The Monster In Me

Surviving Both

With lethargy Adira looked towards the pile of personal belongings of visitors who are now lying on the road. Torn in some parts and decorated with soil stains and reddish liquid. Its contents were scattered out and could hardly be recognized anymore due to the trampling of panicked running humans, as well as raging zombies. Different thoughts and emotions raged in Adira's mind.

“One day these books will save my life, and you will be surprised by it.” Adira again remembered her words to Firda while they were still on the way. At that time, Firda who was astonished to see the contents of Adira's backpack could no longer say anything after Adira defended her books to such an extent. Though he was not serious about his words, and just tried to make Firda stop protesting.

But now his words become real. Thanks to the weight of the collection of books that were inside her backpack, Adira managed to save herself and Firda from the attack of many zombies just a moment ago. Now they are hiding in Bali one of the statues of cartoon characters in the exhibition of animated films.

It had been quite a while since the last time Adira and Firda had seen zombies being around, they did not know for sure as there were no clocks nor any other time markers. Adira only knows that they have been hiding for a long time because both of her legs began to feel very sore due to continued squatting. Unknowingly he breathed a long breath.

“You tired? It seems like it's okay for us to come out now,” whispered Firda from the opposite direction. The girl said in a very small voice, but the state of the empty animated exhibition cave echoed her voice until it reached Adira's ears very clearly.

Without answering, Adira immediately stood up and stepped out of hiding. Stretch his body slightly as he hears his joints crackling. “Why hasn't the sun set yet? It feels like we have been running for hours to and fro because pursued by these terrible creatures.”

Firda approached Adira with a slight sag. Worrying will make a sound loud enough to attract the attention of the zombies out there. “Jaga what you said! Day is terrible, what else is night? We won't be able to escape freely!”

“But at least I will no longer be able to see scenes like this,” replied Adira listlessly while pointing at the items she had observed.

“How can there be so many goods but no people nor any corpses in this place?” firda asked in surprise as he approached the backpack near Adira's feet. Take out the contents to look for objects that might be useful. He finally let out a heavy sigh as he only found the accessories and items less useful. Just a folding umbrella he took with the intention to make it as a hitter.

“Maybe there was a time to hide here like us, but have to hurry away because of something.” Adira tries to organize her words so as not to scare both herself and Firda. “Very unfortunate. I'm sure, although for all of us this looks meaningless, but for the owner, these items must be quite valuable,” he continued while crouching and touching a bouquet of flowers that had been damaged.

For a while, Firda was fixated on his position. Both of his eyes were staring down with sadness. “Sorry, because of me, you lost your books. I know how valuable those things are to you,” he regrets. He lowered his head after putting the umbrella into his backpack. “You're right. The books were able to save us.”

Adira raised her eyebrows while smiling. “It turns out you also remember it.”

“Not only that, remember what you said when I complained about boring mini rafting rides?” Firda snorted as she saw Adira shake her head. “You said, once in a while riding a simple ride is good. Because it could be later we will not find any more tranquility like that.”

Slowly, Adira's eyes widened. With his hand, he covered his gaping mouth.

Only, Adira had already thought about the words of her best friend seriously. He frowned and patted his own chin. Not at all concerned with the sensation of pain he felt. “So, yes,” murmured slowly. “So, if I say that we will get out safely from here, my words will also be real.”

“It just doesn't happen three times,” chirps Firda. He shook his head, completely unable to believe that Adira really thought his words could foretell the future. “But there is no harm in trying. In times like this, the slightest hope means a lot.”

“Good.” Adira took a deep breath. “Me and you, as well as other friends will be able to leave here safely. We will all go back to meeting the family and continue living happily, as if all this chaos never happened.”

“Aamiin,” said Firda even though he knew that Adira was not praying. “I hope it doesn't take long until your expectations are reached.”

“Hopefully.”

Suddenly they both flinched when they heard a cell phone ringing from somewhere. The expectation of the possibility that they will find a way to communicate with others makes them quickly search for the source of the sound. Adira and Firda nimbly walked to and fro, intending to surround the inside of the cave that they had just entered a little.

Adira had imagined how relieved she would be if she could contact her brother later. In any case, Adnan had promised that he would come if Adira asked for it. Therefore, Adira is sure that the brother will not mind to take her away from this terrible place.

“Come, where are you?” muttered Adira while bowing. Get rid of any objects that might be hiding a cell phone behind it. He kept asking questions like that, as if the cell phone was a living creature that could answer him.

On the other hand, Firda was also exerting all of her abilities to search. He even arranged some of the objects that were there vertically, for later he climbed. However, from its position which is now a few centimeters higher, Firda also did not find a phone that might be on the screen at this time.

Until the big curtain that covered the mouth of the cave seemed to move. Accompanied by the sound of footsteps being dragged and a slow growl that made the feathers of the two girls stand up instantly. As commanded, Adira and Firda compactly locked his mouth and walked slowly and re-hidden behind the shadow of a cartoon figure statue.

No matter how often they saw the zombies, their bodies still trembled as they watched how the undead walked slowly into the hideout. At first it was only one, but the longer their number grew. Although the whereabouts of Adira and Firda are completely unknown, Adira feels that they are no longer safe to remain still in place.

Waving her hands clandestinely towards Firda, Adira led the two of them to walk into the cave which had minimal lighting. Hoping they'll find another way out besides the one now infested with zombies.

***