They're Here

Chapter 10: The Horror of Robi

Restless, anxious, suspicious, horrified, and bitter revolve in the heart. Seeing Robi still lying helplessly left me stricken with great worry.

Mother's mouth was pouting as her hand tapped the moringa leaves onto Robi's body. Every now and then he spewed water from his mouth into the corners of the room, like a ritual to drive away the delicate creatures. Whatever he does, I don't care. I just hope my best friend's consciousness returns soon.

Intentions go to Citiis to atone for guilt, but instead are faced with a new sense of guilt.

Nah! I can't imagine the worst that's going to happen to Robi. I must always think positively in order to become a good prayer.

While she was busy waking up Robi, I took Aisah to sit on the porch. There are a lot of questions that haven't gotten an answer, and some new questions that I'd like to ask.

“Aisah...” I said gently.

He just said his name, but he immediately gave me a gesture to keep me quiet. He seemed to know I was going to incline him to channel all the happenings in this village.

“Many residents of the city ignore restrictions when entering this village area. They think we're just scaring. They think our story is superstition,” said Aisah while looking straight at the quiet streets.

“What story?”

Aisah placed both of her hands on her lap. “A Yana wants to know why when dark covers this village, then there will not be a single citizen who dare to appear outside the house?!”

I'm nodding. I began to focus my hearing on digesting Aisah's story.

“I myself do not know the beginning of this village to be different. However, there is a story that they did not receive eviction from this village. They often come in the dark to seek revenge. Not directly kill or hurt, but they attack the psychic,” said Aisah.

Them? Was the pronoun addressed to the inhabitants of this village before?

Not likely. Mang Sata and the natives of this village are very friendly. There was never any conflict or disagreement over my childhood here. This land is a place that is notoriously safe and peaceful.

“Aisah, are those you mean are natives who have lived here? What happened to them? Where are they now? You also mentioned the 9th of 1999 at 9am, what happened at that time? Is that the beginning of change in this village?” I bombarded him with a few questions at once.

Aisah shook her head. Then, he closed his eyes with a slight sob.

My curiosity has peaked overhead. Many times my questions hang without touching my wits. Sorry, there is no intention to be.

“Aisah! Why are you even silent? Quickly tell me everything in full!” please with a forced intonation.

The kreeek! Mother opened the door. His eyes were pointed towards me.

“Aisah, let's go home now,” said the Mother. Then, he pulled Aisah's hand.

I tried to block their steps. “Bu, please don't leave me with puzzles like this.”

“Nobody gave you a riddle. You yourself created this situation,” said the Mother.

Ah, what kind of accusation was pinned to me?! It was like to let out all the emotions in the heart into a howl that evaporated in the air.

Patience, Yana! Where the earth is cast, there the sky is held. Keep temperament and oral so as not to carve bad. I try to calm myself while getting the message Umi while on someone else's earth.

Before leaving my room, the mother advised me not to open doors and windows from Maghreb to Dawn. He also forbade me to force Robi to wake up.

The space to parse the tragedy closed back. Sometimes I don't know more soothing. But the thing is, my reasoning has been touched by a tangled event.

Yup!!!

Sata Mang! Is correct. He's my last hope for an answer to the mystery of this village. Only, where can I meet him?

I'm laying down next to Robi. Loosen the muscles, release the tired. My hunch is that Mang Sata will see me again, even though I can't guess when it's time.

***

White clouds were running around like time was chasing to shade the other side of the sky. Every day Umi and Abi ask me. To this day, they still believe I'm in Lampung with Robi.

Huh! Can my lie be categorized as a white lie?

This afternoon Mang Dendi went to the district capital. He said he's not coming home tonight. Dinner for me and Robi is provided. Stay warmed if needed.

Mang Dendi's. In my eyes, she is also quite mysterious. This is not related to his personal life – where his wife and child, but he also limited my space as Aisah and her mother did. Every time I wanted to talk to him, he avoided me as if he knew I would be probing him questions about this village.

“Let's wake up, Bi! True said you, we better go home,” mumbamku sad followed by resting the entire organ. May my sleep be perfect tonight.

Moments later, between half a dream and waking up, I felt like someone was shaking my body while saying my name.

“Yan…. Janas…. Wake up! I'm thirsty,”.

I open my eyes slowly. The atmosphere looks still night.

Huh huh? The robi? He is in a sitting position beside me. I immediately gathered all consciousness.

