Goddess Bless You From Death

Case File 43.

Singha pushed his tongue into the side of his cheek to quell the irritation. Why did people who tried to live ordinary lives have to die so quickly, while those who lived as if they had stolen someone else's life seemed so hard to kill?

The flames began to consume the haystacks and the decayed wooden walls. These excellent fuels accelerated the fire's spread. Bom watched his father's severely wounded body burn bit by bit through his tears, then looked up at Singha with a vengeful glare.

"Because of you! Everything happened because of you!"

"You're just as good at blaming others as you are at acting to deceive the villagers."

"This time, I'll make sure you're dead!"

"And this time, I'll shove my foot down your throat, you little jerk!" Bom charged at Singha head-on, lacking any skill. The young inspector dodged and kicked Bom in the stomach, sending him crashing to the ground. Singha's eyebrows knitted together as his excessive movement caused the severe wound on his abdomen to reopen.

Bom breathed heavily before forcing himself up and charging at Singha again. He swung his leg. But the inspector managed to block it with his arm. Singha then punched Bom in the face, causing blood to pool in his mouth. However, Bom had lost his sanity. He showed no signs of pain. The ritual had failed, his father was dead, and he was about to be arrested. Bom had nothing left to lose.

The thick smoke made it harder to see and breathe. The fire spread, intensifying the heat. Singha bit his lip slightly as pain coursed through his body. A glance at his abdominal wound revealed that the bleeding had resumed due to the intense muscle movement.

Outside the mill, police cars and ambulances were lined up. Thup and Mek handed the injured over to the medical team before collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.

"Damn it! I thought we wouldn't make it," Mek grumbled as usual.

"P'Singh hasn't come out yet."

"He'll come out. He's probably checking on the survivors."

"What should we do next?"

"Just like always. Prosecute the remaining individuals, investigate every related case, and follow all applicable legal procedures. Singh will have his hands full."

"Let me check your condition," said two paramedics as they approached the two. 

As Thup was about to extend his hand, he noticed smoke billowing out from the mill's roof.

"Wait.." Thup refused treatment and stood up to get a clearer view. "It shouldn't be smoking... Mr. Mek!! There's a fire!!"

"What!?" Mek jumped up from the ground and looked at the same spot the younger man had. "Call the fire department!!! Call them now!!"

He turned to the officers preparing to enter the scene. Sparks were beginning to show, indicating that the situation inside was even worse. The old mill was primarily made of wood, and the hay inside only fueled the fire's rapid spread.

"P'Singh hasn't come out... He hasn't come out yet!"

"Calm, do-hey!! Where are you going!? Come back!!!"

Thup ignored the shouts behind him. In his mind, there was only one thought: Singha hadn't come out yet-he was still inside! On one side, a police officer and a criminal were grappling on the ground, exchanging punches without holding back. While Singha landed a punch on Bom, causing his cheekbone to fracture. Bom, grabbing a burning stick, struck Singha's side, knocking him down as well.

"You think you're so tough? If ghosts can't harm you, I'll do it myself!" Bom, straddling Singha's body, saw the pained expression when he pressed down on his waist. His face was covered in blood and wounds. Revealed a cruel smile. "Oh, this is the spot!"

"Ugh!!!" Bom repeatedly hit Singha's old wound, pain shooting from his toes to his brain. Singha bit his lip until it bled before mustering his strength to punch Bom's face, breaking his nose.

"Ouch!! Damn! It hurts!!" Bom, clutching his nose, grabbed a nearby stick and pointed it at Singha, who had just managed to stand up. "Let's see what kind of ghost you'll become if you die."

"A ghost that...you wouldn't want to meet!"

Singha spat blood onto the ground. The two eyed each other warily before Singha advanced on Bom. Bom raised the stick over his head, ready to strike, but Singha broke it in half with his bare hand and kicked Bom squarely in the chest. The young inspector stood over Bom, looking down with such a cold, menacing gaze that Bom shuddered. Singha's foot lifted and stomped repeatedly on Bom's chest, causing excruciating pain that made him nearly cough up blood. It was unlike the strength of a wounded man; it felt like the power of a giant ready to take his life.

As the scorching flames drew closer, Singha stopped. Seeing that Bom had lost consciousness, he backed away and collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. The air was filled with toxic smoke, and the pain throughout his body turned to numbness. His vision blurred, making everything indistinct. Just as he was about to fall, a pair of hands caught him.

