LOGINShare
Chapter 5 - The Assistant Superintendant
Last Updated:
2022-01-19 18:12:13As I reeled from the shock and struggled for an answer demanded by the new arrival, CK came to the rescue.
“This is Dr. Anthony Jin. He teaches at the University of Singapore.”
“University of Singapore? Then why is he here?”
A flush of heat crawled down my neck. I felt like a 10-year old who had been caught playing truant and now had to give a reason for my existence. I had never before in my life felt the need to do so.
“I had clearance from the Chief, ASP Wong.” The Colonel continued in a firm tone and his face had a unflappable expression. A man of steel who had seen rough waves.
He turned to me and smiled.
“This is Assistant Superintendent Wong. She leads the police team who is assisting us with the search operation.”
The lady police officer rolled her eyes over to me and then looked at the Colonel.
“How is he going to help you? Help us?”
Her thoughtful questions had the Colonel mellowing his voice. “He has the powers to communicate with supernatural entities. He has a track record. I’m sure he can help us.”
She must have been quite the character to humble a seasoned Army Officer.
ASP Wong soon turned to me. Her eyes were blazing into my soul. I could now see her ID Card .
Wong Shu Wen. A genteel name that is incompatiable with her demeanour.
“I live and stand by facts and science. Anything else, including supernatural stuff, is plain
nonsense.” This triggered me and I responded.
“I beg your pardon. Nonsense?” I repeated. “I disagree. The phone-”
“The phone was found by my men. Don’t touch it again without my permission.”
“ASP Wong. We appreciate you and your team’s presence, but we need to try every option.” The Colonel intervened. ASP pulled a grim face. “I would appreciate you seeking our opinion before making such a major decision, Colonel.”
She gesticulated toward the forests outside the tentage.
“It is a potential crime scene out there. If we find anything, even if it's a pin, we have to classify it as evidence.”
“I understand, but Dr. Jin is part of the search task force. I consider him one of us.”
I felt encouraged by the comment, somehow.
“Fine,” ASP Wong nodded but eyed me with admonition. “Please don’t be touchy with things that are found out there. Your fingerprints may mess up our investigation work.”
I nodded rather unwillingly and asked, “Can I continue?”
“Put this on.” She commanded and had one of her staff hand me gloves. It was painful putting them on with eyes all on me. When I was ready to receive the phone, ASP handed the it over, but not without warning. “I need it back for the lab to do some tests.”
“Only two minutes,” I assured her.
Quickly, I returned to inspect the picture and check the details.
“The timestamp was eleven forty-five pm on Tuesday. That’s last night. What time were they supposed to report for debrief?”
“I think it's 2300hrs.” Colonel said.
“That’s forty -five minutes late. They must have wandered off the path and lost their way.”
“There were twelve instructors, and they searched the key spots. However, none of them mentioned they saw the boys.”
“Madam Wong, may I know where your men found the phone?”
“The highest point of the trail.”
“What trail?” I asked innocently.
“There is a trail that our NS men commonly use,” Razali shared. “We call it Trail eighty-one.”
“Can I finish?” ASP Wong asked, faintly irritated.
“I’m sorry.”
“At the highest point, by the long tree. It was lying in the midst of the tall grass.”
“The only Flame Tree on that trail,” Razali added.
“Anything else?”
“I had men sweeping the spot with the Colonel’s men.” ASP Wong said.
“According to reports, nothing was found. Not yet.” Colonel stated.
I smiled. This was a sign of a supernatural phenomenon where a human accidentally transgresses into the other arena, the non-human dimension, and becomes trapped there. They are therefore unseen by the humans even though they may be physically next to them.
“If you look closer, I think the boys must have seen something... or someone.”
ASP Wong’s deep-etched frown mellowed, and in curiosity, she snatched the phone and pawed over the image.
While I was searching for videos, I found an SMS text with an incomprehensible line of alphabets ‘ghskldfhsdfldhl.’
“What is this? Some code?”
I shook my head.
I shook my head. “I think they pressed the keypad in a panic.”
“Panic?” The Colonel repeated “What could have triggered a panic?”