“Bi? I.... Is this really you? Thank goodness, Bi. You're all right, right?” Haru and Relia blend in the kalbuku.

“Yan, we need to get out of here right away. This morning I saw a lot of creepy creatures in the village. They like this catch me, Yan,”, Robi said with a tense mimic.

“Iya, Bi. We go home to Jakarta tomorrow morning,” sure.

“But...” Robi.

“How do we get out of here?”

I flinched hearing Robi's question. “What's the matter, Bi?”

Robi rubbed his neck. Then, his index finger led to a teapot on the table.

Yeah, I should've given him some drinking water first. Isn't that why he woke me up?

I get out of bed. I poured water into the glass with enthusiasm. Untaken sense of happiness when he saw Robi back as usual.

Yoke! Yoke! Yoke!

There was a knock calling. I was surprised. However, I suspect it is the code of Robi who is impatient to quench his thirst.

“Bent, Bi! There are ants in this glass. I change first yes,” my light.

I was stunned when I turned around. My hands shook until I almost dropped the glass.

Huh huh? Robi's back to sleep?

Yoke! Yoke! Yoke!

Apparently, it was the sound of a window being knocked on. Not the sound produced by Robi.

I put a glass on a small table next to the bed. I set my heart to check on the guest not knowing the time.

As soon as the curtains were opened, I was surprised not to get stuck. Hamid, Moses, and Rusman stood behind the glass. They were wearing red and white uniforms with pale faces.

I immediately retreated, and sat down beside Robi. I also tried to wake him up many times. Unfortunately, he didn't respond to any of my fears.

What the hell is this? Akhhh!!!

“Yan, we are under a bridge at the bottom of the river, at the end of the foundation, and on one of the supporting pillars. Help us, Yan! Help move us!” the voice of Rusman.

I tried to calm myself down, and recite the holy verses eloquently in my memory.

All righty!

I approached the window again. I'll apologize for maybe not being able to help find them. I cannot be selfish thinking about my guilt in the past, to the point of sacrificing a living friend.

“Yan!” This time, it was Mang Sata who was in front of me. He moved a finger asking me to come out.

I'm gamang. My mother said I can't open up room for the night wind. However, there was a lot of uneasiness that I wanted to have with Mang Sata.

I decided to go out for a second. May my actions not be part of breaking the taboo.

“Mmmmm... ma... enter first, Mang. We chat inside,” take me while holding back the cold.

Mang Sata wiggled the head of the omens rejecting my invitation. “Meet Mamang at home this afternoon. Come when the length of the shadow is the same as the object. Don't be late, Yan!”

“Di... in whose home, Mang?”

“Naon him kadieu (What are you doing here)? Ngaganggu ka aing (Don't bother me). Died there (Go there)! Arrrrhhhhhhh!!!” Not yet had time to get an affirmation from Mang Sata, Robi's voice roared very loudly. “Dipaianya ku aing (I'll kill you)!!! Arrrrhhhhhhh!!!”

Robi is raging in bed. His eyes widened. He also continued to throw out the sentence of expulsion and threat that had been spoken. His body is being overrun by invisible creatures.

“Bi, call (pronounce the Creed), Bi! Istigfar!” tell me while holding back his body that seems like he wants to fight with someone.

“Arrrrhhhh! He is a snob who is sick of meddling in the affairs of batur (Don't interfere in the affairs of others). Flip him (Home, you)!” robi yelled at me.

He did not stop raging, even his strength was getting stronger. I almost sucked in holding his tantrum.

Two people's footsteps came into my room.

“Aisah, quickly close the door! Get all window blinds, then open the water tap!” the mother ordered in a panicked voice.

The mother tied a turban to Robi's neck. Instantly Robi was calm, and dropped to the mattress.

I spread my legs on the floor. I don't feel water dripping. The mind continues to be shaken by various horrors.

A plaaak!!! Mom slapped my left cheek. “My hunch is correct that you cannot be told. Is this what you want? Sacrificing your friend to follow your curiosity?” mean it.

There's no defense I can make. In this case, I am clearly wrong. I don't believe in Mom's advice.

“What did you do outside?” ask the mother, still in a high voice.

“I.... I only met the father of my little friend,” obviously I bowed lethargic.

“Who?”

“Mang Sata.”

Aisah held both of my shoulders after I mentioned Rusman's father's name. “Mah, he appeared again here,” he said in an anxious tone.