第一章 空房子里的声音

Xiao An moved into 303.

The building was a little old, but very quiet.

At night, he put his things away, turned off the light, and went to sleep.

After a while, he heard a sound above his head.

Tap tap tap, tap tap tap.

The sound ran from one side to the other, and then back again.

Xiao An thought: Above me is 403. Who lives in 403?

The next day, he asked Aunt Zhang.

Aunt Zhang lived on the first floor; everyone asked her about things in the building.

'Auntie, who lives in 403?'

'A young man, named Xiao Wu,' said Aunt Zhang.

'He works at night and sleeps during the day.'

'Is there no one in his home at night?'

'No. He lives alone.'

Xiao An thought: There is no one at night.

But then, how could there still be a sound?

On the third night, the sound came again. Tap tap tap, tap tap tap.

Xiao An was a little scared.

As he listened, he thought: It is not a person. A person's voice would be louder than this.

On the morning of the fourth day, he waited for Xiao Wu on the first floor.

At six o'clock, Xiao Wu came back.

He was very young, a little thin, and looked like someone who did not like to talk.

Xiao An said, 'Hello. I'm from 303. In your home... there is a sound at night.'

Xiao Wu was a little puzzled: 'I work at night. There is no one in my home.'

Xiao An said, 'I heard the sound on the first day, and I heard it last night too.'

Xiao Wu said, 'Come to my home and take a look. I don't know what the sound is either.'

Xiao An followed Xiao Wu upstairs.

When they reached the door, Xiao An was a little scared.

'Meow—'

The door opened. A cat ran over, as if welcoming Xiao Wu back.

'Come in and sit down. There is no one in my home right now,' said Xiao Wu.

Xiao An went in. There was no one inside, and no sound either.

Xiao Wu gave the cat water and food. The cat ate quietly.

Xiao An sat on the sofa, feeling a little uneasy. He could not find the sound.

At that moment, the kitten finished eating. It happily ran around. The tap tap tap sound came again.

It's it! Xiao An and Xiao Wu said together.

There is no ghost in this building!