“I will have it analyzed, in any case.” ASP remarked. “It may be some code or it may be just..”
ASP was tentative and I searched her face for a clue on her thoughts. She looked away.
She is not sure too. I thought.
However, she soon chipped in, in a confident voice.
ASP Wong added. “They could be in severe anxiety and panic. We had seen many such cases where when victims were under attack or harassment.”
Everyone nodded in an uncomfortable and I spoke
“I agreed with ASP Wong. The boys’ disappearance may have to do with someone or something they saw.”
There were murmurs.
“They had seen something that destabilized their response mechanism.”
“A credible hypothesis” Colonel reinforced my observation.
“Maybe they saw a supernatural being? A ghost? Pontianak?” Lieutenant Razali suggested. His mellifluous voice was now crammed with tension.
“I am not sure there are such spirits in these forests and…” ASP remarked to which Colonel shook his head.
“Hasn’t there been a few mysterious deaths in these forests in the past?” Staff Chua added.
“Those are just rumors. Urban legends. I don't believe in ghosts.” ASP Wong stated flatly.
Suddenly, I saw a warrior of reason and science standing right in front of me. I was speechless. She removed the phone from my hands in an indirect pronouncement that my two-minute grace period was up.
“We need to check for trespassers. There may be some characters in this forest. Drug traffickers? Refugees? The NS men may have seen something that led to their abduction. We will have to start checking the CCTV cameras in the area.”
ASP turned to her men and started to issue answers, while the Colonel looked to me for inspiration.
“What do you suggest we do next?” he asked.
“Ghosts or humans. I need to find out.” I whispered to him.
“What do you plan to do?”
“I want to come back.”
“Come back?”
“I am coming back at eleven pm tonight”
“Why not now?” Colonel asked.
“11pm for the encounter because that is the beginning of the darkest hour. The ascendancy of the Yin(阴) energy.” I explained and then realized something. The Colonel is smiling
“Why are you smiling? Shouldn’t you be worried?”
“I am just glad to see your enthusiasm. Two hours ago, you were still resisting my invitation.”
Related chapters
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 6 - Preparation
After the brief by the Colonel, I headed back to my office. Whilst on the road, my mind was brimming with theories on the whats and what ifs of the disappearance of the soldiers. The stories I had heard about Bukit Pandan in the past were never taken seriously. I never thought I would have any entanglements with the place. Now, that seems to have changed. There was a streak of light from the setting sun that shot through the foliage of trees outside onto my desk. How apt! Just like the new responsibility that had just fallen on it My heart is heavy. There is real danger, but I cannot put shape to that menace. How things have changed. This morning, I had expected a run-of-the-mill week – the usual grind of lectures and tutorials. But by evening, I had been sucked, succinctly by destiny, into what could potentially be an exciting adventure. Three missing soldiers. Where could they have gone? A real case of AWOL? They are dead? I quickly
Last Updated : 2022-01-21The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 7 - The Jungle
The jungle was a sea of darkness and in the background, a cacophony of insect sounds heralded the start of darkness. The Army had a few field lights mounted along a path that led to the Base Camp. Were it not for the illumination, I could barely see my hands. The only respite I enjoyed was the fragrance of the Pandan plant, which carried a soothing quality. It was a favorite ingredient in Chinese dessert soups. “What was that?” I asked, referring to the series of lights floating through the darkness. “Search party. The last for tonight.” Staff Chua explained, “It’s getting late. Almost nine pm and we don’t want to lose another soldier to the night.” He sounded dispirited. I soon noticed everyone I met in the tentage was plain tired. “Did they make any progress after I left?” Staff Chua shook his head. “Where is the Colonel?” “He left to brief the Ministry officials. He mentioned he would be back to meet you later.
