OOPS! MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS: BOOK 1.

The Eighth voice: [Jinna]

‘Be careful'

 

Suddenly, I heard the sound of the moon in my head. It was like a notification from somewhere, and every time I heard it, something bad would happen to the people around them who were involved in the incident. That person is likely to be unforeseenly harmed or injured in an accident.

 

The first time I heard that sound was when one of the temple apprentices, who was considerably taller than I, climbed up a tree to prune a branch. As he was about to climb up the tree, I suddenly heard the moonlight in my head. Looking for the source of the sound, I saw nothing but emptiness. Soon after, there was a loud commotion, and the temple attendants rushed towards the sound of painful groans from someone who had fallen from a height. At the time, I ignored that incident because I was a child, but another event made me realise something.

 

I possessed a unique intuition. As a temple boy, I had to accompany Luang Da to religious ceremonies. Once, I accompanied him on a religious engagement. That day, I heard the moonlight again and had a premonition. I walked over to tell the host's son, but all I got was a puzzled look and laughter. I tried to warn him to be careful, but the man just patted me on the shoulder and smiled. But soon after, it really happened. The man was in an accident and suffered the same injuries.

 

'Why would you do that?' The Venerable Monk asked me that day.

 

'I hear the moonlight from somewhere.'

 

'What's that sound, Jin?' He asked in a kind voice.

 

"That man will be in danger, Luang Da. At first, I heard the word 'be careful.' When I went to warn him, I heard the word 'come,' repeated many times in my head.”

 

"My child, some things are beyond our authority."

 

"But I really did hear it."

 

"...Help him as much as you can, Jin, but never interfere with anyone's karma," the Venerable Monk taught me.

 

"Some things we can only help with to this extent. It's beyond our power. Remember, my child, never try to defy fate. Knowing the future is not good; it's going against nature. If you interfere with or change anyone's destiny, the karmic consequences will fall upon you."

 

I can help if it's a warning to 'be careful,' but whenever the word 'death' pops into my head, I can't do anything. Knowing the future isn't good, as the monk said, because it makes humans greedy and want to possess happiness all the time. No one wants to face separation and loss. I feel the same way. I tried going against nature once, and it was the only time I did it. The result was pain. I sighed heavily and rubbed my knee.

 

One side was injured and has been out of action for a year. I smirked at my own actions before sighing. For a fleeting moment, I pictured someone's surprised expression.

 

"How did you know something was going to happen to my mother? How did you know?"

 

The questioner's face was filled with bewilderment and doubt, but I didn't answer because I wasn't sure if they could accept my answer. My special abilities are supernatural, and I didn't want to see their disbelieving expression. I didn't want to be seen as an oddity in the eyes of others. For this reason, only a few people know about my supernatural abilities, and those people are my closest friends. But it seems this secret has aroused suspicion in Ai Dang's treacherous close friend.

 

"He can stand there smiling all alone, too."

 

I turned to face the source of the voice and saw Beam grinning, his eyes crinkling, making a teasing face at me. I couldn't resist reaching out and playfully shaking his head.

 

"What's so strange about that?"

 

"That's strange. You're standing there smiling so happily. Why? Where did you get such a good mood from?"

 

I shrugged and didn't answer.

 

"So, how did it go helping to prepare for the Andaman event today?"

 

Beam changed the subject when he saw that no matter how much he pointed it out, I wouldn't answer.

 

"Lots of people"

 

After football practice, I went to help Anda's family prepare the venue for the religious ceremony after the forensic examination of Anda's body was completed. Tos, Art, and I helped prepare the hall. Since both Anda's father and brother were influential figures, and Anda himself was a famous actor with many friends in the industry, meticulous preparations were necessary. Everything was normal at the event except for the moment when my mother, Anda, hit my father while sobbing loudly. I recalled that incident. Then I could only sigh. If Anda were still here, everything would be better.

 

"It's all your fault! It's because of you that you hurt my son’s feelings! Hmph, you and Uncle Itthi are the cruellest! You two are the reason Anda tried to end his life."

