Short Story (Cerpen)

Mystery Kos House

Category: Fiction Fantasy Short stories

Title: The Mystery House

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I don't actually want to tell this story. To me telling it is like repeating every detail of my experience in that house, and you know, it was not a pleasant experience to remember. But fine. This time I'm going to tell it, and enough of this I did it and I hope it's for the last time.

This is the story; about five years ago, when I was just a student in Bandung, like most other regional students, I was also looking for a boarding place that was about close to campus. Because I don't have any friends and no relatives here, or anyone I know, I'm looking for my own boarding place.

After completing all the registration business at the campus where I was accepted, I went straight out of campus to find a boarding place. Fortunately I arrived early and when the registration counter opened I became the first queue. I was finally able to finish all my registration matters early. About eleven o'clock I was out of college.

After arriving outside the gate, I felt very confused. I really don't know about this city of Bandung and I don't have anyone I know here either. Even in my mind, if until tonight I still have not found a boarding place, I will stay at the campus. But the thought soon cleared. I breathed out deeply and determined in my heart that I could definitely find a boarding place before dusk!

Then I began to wonder at the students who looked senior and were wandering off campus about in any area where there were many boarding places. I also asked the street vendors scattered around the campus gate and luckily they kindly showed it.

After all the information and I think enough, I started walking while carrying my very dense and heavy backpack. I left the sidewalk along the road leading to the area indicated by the people I asked earlier. I started from the first house and as I didn't expect, the cost owner said full. I went on to the next house and unfortunately, I always got it full.

I began to be gnawed at the pessimism that for the next house I would definitely get the same. I'm starting to lose hope of getting a boarding place before dusk. But that day it showed at half-time and my stomach started to rumble. I decided to take a break at a small stall selling rice with side dishes and potluck house sauce.

The shop owner's mother was fat and her face was very friendly. When I entered the stall, she greeted me warmly and let me sit like her own child. I feel awkward and happy to be treated that way. But the mother seemed familiar with students like me, who were exhausted, hungry, and away from family. He got me a plate of rice complete with side dishes and vegetables. Looking at the complete mountain of rice on the plate, I was a bit anxious that I would pay a lot, but, I was really very hungry and tired. My feelings were torn between hunger and pocket conditions. After the registration, all the money left by my parents almost ran out and all that was left was for the cost and several meals. And my parents can send me money in a week. But the mother seemed to know my concerns and she immediately said with a wise smile, 'Nothing, son, this once is free!' . Hearing that, my smile was bright.

While eating, the shop owner's mother showered me with her questions. Starting from my home region, the reason I studied here, until the story of the experience of the mother had wandered in my home region for several years and finally returned here. Because I was so hungry and ate my food so well, I didn't really listen to the mother tell me. But apparently, the mother was just happy to tell a story even though no one was enthusiastic about listening to her.

After I finished eating, just before I left and said thank you, I took the time to ask the mother about the boarding place that was still available around here. At first glance I caught a doubt on her face, but then the mother said, 'If it is always full here, but perhaps, that one over there, ' the mother shows me another way, about a hundred meters from across the stall 'there's still plenty of empty. You see, some students prefer boarding here.'

I'm astonished. 'What's the matter, Mom?' Is it more expensive over there?'

'Oh, not really, ' answered the mother barely cutting my question. 'There are a lot of cheap ones. It's just that, maybe.' The mother did not continue her words anymore and her face turned stiff. 'Mom suggest, if you can, you look for the cost don't be there.'

In my mind, I had already underlined the words 'even a lot of cheap' so I did not really care about the strange change in mother's attitude about the area he appointed. And soon I'm sliding there.

I reached the entrance of that road. My strong guess in this area must be an old housing complex. Evident from the style of the building. In addition, plants that grow in any place clearly indicate it. I also found on the right left of the road the trees grew lush and large. Of course, it would take decades to let a tree grow that big.

Then I looked up at the sky and saw the glare of sunlight peering out from the lush foliage. I also feel the breeze blowing refreshing. The ideal place, I thought. I saw the watch, it was already half three. Oh, I have to find a boarding place soon!

I started at the first house. But I didn't expect much from this house. If in my previous search I always get 'full', in this place even the opposite. I found no one to ask.

I missed the first house after half an hour getting nothing. Then I continued to the second house and the result was the same, as well as the third house and so on until I reached the end of the road that turned out to be dead. Day has shown at five in the afternoon, and so far I still have not found a boarding place. The last house is numbered 66 which is located at the very end. The building is Dutch style. The walls that were once painted white are now dull brown. Even in some places it is already black by decades-old moss. The house seemed to be leaning against a high black wall that ended this road. Like the previous houses, it also looked empty and had long since been abandoned. Grass and wild vine plants have grown haphazardly in the yard.

