2.1 Encounter
Hong Kong nights are always bright, neon lights dotting the night sky like man-made stars. Behind the skyscrapers and glittering night markets, there is a forgotten side of the city - the tense narrow alleys and neglected old streets. Chloe Wong, a young investigative reporter, walks briskly through the slippery pavements after an afternoon rain. The sounds of taxis and the shouts of vendors from the nearby night market echo through the air. She was heading to a location known for its spooky, mystical stories.
Chloe didn't believe in ghosts, but a job was a job. Her last article on government corruption had made her popular, but this time her editor wanted something different-something that would capture the public's attention with an urban legend haunting the city. The legend of the Red Bride has recently resurfaced after reports of sightings on an old bridge that few people visit.
The bridge looked different than Chloe had imagined. Located in a forgotten part of the city, amongst dark alleys and run-down buildings, the old bridge was like an unhealed wound in the centre of an ever-growing city. The surrounding cobblestones were mossy and cracked, while the streetlights that were supposed to illuminate the area flickered erratically. The air was colder here, as if something was holding back the warmth from reaching this place.
"This must be a rumour, ' Chloe thought as she zipped up her jacket. However, there was something that made her hair stand on end - an uneasy feeling that she couldn't ignore. As she approached the bridge, a strange odour began to emerge. Not the usual odour of garbage or city pollution, but the strong, penetrating scent of jasmine. A scent that shouldn't be in a place like this.
Chloe stopped her steps, feeling the tension that suddenly enveloped the night. At the end of the bridge, under the dim streetlights, she saw a figure. A woman, standing with her body stiff and her face downcast. The red dress she wore was like fresh blood standing out against the dull colours of the night. Chloe stared at the woman, feeling trapped in an unreal atmosphere. Her heart beat faster, and the air around her felt heavier.
The woman didn't move. Chloe tried to fight the feeling of dread that began to creep into her mind. "Just an illusion, ' she muttered. She forced herself to get closer, both curious and nervous. Step by step, she found it increasingly difficult to breathe. The figure remained silent, yet something was wrong. The breeze that had been hitting Chloe's skin had stopped. The emptiness felt odd- as if the whole world was suddenly silent, just Chloe and the woman.
When Chloe was only a few metres away from her, the woman suddenly raised her face. Her face was pale, with deep, vacant, black eyes and lips in a thin, almost unreal smile. Chloe was transfixed-their eyes met for just a moment, but in that gaze, Chloe felt as if she was being pulled into a dark abyss. The woman's face was full of sadness, anger... and vengeance.
Without warning, the woman simply disappeared, like smoke in the wind. Chloe was pushed back a few steps, panting, while her heart raced. The chill that had settled over the bridge suddenly faded, and the sounds of the city's hustle and bustle returned to Chloe's ears. Yet the smell of jasmine lingered, lingering in the air, reminding her of what she had just seen.
But that's impossible, isn't it? The Red Bride was just a story... or maybe more of a rumour.
Chloe clutched her mobile phone in shaky hands, trying to catch her breath. For a moment, she was silent, staring blankly at the bridge that now looked ordinary, as if there had never been any figures there. However, deep in her heart, Chloe knew something odd was going on.
---
2.2 The Darkness Begins
Chloe returned to her apartment, feeling like she had just been dragged into another world. The experience on the bridge continued to haunt her mind. Although she had tried to convince herself that what she saw was just an illusion or the influence of fatigue, the smell of jasmine that lingered in her memory made her doubt. Fear crept up slowly as she opened the door to her small, modest apartment.
As soon as the door closed, silence filled the room. Chloe tried to distract herself by opening her laptop, scrolling through articles about the legend of the Red Bride, but every word she read only made her more uncomfortable. The lights in her apartment suddenly flickered.
Chloe looked up, her heart racing. In the corner of her eye, she felt a shadow move behind her, but when she turned her head, the room was empty.
Cold sweat began to bead on her temples. Her breathing felt heavier than usual. She stood up, trying to distract her mind, opening the window to let in the cold night air. But as soon as she opened the window, the sharp smell of jasmine hit her nose, stronger than ever. Chloe closed the window quickly, her chest rumbling with increasingly realised fear.
Her mobile phone rang, the sudden ring piercing the silence. Chloe reached for the phone on the desk, looking at the name on the screen-nothing. Just a blank number. Her hands trembled as she answered.
"Hello? ' her voice trembled.
There was no answer, just a long sigh on the other end, as if someone was holding their breath. Chloe froze, feeling her hair stand on end again.
'Who is this?' Chloe tried to sound firm, even though her heart was pounding violently.
Suddenly, the voice on the other side made a sound that made Chloe almost drop her phone. It was asoft laugh, small and cold, sounding like the voice of a woman who was enjoying the suffering of others. Chloe quickly hung up, throwing her phone on the bed, her breathing ragged.
That night, Chloe decided to go to bed early, even though her mind was racing. But sleep did not bring peace. Her night was filled with nightmares that made no sense. Chloe dreamt she was in an old wedding hall, entirely red in colour - from the cloth covering the tables to the flowers in the vases. At the far end of the room, a woman stood in a red wedding dress, her back to Chloe.
The woman, who had long hair, began to whisper, 'He's coming...' The voice echoed in Chloe's mind, growing more and more terrifying, while Chloe felt unable to move. As the woman turned her body, Chloe saw a hideous face - half-destroyed, eyes full of hatred and blood flowing from its mouth. Chloe woke up with a stifled scream, her body drenched in cold sweat.
---
2.3 It's getting tense
Morning came, but the strangeness continued. When Chloe opened the bathroom door, she was transfixed by the faint figure in the mirror, no longer her own face. It was the face of the woman in her dream-the face of the Red Bride who now appeared smiling coldly in the reflection. Chloe jerked back, closing the mirror quickly. Fear seized her mind. Was she beginning to lose her mind?
She quickly called Melinda, her best friend and fellow journalist who had always been sceptical of the mystical. Chloe hoped Melinda could calm her down or at least give her a more logical perspective on what was happening.
As Chloe begins to recount the strange events she's experienced, Melinda falls silent. After a few moments of silence, Melinda spoke in an unusual voice: 'I heard that story too, but usually those who see the Red Bride never get away with it, Chloe...'
Chloe fell silent, trembling. 'What do you mean?'
"I don't know, Chloe, but the legend isn't just about seeing ghosts. The Red Bride... she marks someone. Those who see her... in the end, they'll go with her. ' Melinda's voice became a whisper, as if afraid of anyone hearing.
The next night, Chloe begins to hear strange noises in her apartment - small footsteps, like a woman wearing heels, walking slowly across the wooden floor. Every time Chloe got up to check, the noise stopped. When she returned to bed, the sound returned, as if following at a distance.
The climax came when Chloe found a red dress hanging in her closet. A dress similar to the wedding dress worn by the ghost in her dream, a dress that shouldn't be there. Chloe felt her hands shaking as she approached the dress. Her heart almost stopped when she touched the fabric-cold and damp, as if it had just been soaked in water. In the corner of the dress, there was a small blood stain that looked fresh.
