Canticles

114. Find Another Place

After saying the explanatory sentence, Rex passed followed by all his colleagues. Then they gather in the field to continue their routine activities every morning, namely exercise.

While Elvira looks sculpted in the middle of the room while staring pity at Sister Tami. At that time, Lita's doctor was also there and was trying to calm Sister Tami.

" Patience to Sister Tami." said doctor Lita as she gently rubbed the back of Sister Tami.

" I'm afraid she's coming back, doc..," said Sister Tami.

" You calm down, the creature will not dare to return again. Captain Rex and his troops will tighten guard later on" Lita's doctor said.

" A troop as much and as great as anything will not be able to match the creature dok !. He's a demon !. He can disappear, come and go as he wishes...!" sahut sister Tami riled.

Elvira and Doctor Lita looked surprised and stared at each other for a moment. Then Elvira came out of the room to meet Rex.

Elvira saw Rex sitting on the sidelines while staring at his colleagues who were playing ball. Rex who knew Elvira's arrival said something before the girl approached him, leaving the girl speechless.

" Don't think we don't care what happens to Sister Tami !. We have to stay sane in order to keep up the task properly including keeping everyone safe here...!" rex said in a quip.

Rex's words made Elvira misbehaved and silent for a moment while trying to digest the words of the captain.

" Sorry Captain. I'm not trying to underestimate you and your troops here. I only panicked when I found out my coworkers got se**al harassment here. We were away from home and came here doing volunteer work. Why get harassment. That's what was in my head earlier..," Elvira said in a soft voice.

" Gapapa, We're trying to understand the situation you're in. But you shouldn't blame Us before you know what's really going on. It was a calamity that came from something invisible and you lightly cornered Us. We are soldiers who used to fight with something real not with the supernatural. And your speech is not fair to Us..," Rex said firmly.

" Yes, please forgive me.." said Elvira with teary eyes.

Seeing the girl beside him almost cry made Rex feel sorry. He took a deep breath and smiled thinly.

" Forgetit. You'd better just do your job, let the rest We take care of. That's also if you believe in the performance of Kami Bu teacher Elvira..," said Rex coldly.

" I... Yes Captain. I believe it. Again forgive me, excuse me." said Elvira nervously and hurried to leave Rex just like that.

Rex looked back to the front and then rose from his seat when he remembered Banga. He intended to ask one of his colleagues to pick up Banga, but he paused when he saw Banga walking quickly towards him.

" Good morning Captain...!" banga SAPa.

" Banga Morning. How, have you prepared everything ?. Is there anything we can help you with...?" ask Rex.

" All is ready, Captain. The people helped me a lot and worked together to prepare everything. It turns out the citizens agreed with the Captain's suggestion. They want Kami to perform the exorcism of the popobawa tonight as well...". said Banga enthusiastically to make Rex surprised and happy.

" Oh yeah. What time and where will it be...?" ask Rex.

" We used to hold the ritual in this field, Captain. Did the Captain allow this place We made it a ritual place...?" ask Banga carefully.

" Is there no other place than here...?" ask Rex.

" There is, but the place is smaller and close to the forest. Residents are less comfortable because they are worried that there are snakes or other wild animals that come out while doing the ritual later. However, the ritual will also attract the attention of forest residents including wild animals." said Banga reasoned.

" I objected because one of our colleagues also became a victim of popobawa last night. She was still in shock and kept crying. We are worried that the ritual will make him hysterical and uncontrollable later," said Rex riled up to surprise Banga.

" Sister Tami..," said Rex in a choked voice.

" Oh my God. Then let us name the ritual somewhere else Captain. The ritual was performed to invite popobawa. And I'm afraid that the creature will come to Sister Tami again later because usually the popobawa will terrorize her victims to death and death." said Banga riled.

" If so let us help clean the place later," said Rex.

" Thank you Captain...!" sahut Banga with a smile.

" All together. You just show me the place. I will take some people there," said Rex, who is owned by Banga.

Then Rex called his comrades and began to split the tasks.

" Six people come with me, the rest stay here and do the job as usual. We try to get back quickly so that we can help the work of our colleagues all before lunch hour arrives, said Rex.

" Prepared Captain...!" sahut Rex's colleagues together.

Then Rex, Banga and six soldiers boarded the pick up car. But the vehicle was stopped because it was blocked by Farhan's doctor.

" Can I come with Captain...?" ask Dr. Farhan.

" What if there are people who come for treatment later doc...?" ask Rex.

" There's Doctor Lita. Besides, I'm sure the medicine I gave the patient is still enough until the day after Captain. So they won't come today" said Dr Farhan.

" alright. Come ride...!" take Rex to make Farhan's doctor smile.

Then the car drove back to where Banga meant. On the way Banga ask for a car pull over. He went down to meet one of the residents and told them that the location of the ritual would be moved. The residents nodded and invited other residents to help clear the land.

Soon they arrived at the land in question. It is close to the forest. From where he stood Rex could see if the fields of the citizens looked damaged. Many plants are uprooted and just lying on the ground.

" Our field was ravaged by boars and Captain apes. Even tigers are trying to attack some residents. Therefore, residents will no longer farm for fear of being attacked by tigers." said Banga.

" We're cleaning up now. Make a few torches and plug them around the ground. At night the torch can be lit to scare away the beast. Be careful when working because there are snakes that can lurk at any time...!" rex said to remind.

Everyone started working while talking about a lot of things. Sometimes laughter can be heard echoing the signs of residents feeling comfortable with the presence of the TNI there.

" Are you going to follow the ritual, Captain...?" ask Dr. Farhan while cutting wood.

" I did not participate because the ritual was contrary to the religion I adopted. I will choose another way that is in accordance with the teachings of my religion later..," Rex said quickly.

" How does the security of the citizens continue when performing rituals here, Captain...? " ask doctor Farhan.

" They used to hold rituals. There must be someone who will divide the task so that all positions are filled. So our presence is not necessary here. Besides, we don't know their language. Do not let your presence interfere with their ritual process, doc..," said Rex casually.

Doctor Farhan seemed to nod in agreement with Captain Rex's words.

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