GODDESSBLESSYOUFROMDEATH, Case File 38: Don’t Want to See

The sun began to descend from the middle of the sky, flocks of birds flew together, calling to return to their nests as if they knew what the brooding dark clouds were about to bring rain. The wind gusted, making the treetops rustle with an eerie whistle. Thup, looking away from the sky, turned to glance back at the increasingly distant road. He was about to walk back to where this all started once more. Whoever did this must have deliberately left that warning, intentionally written, saying it was Saturday, because that way, they’d surely know where to find him.

“Will this work?” Thup muttered softly to himself.

[Talking to yourself?] A familiar voice came through the earpiece Thup was wearing, almost making him smile. He looked around carefully before responding,

“It’s going to rain.”

[Why? Are you a bride afraid of the rain or something?]

   “I’m not scared at all.” The reply was mumbled, making the person on the other end chuckle softly, “Otherwise, how could I like you?”

[What did you say?]

   Thup’s voice was so low that Singha didn’t catch the latter part.

“Nothing, are you in the car? Don’t stand in the rain.”

[I’ll treat you to dinner, what do you want to eat?]

   “Really? Hmm, then how about we eat barbecue pork?”

[Just that?]

   “If I say I want to cook and eat at home with you, you won’t allow it, right?”

Singha laughed affectionately in his throat.

[And why wouldn’t I allow it? As if we’d do something other than eating?]

   “No… not that.” Thup’s startled expression made Singha shake his head lightly.

[Well, we can cook and eat at home later.]

   Thup somehow felt surprised by the older man’s brief response.

“Is the police officer who followed me around here?”

[Yes, are you scared?]

   “I’m scared they’ll get wet because of me, and also afraid they might get hurt.”

[What do you see around you?]

   “Um, there are just trees, and then…” Thup noticed an incense flower stuck upside down on the ground. From its fresh appearance, it was clear it hadn’t been there long, and whatever ceremony it was for, it wasn’t for anything good for them, “Incense…”

[Anything else?]

   “I haven’t seen any spirits yet, but I can guess there’s going to be a ritual here, probably to bind other spirits. They’re afraid they’ll come to steal the offerings.”

[If you see anything strange, run back to the car.]

   “How can I do that? I have to lure them into catching me.”

[Then do it. I’ll cut the signal first, so the bad guys won’t get suspicious and stay hidden.]

   “Yes, thank you for staying with me.”

[Hmm] Singha hung up and then looked through the trees to see the young man sitting down on an old log.

“Inspector”

“Is everything ready?”

“The first point is in position. I’m about to take my position too.”

“Remember, if someone shows up, find the right moment to take Thup back to the car. The other unit should follow me from a distance and inform Merk. The criminals might already know someone’s here, so be careful.”

“Understood.”

After giving orders, Singha leaned against a large tree that could conceal him well. His sharp eyes watched Thup, who was twisting his body back and forth. Seeing this, the kid looked down at his bandaged hand, moved his fingers, and smiled as if very proud. This sight brought a smile to the young inspector’s face as well.

“Damn, I want a cigarette.”

Time passed until dusk, the sky turning purple with flashes of light and thunderous roars, making Thup clutch his jacket tighter. The sunlight decreased, barely reaching the ground, and the forest’s chill began to creep closer, along with a premonition that made Thup clench his fists tightly.

[Can you hear me, Singha?]

   “Hmm.”

[It’s getting dark, why hasn’t there been any movement yet?]

   “It should be soon.” Singha checked his wristwatch to see it was now six-thirty. “How far has the search team gotten?”

[Four left]

   “Uh, update me on the progress.” The communication cuts off. Now, Singha has to focus more on Thup since it’s getting dark and they can’t use a flashlight or the culprit might notice.

Ssssk..

The sound of rustling bushes makes Singha hide. The source of the noise is about five meters away from him, meaning it’s close to Thup.

“Points one and three, get ready.” Move closer.

Ssssk…

Singha frowns tightly before turning to look at his other side. He picks up the knife by his side, holding it in a ready stance, rushing towards it without slowing down at all.

Getting close… The footsteps are…

Almost there…

!!!

