The Past Detective

Detective Pangu Furukawa had always been different. From a young age, he possessed an uncanny ability that set him apart from his peers. He could see the past, but not through the usual means, like photographs or videos. No, he could see the past by touching objects that had a connection to a person, particularly those who had met a violent end. Pangu discovered this ability at the tender age of seven when he found an old pocket watch in his grandfather’s attic. As soon as his fingers brushed against the watch’s tarnished surface, he was transported back in time. He witnessed a horrifying scene, a murder, from decades ago. The details were vivid — the victim’s terrified ice-blue eyes, the killer’s face contorted with rage. It was as if he had been there, experiencing it firsthand. Growing up with this gift was a double-edged sword. Pangu learned to use it to help the police solve crimes, but it also meant carrying the heavy burden of knowing the darkest secrets of humanity. He saw the faces of countless victims, their stories etched into his memory forever.
It was a cold and rainy night when Pangu received a call from his friend, Detective Xiuying Cheng. She had a case that stumped the entire precinct, and she knew Pangu was their best chance to crack it. “Pang, it’s Xiujing.” Her voice crackled over the phone. “We have a murder on our hands, and it’s a real mess. I need your help.”
Pangu had never been one to back down from a challenge. He agreed to meet her at the crime scene. As he drove through the rain-soaked streets, his mind raced with possibilities. He had solved countless cases by touching objects that belonged to the victims, but each one took a toll on him. The visions were vivid, and the pain and fear of the victims became his own, even if only for a moment.
When Samuel arrived at the crime scene, he was met with a gruesome sight. The victim, a young woman named Qing Guo, lay sprawled in the middle of her living room. Something contorted her body, suggesting a violent struggle. Xiujing filled him in on the details. “We have no leads, no witnesses.” Frustration was clear in her voice. “We’re hoping you can do your thing, Pang.”
Pangu nodded and approached Qing’s lifeless body. He noticed a small necklace lying on the floor nearby, a silver locket that had come undone during the struggle. Gently, he picked it up and closed his silver eyes, allowing his fingertips to contact the cold metal. Instantly, Pangu was transported into Qing’s past. He saw her as a young girl, giggling and playing in a sunlit backyard. She was surrounded by friends and family, a picture of innocence and happiness. Then, the scene shifted, and he saw her in a college dorm room, passionately discussing art with a group of friends. She had dreams, ambitions, a future full of promise. But as the visions continued, they darkened. Pangu saw Qing with a man, a boyfriend, who became increasingly possessive and controlling. Arguments turned into violence, and Pangu could feel Qing’s fear and despair as if it were his own. Then, the visions took a sinister turn. Qing was alone in her apartment, and the same man from her past burst in, his face twisted with rage. Pangu watched in horror as the man attacked Qing, strangling the life out of her. He felt her struggle for breath, her desperate attempts to fight back, and finally, her life slipping away. Pangu’s silver eyes snapped open, and he gasped for air as if someone had strangled him. He relayed the horrifying details to Xiujing, his voice trembling with emotion. “It was her boyfriend.” Pangu said, his voice hoarse. “He killed her in a fit of rage. I saw it all.”
Xiujing nodded grimly and made a call to dispatch. Pangu knew his visions were not enough to secure a conviction, but they were a vital piece of the puzzle.
Over the next few weeks, Pangu and Xiujing worked tirelessly to build a case against Qing’s boyfriend, Gang Ding. Pangu’s visions had given them a starting point, but they needed concrete evidence to bring him to justice.
They discovered Qing’s diary hidden in a drawer, filled with entries detailing her abusive relationship with Gang. They interviewed Qing’s friends and found witnesses who had seen her bruises and heard her cries for help. Slowly, the pieces fell into place, and a disturbing picture of Gang’s violent tendencies emerged.
As the case progressed, Pangu couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. He had always been cautious about using his gift, but now it felt like someone was aware of his abilities and was keeping a close eye on him.
One evening, as Pangu was leaving his apartment, he noticed a shadowy figure lurking in the alley across the street. Instinctively, he knew he was being followed. He quickened his pace, his heart pounding in his chest. The figure pursued him, and Pangu realized he was in grave danger. He ducked into a nearby store, hoping to lose his pursuer, but the figure was relentless. Pangu couldn’t see their face, but he could sense their malevolent intent.
Desperate and with no other option, Pangu ducked into an abandoned building and hid in the darkness. He watched as the figure entered the building and began searching for him. His heart raced as he tried to control his breathing, but he knew that his gift would betray him if he touched anything in the building.
The figure drew closer, and Pangu could hear their heavy breathing. Just when he thought he had run out of options, a voice echoed in his mind — the voice of Qing. It was as if her spirit had reached out to him, guiding him to safety. Pangu followed Qing’s guidance, maneuvering through the building’s labyrinthine halls and finding a way out through a hidden exit. He emerged onto the street, gasping for breath but free from his pursuer.
With the newfound determination to bring Qing’s killer to justice, Pangu and Xiujing continued their investigation. They uncovered a history of violent outbursts and restraining orders against Gang. Qing’s diary entries painted a chilling picture of a man consumed by jealousy and rage.
When the trial began, Pangu took the stand as a witness, describing the visions he had seen and the horrors Qing had endured. Qing’s diary was presented as evidence, along with the testimonies of her friends and the physical evidence of her injuries.
Gang’s defence attorney tried to discredit Pangu’s abilities, painting him as a fraud and a sensationalist. But the jury had seen the undeniable evidence of Gang’s violent past, and they believed Qing’s haunting story. In the end, Gang was found guilty of murder.
As Pangu walked out of the courtroom, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of closure. Qing’s spirit had guided him not only to safety but to the truth.