1001 Horror Stories

Witnesses to the Bail

KKN or Real Work Lecture generally lasts for 1-2 months in rural areas. My KKN location is in Cianjur, about 3 – 4 hours drive from Pasir Hayam terminal, but I do not want to mention in detail the name of the area.

My KKN team consists of 16 people from 7 different faculties. There are faculties of economics, communication, law, social politics, agriculture, animal husbandry and psychology. Each faculty represented 2 people, except agriculture and livestock which sent 3 students.

Upon arrival at the location, the residence of the team was divided in two. Seven female members occupy the old house of the Secretary. This house is not a building that has long been uninhabited. The secretary moved into her new home about 1 week before our arrival.

This house became an official base camp, or we commonly call the Secretariat. The rest of the KKN team members occupied a fairly large house near the village border with the forest. This house we make the base camp unofficial because of its location is rather remote so do not worry to disturb the neighbors because of the sound of our chat. Neighboring distance from the base camp is about 100 meters.

One night, we were gathering at basecamp. Not all members of the KKN team because there are those who are shopping for goods to Cianjur, there are also those who are licensed back to Bandung. The remaining eleven people that night, including me, were busy talking about the progress of the programs we had made.

Suddenly it rained very heavily followed by lightning and wind. We who were sitting on the terrace immediately moved into the house because the rain water entered due to a very strong wind. In the middle room, we continued talking about the program.

One of my friends decided to urinate and offered to make coffee. A well-received offer.

About 5 minutes later, the friend returned without coffee.

“Mana coffee? Said he wanted to make coffee?” Tanya Fitri, my friend is a faculty member.

“Wait for the water to boil. Uh, you guys just heard the sound of people screaming?” Miftah diverted the conversation material.

We looked at each other. Baffled. Then shake his head.

“So it fits again in the bathroom, I'm like the sound of a squeaky person. It's like a female voice. Or not, the voice of the children.”

The ten of us heard no other sound except the sound of rain falling on the roof of the house.

Miftah returned to the kitchen without saying anything more. Not long after, he came again carrying a tray of coffee.

By midnight, the rain was still falling quite heavily but no longer accompanied by lightning and wind. The weather did not allow me and my friends to go home to the Secretariat, plus the dark and muddy conditions of the streets. That night, we decided to sleep at base camp. After all, our friends who were going to Cianjur had told them they could not return because of heavy rain.

My female friends and I occupied the middle room, the largest room. The four of us directly****, nempel (pillow) molor (sleep).

Geck. Geck. Geck…

Sayup-dyed, I heard a subtle knock.

Geck. Geck. Geck…

Am I dreaming again?

Geck. Geck. Geck…

I tried to get up and activate the sense of hearing, looking for the source of the sound. A window? Room door? Or... the sound of raindrops?

I heard a soft creaking sound. Someone opened the door.

My heart is beating very fast. Drowsiness suddenly disappeared. The dim conditions of the room made it difficult for me to see who opened the door. A strip of light from the central room came in from behind the door.

Aah, it was Fitri who opened the room door. I am also relieved.

Fitri spoke to someone in a low tone. I couldn't see who the interlocutor was because of being blocked by the door. Fitri then turned her gaze towards me.

“Why, Fit?” I asked.

“Elu not asleep, Ty?” Fitri asked back.

“So it's been, but woke up again. What was? Who's that?”

From behind the door came Reza's face. “Ty, elo can be out for a moment? Urgent.”

I went out of my room with Fitri. In the middle room where we discussed earlier had gathered other boy friends. Complete. What's the matter?

“Ty, Fit, you inget earlier Miftah asked about njerrit people?” Reza opened the conversation.

“So we're horrified again. All of us, not just Miftah.” Reza continued.

Me and Fitri were silent.

“I guess, it comes from a house at the end of that garden.” Miftah added.

I remember the little house at the end of the back garden. The house was occupied by a young mother with her in-laws. We used to call him Teh Siti and Mak Unyeh. Not long ago Teh Siti gave birth to her first child, a beautiful princess. We visited her about a week ago and brought her baby things. When we arrived, we did not see her husband or father-in-law. News that circulated, her husband and father-in-law went to Jakarta.

“I'm the same Miftah wants to look there. Fear of nothing.” Said Reza.

I understand why Reza took Miftah. In addition to the most sturdy body, Miftah also mastered martial arts.

Armed with two large beam flashlights and portable radio communications, Reza and Miftah exit the back door. A piercing chill burst in when the door opened.

In the living room, we waited anxiously for news. Outside, the rain had stopped. Very quiet situation. There is absolutely no sound of frogs who usually revel after the rain. So do insects and night birds, none of which make a sound. I remember my uncle (he's a true nature lover) once said, nature that is too quiet is not a good sign.

It's been more than 15 minutes since Reza and Miftah were heard. Afraid of anything happening with the two of them, Indra tries to call through radio communication.

“Za... Miftah.

There's no answer.

“Reza…. Miftah..” Call Indra again.

There's still no answer.

“Reza... Miftah... Are you all right? Where are you guys? Replace!” Indra raised the volume of her voice.

A second later, the sound of radio chattering.

“Roger, this is Reza. This who? Replace.”

“Gue, Indra. How, Za? Replace.”

Back there is no answer.

“Za..!” Call Indra.

“Roger, Ndra. I'll be back home soon. I'll be telling a story later. Over and out.” Reza cut off communications.

Ten minutes later Reza and Miftah reached base camp. From the faces of the two of them, we knew something bad had happened.

Arriving in the living room, Reza immediately went to the radio device that Indra had used, while Miftah joined us without saying anything. Reza then looked for the radio frequencies used by village devices.

I glanced at the watch on the right hand. It's almost 2 in the morning. Is anyone still awake?

Arriving at the sought frequency, there were voices of people talking. Apparently heavy rain and strong winds last night have made some trees fall. In fact, there was one that befell the elementary school building.

Reza called Mr. Kades over radio communications.

“Muhun, Jang. Aya naon's? Bapak keur sangkal nu ngarubuhan sakolah building.” Answer Mr. Kades. (Yes, Son. What was? I again examined the tree that hit the school building.)

“Ieu, Sir. Abdi aya kaperyogi ka Bapak. Pisan essential. Replace.” Said Reza. (Look, Sir. I have a need with my father. Very important.)

Reza tried to speak as calmly as possible, but still could not hide the anxiety he felt. Or... fear? At least that's how I feel.

Reza asked Mr. Kades to come to the base camp right then and there. If possible, Mr. Kades also invited a religious leader and health workers. Mr. Kades responded after hearing Reza's brief explanation.

While waiting for the arrival of Mr. Kades, Reza tells what he experienced with Miftah.

**CONNECT**