Butterfly effect and full version novel. Then, the book that I thought was lost even returned by itself to the reading attic.
What's after this, huh?
Is it possible that I will meet my own doppelganger? Or maybe someday I will meet the 'twin brothers' of other characters in the novel?
I decided to end the 'sleep on the way' acting that had been going on for the past fifteen minutes. When I slowly opened my eyes, I was presented with the bustle of the Pacar Kembang Street, which was squirming at a slow tempo.
Even though it is dominated by motorcyclists and there are only one or two four-wheelers passing by, the remaining segment is still very quiet considering it is still half past six in the morning. Even the street lights haven't been turned off. Darkness still covers three quarters of the earth's roof.
The passenger window tinkled softly as my index finger pressed against the power window. The cool breeze of dawn caresses freshness. It didn't take long for me to get lost in the splendor of one of the largest cities in the Southeast Continent.
Apart from passing vehicles, there are many towering and sturdy concrete pillars, as if they are fighting to be the strongest. The layout of the hedges in certain spots also feels right. Even some of the vacant land had turned into a small forest. The existence of these floras is not only to relax the eyes, but also to refresh the monotony of industry which is the main image of the city.
The metropolis, which has the nickname of a million parks, is quite slow in rebuilding activities after the war. I remember playing in the rubble of buildings when I was fifteen.
In other words, economic growth and population welfare are still at their lowest point after a century has passed since World War III ended in 2083, especially since the emergence of the CerO virus in 2158. The main scourge of the city's recovery.
The fate of the Southeast continent accelerated at an incredible speed in the year 2162. It started with a massive development. His history is contained in a field of science called the History of Resurrection.
During the middle school period until the first semester of lectures, these subjects become the benchmark for determining graduation. All high school students and students in the first two semesters, are required to get a score above the gaduation standard, at least if they do not want to repeat the class.
There is no mercy for anyone who fails in one discipline of knowledge even though other subjects have a perfect score.
"Very weird." I rubbed my chin after resting my elbows on the now fully open glass frame. "How come in just ten years?"
"What?" Danial sitting in the driver's seat glanced at me once.
"I was only reminded of the resurgence of the Southeast Continent." I said without looking up.
"Oh, which is a compulsory course?"
My head nodded. "All lecturers and literature say that the Lapindo mud is the most useful after the West Continent bought it." I hissed in amazement. "Mud, which was originally considered waste, has turned out to be the strongest cement. To the extent that the State's debt is paid off after they buy what they consider useless at a very high price."
I can hear Daniel chuckle. "They are stupid to spend so much money while the cement processing itself also costs a lot of money."
"But we are more stupid because of the origin of the treaty that turned out to make the Southeast Continent the main shield for the West Continent. Even if it was only a possible threat of war erupting again."
I folded my arms in front of my chest just as the crosswalk light ten meters ahead flashed red.
Daniel hit the brakes. We postponed the chat because of the sound of sirens accompanying pedestrians. In addition, the discussion about the decisions of state officials is still a taboo topic.
The current government cannot respond to criticism properly. The 'King' does not discriminate against anyone who is caught having a bad opinion about the decisions that have been made.
Even to Alpha, they gave a full year suspension as the lightest punishment and the subpoena was the heaviest sanction. Our fate is much better than that of civilians who usually get imprisoned on charges of defamation.
Actually, apart from having us being the 'wolves in the shadows', the President also has another secret army. One of them is in charge of eradicating the haters.
They say that democracy is implemented for the benefit of the people, in fact it only applies during the election of officials.
I closed the window just as the last pedestrian had reached the sidewalk. "Despite that damn diplomatic relationship, there's still a lot of quirks." I shook my head slowly. "In just ten years. Everything has improved not only in terms of facilities, but also in education, health and per capita income."
When I turned to the right to check the look on Danial's face, the young man gave a disapproving grin. "I think the value listed on the State Balance every year is understandable enough for me who is not a financial person."
"I can understand it too. But is it true that they have implemented the principle of transparency well? The financial statements which they say have been audited, are they really not modified?" I waved my hand once while chuckling sarcastically. "Look at the current state of affairs. Democracy has clearly been rigged."
Daniel's laughter exploded. "Apparently you're this careful when criticizing your boss, huh."
I didn't say anything anymore. Danial has no interest in politics, even in the future. He is a true Alpha, the representative of the true 'watchdog'.
According to the novel that this time fits my memory as well, Danial will develop into the second person I know who is very devoted to the President, just like 'Dad'. No matter how humiliating the ruler's request was, whether it was cutting down foes or friends, his loyalty was boundless.
If I speak up again, Danial will surely report me to 'Dad' and lead to an appeal for me to meet him in his room.
I'm tired of hearing long lectures about who should be respected. Especially the savage humans who occupy the reins of power.
Basically, Alpha belongs to the President. It could be said that my real boss was not 'Dad'. In the past life alone, He alone led me to the abyss of death. Of course, at the command of the 'King' with the help of Danial.
I sighed.
The sky outside was starting to clear. However, the beauty of the roof of the earth could not ease the awkwardness in my mind.
There's still something strange. Assume that the Southeast Continent gets a lot of help from the West Continent in the form of unlimited debt opportunities. Meanwhile, based on the History of Resurrection, the entire world began to show signs of self-improvement at almost the same time.
Even though at that time the West Continent was the most prominent. Well, roughly where did the West Continent get enough funds to build its own country and neighboring countries?
"Could it be..." I tilted my head. "There was a pioneer from the Southeast Continent who made a pact with a demon?"
Silence wrapped around the car for ten seconds before Danial snorted. "You're starting to go insane." The intonation is as sharp as a stab. "Then what is the fee?"