Then, the door to her apartment suddenly closed on its own, slamming loudly without any wind or movement. Chloe jerked back, her back against the wall. The shadow from the corner of the room moved, getting closer, and the scent of jasmine filled the room.
Chloe felt trapped. This was no longer just an illusion-it wasreal. Chloe felt her body shiver as the figure of the woman in the red dress emerged from the shadows, more clearly this time. She moved quietly, her steps hovering silently. Her face was pale and her eyes blank, but her lips smiled coldly, as if savouring the pain she was inflicting.
"Don't run... ' the whisper sounded, so close, so real. 'You've been marked...'
Chloe couldn't breathe.
The ghost disappeared in an instant, leaving behind a stronger scent of jasmine and the red dress now lying on the floor. Chloeknew-this terrorhad just begun, and she couldn't run from it.
---
2.4 Dangerous Search
The next morning, Chloe couldn't ignore the fact that this terror wasn't going to stop on its own. Sitting at her desk, her hands trembled as she opened her laptop. Her mind was constantly spinning, searching for any clues that could help her understand who the Red Bride really was and how to end this terror. Despite her fears, Chloe knows that she must confront this legend head-on.
Chloe decides to call Melinda again. However, when she dialled her friend's number, the phone rang for a long time without an answer. Something didn't feel right. Melinda was always quick to answer the phone, especially in the morning. Chloe's anxiety grew, and as she hung up the phone, the feeling that something bad was going to happen to Melinda began to grip her heart.
Without hesitation, Chloe put on her jacket and rushed out of the apartment, heading to Melinda's place. However, while in the narrow corridor leading out, Chloe felt something unnatural again. The lights in the corridor flickered like the night before. Her footsteps came to an abrupt halt when she heard the familiar sound of heels- steps that were heard every night in her apartment.
'Chloe...' The voice whispered softly, echoing in the narrow corridor.
Chloe turned quickly, her breath catching. The corridor was empty, yet she felt the piercing stare of the darkness. Her mind screamed to run, but her body was frozen in place. Thesound of a small, cold laugh came back, closer than expected. Chloe ran without looking back, her heart beating fast.
When Chloe finally arrived at Melinda's apartment, the door was slightly ajar. Chloe immediately had a bad feeling. She pushed the door open slowly, calling her best friend's name in a trembling voice. There was no answer. The apartment was dark, only faint sunlight filtering through the tightly closed curtains. As Chloe stepped further into the room, she noticed a piece of paper left on the kitchen table.
It contained a short note, written in a hurried hand:
"I found it... but it's too dangerous. Be careful, Chloe. Don't let her get close. The Red Bride-she's more than just a legend."
Chloe read it over and over, her blood racing. What had Melinda found? Why wasn't she in her apartment? Before Chloe could think further, something gave her the creeps. In the corner of the room, where Melinda usually kept her jackets, hung a red dress.
It fluttered gently even though there was no wind. Chloe felt a suffocating fear. She knew that the dress hadn't been there before. And the strong smell of jasmine began to fill the room, making Chloe feel dizzy. Chloe backed away slowly, but before she could reach the door, the red dress fell from the hanger and scattered on the floor like a pool of blood.
'He's already marked you...' The voice rang out, this time clear and hateful. Chloe staggered, her body feeling weak. As quickly as possible, she left Melinda's apartment with a heart filled with terror. She had to find the answer, or she would end up as the legend said.
---
2.5 Seeking Help
Back at her apartment, Chloe immediately sought more information about the old mental hospital Melinda had mentioned in their last conversation. The hospital was where the legend of the Red Bride first appeared. From the old articles and archives she found, Chloe learnt that in the 1940s, the hospital was the site of a tragic event. A young woman named Lin Mei- a bride who died before she could get married because her fianc� was found to be having an affair - ended her life wearing a red dress. Since then, there have been many reports of sightings of women in red dresses around the area, especially at night.
However, one old article mentions that those who saw Lin Mei were not only plagued by apparitions, but also haunted to death. This legend claims that the Red Bride marks certain souls, and only certain people can see her. Those who are marked will face a tragic death unless they can complete Lin Mei's unfulfilled 'promise' - a promise to marry.
Chloe felt an excruciating fear when she read those words. She was now part of this curse. With trembling hands, Chloe contacted a local paranormal expert who was well-known in urban legend circles. The man, Mr Huang, is known to be well-versed in Hong Kong folklore and myths, and has come face-to-face with supernatural forces.
That night, Chloe met Mr Huang at a small teahouse in the city centre. The old man's eyes were serious, as if he already knew what Chloe was going to ask.
"The Red Bride, ' he said quietly, as if the mere mention of the name was dangerous. "She doesn't want to be forgotten. She brought her vengeance to this world, seeking victims she could draw into the same fate."
Chloe bit her lip. "How can I stop him? How can I escape this curse?"
Mr Huang took a deep breath before answering, "There is only one way... You must do what Lin Mei could never do. You must complete the broken marriage."
Chloe stared at Mr Huang, fear taking over her entire body. 'Marriage?'
"Yes, ' Mr Huang said in a low but firm voice. 'You must find a "bride" for Lin Mei... or she will continue to pursue you until you yourself become part of her world.'
Chloe left the teahouse with an increasingly muddled mind. How could she fulfil this strange request? Who would marry a vengeful spirit? However, one thing she knew for sure-she had no other choice. Time marched on, and each night the Red Bride drew closer.
Step by step, Chloe is plunged into a dangerous world where reality and mystical horrors mix. If she fails, her fate is sealed-and the Red Bride will stop at nothing until Chloe is beside her forever.
---
2.6 Shadows of the Past
Chloe kept remembering Mr Huang's words. Marrying a vengeful spirit? It sounded crazy, but every step she took seemed to plunge herself more and more into Lin Mei's world. The terror was no longer just folklore, but a reality that haunted every corner of her life. Every time Chloe looked at her reflection in the mirror, it was as if something was peering back at her from within.
Chloe realises one thing: time is not on her side. The red dress, the increasingly strong smell of jasmine, and the dark shadows that haunt her at night are just the beginning of greater suffering.
That night, while Chloe was fast asleep, she was awakened by a faint sound coming from the apartment next door. It sounded like crying... or maybe someone whimpering. Chloe walked slowly towards the wall, putting her ear to the wall to hear more clearly.
'Help... help me...' The weak, trembling female voice came from behind the wall.
Chloe recoiled, her heart skipping a beat. It was no ordinary human voice. It was Lin Mei's voice-the voice she had heard in her dreams, and now it seemed real, calling out from the darkness. The apartment door suddenly opened with a bang, startling Chloe. There was no wind, but the door moved on its own.
Chloe's fear peaked when she saw wet, blood-red footprintsleading out of her apartment. The voices grew stronger, the cries turning into screams that filled the entire room. Chloe felt her legs weaken, as if her life energy was being sapped by the invisible presence.
With difficulty, she managed to close the door, sobbing and shaking, but she knew that avoidance was no longer an option.
