Chapter Text
Est’s breath hitched at his words.
‘What the heck is going on?’
“I am done with the check up, Sir” Aston walked up to him from behind. Est snapped out the daze and glanced at Aston for a good minute.
Come to think of it a lot of things doesn’t make sense in the town
The whispers of someone unknown.
The red pouch everyone so whole heartedly believes in.
Crimes being treated like a daily occurrence, almost like some spam text in your phone.
People saying they feel like it's been forever.
Everyone was forming a foggy feeling in his mind.
Est drove them back to the station. His hands tightened around the steering wheel, holding himself from falling apart.
The possibility of his best friend being alive would wreck anyone.
The memories of his casket arriving at the doorstep came into view. He remembers how 4 years ago, Boom’s mom was gushing about his son’s new job, how Boom was having difficulties settling in a new space and struggling to prepare his own meals. Cooking was never one of the necessary skills for him, he only cooked edible food for survival- nothing fancy or special.
Est and his mom laughed at their old memories during the lunch time when the door bell rang.
It was purely anonymous, Est for the first time came to visit aunty when he became the witness of the bad omen. The officers handed him the documentation of the whole case.
“Midnight murder.” he whispered. He carefully read every line with his trembling fingers, making sure to understand as much as he can. Apparently Boom was found by the graveyard, brutally murdered.
The weapon claimed to be a rusted knife with fingerprints as evidence. The autopsy results felt no doubt. He was killed around midnight 3:30am on October 13th. Surprisingly the killers were found on the scene with him, dead.
The supposed killers were a few thugs about to rob him but fate was not in their favour. Something was very unsettling with the report, they concluded the thugs were the killer, they wanted to rob his belongings and attacked him, but the timings are super off.
The killer died 10 minutes before Boom.
How can they possibly be the killer? And if it’s someone else then where did they flee? Why was this detail not looked and inspected properly?
But between his friend’s grieving mom and the unusual reports, he chose to aid his Aunt first and help her to set the funeral.
The day of your friend's death is something no one wants to anticipate. He had zero time for himself to grieve through that situation. Due to the absence of Boom’s father, Est took the responsibility of Boom’s funeral, arranging everything from the casket to the priest and standing strong at the site to support his aunt. He never had time for himself to cry, shout out his frustration somewhere. He had to endure.
And now thinking that Boom has been here all the time made his stomach unease. Had he forgotten about his family, the incident? Was he some sort of hostage? Was he a victim of something bigger than he could possibly conclude?
Aston stayed quiet the whole ride. Occasionally glancing at the Officer for a questionnaire but it was clear Est was more stressed about other things instead of the case.
When they reached the station Est immediately rushed to the intelligence department to submit the CCTV footage and the autopsy reports while he made calls.
His hands were trembling, feet stomping lightly on the floor as the ring continued to dial. At first the call went on voicemail. The second time the ring was busy.
During the third call someone picked up. “Hello, MediClaims agency on the line. How may I help you today?” A deep voice chimed in.
Est took a deep breath, still overthinking and nervous to hear the answer he had already known, “Hello, Officer Supha speaking from the crime branch. One of your employees is on our suspect list, we would request full information of Mr. Boom Tharatorn ASAP.”
Est maintained his professional tone. Although his heart was racing fast he remained steady and focused.
“Boom? Yeah, he is one of our new employees. We will forward a formal email with the details requested in an hour.”
So it is true.
“Hmm. The email address will be forwarded to this number.” Est muttered before hanging up the call. The silence settled in the room with him.
Everything felt spiralling. What could be the reason? Why did he choose to hide from them all these years? What is his motive?
After an hour the email arrived. Est and Aston made their way to Boom’s residence, an old building with worn out paint, not shabby, just something ominous and stable.
Aston wiped the sweat off his forehead and stared at the front. “This is the address sir,”
Est looked around, clicking the pictures of the building and the name board of residence. He cannot tell what he would say when he meets him.
Maybe ask him how he was doing? Or why did he feel them like that? Or take him back with him?
Every step towards the apartment made his heart beat like crazy. More nauseating thoughts kept looming in his mind as he climbed up. They reached the 2nd floor, room no. 203. Suddenly his mind went blank, palm curled in fist but glaring at the door with hatred.
Knock knock
No response….
Est turned towards Aston who had the same confused expression as him.
Knock knock knock
Still nothing. But his knocking grabbed someone else’s attention.
