My sense of hearing was struck by the sound of children's laughter. Boisterous. Shouting, calling out to each other.
"Chase him!"
"Grab the ball!"
I opened my eyes. Staring at the thatched roof. I glanced to another corner. Wooden poles stood firmly, supporting the roof frame of the house. The walls and floor were made of wooden planks. I lay down on a rattan bed, the most comfortable place to rest when I'm tired. Is this heaven?
But-- Thinking, wondering. This paradise is familiar. The fresh morning air, the voices of the children and the atmosphere are all familiar. Instantly my eyes bulged, startled. I realized immediately. The terrace of my home. How could I go back to Kabaena? Didn't I die in Kendari before?
I got up. Sat on the edge of the couch. Watching the highway. Children were playing soccer. Parents carrying garden tools. The view of the forest was green, soothing. Sure enough. I was on Kabaena island. Sigh. Gratefully relieved. However, I was still stuck in indecision and doubt. Between believing or not.
I rubbed my neck, up to the nape of my neck. Wondering. Before dying, I still had time to see clearly. My head was separated from my body. But why am I alive again? Is this proof of Author's help? I don't think so. Maybe this is the answer to my question. Why did I suddenly wake up in Kendari without realizing it? It turns out that all this time I was just dreaming.
In that case, there was no hospital in the middle of the forest. There is no pile of corpses. No more-- My body muscles hardened. Remembering that crazy girl's fierce face. Angry. I growled harshly. Called out her name,
Eliza!
Never mind, forget it. That crazy girl is just a sleeping flower that I will never see again. I smiled happily. So happy. Like someone who gets a second life after suspended animation. I'm still alive.
What about the mysterious figure who always whispered in my ear?
Deg,
The heartbeat almost stopped. Fear and anxiety surround me. I closed my eyes. Mumbling,
"Hey demon, where are you? Show your form! Why are you silent? Where are your horror whispers? I want to hear them."
"Kafka--" A soft voice tapped on my eardrum.
"Why did her voice change?"
"Kafkaa--"
"Normally, her tone is hoarse. But it's become soft."
"Kafka. It's me, Rehan's mom."
Rehan's mom? I squinted. I looked between my eyes. A thin woman stood by the roadside. My neighbor. No longer Mela's mama, but I was sure Rehan's mama would insult me too. My face turned pale. I was scared. I wiped the sweat from my temples. Still trying to smile. Calm down.
"Kafka, we're going to the garden. Take care of your younger siblings." Mama Rehan smiled.
My eyes lit up. I felt like crying with emotion. I saw that the parents were happy. They no longer looked at me sideways. I nodded. Happy. Speechless. For the first time, the people of Kabaena needed my help. They all gave me great responsibility.
Arrgghh
Suddenly there was a female scream. We all gasped. Staring at each other. Wondering. What had happened? Suddenly the parents, as well as the children rushed. Running to where the sound came from. I followed. Down the stairs. Opened the bamboo fence. Passed five houses. Stop. Right in front of a stone house, painted white. I saw a man enter the house.
"He was killed this time. Whose turn is it tomorrow?" One of the mothers exclaimed in panic. Her face was flat and gloomy, desperate.
"Haa, who was killed and who was the killer?" My eyes widened in shock. Tense. What was really happening in Kabaena? Everyone seemed to know when it was time for them to die. Just waiting for their turn.
"Go in there Kafka, see what happens? Maybe then you'll realize that tomorrow, you'll have the same fate as him."
Deg
My heart was beating fast. It was as if the drums of death had just been beaten. Growing tense.
Ah no!!! I'm scared. Nodded. Forced to say yes. Swallowed my saliva. Walking slowly. Through the courtyard, the flower garden. The terrace of the house. Stepping on the white tiles. There is a pair of red human footprints. Catching my breath. Stay calm. Don't be afraid. I arrived at the door. The smell of blood was strong. On the outer and inner walls, I saw five finger cuts. Exactly the scratches of a wild animal. I say again, I'm scared!!!Clenched my fists. Strong. I can feel the coldness in my palms. I hope I don't faint.