The next day, Chloe decided to see Mr Huang again. He was the only hope she had, the only person who could give her answers or at least a clue as to what she should do next. When she arrived at the teahouse, Mr Huang was already waiting for her.
The old man's face looked even grimmer than usual, and Chloe knew that he had bad news.
"You've gone too far in, Chloe, ' he said quietly, looking Chloe seriously in the eye. "The Red Bride is getting closer to you. The signs you're seeing-the footsteps, the voices, the smell of jasmine-are all warnings that your time is running out. If you don't do something, she will take your soul and you will be part of this curse forever."
Chloe bit her lip, trying to contain her fear. "What am I supposed to do? How do I solve this marriage?"
Mr Huang let out a long sigh. "There's one place you should visit. That old mental hospital... that's where Lin Mei died. You must go there, bring the groom who will 'marry' Lin Mei. Only then can you appease her spirit."
Chloe was speechless. How could she possibly find someone who would marry a vengeful spirit? The thought made her feel desperate, but she knew that she had no other choice. Time was running out.
---
2.7 A Bride for the Spirits
That night, Chloe kept thinking about who could be the 'bride' for Lin Mei. There was no way she could ask someone to sacrifice herself. However, as she was lost in thought, an idea began to emerge in her mind-maybe the Red Bride didn't need the physical body of the groom? Could she create the 'marriage' symbolically?
Chloe decided to do what she thought made the most sense. She contacted an old friend of hers who worked as a digital architect. Her friend Eric was known to have access to advanced technology that could create very realistic simulations or virtual worlds. Chloe thought that perhaps they could 'trick' Lin Mei's spirit by creating a virtual wedding scenario that looked real.
However, before Chloe can explain her plan to Eric, her phone suddenly goes dead. The lights in her apartment flickered again, and the room felt colder than usual. Chloe felt the presence again, stronger, more real. Her breath caught when she saw a woman in a red dress appear at the end of the room-the Red Bride. Her face was pale, with a thin, hateful smile.
"You can't run, Chloe... ' she whispered hoarsely.
Chloe ran out of her apartment, her heart racing. She knew that time was running out, and the Red Bride was getting closer to her goal-taking her life.
The next day. Chloe decides to visit the old mental hospital where Lin Mei died, as per Mr Huang's suggestion. The building was abandoned, full of shrubs and cracked walls. The hospital's main door was open, as if inviting Chloe to enter.
As Chloe entered the hospital's gloomy hallways, the sound of her footsteps echoed. Every room was filled with memories of the dark past - blurry photographs, outdated medical equipment and graffiti on the walls depicting the suffering of the patients. The further she went, the heavier her steps became, as if something was pulling her back.
Inside the largest room, Chloe found an old, broken altar, surrounded by wilted flowers. There, she saw the wedding ring left on the altar, as if waiting for someone to pick it up.
With bated breath, Chloe picked up the ring and put it on her finger. Suddenly, the room changed-the walls shook, a gloomy light illuminated the surroundings, and Chloe saw Lin Mei appear before her, wearing a red dress that shimmered like fresh blood.
"You've come, ' Lin Mei whispered, her voice soft yet threatening. 'Now your time has come.'
Amidst the aura of death and the deepening horror, Chloe realises that this is her last moment to finish what has never been finished. But is she strong enough to complete this cursed wedding and free herself from the clutches of an unforgiving spirit?
Chloe stood in front of the Red Bride, the wedding ring in her hand heavy as the weight of the curse looming over her life. Lin Mei approached, a vengeful smile on her face. Chloe knew that this was the final moment to decide her fate. Would she be able to free herself, or would she become a victim in this legend once and for all?
---
2.8 The Key at the End of Darkness
Chloe gasped for breath, her knees almost buckling in front of the approaching Red Bride. The ring on her finger suddenly felt hot, as if it was burning her skin, making Chloe grit her teeth to endure the pain. Lin Mei stepped gracefully, but her footsteps left blood spots that slowly pooled on the floor, giving off an increasingly pungent smell.
"You can't avoid this, Chloe, ' Lin Mei's voice sounded like a whisper that dragged the soul into the darkness. 'You've already taken a part of my life, and now, I'm going to take a part of yours.'
Chloe stepped back, but her foot stumbled, causing her to fall to the cold floor. Lin Mei's pitch-black eyes stared intently at Chloe, her lips in a sly smile. In that moment, Chloe realised that running away was no longer an option. She had to confront Lin Mei-perhaps not with strength, but with reason.
'What do you want exactly?' Chloe shouted, trying to keep the tremble out of her voice. 'Why do you keep hunting me?'
Lin Mei was silent for a moment, the shadows around her moving like a dark fog that embraced her. "I want justice, ' she replied in a flat yet threatening tone. "I was forced into marriage, taken from this life before my time. I want that life back. And you... will pay for it with your life."
Lin Mei's words left Chloe stunned. Perhaps, behind her terrible terror, there was a darker story-something that had never been resolved. Chloe tried to think fast. If the Red Bride really wanted 'justice', perhaps there was a way to get it done without giving up her life.
'But I can help you!' Chloe said, her voice filled with desperation that she tried to hide. "I can find the man you want, your bride. Let me find him and you can move on with your life... or... your death!"
Lin Mei stared at Chloe, her gaze still cold and hateful. However, her evil smile slowly faded away, replaced by a look full of doubt. "The man you're looking for is no longer alive, Chloe, ' she said in an almost whispered voice. "He's long gone. You're the only one who can finish what started here."
Chloe froze. What did Lin Mei mean? If the man was dead, then who should be the bride?
---
2.9 Rituals
Mr Huang had warned her about a wedding ritual that could be performed to appease Lin Mei's spirit. However, Chloe didn't expect to get to this point. With the ring on her finger, she now felt more attached to this dark and mysterious world. Mr Huang had mentioned that to 'complete' this marriage, not only did the man need to be present-but also the witnesses, the venue, and the ritual sacrifice.
Chloe stared at the worn altar in the room, the place where Lin Mei had ended up in the asylum. This was where it all began, and perhaps where it should end. Chloe remembered that in one of the ancient records she had seen in Mr Huang's shop, there was a way to perform a spiritual marriage-a ritual that used symbols of sacrifice instead of physical ones.
She had to fight the fear that was pounding into her soul. Her hands trembled as she began to arrange everything around the altar, the wilted flowers rearranged like a wedding ceremony. The blood splattered from Lin Mei's footsteps was left, as a sign that this was no ordinary wedding.
Halfway through the preparations, Lin Mei's voice began to sound quieter and quieter, like a distant scream behind Chloe's ears, leaving her confused. She ran out of the room to find Mr Huang, hoping that she could find the final answer she needed.
When Chloe managed to find Mr Huang again, the old man seemed even more tense than usual. Chloe explains that Lin Mei doesn't just want the life of the man who was going to marry her, but something deeper-the hidden truth.
