Short Story (Cerpen)

Good Night, Miranda

I started today with an unusual start. I fell out of bed, slipped in the bathroom, spilled a glass of milk on the floor and my bicycle tire was flat. Guess what? Yep. I walked 250 meters to the school. Just imagine? I must have been late and punished by Madam Angelia. Sounds like a good name, but not like his behavior. Not to describe a fairy in heaven, but-well, you know. The reverse.

I ran in the hallway of the class. And.. BRUCK!!!

I tripped. And, what supported me earlier, was the cause of my umpteenth misfortune. If it was someone who deliberately bothered me, I would retaliate! And if it's an object, I'll ruin it! My feet are in pain. Under my feet wearing black pantofel shoes and long stocking above my knees in white, there was a book. It looks dusty and dull with a deep red color and a bright pink flower picture. Umm. I guess, dull pink. “Kuralat, it looks like I won't break it.” muttered me while putting the book in my bag.

“What book is this?” mumbling again. Oh right, I have to hurry before Madam Angelia scolds me and my friends laugh at me!

I knocked on the door twice before I entered it as fast as lightning through the door.

“Madam Harrison! Why are you late again? Cepet, put your bag on the table! Keep going, stand in front! Lift one leg, up to 10 minutes, then you can sit!” madam Angelia's nagging upon my arrival in class. And I did what my friends used to do if it was too late. Run and put down the bag, and instantly carry out his orders. I saw at the front, there was Miranda, Delancy and Rose laughing at me with a mocking look. Huhhhh.. This is the one who is making me so upset!!!

At recess, I put the book on my desk. I rubbed the top of the book until the dust was removed. Hmm. It turns out that the picture of the flower is indeed bright pink. And the color of the book is bright red. “Caitlyn, what are you doing?” ask Madison. “That's what book is Cate?” ask Kyle. “This, I just found a book in the classroom hallway on the way here. I also don't know, this is a book.” I said while watching the book. “What's clear, it's a kind of diary. Here, there is a padlock.” said Madison. “Continue, which key?” ask Kyle. “No idea, but I want to find.” I said. “Where?” ask Kyle again. “Hmm.. Let's go to the canteen!” madison said as she pulled my hand and Kyle.

“Kyle, Madison, I still want to find out about the diary. The problem is, if we do not find the key, the book will be a secret forever.” I said. “But there are still others! They can search too!” said Madison. “Those who know this book are just us! Besides, if Miranda, Delancy and Rose knew, they would have taken this book from us!” i said again. “I agree deh.” Kyle said. “Yaudah deh, I want.” said Madison. “Naaah, so dong!!” I said and Kyle while embracing him.

The next day…

“Guys, what do you think this book has to do with? Friendship, cases, problems, school secrets, Glorious America Middle School student secrets, or what?” kyle says while ‘tabling-ubek’ bookcase library. “Misteri?” I said to calm the mood. “Don't tell me that dong Cate, that's why I didn't come.” said Madison. Understandably, Madison is a coward of things that smell mystery. “Can be. Anybody put that book in the hallway?” ask Kyle. “No idea, but I didn't see the book as I ran.” I said. “Hmm.. We go down the aisle, now.” Kyle said as he pulled me and the frightened Madison.

“Ngg.. Right here. This is where I stumbled on this book.” I said while pointing to where I fell yesterday. “OK. Approximately, where is the key?” kyle said. “We look for the second break time yes!” I said and Kyle.

At lunch break, at 13:00. Madison went to the toilet. “Hhh... Caitlyn same Kyle.. Love so much mystery..” muttered Madison while washing her hands. He looked at the glass above the sink. As she glazed over, the tap lit up on its own. “Loh kok flame alone?” madison said while turning off the tap. As he looked at the glass, there was a hand holding his shoulder. Apparently, there was a terrible 13-year-old girl behind him! Madison immediately shouted and ran to class.

Kyle's coming to the canteen. Kyle saw the canteen mother preparing fish baso soup at the back of the canteen. The canteen mom is facing back. “Bu, I asked for the fish baso soup yes,” Kyle said as he picked up the bowl on the table. As the canteen mother turned her head towards Kyle, her body remained in place, not turning at all. Only his head rotates like an owl. It turned out that it was not the mother of the canteen, but rather a creepy 13-year-old boy! AAAAAAAA!!! Kyle immediately dropped the bowl and ran from the canteen.

I was waiting for Kyle and Madison to eat my sausage. “Where the hell are they? He said he wanted to find the key in the second break. Hmmmmhh..” muttered. Then I heard a scream. It's like a voice.. Kyle and Madison! “You why?” I say to those who are bored. “If I did, earlier, meet a ghost in the toilet.” said Madison while plucking my sausage and grinning horses. “If I, meet a ghost in the cafeteria.” Kyle said as he followed Madison's lead. My sausage is now 1. They just smiled while trying to focus on the search for the key to the diary.

