The Monster In Me

Test Nose at Altitude

“Until when should we walk like this? You know, right, I'm afraid of heights?” firda protested while holding both of her trembling knees. For a moment he stopped walking, regardless of the distance with Adira in front of him getting further away.

“Do not lie! You like to ride the Bianglala, and the Roller Coaster. How could you be afraid of being in a high place.” Adira nodded casually. Slowly, but surely. Climb the thick wall surface that stands on the outer border of the Cakrabuana Playground. A little careful because the wall was wet by the rain that had fallen some time ago.

The girl looked to the right. Realizing that the Playground still looks beautiful if he only sees it at a glance. However, if he stared a little longer, it would look quite clear, how the tourist attractions that should look beautiful and fun it now turned terrible. Several rides and trees rolled over, smoke rose at many points, to various stains that litter the road and every inch of the Playground. Not to mention the people who were moving with unusual movements. Shouting, crashing on living or non-living objects, to thrash in place without knowing the cause. Adira sighed heavily with a sad look.

Meanwhile, if he looks to the left side, he is treated to a quiet view of the Cakrabuana Playground parking lot. Various four-wheeled vehicles still dwell neatly there. Anyone who saw all that would never have thought that most of the people who originally drove all the cars were no longer able to distinguish between food and what was not. They no longer have the sense to behave like humans.

“Until when should we walk here?” Firda's voice sounded slow and pitiful. “I don't even dare to sit so narrow this wall. I'm afraid I'll fall!”

“The thickness of this wall is almost half a meter. We can sit safely,” replied Adira ketus. However, he still turned around to ensure the condition of the friend. “If tired, we can rest first.”

Without further ado, Firda directly landed his buttocks and sat down on the wall. “Hah .. Come to think of it, we are ridiculous. Can go up but can't go down.”

“Who would have thought that this situation outside the wall would be so empty? I thought there would at least be a big tree to help us get down or something,” Adira complained as she sat facing Firda. “See! Even large vehicles are parked on the other side. Though if close enough, we can jump even though it remains with the risk of fracture.”

“Gosh! It's easy to talk like that.”

“Of course. Right now there is nothing more terrifying to me than those zombies.” Adira's body trembled violently, she had to hug herself to calm down. “Promise me. If until I get caught by them, you should run as far away as possible. Never look back!”

Firda was surprised to hear that. Both of his eyes were wide open, with his mouth slightly gaping. The girl was unable to give any response and just fell silent while contemplating. Thinking about how he who could not immediately say ‘not’ after hearing Adira's request.

Maybe because deep in Firda's mind, he had already intended to unite himself. Although so far he is always ready to cooperate and take care of each other with Adira, but Firda always takes everything into account. He will only act if he feels the risk is not too great.

Guilt began to bind his chest until he coughed due to difficulty breathing. Firda now realizes that he is not an ideal friend who is able to sacrifice everything for Adira. After all, he also had a family that he really wanted to meet right now. It was impossible for him to sacrifice his chance to return home just for a friend who would not necessarily continue with him all his life.

Finally, Firda nodded his head. “Good. You also have to do the same,” he replied firmly.

The sun is still shining. Their position in high place made the two girls more tormented by the heat that stung every inch of their bodies. Many times Adira got rid of the sweat droplets that flowed on her temples and neck. They should not continue to dwell like this, especially in the absence of water to drink. They may faint due to dehydration.

“Come, way again!” take Adira while getting up from her position. He groaned a little when he felt his legs so sore and lost a lot of energy. “Maybe we will soon find something for us down.”

“I doubt we'll find anything. But we have no other choice, do we?” Firda breathed a heavy breath. “Why did they build a layered fortress like this? If there is only one wall, we only need to shout to attract the attention of citizens passing by.”

“At least here we do not need to worry about zombies.”

Right after Adira said that, a stone the size of a thumb hit her forehead. It caused a red scratch close to his right eyebrow. The girl grimaced as she crouched back. His two eyes that reflex closed made him afraid of losing his balance and ending up falling.

“What's up? Why?” Firda who did not see clearly what happened was confused to see Adira who was in pain. He soon approached his friend, but another stone struck his hand.

The pain that suddenly struck him made him scream and almost toppled backwards. Luckily, Adira swiftly grabbed his hand and pulled him into a sitting position.

“What was that?” ask Firda while shouting. He shook his right hand which was no longer painful. Still, he felt very upset. “Who dares to throw stones at us? No zombies, right?”

“Cuzzling!” adira's Word. He knelt down and lowered his head as deeply as possible while protecting his head with both hands.

Firda rushes to imitate Adira's position, right next to the girl. He continued to scream as he felt many other stones pointing at them. The sound that the loud object produced when it hit the wall made him panic even more. “Stop! Please stop!” yell, I don't know who.

Desperation again attacked the two girls. How not? Whenever they felt quite calm and comfortable in a place far away from the zombies, there were always events that forced them to go back on their guard, or worse, made them come back tormented. Like at the moment. Adira and Firda can only remain silent and resigned while their bodies are constantly being rained down on rocks by unknown assailants.

Still in a down position, Adira forced her brain to think. “Can there be a zombie smart enough to attack us that is silent up here?”

***