 

"Mom, please calm down. Don't hit Dad like that."

 

"Itti, don't interfere. Itti, you're another one who says hurtful things to my son. Hmph, you're cruel. Why did you do that to him?"

 

'I'm sorry.'

 

'Give Anda back to me, give me back my son, give me back my child, Anda, oh, Anda, my son!'

 

"Mom, please calm down."

 

I remember during the commotion, I tried to stop Anda's mother from hitting her father and brother. "Jin, Jin, take Mom out of here. She doesn't want to see these cruel people. Take her away!"

 

"Please calm down, Mom."

 

"Anda, Anda, why did you do this, my child? Why did you leave your mother like this? Hmmm..."

 

The situation calmed down a little afterwards. It was fortunate there wasn't a swarm of media; otherwise, it would have been big news. I understand that Anda's mother must have been very upset and angry at her family as well. At that moment, I saw the faces of Anda's father and older brother and felt sorry for them. Both their eyes were red and swollen, their faces filled with pain. The father silently wiped away tears, while the older brother bowed his head, his shoulders slumped like a defeated man. No one is without sorrow over this loss. This pain is a huge wound for those who remain. 

 

It was getting late, so I excused myself to go home, thinking Anda's family probably needed to rest. On the way back, I stopped to pick up Beam since it was on my way home.

 

"What were you smiling about just now?" Beam kept pestering me with questions, still clearly suspicious.

 

"Normally you're not the type to meddle in other people's affairs..." Beam made a face like a prince.

 

"Saying 'I'm being nosy' directly hurts less." I let out a smile before reaching out and playfully slapping its forehead, causing its pale face to immediately frown.

 

"We're just worried."

 

"Worried?" I furrowed my brows.

 

"Since Anda left, I've seen you looking stressed every day. This is the first time I've seen you smile," Beam said seriously. "When you smiled just now, Anda's face..."

 

"It's like playing football."

 

"You're exaggerating."

 

"Don't beat around the bush. What were you smiling about just now?"

 

"Nothing," I shook my head again.

 

"Oh dear, it's easy to guess who's in a good mood these days."

 

"Who?" I pretended to ask.

 

"He's a friend from the faculty next door," Beam winked at me. "We've been good friends for a long time, and then we just clicked." He smirked teasingly.

 

"I've never been nice to anyone, you know that."

 

"Yes, you’ve been watching him for a while."

 

I ignored him.

 

"If you like him that much, why don't you just really ask him out?" Beam asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why pretend to flirt with him?" I sighed heavily.

 

"You talk too much, Beam."

 

"You're changing the subject again." Beam sneered before falling silent. He looked like he was about to say something, and I could sense it.

 

"What's up?"

 

"Today..." he mumbled, hesitant to speak directly, "The lawyer uncle came to your house again. You left early this morning. He came when you went to school with Thiw."

 

I sighed deeply. "Why don't you tell him to go away? I have nothing to talk to him about."

 

"Jin"

 

I made a displeased face.

 

"You should talk to him about this, Jin. Maybe your grandmother..."

 

"It doesn't concern anyone at all."

 

"I have no relatives, Beam. I never have, and I never will," I said firmly. "If you guys see him again, tell him to stay away from me. I have nothing to do with him."

 

Beam sighed and frowned, so I shrugged and handed him a helmet. Beam agreed, muttering something under his breath.

 

"Beam"

 

"Huh?"

 

"Were there any problems at work today?"

 

Beam looked startled, glancing left and right, his eyes darting around like someone hiding a secret.

 

"No."

 

"Did a customer ask for your phone number?"

 

"Jin", I burst out laughing when I saw how startled he looked.

 

"How did you know?"

 

I smirked. "It's a male customer, isn't it?"

 

It immediately bared its fangs at me, before pursing its lips tightly and making a face at me. I shook my head. It's not surprising, considering how cute he is. He's the type who wins people over easily. But he probably won't be interested like before. Besides work and studies, where else would Beam be interested in romance?

