是天文学家，但童年时对星星和星座有着浓厚的兴趣。
I'm no astronomer, but I had a childhood fascination with stars and constellations.
那是北斗七星。
There was the Big Dipper.
大熊座、双子座、猎户座，我得再看一眼确认。
Ursa Major, Gemini, Orion, and I need a double take.
就在猎户座正中央有颗异常明亮的星星。
Right in the center of Orion was a big bright star.
重申一下，我并非熟记所有星座，但我很确定那片区域不该有如此明亮的星星，更不用说它散发着那种奇特的色调。
Again, I don't know the constellations by heart, but I was pretty sure there were no stars that bright in that particular area, nor any with the odd hue it radiated.
我暂时不去想它了。
I let it go for the time being.
脑子里已经装了太多事情。
Too much already on my mind.
我深吸一口气，低头看向空荡荡的道路，叹了口气。
Inhaling deeply, I looked back down to an empty road and sighed.
我的衬衫紧贴在汗湿的后背上，在这泥泞闷热的九月傍晚早已湿透。
My shirt clung to the small of my back, already slick in the muddy, breathless September evening.
娜塔莉十分钟前就该到了。
Natalie should have been here ten minutes ago.
虽然迟到还算合理，但加上紧张情绪和阵阵胃灼热，确实让人不太舒服。
A reasonable way, admittedly, but couple that with shock nerves and a dash of heartburn, and it was something unpleasant.
我是学社会科学的，却为个派对如此焦虑，真是讽刺，几乎有点可笑。
I'm studying social sciences, so it's ironic I'd be this stressed over a party, comical almost.
我花了太多时间学习，结果发现自己的社交能力都退化了。
I spend so much time studying, I find myself atrophied of social skills.
一周前我儿时老友联系我，说可以带个伴儿参加聚会。
An old childhood friend of mine hit me up a week ago with an open plus one.
那天是周六，我正好提前完成了学习计划，觉得去去也无妨。
It was a Saturday and being ahead of schedule, decided it couldn't hurt.
稍微走出舒适区，懂吗？
Get out of the comfort zone for a bit, you know?
就在我快要放弃准备回家时，两束逐渐变强的光吸引了我的注意。
Just before I caved in and went home, two steadily growing beams drew my attention.
它们看起来有些格格不入。
They seemed out of place somehow.
社区安静得出奇，连树叶间都没有一丝沙沙声。
The neighborhood was quiet, not even a whisper raked its way through the leaves.
我迈步走上人行道，一阵自我意识突然袭来，想象着路灯用它们那并不讨喜的色调映照在我脸上。
I stepped forward onto the sidewalk and a wave of self consciousness hit me as I imagined the street lamps painting my face in their unflattering hues.
但我没在意，只是抹去了额头上的汗珠。
Still, I paid it no mind and mopped the shine from my forehead.
那辆深色轿车发出呜呜声缓缓停下。
The dark sedan whined as it pulled up.
我微微皱眉，大步走向后车门。
I winced a little and strode over to the rear door.
车门弹开，车内灯光照亮了一个长发如瀑的女孩，她的黑发与车身同色。
It popped open and interior lights illuminated a girl with long glossy hair, black as the vehicle itself.
哇。
Wow.
杰瑞德，这件衬衫对你来说有点太正经了。
That shirt's a tad neat for you, Jared.
娜塔莉上下打量着我，在我钻进车里时咧嘴笑了。
Natalie grinned, scanning me up and down as I climbed in.
坐下时座椅让我不由自主叹了口气，我尴尬地干笑了两声。
The seat pushed a sigh out of me as I sat, and I chuckled a very awkward chuckle.
说真的，这衣服有点皱。
Really, it's a bit creased.
我是说，这比我预想的要正式一点。
I mean, it's a little more formal than I'd expect.
我们又不是去参加晚宴，懂吗？
We're not going to a dinner party, you know?
我的心沉了下去。
My heart sacked.
我看起来会像个傻瓜。
I was going to look like a fool.
该死。
Shit.
我就知道这太费劲了。
I knew this was too much effort.
我
I
哦，闭嘴。
Oh, shush.
我开玩笑的。
I'm kidding.
要说的话，你会显得很出众。
If anything, you'll impress stand out.
这让我感觉好多了。
That made me feel better.
但画眼睛这个不舒服的念头一直挥之不去。
But the uncomfortable idea of drawing eyes lingered.
好吧。
Right.
谢了。
Thanks.
有喝的吗？
Got any drinks?
娜塔莉对我露出一个揶揄的假笑。
Natalie gave me a wry smirk.
