Lutfi Gilang's

13. Challenges

For an entire week, all the inmates were completely confined inside the zoo's living rooms. But there was something different about us, not being able to take a shower. Yes, in this room only able to accommodate two level mattresses and one toilet without a door cover. No water faucets, no showers, and no soap. I'm sure, if you'd seen us like horse shit. Hmmm, it must be more than that. Black, disgusting, and nauseous.

This Sunday, after undergoing irritation and paralysis without being able to bathe, officers herded the inmates to flutter their bodies in turns according to their respective blocks. Then give free time like a Sunday that is usually passed.

Tpi this time, there is no buying and selling transaction, a week to the back of the prisoners can not prepare for it. Hence, this holiday was a boring day, just as boring as being locked up behind bars.

Besides, there was another different thing, in front of me were many standing men who gave sharp eyes. There are cross hands, put his hands into a pants pocket, perfect ready position, resting position, model pose, and so on. If my calculations aren't wrong, it's more than 100 people.

"What's this about? Did they want to take their revenge on me in the fitness room a week ago?" I wondered to myself.

A few moments later one of the men came forward, and I immediately remembered that he was the man who helped me beat the cracker and gave the bat to me, saying: "You can't lose because you're leading us, boy."

The stature of the man looked like an average Javanese, physically I weighed his age as my father, 47. "Nine-eight-nam, I've finally met you again" he said, sticking out his hand.

I shake while nodding.

"Harun, Harun Tohir" he added, "these are the ones who want to meet you."

"For what?"

He grins. "No need for pleasantries, we want you to be our leader" he shocked me. "No need to be surprised," Aaron continued, "you just have to agree to it."

I was silent, looking towards the prisoner behind Aaron. Making sure of the talk just now.

"You don't believe it?" tanyakanya.

"Ah," Noddle.

Suddenly some people broke out of the line and said: "We like you, son. You're making us braver."; "You are also quite intelligent like the previous leaders, you are even more cunning than them."; "And you're good at fighting, it's mandatory in this place."

I exhale. "You're older than me. It is not proper for the younger to lead the old." I reasoned to try to reject it with caution. There's no way I'll talk as good as I can, it'll just come back to cause trouble.

"The young, will also replace the old, man." said Kusnadi.

"You better shut up, old man." I said annoyed.

"Ha ha ha. I do want you to be the leader here. What's wrong with being a leader anyway, man?"

"He's right, you can ask us anything, son" Harun said.

"Quite interesting, then what's the thread for you?" my many.

"Listen son," called one of the crowd. "we are delinquents, uneducated. I only know how to be a criminal. At least, we need someone to direct us, so that what we can do can be useful. If it can't just be for evil."

The explanation of the grizzled man made my heart tremble. But, to be honest, I really don't think I can be a role model for them myself. Apart from being much younger and inexperienced in everything that happens in prison, I also have other responsibilities that I must immediately resolve. Seeking the people of Kusnandar to get help from Jaja in order to find the existence of Lutfi, the lover of my heart.

But on the other hand, I can take advantage of this moment to find the people of Kusnandar, I think looking for them in a rutan with a capacity of 1,450 people will be easier by receiving a lot of help.

So, what decision should I make?

I muttered for quite a while before finally from the corner of my eye I saw Kusnadi nod while throwing a smile. It was as if he had heard the complaints of my heart.

I exhaled and asked: "Can anyone draw a sketch of a face?"

The grin of the people in front of me flashed, then twelve people came forward.

"I need to, you describe someone in my delusion." I said.

They nodded, then one of the four of them turned their eyes back and shouted: "Take my drawing tool!"

Five minutes later the men came back and handed the finds to the twelve men in front of me.

I explained the characteristics of Jupri ranging from the shape of the face, eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips, chin, and hair as detailed as possible. A quarter of an hour passed, after commenting on some of the images, 84% of them managed to vividly describe Jupri's stature. One of them looks more horrible, and the other one draws too handsome. But it did not take long for the two men to equate their images as they should.

With the twelve papers on Jupri's face, I got up. Staring at Kusnadi then gave the code with both fingers of the left hand to form the letter V. A second later the old man threw me a pack of cigarettes that were intact. And I threw it again to one of the twelve men. "It's one at a time" I said.

They thanked him, took their part and returned to the line.

"I will fulfill your selfish will, if any of you bring this man before me." I exclaimed as I held up the image in my right hand high.

"For what?" ask one of the prisoners in the crowd.

