Goddess Bless You From Death

Case File 31.

"Which one?" As soon as they got into the car, Singha asked the question that had been on his mind. Thup was still staring intently at the photo he had taken with his phone. "Thup, which ghost did you see in this woman?"

"The one... with white eyes, a torn mouth, filled with vengeance. It's that ghost. But..."

"But what?"

"In this photo, she doesn't look anything like when she's the ghost." Thup glanced up at the hospital again, wondering how the cheerful, smiling woman in the picture could have turned into such a vengeful spirit

Singha drove according to Thup's directions until they reached a secluded house. It was a single-story wooden house, raised slightly off the ground, covered in vines and weeds. Despite the ruined pale white fence surrounding it, no one seemed eager to enter. The sign at the gate had Thai letters peeling off, barely readable. The remaining letters spelt out an ominous message: 'K...the Necro...'

The late afternoon sun did nothing to lighten the atmosphere. Thup looked into the house before opening the car door. They both stood in front of the wooden fence. The rusty padlock had fallen to the ground. Singha was about to push the gate open when he was stopped by a pair of hands pulling him back.

"What's up with you, Thup? Hurry up so that we can leave!"

"Do you remember what I asked? I asked you to listen to me."

"I remember. And?"

Thup looked towards the front porch with trembling eyes. He squeezed Singha's arm harder as he saw an old man in a red loincloth standing on the porch, his upper body bare, revealing various tattooed charms. The old man looked at them with a stern face. His white hair and moustache indicated that he passed away at a pretty old age. He tapped a cane rhythmically on the porch post. Singha, eager to get things done, tried to enter the house again. As soon as his foot touched the fence line, the rhythmic tapping grew louder and more intense, echoing throughout the area. Thup had to pull him back.

"Listen to me. I need to go in alone."

"What? Are you crazy, Thup!? Have you lost your mind?" Singha looked at Thup as if he had said something utterly ridiculous.

"He won't let you in. So, I'm the only one who can go."

"Why? Who would let you go in alone? What if something happens!?"

"Brother, please listen to me."

"If I can't go in, then you're not going in either!!" Seeing Singha getting angry, Thup quickly grabbed his shoulders and turned him to face him. He wasn't particularly brave; actually, his legs were shaking with fear.

"P'Singha, it's not just because this will help your case. I also want to know. I want to know why this is happening. I feel like it's somehow connected to me. So... let me go in."

"How can you ensure you'll come back safe and sound?" Singha asked seriously. 

He couldn't see what Thup was seeing, but all the events so far signified that the ghost Thup encountered wasn't just trying to scare them—it was trying to kill.

"How could I not come back? You'd be so mad at me."

"That's not funny, Thup."

"Wait here for me, okay?" Thup smiled, eyes almost closing before stepping through the gate into the house's grounds.

Every step was heavy with the old man's oppressive gaze. The tapping of the cane matched his footsteps. Sweat beaded on his temples and palms. Thup clenched his shaking hands as he reached the house's steps. He looked back at Singha, who was still watching from outside the fence. Seeing his big brother's gaze calmed him.

"Ten minutes!" Singha shouted. "If you're not out, I'm coming in!" Thup nodded slightly with a smile. His heart raced as he took a deep breath to calm himself. He followed the spirit of the old man in the red loincloth, walking over the threshold to get into the house. As soon as he entered, a chilling cold hit his skin, making him rub his arms. The inside of the house was dusty and dim, except for the light from the door. He noticed a wooden platform in the centre and bit his lip.

"H-Hello.."

Bang!!!

Thup startled and looked back. The door, which had been ajar, was now firmly closed. He stepped back and tried to open it, but to no avail. Whether he pushed or pulled, it showed no sign of opening. A dark shadow passed behind him, making Thup slowly turn his face to look.

Now, it wasn't just the old shaman who was present. Surrounding him and sitting on the wooden platform were countless spirits. Some appeared as they had in life, while others were in the state they had died. Both human and animal spirits cried out in a cacophony so loud that Thup had to cover his ears and sink to the ground.

'Silence!'

At that command, everything went quiet again. Thup slowly looked up in fear. The wooden platform had turned into an altar. Behind the shaman, a shelf loomed above him, filled not with sacred items but with offerings, cursed dolls, and skulls. The smell of incense filled the air, making Thup clench his fists on his pants.

'What's the purpose of your visit?'

"I-I need your help." Thup never thought he'd be talking to ghosts and spirits like this

'Help? Hmm...I've been here for decades, and no one has dared to enter. Those who tried lost their minds. You're quite brave. The deep, raspy voice echoed around

Do you think bringing the boy protected by Yaksha ensures your safety?'

