Tales of the Uncanny from Guizhou

The bloody marks beneath the threshold of my family's old home spread whenever it rains at night. Years ago, my family were landlords, and this old house was part of the estate they left behind. We still live here. One day, while playing, I noticed three intersecting claw marks hidden beneath a patch where the red paint had peeled from the threshold. At midnight, I can always hear fingernails scraping across the wooden boards, the sound winding its way from the threshold to the head of my bed. When she lifted the faded quilt, she saw bruises all over the soles of her feet, their shape an exact match for the claw marks on the threshold. The villagers say this threshold was once a magical implement used to suppress a vengeful ghost. Now... that thing is about to get out.

A collection of folk tales from Qianzhou, all adapted from true stories passed down by the older generation, experienced firsthand by the author, or submitted by friends. The stories are full of twists and turns and draw readers right in. I hope all you readers will share your thoughts.