It had been fifty years since the new director took office, bringing reforms that finally settled the horror hospital into a semblance of normalcy. Patients and ghost staff coexisted in a tenuous harmony, all working together to keep the facility running smoothly.
But beneath this long-standing peace, turbulent undercurrents brewed. For so ambitious souls, peace bred stagnation, stifling opportunities for advancent.
The director was the highest authority at the hospital, but their diligence was often short-lived or nonexistent. And for the general staff, it was not the director who instilled fear, but rather their secretary – Nightmare.
Every staff mber felt a deep sense of awe upon seeing Nightmare, the embodint of the director’s will.
However, for those with grand ambitions, becoming the secretary represented the pinnacle of power and was a role they fervently coveted.
One day, during a heated altercation between an attending doctor and a patient, Deception – head of security – intervened and ended up detaining both parties. On his way back, he encountered a young man in a black trench coat blocking his path.
“Deception.” The young man raised his head with a slight smile on his lips. His previously unremarkable face now exuded a peculiar charm as his low yet captivating voice seed to hook itself around Deception’s heart. “It’s been a while.”
Instantly, Deception’s expression changed. A faint blush crept onto his cheeks and his eyes filled with intense loathing.
“Lust,” he spat. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to see you.”
Alarm bells blared in Deception’s mind as he took a step back, ready to flee at any mont.
Glaring fiercely, he asked, “What do you want? Are you trying to toy with ? You disgusting creature. I could have you arrested and sentenced to community service in the sewers!”
Lust sighed helplessly, appearing pitiable.
“Try making that face one more ti!” Deception exploded.
“Alright, alright.” Lust’s tone was resigned. “I need your help with sothing.”
Deception’s anger deflated. As long as Lust wasn’t trying anything on him personally, it was tolerable. “What is it?”
“You’ve deceived the director,” Lust said matter-of-factly.
Frustration flared up in Deception once again as he glared venomously. “Do you think I won’t drag you off to plant lotus roots right now?”
Lust remained confident in his reply. “You can’t. Any personnel changes or disciplinary actions involving attending doctors or higher require the director’s personal approval. You don’t have the authority.”
Deception choked.
He couldn’t argue with that fact; he didn’t have the authority to make such decisions. So, he resigned himself to asking, “What exactly do you want from ?”
“You’ve deceived the director,” Lust continued, his expression not threatening despite his words. “I don’t know what you lied about, but based on your nature, I’m sure you did lie. If I tell the director and he investigates, do you think you can keep it hidden?”
By now, Deception’s face had turned ashen with a hint of green. He was no longer agitated, but instead resigned. “So, what do you want from ?”
“I want to be the director’s office secretary,” said Lust earnestly, his eyes beautiful and unwavering. “And for that to happen, you need to help .”
Deception’s lips trembled slightly. “If I could help you, why wouldn’t I just beco the director’s secretary myself?”
“I heard that the position of secretary was created by the director specifically for Nightmare due their…relationship…beyond that of colleagues,” Lust questioned. “Is that true?”
Deception’s expression turned strange. “Even if it is true, so what? Do you think you can seduce the director?”
Lust responded confidently, “Yes, I can. If even Nightmare can captivate the director, why can’t I?”
Deception stared at him in silence, simply asking, “What do you need
to do then?”
“Get rid of Nightmare,” Lust said eagerly. “Give
a chance to be alone with the director.”
**
The Ghost Ship instance was proving problematic. i Hua Xin, the attending doctor assigned there, was causing a stir. The issue? The hospital never assigned him any patients.
Deception had called the director, explaining that i Hua Xin refused to communicate with anyone except her. He was out of his depth.
Yu Xiao held her phone, sighing internally.
Even though i Hua Xin wasn’t “Flying to Soone Else’s Bed”, she still didn’t want him harming or devouring people. Thus, she never assigned patients to his instance. However, i Hua Xin didn’t understand this and only knew that despite being an attending doctor for over fifty years, he hadn’t seen a single patient, leading to so emotional issues.
Yu Xiao hesitated, then made a decision. “Tell him to wait. I’ll see him myself.”
Glancing at Nightmare, who was busy organising files, she said, “I’ll be back soon.”
Nightmare nodded. “The Eighth Hospital is completed and ready. Would you like to choose a date for the opening?”
“You can decide on such minor matters.”
“And the bed sheets? Can I choose the colour?”
Yu Xiao was taken aback by the trivial request. “As long as it’s not an outrageous colour, go ahead.”
After she left, Nightmare continued his work. With the increasing number of hospitals and discharged patients, the director’s workload was becoming imnse. He did his best to ease her burden.
He was almost finished sorting the files and was about to change the bedsheets when his phone rang.
