ALPENIA (The Cruel Small Town)

Iswanti's Fear

The forests of the Alps are darker than usual. The sounds of various kinds of birds chirping from all directions, made the girl's head look up and down.

Moreover, another strange sound that resonated in his head increasingly disturbed his concentration. There were laughter, cries, and also shouts that made Iswanti shudder with gnawing. His breath hunted, with sweat pouring down his temples to his cheeks.

"Please!"

"Go from here!"

"You should help us!"

Iswanti closed her ears, because the faint voice just now sounded very clear. Immediately, he ran away trying to get away from the strangeness. However, the further his thin legs went, Iswanti still returned to the same corner. It seems to be rotated to always reach the stump of the banyan tree big enough place from before standing.

Iswanti was already powerless, her trembling body was now beginning to give up and exhausted. Now, he could only collapse on the hollow asphalt that became his footing. Only tears could voice the mixed emotions in his heart at this moment.

"Why are you crying? You were not created to cry! You are a strong figure. You should have saved this town, Iswanti. But, please, hurry up! Your time and your friends are running low. Save the city from those evil demons."

Iswanti, who had hidden her face on her knees, looked up after hearing the familiar voice. The black-robed man had come again, since the last time he had visited this forest.

"You! Whoareyou? Try to mention your point clearly, let me understand. My friends and I are trying too! We are not silent," said Iswanti, feeling a little calm. Because in the darkness of this forest, he was finally able to find someone to talk to.

"Then try harder. Naya-"

The man's words immediately stopped as a strange creature slammed into his body until it bounced.

The horse-footed human figure also returned again, revealing itself to Iswanti.

"I suggest, you better back off from all this, if you don't want to be fucked. Not just you, but your friends will be the victims." Blurted the figure with an angry face. In fact, now his eyes were seen letting out blazing flames.

Iswanti defends her net of fear. He retreated on all fours using his hands and buttocks, as the figure spouted flames from his mouth.

Before feeling the heat hit his skin, Iswanti was unconscious first. Suddenly, he found himself terrified on the bed with a gasp of breath.

Iswanti wanted to believe that the thing that was happening to her was a dream, but her mind refused. Because the nightmare feels so real. He felt, it was all a sign.

One thing that became his mind now, the figure of the old man mentioned the name Naya in his dream. Whatdoes thatmean?

***

The night had passed, changing with the morning still dark. The city of Alpenia is always surrounded by black clouds. If it doesn't rain, it means misty.

Naya just got to school. As usual, the girl always had an excited spirit. Moreover, plus later in the afternoon he has plans with Sandi.

"Day! I want to talk to you!" Iswanti directly intercepted Naya in front of the classroom door with a serious facial expression.

"What?" tanya Naya who immediately appeared curious, because she saw the face of Iswanti.

"There's something strange going on with you, isn't there?"

Naya frowned, not understanding Iswanti's words. "Huh? Mean lo?"

"Lo remember, when we entered the forest at that time, it was just me, Ulfa, just as you are not distracted the same strange thing that befell other friends. I guess that means something, right?" Iswanti explained her point. From last night, only Naya became the center of his mind.

Naya raised her gaze, while considering the words of Iswanti that had a point as well. "Yes. I also think it's like that. But what is that weird thing you mean? I don't understand!"

Naya laughed bitterly. "So. I'm just a human being, Is. Anyway, why did you suddenly think of it like that?"

"Gue didn't think of it all of a sudden, Nay. Ever since that happened in the woods, I've been thinking about it. Moreover last night, that black-robed man came again to my dream. He called your name too" Iswanti explained.

Naya nodded her head. He thought of something more plausible than Iswanti's conjecture of thinking of him as a man of power. "Perhaps, the man meant Sandi, Is. Actually, I want to tell you guys today."

"What story?"

"So, Sandi got an anonymous message from someone, containing an offer to kidnap a child. Well, I'm the same he plans to follow the mysterious man's game. Make a clue," said Naya very enthusiastic.

Iswanti widened her eyes. "That's a great idea, Nay!"

"Don't your dream last night be a sign, Is. The man may have hinted that I would be a bridge to something good to come, because of Sandi's same plan. Maybe, those kids will see you soon, Is!" naya said more confident, if the plan will succeed.

Iswanti opened her mouth, but hesitated to say. "Gue hope so, Nay. But--"

"But what?"

"Gue can also be a warning from the figure of a half-human half-horse creature" replied Iswanti.

Naya frowned asking for clarity.

"He said we should stop investigating. Or no, we will all be doomed" Iswanti said, bowing her head.

Naya shook her head quickly. "And you want to give it up? You want to see Ulfa continue to grieve and wonder where Hilfa is? I'm not gonna back down, Is."

"Hey! What's the matter?" Ulfa who had just come, suddenly piled up.

"Seru nih, follow dong!" Annisa is also present. He immediately grabbed Ulfa's shoulder.

"Excuse me! What's the furore going on? Why did you make a circle, and surround Iswanti?" Intan, who had just called after entering the door, is now also interested in joining.

"Lo will continue this or not, Is?" naya asked the still-sangued Iswanti.

"Continue what?" tanya Intan represents her friends who do not know the direction of the conversation that is happening.

"Iswanti said, if we remain determined to continue the search for children, then we will be doomed!" obviously Naya.

"Huh?" Intan held her chest in surprise.

"Are you also afraid of Iswan, Tan?" ask Naya.

Intan snorted sharply. He thought he had nothing left if the worst was to happen. It's okay if he is wretched, because his life is runny and sad. His family was in a mess, Re.aldi had also started to ignore him.

"Gue isn't afraid at all, girl!" tegah Intan's.

"Believe, Is! Our intentions are good, surely the results will be good as well. Even if we are wretched, we do no noble thing." Continue Annisa who is completely undaunted. She really wants to be a good girl.

"We need lo, Is. I need you!" ulfa assured.

After getting enough strength from his friends, slowly the fear in Iswanti faded. Now, his belief has returned. He is ready for war.