Legionaries

Markus Priyambodo

26 June 2002

At 04:01

"THIS TIME, you've completely lost your mind!"

Papa didn't seem too happy with my decision. There was clearly a look of disappointment that loomed brightly across his face. I'm not counting on that. This decision that I have taken unilaterally does indeed contain a potential danger. Mainly for the continuity of Papa's secret business that has been running for the past four years.

"I'm sorry, Pap. I know this is a mistake. I shouldn't have brought the kid here."

"You should have put your poison in that kid's drink too! Just like you did to his father!" hardik Papa, loud.

"Groupsttt..." I put my index finger on my lips. "Please don't speak out loud, Pap. The boy is still asleep. What if he wakes up and hears our conversation?"

"If he wakes up right now, I'll finish the task you haven't finished. That is, end his life."

"Pap," Confidently, I scoured both eyes of my parents who were grinning sharply. I myself inherited the grin from him, and today I am trying to make it a powerful weapon against him. "He's a kid, Pap. He doesn't know about our business."

"Who can guarantee he doesn't see you putting that poison in his father's drink?"

"I guarantee the boy won't open his voice. Because he no longer has a voice." Papa's mouth was tightly closed, but his eyes were looking at me deeply. "I haven't confirmed it yet, but it looks like the boy is suffering from a memory disorder. He's been in a severe shock since yesterday's incident."

"How did you know?"

"I had a chance to talk to him when he woke up on the way here. He can't remember anything. In fact, he doesn't even know himself."

Papa who still looked furious now tightened the distance. "Make sure of that! I don't want us to take any wrong steps because of your overly empathetic attitude!"

"That's a genetic influence, Pap. I got that trait from my late Mama."

"And, because of her frail temperament, your mother finally died during the riots. If he hadn't been a hero, and had tried to help a kid when our factory caught fire, he might still be alive today. Papa doesn't have to bother doing all this either."

My forehead wrinkled. "I mean Papa?"

"This business..," Papa's voice suddenly shook. "The Father runs it only with anger. Papa was angry at those up there. The officials and the people who are still in power. They should be responsible for the mess. They're gonna have to take responsibility for your mother's death."

Before, I never found sadness in Papa's eyes. However, today it was as if there was a cloudy cloud covering her eyes. The steep eyeball was reddened by trying to stem the flow of stagnant water.

"You remind me of your mother" Papa said, in a much more peaceful tone. "Because of that, getting you into this business is a big mistake."

"Don't think like that, Pap. I'm glad I could help Papa. I enjoy this job."

"It's too risky for you, son. That loving nature passed down by your late mother will be a big deal for you someday."

I was stunned for a moment to reflect on Papa's advice. His words are not entirely wrong. I have never been interested in doing this business. The anaesthetic and drug skills I got from medical school might give me more than just being a poison taker.

"You remember when you were a kid? What were your goals at the time?"

My smile was instantly turned upside down just after my memories flashed of my carefree childhood. "I was just saying at the time, Pap. I want to be an injecting spell. In fact, at that time I did not know what the work of a syringe spell is."

"Whatever it is, chase your dreams, son. If you need to go back to college. Papa heard that Germany is the center of medical science. Go over there. Your place is not here. This is not a comfortable place for scholars like you."

"Well, what about Papa? Who's gonna look after Papa?"

"You forgot? Papa is a former soldier. Papa can take care of himself."

My smile immediately flashed for a moment. Suddenly, there was a desire to embrace Papa, but the intention was hurriedly expressed. I understand exactly how his habits in acting and behaving. As a former special soldier, he hated dramatic scenes. The salt acid of life that he had experienced as a young man had forged him into a tough and unsightly person. That is why as a child, I did not dare to openly cry in front of him. Because, if that happens, he won't hesitate to hit me.

"Oh, yeah. What about the kid? Should I bring it too?"

Not responding immediately, Papa tried to think and weigh for a moment. Not less than five seconds later, he began to make a sound. "Leave him here."

Papa's suggestion made my suspicions re-emerge. Spontaneous, my eyes glared back at him a sign of disapproval.

"You don't have to worry. Papa's not a monster who eats children's meat."

"Pap," I said, raising my eyebrows. "I feel very guilty about the boy. I've made that kid grow up without parents. Please help me atone for that sin, Pap."

Despite hesitating, Papa finally nodded in agreement. Calling her slow is enough to relieve me. Papa has never broken a promise. Regardless of his violent personality, Papa is the type of person who is very responsible for every oral word he speaks.

While the sun is still not visible in the eastern horizon, Iandang azan Subuh began to echo throughout the capital. A group of humans seemed to flock to herd their steps towards the house of worship. Then, in an instant the darkness will disappear burned by the sun.

In the meantime, I didn't move much myself. Time has paralyzed me, chained my feet with shackles. I'm too weak to accompany Papa here. But I'm not Raymond Samiri who dared to free his soul after years of Papa's ambition. I am Markus Priyambodo. Markus Priyambodo Nakano's.