“Si-” Suddenly, Singha lunges to cover the mouth of the person who just came close to prevent any noise, then whispers in a tense voice:

“What’s wrong, why did you leave your spot!”

“It’s… point one, sir, point one is dead, sir!”

“What?!”

“I saw him go quiet while we were talking so I left my spot temporarily to check, but when I got there, he was lying in a pool of blood.”

“Damn it! Get Thup back to the car, now!!” A thunderous bolt strikes, accompanied by rain pouring down as if to spite them, “Damn it!!”

Singha curses before running towards Thup. Seeing the young man still curled up at the same log, he lets out a sigh of relief.

“Phii Singha, watch out!!” Thup’s eyes widened as he pointed behind Singha. The older man, sensing a shadow behind him, quickly dodged.

The man in the black raincoat slowly removed his hood, revealing his face clearly. A Spartan jungle knife twirled expertly in his hand, the blood on it washed away by the rain, leaving it clean as before.

“Heh, heh, planned so well but you still missed, Inspector. Are you frustrated?”

“Not really.” Singha replied, stepping in front of Thup, observing the other man’s movements. His subordinate was signaling to stealthily approach Bom from behind.

“Oh, why is it? Why do you never remember that no one can do anything to me?!!!” Bom shouted amidst the pouring rain, just as the police behind him were about to pounce. Suddenly, they froze as if their feet were pulled into the muddy ground, then a swift motion, and a knife slashed at an officer’s neck, blood gushing out, mixing with the rain, flowing into the earth. The officer tried to speak but only managed a faint whisper unheard by anyone, before collapsing with his last breath.

“Damn you, Bom!!”

“Ah, ah, one more step and this gun I took from the station will go off.” Singha halted as someone behind pulled at his shirt. “Do you know how much time you’ve wasted? I had to watch you guys pace around to save that kid’s life. This plan should’ve been smooth like before, but because of you… because of you!!! This cursed plan is ruined!!!”

Bang!!!

Bom yelled out, firing a shot into the sky, his other hand, eyes red with rage, scratching at his arm and body, glaring hatefully at Singha and Thup.

“I tried! Tried to act normal, working with those nutty kids obsessed with ghosts. I just sent a story, brought a ghost or two for them, and they welcomed me into their team. Utter fools.” Bom rambled, pacing as if losing control. Singha reached out, grabbed Thup’s hand, and whispered:

“Run to the car.”

“And what about you?”

“If Dad wasn’t so picky and wanted that damn kid, we would’ve completed the ceremony by now!!!” The gun barrel pointed towards Thup until Singha had to move to shield him, “Your mother’s ghost, huh, where’s your mother’s ghost!! What’s so special about it, where did it come from!”

“Where are the others!!! Darin, Lieutenant Khem, that King, where are those two other kids!” Singha shouted over the sound of the rain, his hand slowly reaching behind to grab the gun tucked at his back.

“Huh. Those guys? They’ll be dead soon, don’t worry. By now, they’re probably having their ceremony until Tuesday, followed by Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and…” Crazy eyes looked at Thup, “Saturday, the troublemaker.”

“I’m Saturday.”

“Ah. At first, I did choose you, but the only problem was Dad wanted him!! So, hand him over, and no one has to get hurt.”

“Why follow the days, why must it be a Saturday!!” Singha tried to divert Bom’s attention from the kid behind him, who was visibly stressed, pacing back and forth, biting his nails, and scratching himself, indicating how stressed he was about being caught with his father.

“You don’t know anything, do you! Because Saturday helps me! They help me live on.”

“By taking others’ lives?. You’re psychotic.”

“So what!! Those people hate their lives anyway. They wish for wealth, for their parents to change, to pass exams, for business to thrive, for happiness, ha!! Pathetic.”

“You’re the pathetic one, just because they pray for something doesn’t mean people like you should take their lives for your stupid rituals and beliefs, you and your damn father, Thup, run!!!”

Bang!!

Singha shot Bom accurately in the shoulder, causing the Spartan knife to drop to the ground.

“Damn it!!!”

Bang!!!

Bang!!! Singha pushed Thup out of the bullet’s path, the kid…

The sound of gunshots reverberated through the forest as the young man ran as instructed by his elder.