"I didn't come to offend or challenge you. I just want answers to what's happening."

“Answers... Not every question in life has an answer.' Thup bit his lip harder. He was the one who suggested Singha bring him here; he couldn't back down now.

"Sia-Kaban dolls.."

'Hmm?'

"Someone is performing... human sacrifices, making Sia-Kaban dolls with animal heads according to the Mae Sue belief. I-I want to know why and for what purpose." As soon as he finished speaking, the spirits around him retreated behind the shaman.

'You seek reasons for those who perform sacrificial rites?”

The fierce eyes looked down at Thup. Sia-Kaban dolls are believed to absorb the misfortunes of the living. Any bad luck, illness, or death is transferred to the doll.' Suddenly, a clay doll rolled slowly until it hit Thup's knee. When he looked in the direction it came from, he saw a wet, pale child ghost under the wooden platform, giggling as it played.

'As for Mae Sue, it is believed to be a spirit or deity that is summoned to protect children from other spirits that would steal the souls of newborns. It can also be considered a guardian.’

"But... the murders took seven lives. It doesn't seem like protection at all. Instead, it's destroying others' lives."

Ha, indeed! Sacrifices are never meant to benefit others. They only help the performer. Judging from your urgency, whoever's responsible is starting their ritual again, right? The old shaman stroked the head of the ghost child with only half a body.

"That's right."

“There used to be a belief from Cambodia about a powerful ritual to extend one's fate. Those who tried it all died horribly. Do you know why?'

"Because... they didn't accept the offering?"

“Because the offerings weren't sufficient. Summoned spirits, especially ancient and powerful ones, are eager for offerings. The first attempt may deceive the practitioner into thinking they succeeded, but the demands will grow. Without meeting them, death awaits. I've heard of such rituals but never needed them. It's believed that offering human sacrifices to Mae Sue can prolong life, cure diseases, and stave off death. Do you think that's true?'

"Life or death, we can't escape it."

'Indeed. But the person you're chasing has survived through these rituals, haven't they?'

"Thank you for your help." Thup crawled backwards to the door.

This conversation had been going on for almost ten minutes, as promised with Singha. He should leave now, or Singha might force his way in, angering the spirits.

I never help anyone for free!

The cold voice stopped Thup. The door that should have opened remained firmly shut. He felt a hand gripping his ankle, which made Thup press his trembling lips together.

'Everything has a price.'

A knife dropped in front of Thup. He knew entering here wouldn't

be easy to leave. The spirits had answered his questions, but everything came with a price.

'Make an offering. You're already marked anyway. Saturday, right?'

"May I ask one more question?"

"Ha, you want to know it all, including what's going to happen, don't you?'

"If it's not too high in price." Thup picked up the knife at his feet, turning to face the shaman. "I'm willing to pay."

Outside the house, Singha was pacing back and forth like a caged rat. He had cursed almost every word in the dictionary, yet there was still no sign of Thup coming out. He wondered whether a ghost had already terrified Thup to death.

"Why hasn't he come out yet?" Singha checked his phone. Less than two minutes left until the time limit, and he didn't hesitate to storm into the house. The ringing phone diverted his attention from the house.

"Yes?"

[Any progress?] Sei asked, sounding weary.

"Yes. I've got preliminary information on the suspect. Uncle Keun is also on the list. 

The ghost Thup encountered is named Chaba, who was the wife of one of the suspects, Isoon."

[Isoon? Why does that name sound familiar?]

"Let Lieutenant Khem investigate it. How are things over there?" [Chaotic.]

"The villagers are angry because we detained the abbot, right?" [Yep, King made a big scene capturing the abbot while the villagers were still at the temple.]

"And where is he now?"

[Back at the temple. After questioning the abbot, he learned that Uncle Keun had a criminal record and was in prison. When he got out, he had to stay at the temple because his wife and kids rejected him; he had no family. And with the information you provided, he went back to investigate Uncle Keun at the temple.]

"And the abbot?"

[In custody. By the way, Singh, we haven't been able to contact Lieutenant Khem.]

"Have you asked Sergeant Prom to try?"

[Singh, no one has seen him since yesterday afternoon. They checked his house, but he didn't return. They think he's stuck at the station.]

"Send a search team to find Lieutenant Khem. I should be back tomorrow because things are getting really messy."

[Alright, I'll check on a kid named Dear.]

"Wait. Do you remember Lieutenant Khem's birthday?"