I started to get disappointed. It seems, to get a boarding place today there is no hope anymore. I decided to just go back to college and continue the search tomorrow. But when I turned around, suddenly a mother came out of the house. Her hair was all white and she was wearing thick chain round glasses. His grisly hand held the doorknob tremblingly.

'You looking for a boarding place?' he asked me with his old hoarse voice trembling. I replied with a quick nod of enthusiasm. 'Enter!'

Actually, when I first walked in and my foot stepped on her abandoned lawn, I felt something was strange. Feelings of sadness, isolation, gloom and hopelessness like raging, flashing out from every corner of the house. But since that time the hope of obtaining a boarding place was greater than anything, I ignored that feeling, worrying that it would scare me myself.

My mother led me inside. The living room was empty, not a single piece of luxury furniture was on display, only the antique tile floor was dingy in color. The walls are also dull, and somewhat smelly. Like the smell of moss, but not.

While walking, I saw the ceiling of the house high, but a little brownish splashing. In the middle of it hung a low-wattage lamp wrapped in a spider saw, which seemed to have been left for years, without attention.

I became clumsy because the mother was silent while guiding me through the hallways of her house to the empty room located at the very end. The sound of his sandals rubbing against the cold, dark-colored tile floor somewhat gave me goosebumps.

Throughout the hallway, lined the tightly shut doors of the rooms. I'll make sure there's about a dozen rooms on the left-right. I concluded this house has long been used as a boarding place and sure the residents must be a lot.

But unfortunately none of those doors were open. The window beside him was also dark covered in a somewhat dusty curtain curtain.

'Are all these rooms full, Mom?' my many.

Older mother replied. 'Live one empty one.'

That means a lot of people here. I'll have a lot of friends. This house will be crowded. But strangely enough, none of the rooms showed anyone inside. Is everyone going out?

'This is her room.' said the mother coldly. He put the key in and the door opened slowly. The door was creaking long. It was obviously not opened for a long time.

There's a switch next to the inside door. I pressed him down and saw a lamp hanging half a meter from the ceiling. Initially, the lamp was reluctant to live, flickering like it was about to break, but fortunately then it could turn on even though it was a bit dim. But that's not a problem because I can still investigate how the room really is.

There was one wooden cabinet leaning against one corner of the room and a bed beside it. Some pillows that have not been gloved are also on it, piled up to form a mountain of pillows' I did not expect the pillow would be mine, because it looks long unused and covered in thick dust. However, the most important thing to me was the place of the power plugs. After I made sure there was 'apparently located right next to the window' I went out to the mother, it's time to negotiate the price of the room rental.

'The bathroom is on the other end, then turn left, ' said the mother, pointing to the side. 'There's two. One is just for washing clothes and bathing.'

I nodded in agreement. I think this room fits. It is quite large and cold. I haven't had my own room in a long time. In my mind, I have imagined various arrangements for this new room. I've put where the best position for television, computer, rice cooker, and so on.

'O yes, with water and electricity, what month, ma'am?' my many.

'A hundred thousand.' he replied briefly.

What's up!? Didn't I hear wrong. Today there is still a place of cost with such low rental prices? Oh, maybe I heard it wrong. Maybe the mother said it wrong. I still can't believe it. 'How much?' I want to make sure again.

But the mother still answered the same, and remained unchanged when I asked for the third time. Inwardly, was today my luck or was mother wrong to offer a price? Ah, nevermind. I'll take this room. Cheap mumpung.

Because my things are not much, just one backpack, I do not need to arrange the room for long. I just cleaned it up first and then bought some things that I really need right now.

Although I like to blink every time I turn on it, actually my room lights are still fine. But I don't like his bruising. The light made my room gloomy. I also want replacement lights. Pay only a hundred thousand I even ask for more. I better buy it later.

A day of walking makes me incredibly stifling. Plus cleaning the room, mopping the floor, and smear the dusty parts, then sliding the location of the wooden cabinets and bed, perfectly crushes my body. It just so happened that my mom put a mattress and some pillowcases in my backpack, so I didn't have to ask her again. After everything was clean enough, at least my bed was comfortable enough for me to sleep, I decided to lie down for a while, while waiting for maghrib to arrive.

It didn't feel like a few minutes, I was asleep. But soon it felt like something made me uncomfortable. Sultry filled my room, growing steadily. Bizarrely. Before it was very cold. I wanted to wake up but because I was so tired I was completely helpless even though I just turned my body. Oddly enough, I wanted to open my eyes but it didn't work. My mind was between conscious and not.

