The Decaying Dream of America: I Assemble Corpses and Confront Madness

The warm afternoon sun of autumn shone down on the spires of the Gothic buildings at Miskatonic University.

The air was filled with the scent of fresh grass left by the lawnmower, mixed with the aroma of food wafting from the distant canteen, creating a sense of peace and tranquility.

It's the taste of home, but for many families in this country it's a luxury.

Lin Zheng stood under the ivy trellis in the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the students walking in twos and threes, chatting and laughing about their courses, clubs, or weekend parties.

Their world and what he touched were separated by a transparent yet resilient membrane.

But Lin Zheng wanted to experience another world; he subconsciously longed for a normal campus life.

Because his life and work are too separate, he sometimes feels uncomfortable for a long time when switching between the two.

Brain swelling, chest tightness, throat congestion, dry lips, and cold hands and feet.

These signs followed him like maggots clinging to his bones.

"Forest!"

Emilia's clear voice rang out.

Emilia is the blonde who headbutted him with a rocket and then hugged him and kissed him hard.

Lin Zheng turned around and saw her walking quickly from the teaching building.

His long golden hair danced in the sunlight, his blue eyes sparkled with a bright light that seemed out of place with him, and a relaxed and cheerful smile played on his lips.

She wore a beige knit sweater with a khaki long skirt and a daisy-shaped hair clip, looking cute and charming.

From afar, he could smell the strong perfume emanating from Emilia. He had once found it too sweet, but now it inexplicably brought him some comfort.

This is the taste of a living person, this is the taste of a normal person.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Emilia stopped beside him, asking with a slightly apologetic tone, her breath coming in short gasps.

"Just arrived."

He had actually been waiting there for more than half an hour, trying to blend into the youthful atmosphere.

Because he's going on a date with Emilia today.

His gaze unconsciously fell on her neck, where a small section of skin covered by a knitted sweater was exposed. The skin of a living person was healthy and elastic, completely different from the pale "flesh and blood" that he remembered that needed to be stitched up.

"Where to? Tell me." She reached out and took his fingertips in hers.

Her palms were warm and soft, a living, warm touch, a world apart from the cold, stiff "parts" he had come into contact with.

Lin Zheng shrank back a little, feeling a bit uncomfortable, but in the end he didn't break free and just let her hold his hand.

Let's just wander around.

He said in a low voice, his mind blank.

Those realities that linger in your mind whether you're awake or asleep, those questions that constantly drain your energy, are all forcibly suppressed at this moment.

He pressed the unassembled Gundam meat chunks into the freezer and closed the morgue door.

The two strolled slowly along the main road of the campus.

Along the way, Emilia enthusiastically recounted the interesting stories.

She heard gossip and anecdotes, teased cats and dogs, complained about the terrible food in the cafeteria, and tried Chinese food outside.

They chatted casually and happily, just like any ordinary couple.

He needs this, this ordinary, tangible warmth to cleanse the depths of his heart.

"Look, the student council is here again!" Emilia suddenly pointed ahead.

Lin Zheng followed her gaze and saw two students busy at the fountain in the center of the square.

They were two young people with Asian features, a man and a woman.

The woman had short hair and wore glasses, while the man was dressed in trendy clothes and had a sunny and cheerful personality.

They were overflowing with enthusiasm, their faces beaming with smiles—American fake smiles.

Lin Zheng remembered them.

"Jessica Wong and Kevin Lee," Emilia introduced softly, "the two most active members of the student council."

She then looked at Lin Zheng, her large, watery eyes lighting up. "They seem to be organizing a picnic. Shall we go check it out?"

Lin Zheng's heart sank.

When he drove to the suburbs, he would pass through slums, and he didn't want Emilia to see those unacceptable things.

But the expectation in Emilia's eyes made it impossible to refuse.

All she wanted was a normal date between student couples.

Now that he is deep behind enemy lines, he also needs an anchor point to remind himself not to become completely alienated.

"Okay," Lin Zheng finally said.

Emilia's face instantly lit up with an even bigger smile, and she took his hand and ran toward the center of the square.

Lin Zheng was pulled along by her, his body keeping up with her pace, and the heaviness in his heart gradually melted away in the joyful steps.

They arrived at the fountain, where Jessica Wong and Kevin Lee were explaining the details of the picnic to the students who had gathered around.

Lin Zheng spoke up at the front of the crowd, but received no response; the other party ignored him.

Until Emilia spoke.

"Jessica, Kevin, hello." Emilia responded with a smile, then pulled Lin Zheng in front of her and introduced him generously, "This is Lin Zheng, my boyfriend."

"Hey, Emilia!" Jessica Wong finally realized what was happening and greeted her warmly.

Kevin Lee then extended his hand and grinned, "Looks like you had a good Halloween. What did you do with Emilia?"

Before Lin Zheng could answer, he continued talking to Emilia on his own.

"The snow in Emerald City won't be too heavy, and the weather won't be too cold, just enough to enjoy the snow scenery while having coffee outside."

"This year, we specifically chose a pristine forest park in the suburbs, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, to experience a true nature hike!"

Jessica Wong added, "There will also be a bonfire party and stargazing. We've prepared lots of fun activities to ensure everyone relaxes and forgets all their worries!"

"Sounds great!" Emilia exclaimed, then turned to Lin Zheng. "Shall we go together?"

He looked at the two men; they were smiling warmly, but he could sense their underlying disgust.

"Okay, sure."

He nodded, refusing the flyer Jessica Wong offered, and instead put his arm around Emilia's waist.

Emilia hugged him excitedly before taking the flyer.

The flyers were printed with images of forests and lakes, starry skies and campfires, with people smiling and laughing, and everything seemed so pure and beautiful.

You know, they will write poems about youth and dreams.

Lin Zheng took the flyer from Emilia.

His fingertips unconsciously traced the back of the flyer; the paper had a certain suppleness, slightly cool, and sticky to the touch, like—

A bloodstained human skin that has been peeled off.

The flyer fluttered from his hand, and he noticed a dark red stain on his fingers.

"Sorry, it must have been printed incorrectly. The ink has come off, and we got it all over our hands too."

Kevin Lee handed over a used tissue, its surface also faded and dark red.

Lin Zheng took the tissue and wiped it vigorously, but it didn't completely wipe it off.