GODDESSBLESSYOUFROMDEATH, Case File 27: Train Heading to Sisaket

Say and Darin stood watching.

Seven dolls were placed on the table in the forensic room, with Singha, Thup, “These are the dolls from the case?” Say asked, pointing at the items on the table. Darin, seeing this, quickly slapped his hand.

“Mhm.”

“So, what are you going to do next? You’ve found all the dolls now.”

“The dolls are just one part to prove the killer’s victim selection method.”

“So, the killer chose victims based on their birth dates, right?”

“Yeah. From what we can see, the events from five years ago, yes, ten years ago, yes, and fifteen years ago, also yes.” Singha massaged his temples out of habit.

“The information I have now only narrows down the search. We might need to wait for the rest of the data.”

“So now all we can do is wait, huh? I’m scared, Singha.” Darin said before sighing.

“Wait, but not just sit around. I’ll go investigate the first case. Might find some new leads.”

“Where?”

“Sisaket, probably takes about three days.”

“You sure, man?”

“Uh-huh.” Singha looked up at Thup before lowering his gaze to the seven dolls on the table. “I want to check something out too.”

“Sigh, why couldn’t it just be a normal person?” Then he asked to keep an eye on the situation of the kid named

“Say, and I need you to watch Rin too, and Jump at the station. I’ll be quick.”

“Yeah, yeah, go. Jump’s condition is stable, but he can’t be released yet. What about the other two?”

“I’ve approved for them to stay in the spare rooms. Handle it.”

“Alright, alright.”

After delegating tasks to his subordinates and wrapping up other cases, Singha brought Thup back home to pack for the trip.

“Phii Singha.”

“Yeah?”

“Are we really going?”

“Do you think I was joking?”

“If… if this is bigger than we thought, what then?”

“What do you mean by ‘big’? Is it bigger than more people dying?” Thup pressed his lips together before zipping up his bag. “We need to find someone who can help with this damn occult stuff, and investigate that police house further.”

“Further? So you already have some info, Phii?”

“Uh.” Singha closed his bag before tossing it onto the sofa, then handed the documents on the table to Thup.

“Mantatch. Who’s that?”

“Uncle Khuean.”

“Sisaket Police Station, huh?!”

“Yeah, Uncle Khuean used to be a cop at Sisaket station. He resigned twenty years ago. Ring any bells?”

“That’s…” Thup frowned, this information matched what he got from Uncle Chai.

“This is also why we need to investigate.” Singha picked up both his and Thup’s bags and walked out of the house, leaving the young man with papers in hand and doubts, “We need to stop somewhere first.”

“Where to?”

“A meditation center.”

A jet-black car drove through the wooden gates of a meditation center, parked under a tree, and they got out to breathe in the fresh air. There wasn’t a large building or many amenities here, just the shade of trees and tranquility.

“Here?”

“Uh.” Thup quietly followed the older man, not far behind, as the sky was turning orange. It wasn’t the best time to be in such a place for him.

After walking for a while, they came across a row of small single-story wooden houses. Thup looked around; there were meditation bases, walking meditation lanes. It seemed to have been here for a long time. He followed the older man until they stopped in front of one house. Thup watched as Singha knocked gently on the door, which soon opened.

“How did you get here?” an elderly woman greeted with a gentle smile, her head shaved and dressed in clean white, indicating she had renounced worldly desires.

“Visiting, how are you, mom?” Thup blinked at the older man. “Shall we walk and talk then?” Singha’s mother smiled at her son before turning to smile at Thup standing behind.

The breeze blew softly, making the leaves flutter. Thup watched a mother and son chatting leisurely, their calm and serene demeanor making him feel at ease too.

“How have you been lately? Are you eating on time?”

“More or less, but I’ve been busy with a case recently, so I haven’t been able to visit. How about you, mom?”

“I’m just going with the flow.” she smiled before turning to her son, “Singha, is there something bothering you?”

“It’s just the anniversary coming up. I might not be able to make it this time.” Singha’s tone and darkened gaze made Thup pause. He didn’t think it was his place to delve into such personal matters.

