The River House

47. The mysterious old woman

Slightly in a hurry, Iva stuffed her belongings into a backpack. He checked his car keys. It was already in the bag. 

Iva wants to get out of this riverfront house. The smell of decaying corpses was already pouring out all over the room. It could be the scent of the corpse of Yodi, Dipta, or maybe even Tia. Even Iva suspected there were still other bodies hidden either in one of the rooms in the Rich Man's house.

Iva immediately carried her backpack and walked out of the room in a hurry. Ellie was waiting in front of the stairs.

"Let's go Ellie, we go home" said Iva.

Ellie still had doubts. He felt guilty leaving Bayu locked alone in the room. And other friends too. Denis who went nowhere, Hendra and Norita who have not returned.

"Is what we're doing right? We leave the others for our own safety" Ellie asked quietly.

"What do you want Ellie to do? You wanna stay in this fucking house? Until everyone including yourself dies at the hands of a madman we don't know who yet" Iva slightly raised her tone.

"If I'm locked in that room, then you'll leave me Iva?" Ask Ellie. He looks sharp.

"Yes, whoever's there, I don't care. This place is getting weird, Ellie. Without us knowing it, one by one it is lost and suddenly turned into a terrible corpse. Before thinking about the safety of others, the main thing is the safety of ourselves," Iva ruffled her waist.

Ellie fell silent. He looks confused. Iva's words were right, Ellie also admitted it in her heart. But his morals say not to leave Bayu alone in his locked room.

"Are you coming home now or not? It's still noon, we have to hurry. Because at nightfall, the wilderness was still very foreign to both of us," Iva began to lose her temper. 

Iva knows, Ellie's a good guy. Even in a precarious situation he still had time to think of others. But for Iva, kindness alone would not be able to save her from danger. It is the right and quick decision making that can help him. And Iva's heart said, the best decision right now is to go home soon.

"Alright Va. Let's go home, and go straight to the nearest POLICE to report everything that's going on in this place" Ellie sighed.

Ellie realized that if she insisted on staying in this house any longer, she might lose her life. And if everyone were to die, no one would report a crime that happened to the authorities. Ellie did not want the vile criminal to be free to roam and feel satisfied because his goal was achieved. 

Iva walked first down the stairs, followed by Ellie who seemed to have cast doubt in her heart. The two women had convinced themselves to leave the Rich Man's house immediately. They don't care about the rest of the promised money.

Arriving on the first floor, Mak Ijah can be seen walking in a row approaching. The apron she was wearing was white with a dirty flower motif filled with blood red stains.

As usual, Mak Ijah's expression was flat without a smile. His right hand held a shiny kitchen knife. It looks sharp and dangerous. No doubt Ellie and Iva immediately walked away from the old maid.

"Where is the lady going?" Ask Mak Ijah with a face that does not change. Feels cold.

"We want to go home, Mak," replied Ellie to ventured. He kept trying to keep a safe distance with the old and strange woman.

"Why? Is something wrong? Shouldn't Miss be waiting for money from Mr Zainul?" Mak Ijah asked again.

Ellie's breathing. His emotions are really in ubun ubun. How could Mak Ijah ask if something was wrong? Obviously everything that happened at his employer's house was a mistake. His friend had to be killed horribly. And until this very moment, no one knew who had actually committed such a heinous murder as that demonic behavior.

"But at least, please eat first Miss. I prepared quite a lot of food. Meat with the best quality. The meat is still fresh" said Mak Ijah offering a meal.

"Sorry Mak Ijah. We're not hungry" Iva chimed briefly.

"Miss sure you don't eat?" Mak Ijah asked to make sure.

"No Mak" replied Ellie and Iva in unison.

"What if I force it?" Mak Ijah stared intently at Ellie and Iva.

Hearing the words of Mak Ijah, Ellie's hair stood up. The fear mixed with horror made her nape feel enlarged. What was the woman in front of him to do? Ellie's heart raced. Cold sweat dripped down his temples. Likewise Iva who looks silent sculpting.

"Silence Miss. I don't want to scare you both. If you really want to go home, I'm happy. I will tell Mr. Zainul. Thank you for visiting here," Mak Ijah bowed respectfully.

Ellie and Iva did not waste the opportunity. They headed straight for the front door with half a run. There were no words of saying goodbye, all that was in the brains of the two women was to immediately leave the house and its mysterious occupants.

After the departure of Ellie and Iva, Mak Ijah put back his kitchen knife. Then he walked up the stairs to the second floor. Mak Ijah's footsteps sounded rhythmically breaking the silence.

Mak Ijah stopped in front of the door of one of the rooms. He stood firmly in front of the door that looked sturdy and tightly locked. Mak Ijah is in front of the door of Bayu's room.

Mak Ijah reached for his apron. There was a small pocket on the side.  He took a key, then put it in the keyhole of Bayu's room door.

CLIKK

The door to Bayu's room is open. Bayu is seen sitting in the corner of the mattress with a red-coated book in his hand.

"Mr Ijah?" Bayu looks a little surprised by the arrival of Mak Ijah.

"The only person who is not on the list is you Sir," Mak Ijah bowed for a moment.

"Why did you set me free, Mommy? Is it all done?" Ask Bayu later.

"Do you know everything, sir?" Mak Ijah this time looks alert.

"I know who your master is. But I don't know the details of everything. So please tell me what you know," Bayu suddenly pointed his little gun at Mak Ijah.

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