Droplets of Night Creatures

19. Ustadz Zaid

After Arka told the school including both Denis parents, the Denis pick-up process began.

The school also contacted people who understood the supernatural world including a Ustadz. Arka as the main informant was also involved in the Denis pickup process which was carried out after the Isya prayer.

“ Why you should pick up at night Sir. Why isn't it from this afternoon.?” ask Denis' mother impatiently.

“ Patience dong Bu. It's not easy, because not just anyone can get in there. Do not get there We can go in there but can not get out because it is misled by the same subtle creatures that wait for the empty land. So I have to wait patiently for people who are willing to help us come here.” said Mr. Denis gave understanding to the wife.

“ Yes I know. But it's Denis sir. What if he later there continues to go back and forth to be crazy..?” ask Denis' mother again.

“ Hush, don't ngaco You Ma'am. Pray for Denis to stay healthy and well later.” said Mr. Denis half snapped.

Hearing her husband's words made Denis' mother speech silent. He knew it was not time to argue. He just wants his son to come home safe and alive.

The pick-up process was led by an ustadz named Zaid. He is a religious leader who has performed the Hajj three times. Although his formal education only graduated from High School, but his ability in spiritual matters can be relied upon. His low profile attitude and a little ‘koboy’ make him favored by young people.

The young people feel comfortable close to ustadz Zaid because he always gives directions with language that is easy to understand and does not seem patronizing. Ustadz Zaid positioned himself as a friend and brother so that the youth could not hesitate to ask many questions about religion.

“ Assalamualaikum Ustadz..,” greet Arka while kissing the back of the hand ustadz Zaid with reverence.

“ Wa aleikumsalam Mas Arka. How is it, healthy right..?” ask ustadz Zaid.

“ Alhamdulillah healthy Ustadz...,” said Arka with a smile.

“ I heard info about the whereabouts of this missing child obtained from you. Is that true..?” ask ustadz Zaid in a whisper.

“ That's true Ustadz. But I beg you not to tell others yes..,” pinta Arka to make ustadz Zaid frown because he does not understand.However ustadz Zaid feels it is not the right time to talk about Arka's request.

Then Austadz Zaid began to lead the group to enter the empty land. If usually the pick-up of children who are kidnapped by subtle creatures is done by inviting many people, in contrast to what Ustadz Zaid did. He chose to do it quietly and without frenzy. He only asked the members of the entourage to recite during the pickup process.

“ Please accompany Denis Mother yes, do not leave her alone. Because among us only Mother Denis who is the woman and the weakest.” message ustadz Zaid who is called father Denis.

After greeting ustadz Zaid stepped into the empty land followed by the group. The thick aroma of the soil lurks in that place to cause comfort and fear. The flashlight that was lit by a few people was enough to help illuminate the place. They're headed straight for the big tree Denis is holding.

When approaching the tree, there was the sound of the cry of a small child who set up a feather. Denis' mother seemed surprised and happy to recognize the voice as Denis' voice.

“ That's Denis Sir, Denis again crying now..,” said Denis' mother.

“ Yes Ma'am, I'm also horrified..,” said Mr. Denis with a smile.

“ Patience Mom, don't go near there and call Denis name. Let it be neutralized first with Ustadz Zaid..,” said Arka.

“ Yes Sir...,” said Mr. Denis then pulled his wife to stay away from the location.

From the top of the tree Denis saw many people approaching while carrying a flashlight. Among them he saw his parents and made him realize and screamed to call his father and mother. Strangely, no one heard the call of Denis but ustadz Zaid.

“ Mother..., Mr...., please Denis...!” call Denis over and over again.

“ Shut up !. Do you want me to push from here and die..?!” hardik a woman angrily while continuing to hug Denis body from behind.

The threat of the woman's figure made Denis afraid to force him to be silent with a face wet with tears.

From under the tree Ustadz Zaid called Denis' name and asked that the delicate creature holding Denis hostage would release the child.

“ Don't mess around anymore. You've held it off enough for two days. Return him to Us now..!” ustadz Zaid said as he looked up at the tree.

“ She's mine, she's safe with me. You who have disturbed my pleasure then you who should leave from here.!” tell that subtle creature.

“ But he's not your son. Let him go, I don't want to bargain too much. It's free to ask you to talk because you're stupid and stupid.” said ustadz Zaid as he rolled up his sleeves and trousers as if he was preparing to do something.

Hearing the words of Ustadz Zaid made the creature growl furiously and began to reveal its true form. Denis who felt that the figure of the woman who was hugging him was a little different from what he saw during these two days also turned his head and was surprised. Denis screamed in fear when he saw the figure who was hugging him now turned creepy. With blackened skin, wrinkled face, red eyeballs, thickened forehead and mouth decorated with fangs that grinned towards him made Denis' body limp and then fell unconscious.

