Chapter 23: Chapter 22: Yak

Darin was among the three young men who were looking at the screen with a serious expression. He still remembered the chilling feeling that went up his spine when he saw those dead animals. Just by looking at them, he knew that it was not a natural death. The more incense sticks he saw scattered across the grounds, the more he realized that this had not happened for the first time.

“Here it is, this is the story of the abbot.” He took out a document and opened it in front of everyone, to read it. “Mr. Anupap, he is sixty-two years old. He was ordained as a priest fifteen years ago with the nickname Phra Amaro. He became abbot of the Khantitham temple five years ago.”

"Five years ago?"

“Well, that's what his record says.”

“It was around the same time that the murders occurred. And before that?”

“Before that, he was a Buddhist monk. “He has a history of having received treatment in a province in the northern region.”

"In the north?"

“Yes, did the previous incident happen there?” King looked at Singha, unable to look away.

“But he is a monk,” Darin said quietly.

“Monks are people. Just because they wear robes doesn't mean they can't make mistakes,” Singha said with a serious face. “At this time we have no evidence linking him to having committed any murder, this clip probably won't be enough. More solid evidence needs to be found.”

“Oh, Sing, I have something else to tell ,” Darin shouted in a worried tone. “Before going to the temple, I dreamed that I saw the ghost of a woman, and she kept saying 'Wednesday, Wednesday' , does that mean I will die? “Will I be like the seven victims who preceded me?”

Singha reached out and gently rubbed Darin's head to calm him down. He knew that his friend was very afraid of ghosts, and seeing him now so terrified, he did not dare to tell him that nothing will happen, because he himself did not really know. Furthermore, I was also not clear why these things were happening.

“Just… during this time don't go anywhere alone. If you're not with me, then stay with Say for now. In the meantime, I'll have people go and guard the temple. Say will analyze the dolls, could you check the CCTV cameras?”

“I'll send you the report when I'm done.”

“Especially check what happens from six to seven.”

“Although the victims may have entered on different days and times.”

“No one came out except Khun Min. That is enough to suspect that it is the work of someone in the temple.”

“King, you investigate what happened to his car. As for the other doll or anything to do with ghosts, I can take care of that myself.”

“August,” King protested with a neutral expression.

“I have to go to the next victim's house. Darin, also take care of the child in the hospital room.”

“But that kid… is also being targeted by a ghost, right?” Darin clung to Say's arm even though his friend jerked out of his grip. “Thup said that guy was talking about Tuesday. Did you hear that?!"

“If these ghosts still exist and cause problems, the investigation will probably go nowhere ,” Say said before lying down on the couch.

“I don't know much about that, but I'll talk to Thup later.”

“Bhuma Vithi!!” Darin shouted as he stood up. He then walked over to a bag he had brought with him, and placed it on the table. His heavy voice made the others immediately turn to look at each other “Buddha statue, cloth talisman, sacred line, holy water talisman! “I brought everything.”

Darin took everything and set it aside before breathing a sigh of relief. He had taken out everything in the house to protect himself from things that couldn't be seen. I didn't know if it would really be possible, but it was better than nothing. At least it's to be calm.

“Phi Sing.”

A voice from inside the room caught Inspector King's attention. King turned to look at him.

"You should relax a little." He said as he went towards Thup.

“I can't sleep,” Thup told him, and sat down next to the older man before looking at the things on the table curiously, “What are these things?”

“Look Thup, this talisman is for you. You will quickly see that it works.” Darin pointed it out to Thup enthusiastically. “I had him blessed everywhere, they will surely work.”

“I don't know about that Phi Darin.”

“Oh?”

“Otherwise, would these things happen to me?” Thup said with a sigh. He looked down, until August laughed in his throat.

Singha stood to his full height before gently ruffled Thup's soft hair. Then he entered the inner room.

In the bed by the window lay motionless a twenty-four-year-old man. After receiving treatment, one of the people was handcuffed. Two people who had not yet been able to return home were sleeping next to the bed.

Singha picked up the phone and dialed the number of one of his subordinates.

“Officer, where are you?”

[I'm ahead, Inspector, calling relatives of the boy named Jump.]

“Were you able to communicate with anyone?”

[I was able to contact him now, he told me that he is in Satun and will return tomorrow.]

“Um, so if it arrives, please let me know.”

[Understood, huh, what about the other two children, inspector?]

"I'll ask first."

[Yes, inspector, another matter. Sergeant Moo and Sergeant Khem had a car accident, and are in the hospital, although nothing serious. As for M, I saw that he was sick. I don't know what's going on these days. The station only has setbacks.]

Singha ruffled his shiny black hair. If this had been before, I would have him say that things are normal or that they are nonsense. But now he wasn't entirely sure. Is everything still normal?

“During this time, everyone needs to take care of themselves.”

[Understood.]

August hung up the phone before going in to check the condition of the person in the bed. He also looked at Bomb and Dear. Who did these kids receive the email from? And what did the sender want to inform outsiders about the case and the place of the incident, even if he had asked better to keep it secret?

…

The young inspector went back out to the waiting room. At that moment, Say and Darin were no longer there. Only Thup and King were left there.

"Damn. Thup come on, I’ll take you home.”

"Yeah?" The young inspector did not repeat it again, and began to walk towards the door, but when he was about to arrive, King grabbed him by the wrist.

“Stay and let's talk ,” he said in a calm voice.

"Tell me."

