The Cursed and the Wicked

The Reaper and the Outcast pt. 9

A few more weeks have passed in Hyung-Seok's ghost busting training, until Bahati deemed he was well versed to work with her and Jae. Bahati and Jae continued their job of collecting souls, while they trained Hyung. In these past few weeks, they have collected another 30 souls for Jae.

Ever since day one, Hyung showed outstanding performance and it only went up from there. Hyung was a quick learner and easily adapted to what Bahati was teaching him. Bahati was proud and ecstatic that someone, living, was joining her and helping her with dealing with the spirits.

Bahati wasn't one to complain, especially since this is how she earns her living, but it was hard for her, emotionally and physically. She had a hard time asking for help, so she was glad that help just came to her in their own and willingly. What's even more perfect is that, he doesn't want nor expect to be paid for this. Hyung decided and told her that he would do it for free while they worked together and if he did it on his own, would give Bahati all the money he earned. Hyung knew this was how Bahati paid her bills, so he would never take away from that, especially since she didn't earn much. He was just glad to do this and with such great company.

Bahati had a bad reputation around school. Of course Hyung never paid attention to rumors but most of what were said about her was true: she saw ghosts and often conversed with them. However, she wasn't creepy or cold or mean. Bahati was actually sweet, timid and friendly. Hyung was glad to have met and befriended her. He only wished that others would do the same.

It was a Friday evening, and it was Hyung-Seok's first day of hunting ghosts with Bahati and Jae. All that training with them will finally pay with this job.

"So what is our job for the day?" Hyung asked Bahati as she stared at her phone.

Bahati hesitated as she read the email from her client.

Jae noticed the worried expression on her face. "What's wrong?" He asked.

Hyung-Seok heard Jae ask Bahati what was the matter, which was normal for him now, since he was more keen on the sounds spirits make and looked over at her.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked her.

Our next client, is the mother of an old friend of mine who passed away a while ago.

"What?" Both Jae and Hyung asked.

"Actually, the old friend was murdered". Bahati corrected herself.

The two fell silent.

"The murder was never solved and the police decided to quit and close the case up". She said, staring at the email.

Hyung and Jae only stared at her, sad expressions on their faces.

"The mother blamed me for their son's death. She said I brought bad luck into his life. My attraction from spirits allowed an evil spirit to kill her son. That's what she told me".

Jae was starting to get pissed. How dare this old lady blame Bahati for the death of her son like SHE was the one that killed him. Humans were so judgmental and he couldn't stand it. Bahati didn't deserve that.

Hyung however, had sympathy for Bahati. To be blamed for the death of a person that meant so much to her by their mother no less, must have been hard for her. And she was alone going through all that pain and grief.

He put a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her the best way he knew how.

"If you don't want to do this job, you don't have to. I'll take it and Jae can help me. Sit this one out if you want".

Bahati stared at her phone for a while, before shaking her head.

"I haven't seen or spoken to this woman or this family since their son died. She ended up messaging me, so it's only fair, I be the one to show up".

Bahati, Hyung-Seok, and Jae all ended up at the front door of Bahati's deceased friend Do Hyun Jeong.

Hyung and Jae stared at Bahati as she hesitated to knock on the front door. Her hands started trembling uncontrollably and without her knowledge.

Jae grabbed her hand so that it would stop shaking and calm her down, while Hyung placed a hand on her shoulder and knocked on the door.

"It will be okay. You have Jae and me right beside you". Hyung whispered to her.

Bahati closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling and then exhaling, trying to exhale all those anxieties away.

The door opened to reveal the mother, Yeona. Bahati bowed her head as she introduced herself.

"This is my associate Min Hyung-Seok". She introduced him, making him bow his head.

Yeona bowed respectively as well. "Thank you for coming. Come in". She invited the two of them, including Jae, even though she couldn't see him.

"Why exactly am I here?" Bahati asked.

"I keep seeing my son's ghost. I just want him to finally be able to rest in peace". Yeona explained, motioning for her and Hyung-Seok to sit down on the couch.

"It's been 10 years since his death. He still hasn't able to pass through?" Bahati asked as he sat down next to Hyung.

Yeona shook her head. "I don't know how to get him to peacefully go, so I researched ways to do that and came across you. You had so many positive reviews from your other clients and you're familiar with me. It was perfect".

"Yeah but you didn't think how Bahati would feel seeing you". Jae said, in an annoyed tone.

Both Hyung and Bahati learned to ignore Jae when he was talking and ranting around those who couldn't see him. It was new to Hyung and felt weird, but he was getting used to it.

"Apparently Do Hyun has unfinished business in our world, the world of the living and can't rest until it is resolved". Bahati told Yeona.

"What could it possibly be?" She asked Bahati.

"Do Hyun was killed and murdered unjustly and his murderer still walks free. Do Hyun wants his killer punished. That's the only way he could pass on and rest easy". Bahati explained to her. Do Hyun, who appeared right next to Bahati nodded his head.

"It's been 10 years. The police will not take up this case again. The statue of limitations ended". Yeona told her.

"Then it's up to us to solve this case. It should be easier with Do Hyun's assistance". Bahati told Yeona. "He is currently standing next to me and in front of you".

Yeona tried to look in the direction her deceased son may be standing and gave him a worried expression. "Do Hyun". She mumbled, tears forming her eyes.

"Don't worry, we will solve this case and let Do Hyun pass on". Bahati reassured the mother.

"Thank you..."