Mr Huang just gave a small nod. "The spirit wants to avenge the injustice done to her, Chloe. But there's something bigger you should know. Lin Mei's spirit died not by fate, but by humans. There was betrayal. And she won't leave until she's avenged."
Chloe heard it like a punch in the chest. Who betrayed Lin Mei? Why does this legend always only tell stories of endless revenge, but never mention the real culprit? Mr Huang thrust an old scroll at Chloe, one that contained the names of the people involved in the cursed marriage. One of the names caught Chloe's attention.
'Eric...?' Chloe could hardly believe it. The name of her old friend, who she had just called to help, was on the list. Suddenly, everything started to make sense. The betrayal Lin Mei was referring to was not only related to the man who left her at the altar, but also to Eric's role in the incident.
Chloe returned to her apartment, a mixture of anger and confusion. Her phone rang as she reached the door, and on the other end came Eric's voice. "Chloe, I think we need to talk... about something I haven't told you yet, ' his voice sounded remorseful.
With a pounding heart, Chloe knew that this was it. The final battle was not only against Lin Mei, but also against the truth that had been hidden.
Eric was waiting at Chloe's apartment when she arrived. His face looked pale, full of guilt. 'I... I never told you, Chloe, that I was involved in the events that led to Lin Mei's death.'
Chloe stared at him, feeling the pent-up anger begin to boil over. "What really happened, Eric? Why didn't you tell me from the beginning?"
Eric let out a long sigh. "Me and some friends... we got involved in a ritual that went wrong. We thought it was just a game, just for fun. But something bad happened... and Lin Mei became a victim. I never meant for this to happen. I can't live with this guilt."
Before Chloe could respond, the air around her grew heavier, and Lin Mei reappeared in the room-this time, more real than before. Her face was full of rage, her eyes pitch black. "This is the betrayal I'm talking about, ' she whispered sharply.
Chloe felt her heart skip a beat. The Red Bride had come to demand justice. This was the final moment where their fate would all be decided.
---
2.10 Bloody Justice
The atmosphere in Chloe's room was suddenly suffocating. The temperature dropped drastically, and the walls seemed to tremble under the pressure of the supernatural power brought about by Lin Mei's presence. Eric recoiled, his face paled, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"She... she knows! ' screamed Eric, his voice full of fear.
Lin Mei stepped forward, her body hovering in a graceful yet terrifying motion, and her eyes glared intently at Eric. Chloe knew she was now between two forces that would destroy each other-or perhaps, she too would become a victim.
"You all must pay, ' Lin Mei's voice echoed in the room, filled with deep hatred. 'I won't leave until everyone involved feels the same pain I do.'
Chloe tried to find a way to defuse the situation. 'Lin Mei! This isn't just about revenge! If you destroy everything, you'll stay stuck here forever!' Chloe shouted, her eyes filled with both fear and hope that she could quell the hatred haunting the spirit.
But Lin Mei wasn't listening. Her ghostly thin hands began to stretch themselves towards Eric, and with a sudden jerk, Eric's body was pushed against the wall with an invisible force. Eric cried out in pain, his body hanging helplessly, blood flowing from his mouth.
"You are the first traitor, ' Lin Mei whispered coldly, her lips smirking. 'You started this, and I'm going to end it.'
Eric's body shook violently, as if something was drawing the last breath from within him.
Chloe realised that time was running out. The ring on her finger vibrated again with a searing heat. It was a sign that the invisible agreement between her and Lin Mei had reached its peak. Chloe remembered Mr Huang's words: in order to end all of this, she had to finish the forbidden marriage with a sacrifice-but not Eric, not someone else's death.
'Lin Mei, stop!' Chloe shouted, her body advancing toward the spirit of the bride who was bringing her death closer to Eric. "I'm willing to be his replacement. Take me, not her!"
Lin Mei stopped, her eyes turning soft for a moment before her face turned cold again. "What are you saying, Chloe? Are you willing to give up your life for this traitor?"
Chloe nodded firmly despite her racing heart. "If this is what will calm you down, then do it. But after that, you have to let go of everything. You must accept a quiet end."
Chloe's voice echoed among Eric's increasingly weak screams. Lin Mei was silent, contemplating the offer. The hateful gleam in her eyes began to fade, replaced by a deep sadness. It seemed that, for the first time, Lin Mei was considering options other than revenge.
"Your sacrifice... might solve this, ' she whispered, as if speaking to herself. "But are you ready, Chloe? Once you give up, there's no going back."
Chloe swallowed, then with a heavy sigh, she removed the ring from her finger and placed it on the altar before them.
"Take my life, ' she said softly, her eyes closing, ready to accept her fate.
---
2.11 The Final Decision
The atmosphere of the room suddenly changed. Chloe could feel Lin Mei's presence getting closer, the spirit energy enveloping her body. But there was something strange-the usually chilling coldness of Lin Mei began to fade, replaced by something warmer, softer. When Chloe opened her eyes, she saw Lin Mei standing before her, not as a vengeful spirit, but as a beautiful yet wounded young woman.
"You were right, Chloe, ' she whispered softly, her voice thrilling. "I can't stay in this cycle of hatred. But you're not the one who has to pay."
Lin Mei turned around, staring at Eric who was still hanging with bated breath. 'He's the one who has to bear the brunt of this guilt.'
Chloe tried to speak, but Lin Mei raised her hand, stopping her words. "Don't worry. I won't harm you, Chloe. You gave me something I never imagined... compassion. That's more than enough."
With a gentle yet poignant smile, Lin Mei floated close to Eric, and with a gentle touch on his forehead, Lin Mei's spirit began to fade.
'I forgive you, but your suffering is not over.'
At that moment, Chloe saw Eric crying-not from physical pain, but from the burden of sin that he had finally fully realised. Lin Mei faded away with the evening breeze through the window, leaving the room in an eerie silence.
Chloe stood in the centre of the now silent room. The cold air slowly warmed up, and for the first time, she felt a sense of calm. Lin Mei was gone, along with her grudge that no longer haunted the world. But the price to pay remained.
Eric was lying on the floor, his body looking empty, his eyes open with no soul left behind them. He wasn't dead, but clearly something had been taken from him-his soul was now filled with regrets that could never be redeemed.
Chloe looked at her with mixed feelings. She was relieved that Lin Mei's terror was over, but was also shaken by the fact that a great emotional sacrifice had taken place that night.
In the distance, there was the sound of police sirens approaching, probably neighbours who heard the commotion. Chloe could only stand there, staring at the remnants of the horror that had taken place, hoping that this was the end of all the nightmares that had haunted her.
But in her heart, she knew that this legend wouldn't really go away. The urban legend of Hong Kong's Red Bride would continue to live on in dark corners, where spirits were trapped by an unresolved fate.
When Chloe leaves the apartment, the wedding ring she once wore is left at the altar. But the shadow of the Red Bride still lurks, always ready to appear in the lonely nights for anyone who dares to cross the line between the world of the living and the dead.
The Red Bride is a true story in Hong Kong, I end this story at 2.11 which is the date of Lin Mei's death, the 2nd day of the 11th month in 1981.