The neighbouring door opened and an Old lady walked out in a night gown, pissed and tired. “What’s with all this banging?” She wore her glasses and her eyes widened. “Police? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”
Est turned to the lady and offered a polite handshake. “Officer Est Supha from the crime branch. We are investigating the recent killings and your neighbour happens to be the suspect.”
Granny Dani didn’t gasp like how usually people would react to such news. Her face stayed neutral, a hint of concern. “He is not here, he went out a few hours ago but it was not him, officer. He is innocent it’s..” she groaned, fingers rubbing her temples in frustration.
“We have CCTV footage madam. You cannot convince anyone otherwise. He was present at every crime scene and those families had their insurance claim under his name. It is hard to ignore when everything is pointing at him.” Est stated. Yet granny dani stayed determined to object.
“I understand it must be hard to trust me, but Boom is just an ordinary man. It is that bastard who is controlling him. I cannot believe Boom let him in. Ugh kids these days.” Est frowned. Who is controlling Boom? And why? What do they want from him? Before he could ask, Aston jumped in.
“Wait, do you mean…” His voice cracked “that as in him and this suspect.. is the vessel?...”
“Vessel?” Est repeated, looking back and forth between them.
Granny Dani slowly nodded.
“If you really want to get to the bottom of this.…then follow me.”
ACHOO
“What were you saying again, love?” Boom glanced up at the voice, rubbing his itchy nose before he patted his hand over the picnic mat to undo the crease before responding.
“I think I have come here before somehow. It feels quite familiar and…scary for some reason.” Boom’s eyes glanced around the park, he truly feels something is too ominous about this park. They are very far from the city, it took hours to get here. It was initially Aou’s idea to go on a picnic date.
Boom was hesitant at first, going out alone with Aou so far away from the city sounds more anxious than thrilling.
“Must be in your past life,” Aou joked. Boom didn’t think much about it. Not because it sounds absurd but it partially felt true. Not in past life but maybe in past months or something.
But he shrugged at the mere idea, he just wanted to relax today. Instead he turned to focus on the scenery in front of them. They are here by an old lake side with wooden decks. The greenery of the surrounding was truly breathtakingly beautiful, the birds chirped melodiously. The weather was partially sunny, almost windy too. Kinda the ideal weather for a date.
Boom smiled at the scenery, admiring the peace and calm of the surroundings. This was also the first time he stepped out of the city in the last 2 months, safe to say that his uneasiness was shifting to calmness by the second. He carefully pulled out the air tight container packed with boiled noodles along with the packed toppings and sauce pouch.
“Oh..I accidentally packed 2 servings.” Boom slowly mumbled. Being around Aou was pretty normal for him that he mistook him for a human– he is anything but a human. Aou glanced over his shoulder in the container “aww aren’t you the cutest partner ever? Packing food for me..” Aou cooed, resting his chin on his shoulders.
Boom sheepishly smiled, well it is what it is.
“Yeah, I thought you might like to eat. But you are just…something not alive.” Boom’s voice dimmed in the end as the thought slowly sinks in his brain. How weird his life has become.
“It’s okay, Ong lek. I can actually eat it.”
Boom blinked doubtfully. “How exactly? Are you going to carry the food around in your stomach which no longer knows how to function? That’s ridiculous” Boom bursted into a fit of laughter. The thought of an entity eating human food and just carrying around him was too funny to him.
“I think you are forgetting that I have a human body structure. I can in fact eat normal food.” Aou stated.
Boom frowned. Forgetting? Aou never told him about it for him to forget it. He wanted to ask but paused when Aou shifted beside him.
“You can? Can you taste and digest them? Do they give you any sort of energy? Wait- does this mean you can poop too? No wonder the yard is stinky..” Boom gagged, bombarding him with teases, making Aou shut him up with his palm.
Boom whines got muffled under his cold palm and Aou let out a cough.
“Sometimes I forget how talkative you are.” He leaned closer to his face, hand still on his mouth and voice dropped to a hush tone.
“Curiosity is a dangerous thing, knowing too much will eat you alive.” He smiled, somehow malicious like the first time they met. Boom stared back, eyes wide open and the hand still cupped over his mouth.
Aou grinned and pecked his hand, giving an indirect kiss before pulling away.
Boom felt his cheeks heating up. He is quite romantic and cheeky for someone who is not alive.
“Uhm- what does that supposed mean? human structure? like a skeleton and nervous system?”
Aou clicked his tongue at his words.
“Nope. Human structure means I have few similarities with humans.”
