FILE 2: THE ASYLUM PART 3

It gave a shrill hiss and then finally disappeared. I deactivated SENSE and rushed to Mr. Kim. I helped him calm down, tucked him into the bed, and locked the room.

I again activated my ability. I wasn't as relaxed as I was before.

I kept a sharp eye for the shadow, strained my hearing as best I could, and also examined every room. Dawn came without further incident. 

I was eating my 'breakfast' when Eun sat beside me with his lunch. He had bags under his eyes and looked very sickly.

"What's wrong? You look like you're about to pass out." I said to him, and he nodded weakly.

"I feel like it. It's just two more months of work before I can retire. Truthfully, I'm relieved about leaving. I'm at my breaking point," he sighed.

"Didn't you do this job for over forty years?" I inquired as I bit into my sandwich.

I ate a chicken and bacon sandwich with juice today. I also had mousse for dessert. I thought I'd spoil myself today.

"That's right. I love my work. A family member was sent to this asylum. I especially worked here to care for them until they died.

Because the staff was friendly and I was attached to many patients, I decided to stay. That was until these last few weeks. 

Under my care, two patients have gone missing. Most are frightened and beg me to stay with them for fear of being left alone. It breaks my heart to see them."

He picked at his noodles. "A search was organised but they came up with nothing each time. They even sent in canines. Nothing. Do you think, but no, it can't be!?"

"What is it?" I wanted to hear more. 

"Do you suppose it's one of our staff members? But that's impossible!" He immediately denied it.

"You're right, it's not," I comforted him. I couldn't tell him the truth, or I'd be locked up too.

HaYoon's tear-streaked face was still fresh in my mind. I had no choice. I must act tonight.

Hours passed slowly as I followed my training. Night came, and I entered my shift. I'm in Ward Twelve. The 'Hell Ward' is where they keep the most dangerous patients. 

I wasn't supposed to be here, being new, but the ward nurse got sick, and as I was available at the time, I got selected. The deadpan admin probably didn't tell anyone.

"To handle these patients, you need to carry the tranquiliser with you at all times.

Make sure the straps are secured. No objects of any kind are in their rooms at all.

Ask if they went to the toilet before you leave, because some of them like to trick you.

Offer them a glass of water before locking the door because, unlike in the other wards, we don't allow them to go to the bathroom unguarded.

Oh, and don't let the females fool you." Currently, I am being instructed by a male ward nurse in his thirties. Choi Ho. "What d'you mean?"

"They like to seduce male nurses. Using their 'charms' to get free. But I don't recommend you go and help them," he replied firmly.

"Did something happen?"

"A few years ago, a nurse got fooled and released a patient. He was besotted by her words and looks. She barely loosened her hands when she choked him to death.

 Luckily, security saw her on CCTV and caught her. Now she ain't ever getting out. I made sure of that."

"Don't tell me you-" I was shocked.

"I keep her mouth taped shut," he declared in satisfaction. My shock vanished, and my eyes dulled. "Oh." I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. He gave me a notepad. "What's this?"

"The list of patients and the care requirements. In other wards, you follow a routine, but here we must be more careful.

Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you, and the security will too." He patted me on the shoulder and left, whistling. I stared at him. Was it just me, or was he too cheerful?

Later, I was inside a male patient's room. Restrained, he glared at me as I ticked off the checklist.

"Are you thirsty?" Glare.

"Need to go to the toilet?" Glare.

"Are you uncomfortable?" I was uneasy and still had to visit fourteen other patients.

"Go (censor) yourself."

"Thank you for your patience. Have a good night," I smiled patiently. The guy sneered.

"Yeah, you think that." He then turned his head and pretended to sleep. Confused, I checked his straps, locked the door, and proceeded to the next patient.

'I wonder if he knows something, or is just toying with the new guy?' I thought. I visited each patient, and everyone either gave me hateful glares or ignored me.

I did get a toothy grin from one woman, though.

Finally, I came to the last patient. It was the woman who murdered the ward nurse. I was told her mouth is taped shut, but if she wants to drink water, I need to remove the tape.

What if she bit me? I laughed at the thought. I opened the door and saw a sleeping beauty lying on the bed. Now I understand why the guy fell head over heels in love with her.

She was in her hospital uniform, but her hourglass figure showed through.

She had long black hair that flowed around her in waves, and her face was smooth. She opened her eyes and despite her shining anger, they were a pretty hazel. 

"Hello, Ms. Sung Min. I'm just checking on you tonight. My name is Nathan McNeill. Have you gone to the toilet?" Stare.