 

I straddled the motorbike with Beam following behind. I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Beam turning to smile at the air. Smiling excitedly again, that sight made me burst out laughing because I heard a voice in my ear saying...

 

"Drive home safely, son."

 

I mumbled a thank you to the owner of that voice, the same voice that told me Beam had been asked for his number by a customer at the shop. I don't know how the customer managed to get it. It has won the affection of the mysterious creatures residing in the restaurant where it works, to the point that they even look after it like this.

 

I arrived at the rented house almost at midnight. Besides Thiw's motorcycle, there was also Art, my close friend, in a fancy European car parked in front of the gate. I slowed down and had Beam get off to open the gate before I carefully drove the bike into the driveway. When I went inside, I saw two of my close college friends, Tos and Art, sitting around drinking with Thiw.

 

"Why are you so slow?"

 

Tos raised the amber-colored glass in his hand to greet me. I nodded in acknowledgement. Earlier at the Anda event, we had arranged to sit and chat at my house today, which was normal because my close friends sometimes liked to hang out there on weekends. They've become quite close to Thiw and Beam. Actually, sometimes Thiw and Beam's college friends also come to stay here.

 

It's midnight now. I slumped down next to Tos. He slid his glass of alcohol over to me, so I took another sip. Meanwhile, Beam put the snacks I bought on a plate.

 

"Why did you finish work so early today?" I turned to ask Thiw, who was sitting there scratching his guitar. He turned to me and shrugged.

 

"The shop is closing early today."

 

I frowned when I noticed a bruise near his eyebrow, as if he'd been in a fight, but I didn't want to pry or ask questions. If he wants to tell me, he will tell me himself.

 

"So, how did work go today? I was going to stop by the temple to help out, but I couldn't get away from the shop," Thiw asked. Honestly, I think he changed the subject because Beam, who came back with a plate of snacks, had a furrowed brow, looking puzzled by the bruise on his forehead.

 

"There were so many people, I got tired from walking and helping them," Tos spoke up.

 

"Tomorrow, Beam and I will go to the funeral service," Thiw said, before turning to nod at Beam.

 

"To be honest, I feel sorry for Kumbh." Art spoke up, and his words made Toss, and I exchanged silent glances. 'Brother Kumbh, ' he was referring to, is Anda's boyfriend, the captain of the airline.

 

I understand why Art felt sorry for Kumbh. At the event, Anda's family, especially his father and brother, acted indifferent towards Anda's lover, treating him like an outsider. Only his mother welcomed him, and even though his father and brother allowed him to attend out of respect, he was treated more like a guest than a close friend. I knew that their families didn't accept their relationship, and Anda's sudden death left the rift between his lover and his family unresolved. That's why everything turned out this way.

 

"Do you think…" Tos asked, "Is Andaman really committing suicide?" I shook my head because I didn't have an answer to that question myself.

 

"The day before it broke, everything was perfectly normal."

 

Art raised a question.

"Before that, he had a dinner date with P'Kum. He was even bragging about getting to have dinner with his boyfriend because P'Kum is rarely free. I didn't want to believe it. Also, today I overheard Anda's parents talking about keeping his body for a while after the seven-day funeral rites are complete."

 

"Why?" Beam asked.

 

"Didn't you hear the news?"

 

"What news is that?"

 

"News has leaked out that Anda's autopsy results revealed abnormalities."

 

I sighed deeply because I heard from Anda's mother that the family had decided to keep Anda's body for now because they have doubts about the cause of my friend's death.

 

Anda's father is a prosecutor, while his older brother is a high-ranking police officer. Naturally, both have significant connections and associates, raising suspicions. The death led to a deeper investigation into the truth.

 

"Is it possible that it didn't commit suicide?"

My best friend's words made me exchange glances with Beam and Thiw.

 

"But I don't want to believe that P'Kum is the culprit."

I shook my head.

 

"Perhaps it was a misunderstanding."

 

"But Aquarius was the first to find Anda's body dead in the car, and the autopsy revealed injuries to his face," Tos questioned.