Seeing the condition of Denis made ustadz Zaid jump directly into the tree to pick up Denis' body that drooped and almost fell. Then ustadz Zaid snatched Denis' body from the creature's hand and brought it down from the tree. Austadz Zaid's quick movements startled the creature, angering him when he realized Denis was no longer with him.

“ Get Denis out of here asap.!” ustadz Zaid said, handing over Denis' body to Arka.

“ Well Ustadz...!” sahut Arka and everyone at the same time then rushed out of the empty land.

After everyone passed ustadz Zaid also welcomed the attack of the subtle creature. Even fighting is inevitable. Apparently this is not the first time they have faced each other. Although it always ends in defeat but the creature is not also deterred.

“ Ampuunn.., sakiittt.., please let me go. I won't do this again..,” groans the creature was fond of but ignored by ustadz Zaid.

After breaking the creature's hand, Ustadz Zaid left the place.

\=====

When Denis screamed loudly and then rushed to hug his mother. Everyone who was still waiting for him also seemed to smile with relief. Ustadz Zaid rubbed his face and stepped out of the house. Arka who saw him also approached to invite him to talk.

“ Is there something Ustadz..?” ask Arka.

“ Yes. I am saddened to be forced to injure the creature earlier.” said ustadz Zaid.

“ Not that it's natural huh Ustadz, right he's wrong for disturbing humans.?” ask Arka.

“ There is something behind his actions that Mas Arka. And I'm not patient enough to pry into his past. His crying made me sad but I also have to remind him ga ga continue to do the same..,” sahut ustadz Zaid.

“ Is this not the first time he has kidnapped the children of Ustadz.?” ask Arka.

“ Right. I also picked up the kids many times. Almost every year, there is a child missing. The last one was eight years ago. At that time I had asked him to stop but it seems that my attitude was too soft and did not make him deterred. That's why I gave him a hard lesson today..,” sahut ustadz Zaid.

“ If anyone can help pry into his past and find out what his desire is about the creature will not bother Ustadz again.?” ask Arka.

“ God willing he won't bother you again. Can Mas Arka help..?” ask ustadz Zaid while looking at the clingy Ark.

“ Not Me Ustadz, maybe My Son will help you.

“ You mean Aruna...?” ask ustadz Zaid.

“ Yes Ustadz. Aruna it...,” Arka's speech was interrupted because ustadz Zaid cut quickly.

“ I Already Dumped. Aruna has something no one else has. Then take Aruna to my house tomorrow, Mas Arka. I want to talk to him..,” pinta ustadz Zaid.

“ God willing We come Ustadz. Coincidentally I also need someone to direct Aruna. My Wife and I are quite worried about the advantages that Aruna has and hope there is someone who can supervise and teach her self-control.” said Arka enthusiastically.

\=====

The next day Arka and Diana took Aruna to meet Zaid. Ustadz Zaid's wife named Sharifah seemed enthusiastic to welcome their arrival.

“ Abi is still on the road, God willing will be home soon. This is aruna yes..?” sharifah asked as she gently touched Aruna's cheek.

“ Yes Ustadzah...,” said Diana with a smile and then patted Aruna gently on the back.

Aruna went forward and kissed the back of Sharifah's hand with reverence to make Sharifah smile. Then Sharifah invited them to sit down. Shortly thereafter Austadz Zaid arrived. After greeting each other and making small talk, Ustadz Zaid asked Aruna.

“ Aruna saw something ga around this house..?” tanya ustadz Zaid who is possessed by Aruna.

“ Yes. There was a man in white and wearing a white turban behind Ustadz, there was a woman whose long hair was pacing back and forth in front of the kitchen, also a black hairy figure that looks like an orangutan again stands under the guava tree.” said Aruna.

Aruna's reply made ustadz Zaid and his wife look at each other for a moment and then smile. Arka and Diana watched in silence.

“ Can aruna talk to them..?” ask Sharifah carefully.

“ Can Ummi...,” says Aruna steady.

Then Aruna lowered her head while closing her eyes to interact with the three supernatural figures in the house of ustadz Zaid. Although not the first, Diana was still afraid. He closed his body towards Arka while holding the tip of the husband's shirt.

From his seat ustadz Zaid and his wife seemed to observe the way Aruna called the three supernatural beings. Both of them were surprised when Aruna managed to present the three at the same time.

“ He is Bi...,” whispered Syarifah.

“ Right Mi...,” say ustadz Zaid while nodding.

Then Ustadz Zaid and his wife listened to Aruna's conversation with the three figures of supernatural beings who inhabited their house carefully without a single one being missed.

Seriate