Zhang Heng’s two shots impacted them somewhat. At least it slowed their advance. They were clearly not used to losing their commanders, and although they were still charging at Zhang Heng, they could not help but slow down.
This was a logical thing for them to do. Although monsters, these were no brainless zombies. They witnessed the way Zhang Heng had massacred their companions. With the bodies of the sacrifices lying beside them, hearing the farmers wailing on the ground, they would naturally worry about their safety.
As for the monsters led by the third sacrifice, Zhang Heng was not too bothered because they were still far away. After firing at his target, he put the rifle back into his backpack and left the two farmhouses.
Zhang Heng did not rendezvous with Fabericotte immediately. Instead, he went around the area to make sure that he had gotten rid of all the monsters behind him before heading off.
After such a long time, Zhang Heng had no idea where Fabericotte went. He didn’t even know if Fabericotte had been apprehended. There was nothing he could do if he were that useless. After all, he had done everything he could to help him survive.
Zhang Heng headed in the direction that Fabericotte went in. At the same time, he noticed that the monsters behind him hadn’t yet given up. He was quite a distance from them, though, not to mention that it was a large swamp as well.
They couldn’t be locating Zhang Heng in a short time. Considering how he had led the enemies in other directions, he had plenty of time to move around if he was careful. In other words, he finally had the time to listen to Fabericotte’s experiences. For him to do that, he had first to locate Fabericotte.
Zhang Heng also took this opportunity to check the necklace that he picked up earlier. Busy fighting-off monsters, there was simply no chance to take a closer look before this. He discovered that the materials used to make the necklace were a bit strange. He deduced that it was of the same material as the golden crowns of the sacrifices, save for the crown’s more refined and intricate workmanship.
In contrast, the necklace had been made to simpler standards. Although there were markings on it, they were mainly some very abstract symbols. Among them, Zhang Heng could only identify the water symbol, something that might represent life. Other than that, there was an ocean and some fishes. He could feel that it was cold to the touch.
It would have been an excellent summer accessory, except that just like its owner, this necklace also exuded an indescribable evil and mysterious aura, like a rattlesnake hiding under a slate.
After Zhang Heng confirmed that he could no longer decipher any information from it, he stuffed it into his backpack and continued to look for Fabricotte.
The dilapidated church’s spire stood tall in the darkness from far. And on the other side, long shadows loomed over the wave breaker. It seemed some people were standing on top of it. At first, Zhang Heng thought they were looking for him and Fabricotte, but after close inspection, he realized how wrong his initial speculations were.
Their backs were facing Zhang Heng, and they were looking in the direction of the sea. Or, to be more precise, they were staring at the black reef. Zhang Heng could not figure out what they were waiting for. Simultaneously, the stench of rotten fish got stronger and stronger, more so when the sea breeze blew at him. At first, Zhang Heng mistakenly thought that another wave of enemies was approaching him only to realize that it was the breeze that was actually responsible for carrying the disgusting smell to him.
Zhang Heng had a hunch about what would happen to the black reef. And this might even have something to do with him. The most urgent thing, however, was finding Fabericotte. He needed to figure out what was really happening in the town before deciding his next move.
Crouching down, Zhang Heng tried to hide behind the weeds while paying attention to any movement from all sides. He spent about an hour trying to identify the types of footprints left on the soil with his pocket flashlight. He had deliberately chosen to walk on some muddy road when heading to dinner with Fabericotte, and on those paths, he spotted Farbericotte’s shoeprints.
In the end, Zhang Heng managed to locate him. He was hiding beside an abandoned railroad track. At first, Zhang Heng thought he was dead when he saw him since he was completely motionless, looking very much like a corpse.
As Zhang Heng approached him, he found Fabericotte’s breathing to be very stable. He was simply unconscious.
Zhang Heng shook the young man and woke Fabericotte from his nightmare.
The latter almost screamed when he opened his eyes. Fortunately, Zhang Heng was quick enough to cover his mouth with his hand.
Fabericotte was surprised and delighted the moment he saw who was in front of him. “You are finally back!” he gushed.
“Well, why are you sleeping here?” Zhang Heng asked. “You even deviated from the route we agreed.”
“After we are separated, I ran in the direction that we agreed. Unfortunately, I ran into a group of monsters. To avoid them, I had to change the route slightly. Initially, I wanted to head back in the right direction after a while. It was then that I saw another group of monsters. I saw no alternative, so I had to hide in the railway tunnel temporarily. What I didn’t expect was that they would jump over my head one by one.”
As if reliving the horrific scene, Fabericotte’s voice quivered. “God! They were so close to me, so close that I could see the scales on them. The extreme fear that I was experiencing made me pass out. I never thought I would see you again. If one of them looked down at that time, I would have been done for good.”
“So, it seems great luck is on your side.” Zhang Heng sat down next to Faberictte. “Now, can you tell me about the town?”
“Of course. I’m so sorry. Please forgive my apprehension. The thing that has happened here is too absurd, and…” At that point, Fabericotte hesitated again. “Do you know that there are only two buses here? Did you have any contact with the outside world? I came here by the morning bus, but I didn’t see you at the time. I don’t know where you came from. The people at Newburyport said that no outsider would come to this place.”
“I’m from Arkham,” Zhang Heng lied calmly, “…I was ordered to investigate what happened here.”
“Ah, are you a detective? No wonder you are so good at what you do.” Faberricotte came to a sudden realization. And soon, a look of regret flashed across his face.
“That means the government has realized that something is wrong with this place. There are a lot of legendary tales here. I didn’t expect them to be true. I should have told you everything I know, Mr. Agent.”
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