这是拒绝的意思吗？
Is that a no?
她翻了个白眼，咯咯笑了起来。
She rolled her eyes and let out a giggle.
天啊，你真的了解我吗？
God, do you even know me?
莫名其妙地，她从一个小得能塞进我后口袋的手包里掏出一个橙色瓶子。
Inexplicably, she withdrew an orange bottle from a handbag that could have fit in my back pocket.
看样子像是利口酒。
Schnapps, by the looks of it.
她递过来却又在我伸手去接时缩了回去。
She held out but pulled back when I reached for it.
哇哦。
Woah.
悠着点喝。
Pace yourself.
这样吧，既然我给你酒喝，你能叫个优步吗？
Tell you what, since I'm giving you drinks, can you get the Uber?
我对这个提议皱起眉头，心知肚明打车费远超过这几口利口酒的价值。
I frowned at the suggestion, knowing full well the fee would be far in excess of the few sips of liqueur.
拜托了。
Please.
她眉头微蹙，假装恳求的样子。
Her eyebrows sloped in mock supplication.
我无法抗拒那双翡翠般的眼眸，尤其是当它们如此闪耀时。
I couldn't stand up to those twin pools of emerald, not when they shone like that.
好吧。
Okay.
行吧。
Fine.
娜塔莉笑容灿烂地把酒瓶递给我，兴奋地轻轻蹦跳着坐下。
Natalie beamed, handing me the bottle and settling with an excited little bounce.
或许过于活泼了些，但依然很可爱。
Overly peppy perhaps, but cute nonetheless.
我感到酒精带来的勇气涌上脸颊，甜腻的桃子余味在舌根挥之不去。
I felt liquid courage flush my cheeks, a cloying peach aftertaste clinging to the back of my tongue.
对我来说有点太甜了，但我喝酒不是为了品味。
A bit sweet for my liking, but I wasn't drinking for the taste.
我的目光飘向窗外。
My eyes drifted out the window.
换作其他任何夜晚，看到路上完全没有车辆，我可能会感到不安，但那时这已无关紧要。
On any other night, I might have been concerned at the complete lack of cars, but it didn't matter then.
尽管我的内心极力抗拒社交的念头，但我确实需要这个。
As much as my mind thrashed against the prospect of socializing, I needed this.
幸运的是，随着烈酒在血管里稳定流淌，恐惧感逐渐消退，我发现自己竟然开始期待这场聚会了。
Luckily, with the schnapps on a steady course through my veins, dread lessened and I actually caught myself looking forward the function.
我感到手臂被拍了一下，猛地回过神来。
I felt a slap on my arm and snapped back.
现在可别晕乎乎的。
Don't get woozy now.
等到了地方，我才不会把你从车里拖出来。
I'm not dragging you out of this car when we get there.
天啊。
Jesus.
好吧。
Alright.
我想接下来我还是只喝啤酒好了。
I think I'll stick to the beer from here on out.
沉默依旧浓重，即使我们停在了镇子边缘的朱鹭街仓库前。
The silence laid thick as ever, even when we pulled up to the warehouse on Ibis Street, right on the fringe of town.
我本以为会有些声响，模糊的节拍或是远处的谈笑声，但什么都没有。
I'd expected some noise, muffled beats, or a distant chatter, but no.
空气中弥漫的压抑感是别的东西。
Whatever weighed on the air was something else.
不过话说回来，我仍然感到紧张，所以可能只是因为这个。
Then again, I still felt nervous, so it was probably just that.
思绪和紧张总是相伴而行，就像那次我的狗阿诺德在邻居前院拉屎，我因为太害怕而一直从窗户盯着他们家
Thoughts and nerves really go hand in hand, Like that time Arnold, my dog, shat on a neighbor's front lawn, and I watched their house out the window because I was too scared to
嘿。
Hey.
你在听吗？
You with me?
我转头看向司机，他在座位上扭过身来。
I looked over to the driver, twisted around in his seat.
他打了个响指。
He snapped his fingers.
车费20英镑。
It's £20.
我今晚很忙。
I got a busy night.
别让我等。
Don't make me wait.
对。
Yeah.
嗯。
Yeah.
好吧。
Alright.
等一下。
Hang on.
我掏出一张十英镑，又拿出一张五英镑，剩下的用硬币凑齐。
I fished out a tenner, then a fiver, and made the rest up of coins.
司机显得格外粗鲁，几乎是从我手中抢钱时把钱打落。
And the driver seemed unnecessarily crass, almost knocking the money from my hand as he snatched it up.
