LOGIN
Infant Paintings
4
Share:
Report
My grandmother only knows how to draw one thing—infants. They're ugly, but people line up to buy the paintings. I watch as she takes those women into unlit rooms. Then, their bloodcurdling screams will ring out. Oddly enough, they always thank my grandmother when they're leaving. One day, I finally find out what exactly my grandmother paints. I discover the truth when I see an infant crawl out of one of the women's bellies—it looks just like the one my grandmother has painted.
View MoreLatest chapter
Infant Paintings Chapter 10
Although I couldn't see what was happening, I guessed that the items had to be those rapidly developed babies for the clients to choose from."This one," said the client."May the Goddess of Fertility bless us!" Grandma's voice rang out again.A sudden gust of wind blasted from the room.That eerie voice returned. "Now, I shall bless you with the baby—"Holly's sharp voice interrupted, "Got you at last! Come out!"Upon receiving the signal, I leaped to my feet.When I appeared outside the window, Grandma's eyes widened in shock. She was so startled that she forgot to scold me.With just one glance, I saw a sight that would haunt me forever: In the dark, unlit room, there was a massive baby's face—its skin a sickly, bluish-gray, and its features twisted and grotesque. At that moment, Holly had that ghastly thing firmly in her grasp."Quick! Your blood!" Holly was pale and weak from blood loss, but she refused to let go.I immediately rolled up my sleeve and exposed my arm.
Infant Paintings Chapter 9
Watching Holly leave, I knew I had to come to a decision. Holly felt mysterious to me, and I wasn't sure if she was being utterly truthful, but I would help her as long as she promised not to hurt Grandma.After all, I did not want Grandma to continue her baby painting business, and I no longer wanted to see any more dead women buried at the back of the mountain.That afternoon, I called up Holly and agreed to help her out."I knew you would help.""But can you promise not to hurt my grandma?"She agreed, "I promise you—if you help me."…The next day, Holly showed up at our house to interview for that apprentice opening. She had put on a disguise, and Grandma accepted her application with much satisfaction."How did you manage to do that?" I was surprised by Holly's ability to disguise herself."Well, one has to have some skills to get rid of the God of Fertility.""Alright. What do I need to do?""Firstly, please hand this pill to me after I leave that dark room." Holly ha
Infant Paintings Chapter 8
After that, the woman who wished to conceive would be brought to a dark room. There, Grandma would summon the God of Fertility via performing a ritual. The God of Fertility would first place the baby in the womb of the messenger. The baby would rapidly grow, and soon, it would be born and transform into a pearl. The woman would then swallow the pearl, which would turn back into a baby in her womb. However, this transformation was excruciatingly painful. Most women couldn't help but scream in agony."So… Was my grandma that messenger?"This was even harder to believe than I had imagined."From what I know, your grandmother was the second-generation messenger of the God of Fertility in your family.""Second-generation? Who was the first?""Your mother.""What?"Holly continued, "Your mother was the first-generation messenger before giving birth to you. Due to excessive strain on her body, she died during childbirth. Afterward, the God of Fertility took your father hostage, for
Infant Paintings Chapter 7
Grandma mentioned she could no longer produce babies. Did that mean she had given birth many times before?The herbs I received from the storekeeper cum pharmacist were definitely to stimulate ovulation, but what was next? Did Grandma give birth to babies, and where did they all go? Did the clients take the babies with them?What shocked me the most was the mention of her son—my father!But in the story I was told, my parents both passed away early in my life. Mom tragically passed away during childbirth, and Dad followed her footsteps soon due to intense grief.Could Dad still be alive? Was he a captive of that God of Fertility—whatever that was?"This won't do. I need to get to the bottom of the issue." Immediately, I made the decision to find out the truth behind all these supernatural happenings.…As expected, Grandma asked me to put out the job opening flyers the next morning, as she wanted to look for a new apprentice. Knowing that the new apprentice would meet her fa
Infant Paintings Chapter 6
Grandma never turned down her clients, and she'd fulfill any requests if she was paid handsomely.I was gripped by nervousness when Grandma brought Daisy into the dark room. Would Daisy fall sick suddenly, just like Beth did, and die?Still, I comforted myself, thinking that Daisy would be fine. After all, she was only entering the dark room once. Yet, reality slapped me in the face.…Once again, Grandma made up an excuse to send me away. I immediately knew that something had gone wrong.After hiding outside the house for a while, I witnessed Grandma dragging Daisy's body out from the room.I couldn't help but collapse onto the floor upon seeing that horrific scene. Daisy, who had been smiling at me not long ago, was now a lifeless corpse—a truth I refused to accept."You looked hardy and fertile, but you couldn't even last once! How useless. What a waste of my time!" Grandma even complained with a disdainful expression.Since when had Grandma become such a cruel-hearted woman