Deception.
“What’s the matter?”
Deception’s voice was eerily calm. “Lord Nightmare, I must confess. I have deceived both you and the director.”
Nightmare paused, his deanour turning serious. “What do you an?”
“Forgive ,” Deception pleaded. “I don’t wish to lose my position as Head of Security.”
“Go on.”
Deception’s reason was simple: he loathed Lust. Lust had dared to threaten him, and he wouldn’t stand for it.
“When I told you the thod to briefly discharge the director…”
“Was it incorrect?” Nightmare interrupted, shocked.
“No,” Deception quickly reassured him. “Though I am prone to deceit, I wouldn’t lie about sothing so critical. The truth is, there isn’t just one thod. I… concealed the other thods.”
“What other thods?”
“It’s not just you who can affect the Heart of Obsession,” Deception explained. “I can as well. And so can Lust…”
Nightmare’s expression turned peculiar. “What makes you think I will forgive you?”
“That’s related to what I’m about to tell you,” Deception said. “Lust has also learned of this. He threatened , demanding my help to replace you as the director’s secretary.”
“!”
“You know what he’s like. He’s determined to beco the most trusted ghost by the director’s side, to replace you. He wants
to create an opportunity for him to be alone with her. The director has already arrived at the Ghost Ship, hasn’t she?” Deception’s voice was laced with malice. “Then Lust has already t with her.”
Nightmare threw the phone.
**
Years had passed since her last visit, yet the ghost ship replica remained as picturesque as ever. A vivid mory given form, an extension of the attending doctor’s domain. Even Yu Xiao, now director, couldn’t be sure if it was truly a reflection of his past, or sothing… more.
Erald sand crunched under her shoes as she scanned the deck, expecting the furious doctor i Hua Xin. He was a no-show.
Footsteps sounded from the left. Yu Xiao turned to find a stranger approaching. Young, with an unsettlingly charming smile, he stopped a respectful distance away.
“Honourable Director,” he bowed his head slightly, “Please forgive my boldness. I have spoken with the attending doctor. He is no longer displeased with your arrangents.”
Yu Xiao’s eyebrow arched. “And you are…?”
His eyes held hers, unwavering. “Your most loyal admirer. My na is Lust.”
**
Even years spent sharing the sa bed couldn’t erase the fear that gnawed at Nightmare. Yu Xiao cared about many things in this world. He was just one, and not even the most important.
So he worked tirelessly, striving to make her happy, hoping to carve a bigger space in her heart.
Perhaps one day, when he was important enough, he could be a little selfish. Make a slightly more demanding request. Like asking if he could call her Smiley, the way her old friends did.
This was why fear now gripped him like a vice.
Many ghosts knew of Lust. Many feared him. Not for his cruelty or ruthlessness, but because those he targeted beca hopelessly addicted, willingly devoured.
The re thought of Yu Xiao falling under his spell made Nightmare want to tear the world apart. Even if she couldn’t belong to him, she couldn’t belong to anyone else. If anyone tried to replace him… well, he’d make sure they regretted it.
The ghost ship instance lood ahead. Nightmare, radiating an aura of barely contained destruction, stalked towards it.
“What are you doing here?”
He stopped short, the destructive aura vanishing. Yu Xiao stood before him, surprise etched on her face. He blinked, seeing no one else.
His previously resolute deanour crumbled. “I ca to see you.”
“Oh.” She tilted her head. “Is sothing the matter?”
“Nothing.” He tried to sound nonchalant. “Can I use the bedsheets with the little fish?”
“Of course. You choose.”
He wilted. She must find him so annoying. Sensing his mood plumt, she frowned. “What’s wrong?”
He avoided her gaze. “Did you… sort everything out?”
“Yes.” She turned to leave.
“Did you… encounter any obstacles? Anything… strange?”
“No.”
She didn’t see the utter heartbreak on his face.
*She lied! She saw Lust but lied about it. If she doesn’t intend to replace , why lie?*
“Aren’t you coming?” she asked, glancing back.
“Sothing ca up,” he said, forcing calm into his voice. “I’ll be back later.”
She nodded, then turned and walked away, leaving him alone with his spiralling fear.
Back at the hospital, Yu Xiao restocked their supply of talismans. Just a normal day. She went to her bedroom and found the blue bedsheets with the white fish already laid out. Nice.
Suddenly, she had a craving for milk tea, but Nightmare still hadn’t returned.
**
When Nightmare reappeared he passed the three-headed dog, Goldie, who was planting lotus roots. Foul-slling ditch water splashed around him as he spotted Nightmare.
“Well, if it isn’t Gloomy Gus,” he barked. “What’s bothering you? Is the Chief getting tired of you already?”
