40 Days

Chapter 20

In the afternoon, Arman and Syafa arrive at their village. They return home, all the way home Arman keeps thinking of the reason for his departure the day after. He couldn't have told Ningsih that he was going to X village. At this time he reasoned to play with his school friends first. The day after tomorrow he also has to return to work, his holidays are only Saturday and Sunday. In addition to finding the right reason for Ningsih, he also had to get permission from the office where he worked. Not just him, but Syafa too.

Arriving home, Arman rushed to take a shower. His body has been feeling sticky since. After bathing and dressing he briefly laid his body on the bed. His gaze was straight, he began to daydream considering the awkwardness he experienced while in the forest.

Long daydreaming, his eyes began to heavy finally he fell asleep. Her body felt tired after traveling. Until drowsiness was easy to perch and force him to sleep.

In his sleep he dreamed himself was returning to the red climb.

But this time he walked alone, there was no Syafa or Sugeni. He walked into the forest earlier, the same atmosphere and circumstances as when he visited the place.

In his dream he could enter the forest even deeper than before. Until arriving at a point where there are many human skulls scattered in the middle of a spacious forest and on the outskirts of it many grow a variety of large and shady trees.

Arman stared around, his net was now fixed on a large, lush tree. He was shocked to find out who was in the tree. A girl in a weakened state, her body is bound by chains that are twisted into the trunk of a tree.

He was Maura, Arman was sure of that. Arman ventured closer to the helpless girl, not even getting there suddenly a giant-like figure appeared from behind the tree. The footsteps of the monstrous creature let out a terrible thumping sound. Arman's eyes widened, he was surprised by what he saw. The giant was getting closer to him, making Arman take a few steps back. The creature's thumping steps made the ground he was thrust to shake violently, like a powerful earthquake.

Several times Arman almost fell on his make, because he could not balance the body when the earth felt shaking due to the steps of the creature. The black-bodied figure is hairy, there are two horns on his head , the eyes were as big as a bright red color and its large mouth was unable to hold the long fangs so sharp that some of it appeared to come out of the creature's lips.

'' Brother, run.., suddenly Jeni's voice whispered to her ears. Arman searched for the origin of the sound, but he could not find the form of Jeni his sister. All he heard was Jeni's voice which kept telling himself to immediately run from the place.

Arman turned around and immediately took a thousand steps, trying to avoid the figure of Genderuwo who was now behind and began to pursue him.

Bruuuk !

Arman fell when one of his legs stumbled onto a rock. He fell down on the damp ground. Again he was surprised by what he saw right in front of him. An eyeball is between the moist soil and the leaves that are scattered there. Arman believes it's a human eyeball. The fishy smell now began to pierce the smell, he just realized what caused the soil to be moist, the appearance of blood flowing above the surface of the soil.

Arman soon awakens, the same time he awakens from his nightmares. His breathing hunts, sweat drenching the man's face and body. His dream this time felt very real, even his legs felt sore as if he had run out.

Arman's throat felt dry, he immediately got out of bed then took a glass of water that was available on the nightstand.

Arman gulped down the water until the toilet, then he kept the glass again. In the lyrics the wall clock shows eight o'clock at night. After his heart was somewhat calm and his breathing was back in order he immediately came out of the room.

'' A long sleep from earlier Mother woke up not also wake up, grumbled Ningsih who is currently sitting on the tapestry of the television room.

'' I soybean her kayak Ma'am, said Arman who then sneered back to look for food. His stomach felt hungry and rumbling.

Arman opened the dinner table hood, saw many side dishes there made him want to eat the food immediately.

He sat down and shoved the rice into the dish. Sambal terasi, aurap cassava leaves, fried tilapia, tofu tempe and crackers dinner menu this time. When he was busy eating food, he suddenly heard the knock on the window of the room.

Sontak Arman threw the spoon on the plate. Apparently in the tabletop there are also many small animals wriggling and moving. No matter where the maggots came from, Arman was sure if the food was clean and there were no maggots at all. But now maggots are scattered on every plate. Arman felt nauseous, he immediately ran to the sink and vomited all his stomach contents.

Ningsih who was in another room immediately approached Arman when he heard his son was vomiting.

'' Why are you? Windin? '' asked Ningsih.

Arman had not answered, he was still nauseous and vomiting. He could not imagine the maggots were entering into the oral cavity and even his stomach. Totally disgusted.

Ningsih immediately filled up a glass of warm water, and he again approached towards Arman standing up.

'' This is a drink first. '' Ningsih thrust a glass filled with warm water earlier.

Arman immediately grabbed the glass and drank it up.

Arman set his breath, he wanted to tell Ningsih what had happened just now.

'' Mom, how come there are so many maggots in that food? '' asked Arman.

Ningsih linked the two eyebrows not understanding what Arman was talking about.

'' What are you talking about? '' asked Ningsih in surprise.

'' That's it, the food on the dining table is a lot of his maggots. '' Arman's index finger leads to the dining table, he can't see there.

Ningsih's eyeballs followed the direction of his son's index finger, he then walked closer to the dining table. All the food is clean there's no maggots like what Arman said.

'' Do not worry, you are still sleepy eating it ngigau, ketus Ningsih then looked into the television room again.

Arman was astonished by Ningsih's attitude, how could his mother not see the disgusting animal earlier? Arman stepped slowly, wondering what he saw was true or just a hallucination? Like Ningsih said if he was delirious. Arman was surprised, apparently there was nothing on top of the food. All clean. Arman rubs his eyes, making sure he doesn't see it wrong.

'' Strange, when I saw there was clearly maggots in my food, why now say yes? '' murmured Arman. He had no appetite, his appetite was gone since he had seen the disgusting animal. Hallucinations or not the obvious he no longer wants to continue his dinner.

seriate,

Want to change the name of village x to a more appropriate village name. Anyone want advice? 🤭