He started lazily listing them out loud. “Like I can walk around, people can see me, can feel the temperature, get wet if you throw water at me and then I can blow dry myself afterwards. But there is something different” He paused. Boom blinked curiously.
Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever Aou pulled out the knife from the basket and made a cut on his flesh. “There is no blood in me,”
Boom gasped loudly, the scar on Aou’s wrist was hollow like you made a hole in a silicon sheet. Boom immediately grabbed his wrist, inspecting and furious, “Are you crazy?”
Aou looked amused. “I can feel the pain of scars but… never bleed.”
Boom watched the cut in panic, not knowing how to help or soothe when suddenly the wound began closing itself slowly, leaving a line of cut as the proof of the incident.
He hesitated to touch, yet his fingers reached the scar. It felt like nothing.
“How?” Boom looked at his face for any expression of hurt but Aou had the same grin plastered on his lips, no hint of pain.
“Because this is just human skin. This is not my real form.”
“Don’t do this ever again,” Boom smacked his arm harshly.
“Ouch, that hurts.” Aou winced like a kicked puppy.
“That’s what you get for making me worry over nothing.”
“Aww, you care about me so much,” Aou cooed, leaning in, grabbing his chubby cheeks and pinching them. Boom remained silent and let him coo to his content while his thoughts ran deeper to something more familiar. The more he opens up, a new mystery stands in front of him.
Another thing that caught his attention was the lotus lake in front of them. It was filled with freshly bloomed lotus. Lotus has always been a symbol of purity and enlightenment, looking at one should’ve made him calm but the stillness was unsettling.
“Hey?” Aou nudged with elbow. “I am sitting in front of you yet you keep ignoring me” his tone got whiny and a frown formed on his face. Boom rolled his eyes and continued plating.
The soul-less man beside him kept rambling while Boom’s stomach rambled with hunger too.
They spent the next two hours giggling and bickering about if the spaghetti was over cooked or not.
“Should we go boating in the lake after this?” Boom froze mid bite. Everything in his guts told him no, but when did he ever listen to them?
“Sure..”
Est, Aston and Granny Dani stepped out of the car, glancing at the church in front of them. They both silently followed Granny Dani as she walked to the backside of the church, there was a small door– she knocked 3 times that worked like a passcode. Within a few seconds the door opened.The room inside was dim, lit only by a few scattered candles and sunlight from the mosaic window. The air was thick with candles, heavy enough to settle in the lungs. Before Est could properly take in his surroundings, a voice greeted him.
“I wasn’t expecting you here.”
The priest walked up to them, Est and aston clasped their hands and bowed heads to greet him.
“They are looking for answers, father.”
“I am afraid the church has no logical answer for the police. Unless they are willing to believe in spirituality.” he scoffed, eyeing skeptically.
“I have never seen you before. What are you here for?”
Est knew it was directed to him. He took out the file of cctv screenshots and Boom’s portfolio. “We are investigating the recent murder case and our prime suspect is Boom tharatorn–”
“No. You are not here as an officer. There is something more you seek than cracking this case.” Est’s grip tightened around the file.
“It’s personal isn’t it?”
“Yes..” He took some time, swallowing the uncomfortable lump down “He’s my best friend who died 4 years ago…”
They fell silent, the air got much thicker and intense. The priest’s mouth hung open in shock, granny dani’s knees weakened and she stood with the support of the chair.
“Thank you for your honesty.” he continued, regaining his composure. “Though I’m afraid, everything got more complicated than before.”
Est couldn’t respond to it. He just doesn't know what to say or do. His friend is trapped in a supernatural circumstance and he had no way to find him.
“Please, I don’t know what’s happening or what will happen next but..” His officer mask slowly swept away “I just want my friend back.”
The priest looked at him with pity, his earlier confidence was replaced with fear, he was lost. He wishes nothing more than to help his friend. He nodded slowly. “Then please allow me to tell you a story…”
“This story takes place two hundred years ago, in a time when Siam was opening its doors to the world, forming ties with the French, reshaping its future. In a small town, not far from where we stand now, lived a young man, cheerful and responsible. He used to work in the palace quarter as a servant and rickshaw driver. He was poor but content. He enjoyed life. There was also a young, youthful and naive Prince who befriended the palace servant. His father kept him bound to diplomacy, to duty, to the expectations of the crown. But the prince was stubborn. He found his escape in the friendship. And it only grew strong as the time passed. The prince started to bunk his royal lessons to explore the wonders of the city with the adventurous lad. The servant treated the prince like an ordinary person that made their friendship more natural and….made the present tragic. The servant craved knowledge and literature, he wanted to study. He often tried to read the books the prince carried with him. But he couldn’t.” He took a breath.