Hong Kong nights are always bright, neon lights dotting the night sky like man-made stars. Behind the skyscrapers and glittering night markets, there is a forgotten side of the city - the tense narrow alleys and neglected old streets. Chloe Wong, a young investigative reporter, walks briskly through the slippery pavements after an afternoon rain. The sounds of taxis and the shouts of vendors from the nearby night market echo through the air. She was heading to a location known for its spooky, mystical stories.
Chloe didn't believe in ghosts, but a job was a job. Her last article on government corruption had made her popular, but this time her editor wanted something different-something that would capture the public's attention with an urban legend haunting the city. The legend of the Red Bride has recently resurfaced after reports of sightings on an old bridge that few people visit.
The bridge looked different than Chloe had imagined. Located in a forgotten part of the city, amongst dark alleys and run-down buildings, the old bridge was like an unhealed wound in the centre of an ever-growing city. The surrounding cobblestones were mossy and cracked, while the streetlights that were supposed to illuminate the area flickered erratically. The air was colder here, as if something was holding back the warmth from reaching this place.
"This must be a rumour, ' Chloe thought as she zipped up her jacket. However, there was something that made her hair stand on end - an uneasy feeling that she couldn't ignore. As she approached the bridge, a strange odour began to emerge. Not the usual odour of garbage or city pollution, but the strong, penetrating scent of jasmine. A scent that shouldn't be in a place like this.
Chloe stopped her steps, feeling the tension that suddenly enveloped the night. At the end of the bridge, under the dim streetlights, she saw a figure. A woman, standing with her body stiff and her face downcast. The red dress she wore was like fresh blood standing out against the dull colours of the night. Chloe stared at the woman, feeling trapped in an unreal atmosphere. Her heart beat faster, and the air around her felt heavier.
The woman didn't move. Chloe tried to fight the feeling of dread that began to creep into her mind. "Just an illusion, ' she muttered. She forced herself to get closer, both curious and nervous. Step by step, she found it increasingly difficult to breathe. The figure remained silent, yet something was wrong. The breeze that had been hitting Chloe's skin had stopped. The emptiness felt odd- as if the whole world was suddenly silent, just Chloe and the woman.
When Chloe was only a few metres away from her, the woman suddenly raised her face. Her face was pale, with deep, vacant, black eyes and lips in a thin, almost unreal smile. Chloe was transfixed-their eyes met for just a moment, but in that gaze, Chloe felt as if she was being pulled into a dark abyss. The woman's face was full of sadness, anger... and vengeance.
Without warning, the woman simply disappeared, like smoke in the wind. Chloe was pushed back a few steps, panting, while her heart raced. The chill that had settled over the bridge suddenly faded, and the sounds of the city's hustle and bustle returned to Chloe's ears. Yet the smell of jasmine lingered, lingering in the air, reminding her of what she had just seen.
But that's impossible, isn't it? The Red Bride was just a story... or maybe more of a rumour.
Chloe clutched her mobile phone in shaky hands, trying to catch her breath. For a moment, she was silent, staring blankly at the bridge that now looked ordinary, as if there had never been any figures there. However, deep in her heart, Chloe knew something odd was going on.
---
2.2 The Darkness Begins
Chloe returned to her apartment, feeling like she had just been dragged into another world. The experience on the bridge continued to haunt her mind. Although she had tried to convince herself that what she saw was just an illusion or the influence of fatigue, the smell of jasmine that lingered in her memory made her doubt. Fear crept up slowly as she opened the door to her small, modest apartment.
As soon as the door closed, silence filled the room. Chloe tried to distract herself by opening her laptop, scrolling through articles about the legend of the Red Bride, but every word she read only made her more uncomfortable. The lights in her apartment suddenly flickered.
Chloe looked up, her heart racing. In the corner of her eye, she felt a shadow move behind her, but when she turned her head, the room was empty.
Cold sweat began to bead on her temples. Her breathing felt heavier than usual. She stood up, trying to distract her mind, opening the window to let in the cold night air. But as soon as she opened the window, the sharp smell of jasmine hit her nose, stronger than ever. Chloe closed the window quickly, her chest rumbling with increasingly realised fear.
Her mobile phone rang, the sudden ring piercing the silence. Chloe reached for the phone on the desk, looking at the name on the screen-nothing. Just a blank number. Her hands trembled as she answered.
"Hello? ' her voice trembled.
There was no answer, just a long sigh on the other end, as if someone was holding their breath. Chloe froze, feeling her hair stand on end again.
'Who is this?' Chloe tried to sound firm, even though her heart was pounding violently.
Suddenly, the voice on the other side made a sound that made Chloe almost drop her phone. It was asoft laugh, small and cold, sounding like the voice of a woman who was enjoying the suffering of others. Chloe quickly hung up, throwing her phone on the bed, her breathing ragged.
That night, Chloe decided to go to bed early, even though her mind was racing. But sleep did not bring peace. Her night was filled with nightmares that made no sense. Chloe dreamt she was in an old wedding hall, entirely red in colour - from the cloth covering the tables to the flowers in the vases. At the far end of the room, a woman stood in a red wedding dress, her back to Chloe.
The woman, who had long hair, began to whisper, 'He's coming...' The voice echoed in Chloe's mind, growing more and more terrifying, while Chloe felt unable to move. As the woman turned her body, Chloe saw a hideous face - half-destroyed, eyes full of hatred and blood flowing from its mouth. Chloe woke up with a stifled scream, her body drenched in cold sweat.
---
2.3 It's getting tense
Morning came, but the strangeness continued. When Chloe opened the bathroom door, she was transfixed by the faint figure in the mirror, no longer her own face. It was the face of the woman in her dream-the face of the Red Bride who now appeared smiling coldly in the reflection. Chloe jerked back, closing the mirror quickly. Fear seized her mind. Was she beginning to lose her mind?
She quickly called Melinda, her best friend and fellow journalist who had always been sceptical of the mystical. Chloe hoped Melinda could calm her down or at least give her a more logical perspective on what was happening.
As Chloe begins to recount the strange events she's experienced, Melinda falls silent. After a few moments of silence, Melinda spoke in an unusual voice: 'I heard that story too, but usually those who see the Red Bride never get away with it, Chloe...'
Chloe fell silent, trembling. 'What do you mean?'
"I don't know, Chloe, but the legend isn't just about seeing ghosts. The Red Bride... she marks someone. Those who see her... in the end, they'll go with her. ' Melinda's voice became a whisper, as if afraid of anyone hearing.
The next night, Chloe begins to hear strange noises in her apartment - small footsteps, like a woman wearing heels, walking slowly across the wooden floor. Every time Chloe got up to check, the noise stopped. When she returned to bed, the sound returned, as if following at a distance.
The climax came when Chloe found a red dress hanging in her closet. A dress similar to the wedding dress worn by the ghost in her dream, a dress that shouldn't be there. Chloe felt her hands shaking as she approached the dress. Her heart almost stopped when she touched the fabric-cold and damp, as if it had just been soaked in water. In the corner of the dress, there was a small blood stain that looked fresh.