"Are you thirsty?" Stare, then a slow nod. 

I put the pad on her bed and removed the tape from her mouth as gently as I could. I couldn't help but gasp.

She had to be the reincarnation of a Greek goddess! She was absolutely gorgeous! Her face was pale due to the lack of sun, but it only made her lips shine pink.

Her face could have been modelled for a portrait of Aphrodite. That is, until she smirked.

"Well? Aren't you going to give me my water?" I coughed awkwardly and poured her a glass of water. Lifting her head gently, she sipped.

As she finished she hesitated for a second, then spat a mouthful into my face.

"What the heck?! What do you think you're doing, you freak?" I shouted as I wiped furiously.

"Hah! What a loser. Despite your pretty looks, I bet you're all balls but no brains," she taunted.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped. 

She glowered. "I bet you have already heard that, huh? I killed an idiot. It's not my fault, though. But it wasn't his fault either." Puzzled, I peer at her.

"What are you talking about?"

She stayed silent. I tried several coaxing methods when she finally relented.

"Dunno if you believe me. The others didn't. That ward nurse came in all smiles and did the same thing as you. I used my wiles on him, just to try and see if it would work. 

I didn't have hope in the world, of course. But as I was about to give up, I saw something move behind him. The nurse was too busy to notice.

I started to yell at him, trying to warn him, but he misunderstood and tried to quiet me.

I saw his eyes glaze over as he tried to inject me with the tranquilliser." She shuddered. "I noticed the shadow had disappeared when I glanced back to see the nurse suddenly acting aggressively. He tried to inject me in the throat. That would have killed me, so I asked him for one last request."

"He granted it?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, wouldn't you know it? Anyway, he released my hands, and then I grabbed him by the neck in a chokehold I learned in judo when I was in school."

"What about the shadow?"

"It disappeared. Do you believe me? Do you also think he got possessed?" she implored keenly.

"I believe you. You seem to be sound of mind. Why are you here?" I inquired cautiously.

"Since I was a child, I saw things that weren't there. But some were violent and hurt me or others near me. 

But since people couldn't see them, they blamed me for the injuries, and so they thought I was mad and had me locked up," she explained gloomily.

It was then that I decided to get her out of there. I apologised as I taped her mouth shut. This time, she wasn't so angry.

As I left the room, I stood against the wall and activated my SENSE skills to the fullest. I just had to find that shadow. And find it I did.

As luck would have it, it was very busy, causing mischief in my ward.

It was inside room 1201, the first room I had visited with the male patient, Baek Chul. I dashed to the room and listened to the door.

Sounding from within was very heavy breathing. Without hesitation, I unlocked the door and rushed inside. 

There wasn't a shadow, but a giant, bulky man. He was leering down at the poor, frightened man with a nasty grin on his face.

Now, I visit the gym about three times a week, despite my bad eating habits. So I was able to tackle him to the ground. He grunted as he fell with me on top of him. 

Baek Chul cheered me on (aw, how nice of him) as we grappled on the floor. Unfortunately, he was stronger and pushed me down.

I choked as he strangled me. No way am I dying now.

Even though I had been warned never to show my skills to humans or to use them on humans, this was the fight for my life.

Throwing caution to the wind, I activated my latest ability, CLAW. 

My eyes tingled, glowing like a cat's. My body became three times stronger than an average male's, my blonde hair turned spiky with orange tips, and my nails were black and grew two inches long.

I knew what I looked like because I kept admiring myself in the mirror after transforming. 

"What the (censor)!" Baek screamed. Did he like my transformation too? Now in my CLAW transformation, I shook off the perturbed killer and sprung up, massaging my neck.

I grinned at him, flexing my claws. Then I noticed his glowing green eyes and understood.

"Hey, shadow. It seems you have found a nice puppet. Now let him go," I said sternly. The shadow laughed cruelly.

"Puppet? He asked for it. If you want him, you'll have to kill us both. If you can!" he mocked.

Darn it. I didn't expect that. I have never killed a human before. And I can just imagine Mars' and my parents' reactions.

Not to mention, I might end up in prison for this. I don't wanna wear an orange jumpsuit! It's so ugly.

"You're both prepared to die?" I confirmed. He grinned. I then attacked. I kept Baek behind me to protect him. I can't have innocent blood on my hands.

The shadow's puppet is a strong man, but he's also quick on his feet. And with the shadow's help, he could appear and disappear at will, making it very difficult for me.