 

"He took sleeping pills and left the car running. He might not have meant to, you know how risky it is to leave your car running while you sleep." Yes, because Anda died from suffocation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

"Also, the car was locked from the inside. Andaman started the car and locked it from the inside. That means it was either intentional or maybe they're just used to doing it when they're in the car."

 

"Then he accidentally locked the door, plus he took sleeping pills, so he slept so deeply that the incident happened."

 

I sighed deeply, listening to my friends analyse the situation before speaking up.

 

"If it really wanted to take sleeping pills to rest, why wouldn't it go up to its room, take them, and sleep? Why would it use a sleeper car?"

 

"That's right."

 

There was some mumbling.

 

"Unless it's actually planning to harm itself."

 

"Whatever the case may be, in the end, it's really gone from us."

 

"Even today, I still think he's skipped school to film a drama." Art spoke softly, his expression so sombre that I couldn't help but reach out and gently pat his head. Everyone's faces were noticeably sad, making the atmosphere quiet. That reminded me of Anda. Often, they would sleep here, and Anda would usually tag along, drinking with them. And it seemed to be a habit for me to leave the seat beside me, the one Anda always sat in, empty.

 

I glanced at the empty seat beside me and sighed, then froze when I heard a sound. I must have imagined it, but I thought someone had called out 'Jin' softly, like a whisper in my ear. I looked around before my gaze returned to the empty seat, realising that the strange sound had come from there.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

[Phodduang]

 

It was almost perfect timing when I glanced at the clock on the wall. My younger brother, who'd asked permission to go to a friend's house to do some chores, still hadn't returned. Luckily, it was Friday. Even so, it was still good. If Satang hadn't called to say he was coming back because his friend's older brother was giving him a ride, I would have just let him stay at his friend's house. It's very late now, but I'm still sitting here waiting for Satang to come back. 

 

In the meantime, I'm watching a series on my iPad and replying to my younger brother on my phone. He asked if I wanted anything because he's going to stop by the convenience store down the street. After replying to my brother, I checked Facebook and stumbled upon a post from a friend with a pale, spotted coat who was tagged in it.

 

The picture showed a simple meal labelled "Late Night Snack." The poster was one of Jin's friends, and they tagged everyone, including Jin. I saw someone wearing a soccer jersey. If I had to guess, Jin's friends must have gathered somewhere. Seeing that, I liked it. But suddenly, a Messenger message popped up on Facebook.

 

Jin.Jinna: Still not asleep?

 

I pursed my lips tightly and stared at the message for a long time, recalling our conversation this afternoon. 'I'll make your heart flutter even more.' The speaker might not be serious, but those words really do make the listener feel uneasy. I wrinkled my nose at the message on the screen, hesitating. I wondered if I should reply, but in the end, I read the message and typed a response.

 

Pp Phodduang: Hmm, I'm watching a movie.

 

I thought that after I replied, our conversation would end there. But then he unexpectedly called me. I was confused, but I went along with it.

 

[What are you guys playing at?]

 

I frowned when I heard Jin cursing at someone. I could also hear his friends' voices on the line. During that time, there was a sound...Every movement seemed to stir.

 

[Hey, are you two going to sneak off to talk privately?]

The sound that's coming through is probably Thit’s.

 

[choose]

I flinched and quickly moved the phone away from my ear.

 

"What the hell?"

I mumbled.

 

[Phodduang]

This time it was Jin's voice.

 

"Huh"

 

[Sorry, my hand accidentally touched it.]

I nodded, thinking, "I knew it wouldn't call this late."

 

"Okay, then I'll hang up."

 

[Since we're already up, Jin, buy some ice at the corner store. We're almost out.] A voice came through the phone; I could tell there were several voices, like they were having a small party. That made me furrow my brows immediately, because I remembered seeing Jin taking muscle relaxants that evening.

 

"Are you drinking?"

[a little]

 

It sounds like it's walking.

 

"Hey, Jin, you took your muscle relaxants today. Don't you dare drive, you bastard!"

 

Muscle relaxants interact with alcohol, causing drowsiness and affecting breathing, even if they aren't taken together. But I don't know, it's probably not advisable to consume alcohol when the body is still not fully developed.

