The River House

22. Old Cottage

Galang walked tiptoed, approaching the old cottage he found in the middle of the forest. The rain fell more and more, the atmosphere was quiet and deserted also increased with cold air that slashed the skin. 

Arriving at the terrace of the cottage. It looks quite spacious, with thick dust attached to the floor which is composed of wooden beams. The roof seemed to leak, dripping rainwater spots in some corners.

Galang circulated his gaze, paying close attention. The terrace section has an old chair made of rattan. A door opened in the middle. The door leaf made of triplex is allowed to fall just like that.

Galang sure, this cottage has been abandoned for a long time. He walked slowly, entering the hut. The dark sky makes the lighting dim, even though it is actually still midday.

Kriitt kriitt

The floor of the wood that became the footing sounded squeaking every time Galang stepped through it. Gobbling, his gaze was slightly obstructed by the dark sky of December. Several cobbled cobwebs almost filled every corner of the room.

Inside the cottage, there is a square-shaped table located exactly in the middle of the room. Wooden cabinets lean against the wall in one corner of the room. The legs of the closet legs appear dibergogoti termites.

He found an old piece of paper on the table. There is writing on the paper that has faded and is difficult to read. A kind of letter that seemed to be lying there for a long time.

He rubbed the paper, trying to read it. Some words were read successfully while other words and sentences Galang was only able to suppose.

"I waited for an apology from their dirty mouth. But that never happened. I could only curse, and vent my anger in the writing I kept tight until now. I'll wait" Galang read a paragraph he can decipher.

There are some words that are not foreign to Galang. As said Tabur tuai, which reminds Galang on the password wifi at home Zainul. At the end of the inscription is written 'rope hanger'. Galang gasped in surprise and immediately looked up.

A rope that forms a knot is tangled on it. The end looks broken. Galang hurriedly folded the paper in his hand, then put it in his pants pocket.

Galang moved, this time heading to the old cupboard in the corner of the room. He opened the closet, it turned out the top was empty. There was only thick dust stuck to the corner.

Galang opened the bottom drawer, and finally he found an old maroon-coated book. I opened the book. On the first page is written a name with partially faded blue ink. Zaynul Rikhman.

Galang was about to open and read the book, when there were footsteps in the distance.

"Could it be Bayu?" Galang muttering. 

Immediately he peeked through the crack of the wooden wall that was before him. It is not the Bayu who comes. Among the swift rain, with clothes soaking wet, Mr. Mardoyo seemed to run a small run near the cottage where Galang shelter.

Galang panicked, his instincts said to immediately run away from the cottage. I don't know why he was scared to see Mr. Mardoyo coming. As fast as lightning Galang put a worn book under his shirt, wriggling the book with his armpits.

Galang hurriedly rushed out of the room and jumped into the bush beside the old hut. Galang peeked out from behind the leaves, noticing the arrival of Mr. Mardoyo. 

Galang motionless and unblinking noticed the motion of Mr. Mardoyo. For a few moments Mr. Mardoyo kept silent to pay attention to his surroundings. Until finally, the strange housekeeper walked away from the cottage.

Galang sighed, feeling a little relieved. He came out of his hiding place. He returned to the cottage terrace. 

Galang reopened the maroon-red book that was behind his clothes. While occasionally watching the surroundings, worried that Mardoyo arrived back to that place again.

Galang turned the book over, reading its contents at a glance. A diary of Zainul Rikhman. Almost all of the contents contained complaints Zainul over the treatment of friends in his class who had obstructed him.

Until finally arrived Galang on the sheet right in the middle of the book. There's a picture stuck there. Photo club drama in High School. A photo similar to the one Zainul sent along with the invitation letter some time ago.

I watched the photo carefully. Somehow Galang felt there was something strange and lacking in the photo. 

"Any," Galang muttered alone. Then he counted the number of students in the photo.

"Nine?" Galang massaged his forehead.

There is a mismatch between the number of people in the photo and the invited guests who come to Zainul's house. Error trying to recall events in the past. Until finally he came to a conclusion, there are people who are currently at Zainul's house but he has nothing to do with the drama club and the dark past of Zainul.

"Why did Zainul invite the man?" Galang is getting curious.

Now Galang hesitated, what to act like. His mind was shaky, there was nothing else he could trust. People who are currently in Zainul's house could be in danger.

"Yodi. . I know now, where is he. If my guess is correct it means that man. . ." Galang propped up his chin. He seems to be draining his energy into thinking.

There are two options for Galang at the moment, first trying to find a way home with the consequences of leaving all his friends in Zainul's strange house. And secondly, he went back to Zainul's house and invited everyone to get out of the house and go home.

Weighing, which decision is more appropriate. His heart hesitated and hesitated. For a few moments he was pensive. The rain and fog are getting less friendly. 

Eventually, he decided to find his way home. He will go to the nearest village, and ask for help. Maybe that's the best decision for now, he thought.

But Galang also could not get out of his seat. The rain is really getting heavier with the fog getting thicker. Viewing distance is increasingly limited, can be dangerous for anyone if walking in the middle of conditions like this. 

Galang rubbed his palm that shriveled with cold. His body was shivering, his lips pale blue. He had forgotten and did not feel the cold clouding him because he was too focused on his mind. Now it just feels, his body is carefree and his breathing is a little tight.

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