I am always afraid of souls.
They are creepy creatures and not all people can just see them. Even if some of you can, you won't be able to touch them. They are intangible, ethereal, and can pass through all things.
They can't be killed physically.
No, there's no way to kill them. They can only be driven away or be sealed forever and ever through unordinary means.
But if that's the case, why would I fear them?
Since physical matter can't truly touch them, they won't be able to touch physical things either, right?
The problem is my imagination.
What if they can enter my dreams and drag me into sleep paralysis, or even worse, eternal slumber?
What if souls can possess people and do something unimaginable to their bodies? Like using people's bodies to act like crazy or commit crimes?
What if souls can devour the souls of the living so that they can use their bodies that have become empty vessels? Then they can copy their talents, abilities, and memories so that they can imitate their very character and personality.
What if...
Sapak!
A sudden snap of something heavy hit the back of Jax's head and plunged him back from his scary imaginings. That brought him back to attention, recalling that he was still in the midst of digging out a tree stump.
Stirred up by the sudden occurrence, he was just about to see who suddenly hit him, but with a plunge of strength and malevolent suppression, someone wrapped an arm around his neck.
Then, a voice, cold and indignant, sounded next to his ear, "Hey, you brat. Why are you just standing idly here?! Are you implying that you're just going to rest all day long while we are working here tirelessly?!"
Jax shifted his gaze, and with a sudden jolt creeping up to his spine, he almost jumped up in sheer terror when he saw the one who had just spoken.
Fortunately, he immediately regained his senses. He almost thought that this creepy bastard was a ghost.
Standing there right beside him was a middle-aged man around 40 years old. His unsightly look that took particular resemblance to a ghost's face made Jax recognize him the instant he took a glimpse of his hideousness.
His name was Eliseo, a bastard who took particular delight in tormenting him and the other younger farmhands. If not for this guy, then his job would have been a lot easier.
Looking warily with a mix of unease and indignation, Jax could see a wide smile surfacing on the other party's lips. That face alone could creep him out of his senses. And, with a thought, he could immediately tell that this man was only up to no good.
''You, why did you hit me suddenly...?'' Jax replied, gritting his teeth inwardly at the thought of cursing him.
How hypocrite.
Jax knew full well that while he was having a hard time digging out tree stumps, this man was just there whistling under the shade of a certain tree with his hand sticking to his waist and the other holding a cigarette.
The physical toll strained down by backbreaking labor, and the burning glare of the relentless tropical sun — Jax could endure them all even if he had to grit his teeth and force his way through. However, the constant taunts of this man, mixed with jeering laughter and ridiculing sneers, were getting harder and harder to deal with.
But knowing that this guy was hot-tempered and always conformed beyond proper reasons, Jax restrained himself from retorting carelessly. Countless days of enduring Eliseo's constant abuse and unrelenting provocation had taught him well that any kind of defiance would only result in further trouble. That, too, was something he wished to alienate himself.
Just how would he drive this man away this time?
''What's going on here? Why are the two of you causing such a big fuss instead of working?''
Things were just heating up when a voice, cold and full of ridicule, suddenly interrupted nearby. The two of them could immediately recognize the owner of the voice, with the two of them having different responses — Eliseo, who smiled, and Jax, who let out an ugly frown.
For he knew that another ghost-like bastard had appeared.
''Oh, Mr. Berto! Right timing. I have some matters to report to you.'' Eliseo immediately turned to face the person named Berto. He was their supervisor, so he was acting rather respectfully. With a wide, but cunning smile overwhelming his face, Eliseo went on, ''I found this brat spacing out while we were working our ass hard cutting down trees and putting them in one place.''
His gaze drifted towards the young man, and for a short moment, his eyes narrowed in a hostile response. He opened his mouth again, revealed a cold sneer, and with an obvious growing malice, he spoke with a rather beguiling manner, ''So, I decided to give him a little piece of advice as what he's doing will definitely anger you.''
''What?! Is that true, you brat?!'' Mr. Berto, without even trying to confirm the untrue, retorted as he threw his gaze on Jax with a growing fury. His eyes squinted in a manner depriving the young victim of any way out of the tough spot.
''W-what?! That's definitely...'' Stuttering with his voice, Jax was just about to explain things. But halfway through his words, something he didn't expect interrupted him in the way he would find himself stunned.
Swoosh!
Sapak!
A palm, swift and heavy, plunged mercilessly right into his face. That forced him to avert his gaze away and nearly pushed him stumbling back. The words he wanted to say only got caught in his throat.
''How dare you lie when I clearly saw you!'' Eliseo's cold voice then soon resounded, his lips curled up in utter repugnance.
Jax gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He didn't even say anything yet and this guy dared to...
Just because he was enduring it as he hated troubles, this guy was persistently getting on his nerves — thinking that he was afraid of him? Damn, if not for his promise to his girlfriend, he would have resorted to violence and risked everything to get back on him.
''So, that's true, huh?'' Mr. Berto decided as he nodded his head in fake realization.
Jax looked at Mr. Berto, his thoughts remained deep and cautious. He knew that this equally tyrannical bastard posed more threat and aggression compared to Eliseo. He would definitely listen to Eliseo's bullshit even if it was obvious that he'd just made things up.
Mr. Berto, on the other hand, fixed his gaze on Jax. He tightened his grip on his cane and narrowed his eyes like he was eyeing for prey. Then...
Swoosh!
With a motion quick and precise, he thrashed his cane against the face of the young man. The merciless pain-inflicting thud was heavy enough to invoke a resounding echo, forcing his head to be diverted in a way he wouldn't see the oppressor.
''How dare you look at me with those trashy eyes?" Mr. Berto then snorted coldly, his lips curved up in disgust. "If you don't want to get fired, hurry up and work!''
But Jax, at that moment, had his thoughts pulled away by an unknown force. His eyes quivered, like he had seen something unreal, or most probably, his mind drifted away to the far corner of his consciousness by an ever-persisting cold call.
Then Jax felt a strange, icy chill wash over his body, and a distant, ominous whisper seemed to echo in his mind again and again. Its words laced with a malevolent promise:
"I have finally found you. Your fear... it calls to me."