Then suddenly I was scared. So scared. I was shivering and trembling in fear. I curled up, pulled the blanket over my head. I also felt my cold sweat seeping slowly from all over my body. What scared me even more, I heard a hoarse voice, like whispers and moans, calling my name. Whose voice is that?

I want to wake up but my body is paralyzed. Even to just open my eyes I really couldn't. However, vaguely from the crevice of my eyes, I was like seeing a white figure standing floating at the end of my feet, tall and long-haired. His head almost touched the ceiling of the room and he looked down at me. I was terrified and wanted to get up immediately but really, I was helpless. I also wanted to shout loudly, but my voice was gone. My body froze and trembled, wet with sweat.

After how many moments of struggling to open my eyes, which felt like hours, I finally woke up as well. I immediately got up and ventured to look at the place where the white figure had stood.

I got nothing. There was only a dull, damp wall, as before. I also observed the ceiling of the room, it was possible that the 'something' had moved and hung somewhere above me. Butno. There's no sign anything's happened. I didn't see the window curtains sway, or maybe the door leaf that opened slowly let out a long, horrible creaking sound. No. gabe. There aren't.

Ah, maybe that's just my dream. After all, I also often have horror dreams like that. It may also be due to fatigue and in the adjustment stage in a new place. But that whisper…. The sound was real. I'm not sure it was just a dream. And strangely, I felt like the sound was coming from the walls in my room.

I glanced at the clock at the study table beside my bed. The clock is at half-seven. Dusk is surely past. I also decided to take a shower.

I came out of the room with a towel and toiletries. When I turned to the end of the hall, I saw a white shadow disappear into the corner of the bathroom. I could only see the tip of the white cloth. For a moment my blood rippled. Whatisit?

Ah, maybe it's my roommate who wants to take a shower too. I continued my steps down the long hallway to the bathroom, hoping that in my heart at least one of the rooms was bright, indicating that there was a occupant. But my feelings grew even more shriveled when I reached the end of the hallway and just turned to the bathroom. None of the rooms have lights. Everything dies. The only light in the hallway was just a low watt yellow light hanging right in the middle. Instead of making light, the dim effect it produces instead supports a horror atmosphere that upholds the fur of sitting. Then that figure to the bathroom earlier?

I ventured into the bathroom. In front of me are two bathrooms. One is open and the other is closed. From the crack underneath, I knew the lights in the bathroom weren't on. But strangely, I heard the sound of a flush and splashing water so rowdy. I think someone inside is taking a full shower.

In my heart I was relieved, thankfully there are people. I thought I was alone in this boarding house. Delighted by that feeling I went straight into the bathroom next to her after pressing the light switch next to the door. Again, the yellow light. I don't like yellow lights. Dingy. My white soap became dull yellow.

I had reached half of my bath when I realized the water streams next to my bathroom were no longer heard. I thought maybe 'he' was done. But I'm not sure I thought that because I didn't hear the door opening. I should have heard because I knew the bathroom door was old enough and it must have sounded when it opened.

When I thought 'he' had really come out of the bathroom next door, I was suddenly startled by the sound of something big and heavy falling thumping with the sound of a bump to a hard object. My bad thoughts immediately ambushed. Whoever's next door, it looks like it just fell and maybe, his head hit the corner of the tub, then fainted'oh, I hope that doesn't happen. I was in a hurry to clean and rinse my body. After everything was done I went out and immediately banged on the next bathroom door.

'You all right?' I was worried, I kept banging on the door. After a few questions and still no answer, I was completely engulfed in panic. I think, whoever's inside, seems completely unconscious. Maybe his head is leaking. Or his bones are broken. And blood soaked the bathroom floor. In my mind immediately reflected a thick red puddle. Oh, naw!

When I decided to kick the door, again I heard the sound of water splashing, I undo my intentions. 'Hey, are you really okay?'

I'm still waiting. But still no answer. The sound of water splashing sounded very ordinary, as if nothing had happened before. I'm getting pissed. It's outrageous, I think. I'm half dead worrying about him, he just keeps paddling the water.

'Small answer, dong!' rutukla. 'If anything happens, how do you try?' Still no answer. But the sound of water sprinkling has now started to decrease and a few minutes later it stopped completely. No more voices. Silence shrouded the air around me.I think 'he' is done and want to get out.

I waited almost a quarter of an hour and started to get bored. But 'he' didn't even come out. The bathroom door didn't budge. I started to suspect. He may have fallen and fainted again.

I don't think now's the time to mess around anymore. I'm really upset mixed with worry. I got up from my backrest and headed for the bathroom. However, just walking a few steps, I suddenly stopped. I saw the door open itself as if someone had just managed to unlock it. I held my breath waiting for someone to reveal it but the door only swayed slightly, revealing a dark crack inside.

I ventured forward a few more steps, trying to peer through the gap. I squinted my eyes, trying to see if there was anyone in it.