“We look all over the school area, surely we will dapet. But the search was postponed first, tomorrow we have a math test.” said Madison. “You're being brave gini huh?” many wonder. “Yaa. I was curious. Who knows not about mystery??” said Madison. “Termay said Madison. If so, study together at my house yuk!” kyle said. “Ayooo!” I said and Madison.

At Kyle's house…

“I'm still confused about the ghosts in the school earlier. Who died in school??” I said with a curious face. Madison shrugged her shoulders for a moment. Kyle looks nervous. He seemed to know what happened in school before I was in this school. “Kyle, you know something?” madison asked who saw Kyle's expression as well. “There is a... Who knows this is just me, and..” he said cut off. “Who?” manya curious. “There are 2 more people. Yes, continue learning!!!” kyle said. Hmm. I became suspicious.

In the morning when we entered school, we did a good math test. After the exam, Kyle and Madison ate a burger in the cafeteria. “Hopefully, our efforts learned yesterday there was a result..” said Madison. “Iya, hopefully our value can be good.” I said.

After school, Madam Felicia shared the results of the exam. “Madison Carter,” “Giorgino Lucello,” “Tommie Derkiens,” “Kyle Evangeline Cranston,” “Delancy Anderson,” “Kevin Lucas,” “Caitlyn Anatasha Harrison,” “Jonathan Frizzy,” “Rossiana Johnson,,” one by one students are called. “Miranda Jennifer Gouston,” Miranda advanced forward while watching all the disciples who had held their respective papers. Miranda also saw that there was still paper and another paper in Madam Felicia's hand. “Madam, who's that? Everything has been shared.” said Miranda while taking her paper. “It belongs... Chelsea Grenier. Is there a Chelsea Grenier here? Or, not logged in?” ask Madam Felicia. I saw Miranda so surprised and checked the paper with a frightened face. “Madam put it here, if Chelsea come in please give it yes.” said Madam Felicia while moving on from class. “Chelsea who?” I asked Kyle. “Later, will I tell you.” said Kyle. “Chelsea? She's taking the exam?” madison asked in a whisper to Kyle.

I opened my locker and took my bag. Suddenly, there were 4 keys dropped from inside the locker. The keys were inserted in a dull silver hanger. At the end of the keychain, I saw a roll of paper. I immediately picked it up and put it in my bag.

I tried all four keys, but no one could open them. In fact, the shape is right. “Hmm.. Kyle and Madison also have to help find the key again.”.

Kyle picket today. He picked up the books in the classroom closet and put them together. Then there was a hanger with 4 keys and a roll of paper like the one I found. Kyle put it inside his pencil case and stuffed it into the bag.

Madison has violin lessons in the afternoon. In his locker, he found 4 keys that were hung with a roll of paper. Madison was happy and put it in her bag.

Tomorrow morning..

“I found 3 keys same roll paper yesterday.” I said, Kyle and Madison together. We showed it on the table. I also tried to open the book lock. But, there is no right key. All the keys are shaped the same. “We've tried the key, but haven't opened the paper yet right?” ask Madison to remind. We also opened our own papers. I saw the writing ‘I’m not lost’ but using a red pen ink.

I held the paper with trembling hands. Madison threw the paper at the table in fear. Kyle is like getting information - If Kyle holds an object that has a story in it, he will be given (to be exact as given) a revelation about that thing, he said, simply by putting both fingers of his hand on his head and closing his eyes. – and be silent. It turned out that the contents in their paper were the same as mine.

“Kok key can be in our stuff? Is anyone there??” ask Madison wonder. “Kalo so, not wrong again, it's about mystery.” said Kyle firmly. “Iya..” I said that started goosebumps.