Then, the door to her apartment suddenly closed on its own, slamming loudly without any wind or movement. Chloe jerked back, her back against the wall. The shadow from the corner of the room moved, getting closer, and the scent of jasmine filled the room.
Chloe felt trapped. This was no longer just an illusion-it wasreal. Chloe felt her body shiver as the figure of the woman in the red dress emerged from the shadows, more clearly this time. She moved quietly, her steps hovering silently. Her face was pale and her eyes blank, but her lips smiled coldly, as if savouring the pain she was inflicting.
"Don't run... ' the whisper sounded, so close, so real. 'You've been marked...'
Chloe couldn't breathe.
The ghost disappeared in an instant, leaving behind a stronger scent of jasmine and the red dress now lying on the floor. Chloeknew-this terrorhad just begun, and she couldn't run from it.
---
2.4 Dangerous Search
The next morning, Chloe couldn't ignore the fact that this terror wasn't going to stop on its own. Sitting at her desk, her hands trembled as she opened her laptop. Her mind was constantly spinning, searching for any clues that could help her understand who the Red Bride really was and how to end this terror. Despite her fears, Chloe knows that she must confront this legend head-on.
Chloe decides to call Melinda again. However, when she dialled her friend's number, the phone rang for a long time without an answer. Something didn't feel right. Melinda was always quick to answer the phone, especially in the morning. Chloe's anxiety grew, and as she hung up the phone, the feeling that something bad was going to happen to Melinda began to grip her heart.
Without hesitation, Chloe put on her jacket and rushed out of the apartment, heading to Melinda's place. However, while in the narrow corridor leading out, Chloe felt something unnatural again. The lights in the corridor flickered like the night before. Her footsteps came to an abrupt halt when she heard the familiar sound of heels- steps that were heard every night in her apartment.
'Chloe...' The voice whispered softly, echoing in the narrow corridor.
Chloe turned quickly, her breath catching. The corridor was empty, yet she felt the piercing stare of the darkness. Her mind screamed to run, but her body was frozen in place. Thesound of a small, cold laugh came back, closer than expected. Chloe ran without looking back, her heart beating fast.
When Chloe finally arrived at Melinda's apartment, the door was slightly ajar. Chloe immediately had a bad feeling. She pushed the door open slowly, calling her best friend's name in a trembling voice. There was no answer. The apartment was dark, only faint sunlight filtering through the tightly closed curtains. As Chloe stepped further into the room, she noticed a piece of paper left on the kitchen table.
It contained a short note, written in a hurried hand:
"I found it... but it's too dangerous. Be careful, Chloe. Don't let her get close. The Red Bride-she's more than just a legend."
Chloe read it over and over, her blood racing. What had Melinda found? Why wasn't she in her apartment? Before Chloe could think further, something gave her the creeps. In the corner of the room, where Melinda usually kept her jackets, hung a red dress.
It fluttered gently even though there was no wind. Chloe felt a suffocating fear. She knew that the dress hadn't been there before. And the strong smell of jasmine began to fill the room, making Chloe feel dizzy. Chloe backed away slowly, but before she could reach the door, the red dress fell from the hanger and scattered on the floor like a pool of blood.
'He's already marked you...' The voice rang out, this time clear and hateful. Chloe staggered, her body feeling weak. As quickly as possible, she left Melinda's apartment with a heart filled with terror. She had to find the answer, or she would end up as the legend said.
---
2.5 Seeking Help
Back at her apartment, Chloe immediately sought more information about the old mental hospital Melinda had mentioned in their last conversation. The hospital was where the legend of the Red Bride first appeared. From the old articles and archives she found, Chloe learnt that in the 1940s, the hospital was the site of a tragic event. A young woman named Lin Mei- a bride who died before she could get married because her fianc� was found to be having an affair - ended her life wearing a red dress. Since then, there have been many reports of sightings of women in red dresses around the area, especially at night.
However, one old article mentions that those who saw Lin Mei were not only plagued by apparitions, but also haunted to death. This legend claims that the Red Bride marks certain souls, and only certain people can see her. Those who are marked will face a tragic death unless they can complete Lin Mei's unfulfilled 'promise' - a promise to marry.
Chloe felt an excruciating fear when she read those words. She was now part of this curse. With trembling hands, Chloe contacted a local paranormal expert who was well-known in urban legend circles. The man, Mr Huang, is known to be well-versed in Hong Kong folklore and myths, and has come face-to-face with supernatural forces.
That night, Chloe met Mr Huang at a small teahouse in the city centre. The old man's eyes were serious, as if he already knew what Chloe was going to ask.
"The Red Bride, ' he said quietly, as if the mere mention of the name was dangerous. "She doesn't want to be forgotten. She brought her vengeance to this world, seeking victims she could draw into the same fate."
Chloe bit her lip. "How can I stop him? How can I escape this curse?"
Mr Huang took a deep breath before answering, "There is only one way... You must do what Lin Mei could never do. You must complete the broken marriage."
Chloe stared at Mr Huang, fear taking over her entire body. 'Marriage?'
"Yes, ' Mr Huang said in a low but firm voice. 'You must find a "bride" for Lin Mei... or she will continue to pursue you until you yourself become part of her world.'
Chloe left the teahouse with an increasingly muddled mind. How could she fulfil this strange request? Who would marry a vengeful spirit? However, one thing she knew for sure-she had no other choice. Time marched on, and each night the Red Bride drew closer.
Step by step, Chloe is plunged into a dangerous world where reality and mystical horrors mix. If she fails, her fate is sealed-and the Red Bride will stop at nothing until Chloe is beside her forever.
---
2.6 Shadows of the Past
Chloe kept remembering Mr Huang's words. Marrying a vengeful spirit? It sounded crazy, but every step she took seemed to plunge herself more and more into Lin Mei's world. The terror was no longer just folklore, but a reality that haunted every corner of her life. Every time Chloe looked at her reflection in the mirror, it was as if something was peering back at her from within.
Chloe realises one thing: time is not on her side. The red dress, the increasingly strong smell of jasmine, and the dark shadows that haunt her at night are just the beginning of greater suffering.
That night, while Chloe was fast asleep, she was awakened by a faint sound coming from the apartment next door. It sounded like crying... or maybe someone whimpering. Chloe walked slowly towards the wall, putting her ear to the wall to hear more clearly.
'Help... help me...' The weak, trembling female voice came from behind the wall.
Chloe recoiled, her heart skipping a beat. It was no ordinary human voice. It was Lin Mei's voice-the voice she had heard in her dreams, and now it seemed real, calling out from the darkness. The apartment door suddenly opened with a bang, startling Chloe. There was no wind, but the door moved on its own.
Chloe's fear peaked when she saw wet, blood-red footprintsleading out of her apartment. The voices grew stronger, the cries turning into screams that filled the entire room. Chloe felt her legs weaken, as if her life energy was being sapped by the invisible presence.
With difficulty, she managed to close the door, sobbing and shaking, but she knew that avoidance was no longer an option.