Actually I'm scared. My heart was pounding very hard and I felt my palms cold and trembling. But I still ventured to open that door even wider.

I opened the door wide as if it was made of hot iron. Because it was dark, I looked inside. I vaguely looked at all the corners of the bathroom, and unfortunately, I didn't find anyone! Oh, this is so shitty! Is this cost haunted?

I half ran back to my room at the end of the hall. I can't put a damper on my fears. My hair is all standing up. The cold atmosphere suddenly gripped. Throughout the hallway I had noticed one by one the rooms were lined up on the right left of the hallway. Really, I wish I wasn't alone right now. I want, at the very least, someone in her room, anyone. But everyone is like going home. All the rooms were sealed and the lights were off. There was no sign of anyone inside.

I was so scared that it took me a quarter of an hour to open my own door. The lock on my hand was slippery with sweat and had already fallen seven times. Worse, now the dingy yellow light in the middle of that hallway is suddenly dead! And the only source of illumination was from my room.

The door opened and I rushed in. After feeling somewhat calm, I locked the door of my room twice. I decided to stay in my room until tomorrow morning. I plan to move tomorrow too. This boarding place is really uncomfortable. I chose this place wrong.

When I hung my towel to a nail stuck on the wall, the corner of my eye caught something. And strangely, before I actually saw, my mind immediately brought me to the white figure of horror in my dream this afternoon. Now the fear and panic is completely over me. I'm limp. I didn't have the courage to turn my head and see if it was that person looking at me from across the room. Both my knees are lunglai. My feet are numb. And to make matters worse, I again heard a whisper exactly as I had heard it in my dream, and was now calling out my name maliciously. The sound was cold and vengeful. I can't hear it much longer. It's gonna freak me out.

I immediately turned the key again and threw out no matter the door of the room behind me. My eyes caught a glimpse of the white figure actually standing floating in the corner of my room, and now it was as if drifting slowly towards me. I couldn't imagine what that figure would do to me when we were only a few inches away. Oh, this is so horrible!

At first I hesitated to walk the dark alley in front of me, as if I was going to walk the dark path in the middle of the forest. But I had no other choice. Staying in the room is suicide. Although the end of the hallway is close to the bathroom, there is an exit. I want to get out of this place. Immediately.

I ran like a jerk, screaming loudly, without sandals. Within a few seconds I arrived at the exit at the end of the hall. I dare not look into the dark bathroom. My mind is not friendly. Other horror shadows like something even more horrifying were waiting from the bathroom started popping up in my mind. Fear becomes.

After I made it out, I hoped my mother would hear my hysterical scream. Butno. He did not appear from his room. I think he's sleeping well. Ah, never mind, what matters is that I get out of this place.

Good thing the front door wasn't locked'it seemed to have been unlocked for a very long time'and I finally reached the courtyard. I turned around and looked at the whole house where I was boarding. This time I was completely shocked and half in disbelief. The house where the room was completely dark. There are no lights anywhere. But even at night, I could still see clearly, it turned out that the house was just rubble. Some parts of the roof have been a lot of holes. Wild vines thrive covering most mossy walls.

Oh my God, what is going on with me? Earlier this afternoon, I still found this place like an ordinary house that has residents. No traces left behind in the slightest. But now my view seems to have just been revealed and I see the reality is very different. The house was completely destroyed, left abandoned for years until the bush had grown to chest height. Then who's the mother of the kos?

I don't bother to think about it. I'm so scared now. And my strong guess is that the boarding mother is also not human, which transformed into a figure who has lived in the past. I ran out of the house and kept running until I was completely out of the housing complex. And even more strangely, I don't want to think about this anymore, 'all the houses in the complex are like no owner; dark, gloomy, and haunted.

I gasped for breath when I reached the entrance gate of the housing complex. The next time I crossed the street and there I saw the shop owner's mother where I had lunch was still open. I walked over there and went into his stall. Only then did I feel somewhat calm and I told all the events I had experienced to the shop owner's mother. After everything I told you, the shop owner's mother then told me everything. Here's the story.

Twenty years ago, a house at the very end of the number 66, suffered a tragic incident. At first, a student committed suicide in the bathroom by hanging himself. All of his roommates think he is hallucinating and depressed because he is haunted by a female ghost sighting in his room. There is a suspicion that the ghost of the woman is the son of the boarding mother, who died locked up in her room because of crazy. But a few years later, the house caught fire and killed the boarding house itself, including several boarding children trapped in his room. According to police, the fire was clearly intentional. Hearing that series of horrible tragic stories, I trembled more and more in fear. I can't imagine what if I stayed there any longer. Perhaps I will be one of the eternal inhabitants that will be.