ECLIPSE LUNAR

Episode 13's

AFTER driving for about an hour and a half, Ken, Karen and Melanie arrived at an outdoor-themed cafe in North Bandung. The sun had already slipped, leaving orange, ash, and blue curats in the sky. Soon, the dark will remove the color mixture.

I looked at the romantic atmosphere of the cafe with eyebrows adrift. It was strange to come to a place like this with them. It was as if we were doing a double date. Kulirik Melanie who always walked by Karen's side, then turned to my other side where Ken with his special character also observed the surroundings.

Before my mind bounces everywhere, turn your eyes to the cafe area. This place is indeed a nest of young people hanging out. Benches and chairs are placed in an open area so that visitors can enjoy the view of the beautiful lights of the city of Bandung at night. This is a plateau area, and the expanse of the residents' houses looks like a spread of beautiful sparkling lanterns.

Unknowingly, I walked to the edge of the cafe to enjoy the sight. The wind blows my face. It feels so fresh. For a moment, my problem flew with the wind. Until Ken's disturbing voice is heard.

“Liat-liat first if you want to enjoy the scenery!”

I glared at him. Suddenly feeling paranoid looking around. There's nothing. Ken glared while holding back laughter at the look of my fool. I let it go because considering Karen's presence, minus Melanie. Yes, the girl I assumed was not there even though in reality, her steps were always trying to match Karen who was behind me.

Maybe I'm childish, for no apparent reason keep my distance from my best friend as I am now. But let! I want Karen to know that I don't like Melanie being around. No, rather, it's all around me and him.

Weird, right? I was astonished too. In fact, all this time I never mind if anyone tries to get close to Karen. Maybe it's not the right time. Now, Karen and I are in trouble where we should depend on each other. And I hate to see Karen share more with Melanie than I do. I need a good time to tell you about his sister. It will be emotionally draining and hard to believe. Thinking for a moment, would it be better not to just say it? Letting this line of investigation find for itself the fact that Kinan is dead?

“Here aja, guys!” Ken's annoying voice came back.

The man waved his hand after finding the empty table. The location is quite strategic, under a tree decorated with golden sweet lights. I caught up with her, while Karen and Melanie were behind. I deliberately slowed down the steps to align with Karen. And my efforts have not been in vain. Karen followed as I willed. We used to do it when we were walking together and there was one left behind. But not just Karen. Melanie, who has also been balancing Karen's steps, is now aligned with me.

Holy hooch! We're like a flag-raiser.

I glanced at Karen with a pouting face, but the guy smiled instead. His hand held me back as I was about to escape first, not letting go until we sat down. Karen's behavior makes Melanie forced to not be able to sit next to my best friend. Surprisingly, the girl did not seem to mind when she had to sit across the table with Ken. The right position indicates that we are not double-dating. Yup! I sat next to Karen. In front of me is Melanie and next to her is Ken.

So far it's been fine. I was calm enough with this position that my frustration with Karen was forgotten. Change with the busyness of choosing the taste of this cafe's toast that is famous for delicious. While waiting for the order to come, Karen started the conversation.

“Gue know this place after unloading items Kinan.” He turned to Melanie. “So happen to be Melan story, she has an acquaintance of the astral project club boy that Kinan participated in.”

“Astral project?” Ken asked in wonder. Or pretend to be astonished. I remember I told him about this.

“My sister can astral project,” says Karen.

Ken's face sparkled while nodding in understanding.

“Where do you know the club boy from, Mel?” my many.

Melanie shook her hands, looking wrong. I asked purely out of curiosity.

“I'll be here often to attend the psychology club. Often see there are children wearing AP jackets. Never met one of them. Coincidentally, Ser,” he replied.

I nodded briefly. Ken asked.

“Udah how long your sister lost?”

Karen turned to Ken. “About a month.” He then smiled briefly and started his story, “Gue often told Kinan about my life in Bandung. How wonderful my life is here. I stay the same bokap who never overextended. Different from Kinan who lives with nyokap and her new husband, her space is not free. Our stepfather was considerate, but too curtailed. He often confided because he was always not given this-it.”

The story of a broken family never made anyone smile. Kulirik Ken who is also from the same family background as Karen. According to my investigation all along, Ken's parents were not divorced, but both of them did not get along and were rarely at home. Ken simply folded his hands while leaning against the chair while Karen continued her story.

“Because of that, Kinan was very happy when he went to Bandung during the semester break. It was also as a gift because he was the general champion in his school. After taking the report card, he did not even change his clothes and immediately went to Bandung on a plane that day. He was never once afraid. He said, he almost every day to Bandung and already memorized all the roads. So when he called and said again on the road, I wasn't worried anymore. Including the time he refused to be picked up.”

I remember when Karen got the call back then. “Do you know the way to school? From where?”

Melanie pretentiously replied, “He found out for himself. Astral project!”

Uh. I nodded in understanding. Although I may seem stupid, I don't care. All this time, I didn't know the astral project could really help like that. Especially if it can be controlled! Really great!

“Certainly, how is the police investigation the same, Ren?”

“Police has checked. Bener Kinan to be in Husein Sastranegara on the day of our school PENSI time. He got out of the airport in a taxi, tracked down on airport CCTV. But there were no other signs after that. The taxi was contacted, but did not help much. His phone was last tracked on the airport deck. After it dies or is accidentally killed.”