[Huh? No, but I'll ask Sergeant Prom.]

Singha stayed on the line, looking at the house again. The door opened, and Thup emerged, making Singha feel relieved. But as Thup got closer, Singha's relaxed expression turned into a frown. Thup's face was pale, and his hands were covered in blood, dripping onto the ground. It was a stark contrast from when he went in.

[Singha, are you listening? Lieutenant Khem was born on a Thursday. Singh! All seven days-the list is complete, Singh!!]

"Take care of the target. I'll be back in no time. Bye." Singha hung up and threw the phone into the car just as Thup reached him. His face was so pale it seemed devoid of blood, but a forced smile slowly appeared on it.

"Sorry... for being la-" Before he could finish his sentence, Thup's consciousness faded. He collapsed into Singha's waiting arms, his sharp features resting against Singha's broad shoulder.

"Thup! Thup!" Singha carried Thup to the car and sped to the hospital. While driving, he examined Thup's hands, finding long cuts with blood still seeping out. He had no idea what had happened inside.

At the police station, chaos reigned with protesters demanding the abbot's release and the search for Lieutenant Khem. Sei rushed into the infirmary, relieved to see Darin still sitting by Dear's bed.

"What's wrong?" she asked, seeing her friend out of breath.

"Lieutenant Khem went missing."

"What?! Maybe he took a trip with his family?"

"No one has seen him since yesterday afternoon. Most importantly, Lieutenant Khem was born on a Thursday."

"Complete... The list of seven days is now complete, isn't it?" Darin said with a trembling voice. "So now it's just a matter of when I'll disappear, right, Sei?"

"Stay here, lock the door, and don't let anyone in. Got it?" Sei opened another room's door to check on Jump, who was still sleeping with his arms restrained. If the abbot was the culprit, he couldn't do anything since he was also in custody, unless they had the wrong suspect. "I'm going to check on Bom. He should be in his room. Be right back." 

Sei rushed out of the infirmary, making sure to lock the door from the inside. The targets were all identified; the only thing left was for the perpetrator to take action. No, the action had already been taken.

When he reached Bom's temporary room, Sei quickly opened the door and found the room in disarray, with Bom nowhere to be seen. A piece of paper, written in bright red liquid, made him curse under his breath. He grabbed his phone to call the person handling the case next to Singha. While waiting for the call to connect, he stared at the paper in his hand.

Friday. Friday.

[Yes?]

"Lieutenant Khem is missing, and so is Bomb."

"Wasn't that kid a target?"

"Yes, I'm checking the CCTV. Come back here immediately!"

[Uncle Keun is gone.]

"What?!"

[We found a sum of money in a closet. There was embezzlement at the temple, as Uncle Ken managed the accounts. He likely transferred money to a kid named Nai to destroy the cars in the junkyard. Nai, needing money for drugs, accepted. Also..]

"Also, what?!"

[We found Song's body in the bathroom, identical to the first seven victims. Seven dolls were also placed in the storage room. You need to come here.]

"Damn it!" Sei cursed and pressed his tongue against his cheek, trying to calm down. He ran back to the infirmary. "Darin, open the door. It's me."

The tightly shut door opened swiftly. Darin looked at her close friend through a veil of tears, making Sei hesitant to share any updates, especially the discovery of Song's body, one of the seven victims.

"Wh-where are you going?"

"King called me to recheck the site. Stay here and don't open the door for anyone. I'll have officers guard you. Understand?"

"Wh-What about the kid named Bom?"

"Probably nearby. I'll be back soon." Sei patted her head reassuringly.

After settling Darin, Sei went to the IT department to review the CCTV footage. It showed Lieutenant Khem at his desk in the morning. Going out for lunch with colleagues, but not returning. Today's footage showed Bom checking on Dear, then returning to his room anxiously before the camera cut out. Every ongoing issue here frustrated Sei immensely.

"Sergeant Prom, Singh asked me to tell you to guard the infirmary. Don't let anyone unfamiliar in."

"Yes, sir."

After ensuring everything was secure, Sei drove to the temple alone. He had arranged everything for everyone, but had forgotten that there was more to worry about than just the killer.

While driving, Sei held a pill bottle. It was unmarked. If he tried to look inside, he would be able to identify the pills inside. As he balanced the wheel with one hand and opened the bottle with the other, laughter started to echo from the back seat. Sei froze, glancing at the rearview mirror. He had forgotten...

Forgotten that once away from the infirmary with the statue of Lord Wessuwan, the ghost would return....

Crash!!!!