Last Updated : 2022-01-22The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 8 - Solo into Darkness
I mastered my breathing like taking the reins to a running horse. Bringing it down to a steady and firm gallop, I found myself slipping into the mode of meditation. Like I've found a door, I entered and found myself hearing the innate temp of the woods, a crisp and low thumping tone. I trained my mind to scan my landscape, almost like a supernatural radar. Nothing happened. I could still hear the insects, Razali’s breathing. I also felt the vibes of Staff Chua, a dare devil’s attitude, and the overwhelming dampness of the forest. Then it came, sliding into the frame. A whiff of air built into an icy breeze. There was a void, that familiar emptiness when I crossed dimensions. In a moment, I could no longer hear Razali or the insect squeaks. I had successfully entered the other dimension. The world that is invisible to the average human being. As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a dark environment with a scene of sporadic stars of illumination. Each
Last Updated : 2022-01-24The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 9 - Encounter
I saw stars after the unexpected attack and felt like someone had landed an elephant on my head, with a terrible pain reverberating up my spine. My internal defence mechanism sets in and gradually nullify the impact on my senses. However before I could see the assailant, I was again lifted from the ground and pulled through the air like there was an invisible carriage that dragged me. In circles, I went. I was abruptly dropped to the ground but regained consciousness in time. Exercising my immense willpower, I brought myself to a soft landing. Despite my spinning head, I lifted my paintbrush and scribbled an attack command, and created a circle of yellow energy. Ohm! I bellowed with all the energy I could muster and sent the circle into the darkness. I looked around me, but the assailant was nowhere in sight. The next moment, I sensed something on my shoulder. It was light but perceptible. I checked. A streak of hair! As I
Last Updated : 2022-01-25The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 10 - Return
“What is going on?” Someone bellowed. It was the Colonel, and he had arrived at the Lone Flame Tree site, with three soldiers tagging behind him. Earlier on, he had walked into the tentage to find Dr. Anthony and his staff missing. “Where’s Ant?” Staff Chua pointed to where Ant Jin was seated. “What is going on?” “He performed some rituals. He told us he crossed the portal to look for the boys.” Lieutenant Razali explained. “Portal? What portal?” The Colonel looked around at the span of darkness. “To the other world. The other dimensions.” Razali raised his pointer finger. A befuddled Colonel, trying to come to terms with the latest development, swiftly squatted to check on Anthony “I should have stayed and accompanied him.” He took another look and said “What if something happens to him and…” The Colonel paused. He had seen something. and what he saw drew an exclaim. “He’s bleeding!” Razal
Last Updated : 2022-01-26The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 11 - Probing
I was swimming helplessly against a stream. My limbs were heavy, and despite my efforts, I was static. It was an endless motion, and I felt lead in my limbs. When I was about to give up, I saw a tunnel of light ahead. Instantly, things seemed easier. I stayed afloat, and the peddling became effortless. As I swam ahead, I saw a silhouette. A female figure. She turned around. She is my mother! The sight injected buoyancy into me. Her merciful features, her benign smile, and the way she waved at me. I found the strength to steer myself to the bank and waded out of the waters, extracting myself from the baleful pain. Most importantly, I found clarity in my mind. “Mama?” I looked up, but she had disappeared. A sense of forlornness wrapped over me. A dark sense of hollowness that came with the loss crashed my ego. “Anthony. Anthony.” I heard my name and turned. I found my mother standing by a tree next to the ba
Last Updated : 2022-01-26The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 12 - Found?
“We found one of the boys!" "Who is the soldier?" "Chris Chen!” The Colonel jumped with joy and hugged me. The gesture touched a sore spot on my back, but I resisted showing my discomfort. “Anthony! It works!” “He’s doing the right thing!” Colonel continued as he looked at ASP Wong. “I did the right thing?” “You showed us the direction. You brought back that clue from the other dimension?” “Colonel. I indicated the area before I passed out?” “You don’t remember? ” The Colonel drew closer. My brain was void of memory before I passed out in the other dimension. The trauma from the encounter had damaged my sensory abilities. My internal defense mechanism may have buffered the shock but it will take time for a full recovery. I am still trying to remember her facial features. “Don’t worry Anthony. Tell us more when you’re ready.” The Colonel assured. “I hope that moment is sooner rathe
Last Updated : 2022-01-27The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 13 - Next Steps
By late afternoon, with a dose of meditation and my innate healing powers, I was able to get on my feet. The nourishing lunch helped! Much credit to the Colonel’s help with the hospital staff to ensure I get a good diet.The urgency of the task at hand galvanized me to get out of bed. However, while the physical injuries healed and mended, the emotional trauma lingered. Like a leech, it sapped me gradualy of my usual vitality.I thought of the lady spirit in black, her horrendous demeanor, her powerful strokes. What made her unforgettable was the deep sorrow in her. The streaks of dark energy coupled with the soul-shearing howls spoke of a dreadful past that is rooted in tragedy.Who was she?The Colonel had replied with the numbers I asked for. Altogether, there have been four infantry companies who had trekked those forests in the past fortnight. It was a standard military topography exercise in the forest over the past fortnight.