"Just the two of us." Although there was no overbearing tone, it felt that way.

“I'll go wait outside.” Thup prepared to leave as he didn't want to cause embarrassment to both of them.

“No need,” the older man's voice made the thin legs stop immediately. “If you have something to say, just do it now. I have to go to work."

“Not right now,” King sighed before releasing the wrist of the person in front of him. “But tonight I'll wait for you at my house, if you don't go, wait for the commander's call.”

After saying this, he walked past Thup, bumping into his shoulder angrily.

“This bastard,” Singha pressed his tongue against his cheek to vent his frustration.

“Phi.” Thup grabbed the back of the older man's shirt. He had heard that they would meet at night.

"Come on, I'll take you home first."

"I want to stay with you. Let me go with you."

“What if he hurts you again?”

“I don't want to be alone. At least I could help. Do you know that I can see it, and thus warn you? “Please let me go with you.” Singha turned to look at the young man behind him. The latter looked at him with an expectant face. When he saw the bruise on her neck, he let out a sigh.

“If you will, that's fine, but don't go around alone again. Otherwise, if he catches you, I won’t help you.”

"Yeah." Thup smiled widely before grabbing the older person's arm, walking together towards the car.

…

The two headed towards Orn's house as King had gone to check the friend's house where Orn last stayed and found nothing. Additionally, the friend he stayed with before disappearing also said that Orn had gone home. Therefore, that doll must definitely be in your house.

The luxury car parked in front of a silver iron fence. Inside there is a medium-sized one-story house, but it has its own area. Both Singha and Thup got out of the car.

Just in time, two pairs of black and white four-legged creatures ran out of the house to greet them, but when they saw them, they stopped and started howling.

“No, I don't see anything ,” said Thup impatiently, because he didn't see any ghosts or spirits here. But he didn't know that he could see the dog in front of him. What was it he saw?

“Chu, Nil, stop.” Someone came out of the house and chased the two animals away from the fence and made them run home. “Sorry, these two don't like strangers. Who are you looking for?"

“I am a police officer. I am conducting an investigation and need to ask you some questions about Orn's case. “This is a search warrant.” His previous expression changed, but he opened the fence to let August and Thup in.

“Sorry, my husband is not here today. “It’s probably not a very welcoming environment.”

"It doesn't matter."

“My dear daughter. Tell me officer, when can we recover your body?”

“The autopsy of the body is now complete. I will have someone inform you when the body will be returned so you can perform your ceremony,” Singha said in a calmer voice. Then he asked, “Excuse me, where is Orn’s room?”

“Over there ,” the woman said, pointing to the room at the end of the hallway, “I can't get in yet, so I haven't moved anything. “Everything continues as before.”

“Then, I would like to ask your permission to enter please.”

“Sure, come in.”

August opened the door and entered, followed closely by Thup. There was nothing very special. It is a normal bedroom with everything complete. August watched and explored everything, while Thup stayed in the same place, with an indifferent face.

“Are these things still in the same place? Nobody came to move anything, right?”

“That's official.”

“Then why is this here?” Singha pointed to a book that was on the bed, where it shouldn't be.

“At first there was nothing there. “The only time I came in was to put a glass of water in the room, and I didn’t see anything on the bed.”

Singha looked at Thup, before putting on his gloves to pick up the book and open it. But inside, there were only red pen marks that did not form letters, but were arranged like scratches. Thup stood next to the older man before whispering softly in his ear.

“I didn't see any ghosts.”

"Sure? “So, that means the doll is probably not here.” Thup turned to look around the room again. Before looking at the older man, and nodding in confirmation.

“I would like to keep this book,” Singha turned to Orn's mother who was standing, looking at the front of the room. She nodded slowly, tears rolling down my cheeks.

“Is there an oratory here?” Thup asked in a softer voice. Just losing a child was painful enough, it wouldn't be good to cause him more suffering.

“Oh yes, I have it next to me.”

“Can I go take a look?” When given permission, Thup immediately walked to the side of the house.

The oratory was white and neat, it was located facing northeast, in front of the house, casting shadows to darken it. It was located an inch off the ground. At the top there is a royal shrine, with male and female dolls, an elephant doll, a horse and a dancing doll, standing with flowers and various gifts. Thup raised his hand in worship before looking into the sanctuary.

“With a palace like this, I definitely couldn't enter the house.” He walked until he came across a single large tree. The top of the tree is covered with leaves, but the branches below, looking from one side to the other, were dry and the leaves were withered. Suddenly, Thup's eyes widened as a dark shadow loomed over him, emerging from behind the tree.

The white eyes looked at the image with disgust. The lips that had once broken into a wide smile were now closed. At her bare feet was a doll, its neck broken.

“Thup.” Singha hurriedly approached to talk to him, when he saw him standing in the same place for a long time, as if he were seeing something.

“The doll is there.” Singha followed Thup's finger to where it pointed. Towards the big tree.

“Wait here,” August walked away from the fence without Thup's eyes following him.

In the distance, Singha followed the path until he came to a large, dry tree. He bent down and picked up the doll's body and head and held them in his hand.

A soft breeze passed by him. The leaves fluttered on the ground, as he passed, he saw Thup looking at him with suspicious eyes. How long had it been since he saw that look?

Singha looked again at the Sikban doll in his hand. It had the body of a person and the head of a mahingsa (buffalo). He was a Tuesday Sua Mae, and his name was Yak.