"The lives of all of us." My answer is straightforward.
"It's getting stupid, isn't it." I laughed out loud. "Drink, here." He threw down a packet of medicine after reaching into the breast pocket of his pink shirt. "You're starting to ramble because you couldn't sleep all night, aren't you."
"Ah... You have good eyesight."
I spelled out the bold letters on the silver wrapper.
"Are you sure you still want to go alone?" The slight entrenched anxiety in his intonation made me glance at him. This kid quickly ignored all my negative opinions about the regime.
Lips curved slightly.
Well, maybe it's still too early for Danial to be the accomplice of the 'King' right now.
"I'll get better after drinking this as soon as I get on the ship." I shook the metallic silver wrapper. "If you're really drunk, you know."
"It's up to you."
I looked up and laughed.
Instead of giving me a headache reliever, he gave me hangover medicine. I'm thankful he knows enough not to ask further after seeing the bags under my eyes, the haggard face, and the goiter expression I've had since leaving the apartment.
Last night, I was only able to sleep an hour before dawn. Danial, who came exactly at five in the morning as promised, had a little trouble waking me up. All because of that damn novel.
I think he expected my hangover to arrive as the waves beat all balance.
That makes sense, considering the lack of sleep and without ignoring the fact that I just got out of the hospital. I don't know if I should be grateful or if I should curse, the novel, which turns out to be able to move around, becomes a burden for new thoughts.
Ah yes, before I even thought about the History of Resurrection, I was still worried about the book at first and now I remember it again. Shit!
Starting from the butterfly effect, I think the novel is no longer reliable as a reference. So, how can I predict what kind of event will come? Can I survive without holding on to anything?
I bit the tip of my tongue lightly.
At times like this, I'm very reluctant to admit it. But actually, Ferre's words were the solution to all my worries.
'Find the full version of the novel.'
Ferre...should I believe the words of an entity that isn't even real?
In anticipation of the novel's plot being faster, I had even avoided the arch during the explosion of the psychiatric hospital patient. I only left one patient's medical recap so that it didn't look completely out of hand during the recovery period in Mrs. Andini's..
After all, none of my colleagues at the psychiatric hospital knew that I was going on vacation.
The moment when I was struggling to handle a psychiatric hospital patient was one of the crucial events that became the first step to getting closer to death. By avoiding the session, in the future I will not have to deal with Sandara Aghni—a blind woman with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.
The plot of the novel is very clear in this section. The crazy woman isn't in the book. But instead, she is on my memory. Out of a total of ten chapters that contain the stages where I really went crazy because I received a lot of work from the psychiatric hospital, while waiting for the progress of the investigation that was being handled by Danial, that name was never mentioned.
My thoughts were interrupted when I realized the young man beside me turned the steering wheel into the parking lot of a fast food restaurant.
"I need breakfast." Danial answered after a brief glance. "Pay me, Bro."
My lips curled into a knowing smile before coming out after him. I happen to be very hungry too.
****
The person at one o'clock looked strange.
I turned my head left and right. The total number of visitors to this restaurant was only ten people, including the two of us. Everyone is busy with their respective activities. It's only natural that the man's odd movements weren't too observable.
"Don't pay too much attention." Danial lifted his gaze from the chicken skin he managed to set aside to place on the edge of my plate.
I raised an eyebrow. Did not understand the direction of the conversation. "If you don't want him to run away." He tilted his head to the right once. "I think the guy wanted to rob the cash register."
Oh, that's right. Daniel is The Echo. She could definitely hear how nervous the man was as he looked for an opening to make his move.
"You have a plan?" he continued with his mouth full of rice and chicken.
I turned my attention back to the cashier. The man was looking for change from the sidelines of the wallet. With a slight bow, her slightly long bangs managed to cover the direction of the eyes that occasionally glanced at the money deposit machine.
"I have two thousand, Miss." Danial voiced the conversation there while whispering. "Two thousand will?" He continued again.
I nodded in understanding.
This young man's dictation was right even though he had his back to the target. I have matched it with the movement of his lips. The lady at the cashier looked thoughtful as she looked at the open cash drawer.
I immediately left. I brought a full coke glass with me. If my guess is right. I think the timing is coming soon.
The woman in the plain red apron opened her mouth. "Sure—"
"Ahhh!" I bumped into the suspicious man. Brown liquid soaked his forearm, part of his right chest and his navy jeans.
We stare. I let out an uncomfortable grimace while acting surprised only to act panicked five seconds later.
"I'm sorry… Sorry." My fingers made a hesitant gesture to touch the sides of her soaking clothes. "What should I do…. Gosh." I looked up quickly. "I will compensate. I bought new clothes too." I put my hand under his chin. "Can I have your ID or SIM card? I'll deliver it directly to your place an hour from now."
No answer. This guy just stared at me furiously for no more than ten seconds, before turning to something behind my back.
"Sir." I touched his right shoulder.
He jumped. My hand was pushed away roughly. His eyes returned to mine, before he lifted his feet in a bit of a hurry.
"Fardan Salim!"
The thunderous scream came from a well-built man in a plain black bomber jacket. His sudden appearance from behind the strange man not only gave a shock to one person, but also applies to all restaurant visitors. Especially me, who immediately shrieked in horror as soon as I recognized the owner of the loud voice.
Evan Maulana. A non-commissioned officer with the rank of first lieutenant who is a member of the police unit under the auspices of the core division that deals with criminal acts.
Oh shit! The novel was really hopeless. Look, Evan Maulana has appeared now. Even though he should have only appeared in a few chapters near the end.
It's messed up.