I can't bear to see Karen explain any further. His face looked grim and desperate. I play my nails restlessly. Obviously tonight we won't meet Kinan. And silence doesn't talk like this makes me worse. What will happen to Karen after she doesn't find her sister tonight? I know, this is his only hope. I didn't get my heart to tear him down or even tease him.

Melanie took the silence she was made to speak. Indeed, the basis of his image is bad in my eyes, so his efforts to muffle Karen's story still make me think he is looking for face.

“About AP club,” Melanie said as she lowered her head, keeping her voice from spreading to another table.

Very lebai! The distance of the table here is clearly far away. No whispering, no one at the other table will hear you!

“AP is an online club whose members are spread all over Indonesia. You open the club's full profile if you open apc.co.id.” Melanie was silent for a moment before continuing, “Kinan one of the club's members. And as Karen said, she found the agenda of the meeting at the Kinan desk calendar at this place on September 20th, tonight. Just like the information I love. My acquaintance said, Kinan's name is also on the list of members who make sure to be present tonight.”

In a relaxed style, Melanie shrugged both of her skinny shoulders. “Now there is nothing to worry about anymore. We just wait for their presence.”

“They wear jackets, right?” my many.

“This time is not!” sahut Melanie sure. “My introduction said.”

“Continue, how do we recognize them?” asked Karen astonished.

“I memorized the faces of some of the club's children. My acquaintance also came. If you see, I would immediately know if it was them.” Melanie's tone is that sure. If he knows, it means free extend the neck find.

Our order is coming. The activity of looking for restrained until the waitress leaves. I glanced back at Ken and realized the guy was putting on a weird look. His thick eyebrows were adrift and his plump eyelashes contrasted as he gnawed slowly. Her jaw moved sideways while her attention was fixed on Melanie.

Given his reputation, I can't stop thinking about him. In order to stop whatever the guy is thinking now, I rebuked him. “Ken!”

Ken didn't turn his face away. Fortunately Melanie was unconscious, while Karen who heard me looked at me.

“Your food, Ser!” Karen told me, making me shut up and inevitably start eating. When the bread on my plate was half finished, Melanie suddenly exclaimed.

“That's them!”

We gasped and followed his direction. Karen reacted the fastest. My best friend got up and chased after a group of teenagers who walked into the cafe. Melanie immediately chased after him. I was late because Ken was suddenly holding me back. I turned to him with a look of annoyance.

“What the hell, Ken?! We have to go after them!”

Ken shakes. His eyes were in one direction. I followed her point of view, but then the guy took me in his arms, walking more slowly to where Karen and Melanie were headed.

“Don't look there!” whispered while we walked. “Lo know right, famous waiter here?”

I remember reading an article about the ghost of the cafe's waiter, a long-haired humpback woman wearing a beige kebaya.

“He just saw lo,” added Ken. His words actually made me want to turn to make sure if he was lying or not. But he pulled me and let me look.

“He was standing near the tree we were sitting on.” Ken returned to reveal. “Lo was possessed. Once you've been entered. Then it will be easy for the ghosts to find a gap to enter again.”

“OK. I will not be!” sahutku firmly. “But now is not the time to think about this, Ken. Off! Karen needs me! He's chasing someone who's not even here.”

There was a look of reluctance on his face. But Ken finally let go and let me run after Karen.

When I arrived, I saw Karen chasing after a girl in a black jacket with a hoodie covering her head, while calling out Kinan's name. They're heading out of the cafe. I didn't get to see the girl's face because it was covered in a mask. But his long hair was sticking out. Now I feel more alert than curious. Who's the girl? Why did Karen call him Kinan?

I approached Melanie who was standing on the front steps of the cafe with a surprised face. “That's really Kinan, Mel?”

Melanie nodded stiffly.

With the adrenaline racing, I immediately ran after Karen out of the cafe. At first I saw nothing but a row of large trees around the road that jutted down. But I chose to keep running because I was sure the direction I was going was indeed the direction Karen had previously passed.

Soon I saw the back I recognized. It's Karen! I approached my best friend. He was breathing with both hands resting on his knees. Seeing me coming, he straightened up.

“Where is Kinan, Ren?” ask me while looking around. My voice vibrates.

Karen shook her head in a doldrums. But that face looked calmer. I was confused to see it.

“She Kinan, Ser,” said weakly. Then, a smile appeared on his lips. “Dia Kinan.”

I was glued, worried. But Karen smiled wider and hugged me.

“She Kinan. He's doing fine. He can even run that fast for me, Ser! He is fine.”

I exhaled a long breath. Feeling stiff behind his back. Cannot be. Kinan is dead.

As Karen let go of her embrace and smiled in relief, my eyes were still down the darkness on the descending path by our side. Half believe and not. Then, I looked at Karen straight to make sure.

“Ren, are you sure that was Kinan?”

Karen nodded firmly. “He Kinan, Ser. I'm sure she's Kinan, my sister.”

My mind started floating. If it was Kinan, I also believe that the ghost in the school is also Kinan. It's disconcerting. But, suddenly an idea flashed through my head along with the echoing sound of yelling from the direction of the cafe.

Karen held my hand. His face was tense, just like mine. I swallowed spit.

“That's the voice of Melanie.” []