The Dormitory's Phantom March: A March to the Afterlife

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over the decrepit dormitory that stood at the edge of the campus. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and old wood, a reminder of the building's age. Students had long avoided the place, whispering tales of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena. But for young Li Wei, the dormitory held a different kind of allure.

Li was an avid researcher of local legends and folklore. He had heard the stories of the Dormitory's Phantom March, a tale of a group of students who vanished without a trace one fateful night. The legend spoke of a march through the dormitory halls, led by a ghostly figure, that led to the afterlife. Driven by curiosity and a desire to uncover the truth, Li decided to spend the night in the dormitory, hoping to catch a glimpse of the phantom march.

As the clock struck midnight, Li entered the dormitory, his flashlight cutting through the darkness. The air grew colder with each step, and he could feel an unsettling presence lurking in the shadows. The first floor was quiet, save for the occasional creak of an old wooden floorboard. Li moved cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest.

He reached the second floor and found a group of students gathered in a common area, their faces illuminated by the glow of their smartphones. Li approached them, his voice trembling slightly.

"Excuse me," he said, "I'm here to investigate the legend of the Phantom March. Have any of you seen anything strange?"

The students exchanged nervous glances before one of them, a girl named Jing, stepped forward. "We've all heard the stories," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we've never seen anything. We just... want to go home."

Li nodded, understanding their fear. He decided to split up and search the dormitory on his own. He made his way to the third floor, where the legend claimed the march began. The halls were silent, save for the distant sound of a clock ticking. Li's flashlight flickered as he passed a door slightly ajar.

Curiosity piqued, he pushed the door open to find a small, dimly lit room. At the center of the room stood a grand piano, its keys covered in dust. Li approached the piano and pressed a key, expecting it to be silent. Instead, a haunting melody filled the room, its notes echoing through the halls.

Suddenly, the room grew cold, and a chill ran down Li's spine. He turned to see a figure standing in the doorway, a ghostly apparition that seemed to be made of smoke and shadows. The figure's eyes were hollow, and its mouth twisted in a twisted smile.

"Welcome, Li Wei," the figure said, its voice echoing through the room. "You have been chosen to join the march."

Li's heart raced as he realized the figure was the ghostly leader of the march. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice trembling.

"I am the spirit of the dormitory," the figure replied. "And you are the one who will lead the march to the afterlife."

Li tried to flee, but the figure was already upon him, its hands reaching out to grab him. In a panic, Li reached for the piano, striking a key with all his might. The melody grew louder, and the figure recoiled, retreating into the shadows.

Li stumbled backward, collapsing to the floor. He looked up to see the figure standing in the doorway, now more solid than before. "You have chosen to join the march," the figure said, its voice cold and menacing.

Li's mind raced as he tried to figure out a way to escape. He remembered the legend of the march, which spoke of a final test before joining the afterlife. The test was to play the piano in perfect harmony, a task that seemed impossible for a human.

With no other options, Li reached for the piano once more. He closed his eyes and began to play, his fingers dancing across the keys. The melody filled the room, and Li felt a strange connection to the music, as if it were a part of him.

The figure watched, its eyes wide with shock. Li played on, his fingers flying over the keys. The melody grew in intensity, and the figure began to tremble. Finally, the figure let out a scream and vanished into the shadows.

Li collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. He had passed the final test, and the ghostly march had ended. As he lay there, the room grew warm, and the cold sensation left him.

Li opened his eyes to find himself in a dimly lit room, the walls adorned with portraits of students from a bygone era. He stood up and looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings.

"Welcome to the afterlife," a voice said behind him. He turned to see the ghostly figure of the dormitory, now standing before him.

"Thank you," Li said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I never thought I'd make it out alive."

The figure nodded. "You have proven yourself worthy, Li Wei. The dormitory will never forget you."

Li looked around the room, taking in the sights and sounds of the afterlife. He realized that he had been given a second chance, a chance to make amends for his past mistakes and live a life of purpose.

As he left the room, the figure of the dormitory watched him with a knowing smile. Li knew that he had been changed forever by his experience in the haunted dormitory, and that the legend of the Phantom March would live on for generations to come.