The next day, Madison did not attend school due to illness. At recess, Kyle and I ate a snack with a large pack of both. “Kyle, you want that paper? What information do you have?” ask me while chewing on that delicious snack. “You promise you won't tell anyone? Don't tell Madison too?” ask Kyle. “Iya. okay..” I said. “Then I told you about Chelsea too. So.. At the 1st grade of Junior High, Caitlyn was not in this school. There's a student named Chelsea Grenier. He was a friend of Kyle and Madison. She's beautiful and nice. With golden brown hair and a plump body, of course many love it. No exception to the person who was liked by Miranda. Miranda hates Chelsea. Every day Chelsea are always patient with Miranda's behavior. Whatever Miranda did, Chelsea never got back at him. One day, April 13, 2007, Miranda (Milson) declares her love for Chelsea and gives her a bouquet of roses, an expensive chocolate bar and a cute doll carrying a heart pillow reads I Love You. Chelsea accepted Milson and eventually they dated. Miranda finally found out about it. He could not stand Chelsea anymore and wanted to get rid of Chelsea. He has tried that many times, but luck always stands with Chelsea. Finally, Miranda did the last thing that would succeed in destroying Chelsea. Miranda is planning to kill Chelsea!. One day, May 13, 2007 at 13:00. Kyle was going to go to the backyard, but his pace came to a halt because he saw there was Miranda and Chelsea in the backyard. Chelsea were tied to a chair and Miranda was carrying a large knife. Kyle seems to know what Miranda is going to do. Kyle wanted to save Chelsea, but he saw Miranda walking towards him, so he changed his mind and ran very fast. As she sat in the cafeteria 90 m away from the backyard, with the ability to hear long distances, she heard Miranda say ‘Good night, ' he said, Chelsea’ (meaning sleep for good) and the sound of screams ending with crying. With the ability to see something that no one else could see, he saw a lot of blood flowing from Chelsea's neck that was slashed 6 cm long. Kyle was crying with tears flowing. Tomorrow, everyone asks about Chelsea. Miranda said Chelsea were missing. Her mother said that too. Chelsea did not come home

And then, as per my observation, the book belongs to Chelsea. The keys were put in the same Chelsea. And, Chelsea is still in this school and he wrote that paper for us because he believes in us.” Kyle explained while crying considering the tragic incident. “Madison don't know about this?” I was sobbing sad to hear Kyle's story. “No, so don't tell him yes, he is very affectionate with Chelsea, after knowing Chelsea was lost, he immediately cried. Moreover he knows Chelsea was killed by Miranda? Surely he was mad at Miranda going all out.” Kyle said as he took another handful of snacks. Grasping her, she saw a key that was the size of a wardrobe key. The head of the key is black made of plastic, and the body is made of iron.

“Wait, it looks like Madison violin locker locker!” I said. “Chelsea, whose locker key?” kyle asked Chelsea with a message of mind that his technique is mastered by him, by me and by Chelsea. I'm trying to get into Kyle and Chelsea's message. We started a message of mind.

“Kyle, this locker locker les violaaku. Give it to Madison to open it. There, some of my things were left behind and I forgot to take them before the day I died. And, what's your friend's name?” chelsea says. “Oh.. Meet you, I'm Caitlyn Anatasha Harrison. Just call me Cate or Caitlyn.” I said. “Also, I'm Chelsea Grenier. We'll talk next time. It's time I came back today. Tomorrow, we'll meet. I promise..” said Chelsea. “Good.. Bye..” says Kyle.

Tomorrow, we give Madison the key. The next day, Madison brought the item she found in the locker. He said the key fits in with the keyhole in Chelsea's locker. Kyle and I just smiled and looked at the Chelsea stuff. There is a pink pencil case, a light yellow pencil from Paris, a pink eraser, light blue notebooks, light purple and light yellow, some purple and pink pens, and some, 2 T-shirts change from the tutoring place, song notebook, and there are some photos of him playing the violin, then there is also a photograph. It was probably worn when he signed up for violin lessons. There are 3 photos there, we take each one, for mementos. And, there is also a pink necklace with a key ring that is similar, exactly! Just like the key that Kyle and Madison found! And, near the key, there's a paper roll. His writing, ‘Tell the truth, about 13′ in red ink. I understand exactly what those words mean. That is, Chelsea asked us to tell the truth to the people who were told false information from Miranda. I'm sure you understand too, right? But something confused me. About 13th? What happened to 13?

When they got home from school, they were wearing their bags and getting ready to go home. “Madison, me, Caitlyn and Chelsea have something to say. But you promise, if you've met Chelsea, you don't be angry with anyone. Including Miranda. Because if you're angry, you're as sick as Chelsea.” Kyle said. “Meet Chelsea??? I promise you! I would do anything to meet Chelsea! Yes, I promise!” madison said excitedly. “Yes already, you come with me yes.” I said while pulling Madison's hand.

We're in the backyard. I can't believe the chair Chelsea used was still in the corner of the backyard terrace. There are some ropes still wrapped around the legs of the chair, as well as blood spots that smear some parts of the rope. There was a blood-filled one about a few centimeters. It was probably the strap used to tie Chelsea to the shoulder. For some reason, when Kyle told me, I didn't feel scared, I just felt sad. Now, I imagine the condition of Chelsea at that time. I saw another photo of Chelsea I kept. I imagined her sitting there and being tortured by Miranda. Well, I can't bear to see it. Soon I removed the shadow, and I called Chelsea. “Chelsea! Chelsea!” kyle and Kyle.