"P'Singh! Hold on, please!"

The familiar voice prompted Singha to try to open his eyes again. His vision was so blurred that he had to touch his face to confirm it was real. "You puppy, ugh."

"It's me, Thup." Thup tried to keep his brother conscious. Blood flowed from Singha's stomach, prompting Thup to remove his shirt to press on the wound. He looked around for a way out. When he had run in, the fire had not yet reached the front, but now the way was engulfed in flames. 

"P'Singha, don't fall asleep! Let's get out of here!"

"You. ugh...go.. away.."

"Wait here, okay? Just wait a bit." Thup gently laid Singha down.

He walked around before tearing his shirt and soaking it in the water used for ghost offerings, then covered both their noses with it.

"Get... out."

"Can you stand?" Singha looked at the fire spreading everywhere and then at the person holding him.

"Get.. lost..."

"Stop it!!" Thup snapped, his voice shaking. "I'm going to get you out of here, no matter how many times you tell me to leave. I won't go until you're safe. Right then, you can chase me away!"

Singha chose to swallow the blood in his throat before laughing softly. Since when did this little puppy dare to raise his voice at him?

"Stubborn."

Thup looked around for an exit and saw wooden bars that had been burnt to the point where they could see outside.

"I'll be right back." Thup gently placed Singha down again before running to find something hard to break the wooden bars and create an exit. While searching, he kept glancing at Singha, aware that the blood loss and smoke inhalation put his brother's life in grave danger.

Thup ran to Lieutenant Khem's body, respectfully paying his respects before removing his shirt to cover himself. He walked to the spot he first noticed, looking determined, and ran headlong into the weak wooden wall. The initial impact caused only minor damage to the bars. Thup stepped back to gather himself again. Despite being scalded on his arm, he didn't stop. He took a deep breath to focus and ran into the wall again.

"I made it!!!" The wooden wall broke enough for someone to pass through. Thup quickly ran back into the mill to drag Singha out. The ceiling, now fully engulfed in flames, began to collapse in a dangerous manner. Thup supported Singha and walked him to the exit, but just before they stepped out, a hand grabbed his leg.

"I won't..let you.. go." Thup looked down at the person clutching his ankle. All the chaos and ruined lives stemmed from the greed and superstition of two people. 

Thup kicked Bom's chin before leading Singha out without looking back. The fire engulfed the mill, lighting up the night sky. Hundreds of crows circled above, signalling, according to belief, the release of black magic from its user.

The young man immediately ran to get Mek and the medical team to look after Singha. He stood by as the doctors and nurses checked on Singha. The police and firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control. Regardless of who approached him for inquiries or checks, Thup ignored them all because...

"No pulse!!" Because the person he cared about most was unconscious right in front of him.

The medical team performed CPR and administered first aid, successfully getting Singha into the ambulance. Thup insisted on riding with him. Mek, who was in the best condition, reluctantly took charge of the situation. If not him, there was hardly anyone else left capable.

On the way to the hospital, Thup held the unconscious man's hand, constantly watching the heart rate monitor. Though he wasn't knowledgeable, he knew a normal person's heart rate shouldn't be this low.

"P'Singha, please stay with me! Don't go anywhere! I have nobody else!" Thup sobbed, tears falling down his smoke and wound-covered cheeks. "You have to wake up to chase me away... Otherwise, I really can't leave."

The ambulance arrived at the hospital. Singha was rushed to the ICU, as were Darin and King. Thup stood dazed in front of the door, staring blankly.

"Thup," a voice called from behind, making Thup turn slowly.

"P'Sei."

"Go get your wounds treated first."

"But.."

"Do you want Singha to see you like this?" Sei was sitting in a wheelchair. He had heard from the police reporting the situation that lives were saved from the massacre, but didn't specify who. Seeing Thup in front of the ICU, he figured one of them must be his close friend, Singha. Sei sighed as he saw the young man follow a nurse for treatment.

Even in his current state, Thup had numerous burns and external wounds. He couldn't bear to think how severe his friend's condition was. Sei sat vigilantly in front of the room for hours, hoping the doctor would come out to announce that his friend was out of danger and safe.

Thup sat as the nurse tended to his wounds. Her words were like whispers he could barely hear. His mind wasn't there at all. He was scared, too scared to sit in front of that room, afraid he would see his brother's spirit drifting away. He feared that this parting would be without farewell, like so many in his life.

