Horizons

Episode 97's

I immediately moved from the side of the bed. But the vibration felt more powerful, knocking down the cupboard leaning on the left wall. I almost dodged it late, and at the same time, my room door was broken from the outside. Without even looking I knew whose arm was pulling me out of that place.

The 9.2-magnitude quake lasted less than fifteen seconds. They destroyed the whole building around. Tiles fell apart, furniture collapsed, walls cracked, and communication links were cut off in an instant. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the barracks. Only a few people received minor injuries from avoiding the ruins. The men in green uniforms who have been trained and experienced certainly know how to deal with the danger.

But not for the people out there. Minutes after the incident, five troop groups were set up to evacuate the local community. The health team also took to the field. In the morning, everyone was busy helping.

"Ken.." I pulled the end of my girlfriend's arm, "Be careful, don't be a hero. Help me as much as I can" my agent. I don't know why it feels like I'm not willing to let Kendra go to do her job.

The man smiled, "Are you done with it?"

"Yet. Kiss me when I get home, and then I stop tinkering."

Again Kendra's hands ruffled my hair, "You're careful too. Don't be recalcitrant. I love you." Kendra's sentence ends with a small kiss on the forehead. The man then sped away to join his army.

The situation outside turned out to be quite alarming. The structure of houses in this region is somewhat different from the structure of buildings in Java. The foundation is less strong withstanding shock. Plus the lack of public knowledge will respond to disaster action.

Since then I have been with the health team pacing without pause to take care of the injured victims. Many were seriously injured, some could not even be saved. Especially the people who live near the former mine. Their house collapsed covered in a landslide. Apparently the land was not strong enough to withstand the shock after a long time dredged by mining monsters. Not to mention some aftershocks that were greeted by hysterical screams of residents around.

The sun was still reluctant to show its light when people shouted from the mine. Looks like last night they were back overtime completing a pending project. With a frenzied step through the rest of the ruins they shouted, "Fire.. The fire.. Fire in the mine.. Please"

Of course, as public servants, the TNI members immediately responded. One army was prepared to jump into the mine immediately. And among that army, Kendra I'm in it.

"Why are you?" he is not thinking about my current attitude. Was I too melancholy because he said he was going to be sent to the Congo? So I'm too worried if I don't see him for a second.

"Danger.. You don't go there"

A horn sound rang out, signaling Kendra to join her friends immediately. The car that transported them would immediately depart for the location.

"Where can I leave them? I'm the commander."

"But-"

"Sshhh, I'll be fine. I used to get a job like this. You don't have to worry. Doain I hope I'm coming home."

With a single smile, Kendra whispered the word 'I love you' before darting away leaving me who could only stare blankly at her wide back until it was gone unseen.

What is this feeling? Why it feels so unusual today.

It seems like I really feel. Something terrible is going to happen. I never thought it was the last time I saw Kendra's smile.