“He couldn’t help but request the prince to teach him some, to help him study and learn about the world. The prince agreed without any hesitation. The servant was grateful and vowed to be his faithful friend for eternity and after. Until one wrenchful day.”
Everyone straightened up, “One day, the prince sensed an intruder in his chamber and summoned the guards for inspection. They checked every inch and found out his mother’s sacred necklace was missing. The last belongs to his mother. Along the corner the prince found a leather pouch, the one he gifted his servant friend.” Aston loudly gasped. The tension raised high.
“He marched to his place, demanding answers, feeling betrayed and disappointed but he was determined to get any explanation, to believe this all was a misunderstanding.”
“But the only thing they found at his place was a letter of his parting. He left the city that very night. Years went by and the prince never stopped his research, his life kept moving but the pain never healed. He longed for anything that would prove his innocence. One day, the servant returned, very different and polished. He was immediately escorted to the court for theft and emotional distress he caused the prince. He kept pleading to be understood, kept telling he was being set up yet the necklace remained in his possession. Before the final verdict could’ve been passed, due to unfortunate circumstances…..” the priest had to pause, the words became heavier one after another.
“The man was killed, brutally in the middle of the night. When the city slept peacefully, he was tortured. His body was being burnt enough to be unrecognisable and buried in the same soil where he built his home. They discovered the body hours ago when it was too late…”
The story came to a halt, Aston sniffled slightly, Est remained composure yet his heart clenched painfully.
“They carried out his funeral, and buried his remaining body behind his property and made a cemetery. It was a hot topic in the town, everyone came up with their own version. Someone believing it was karma, someone with empathy started to blame the royal family. And he believed the same.”
“I don’t get it. He was just an ordinary man, if he was truly guilty he would get his punishment either way but death? That’s too much.”
The priest stared at him for a while, “Looks like you are understanding him. What happened to him is truly tragic but what followed is the most terrifying part of history.”
“What could it be? He came back to take revenge and destroy the town?” Est questioned.
“Worst actually.” He glanced at the red pouch in his hands. “Nobody could’ve expected what happened next. He came back, distorted and smoky, his movement slithering like a snake, He slaughtered them,not just the family; But everything tied to them and thousand years of history got blended in the blood pool.”
“The said entity who is still lurking among us is him. Still looking for ways to avenge his thirst and satisfaction. Even when the monks tried to seal him away from the world… he escaped.”
“So you mean to say that your seal broke 75 years ago? Damn; That is a long time, my parents weren’t even conceived.” Boom stated fascinately. Aou chuckled as he plucked out flowers from the bushes, he stood up and saw a tree nearby. He quickly jumped up and effortlessly climbed the branches like a monkey, swiftly plucking flowers. “You have an interesting perspective, love.”
He jumped down with a flower garland made out of fresh flowers he plucked. Boom smiled and lowered his head for Aou to place the garland on his head. “A beautiful crown for my beautiful prince.” Aou satisfyingly hummed, admiring Boom’s beauty.
“It is so pretty, I love it.” Boom's smile widened as he brushed his fingers against the soft flowers. But something snickered in his smile and got replaced with a sly smile, “I wonder how many people you must have made this.”
Aou frowned as Boom started walking in the opposite direction, walking towards the wooden deck by the lake.
“Hey! What do you mean ‘how many?’ You are the only one I made this for–hey!! Stop walking away…” Boom chuckled at his pleas, still walking straight ahead with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Wow, you really want me to believe there was no one else before me? But I clearly remember you had a partner before me.” His tone teasing made Aou whine.
"I told you it was in the past plus they left me… they never wanted me.” His voice dimmed in the end. “There isn't anyone who I love the way I love you." Aou kept whining but Boom didn't stop so instead Aou got an idea. He started sprinting and caught him from behind by his waist.
"Aye that's cheating!!" Boom screamed but Aou didn't care and hugged him tightly. When Boom started wiggling out of his grip he got another idea. Boom was immediately attacked with loud 'mwah' kisses on his neck and jaw or wherever Aou could reach "Stop haha it's ticklish!!” Boom laughed “Aou!!"
“Accept it,” Aou murmured against his skin, still holding him close. “Say you believe me.”
“Okay, okay!! fine!! I believe you” Boom laughed, trying to catch his breath. “Haha Aou, stop!!” Aou only hummed in satisfaction, tightening his hold for a second longer before finally easing up.