我嗤之以鼻，跟着娜塔莉走进了建筑群。
I scoffed as I followed Natalie into the complex.
忙个屁的晚上。
Busy night, my ass.
妈的，我在这连一辆车的影子都没见着。
I haven't seen a single car out here for fuck's sake.
娜塔莉哼了一声，甩动光泽的长发，回头瞥了一眼。
Natalie snorted, swinging lustrous hair as she threw a glance over her shoulder.
别理他。
Don't mind him.
他一直都是那样。
He's always like that.
我们继续走着。
We continued walking.
等等。
Wait.
一直。
Always.
你认识他？
You know him?
我还以为那家伙只是个随机的搬家司机。
I thought the dude was some random mover driver.
哦，我爸的朋友。
Oh, friend of my dad's.
你太激动了，贾瑞特。
You're getting worked up, Jarrett.
放松点。
Loosen up.
好吗？
Okay?
没人想给你找麻烦。
No one's out to get you.
他只是个混蛋。
He was just an ass.
没什么特别的。
Nothing special about it.
是啊。
Yeah.
我当时是有点激动，但那确实显得有点不合时宜。
I was a bit worked up, but it did seem a little out of place.
不过无所谓了。
But whatever.
我们继续前进，绕过空荡建筑群的左侧。
On we went, around the left side of the empty complex.
混凝土步道旁是一大片未照明的草地。
A large unlit grassy area bordered the concrete walkway.
它看起来毫无明确用途。
It had no apparent purpose.
更可能的是，公司一直没来得及在上面建造什么。
More likely, the company never got around to building on it.
或许这是远离粗野主义建筑内部的工人们的休息区。
Perhaps it was a break spot for workers far removed from the brutalist interior.
微弱的星光暗示着另一侧有一排树篱。
Dim starlight suggested a hedgerow on the other side.
不。
No.
实际上，它看起来并不像树篱，更像是单独种植的灌木丛，虽然紧密簇拥却从未真正长在一起。
Actually, it didn't really look like a hedge, more like individual shrubs that had been planted and while tightly clustered never grew together.
不过即便如此，它们也没有真正长成植物的形状。
Though even then, they weren't really plant shaped.
我眯起了眼睛。
I squinted.
但还没等我的眼睛适应，娜塔莉就拉开了一扇消防出口。
But before my eyes could adjust, Natalie pulled open a fire exit.
门撞在钢制覆层上的声音，在浓重得近乎胶状的寂静中，听起来像山崩地裂。
The door bouncing off steel cladding sounded like mountains collapsing in the heavy, almost gelatinous silence.
后者占据了上风。
The latter won over.
它如此顽固，就像一个永不满足的巨口，将噪音整个吞噬。
So stubborn it was an insatiable maw that swallowed noise whole.
娜塔莉叫我跟上。
Natalie called for me to follow.
她的笑容打消了我可能有的任何犹豫，我跟着她大摇大摆地穿过了门。
Her grin quelled any reluctance I might have had, and I saunted through the door after her.
此时，我渴望听到除了我们自己沉闷的脚步声之外的声音。
At this point, I was itching to hear something other than our own smothered footsteps.
正当我这么想的时候，头顶上的荧光灯管闪烁起来。
As I had that thought, the fluorescent bars above us flickered.
令人惊讶的是它们居然还能正常工作，但我没太在意。
Surprised, they were still functional to begin with, I paid it no mind.
眼下更紧迫的事是赶紧喝点该死的酒。
The more pressing matter at hand was to get some goddamn drink in me.
我转过拐角，又看到一条单调的长走廊。
I turned a corner to see yet another long drab hallway.
这地方到底有多大？
How big is this place?
鬼才知道。
Hell if I know.
我可不想去探索，如果你是这个意思的话。
I'm not going exploring, if that's what you're getting at.
我对着她的后脑勺皱起了眉头。
I frowned into the back of her head.
这个假设真奇怪，娜塔莉，不过好吧。
Strange assumption to make, Natalie, but okay.
就在这时我注意到了那些门。
It was then I noticed the doors.
我停下脚步，后退几步打量我们来时的路。
I paused, wheeling back a few steps to peer back down the way we came.
没错。
Yes.
金属门以交错锯齿的排列方式分布在两侧墙面上。
Metal doors lining both walls in a staggered zigzag pattern.
为什么我之前没注意到它们？
Why hadn't I noticed them?
它们看起来并不起眼，不过我确实注意到了门上的编号。
But they weren't much to look at, though I did catch the numbering.
