Doctor Demon

"Are you sure this will work?" Hobin frowned. They were back at the scene of the first murder. Jina drew a circle on the ground and placed several candles on it. According to her, even though spirits could not eat food directly, there was a way to feed their souls by putting up offerings.

"The process is simple," she explained as she lit the candles. "I'll do a small prayer and purify the food before offering it to the ghost. Spirits can't just eat anything they want but if they're offered through a small purification ritual, they appear and accept the food. This was done many years ago in ancient times. People used to believe that by offering food to the wandering spirits, it'll bring them luck."

"And these ghosts can digest the food?" Hobin questioned her. He was now doubting every science book he had ever read.

"Well, the food kind of gets absorbed in their soul," she muttered.. "That's what my old man says. But it works!"

The circle was looking like a sort of shrine for the deceased. She took out some plates and put them on the ground. Then she placed a few dumplings on the plate. Pressing her palms together, she began to chant a small prayer.

"Dear departed spirit who is lingering in the midst of the living," she said. "Please accept this small offering."

Hobin sat there, wondering if this would work. This feels really weird, he thought. Will a ghost actually show up?

As if answering his question, a strong breeze passed by, making him shiver. Jina was still concentrating on the prayer when she felt a heavy presence next to her. She opened her eyes and saw an old man in his sixties, staring at the food. He was drooling over the dumplings but was unsure whether to take them or not.

She pushed the plate towards him.

"Please accept my offering," she requested to him. Hobin was now a little nervous because there was no one else but them around.

"You can see me!" the ghost yelped. "And you're...you're really bright! Shining!"

"I hear that a lot," Jina said, feeling shy. "But this food is for you. Please accept it!"

"Is it a ghost?" Hobin whispered. Jina nodded, her eyes still on the kind looking old man who seemed to be a wandering soul.

"Is it okay if I have some?" the ghost asked.

"Please do!"

He was happy and began to eat the dumplings. Jina waited until he was done eating his food. The ghost burped a little and beamed at her.

"Thank you young lady!" he exclaimed. "I was really lonely and sad here! But now I feel really happy. Thank you so much!"

"Mister, what's your name?" she asked. 

"I forgot my name," the ghost said sadly. "But I call myself the Potter! I really love to make pottery so I call myself that."

"Glad to meet you Mr. Potter!" Jina greeted him.

"What's he saying?" Hobin hissed at her. "Is he Harry Potter? The Hogwarts one?"

She threw him a look to shut him up before turning to the old man.

"Mr. Potter, if you don't mind, can you answer a few of my questions?" she asked. "I'm a detective. My name is Jina and this is my partner, Doctor Ohm Hobin. We need your help, Mr. Potter!"

"Can he see me?" Potter asked, curious about Hobin. He was not shining as brightly as the girl but there was a strange shadow around him which was a little...intimidating. Potter gazed at Hobin, wondering what he was.

"He can't," Jina said. Hobin was looking at a spot next to Potter, thinking that the ghost was sitting there.

"He's strange," Potter murmured. He cleared his throat and addressed Jina. "How can I help you?" he asked.

"A few days ago, there was a murder here," Jina said. "The murder of a man and his wife. The woman...she was abused by the murderer and hung up on the trees. Did you by any chance see it happen? Or heard anything that night?"

"You mean the couple who died around the cliff?" Potter asked. He was suddenly shivering in fear as if remembering something very nasty.

"You saw something?" Jina gasped.

"I didn't exactly witness the murder…" Potter began. "But I heard her screams. She was in a very bad state. When I arrived at the spot, she was already dead."

"What about the murderer?" Jina asked. "Did you see him?"

"I didn't see his face because he was wearing a sack over his face," Potter recalled. "But his pants were down and his thing was sticking out. He was drawing something on a tree and then was trying to strangle a kid. I couldn't let him kill the child so I did some quick thinking. A group of teenagers were passing in the opposite direction at that time. I picked up a stone and hit one of them.  They were enraged and began to search for the person who hit them. Thankfully, they stumbled across the crime scene but the half naked guy was gone by then. The kid survived though."

Jina repeated all this to Hobin who sighed. "So we still don't know whom the demon is possessing," he groaned. "Is there anything else that the spirit remembers?"

