The Haunted Opera House: Zhang Daming's Frightening Performance

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the dilapidated Opera House. It was a place of whispered tales and forgotten glories, now a mere skeleton of its former self. The group of friends, led by the daring and curious Li Wei, had gathered at the entrance, their eyes wide with anticipation.

"Remember, we're here to uncover the truth," Li Wei said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But be careful, the stories say that Zhang Daming's spirit still haunts this place."

The others nodded, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. Zhang Daming, once a celebrated opera singer, had vanished under mysterious circumstances during a performance. Some said he had been murdered by a jealous rival, while others whispered about a curse that had taken his life.

The group stepped inside, the air thick with dust and the scent of decay. The grand staircase that once led to the balconies was now overgrown with vines, and the once-gleaming marble was covered in grime. They made their way to the main hall, where the grand piano sat silent and forgotten.

"Let's start from the beginning," Li Wei said, his voice steady despite the eerie surroundings. "We need to find any clues that could lead us to Zhang Daming's final moments."

As they explored the hall, they found a series of letters scattered on the floor. They were addressed to Zhang Daming, and the handwriting was familiar. Li Wei picked one up and read aloud:

"My dear Zhang, I cannot express the pain I feel. I have betrayed you, and I fear it is too late. Please forgive me. I am coming for you."

The group exchanged worried glances. The letter suggested that Zhang Daming had enemies, and it seemed as though they were still seeking revenge.

They continued their search, finding a hidden room behind a loose panel in the wall. Inside, they discovered a journal belonging to Zhang Daming. The entries were filled with fear and desperation, as he seemed to be on the brink of madness.

"One night, I saw her," Zhang Daming had written. "She was watching me, her eyes filled with hate. I know she is coming for me, and I have no idea why."

The group was growing increasingly concerned. They had found evidence that suggested Zhang Daming had been stalked, and now they were faced with the possibility that his killer was still lurking nearby.

As they continued their search, they stumbled upon a hidden staircase that led to the upper levels of the Opera House. The air grew colder as they ascended, and the walls seemed to close in around them.

"Listen," said one of the group, her voice trembling. "I hear something."

They followed the sound, which led them to a small room at the top of the stairs. Inside, they found a mirror, its surface cracked and tarnished. When they looked into it, they saw a reflection of Zhang Daming, his face twisted in terror.

"Zhang Daming!" Li Wei shouted, but there was no response.

The group realized that they had been tricked. The reflection was not of Zhang Daming, but of a ghostly apparition. They had become the next targets of the opera house's curse.

Suddenly, the room began to shake, and the walls started to crumble. The group frantically searched for an exit, but the door was sealed shut. They were trapped.

"Run!" Li Wei shouted, but it was too late. The apparition of Zhang Daming appeared before them, his eyes glowing with malevolence.

"Your time is up," he hissed, and with a single, chilling gesture, he reached out to grab them.

Just as the ghostly hand touched Li Wei, a sudden burst of light filled the room. The apparition vanished, and the room fell silent.

The group, disoriented and shaken, stumbled out of the room and down the stairs. They ran as fast as they could, their hearts pounding with terror. When they finally reached the ground floor, they collapsed in a heap, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

As the dawn broke, they gathered their belongings and made their way out of the Opera House. They had escaped the grasp of Zhang Daming's ghost, but the experience had left a lasting scar on their souls.

Back in the safety of their homes, the group couldn't shake the feeling that the Opera House was still watching them. They had seen the face of death, and it had left an indelible mark on their lives.

From that day on, the Opera House remained a place of legend, shrouded in mystery and fear. But for the group of friends who had dared to enter its depths, the haunting memories of Zhang Daming's final performance would never fade.