Last Updated : 2022-01-27
Latest chapter
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 42 - Restarting
Back home, I felt a fatigue in my system -that sort of exhaustion that originated from a mixture of frustration and anxiety. The two soldiers are still missing and there is a rumor on social media that they could be dead. It had disturbed the Colonel and his superiors that he communicated he would intensify the search round the jungle. Alone, I had squashed that thought and sat down in deep meditation for an hour to keep the monster called anxiety in check. After my mind is de-toxified, I made a simple dinner out of instant noodles and eggs and quickly settled myself in front of my laptop. I searched about the history and sources of the Kwek family and its related logos and symbols. The results were a revelation. I sieved through the results and was pleasantly surprised to find public sources of information on the evolution of the family emblem. Some sites were defunct, but there was one particular site owned by JJ Wong that seemed active.
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 41 - Leng's Call.
As I drove on the Sentosa Gateway, heading out of the island, I turned to the right where the Tanjong Pagar Port is. There is a neat row of containers handling equipment standing proud like a family of giraffes - a perfect picture of hustle that made up one of the busiest ports in Asia.As I marveled at the sight, my handphone buzzed. It was Leng and she is on WhatsApp call.“Hey, Dr. Ant, find somewhere to park. I have something to show you.”“Is it that earthshaking that I need to park my car first? I am getting thrilled.” I said lamely.“It’ll be worth your time,” She assured me. “Call me when you’re nicely parked.”I drove over to the nearby Tanjong Beach car park, and quickly called back Leng.“What is it?”“We found a lot of things from the Kaleidoscope App. In the past two weeks, there were three thousand items posted for sale. I had them sorted by th
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 40 - Striking a Chord
“Nai Nai is asking if you want more tea.” I returned to my seat. “I’m sorry. I just happen to like black and white photos.” Dorothy smiled nervously. “Who is the-” Dorothy coughed hard unexpectedly and then rested her head on her right hand. “Are you feeling alright, Nai Nai?” Josephine asked and threw a slight glance of reproach, which made me felt bad. I decided I had to brave the displeasure and voice my question. “I have a request that may offend you.” “Do you mind if we stop this meeting, Dr. Ant?” Josephine cut in. Before I could reply, Dorothy Kwek raised her hand. “Go ahead, Anthony.” “Can I invite you to visit the jungle again?” I knew I had touched a raw nerve when I got a glare in response. Her hands were tightly clasped. For a moment, she stayed wide-eyed and I was worried she may get a heart attack “It could help us in our investigation,” I added and she rega
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 39 - The Memories
Dorothy has shut her eyes in deep recollection. She projected such serenity that for a moment, I thought she was asleep. When I was about to interrupt her, I saw Josephine Kwek shaking her head gently. I got the hint and kept silent.Dorothy finally spoke with a genteel voice “You’re right I do know quite a bit about Bukit Pandan. It was my playground. My family's playground." She beamed "We would go for a picnic there every once in a while. In the 1960s, my father had a factory further down the road at the Dairy Farm. Whenever he was free, he and mum would drive us to the jungle for some trekking." ”My envy." I said "The landscape is conducive for walks. Earlier planters had cleared some trees and there is a nice piece of flat land by the stream. It is ideal for picnic." "I love the trees." I added "Ah, yes the trees. Those trees were huge, and there was always shade for a good camp-out. They are like guardians of o
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 38 - The Next Connection
After the call has ended, we lapsed into a long and uneasy silence. We were all trying to come to terms with the fact. It was Raja who broke the silence "Now, at least we know, Major's death is linked to an illicit affair." "Who is the other party in the relationship? Who is the lady?" "The family that travels to England to meet Christina's mother must be related to this lady." Shu Wen said. "Do you think if this family has something to do with the Major's death." I asked, with a tinge of provocation in my voice." "Think they may be angry with what the Major did to their daughter?" Raja added "I think the key is who is this lady?" I asked in deep deliberation. Shu Wen scratched her head "How can we be sure this is related to the lady spirit and the three missing boys." "I will need more information before I can answer you Madam. I need to know the identity of the missing persons."
