The Ghost of You

Chapter 2: Breaking The Code of Conducts

Nadech sat at his desk, engrossed in preparing his report when the sound of hurried footsteps caught his attention. He looked up just as Lingling and Milk stumbled into the agency, both visibly battered and bruised. Lingling's face was pale, her hand wrapped tightly around her side as she winced with each step. Milk wasn't in much better shape, blood trickling down the side of her forehead from a wound hidden beneath her hair.

Nadech jumped up from his seat and rushed to their side, concern etched across his face. "What the hell happened to you two?"

Before Lingling could answer, she shot a subtle glance at Milk, silently signaling her to keep quiet about Orm. Milk, understanding the silent message, bit her lip, casting her eyes downward as Nadech's gaze bounced between them.

Lingling forced a weak smile, trying to downplay the gravity of the situation. "Ugh... it's nothing serious. The spirit in that mansion was just stronger than we anticipated. It, uh, threw us around a bit, so we had to retreat and regroup." She spoke casually, though her wince betrayed the seriousness of her injuries.

Milk nodded quickly, jumping in to support the lie. "Yeah, it was pretty intense. We'll need to gather more intel before we can go back. That place is... complicated."

Nadech frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied their faces. He knew Lingling was strong, a seasoned agent who could handle even the most dangerous spirits, but seeing her and Milk in this condition raised alarms in his mind. He wasn't easily fooled.

"You two look like you've been through hell," he said, his voice stern yet laced with concern. "I've seen strong spirits before, but this looks... worse." He eyed Lingling, noticing the way she was clutching her ribs. "Are you sure that's all? You're hiding something, I can tell."

Lingling felt a twinge of guilt gnawing at her. She was breaking the agency's strict code of conduct by keeping Orm a secret, but how could she explain the soul-binding ritual? How could she admit that she'd knowingly tied herself to a ghost, putting both her life and her career in jeopardy? Nadech wouldn't understand—he couldn't.

"Really, Nadech, we just underestimated the power of the spirit. I'll be fine. Milk too," Lingling insisted, her voice a little too casual to be convincing. She glanced at Milk, hoping she wouldn't crack under the pressure.

Milk, still dazed from both the physical and emotional trauma, forced a smile. "We just need some rest, honestly. A few bruises, that's all." She shrugged, but the motion caused her to wince as the cut on her head throbbed painfully.

Nadech sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I don't like this. You should both see the medic. I'll get Yaya to sort you two out. Spirits that strong don't just throw people around without leaving more damage behind. And if you're planning to go back, I need you at your best."

Lingling exhaled, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She nodded, though her mind was already racing ahead, thinking about Orm. "We'll get P'Yaya to examine us," she promised. "But I need to study the case file again. There's something about that house... something we missed."

Nadech eyed her suspiciously. "What are you planning?"

"Nothing reckless, I swear," Lingling replied, her tone softer now. "I just think there's more going on there than we realize. I want to figure it out before we go back."

Milk nodded along, hoping Nadech wouldn't pry any further. "We're just being cautious. We won't go in without a plan this time."

Nadech hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But don't push yourselves too hard. That spirit's no joke, and I don't want to be filling out injury reports for you two."