“Come back!!!” As Bom was about to shoot at Thup, the young inspector reached him first, kicking the gun out of his hand, grabbing Bom’s arm, and throwing him to the ground. He then straddled him and began punching his face relentlessly.

Amidst the rain, it seemed Singha had the upper hand, until Bom noticed blood seeping from Singha’s waist.

“Ugh!” The hand that was blocking punches now struck Singha’s side, then he quickly flipped over to escape. His madness made him oblivious to the wound on his shoulder, a sneer appearing on his face. Bom repeatedly punched Singha’s wound before trying to find a gun that had fallen in the muddy ground.

Bang!!!

The gunshot, after a long silence, made Thup turn around, his worry for leaving his elder alone made him look between the path out of the forest and the path back to the old cemetery.

If he survived but everyone else died…

If he survived but this ordeal continued…

If he survived but lost another important person…

How would he go on living…

Thup decided to run back, the ground turning into sticky mud under his feet, making every step more difficult. He took off his shoes and rushed back. Upon arriving, he saw both men exchanging blows until Singha was nearly backed against a tree.

“Phii Singha!!” The familiar voice calling out surprised Singha.

“Go back and—”

!!!

“Phii Singha!!!!” A metal rod hidden in the grass beside the tree was grabbed by Bom and stabbed into Singha’s existing wound. What was just a few centimeters deep now pierced through. The rod went through his body and pinned him to the tree, a mocking laugh echoing amidst the sound of the rain.

“Not bad, it seems like you, mister inspector, have a Vaisravaṇa’s aura, huh? No wonder my father’s ghost has a hard time working.” Bom wiped the blood flowing from his waist and brought it to his mouth, “Hmm, Vaisravaṇa’s blood isn’t bad either.”

“Want to try my foot too?” Singha smirked before leaning his head against a tree.

“Still got a sharp tongue, huh?”

“Again!! You bastard.” Bom pushed the iron rod in his hand further in, blood starting to flow from Singha’s lips.

“Don’t mess with him!!” Thup ran in, pushing Bom away before turning to check on Singha, “Phii… Singha, are you in a lot of pain? I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.”

“Why run back…” Singha gently stroked the clear cheek.

“What should I do, what should I do?” Thup took off his hoodie to press on the wound for the person, the brother, his tears blurring the vision in front of him.

“Stay, ugh, calm. It’s not… it’s your fault.” Singha moved his hand to pat Thup’s head to comfort him, the young man now seemed so frantic he was losing his senses.

The cold barrel of a gun pressed against the back of Thup’s head.

“Stand up, you’ve wasted enough of my father’s time.”

“No!!” For the first time, Thup turned and shouted angrily at the other person.

“Oh, is that so?” The gun barrel changed direction, now pointing at Singha’s head instead, “Choose.” Singha spoke to Thup before looking up at Bom.

“Don’t… listen to him.” His gaze was provocative, fearless.

“Wait! I’ll go. I’ll go, but let me call someone to help him first. Just a moment.”

“Do you think you have the right to negotiate?”

“You don’t have a choice either because your father needs me!!!”

Bom clicked his tongue in frustration before looking down at Thup again, “Just thirty seconds.”

Thup moved closer to Singha before grabbing the collar of the older man’s jacket.

“Phii Merk, did you hear that?”

[They’re coming, the ambulance is on its way, and I’m going in. Just keep talking like I didn’t respond.]

   “Phii, please come help Phii Singha. Someone, please help Phii Singha, time’s up. Get up before I really blow your brains out.”

“If you follow that bastard, ugh, I’ll be really pissed.” Singha said with a hoarse voice.

“I’d rather let you be mad at me than lose you.” Thup kissed the older man’s cheek softly, then pulled away, leaving him with a final smile, “I don’t want to see you like this, Phii Singha, so you have to survive.”

Thup stood up and followed Bom deeper into the forest, turning back to look at Singha once more with a somber look in his eyes.

   He truly hoped he wouldn’t have to see Singha differently from now on. He didn’t want to see the spirit of another loved one.

   He really didn’t want to…

  

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