I glanced around. Tracing every corner of the living room. I think this is the most luxurious house in Kabaena. The plastic flower vase on the chair, the red sofa, the urn, and the bookcase are all tightly closed. All the furniture, neatly organized. There were no traces of robbery or crime. There is also a wall display of paintings. And a dull family photo, posed standing up. A 40-year-old father, an 8-year-old son and a mother holding a 5-year-old little girl. The girl rests her head on the mother's back. I can't see her face. Forward. One step at a time.
"Kafkaa ...." The photo of the little girl hiding her face made a sound. Calling my name.
Stop. It was quiet for a few seconds. I was stunned. Not surprised or alarmed. Instead, I was calm and comfortable when I heard it. It was like there was a strong bond connecting us. The more I stared at the girl's picture, the more my anxiety rebelled. Curious. Who was that little girl? I knew her intimately but she was a stranger. Maybe she's my age now. Ah... Scratching my head. Apparently, I've had a brain error these past few days. Not just that little girl, but everyone around me feels strange. It's like I'm experiencing
amnesia.
Moving on, without taking my eyes off the girl's picture. Move to the next room. I see four rooms facing each other. Three rooms are tightly closed. While the other room was full of a crowd of men. Right in front of the door. It was noisy. I ran a little. Stop. Swallowed, before joining the crowd. Tucked between people. Cramped. It's hot. Arrived at the front of the line. Inside the room.
Baaa ....
My eyeballs bulged. Shocked. Seeing the horrific scene. On the mattress the corpse of a mother lay covered in blood. Hugging the body of a girl, without a head. Approximate age 21. Beside the bed, near the closet, a seven-year-old child sat curled up. Hugging a head without a body. With long hair. Isn't that the woman who always insulted me? She died hugging her child, Mela.
"Who did this abomination!?" My voice caught in my throat. Shudder. No one answered.
A man approached the little boy. Squat down. The little boy still didn't move. Looking down. Staring blankly at his brother's head. Apparently, he did not realize our arrival.
"Olivia. Are you all right, child?" the man asked, his voice hoarse. I felt sadness. Patting the shoulder of a little girl, named Olivia.
Olivia's head moved. It glanced forward. Instantly, her pupils dilated. Her mouth opened.
"Murderer!" Olivia was hysterical. Raising an arm. Pointing, aiming at me.
"Me!?" I was shocked beyond belief.
My ears were ringing. The time loop stopped. Everyone was stunned. Including me.
"Supriseee ...." A hoarse voice, startling me.
The creepy creature appeared again. Hugging me from behind. As usual, only I could see it. My eyeballs moved to the corner. Spookily displayed, the creature's head rested on my shoulder. It had red eyes and a wide smile.
"How is Kafka? Did you like the surprise gift from Author?"
I shook my head. Putting on a grim expression.
"You have to like it, Kafka! If you don't, Author will get angry. Hahaha."
"Author is the murderer, so why am I the one being accused?"
"Isn't this sadistic massacre the answer to your prayers. The death of all mankind. The emptiness of the world. Only you and Eliza are left, the inhabitants."
"No... I've never prayed so cruelly!" I shook my head, continuously.
"See you soon Kafka! Enjoy the show."
Buk ....
A fist slammed into my face. As it disappeared, the creature. I bounced off. On the floor. Tense. Dozens of feet landed all over my body. The men ganged up on me. I wanted to say,
'I came here to help him, not to be a murderer.' But my mouth and face were trampled. I couldn't protect it with my arms. Helpless to fight back. Or a chance to defend myself. I could only endure the pain. And heard the sound of judgment that echoed each other.
"Take him to the police station."
"No need. Let's just kill him!"
"Burn his body!"
"Bury him alive!"
Blood gushed out of my mouth. And some parts of my face. Maybe my whole body was bruised. Battered. Gradually, my consciousness thinned. Numbness.
Suddenly there was a singing voice,
"Little star in the blue sky ...."
"Eliza." My lips trembled. I was breathing heavily, "Eliza, help me!!! Kill them all!"
"Hahaha." The creepy creature's hoarse voice came back. It echoed in the room.
"That's right, Kafka. Kill them all. In accordance with Author's wishes. Awaken your desire to kill."