 

(Oh right, I forgot I had taken my medicine.)

 

I sighed. Unlike him, who chuckled softly, this true idiot still chose to laugh. [But I wasn't driving; I walked to the street corner.]

 

"Hmm."

[Are you worried?] It asked in an incredibly irritating tone.

 

"Do you want me to curse you so you'll crawl through a sewer?"

 

Besides causing drowsiness when taking medication with alcohol, it can also slow down cognitive function. In some cases, it can be dangerous and even lead to seizures.

 

He lost his memory. He chuckled softly, and then I thought I heard something fall, followed by a clattering sound, and then Jin's voice faded away.

 

"That jerk Jin"

He didn't actually fall into a maintenance hole, did he?

 

"Answer me."

 

"Is that the mouth of Phra Ruang, huh?" Jin's voice trailed off, making me worried.

"Hey Jin, are you okay?"

 

(No) After a while, it just bounced back [the wind blew the clothesline over].

 

I sighed deeply. I heard it talking to someone, like it was helping to pack things. I have to admit, I was quite startled and worried earlier. What's going to happen to that goose again?

 

[So quiet. Are you surprised?]

I pressed my lips together tightly.

 

(Nothing, I'm just buying some ice. I'll be walking back soon.)

"Yes"

 

[I thought it would be banned]

"what"

 

[You forbid me from drinking alcohol.]

 

"You're out of luck, Jin. If you still don't know how to take care of yourself like this, I don't know what else to say." He chuckled softly.

 

"Especially as an athlete, you should know these things well."

[Phu only drank one glass.]

 

I fell silent.

[And this will be the last glass for today. I just went out to buy ice. Rest assured, I won't be having any more.]

 

"That's your problem."

[you]

 

"What else?" I grumbled irritably, wanting to hang up, but I wanted to make sure it had made it home first.

 

[I can't read one of the words.]

"What word?"

 

[Let me spell it out for you.]

 

I was confused. I didn't understand what the other person was saying. Or maybe Jin was drunk? He's usually not this talkative. I guess alcohol changes people's personalities. Actually, he went from being quiet to talkative. But oh well, let's play with it a little to repay it for saving my mom today.

 

"What's wrong with you?"

[Listen]

 

"Yes"

[How are the letters H, M, Ek, W, and Ngong pronounced?]

 

"Because I'm worried."

 

When I finished speaking, he chuckled softly. That made me realise I'd been tricked. [Thanks for worrying about me.]

 

"Damn it!"

 

Hang up the phone.

I glared at the phone in my hand, feeling utterly cheated. I was annoyed, so I put on my headphones and continued watching the movie. Meanwhile, I glanced at my watch because Satang had messaged me saying he'd arrived at the condo.

 

Just as the movie was heading towards its climax, it seemed to stutter. The image on my iPad screen froze, and at the same time, I heard a faint, crackling sound in my ears.

Signal lost.

I strained my ears to listen to the sound.

 

"Yes... too."

 

"What was that sound?"

 

I grumbled to myself because these headphones have been having a lot of problems ever since I got them from Tum. Luckily, they're still under warranty. If the problems keep happening, I'll have to send them in to Repair. I took the wireless earbuds out, put them in the case, and then took them out again and put them in my ears. This time I heard the sound clearly.

 

"help"

 

I felt a tingling sensation from head to toe.

 

"Help! A beetle!"

 

The clear sound alerted all my senses. The hairs on the nape of my neck and my arms stood on end. I jumped, my heart pounding. I was utterly shocked and panicked.

 

"help"

 

"P'Phod"

 

"Today!"

 

The touch on my shoulder made me cry out loudly. My body trembled so much that my younger brother, who had stopped behind me, was startled by my strange behaviour.

 

"What's wrong, P'Phod? Why are you so pale?"

 

I was breathing heavily. I glanced at the broken, wireless earphones lying on the floor, thrown aside carelessly by me. I wasn't hallucinating. I really heard that sound. I heard cries for help through those headphones.