The Monster In Me

The Real Intentions

“I think we are safe,” Abian said on the sidelines of his hunting breath. He leaned over to his knees, trying to draw as much oxygen as possible to refresh his already tired body. Want it to feel like he is lying on the ground, no matter the dirt that might be stuck on him. However, the situation was still not completely safe. He must remain alert and ready to return to running at any time. “You know which way we should go, Van?”

“Of course. Although urgent, I still try to remember our way earlier,” replied Evan a little haughty. He looked at Trisha and Karsa alternately. “Ayo, go. The place is near.”

They walked back while looking down. Hiding behind the big trunks of fallen and lying trees. Form enough defensive fortifications to make them feel safe. Although there are some branches sticking out that are ready to scratch the skin if they are less alert.

The edge of Trisha's skirt was several times caught by branches and twigs, but she did not dare to make a sound, even to slowly complain. He felt grateful that he had not changed his uniform with the clothes he carried in his bag. Because if he wears the shorts he carries, maybe the one that will get stuck is no longer his shirt.

The girl followed Karsa in front of her. His lips pursed after realizing that he was in the very back position. “Why are you in front of me?” Trisha asked in a whisper, after she managed to be at a very close distance to the young man.

“Kan, you yourself said you were suspicious of Evan?” answer Karsa with a voice that does not lose slowly.

Trisha then fell silent and tried to see Evan who was walking in the front row. His classmate, who usually looks geeky with thick framed glasses, now seems to walk with considerable courage and confidence. Invites the suspicion of Trisha who has never liked Evan all this time.

No matter how well Evan treats her at school, Trisha always feels awkward when interacting with the young man. Maybe it was because of their much different personalities, or maybe Trisha did not like teenagers who were too crazy to learn. Which reason was right, Trisha thought it was pointless to know. Because he had absolutely no intention of becoming friends with Evan.

Moreover, Evan always showed his dislike for Karsa blatantly. Adding another reason for Trisha to stay away from her.

‘But at a time like this, I have no other choice, right?’ thought Trisha. ‘I just have to be vigilant, just in case it turns out he was mean to me and Karsa.’

Meanwhile, it turns out that Karsa also has thoughts more or less similar to Trisha. From that moment he continued to hold the iron hammer in his hand with worry. The slightest sound continued to jolt him. As much as possible he held both eyes so as not to blink too often. He needed every sense of his to keep an eye on the situation.

‘Isn't this too quiet? Where are all those zombies?’ thought.

The young man continued to follow in the footsteps of Evan and Abian who were in front of him, until finally they entered the hallway whose front felt familiar. However, the lack of illumination made him not immediately recognize the place.

Until the moment they reached a door with many backpacks scattered, he finally knew what place it was. “Why are we back here?” ask Karsa for confusion.

Evan and Abian only glanced at him a glance before leading him to the deepest part. Both of Karsa's eyes then widened when he saw the figure in front of him. And Trisha who was behind him quickly ran over and hugged the figure.

“Trisha, Mars. Are you two?” danita asked after Trisha no longer hugged her tightly.

Karsa nodded his head in lethargy. “Iya, Mom. Sorry, we were separated from the other friends.”

“It's okay. Everything is wrong Mother because she is in a hurry to let you guys out of hiding,” Danita said. Guilt was clearly on his face. It seemed that the young master had been continuously blaming himself for the disappearance of the disciples in the midst of such a dangerous situation right now. He should have tried better than this.

In reality, there is not much he can do. Trying to help the students alone is enough to prove that he is not a selfish adult who just wants to save himself.

“By the way, Mom. Why are we here again?” ask Karsa after Danita no longer speaks.

“When we are with other students fleeing from here, the number of zombies is spread because of our split chase,” replied Evan representing Danita. While Abian was resting himself by sitting with his legs lined up next to him. “Until almost nothing is left around here. When we came, there were only less than 10 zombies and they were in a condition that did not harm us at all. So Abian and I beat it all up and decided to make this place a temporary stopover.”

“Then why did you go again and leave Bu Danita alone?” trisha asked with squeaking eyes.

Evan looked at Trisha for a moment before slashing his shoulders. “You how else? Need a gun to fight those zombies. We can't keep on using only the stones we happened to find on the road, right?” obviously Evan. “There may be a reason for Ms. Danita to come along, so it's just me and Abian going around. Although in the end we only found the remaining stick of this not so useful iron fence.”

Karsa reflexively looked at the stick in his hand which he already considered to be a real hitting device. His mind recalled the times he hit the heads and body parts of the zombies using that thing. “This stick is quite useful, really. Good work.” He praised Evan and Abian sincerely.

Abian seemed to blush until he shook his hand timidly, while Evan looked at Karsa with an expression that was difficult to interpret. Karsa only took it as a sign that Evan was not ready to make up for the problems that had occurred between the two of them in the past. However, unfortunately Evan was thinking of something much worse than that.

‘However, I must survive.’ Evan was determined in his heart. ‘So far my every plan has gone as expected. In fact the result is much better than I imagined.’

In silence, Evan looked at Karsa, Trisha, Danita, and Abian who were now gathered in one corner of the room. Take a break before discussing their next plan. Evan would be happy to join if only he was not currently devising his own plan.

***