The next day, Chloe decided to see Mr Huang again. He was the only hope she had, the only person who could give her answers or at least a clue as to what she should do next. When she arrived at the teahouse, Mr Huang was already waiting for her.
The old man's face looked even grimmer than usual, and Chloe knew that he had bad news.
"You've gone too far in, Chloe, ' he said quietly, looking Chloe seriously in the eye. "The Red Bride is getting closer to you. The signs you're seeing-the footsteps, the voices, the smell of jasmine-are all warnings that your time is running out. If you don't do something, she will take your soul and you will be part of this curse forever."
Chloe bit her lip, trying to contain her fear. "What am I supposed to do? How do I solve this marriage?"
Mr Huang let out a long sigh. "There's one place you should visit. That old mental hospital... that's where Lin Mei died. You must go there, bring the groom who will 'marry' Lin Mei. Only then can you appease her spirit."
Chloe was speechless. How could she possibly find someone who would marry a vengeful spirit? The thought made her feel desperate, but she knew that she had no other choice. Time was running out.
---
2.7 A Bride for the Spirits
That night, Chloe kept thinking about who could be the 'bride' for Lin Mei. There was no way she could ask someone to sacrifice herself. However, as she was lost in thought, an idea began to emerge in her mind-maybe the Red Bride didn't need the physical body of the groom? Could she create the 'marriage' symbolically?
Chloe decided to do what she thought made the most sense. She contacted an old friend of hers who worked as a digital architect. Her friend Eric was known to have access to advanced technology that could create very realistic simulations or virtual worlds. Chloe thought that perhaps they could 'trick' Lin Mei's spirit by creating a virtual wedding scenario that looked real.
However, before Chloe can explain her plan to Eric, her phone suddenly goes dead. The lights in her apartment flickered again, and the room felt colder than usual. Chloe felt the presence again, stronger, more real. Her breath caught when she saw a woman in a red dress appear at the end of the room-the Red Bride. Her face was pale, with a thin, hateful smile.
"You can't run, Chloe... ' she whispered hoarsely.
Chloe ran out of her apartment, her heart racing. She knew that time was running out, and the Red Bride was getting closer to her goal-taking her life.
The next day. Chloe decides to visit the old mental hospital where Lin Mei died, as per Mr Huang's suggestion. The building was abandoned, full of shrubs and cracked walls. The hospital's main door was open, as if inviting Chloe to enter.
As Chloe entered the hospital's gloomy hallways, the sound of her footsteps echoed. Every room was filled with memories of the dark past - blurry photographs, outdated medical equipment and graffiti on the walls depicting the suffering of the patients. The further she went, the heavier her steps became, as if something was pulling her back.
Inside the largest room, Chloe found an old, broken altar, surrounded by wilted flowers. There, she saw the wedding ring left on the altar, as if waiting for someone to pick it up.
With bated breath, Chloe picked up the ring and put it on her finger. Suddenly, the room changed-the walls shook, a gloomy light illuminated the surroundings, and Chloe saw Lin Mei appear before her, wearing a red dress that shimmered like fresh blood.
"You've come, ' Lin Mei whispered, her voice soft yet threatening. 'Now your time has come.'
Amidst the aura of death and the deepening horror, Chloe realises that this is her last moment to finish what has never been finished. But is she strong enough to complete this cursed wedding and free herself from the clutches of an unforgiving spirit?
Chloe stood in front of the Red Bride, the wedding ring in her hand heavy as the weight of the curse looming over her life. Lin Mei approached, a vengeful smile on her face. Chloe knew that this was the final moment to decide her fate. Would she be able to free herself, or would she become a victim in this legend once and for all?
---
2.8 The Key at the End of Darkness
Chloe gasped for breath, her knees almost buckling in front of the approaching Red Bride. The ring on her finger suddenly felt hot, as if it was burning her skin, making Chloe grit her teeth to endure the pain. Lin Mei stepped gracefully, but her footsteps left blood spots that slowly pooled on the floor, giving off an increasingly pungent smell.
"You can't avoid this, Chloe, ' Lin Mei's voice sounded like a whisper that dragged the soul into the darkness. 'You've already taken a part of my life, and now, I'm going to take a part of yours.'
Chloe stepped back, but her foot stumbled, causing her to fall to the cold floor. Lin Mei's pitch-black eyes stared intently at Chloe, her lips in a sly smile. In that moment, Chloe realised that running away was no longer an option. She had to confront Lin Mei-perhaps not with strength, but with reason.
'What do you want exactly?' Chloe shouted, trying to keep the tremble out of her voice. 'Why do you keep hunting me?'
Lin Mei was silent for a moment, the shadows around her moving like a dark fog that embraced her. "I want justice, ' she replied in a flat yet threatening tone. "I was forced into marriage, taken from this life before my time. I want that life back. And you... will pay for it with your life."
Lin Mei's words left Chloe stunned. Perhaps, behind her terrible terror, there was a darker story-something that had never been resolved. Chloe tried to think fast. If the Red Bride really wanted 'justice', perhaps there was a way to get it done without giving up her life.
'But I can help you!' Chloe said, her voice filled with desperation that she tried to hide. "I can find the man you want, your bride. Let me find him and you can move on with your life... or... your death!"
Lin Mei stared at Chloe, her gaze still cold and hateful. However, her evil smile slowly faded away, replaced by a look full of doubt. "The man you're looking for is no longer alive, Chloe, ' she said in an almost whispered voice. "He's long gone. You're the only one who can finish what started here."
Chloe froze. What did Lin Mei mean? If the man was dead, then who should be the bride?
---
2.9 Rituals
Mr Huang had warned her about a wedding ritual that could be performed to appease Lin Mei's spirit. However, Chloe didn't expect to get to this point. With the ring on her finger, she now felt more attached to this dark and mysterious world. Mr Huang had mentioned that to 'complete' this marriage, not only did the man need to be present-but also the witnesses, the venue, and the ritual sacrifice.
Chloe stared at the worn altar in the room, the place where Lin Mei had ended up in the asylum. This was where it all began, and perhaps where it should end. Chloe remembered that in one of the ancient records she had seen in Mr Huang's shop, there was a way to perform a spiritual marriage-a ritual that used symbols of sacrifice instead of physical ones.
She had to fight the fear that was pounding into her soul. Her hands trembled as she began to arrange everything around the altar, the wilted flowers rearranged like a wedding ceremony. The blood splattered from Lin Mei's footsteps was left, as a sign that this was no ordinary wedding.
Halfway through the preparations, Lin Mei's voice began to sound quieter and quieter, like a distant scream behind Chloe's ears, leaving her confused. She ran out of the room to find Mr Huang, hoping that she could find the final answer she needed.
When Chloe managed to find Mr Huang again, the old man seemed even more tense than usual. Chloe explains that Lin Mei doesn't just want the life of the man who was going to marry her, but something deeper-the hidden truth.