奇数在右，偶数在左。
Odd numbers right, even left.
我本以为这地方所有东西都会锈迹斑斑，但这些门看起来——该怎么形容呢——就像昨天刚镀过锌一样。
I'd have expected everything in this place to be stained or tarnished, but the doors looked, how do I put it, as if they'd been galvanized just yesterday.
贾里德，我发誓如果再让我...来了
Jared, I swear to god if I have to Coming.
我觉得我那焦虑的另一半总爱纠结细节，你知道的，作为一种分心手段。
I think my anxious half likes getting caught up on details, you know, as a distraction.
我拖着脚步转过又一个拐角，先是左转，再右转，再左转，上楼梯，下楼梯，又拐过三个弯，我们终于到了。
I trudged on another corner, making the first dog leg turn, a left, a right, a left, ascending stairs, descending stairs, three more corners, and we'd arrived.
感觉就像穿过了一层薄纱。
It felt as if I stepped through a veil.
突如其来的派对喧嚣毫无预兆地冲击着我的耳膜。
The unbridled racket of a party came out of nowhere shocking me.
我的目光在房间里游移，无数霓虹灯缠绕在钢梁桁架之间。
My eyes drifted around the room, myriad neon lights strung up and around steel truss and girders.
一套大得离谱的音响系统，几节火车车厢容量的人群穿着怪异的荧光色服装相互混杂，最重要的是，三张折叠桌上层层叠叠堆满了酒水饮料。
An unreasonably large speaker system, a few train carriages worth of people dressed in odd fluorescent colors, all intermingling, and most importantly, three fold up tables stacked with drinks upon drinks.
我正想告诉娜塔莉我一分钟后就回来，但她已经不见了。
I went to tell Natalie I'd be back in a minute, but she was gone.
前一秒她还站在我身边，下一秒就消失无踪。
One moment, she was by my side, the next vanished.
还没等我从诧异中回过神来，左侧就传来了脚步声。
Before I could even shrug it off, I heard footsteps approaching to my left.
哟。
Yo.
你能来真是太好了。
So great you made it.
我们想死你了，兄弟。
We missed you, brother.
两个和我年纪相仿的家伙站在我面前，虽然明显体格更健壮些。
Two guys about my age, though noticeably well built, stood facing me.
他们看起来满怀期待。
They looked expectant.
我从未见过这些人，所以毫不夸张地说，我完全惊呆了。
I'd never met these guys before, so suffice to say, I was flabbergasted.
是啊。
Yeah.
嘿，伙计们。
Hey, gents.
最近怎么样？
How have you been?
哦，见鬼。
Oh, damn.
这太糟糕了。
That was poor.
谁会说什么'绅士'啊？
Who the hell says gents?
他们似乎毫无察觉，递给我一打杂牌劣酒。
They seemed none the wiser, handing me a four pack of some off brand piss water.
高个子男人嗤之以鼻。
The taller man scoffed.
不，老兄。
Nah, dude.
艾米是我约会过的最后一个马术女孩。
Amy was the last horse girl I ever dated.
她们都疯疯癫癫的，你懂吧？
They're they're off whack, you know?
另一个人用手肘捅了捅同伴，强忍住笑。
The other elbowed his partner and stifled a laugh.
真是个了不起的骑手。
Hell of a rider.
没错。
Right on.
他回头看了我一眼，发出心满意足的叹息。
He looked back at me with a trailing content sigh.
总之，快进来放松放松吧，兄弟。
Anyway, get some in here and get in your element, man.
那两人朝一群聚在一起的女孩走去。
The pair strolled off towards a huddled group of girls.
刚才发生了什么？
What just happened?
马女孩是怎么回事？
What's this about horse girls?
这对话的走向完全不自然。
That was in no way a natural progression to the conversation.
哦，我有没有提到她们也深受艳俗时尚感的荼毒？
Oh, did I mention that they too were sufferers of lurid fashion sense?
她们穿着棒球夹克和单穿牛仔裤。
They wore baseball jackets and jeans by itself.
那本来挺正常的，甚至有点老套。
That'd be pretty normal, cliched even.
前提是这些衣服没被反着穿。
That was if they weren't inverted.
不是里外反穿，而是颜色反相。
And not inside out, but in hue.
看着这些衣服简直有点伤眼睛。
It actually kinda hurt to look at.
电光蓝与荧光绿被一种黑到吸光的黑色衬托着。
Electric blues and greens accented by a black so dark, it seemed to suck in the light around it.
夸张了。
Hyperbole.
多么巧妙的应对机制。
What a coping mechanism.