Nightmare’s expression darkened, which only made Goldie happier. “Soon enough, you’ll be joining
in the lotus patch. I’ll show you the ropes.”
Nightmare turned away, refusing to respond to the dead dog.
He found Yu Xiao in the study, lost in music. The crackle of a fifty-year-old vinyl filled the air with a lody that had once been popular in the real world. She tapped a rhythm on the table, her eyes closed.
He stood quietly, observing.
She didn’t mind being watched, but she could tell from his brooding silence that his mind was filled with tension. When she opened her eyes, she saw it. His usually ticulously styled hair, ant to maintain the Director’s dignity, was a ss. His pristine double-breasted suit was torn, with loose fabric hanging from it.
“What happened to you?”
“What am I to you?” He didn’t answer her question, instead locking eyes with her intensely. “Am I that easily replaceable?”
What had occurred? “What’s wrong?”
“Answer !” His voice was filled with raw emotion.
She t his gaze. “You’re irreplaceable, of course.”
“Really?” Doubt laced his voice.
“Yes, really. I have no reason to lie to you.”
“Would you… let another monster be your secretary?” He sounded like he was holding onto a glimr of hope.
“Of course not.” Her eyes narrowed. “Do you think…”
Before she could finish her suspicions, Nightmare knelt beside her, gazing up at her with an almost reverent intensity. He cupped her face in his hands.
Yu Xiao froze.
He leaned in, pressing his lips against hers in a lingering kiss.
He pulled back, anxiety clouding his eyes. “Even after this… you won’t abandon , will you?”
She stared at him for a mont. “Did you… kill Lust?”
Shock flashed across his face, quickly replaced by a resigned slump of his shoulders. “Are you going to punish ?”
“No. He’s… rather pitiful, that’s all.”
He looked perplexed, adrift in the dimly lit room.
With a sigh, Yu Xiao recounted her encounter with Lust.
**
He had initially tried seduction, and failed miserably.
Realising his defeat, he quickly switched tactics.
“Director,” he said, “I need to report Deception.”
“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “And what has he done?”
“He has deceived you. He is disloyal. For his own benefit, he might betray you at any mont.” Lust actually preened a little as he said it. “But don’t worry, I have evidence.”
The evidence was a video recording of a conversation between Lust and Deception.
“You have deceived the Director,” Lust accused.
Deception didn’t deny it, only asked what Lust intended to do about it.
“I believe he is unworthy of his position as Security Chief,” Lust declared when the video ended. “I, on the other hand, am more suited for the role. I am loyal. I would never deceive you. And I have the ability to calm the hospital staff, ensuring smoother, more harmonious operations…”
**
“He raised so valid points,” she mused. “However…” She paused. “Deception was your recomndation. And… I didn’t like Lust.”
Watching Nightmare’s face contort with a kind of horrified amusent, she almost felt bad for Lust.
Almost.
Yu Xiao raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow and leaned in closer. “So, what did you do to Lust?”
Nightmare’s eyes darted back and forth as he slowly lowered his head, clearing his throat with a nervous cough. “I…I couldn’t control myself. I broke his legs, smashed his mouth…and handed to Gluttony for a hotpot feast,” he stamred out, avoiding Yu Xiao’s gaze.
She was left speechless by the grueso confession.
“I’ll go rescue him,” Nightmare said, turning to leave.
“Just call Gluttony,” Yu Xiao said, grabbing his arm in exasperation. “There’s no need for you to personally go.”
He slumped, his shoulders drooping.
She frowned, baffled by his deanour. “What have I done to make you so insecure?”
He thought for a mont, then shook his head.
Yu Xiao sighed. “Never mind. I feel like having so milk tea.”
As he went off to prepare it, he suddenly turned back and asked, “So… can I still… do that… again?”
She frowned. “Do what?”
He raised a hand to his lips, his gaze lingering on hers.
“Ah.” She chuckled. “That. Such a minor matter. Of course.”
He practically bounced out of the room, a delighted grin spreading across his face.
Watching him go, Yu Xiao decided that Nightmare was a bit *too* innocent. Perhaps she would download a few romantic dramas next ti she was in the real world, just to give him a taste of modern dating.
As Yu Xiao returned to drawing talismans, she couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that she was forgetting sothing important. But if it wouldn’t surface… well, it was best not to dwell on it.
**
The scent of sothing savoury and simring filled the air in the hospital basent.
Gluttony humd cheerfully while removing the lid from a pot, using a ladle to stir the contents.
Glancing over his shoulder at the young man tied up in the corner, left there like a pig awaiting slaughter, a flicker of insatiable and primal hunger sparked in his eyes. He couldn’t help but lick his lips.
Reviews
All reviews (0)