The Monster In Me

The Unexpected Meeting

“You sure you want to go there?” ask Firda worriedly. “Didn't the two of us clearly hear the sound of zombies and the screams that come with Evan's voice? I don't think the place is much safer than ours, Dir!”

Adira remains confident of walking the lead up front. “You're right. But I have to know what kind of plan Evan is trying to do right now.”

“Why?” Firda who began to get frustrated finally pulled Aron to walk faster to catch Adira. “Every living human being in this place would do anything to survive. So far we have been fine in our own way. Why should we interfere with Evan's plan? You know for yourself what that kid is!”

“Iya, I know.” Adira took a deep breath and stopped her steps. “But somehow my hunch says we have to go there. At the very least, maybe we'll meet other friends. Or Ms. Danita. It's been a long time since we've seen adults. And at the moment we have no plans other than to survive, right?”

Firda was silent hearing that. The distance with Adira was close enough to make him stunned at how desperate Adira was at the moment. Despite knowing that the best friend is not missing friends and is only feeling anxious because it finds a dead end, Firda's chest still feels tight because of it.

He immediately turned his eyes. They are now in the stage area, where the usual performances are held every weekend. Hiding behind the curtains that still hang even though some of the hooks have come off. The lighting around them was very limited, Firda could barely see her own legs clearly. The only thing that hints at their direction is a dark glowing sticker taped to the surface of the stage.

As dawn drew near, Firda hoped the sun would soon rise to shine and warm their journey. Maybe that way, he, Adira, and Aron can breathe a little relief.

“You are right,” Firda replied finally. Choose not to argue with Adira anymore. “Only, maybe we can wait until the day is a little brighter? We've been walking for a long time without rest. Aron must be very tired.”

Aron who had started walking a little staggered, slowly nodded his head. Without saying anything he fell down and stretched his legs forward. It was obvious that he did not want to continue the journey for now.

Adira who heard it then grunted quietly, but he did not oppose Firda's suggestion at all and immediately sat not far from the friend. In the darkness, Firda could see that Adira's eyes were slightly shiny. The girl's eyes glazed over, either because of her feelings of sadness or because she was also yawning exhausted.

Firda sat down and directed Aron's head to rest on his lap. In silence he stroked the hair of the boy's head which still felt soft after everything that happened.

They were silent for a while before Adira spoke again. “Sorry that I always impose my will. I just can't stand moving aimlessly,” murmured slowly.

Firda shook his head despite not being sure if Adira could see him. “Since the beginning of our goal is only one, which is to get out of here safely. I understand that purpose doesn't sound convincing to you”

Adira's breathing was clear, before she changed her position to lie down. “We rest here for a while while waiting for morning.”

With that sentence, Adira, Firda, and Aron closed their eyes. Trying to welcome the impossible dreams comes because they do not let their vigilance decline.

Adira closed her eyes for a few minutes before waking up in a lying position. He just fell silent and tried to cultivate back his mental and physical strength to fight back.

Some time ago he, Firda, and Aron have returned to walk through the ruins of the vehicle. They walk by relying solely on memories as well as directions indicating the path to ‘Information Center’. Adira thinks maybe that's where they'll meet up with Evan and the others.

Every few minutes, they have to switch lanes to reduce the risk of encountering zombies. And every time they did that, they had to run through more open territory before getting to the hidden place again. Several times Adira, Firda, and Aron managed to do it. Until one day, Adira suddenly stopped walking. His face looked deathly pale as if he had just seen the appearance of an invisible creature.

Firda only realized what made his best friend very surprised like that after he tried to follow the direction of Adira's view.

A few meters in front of them, stood a person, precisely a young man who was also looking towards them. The appearance of the young man looked very shabby, with some blackened bloodstains on many parts of his body. However, the two girls were able to recognize the young man very well.

Adnan Mizan Bernadette's.

Alias's brother from Adira himself.

Both of Adira's legs started shaking violently. Mana water began to pool in his eye pelupuk. The girl even fell down if only Firda did not hold her shoulders tightly. Even Aron helped by hugging his waist. Adira cried without a sound. He really never thought he would return to see the figure he loved the most in this world.

“Tell me I'm not dreaming!” pinta Adira with a great shaking voice. He repeatedly clenched his teeth tightly to prevent his jaw from shaking. His hand is now stretched forward. Calling the figure of Adnan to immediately approach him.

Adnan himself seemed quite shaken, seen from the way he did not react immediately. Just like his brother, Adnan just stood there. His mind was raging by the different feelings that were now filling him.

“No, Dir, you're not dreaming. I also saw Brother Adnan very clearly.” Unknowingly Firda revealed a thin smile. Although he has absolutely no blood relationship with Adira and Adnan, he really feels happy to see the couple meet again.

Because he knows very well how close Adira's relationship with his brother. Even when the zombie attack has just taken place, the first person Adira wants to contact is not her parents, but Adnan. Almost along the road they went, Adira always tried to find the cell phone of others who might be scattered, even many times he was threatened by danger because of his intentions. However, until now the friend has not managed to find it.

And now Adnan was standing right in front of them. It feels like Firda again dares to dare to expect his reunion with his own family after seeing Adira who managed to find Adnan. Or, should Firda say that Adnan has managed to find Adira?

Firda had just carried Aron on his back, preparing to run with Adira to approach Adnan, when suddenly a ringing sound was heard again. This time it was louder than before.

***