Survival: Dark, Brutal, Gripping

They're Back With Upright Heads

Johan, are you awake, son?" nek Ningsih asked as he opened the door to Johan's room.

" Uh grandma, come in Grandma. I couldn't even sleep, worrying about those who didn't come home until morning." replied Johan with his head down.

It was morning, the sun came back and grandfather, Kelly, Iwan, and Cindy were still on their way. They will soon be at the cottage.

"In a moment we'll get to the cake, is grandpa still strong walking?" Iwan asked the grandfather who was starting to pale.

Grandpa replied,

" Grandfather is fine, grandfather is fine." said the grandfather in a soft voice.

But Iwan, Selly, and Cindy feel unsure about the condition of the grandfather. They finally decided to take a break under the tree. That morning the weather was bright, after a night of rain and wet clothes, they could feel again the warmth of the sun. After resting grandfather, Iwan took the initiative to get water for grandfather.

" You wait here for a moment, I'll fetch some water from the spring over there. You take care of Grandpa." Iwan exclaimed at Cindy and Selly while walking away from them.

Carrying a drinking bottle that can filter dirty water into clean water, Iwan brought water to grandfather. The source of the spring that Iwan was headed to was like emerging from rocks on a slope that was not too high.

"Wow, it's true my guess. In this rock there is a spring where the water is still flowing. The water is also clean, clear, and odorless, this is safe to drink" Iwan said in his heart.

When Iwan took water for grandfather, he saw not far from where he was standing, he saw a boy wearing a jacket, a head covering, in shoes, complete with jeans. The boy was seen sleeping under a tree but his clothes were wet. After Iwan finished taking the water, it crossed his mind to approach the child. Iwan walked slowly towards the boy, while his left hand held a bottle and his right hand held a twig just in case. In his heart Iwan said,

" Who is that guy? is it possible that the boy is the native tribe of these forest dwellers? but his clothes looked modern like a mountaineer." he murmured inwardly with trembling hands and heart palpitating.

After Iwan approached the child, it turned out that the child he saw from a distance while taking water was Ahmad.

"This boy is Ahmad. Finally after a long time, days of searching finally Ahmad met also" said Iwan with joy.

But Ahmad was seen in a bad condition, so Iwan decided to go back to his grandfather's place and call his friends. Iwan rushed back and told him the good news.

" Grandfather, Selly, Cindy I have finally found Ahmad" Iwan said in a loud voice.

They were all shocked to hear Iwan's statement.

" What? don't joke you Wan, where you might find Ahmad" said Selly, who doesn't believe Iwan's words.

Without making small talk, Iwanpun invites them to see for themselves.

"Here you go, you better come with me so you can believe. But grandfather stays here only cake, grandfather is still not good condition also." Iwan asked while giving a bottle of water that he held to grandfather.

Iwan, Selly, and Cindy rush to where Ahmad is found. The ivan showed me the way. Finally they reached the place where he found Ahmad, and it is true that Iwan said. Iwan has really found their friend Ahmad.

" Ahmad, yes this is really Ahmad. Thank goodness we finally got to meet Ahmad" Cindy said with a happy face.

"But it looks like Ahmad is cold, he fell asleep or fainted I don't know for sure. The important thing is to take Ahmad to Grandpa's house." take Iwan to Selly and Cindy to bring Ahmad home to Grandpa's House.

Iwan embraces Ahmad assisted by Selly, while Cindy helps Grandpa Dul. When Grandpa Dul saw them carrying the boy grandfather asked,

Iwan answered,

" This is Ahmad kek, our lost friend. He's the one we've been looking for these past few days" Iwan said, introducing Ahmad.

Grandfather was relieved to hear Iwan's reply.

" Thank God Ahmad was finally found. Let's go home and get some rest." take grandfather.

They left the place, feeling relieved after a grueling search they had done for several days. Now they can rest and then continue their research.

Meanwhile, after the traditional treatment given by Nek Ningsih to treat the snake bite wound on Johan's leg, slowly the bite scars showed positive progress, the swelling in Johan's legs began to shrink which signaled the loss of the earth snake's venom. That morning, Johan was able to walk out of the room even though he was limping.

" Johan, what about your legs? is it better to walk ?" nek Ningsih asked Johan who was walking into the living room.

Johan smiled, though,

" Yes Grandma, my legs are much better than last night. Thank you very much grandma. Grandma has helped me treat my wounds." Johan said thanking Nek Ningsih while bowing his head.

Nek Ningsih raised Johan's head.

" It is only natural as humans to help each other. You've already considered grandmothers grandchildren. Grandfather thinks of you as his own grandchildren" said the grandmother as she led him to sit on a chair.

Grandma added,

" Now you're here, Johan. Grandma's making breakfast, maybe Grandpa and your friends are on their way home" she said, leaving Johan for the kitchen.

Johan daydreamed, in his heart he prayed to God to always protect every step of his friends.

" May they be well, Amen" he said in his heart.

Shortly afterwards, there were footsteps of people whose voices were like more than one person. Then I heard greetings from outside. Johanpun stood up to look out, but was not allowed by Nek Ningsih. When Nek Ningsih opened the door, it turned out that the grandfather and the children who had gone with him came.

" At last, you go home too. Come on in, "take Nek Ningsih to them.

They went into the living room that Johan had there. Johan was surprised,

" You're back safely. I'm glad you guys are okay. And that was Ahmad. How did you find Ahmad?" the shocked Johan said mixed with his happy feelings. Johan wondered how they found Ahmad. But his friends just smiled. Johan asks Iwan," Wan , how can wan?" while looking at Iwan.

Iwan simply replied, "Jo's long story. Later we will tell the full chronology" said Iwan with a breath of fatigue.

Shortly after, Nek Ningsih brought them food to the dining table. Nek Ningsih invites them to breakfast, filling their stomachs after their search activities overnight.

" Talk later, now let's have breakfast. Grandma knows you're so hungry." asked Nek Ningsih.

They had breakfast, while Nek Ningsih took Ahmad to his room to rest him.