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 37 - Nowhere
Christina stood up and walked off. My heart sank and Shu Wen lept to her feet in pleas "Madam! Madam?" Officer Daniels was at a loss but soon ran off presumably to invite Christina Holmes back to the interview. "We probably hit a raw nerve." I mumbled. "Let me try." Shu Wen spoke into the mic "Madam Christina we are sorry if we had been insensitive. However, the information you provide may save lives. Please." The emotions in her voice resonated in my mind and struck a chord. She is so genuine. No response. In the corner of the screen, we saw the figure of Officer Daniels that offered little clue to what is happening off-screen. Just when we were about to give up, Christina Holmes returned. Her eyes were red from the weeping and she was sniffing into a tissue. I felt guilty “Thanks for returning, Madam. We are very sorry if our approach has offended you." Christina waved off the comment w
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 36 - The Overseas Lead
The arrival of certain news interrupted our conversation. It has that Senior Station Inspector Rajagopal who was tasked to manage the follow-up on the John Wilkins case, has made progress. ASP Wong has earlier requested an investigation to obtain more information from the Wilkins family. After 60 years, the case has gone dead cold. It may be a futile attempt but Raja decided to try and breath life into it. As he mentioned, you never know how useful a tiny lead may be. Through Raja's efforts, the Singapore Police had managed to contact the descendants of Major John Wilkins. It was not easy but possible as the Singapore Police had a longstanding relationship with their British counterpart thanks to their Commonwealth network. It took a few calls between our Home Affairs, their Home Office, and the Ministry of Defense before they found the living descendant of John Wilkins. He was survived by his daughter, Christina Holmes, who presetnly re
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 35 - Two Objectives
As we waited for the Colonel to return, our dialogue drifted along. "Has your cases always been this tough?" “To be honest, the last 24 hours were challenging for me. I have never seen such a case.” ASP Wong added, "Initially we were clueless, then you came along, then we save someone and in less than a day, that someone is ...gone." Shu Wen blew a sigh and leaned back on the chair. "It is the same for me, Shu Wen. My past cases have been more straightforward. There was spiritual disturbances and I pacify the soul. This Bukit Pandan episode is a lot more complicated." "Three missing soldiers and one of them dead. In this age, every son counts and loss of one is devastating." Shu Wen observed I grimaced. Again the loss of Chris Chen stun my heart. “Ahhh, it was so emotional. I just hate deaths. The spirit in this case is also much more ominous and a lot more powerful. I once told myself with my powers I must achieve two th
The Supernatural Professor - The Jungle Chapter 34 - The Footages
Both of us found ASP Wong conducting a briefing in the tentage. She saw us and put two fingers. Two minutes. She sat on the table cross-legged in a pose of confidence and listened intently to the updates about the investigation. It seemed progress has been made. I was expectant when she wrapped up the session and sauntered over. We quickly pulled chairs and sat in a corner like children hungry for a story. Shu Wen looked fresh since we met at the hospital. She had her hair let down and wore a dark purplish shirt with black pants. Professional and beautiful. “Dr Ant, you are doing ok?” she asked before I could utter a word. I nodded, “I had a good sleep but dreamt about the lady spirit. I can only say any lead will be important for me now” “After you left, my men at the hospital found this, just beneath the bed. They had taken a picture. We left this out when you deployed the Mugwort powder. Take a look?” “What may that be” I was