当我一头雾水时，它总能派上用场。
It helps when I'm at a loss for understanding.
之后我悄悄溜到一个相对安静的角落，大口灌着啤酒，那种喝法会吞下太多空气让喉咙发疼。
I slithered my way to a relatively quiet corner after that, drinking my beers in excessive gulps, the kind where you swallow too much air and your throat hurts.
我开始觉得自己变得外向了。
I'm starting to feel outgoing.
我喝光最后一罐，把易拉罐捏扁在手里。
I emptied the last can and crumpled it in my hand.
这段时间我一直在打量人群，但还没认出任何熟人。
I'd been eyeing people up for the duration, but had yet to recognize anyone.
房间正中央有根粗壮的钢桁架支柱，一大群人围着它跳舞。
Right at the center of the room was a hefty steel truss support with a large group dancing around it.
有几个人像猴子一样吊在桁架侧面。
A few of them hung off the side of it like monkeys.
兴致正浓，我便走了过去。
Feeling in the mood, I made my way over.
我记得娜塔莉在那儿，一边甩着头发一边和某个金发女孩贴身热舞。
I remember Natalie being there, flinging her hair around while grinding on some blonde girl.
真有格调。
Classy.
她一注意到我，就灿烂地笑着挥手。
Once she noticed me, she beamed and waved.
我努力忍住翻白眼的冲动。
I tried not to roll my eyes.
另一个挂在钢架上的女孩与我四目相对，脸上突然浮现出认出我的表情。
Another girl hanging from the framing locked eyes with me, and recognition bloomed on her face.
是贾里德吗？我们可想你了。
Is that Jared, we missed you.
一直在想你什么时候会出现呢。
Been wondering when you were gonna show up.
我抬手打招呼，又有几张脸转向我，仅仅因为我的出现就莫名焕发出欣喜的光芒。
Raising a hand and greeting, several more faces spun in my direction, all lighting up with some unwarranted rapture at my mere presence.
一波赞美之词向我涌来。
A wave of praise crashed over me.
到这时，我已经非常非常困惑了。
I was very, very confused by this point.
我不认识这些人，却无法抗拒欢呼声，也控制不住嘴角慢慢咧开的傻笑。
I didn't know these people, and yet, I couldn't resist the cheer nor the stupid grin slowly stretching my lips.
我的大脑飞速运转，想找句合适的话说。
My brain raced for something suitable to say.
当然，什么也没想出来。
Of course, nothing washed ashore.
我可能比在场所有人加起来还要纠结自己的思绪，却毫无结果。
I was probably gauging my own thoughts more than all these people combined with nothing to show for it.
最后我只是微笑着穿过拥挤的人群，走向支撑架方向。
Instead, I smiled and weaved through bustling bodies to the support frame.
一个戴着奇怪头罩的女孩滑到我面前，手里握着半瓶白兰地。
A girl with some strange mask covering her head slid in front of me, half a bottle of cognac in hand.
她明显喝醉了，但她把身体贴向我的方式相当有说服力。
She was clearly drunk, but the way she pressed her body into mine was quite persuasive.
终于来了，我还以为你不会出现呢。
Finally, I thought you was you weren't gonna show.
我能看到她眼中的闪光，在几缕松散发丝下泛着银光。
I could see the glint in her eyes, silvery under a few loose orb and strands.
我顺势配合，试图当场编些话出来。
I went along with it and tried to come up with something on the spot.
是啊。
Yeah.
我迫不及待想见你。
I just couldn't wait to see you.
她瞪大了眼睛。
Her eyes widened.
等等。
Wait.
你觉得怎么样？
How how did you do you like it?
是金的、银的，还镶了点蓝宝石。
It's gold, silver, and a little sapphire in there.
看到了吗？
See?
她从短上衣里拽出一条项链。
She tugged out a necklace from beneath her crop top.
天啊，你简直像克拉克·肯特似的。
God, you're like Clark Kent or something.
这些人到底怎么回事？
What the hell was with these people?
他们就像在跟别人说话一样。
It was like they were talking to someone else.
尽管如此，我还是配合着她的俏皮话，但说实话，派对本身才是我的关注点。
Still, I played along with her quips, but honestly, the party itself was my focus.
我真正想要的只是像其他人一样尽情放松。
All I really wanted was to let loose like the others.
我不记得这个女孩，也绝对没有时间和精力投入到一段感情中。
I didn't remember this girl and I certainly didn't have the time nor resources to invest into a relationship.
