The day I was diagnosed with "Coleridge's disease", I learned that there was such a disease in the world.
The scientific name is "narrative derealization disorder". In layman's terms, you will uncontrollably "empathize" and fall into any strong "collective narrative field" around the world - that is, the urban legends passed down by people's mouths.
"Think of it like an allergy, except the allergen is the story," the doctor said.
My first attack was after watching the video of "The Ring". It wasn't because of fear, but the moment Sadako climbed out of the TV, I smelled the moist, real smell of rot at the bottom of her well.
Now, as the elevator stopped on the third underground floor that didn't exist before, deafening electronic music came from outside and neon lights filtered through the cracks in the door. My heart stopped for a beat.
The attending doctor's final warning rang in my ears:
"Remember, Mr. Xie. When 'Story' starts to invite you, you have only two choices -"
"Be its reader, or, be its author."
Purpose: Let the world no longer be indifferent