The Monster In Me

Searching Zombies

“What sound is it?” firda asked with both eyes widened in alarm.

“Entahlah. But be careful! Most likely it was a zombie!” replied Adira who now pulled Firda's clothes tightly. Either to hold his best friend in place, or to channel his own fears. “You sure you want to go down now?”

“We first see what it is, only later we decide.” Firda took off Adira's grip slowly, before re-stretching his feet towards the large tree branch below. It was quite difficult for him to grab the branch because of the considerable distance. Not to mention the possible dangers such as slipping and falling. Finally, Firda spread her hands. Get ready to jump up and alight on that sturdier tree trunk.

Bruk!

“Aw!”

Succeeds. Firda managed to wrap both hands tightly to a tree trunk that was a little too big for him to hug. Moreover, he was quite tormented with pain in his chest that hit the sturdy tree quite hard. However, he only grimaced for a moment and tried to refocus. However, he had not yet reached a safe land.

After securing his position, Firda looked back and looked up. Intending to tell Adira his good condition which is still on the wall.

As usual, Adira did not seem too worried, but Firda still pointed her thumb at him.

“Be careful! Don't jump as hard as you can, or you'll make your ribs crack!” firda shouted in warning, and Adira only nodded in response. “And watch around you! On the left was a shop building whose roof had a pointed spear sticking out. Don't get you stuck!”

Firda looked at the building he called just now one more time. He had never noticed before, but the building that might mimic the concept of the pirate actually looked terrifying from above with a spear sticking out as well as a clone of the fierce-looking waves. The position is also quite close to the tree, so if the roof of the building looks quite safe, he and Adira may choose to jump on it. Unfortunately, that is not possible.

Finally taking a deep breath, Firda started moving down by loosening her embrace on the tree bit by bit. Both of his legs are also on standby to hold his body weight so as not to plunge freely. The rough texture of the tree bark incised scratches on each surface of its skin that was not protected by any fabric, but Firda did not care at all. It seemed like the entire terrifying experience he had gained in more than a day made his physique and mentality even stronger.

A meter above him, Adira had also secured his position on the tree trunk. Waiting for the right moment for him to come down so that he does not end up colliding with Firda.

Both of Adira's eyes continued to look at Firda who was moving agilely under him. “Rupanya right. The firda can be really confident after being trusted by others,” mumbled slowly while smiling thinly. “I feel guilty for never praising him all this time.”

During their friendship that has not been running for a year, Adira realized that all this time he often acted arbitrarily. Doing whatever he wants to do without caring about others, including Firda, a loyal friend who is always by his side. Every time Firda invites him to do something, Adira must refuse on the grounds that he just wants to focus on learning. However, when Adira needs Firda's help, he must force his friend by saying dozens of reasons that can make Firda succumb.

After remembering all that, now various memories returned to Adira's head. The most prominent memories were the times where Firda protected her from Karsa who kept trying to approach her without any sign of giving up. The young man will do various ways, ranging from seducing to continue to follow him everywhere. Make Firda have to work extra by installing his own body as a fortress Adira as well as a knight who always warns the princess of various dangers that threaten.

“By the way about Karsa, how's it going now? Does he and the other friends still survive like me and Firda?” muttered Adira again while sliding down. Will follow Firda who has stood safely on the asphalt of the Cakrabuana Playground.

Unfortunately, too much daydreaming makes Adira's concentration slightly reduced. He glided too fast so he frantically hugged the tree with all his might. Her reflexively wriggling legs in search of a foothold ended up touching the tip of the replica spear that Firda had just warned her. Adira complained when she felt her calf scratched quite deeply.

“What? You said something?” Firda raised one of his eyebrows while smothering his chest.

“It looks like there are no zombies around here.” Firda spread his gaze around. “Not many bodies either. I suspect someone lured those zombies away from here.”

“Well, whatever it is, we're lucky this time.” Adira tried hard to hold her voice so as not to shake. Though he really wanted to grimace right now because of the incredible pain in his legs. He could even feel something flowing down his ankle that was slightly covered in trousers that he was wearing. “Come, hurry we go before any zombies come!”

Firda nodded and started to lead the way back. “Don't forget to look around. Who knows if there is food we can eat. It has been a few hours since the last time we filled the stomach with snacks.”

“OK,” Adira replied slowly.

With a little reticence he followed Firda's steps. Suddenly, he tripped on his own leg until he fell. It seemed like he was complaining quite loudly because now Firda was running and kneeling by his side in a panic.

“Gosh! Where's this blood, Dir?” asked Firda in a slightly shrill voice. Without permission he revealed the bottom of Adira's pants and widened his eyes because of it. “When did you get this wound? Why didn't you tell me anything?”

“I just scratched. It's nothing.” Adira held Firda's hand before her friend touched her again. “We have to keep moving. I'll just wrap it up after I find a clean cloth.”

Firda didn't look happy to hear that at all. He just scrunched his forehead more and more until his face frowned completely. Staring at Adira with slightly teary eyes. “You haven't really trusted me,” lamented as you stood back up.

“What? Not so!” Hurriedly Adira got up and grabbed both Firda's hands.

He was very surprised when Firda clenched her hand to let go of his grasp, but apparently Firda just wanted to put her index finger in front of her mouth.

“Sound well! The voice sounded again,” he said half a whisper.

Adira closed her lips and began to try to focus her entire focus on her ears. Firda's right. He heard the grunts they both heard from the wall. However, this time the voice sounded weaker, and was accompanied by a voice that resembled .. isak sobbing? Adira did not know for sure, so now he began to step in search of the source of the sound.

Without command, the two of them began to split up. Firda approaches the shop whose replica of the spear hurt Adira and searches every room she can enter. There's not much place to hide. Almost the entire part of the store had been destroyed like it had just been swept away by the tsunami waves. Pieces of wood, sand and stone were all strewn across the floor. Firda reflexively covers his nose with his arms because he does not want to sneeze many times if he inhales all the dust there.

Because he did not find anything suspicious, Firda then went out and looked for Adira. His friend was crouching near an empty solar drum that had split into two. Its height only reached about half a meter. Firda approached Adira in confusion.

“What are you doing, Dir? Have you met the zombie?” ask the girl while patting Adira on the shoulder.

“Ssttt!” In a hurry Adira pulled Firda to crouch down beside her as well. “Listen,” whispered slowly.

***