于是我的目光向上飘去，越过我们头顶，那里有三个家伙单手吊在房梁上，另一只手拿着酒。
So my eyes drifted up, up above us where three guys hung one handed off the framing, drinks in their other.
灰色眼睛的家伙顺着我的视线看去，大笑着把我往后推。
Gray eyes followed my gaze and laughed, pushing me back.
哦，我明白了。
Oh, I see.
感觉超带劲，就像只时髦的猴子。
Feeling funky, like a funky monkey.
让我给你倒一杯。
Let me pour you one.
不。
No.
等等。
Wait.
不行。
No.
我递上去给你。
I'll pass it up to you.
继续。
Go on.
上。
Go.
快上。
Go.
她的手搭在我背上，引导我走到钢架底部。
With her hand on my back, she guided me to the base of the steel frame.
她拍我屁股时我惊跳了一下，但试图装作若无其事，回头抛出一个笑声。
I jolted when she slapped my ass but tried to play off cool, throwing a laugh back over my shoulder.
即使在派对的热闹中，那金属依然冰冷干燥地硌着我的手。
Even in the heat of the party, the metal bit into my hands, cold and dry.
我记得抽回手时发现上面沾满了厚厚的灰尘。
I remember pulling my hand away and finding it coated in thick dust.
框架上几乎没有灰尘。
There was little to none on the framing.
我想大约就是这时，一种真正的不安感开始浮现。
I think it was around this point a true feeling of unease set in.
表面上并没有什么引发这种感觉，而是那晚所有事情的综合作用。
Nothing outwardly inspired it, but rather a combination of everything that happened that night.
我们所在的建筑群只占地约400乘600英尺，本身不算小，但从入口到这个房间的步行距离更像是自然小径的长度。
The complex we were in only took up roughly a 400 by 600 foot plot, and not small per se, but the amount of walking from the entrance to this room seemed more fit for a nature trail.
最重要的是，我以为这个地方已经废弃好几年了，但建筑看起来完全不像。
On top of that, I thought this place had been abandoned for a good few years now, and yet the building didn't look it.
只有最薄的一层灰尘覆盖着，所有金属部件都毫无锈迹。
Only the finest layer of dust settled, and any metal seemed untarnished.
为什么这些人都表现得好像认识我一样？
And why were all these people acting like they knew me?
不仅是认识我，还在社交地位上帮衬我。
Not just knew me, but helped me in social standing.
我从来都不是那种善于交际的人。
I've never been the gregarious type.
我也算不上什么养眼帅哥，但有个素未谋面的女孩看我的眼神就像在看什么香饽饽。
I'm not exactly eye candy either, and there's this random girl I've never met before looking at me like I was some stud muffin.
而最奇怪的是
And the strangest thing of all
别吊我胃口。
Don't leave me hanging.
我转身看到一双灰眼睛递来杯子，我一把抓过并感谢了她。
I pivoted, seeing gray eyes holding out a cup, which I gladly snatched up and thanked her for.
小小的人生智慧。
Small scrap of wisdom.
别在醉酒或单手情况下攀爬钢柱。
Don't climb steel pillars drunk and or one handed.
我当时没往下看，等我看时，差点松手。
I hadn't stopped to look down, and when I did, I nearly let go.
我爬了大概10到15英尺高，但感觉没爬那么久。
I climbed a good 10 or 15 feet, but it didn't feel like I was climbing that long.
幸好我还清醒，紧紧抓住了柱子。
Luckily, my wits were still with me and I clung fast.
这时一股能量涌遍全身。
An energy surged through my body then.
除了说感觉良好，我真不知该如何形容。
I don't really know how else to describe it except good vibes.
由于我的专业，大脑相关区域已经退化，所以这是种陌生又渴望的感觉。
With my major, the part of my brain responsible for it had atrophied, so it was an unfamiliar and longed for feeling.
咕咚。
Chug.
咕咚。
Chug.
咕咚。
Chug.
咕咚。
Chug.
人群在我周围欢呼。
Crowd roared around me.
虽然只是一杯干邑，但嘿，什么东西都能一口闷。
It was only a cup of cognac, but, hey, anything can be chugged.
对吧？
Right?
干杯。
Cheers.
我将酒杯举到唇边，仰头一饮而尽。
I lifted the drink to my lips and tipped my head back.
然后事情发生了。
Then it happened.
当我闭眼望向天空时，空气仿佛在倒抽气，吞噬一切后只留下虚无的真空。
My closed eyes faced skyward when the air itself seemed to gasp, inhaling everything and leaving a vacuum of nothing.