Mr Huang just gave a small nod. "The spirit wants to avenge the injustice done to her, Chloe. But there's something bigger you should know. Lin Mei's spirit died not by fate, but by humans. There was betrayal. And she won't leave until she's avenged."
Chloe heard it like a punch in the chest. Who betrayed Lin Mei? Why does this legend always only tell stories of endless revenge, but never mention the real culprit? Mr Huang thrust an old scroll at Chloe, one that contained the names of the people involved in the cursed marriage. One of the names caught Chloe's attention.
'Eric...?' Chloe could hardly believe it. The name of her old friend, who she had just called to help, was on the list. Suddenly, everything started to make sense. The betrayal Lin Mei was referring to was not only related to the man who left her at the altar, but also to Eric's role in the incident.
Chloe returned to her apartment, a mixture of anger and confusion. Her phone rang as she reached the door, and on the other end came Eric's voice. "Chloe, I think we need to talk... about something I haven't told you yet, ' his voice sounded remorseful.
With a pounding heart, Chloe knew that this was it. The final battle was not only against Lin Mei, but also against the truth that had been hidden.
Eric was waiting at Chloe's apartment when she arrived. His face looked pale, full of guilt. 'I... I never told you, Chloe, that I was involved in the events that led to Lin Mei's death.'
Chloe stared at him, feeling the pent-up anger begin to boil over. "What really happened, Eric? Why didn't you tell me from the beginning?"
Eric let out a long sigh. "Me and some friends... we got involved in a ritual that went wrong. We thought it was just a game, just for fun. But something bad happened... and Lin Mei became a victim. I never meant for this to happen. I can't live with this guilt."
Before Chloe could respond, the air around her grew heavier, and Lin Mei reappeared in the room-this time, more real than before. Her face was full of rage, her eyes pitch black. "This is the betrayal I'm talking about, ' she whispered sharply.
Chloe felt her heart skip a beat. The Red Bride had come to demand justice. This was the final moment where their fate would all be decided.
---
2.10 Bloody Justice
The atmosphere in Chloe's room was suddenly suffocating. The temperature dropped drastically, and the walls seemed to tremble under the pressure of the supernatural power brought about by Lin Mei's presence. Eric recoiled, his face paled, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"She... she knows! ' screamed Eric, his voice full of fear.
Lin Mei stepped forward, her body hovering in a graceful yet terrifying motion, and her eyes glared intently at Eric. Chloe knew she was now between two forces that would destroy each other-or perhaps, she too would become a victim.
"You all must pay, ' Lin Mei's voice echoed in the room, filled with deep hatred. 'I won't leave until everyone involved feels the same pain I do.'
Chloe tried to find a way to defuse the situation. 'Lin Mei! This isn't just about revenge! If you destroy everything, you'll stay stuck here forever!' Chloe shouted, her eyes filled with both fear and hope that she could quell the hatred haunting the spirit.
But Lin Mei wasn't listening. Her ghostly thin hands began to stretch themselves towards Eric, and with a sudden jerk, Eric's body was pushed against the wall with an invisible force. Eric cried out in pain, his body hanging helplessly, blood flowing from his mouth.
"You are the first traitor, ' Lin Mei whispered coldly, her lips smirking. 'You started this, and I'm going to end it.'
Eric's body shook violently, as if something was drawing the last breath from within him.
Chloe realised that time was running out. The ring on her finger vibrated again with a searing heat. It was a sign that the invisible agreement between her and Lin Mei had reached its peak. Chloe remembered Mr Huang's words: in order to end all of this, she had to finish the forbidden marriage with a sacrifice-but not Eric, not someone else's death.
'Lin Mei, stop!' Chloe shouted, her body advancing toward the spirit of the bride who was bringing her death closer to Eric. "I'm willing to be his replacement. Take me, not her!"
Lin Mei stopped, her eyes turning soft for a moment before her face turned cold again. "What are you saying, Chloe? Are you willing to give up your life for this traitor?"
Chloe nodded firmly despite her racing heart. "If this is what will calm you down, then do it. But after that, you have to let go of everything. You must accept a quiet end."
Chloe's voice echoed among Eric's increasingly weak screams. Lin Mei was silent, contemplating the offer. The hateful gleam in her eyes began to fade, replaced by a deep sadness. It seemed that, for the first time, Lin Mei was considering options other than revenge.
"Your sacrifice... might solve this, ' she whispered, as if speaking to herself. "But are you ready, Chloe? Once you give up, there's no going back."
Chloe swallowed, then with a heavy sigh, she removed the ring from her finger and placed it on the altar before them.
"Take my life, ' she said softly, her eyes closing, ready to accept her fate.
---
2.11 The Final Decision
The atmosphere of the room suddenly changed. Chloe could feel Lin Mei's presence getting closer, the spirit energy enveloping her body. But there was something strange-the usually chilling coldness of Lin Mei began to fade, replaced by something warmer, softer. When Chloe opened her eyes, she saw Lin Mei standing before her, not as a vengeful spirit, but as a beautiful yet wounded young woman.
"You were right, Chloe, ' she whispered softly, her voice thrilling. "I can't stay in this cycle of hatred. But you're not the one who has to pay."
Lin Mei turned around, staring at Eric who was still hanging with bated breath. 'He's the one who has to bear the brunt of this guilt.'
Chloe tried to speak, but Lin Mei raised her hand, stopping her words. "Don't worry. I won't harm you, Chloe. You gave me something I never imagined... compassion. That's more than enough."
With a gentle yet poignant smile, Lin Mei floated close to Eric, and with a gentle touch on his forehead, Lin Mei's spirit began to fade.
'I forgive you, but your suffering is not over.'
At that moment, Chloe saw Eric crying-not from physical pain, but from the burden of sin that he had finally fully realised. Lin Mei faded away with the evening breeze through the window, leaving the room in an eerie silence.
Chloe stood in the centre of the now silent room. The cold air slowly warmed up, and for the first time, she felt a sense of calm. Lin Mei was gone, along with her grudge that no longer haunted the world. But the price to pay remained.
Eric was lying on the floor, his body looking empty, his eyes open with no soul left behind them. He wasn't dead, but clearly something had been taken from him-his soul was now filled with regrets that could never be redeemed.
Chloe looked at her with mixed feelings. She was relieved that Lin Mei's terror was over, but was also shaken by the fact that a great emotional sacrifice had taken place that night.
In the distance, there was the sound of police sirens approaching, probably neighbours who heard the commotion. Chloe could only stand there, staring at the remnants of the horror that had taken place, hoping that this was the end of all the nightmares that had haunted her.
But in her heart, she knew that this legend wouldn't really go away. The urban legend of Hong Kong's Red Bride would continue to live on in dark corners, where spirits were trapped by an unresolved fate.
When Chloe leaves the apartment, the wedding ring she once wore is left at the altar. But the shadow of the Red Bride still lurks, always ready to appear in the lonely nights for anyone who dares to cross the line between the world of the living and the dead.
The Red Bride is a true story in Hong Kong, I end this story at 2.11 which is the date of Lin Mei's death, the 2nd day of the 11th month in 1981.
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