“You almost choked me, goodness…” He wiped a tear about to roll down and fixed the garland.
“Mmhmm Sorry, hehe..”
Boom glanced back at his shoulder where Aou kept his chin, eyes sparkling like he could be described as “precious”. The look of some lovesick puppy you see of some typical main leads.
Boom gently slid his hand in Aou’s hair, ruffling the soft locks. “You look so dumb and corny”
“Does that make you happy?”
“Of course..” Aou’s face lit up but then “Not you dumbass. You just look stupid.”
“Aow, that’s so mean,”Aou whined, though the smile never really left his face.
“Come on now, it’s getting dark, let’s go boating and leave for the city.”
Aou reluctantly let go on his waist and intertwined their hands instead. “Whatever my love says~”
They walked to the wooden deck which had 2 boats securely tied. Boom has zero knowledge about rowing a boat, or anything about tying it up. But Aou looked quite experienced, he slowly climbed down on the boat, steadying himself. “Hop on,” He extended his hand at Boom who was too nervous to speak. His stomach was churning yet he couldn’t back out so he accepted.
He stepped down carefully, the boat dipping slightly under his weight. Aou steadied him instantly, one hand firm around his wrist.
“Careful,” he murmured.
Boom nodded, though his attention had already drifted.
The moment both of them settled, Aou untied the rope with practiced ease and pushed them off. The boat glided forward. Boom kept glancing at the deck slowly blending with the scenery, he tried to wave away the nervousness but he couldn’t help and notice how silent the world felt.
“It is so quiet isn’t it?” Aou asked, steadily rowing the boat.
“Yeah..reminds me of your graveyard. So quiet and lonely.”
“Does it? But people can hear your screams here.” Boom frowned slightly, glancing at him.
“…That’s not funny.”
Aou laughed, only he can find his fear funny. “Sorry babe, i just- i just love seeing your reaction.”
Boom didn’t laugh.The boat drifted a little farther from shore.The deck was barely visible now.
“Still,” Boom muttered, looking back at the water, “don’t say stuff like that.”
“Hmm, I love you a lot Boom, that’s why I want to be honest with you. You know we are not a normal couple.”
The weight of Aou’s words hung there but instead of reaching for it,“Your graveyard,” he looked away. “Why is it always so quiet there? Come to think of it. If the graveyard is not for public use, who is buried there?Whose tombstones lie there.”
Aou didn’t answer.
The question lingered in the air, thin and deliberate. Boom kept his gaze on the water, pretending interest in the ripples forming around the boat.
“You…” suddenly the low chirping of the birds stopped as well, what the heck was this supposed to mean? Aou’s eyes darkened.
Boom froze. His gaze slowly turned towards Aou for any hint of mischief. And for a split second he remembered that first day:
(Suddenly in a distance stood a figure by the tombstone. Boom squinted his eyes, trying to read the name only to stare in shock.
Boom Tharatorn written in bold letters. It was his own name. His blood ran cold)
“Aou…What do you mean?” Aou stayed quiet, making Boom more uneasy than before. His mouth went dry and suddenly jumping and swimming to the shore felt much safer right now.
“You think that I remember?” Aou’s tone changed, going back to the playful one. “The graveyard has been there since I died so I don’t know who else is buried there. I didn’t bother to remember them either to be honest.” He shrugged off.
Aou's explanation did not make him feel okay. He just stared at him, contemplating whether to ask or not but then he said it anyway. "Spirits or entities like you only roam on earth for a reason. It can be unfulfilled wishes or vengeance. Which one is yours?"
"Maybe it's both plus love."
"Maybe it's both plus their friendship. He must've expected his friend to save him." The priest muttered. Est stared at the ground, trying to piece together everything yet it felt too much.
“If he just wants to kill everyone then why is my friend under his control? Why is he the hostage?? He shouldn’t be alive. Boom is already the same person who died four years ago. How can this world treat him like an alive human?!?” Est was getting angry. He wants to understand what happened with his friend, not some supernatural tragedy from years ago. What matters is his friend.
"We don't know but Khun," The priest said defeatingly. "But we can find a way. The church came in contact with the monk who was present at the tragedy. They can help us."
"I don't know how much of this is true. Sitting around will give me no answers." He instantly stood up from the chair, making Aston flinch. "I am going to find him and figure it out on my own." His voice dropped low and tired. Est gave one last look at the priest and walked out.