耳膜突然受压，我感到温度骤降，液体暖流缓缓滑入喉咙。
My ears popped and I felt the temperature drop, liquid warmth crawling down my throat.
我垂眼看向派对现场，却发现派对早已不复存在。
I lowered my eyes to look down at the party, and I saw there was no party.
我肯定还在同一个房间里。
I had to be in the same room.
此刻指尖触碰到的钢制杯壁冰冷刺骨，寒意渗入骨髓。
I felt the steel under my fingers now cold enough to make my bones ache.
四周一片黑暗。
It was dark.
冥界般的黑暗从四面八方压迫而来，只有污浊天窗透出的黯淡月光偶尔打破这片漆黑。
Stygian blackness pressed in from all sides, punctuated by dull moonlight barely leaking through grimy skylights.
我...我...我不明白发生了什么。
I I I didn't couldn't understand what had happened.
突如其来的寂静在我耳中轰鸣。
The immediate silence pounded in my ears.
那是我听过最震耳欲聋的声音。
It was the loudest thing I've ever heard.
我因恐惧而松开了空着的那只手，杯子坠入脚下深渊。
My free hand went loose in fear, dropping the cup into the abyss beneath me.
当它撞击地面时，发出空洞的哐当声，随后归于沉寂。
When it hit the floor, a hollow clatter rang out, and then silence.
想着至少得先回到地面，我摸索出手机准备打开手电筒。
Figuring I had to at least get down to ground level, I fished out my phone to activate the flashlight.
我的手指犹豫地悬停在手电筒图标上方。
My finger hovered tentatively over the torch icon.
我不知道为什么，但内心有个声音告诉我：这里不该有光。
I don't know why, but something in me said, this is no place for light.
这里不该有如此显眼的信号。
This is no place for a beacon so easily seen.
事后想来，摸黑爬下来真是愚蠢。
In hindsight, it was stupid to climb down blind.
某种深藏的直觉告诉我，暴露自己可能遭遇的后果比从十英尺高处摔到水泥地上更可怕。
Some buried instinct told me whatever might happen if I revealed myself was worse than falling 10 feet onto solid concrete.
奇迹般地，我毫发无损地下来了。
By some miracle, I made it down without a hitch.
现在面临真正的难题了。
Now there was a real issue.
在漆黑中顺着杆子爬下来还算可行，但要在这个地方穿行，那真是名副其实的摸黑行动。
Climbing down a pole in pitch blackness is plausible, but navigating this place, that would be a shot in the dark, literally.
某种不祥的波动在我的血管中震颤。
Waves of something sinister throbbed in my veins.
每一步都在房间里回荡。
Every step echoed through the room.
我经常停下脚步，因为万一我的脚步声被用来掩盖其他声音呢？
I stopped often because what if the sound of my footsteps was being used to cover another noise?
我盲目地向前伸手，希望能摸到我们进入时坡道侧面的扶手。
I reached blindly in front of me, hoping to meet the handrail running up the side of the ramp we entered I entered from.
我突然僵在原地，一种新的恐惧感席卷全身。
I stopped dead in my tracks as a new level of terror coursed throughout my entire body.
不仅如此，还有另一种感觉潜伏在表面之下，我清晰地感觉到它就在身后。
But not only that, another sensation lingering just below the surface, and I got the distinct impression it was behind.
我再也受不了了。
I couldn't take it anymore.
我拔腿就跑。
I bolted.
被恐惧笼罩的大脑将控制权交给了四肢，它们推动着我向前冲去。
My fear shrouded mind relinquished control to my limbs, which propelled me forward.
我奋力跑出几步，前额就撞上了冰冷的金属
I made it a few good strides before my forehead met cold steel.
我痛呼一声，歪倒在撞上的物体旁，钝痛在颅骨内震荡
I let out a yelp and buckled to the side of whatever I'd hit as dull pain rattled inside my skull.
我想我短暂地忘记了自己身在何处，四周黑暗寂静
I think I forgot where I was for a moment, dark and quiet.
我最初以为是在卧室里摔倒了，直到掌心下混凝土的冰冷触感让我猛然清醒
My first assumption was that I was in my bedroom and I'd had fall, then the sensation of cold concrete below my palms brought me rushing back.
不
No.
不是那样
It wasn't that.
最先恢复的是另一种感觉
Another feeling returned first.
眼睛
Eyes.
我从不迷信，从来都不。
I'm not superstitious, never have been.
我不知道人体是否还有某种额外的感官，某种在被注视时会触发的隐秘神经模式，但我可以绝对确定地说，当时有什么东西在注视着我。
I don't know if there's some additional sense in our bodies, some obscure nerve pattern that fires when observed, But I can say with absolute certainty that I had an observer.