"There is something strange about the man though," Potter said. 

"What is it?" Jina asked him.

"The man was repeating a name," he recalled. "Ming Jisoo. Yes! He was saying, 'Ming Jisoo, why did you betray me? Jisoo, I love you. Come back.'"

Jina interpreted the statement to Hobin who clapped his hands together. "Of course!" he realized. "Now it makes perfect sense! He's targeting these women because they resemble this...Ming Jisoo!"

"But who is she?" Jina wondered. "Whoever she is, she must be in danger. Or already dead."

"She doesn't seem to be dead though," Potter remarked. "The man was also saying that he will find her."

"You mean that he was searching for Ming Jisoo?"

"I'm certain that he said that."

Jina thought hard. Finally, she told the ghost, "Thank you, Mr. Potter. This really helped us."

"I hope you find the criminal soon, detective!" Potter exclaimed. "The way he killed that woman...it was horrible!"

"We will," Jina promised. "I'll bring you more dumplings from time to time!"

The ghost smiled at her and vanished. Thank god, he is a good ghost, she sighed in relief. Turning to Hobin, she told him what Potter added in the end. 

"We'll have to find her first," Hobin nodded after hearing everything. "Too bad this information can't be shared with the squad. A ghost can't be used as a legal witness."

"Yeah…"

It was a nuisance to hide her powers from the others. Even though Jiwoon knew, Jina did not want to endanger her life again. They would have to exorcise the demon on their own.

"Let's go back home," Hobin suggested. "And think about the case tomorrow. Being sleep deprived isn't gonna help us."

Jina nodded and followed him to the car. A long and difficult road lay ahead of them. 

I hope whoever this Ming Jisoo is, she's safe, she prayed.

….

*Flashback*

Jisoo is nervous. She has been summoned to the Cho mansion. Her grandfather was a friend of the Cho family's head, Cho Mawon. The man is dignified and posh with a haughty yet friendly demeanor. Many years ago, he made a promise with Jisoo's grandfather to wed off his grandson to her. Now that his friend is no more, it is time to make good on that promise.

He studied the girl. She just turned eighteen and is studying at a local college for her degree. Jisoo is trying not to get intimidated but it is nearly impossible. She takes a deep breath and tries to be as polite as possible.

"Are you aware that your grandfather once made a pact with me about marrying you to my grandson, Sungki?" he asks her kindly.

"Yes, sir," she replies.

"Jisoo, you don't have to worry about it," he tells her. "If you think that you don't want to marry him, then I'll not force you."

Mawon means his word. Even though he made the pact, forcing the girl into a marriage all of a sudden is not right. He wants to make sure that she is okay with it.

"I...I will follow my grandfather's decision," Jisoo says. "Whatever the elders have decided, must be right. I am fine with it."

Mawon leaned back. His son and daughter-in-law are protesting but their whining does not bother him. However, he is concerned for Sungki as well. Sungki has been the Top Idol for almost nine years and is the heir to their fortune. Will he agree to the match?

I will talk to him and make the kids meet, he decided. Then Sungki can make a decision.

"I'll talk to my grandson," he said. "Meanwhile, you can continue to live at your dorm. I'll pay for the expenses as promised."

Jisoo bowed to him in respect. Ever since her grandfather passed away, Cho Mawon has taken care of her like a family member. She is truly indebted to him.

"Thank you, sir," she said sincerely. "I will make sure to work hard."

Mawon nodded and Jisoo bid farewell to him. She is walking towards the front gate when she feels as if someone is staring at her. Jisoo turns around but there is no one in sight.

Maybe I'm imagining things, she thought and left the premises.

Unbeknownst to her, someone has his eyes on her. He watches her from above, studying her delicate frame. Her long hair is silky and he wonders how soft it will feel under his touch. There is an innocent vibe around her which makes him want to shield her away from the world. Her smooth skin is enticing him.

A slow smile curves on his lips. She is docile and demure. Just like he likes it. He is imagining all the things he can do to her and she will not even complain. 

After all, he will love her. Forever.

"Ming Jisoo…" he whispers. A sinister smile was carved on his handsome face. He cannot forget the angelic beauty who just left. He must have her.

"Soon, my love," he grins. "Soon."

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