The Red-Eyed Guardian

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate campus. The rain had stopped, leaving behind a dampness that seemed to seep into the very bones of the ancient buildings. It was the end of the semester, and the students of the prestigious Yandu University were eager to leave the campus behind. But for a few, the night would take a sinister turn.

Among them was Xiao Lin, a first-year student who had always been fascinated by the old campus legends. She had heard whispers of the Red-Eyed Labyrinth, a supposed shortcut through the campus that no one had ever returned from. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to investigate the legend with her friends, Wei and Ming.

As they ventured deeper into the labyrinth, the path grew narrower, and the walls seemed to close in. The air grew colder, and Xiao Lin felt a shiver run down her spine. The red eyes appeared in the darkness, glowing with an otherworldly light. They followed the trio, never letting their gaze waver.

"Let's just turn back," Ming said, his voice trembling. "This is crazy."

"Come on, we're almost there," Xiao Lin replied, her voice steady despite the fear that was beginning to take hold. Wei, ever the optimist, nodded in agreement.

The labyrinth led them to a grand, old library that seemed to be untouched by time. The air was thick with dust, and the shelves groaned under the weight of countless books. As they moved further inside, they stumbled upon a large, ornate desk with a glowing red eye set into its surface.

"Is this it?" Wei asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Xiao Lin nodded, her heart pounding. She reached out to touch the red eye, and a chill ran through her veins. The eye glowed brighter, and a voice echoed through the library, "You seek knowledge, but you are unworthy."

Before Xiao Lin could react, the walls began to close in, and the air grew thick with darkness. Wei and Ming were trapped, unable to move. Xiao Lin's heart raced as she realized they were all in trouble.

"Help us!" Ming shouted, his voice muffled by the walls.

Xiao Lin struggled to find a way out, but the labyrinth seemed to have no end. She felt a presence behind her, and the red eyes glowed even brighter. The voice spoke again, "Your fear will be your undoing."

Xiao Lin turned to face the darkness, her heart pounding. The red eyes were now two, and she could see the faces of the students who had ventured into the labyrinth before her. They were twisted, their eyes hollow, and their faces contorted in fear.

"Run!" she shouted, but it was too late. The walls began to close in, and Xiao Lin felt herself being pulled into the darkness. She saw Wei and Ming in the distance, their faces twisted in terror.

"No!" she screamed, but the voice echoed in her mind, "Your fear will be your undoing."

Xiao Lin's vision blurred, and she felt herself being pulled into the abyss. The red eyes glowed brighter, and she heard the voice one last time, "Welcome to the Red-Eyed Guardian."

The next morning, the campus was in an uproar. Students reported seeing eerie red eyes in the labyrinth, and the university's administration had no choice but to shut it down. Xiao Lin, Wei, and Ming were nowhere to be found, and the legend of the Red-Eyed Guardian would never be forgotten.

As the days passed, whispers of the red eyes spread throughout the campus. Students dared each other to venture into the labyrinth, but none ever returned. The Red-Eyed Guardian was real, and it watched over the campus, waiting for the next unwary soul to fall into its clutches.