“Hey, Kyle, Madison, Caitlyn!” said someone from behind. We also looked back. “Chelsea!” yell at us three. “Chelsea, where are you going? I miss you so much.” said Madison while hugging Chelsea. “Madison!” kyle reminded me. She knew Madison wouldn't be able to hug Chelsea. “Madison, I miss you too. But, look.. No one wants you to hold here! Look, it's empty!” chelsea said, shaking his hand. “I just want to hug you, I haven't seen you in a long time, but I don't papa if you don't want to.” said Madison while turning around. “Madison! Try to hold my hand!” chelsea want to prove it. Madison immediately grabbed Chelsea's hand, but for some reason, when she looked back at what she was holding, she didn't feel Chelsea's hand was there! There is only wind! Madison looked at Chelsea in wonder. He still thought Chelsea was pretending to be a body that could be pierced by human hands. Apparently, Chelsea was crying. He's very sad. “You'll never hold me again, Madison. The last time you held my hand was during the second break, on May 13, 2007. It was my birthday. You and Kyle are taking me to eat spaghetti in the cafeteria. I can't believe it was my last spaghetti.” he said sadly.

I remember something. His diary! I immediately took the key that was in Chelsea's necklace and opened the padlock in the book. I read everything quickly when Chelsea, Kyle and Madison were telling me about the day, May 13, 2007. Every now and then I listen to their stories, about their past in 1st grade Junior High. There are so many stories in the Chelsea book! I'm dumbfounded. May 13 was Chelsea's birthday, and May 13, 2007 was her last day! There goes. Here it is that Chelsea intended as ‘About 13′. 13! He was born on May 13, 1994, and died on May 13, 2007, at the age of 13, at 13:00! And, 2007. 20-07= 13!! The number of keys he gave to find the main key, 12 small keys and 1 big key! 13 keys! Then, the date she dated Milson, April 13, 2007! This is what About 13 means.

Today is May 12, 2008. It was almost a year that Chelsea left this world. “So.. Are you different from us?” madison said make sure. “Iya. So, we won't be able to hold hands, hug again. 1 Year late.” said Chelsea. Madison was still upset with Chelsea, and tried to hug her. Unexpectedly, Madison can hug Chelsea! Chelsea's body became impervious once Madison hugged her! And, Chelsea turned into wearing their school uniform. “Unfortunately, tomorrow we can meet only until 13:00. For a year, I was free in the world. Tomorrow, at 13:00, I have to leave. So, perfect to meet me for the last time yes.” said Chelsea while strengthening herself so as not to penetrate and hug them. “Thank you, make me my best friend until I'm gone. Caitlyn, thank you so much. Madison, Kyle, Cate, be my Best Friend.” Chelsea said. “I REALLY MISSING YOU!” madison held back her crying.

Noon, 13:00. Me, Kyle and Madison met Chelsea. “I promise, will look after you whenever you are exposed to danger. Even if you can't see me, I'm there. Protecting you. Please tell me about me who is the same with my mother and friends. Don't forget me yes. I will never forget you either.” said Chelsea. “We will not forget you. If so, goodbye.” Kyle said as he ran. Madison and I said goodbye, then followed Kyle.

I carried a sharp axe and dragged it around Miranda which I tied with the chair in which I was tied and with the rope which was used to tie me.

“This is a great time to reply to all your attitudes, which always bothers me.”

“Ngak, Chelsea. Nope! I don't want to be the same as you!”

“I will do this harder, it symbolizes your crimes against me before I was tortured by you,”

“No! I don't want to! Helpme! Tolooong! Toloooong!”

“Nobody will hear. We are here, in a different realm. There's a barrier between our old world and the present one, it's appropriate for you to be here. Caged and tortured as you oppress and torture your friends!”

“No! It's just a dream! No!”

“May 13 history is not just my name. A year ago, you made my name listed there which made me part with the people I loved. This year, the History of May 13 will continue, and continue through the end times. There will be a new name filled every May 13, starting in 2007, 2008, and so on. And do you know the name that will fill this year?”

“No! It only happened on May 13, 2007! And no case is the same for the following years!”

“I'll tell you his name. Her name is Miranda Jennifer Gouston. You know him? Oh.. He is ready to receive his vengeance!”

“No!!!! No one is ready for that! The only one ready is you, and you won't be able to.”

“This is the night, when moon is come. Picking up you, into the sky. Goodnight, Miranda!!” I slashed Miranda's head hard

“AAAA..” That scream is all I can hear.

“Miranda, forgive me, come with me,” I said while holding his sleeping life and taking him away to my world.

Miranda, remember, YOU’RE NOT THE LAST.