【Human-faced Ulcer】Chapter 6:Taowesuwan

Ya Ting had lunch with her aunt before heading home. Eating normal portions for both meals finally eased the knot of anxiety in her chest. With school tomorrow, she went to bed right after her 9 PM prayers.

She hadn't slept well for two nights in a row, but tonight felt different.

She drifted off almost immediately. A deep, dreamless sleep.

Hssss... Hssss...

The sound jolted her awake.

She shot upright in bed, eyes locking onto her bandaged knee.

No. Not again.

Hands trembling, Ya Ting peeled off the gauze.

Of course.

The wound had reopened into a gaping hole, rhythmically expanding and contracting.

"Hssss... Hssss..."

Goddammit. Was the human-faced ulcer coming back?

But how?

She'd already gone through the exorcism with the priest.

Even the holy water from St. Peter's Basilica that Father Ma had used hadn't worked.

What the hell was this thing?

Was this some Eastern demon, immune to Western rites?

Maybe... maybe it's not the kind of thing that fears God.

Her thoughts flashed to the tattooed man and what he had said that day.

"You've got a dark aura"

Ya Ting cursed herself for tossing his business card like trash. She hadn't even saved his number.

"Ajarn... Ken?"

The name popped back into her head. She remembered wondering what "Ajarn" meant.

Desperate, she pulled out her phone and searched "Ajarn Ken."

Holy crap—he exists!

She found him. Right there on the internet. Apparently, "Ajarn" was a Thai honorific for teachers or masters, commonly used for spiritual practitioners.

"So he's... a witch doctor or something? That should work on this freakish ulcer."

Her knowledge of Thai occultism was limited to old Hong Kong horror flicks. Still, she clicked through to his Facebook page. It was filled with Thai amulets and rituals.

A new post had gone up just ten minutes ago. He was still awake.

There was a phone number. Without hesitation, she tapped "Call."

Ring... ring...

"Hello?"

It was a man's voice.

She spoke in a low, unrecognizable voice. "Is this Ajarn Ken?"

"Speaking. Who's this?"

"I… I was wondering if you do exorcisms. Like, real ones."

"Yes."

"How much would that cost?"

"It depends. I need to know the case first. Prices vary."

"Ballpark?"

"Starts from a thousand (ringgit), at least."

Ya Ting flinched. Way more than she could afford.

"Okay… what about a protective charm? Something for warding off spirits. Nothing too expensive."

A pause.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" Ajarn Ken asked. "If it's serious, I still recommend a proper ritual."

"No, no," she rushed to say. "Just buy a charm. What would you recommend?"

"First, we don't say buy a charm—we say invite it. That's the respectful term. If it's for warding off evil, I'd suggest inviting Taowesuwan."

"Taowesuwan?" she echoed.

"He's one of Thailand's guardian deities. Ever been to a Thai temple? The demon kings guarding the entrance? Those are Taowesuwan. Evil spirits won't come near them."

"I've never been to one," she admitted. "Is it expensive to… invite him?"

"It only costs a few dozen, and I recommend you invite Luang Phor Yit's amulet. He's the top monk in Thailand who blesses Taowesuwan, and it's the most effective."

"Sure. I'll take that one."

She had no idea what any of that meant—but if it worked, she didn't care.

"Do you want a copper amulet or a powder amulet?"

"…What?"

"Copper's made from metal. Powder ones are made from sacred materials—temple soil, roof tiles, ashes, things like that."

Ya Ting paused. Powder sounded… stronger.

"I'll go with the powder one."

"Alright. I'll WhatsApp you some photos."

A moment later, her phone pinged with images of the amulet.

The face was terrifying—tusked, demonic.

No wonder ghosts stay away, she thought. This thing looks like it eats them for breakfast.

Ya Ting casually chose a white Taowesuwan amulet.

"That's thirty-eight. Do you want it shipped or meet in person?"

Thirty-eight? That cheap?

She hesitated for a split second—was it too cheap to be powerful enough?

But she didn't voice that doubt.

"If I pick shipping, can I get it by tomorrow?"

"Ma'am," Ajarn Ken replied, clearly thinking she was much older due to her hushed voice, "I can't teleport. I'd have to mail it tomorrow—it'll arrive the day after at best. If you're local, we can meet. I'll charge ten extra for petrol."

"I'm local. Can we meet at Aeon Mall, Station 18?"

She didn't want her parents to find out, so meeting outside was safer.

It was just a 20-minute walk anyway.

"Sure," Ajarn Ken said.

They arranged the time and ended the call.

"Hssss..."

Ya Ting stared at the wound—its gaping black hole was still opening and closing, making strange noises.

She growled, "Shut the hell up! The Taowesuwan's gonna deal with you tomorrow!"