Infant Paintings Chapter 5
After I heard Beth's despairing scream, I tried to rush into the dark room without a care, but Grandma had come out and pulled me back.The client left with satisfaction, and Grandma sent me on another errand again.I hurriedly set off, assuming Beth was very unwell. When I came home with the herbs that Grandma had requested, I found Grandma digging a hole in the back of the mountain. Beth's lifeless face peeked out from the pit.Beth had died a sudden death, and Grandma buried her without any explanation.I couldn't understand how a perfectly healthy woman ended up dead after entering that dark room thrice.I could make out Grandma's mumbling, "Poor girl. You wouldn't have died if we had done this a day later. Had I not needed the money urgently… Oh, well. I'll keep you in my prayers, Beth."What did Grandma mean by urgently needing money? I thought she had earned a fortune by selling the baby paintings. Besides, our family never had any major expenses. Where did all the money g
Infant Paintings Chapter 4
"Grandma, what's the purpose of that herbal concoction?" I blurted out after holding in the burning question for a while.She glanced at me. "Did someone say something to you?"She had immediately guessed it. I had to tell the truth, saying, "Well, the storekeeper told me that…""She's lying," Grandma snapped firmly. "I've lived long enough to tell the truth from the lie. Sweetie, do not believe in her words anymore."Grandma was nice to me. She certainly wouldn't lie to me. Feeling relieved, I nodded. "Got it, Grandma."…Beth still hadn't recuperated after three days, but the smell of blood had slowly vanished. I bet she'd be back to herself in a few days.Without warning, a client suddenly showed up at our house."Madam Albright, please help! That wife of mine has gone crazy! I need to get a divorce!" The rich guy grumbled loudly, but Grandma paid him no attention."Madam Albright, the family dinner tonight is my final chance at getting a divorce! My wife is infertile. If
Infant Paintings Chapter 3
I had asked Grandma why we hadn't moved out, but she replied to me very sternly that she could never leave this place.I never dared ask her ever since."By the way, where's Beth?" I finally noticed Beth's absence.Glancing my way, Grandma said, "She's occupied with something. Go buy some herbs from the foot of the mountain."I took her orders and went down the mountain.At the store, the storekeeper suddenly inquired, "Darling, has your mom not gotten pregnant after all these years?"Taken aback, I questioned, "What does that mean?""Don't you know? The herbs you often purchase from me are to induce ovulation. They're for those who want to get pregnant!"My eyes widened in disbelief, as Grandma was the one who had taken these herbs before! But Grandma couldn't have possibly tried for a child."Ma'am, there must be a misunderstanding. That's impossible," I remarked with guilt and said no more.Once I received my herbs, I ran home like I was being chased, worried that someone
Infant Paintings Chapter 2
"Grandma, what about Rachel? Did she fail to learn?" I asked."Yeah," Grandma replied noncommittally.I had no choice but to post the job opening like she had asked.Soon, someone showed up to apply for the job, which was not surprising because many would give the job a try for the high pay that Grandma offered her apprentices. But Grandma only took in females as her students.This time, a young woman, Beth Hoffman, got the job. Grandma was satisfied with Beth when she first laid eyes on the latter. Beth stayed with us for half a month before Grandma finally brought her into that dark room. At the same time, I was chased out to the courtyard.I didn't hear Beth screaming from that room, but ever since that day, something within her had changed. She was no longer the woman who loved to smile.And this might be my illusion, but sometimes, I felt that she slowly grew to resemble Grandma.…Another couple visited Grandma one day. The balding man was decked in gold chains, looking
Free Preview
Chapter 1
"Madam Albright, I want my child to be smart—best if it's a boy." A man with a beer belly sat politely across from Grandma.She replied, her face devoid of emotions, "It's 100,000 dollars per request.""Of course. That's understood. Don't worry, Madam Albright."Grandma pulled a piece of paper toward herself after the man agreed to the deal.…Grandma and I only had each other. She would paint every day, though her paintings were mediocre, to say the least. Her subjects were babies, and every one of them looked alike. It baffled me why the rich would spend a fortune to buy Grandma's paintings."It's done." Grandma set her brush on the table. I drew closer to take a look. As expected, it was yet another ugly painting."Bring her in." She rose and brought the painting into a room without turning on the lights.The man hurried out and brought back a pretty young woman with him. He comforted her, "Hey, just go in."The woman was clearly nervous. However, after being shoved by th...
Interesting books of the same period
To Readers
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments