TIGER WU'S

STRAY

"Rubby!" shouted a young man.

"Where are you, Rubby?" shouted the other young man.

"Rubby! Did you hear us?"

Four young men said they called Rubby's name. A girl who was missing since this afternoon. Eight young men were camped at the foot of Sam's mountain. It's their third day there.

At first they were fine, until this afternoon shower became the beginning of the disaster. Actually the river where the girls were bathing was not too far away from their tent. Lisa, Bella and Cindy are back early. They invite Rubby to go up to the mainland immediately but Rubby quibbles to clean his joints. Rubby asked them to go to the tent first because the distance was close to the river where he took a bath. He was not afraid to stay alone.

Unfortunately for Rubby himself was washed away by water when he was going to wear it. Rubby manages to catch up and catches him with a twig. But unfortunately again the dipper filled with soap even fell into the water. Rubby reached him with the twig he was carrying. The twig managed to hinder the pace of the dipper. After successfully bringing him to the edge, Rubby reached him by hand. "Yes. Succeed." Rubby smiled happily.

Rubby walked out of the river but he didn't see his tent anymore. He did not know how far he had gone down the river to chase his sandals and dipper earlier. It was getting dark and he was getting confused not knowing the direction. No illumination preparation at all.

Rubby continued walking to brush the bushes - shrubs that do not know what kind of plants. His skin felt a little itchy and scratched where - where. He grimaces. Sometimes he blows his skin that feels sore.

Nearly an hour Rubby walked. But the tent where camping is not yet visible. Lucky now he was walking where there were not many big trees so that the full moonlight reached where he was walking.

Rubby's hair bristled as he walked past two large trees. He felt like he was crossing a dimensional gate. He was very surprised because he arrived - he was in a bright place. Unknowingly the dipper and the toiletries fell off. He just left it.

"Mommy.. Where is this?" Rubby looks scared.

"Mommy.I'm afraid.I'm sorry I didn't hear what mom said. I'm guilty mami." Rubby started sobbing.

Rubby tried to get back to where he came in, but he couldn't find him. Even the dipper and the towel are invisible. He felt like he was in a labyrinth and stuck in a dead end.

••••

"Moza, we're almost nearing the ban hill but Rubby hasn't been found either" said Ron, one of Rubby's friends.

"Yes, Moza. Are we going to continue our search tomorrow?" Darius gave his advice.

"Yes!" added Sony.

Moza is Rubby's girlfriend. He was very worried thinking about the girl he loved alone in the middle of the forest. She regrets that she and her friends are too late to realize Rubby's disappearance.

"All right." Realizing that it was night, Moza finally agreed to the proposal of his friends.

They returned to the tent with a lethargic face. The mood became quiet. Each one dissolves in his own mind.

"Moza, patience. Let's pray that Rubby is okay and is safe again" said Sony trying to calm Moza.

Instead of feeling calm, Moza even more sad to hear the end of the sentence Sony.

With their long legs, they had now reached the tent. The girls were waiting for their arrival in front of the tent. The three of them hugged and cried hysterically when they saw the only four of them coming.

The seven of them did not enter the tent. No one eats. And no one's making a sound. Only the occasional sobbing of Bella was still heard.

They were sitting around the campfire that was made this afternoon. They hoped Rubby would return soon when he saw the bonfire lit all night.

Moza stared at the starry sky and the beautiful moon glowed. Rubby's laugh the day before. They went through the night playing guitar and singing together. As hard as a man, he will feel weak if faced with love. So did Moza, clear circles began to drip from the corner of his eyes.

••••

Rubby sat down and cried. His back rested on a golden-leaved tree. I don't know what tree it is. He had only seen her once.

Rubby's nose arrived - suddenly sniffing the fragrance. His ears heard a hissing sound that was getting closer. Snakes. Is that the sound of a snake? The smell is getting stronger. Until a strange creature emerged from behind a large rock not far from where it was.

Rubby shaking. He's very scared. His scarf shrieked before the half-snake woman. His long tongue poked out and let out a hissing sound.

God what should I do. I hope he's not some evil creature who wants to eat me. Protect me God. Rubby continued to pray in his heart.

"Sssshhhiwhy are you human?" the snake man's hiss let out words.

Rubby. He was surprised to hear the snake speak. Her lips are unable to make a sound.

"Hhhhssssssshhh what are you doing here?" the snake again spoke with a heavy voice and slightly sighed.

"A. a. a. I.. Rubee. A. I'm ter. se.sat.." Rubby tried to answer one by one. His mouth trembled with his body like one unable to stand perfectly.

"Hhhsssshhh you know what place this is? This is hhhssss forest ban. Anyone who enters here hhhsssshhhh will be my prey." the snake demon moved its tongue as if impatiently wanting to prey on it.

"Ti. ti. dak.please let me go..." Rubby shook his head in fear. Sweat drenched all over his face.

The demon walked up to Rubby. His tail was winding - a very long contortion. Hands with nails - his sharp nails ready to pounce. His slightly open mouth revealed his pointed and shiny canine teeth.

Rubby walked backwards. After his courage was gathered, he tried to strengthen his legs in order to run. Yes, Rubby ran as fast as he did despite not knowing where the direction and destination were. He hoped it was just his nightmare. Or at least he'll find a miracle here.

Rubby's situation is really cornered at this time. He fell. He's inching back in a sitting state. Behind him was a cave-like hole. Rubby hesitated to go inside. He was afraid this was the demon's lair.

The snake demon was very close. He laughed in front of Rubby. His tongue that moved - motion began to salivate.

"Don't.I beg you to let me go.." Rubby was crying - so. He can't move anymore. Rubby leaned back in the little cave.

The snake's laughter grew louder. Echoing filled the entire goa. Bats and birds - birds that hid in the cave - came out. Maybe he was disturbed by the sound of his laughter.

"Hhhssss... I'll eat you now!"

Rubby closed his eyes as the snake demon swung his hand back to pounce at him. He can't do anything - what. His tears flowed down the river before his death.

"Mommy, I'm sorry," she exclaimed.

"Aaaahhhhssss... Aaaaaaa.." The sound of the snake sounded like pain.

Rubby squinted his eyes. Trying to see what's going on.

****

Seriate...