“Whether you come or not, if your intentions are good, I’ll know. Don’t worry.” she gazed at the sky turning purple as night approached, “Singha… take care of yourself during this time.”

“Yes?”

“Your heart is yours, your body is yours, so believe in yourself, in your thoughts, and in your actions.” Singha looked at his mother with a puzzled look, “That young man who came with you…

“Thup?” Turning back, Singha found the boy who had been trailing them had disappeared. His brows furrowed immediately; trouble seemed to follow whenever they parted, “Where did he go?”

“He’ll be fine here.” Singha’s mother smiled faintly before sitting under a large tree, “You don’t see, but he does. You don’t hear, but he does. So, try listening to him.”

“I am listening… really listening, unlike him.”

“Mesa doesn’t blame you, and neither do I. The one you should forgive the most is yourself. It’s over, Singha, those things are over.”

Thup sat hugging his knees in front of the young inspector’s mother’s house. Strangely, he didn’t feel scared or nervous being alone in the dark. There was just a gentle breeze soothing his mind.

“Sitting here, aren’t the mosquitoes biting you?” A hoarse voice from behind startled Thup, “Ha ha, I’ve scared the boy.”

“Ex…excuse me.” Thup turned to wai an elderly monk, his face adorned with a kind smile, clad in a robe the color of ripe jackfruit made Thup kneel down, bowing just like he used to with his granduncle.

“Sigh, I’m too old for this, teasing kids isn’t fun anymore. But what are you doing here all alone, layman?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

“Hmm, while you’re waiting for someone, someone else is waiting for you.”

“Really? What… what do you mean?”

“Sigh, life, oh life. Alright, I’ll bless you then.”

“Iti Sukato Arahang Puttho Nama Putthaya PathaviKongka Phra Phummate Wa Khamamihang.”

Thup touched between his eyebrows, bowing to receive the blessing. As the chanting ceased, the monk’s hand pressed on his head, a cool, comforting warmth spread through him, and his eyes slowly closed, the feeling gradually fading.

“What are you doing, Thup?”

“I was… paying respects to the monk.” Now, there was just empty ground before him. “Which monk?”

“Well…”

“If he came to bless you, it’s a good thing.” Singha’s mother remarked. “Aren’t you supposed to catch the train, Singha?”

“Yes, I’ll go now. I’ll visit when I’m back, mom.” She gazed at her son for a long moment before resting her hand on his soft hair.

“Go safely, return unharmed.”

Singha and Thup walked to the vehicle, preparing to board the train scheduled to depart in an hour and a half. As the vehicle moved towards the wooden gate, Thup caught sight of an image on a stone slab.

“Phii Singha, hold on a moment.” He squinted, biting his lips. The monk he encountered earlier was the one who restored this temple here, and importantly…

That monk had been deceased for nearly twenty years.

“Is there something wrong?” Singha asked, noticing the child beside him had gone silent. “I…” Thup turned to his elder brother and smiled, his face relaxing.

“I just received a blessing for a safe journey,” said Thup.

The sound of machinery resonated throughout the station, filled with people almost ready to depart from the platform. The noise of voices, the hustle of boarding, farewells, and even vendors selling goods made the atmosphere far from quiet. Singha and Thup boarded the special sleeper train heading directly from Bangkok to Sisaket. They searched for their seats and found them, but what caught Thup off guard was that their seats were five places apart.

“It’s okay, we’ll be sleeping soon.” Singha gently ruffled the young man’s soft hair. “If you need anything, just walk over.”

“Alright.” Thup reluctantly walked to his seat, just as the train’s whistle blew, signaling departure.

The station lights transitioned into the dimmer trackside lights, the slight rocking and sound of the train moving along the rails excited Thup. He didn’t know what awaited them, but returning home after a long time warmed his heart.

“Is he your brother?”

“Hmm? Oh, no.” Singha replied to the man sitting opposite him. “Would you like some water?”

“No, thank you.” Singha answered, picking up some documents as if to end the conversation with the robust young man, whose sharp features contrasted with his delicate white skin and square glasses.

“Going home or traveling?”