我必须移动。
I had to move.
我必须离开那个可怕的地方。
I had to get out of that awful place.
而我唯一能做的就是打开手机的手电筒。
And the only way I could was by turning on my phone torch.
脑袋仍在眩晕，我摸索着屏幕。
Head still spinning, I fumbled with the screen.
刺眼的光线灼痛了我的眼睛，但我还是设法点中了正确的图标。
It glared and stung my eyes, but I managed to tap the right icon.
冰冷的光线从我手中溢出，照亮了左侧约六英尺处的扶手。
Cold light spilled from my hand, illuminating the handrail about six feet to my left.
就在我打开手电筒的瞬间，拖曳声突然响起。
The exact moment I turned it on, the shuffling started up.
急促慌乱的脚步声从四面八方向我逼近。
Frantic hurried steps closing in around me.
那些在视线之外移动的东西不再像之前那样躲躲藏藏。
Whatever moved just out of sight wasn't shy like before.
它们肆无忌惮，根本不在乎被我听见。
It was bold and didn't care if I heard it.
我猛地跳起来冲向栏杆，顾不上绕行坡道，直接从栏杆间钻了过去。
I sprung to my feet and barreled toward the railing, not bothering to skirt around the ramp and instead diving between the bars.
我单手稳住身体，忍着头痛拖着身子爬上坡道。
I steadied myself with one hand and dragged my body up the ramp, still reeling from the pain in my head.
我不知道自己为什么要这么做。
I don't know why I did it.
但当我爬到顶端时，却突然停住了。
But when I reached the top, I paused.
怀着深深的恐惧，我将目光转向身后宽敞的房间。
With a deep sense of dread, I shifted my gaze to the expansive room behind me.
就在那时，我与它四目相对了。
And when I did, I made eye contact.
那一刻我才明白，追捕我的不止一个，而是整整一群观众——成百上千双我看不见但确实存在的眼睛。
It was then I realized I had not one pursuer, but an entire audience, hundreds, thousands of eyes I couldn't see, but was surely there.
仿佛为了印证这个想法，窸窣声突然响起。
As if to prove that sentiment, the shuffling began.
无数笨重的脚步声同时开始移动。
Uncountable lumbering steps all started in unison.
我彻底被包围了。
I was positively surrounded.
一个模糊身影从我手机光线边缘掠过，我立刻行动起来。
A blur zipped past the edge of my phone's reach, immediately setting me into action.
我猛地转身冲向走廊——这里曾经沐浴在昏暗的荧光灯下，如今仅靠我手机微弱的手电光照亮。
I wheeled around and flew down the hallway, once bathed in dull fluorescence, now only lit by my phone's meager flashlight.
这个地方，简直是个迷宫。
This place, it was a maze.
我脑海中隐约有些方向感，但光靠这个根本没用。
A vague sense of direction swam in my mind, but it was no help by itself.
我突然想到，如果能跟着门牌号走，或许能找到出口。
I had the sudden idea that if I could follow the door numbering, I'd trace a path to the exit.
我将手电光扫向侧面，看向第一个看到的门牌号。
Sweeping my light to the side, I read the first number I saw.
4Quadrillion3451。
4Quadrillion3451.
我惊呆了。
I was dumbstruck.
恐慌让我浑身发痒lessly.
I was itching with panic.
这到底是什么鬼地方？门牌号居然超过四万亿？
What the hell kind of place has a door numbered past four quadrillion?
尽管如此，门牌号似乎在逐渐递减，而我别无选择，只能跟着它们走。
Still, the numbers appeared to descend gradually, and with no other options, I chose to follow them.
其他人都去哪儿了？
Where was everyone?
他们是不是开了什么残酷的玩笑？
Had they played some kind of cruel joke?
如果是的话，怎么做到的？
And if so, how?
这不可能。
It couldn't be possible.
而且，为什么要这么做？
And, anyway, why do that?
我只是个无名小卒。
I'm a nobody.
为什么要把我当成恶作剧的中心？
Why make me the center of some prank?
我越想越觉得整个情况不对劲。
The more I thought about it, the more wrong the whole situation felt.
我的大脑不知何时进入了自动驾驶模式。
My mind went on autopilot at some point.
至少我还记得那些数字。
If nothing else, I remember the numbers.
哦，没错。
Oh, yes.
一千万亿。
One quadrillion.
继续数。
Keep going.
59,004,000,000。
59,004,000,000.
还有更多。
More.
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