I slashed only to find empty air. Mocking laughter surrounded me as I used my abilities to the max.

Glancing toward Baek, I could see he was calm now. Did he believe in me? I had to live up to his expectations.

The shadow popped up and punched me in the face. I slashed again, only for him to dodge and vanish. Tch.

My face throbbed with pain as I stood in the middle of the room and concentrated. I kept ignoring the punches I continued receiving.

My poor face. I'm not playing his game. So I calmed my heart, slowed my breathing, and used SENSE to its full potential. There it was! A soft rustling. I crouched down softly, like a feline hunting its prey. 

I used LEAP, and to a surprised shout from Baek, I leaped high into the air and caught my invisible target. The entity appeared as we struggled furiously while descending to the ground.

THUD! The puppet got knocked unconscious, which forced the shadow to leave his body to my relief. Now I won't have to wear an orange jumpsuit.

The shadow looked disoriented, so I took advantage of its confusion. 

As Mars taught me, I concentrated my desire on my claws. My claws glow red. According to Mars, the longer the claws, the further the attack will reach.

My attack can currently render up to three metres. 

The shadow was turning towards me and started to say something when I slashed, causing six red lasers to fly through the air.

It cut straight through the shadow, causing it to shatter into six parts. I returned to my original form and turned to Baek. He gaped at the scene. 

A giant man on the floor unconscious, a shadow in pieces slowly melting, and me.

"That was cool," was all he said.

"You're welcome," was all I said. Sadly for both of us, the giant shadow isn't done with us yet.

It slowly reappeared, looming above the bed, rasping as its eyes gleamed with malice. "Argh, will you die already? Dammit!" I cried exasperatedly as I quickly came to Baek's defence.

He cowered when I leaped over him, activating my full power. To my surprise, I felt something actually hit this time. 

The shadow let out a shriek as I scratched him to pieces. If it had struck me, I never noticed, as my blood was too heated in the fighting.

It finally dissipated like ash as both I and Baek watched in silence.

It was a week later, and I resigned from my job as a Ward nurse. Surprisingly, my fight with the shadow wasn't heard or seen by anyone.

Security had a field day trying to get the cameras back online, and my so-called watcher left on a break when he was supposed to be working. 

He was fired, by the way.

After a hard battle, making a lot of promises and assurances to her family, I managed to get Min Sung released.

But she had to stay under watch and make monthly hospital visits. That's okay, it's worth it. I hope she visits me soon.

As for Chul Baek, he's suddenly gotten inspiration for writing. I heard he moved to Ward Ten and is doing better.

Good for him. To get back on topic, Kwan is paying me today, so I expect him to come visit me. At least he should pay me.

"He'll be here any second, Nathan. Why haven't you prepared any refreshments yet?" Mars called. He was lying on a couch.

"I'm writing my report. A lot has happened, you know," I complained. He harrumphed. "Finish it later. The client is more important. Hurry up."

"What are you, my mom?" I mumbled, annoyed, as I fixed some drinks.

I finished just in time as the doorbell rang. I invited my pay cheque- I mean, guest- to a seat. Kwan looked more relaxed and cheerful than last time. Smiling, he accepted the tea.

"The man you caught was arrested on murder charges and suspected of kidnapping," he informed us.

"Suspected of kidnapping?" I questioned. 

"He confessed to the murders but declared innocence when accused of the kidnapping. So the investigators will continue searching for another suspect, but until then, he remains the main suspect."

"I see."

We both sipped our tea while Mars pretended to be asleep. Kwan continued, "Baek won't be a reliable witness, unfortunately, so we have to count on you to give a statement."

"I'll do my best," I smiled. He sighed assuredly. 

My payment. My payment? He rummaged in his pocket and withdrew a box. "I'm sorry, but I don't have thirteen million won.

The most I have in my bank right now is three hundred thousand." I just kept smiling. I have never taken a job as a loan shark, but I am currently thinking about becoming one.

He pushed his box across the table. "I hope this will help." No, it won't. But I took it anyway. Opening it, I saw a tiny black ball.

"My uncle brought that pearl back when he went on vacation in Tahiti. It's a family heirloom, so if you sell it you might make enough money to pay for this job."

A Black pearl. A Black Tahitian Pearl could be worth a lot of money! Thanks, dude, I forgive you. My eyes teared as I bowed. I heard a startled hiss, and my head snapped up.

There was no one there. Kwan Choi had vanished into thin air. "You didn't tell me he was a ghost," I accused Mars. He stared at the empty spot. "That guy's good." That was all he said.