“Business.” The young inspector glanced up, sensing the other’s eagerness for conversation.

“Judging by your constant serious demeanor… I’d guess you’re a policeman, right?”

“Are you a policeman too?”

“No, I’m actually a doctor. Do I really look the part?” The young man across the table chuckled softly before resting his arms on the table.

“I thought you were when you started interrogating me.” came the soft yet incisive reply, making the other laugh lightly in amusement. Just as he was about to continue the conversation, a water bottle was thrust towards the young inspector.

“Phii, I can’t open it.” Singha took the bottle and opened it, and upon receiving it, Thup returned to his seat without a word. It wouldn’t be strange if it weren’t for…

“Phii, I’m going to brush my teeth, but I forgot my toothpaste. Can I borrow some?”

“Phii, shall we go wash our faces?”

“Phii, can you help me open this?”

“Phii…”

“Phii…”

“Phii…”

The young doctor’s conversation was interrupted almost every time, until the officials came to set up the beds, signaling the end of his chance to bond.

“If you need anything, just call me.” said the upper bunk owner, opening the curtain to speak to Singha, who was preparing to sleep on the lower bunk.

“I doubt I’ll need anything.”

“Do you reject me because you don’t like me, or for some other reason?”

“I dislike anything annoying, and if you don’t shut up and go to sleep, I’ll throw you into the supply closet to sleep.”

The young doctor gaped as he saw the fierce look from the corner of the inspector’s eye. He chose to close the curtain, giving up on wooing the policeman.

As Singha was packing up, time passed until 9 PM. He was about to put his documents in his bag to go to sleep when he felt someone standing in front of his bed’s curtain. Upon opening it, he found the kid who had been pestering him all evening.

“What now?” Singha glanced at the pillow Thup was clutching, “I heard some strange noises.”

“It’s a train, of course, it’s noisy.”

…”The top bunk is small, my legs are too long to fit.” Thup crouched down on the floor in front of Singha’s bed.

“The lower and upper bunks are the same size.”

“I’m scared of ghosts.”

“You’re using that excuse now?”

“Well, there is an old man who is walking back and forth.” Thup pointed to an empty aisle, Singha didn’t see anything but in Thup’s view, there was an old man with a cane walking through the door, only to reappear a few minutes later to walk back and forth as usual.

“If you can point him out that clearly, you’re not scared, Thup, you little brat.”

“…but usually, I sleep with you.” Thup said quietly, yet clearly enough for Singha to hear, making the older sigh.

“It’s small here too, and now I have to squeeze in with you? Move inside!”

Thup grinned widely, almost closing his eyes as the older man allowed him to join him.

A space comfortable for one was now tightly packed with two men lying on their backs, barely able to move.

“I’m going crazy.” Singha turned to his side facing the aisle, unable to bear the crowding.

“Phii?”

“What now? You’re so problematic, I might kick you to the floor.”

“That gentleman above… is he hitting on you?” Thup poked towards the upper bunk.

“Just asking?”

“Well… it’s nothing.”

Singha rolled his eyes before turning back towards Thup, “Yeah, he is, we just started dating.”

“What!!” Thud!!

“Ouch!” Everything happened so quickly, Thup was startled by the older man’s words. He jolted up, banging his head loudly against the upper bunk, then collapsed onto Singha’s stomach with a groan.

“Serves you right, always making a fuss.”

“It hurts.”

“Your head’s not broken. You’re not dead, so go to sleep.” Singha turned back to his original position, closing his eyes, ignoring Thup, who was left rubbing his head repeatedly and looking at the older man with a hurt expression.

Almost two hours had passed, past midnight into a new day. Singha slowly opened his eyes and turned towards the boy who was breathing steadily behind him. His thick hand caressed Thup’s head where he had bumped it earlier, finding it slightly swollen but with no serious injury.

“You’re quite the troublemaker, aren’t you?”

“Mmm.” Thup mumbled in his throat before turning to hug Singha’s waist, as he usually did.

And strangely, the young inspector felt accustomed to this action too.

  

GODDESSBLESSYOUFROMDEATH CHAPTERS HOME