"He was trying to kill nine-eight-nam," Aaron's response left the men behind in shock.

"You'll hear the reason for that" I said.

They nodded with confident eyes that made me feel more relieved. At least, my burden was slightly reduced by getting help from them. But it did not last long after one of the men from the new herd of convicts came in with more numbers saying: "I will join you,"

"Who is he?" I whispered to Kusnadi.

"Leader in this place," replied the old man in an equally shrewd tone.

I was flabbergasted to hear the answer, and so were the inmates in front of me. They don't budge.

That person has a stature that is not much different from Aaron, it could be their age. It was just that the lead posture of this place seemed much more contained, and its aura felt very dignified. "Come on, why are you all quiet?" She asked. "I came with good intentions,"

There's no response. In this vast courtyard, there was only the sound of the wind, the footsteps of boots, and machines for a long time until the man again said: "Nine-eight-nam, I've heard a lot about you."

I didn't answer. Just looking towards my backers.

"I didn't expect, you're still this young and can already gather a lot of people" he added. "That's an amazing result." He and his men clapped for a while. "But you know, I'm not gonna let you lead these frowns!" The man snaps. Instantly his men had made a circle, besieging us. "Unless you want to play with me,"

I'm still silent. Think of many ways to solve this problem as peacefully as possible.

"You can't refuse. Unless you and your subordinates are ready to face my army," The leader of this place approached, stood before me, looked at me sharply, smiled, then whispered: "and the guards."

My eyes were wide open to hear his words. I swept a glance and it appeared that the officers were concentrating their long-barreled weapons towards us. "Damn it! It turns out that the news about the Director who is more powerful than the Chief Officer is indeed true. What am I supposed to do now?" I can only speak for myself.

"What do you want?" many finally.

She laughs. Turn around and step away and say: "I just want a bet,"

"Betc?" I'm repeating.

"Yes!" then he shouted back to face me. "If you win, I'll give up my throne for you" he added later. "My power, my army, my money, my assets, everything will be yours!"

A second later I saw the faces of my supporting prisoners become fresh, as if attracted by the call of the leader of this place.

"What if I lose?" my many.

"Hmmm, of course, your subordinates are mine, and you .. must die." he said, throwing a look of disdain.

A second later the inmates of my followers exclaimed, but stopped immediately after the subordinates of the leader of this place struck their bellies with twilight held.

I exhale. Still trying to find another way. Refused it.

When the leader of this place raised one of his right fingers, in an instant followed by the sound of a gun explosion that further made one in the crowd collapse and bleed from his hollow head.

I flinched, and stared furiously at the man. He's still widening his mouth. "I told you, you can't refuse."

"I'll fight you now!" I'm yelling. I could not forgive what he had just done. "I'll teach him a lesson!" curse my heart.

I saw his expression turn disgusted. "Tch! You don't know how to do business." Moving his left hand, sending his subordinates forward and facing me.

I did a surprise attack with a kick, but it was deflectable. Even that guy managed to retaliate right on my chest. Delivering pain as before. Makes it hard for me to breathe. I tried to attack him again. But all my efforts failed. That guy can handle all my attacks and always does a counter attack right on my chest. I thought he knew my weakness. But, how did he know?

With one hand on my chest, I got up. Closer to my opponent and back collapsed after he kicked my leg, followed by a kick towards the chest repeatedly. "Damn it! The kick was very hard. He always looks up at my chest." lamented my heart.

"Enough!" shouted the leader of this place pull back his bewok.

I was trying to get up. "Enough you say?! It's not over!" I exclaimed, then ran towards my opponent, pointing a fist at his face. But it did not arrive, instead his raw bogem landed right into my chest. I jumped and hit the ground.

Moments later Kusnadi helped me up and said: "Enough, man can't beat him."

One note, because I forgot to explain to you. By then Jaja was not with us, he had come out of prison to take care of his pay. Indeed, an investigator seemed to be able to get out of this place without the need to bribe a lot of money to the officers.

"Look, you just lost." She said. "I could've finished you off and all your men are now—"

"Damn it!" said sabot. But I couldn't continue my sentence because of the cough. It felt like my chest was very tight, it was hard to breathe. Even my vision became blurry. Like I was gonna faint.

"Tch! I'll take this all your greetings. I'll give you two days. At five. I'll be waiting for you at your war zone a week ago." She said. "If you're one second late, the old man's life will be mine." he threatened. He turned his back on me and walked away with his subordinates.

I still coughed until I finally fainted.