"The wounds on your hand and shoulder need stitching."

"Okay."

"You might need further internal examination."

"Okay."

Once his wounds were properly treated, Thup was being wheeled out for a thorough checkup when he glimpsed Singha walking past the corner. Thup immediately stood up and ran after him, ignoring the nurse's shouts. In his life, he never thought he would run towards a ghost or spirit due to his fear of them. But he had run towards his mother at the mill for the first time, and now he chose to chase what he saw for the second time.

When he reached another intersection in the hallway, he found only emptiness. He might have imagined it; it could have been someone else, or maybe it wasn't who he thought. Thup decided to run back to the ICU. Seeing Sei still sitting there, he rushed over.

"P'Singh... has he come out yet?"

"Not yet. That brat Bom just got wheeled in a moment ago."

"And.."

"King has been moved to the recovery room. Rin is out of danger but needs to be monitored." Sei paused, shifting his gaze from the door to the boy in front of him. 

"Singh's heart stopped beating once."

Thup's eyes burned, his throat went dry, and his hands trembled until he clenched them together.

"Singha's condition is critical, Thup. He inhaled a lot of smoke. His wounds are severe. He lost a lot of blood, and his heart stopped."

"No, P'Singh will be okay. He's so tough. He's.." Thup shook his head vigorously and wiped the tears streaming down his cheeks with the back of his hand. "I really want to see P'Singh. P'Singh, where are you?"

Thup collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably, unashamed of anyone around. Only two people remained waiting there. One was a friend of over ten years, and the other was a boy whom I met by chance, stayed with by chance, bonded with by chance, but loved unconditionally on purpose.

Inside the operating room, chaos reigned as the team worked desperately to save the person on the table. Another blood bag was hung, and various tools were expertly handed to the surgeon. They were doing everything they could. Now it was up to the person lying there to fight.

Singha found himself looking around a familiar house. He walked over to a picture on the wall and saw it was a family photo. Everyone was smiling happily.

"P'Singh," a small girl's voice called, drawing his attention.

"Maysa?"

"You're late again, brother. I've been waiting for so long. You need to come play with me," Maysa said, taking his hand and leading him outside. The riverside village was just as he remembered it, but devoid of people, which made Singha frown. 

"You need to push me on the swing too."

"Where are Mom and Dad, May?"

"I don't know where Dad is, but Mom hasn't come yet."

They arrived at a small community playground. Maysa sat on the swing, smiling widely at her brother standing in front of her. Singha sighed fondly. Whenever he came home late from school, she always made him push her on the swing like this.

"You've grown so much, Brother."

"You're the one who hasn't grown at all."

"Are you happy? Are you eating well?"

"I guess so," Singha replied, then suddenly became aware. He looked at his hands gripping the swing's chains and then at his feet, which were larger than they should be. "Maysa."

"Do you miss me?"

Singha paused before squatting down in front of his little sister. He gently cupped her round cheek with his hand and answered the question she wanted to know.

"I miss you. I miss you so much." He had grown because he was living, while Mesa remained the same size because she had stopped living since that day. "I'm sorry. May. I'm really sorry. I was a terrible brother."

"There, there, don't cry, Brother. I'll share my doll with you."

"I'm sorry, really sorry," Singha sobbed, holding her small hand against his cheek, crying like he hadn't since the day she left.

"It wasn't your fault, Brother. I never blamed you."

"If I had listened... if only I had listened to you.."

"You always listened to me. You checked under the bed for me every night. You pushed the swing for me because I said I didn't want to be alone." Maysa smiled at her brother, showing her small dimples. "You always listened, P'Singh." Maysa gently stroked his cheek, comforting him before getting off the swing.

"I have to go now."

"Where are you going? Can I come with you?" The little girl pretended to think, then shook her head vigorously.

"Mom said we'll meet again someday. You can come find me then."

"But.."

"You have to eat well, okay?" Maysa hugged her brother's neck for the last time and kissed his cheeks, as she always did. "I love you, P'Singh, and I love Mom and Dad very much."

Singha watched his sister's broad smile before everything became so bright that he had to close his eyes.

The ICU door opened, and the doctor who had been treating the patient walked out with a more relaxed expression. Sei and Thup, who had been waiting anxiously, stood up simultaneously, their hearts racing. Thup bit his lip until it bled, but he didn't feel any pain. What hurt more was the pain in his heart at that moment.

"The patient is out of danger now."