The Snooker Parlor boss, or Snookey, which I will address him as from now on to make it simple, kept pointing at me, then pointed at his stomach.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I closed my eyes, shook my head vigorously, and opened my eyes again.
Thank god, Snookey was now gone.
I thought to myself, either he is imaginary due to the trauma of me witnessing his death, or I've been cursed by Snookey's spirit.
I said to myself, I still had all the "Yang" energy in me, so it must be due to the trauma.
"Sam, have I got something on my face? Stop staring at me like that," Bobby said, seeing that I was staring into the air in his direction.
"I'm just feeling tired."
"I guess everyone is tired. Let's call it a day. Be contactable. Let me know if you have any hunch as to where the map is located," Amy Lee said.
We left her room to go on with our day.
Bobby came up to me and asked me to go for lunch.
I felt hungry too, so I agreed, but this time I asked Kurnawan to come along.
Make more friends and keep them close, my Shifu always says.
I couldn't decide what to have, so it was Bebek Goreng again.
Kurnawan drove; it took us just ten minutes to get there.
We took the seats at the back of the shop.
While we were waiting, rowdy men with tattoos came in.
The bustling shop suddenly stood still and turned silent.
They handed pamphlets to everyone in the shop, starting to ask them questions.
Most patrons shook their heads, then they moved on to the next patron.
"Have you seen these men?" they asked in Indonesian.
"No. We haven't seen them but will inform you if we do," Kurnawan smiled as he said.
"Good, just call the number on the pamphlet."
I looked at the pamphlet.
On it were grainy headshots of Snookey and the rest of his men.
They were looking for Snookey.
Lucky for us, they didn't probe any further, turned around, and left.
After they left, I approached the shop owner and offered him a cigarette.
The shop owner didn't refuse.
(Conversation translated by Kurnawan; I shall not put it down to make things simple.)
"Who are these men?" I asked as I lit up the cigarette for him.
He took a puff, looked out of the shop to check if the men were away, then said: "They are from the local bike gang, Flaming Wheels. One of them on the pamphlet is their leader's brother.
"He went missing last night, so they are all out on the streets looking for him."
I nodded, but before I could thank him, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the men walking back towards the shop in a hurry.
Someone in the gang must have seen us before in the Snooker Parlor; us being strangers in town made us very suspicious.
They must have recalled who we were after they left.
Kurnawan tapped me on the shoulder, turned his head to the back of the shop.
We quickly ran to the back of the shop.
The shop had a back door leading to a maze of back alleyways.
I then realized I had a lot to learn; Kurnawan had surveyed the layout of the shop the moment we stepped inside.
"Stop!" We heard the men shouting behind us.
After running for a while, we reached a small alley wide enough for one person.
Kurnawan stopped at the entrance of the alley.
He turned around to face us, smiling as usual.
He then shooed his hands, motioning for us to carry on running, then pulled out his Karembits and waited.
"Let's go, Bobby." I pulled him along.
Knowing how hot-headed he was, he would have wanted to stay and fight together with Kurnawan.
But we would most likely be a hindrance to Kurnawan instead.
We continued to run, with screams and cries behind us.
After running for about 10 more meters and getting near the exit of the small alley,
Just then, I saw him again.
Snookey stood there, with a pale white face and blood dripping, right in front of me.
He opened his eyes and stared at me.
I got spooked and stopped myself right there; Bobby, who was behind me, couldn't stop himself and bumped into me.
I nearly fell but composed myself.
When I looked up, he was gone.
In the spot where he was standing, a parang (machete) slashed down from the side of the exit.
I would have taken the blow if I hadn't stopped.
I took a few steps forward, stepped on the parang, and gave a turning kick to the side.
The kick was awkward, but it did the job.
The assailant, lying on the ground covering his bloodied nose, began shouting: "They are here!"
"Shut up!" Bobby went in and stomped hard on his head.
The assailant was then unconscious.
We continued to run. I then saw in front of us, there was an open door.
I pointed it out to Bobby; he nodded.
We then quickly took a turn, entered the house, and quickly closed the door.
Shouting from the men outside approached.
We took a deep breath.
The shouting came nearer and nearer.
My heart pumped faster and faster.
Then I felt it, a gust of cold wind blew at the side of my head.
I turned around and nearly screamed.
Snookey's face.
Right beside me, grinning and blowing at my head.
I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself.
Bobby turned and looked at me with concern.
I shook my head, signaling to him I was okay.
The shouting then went further and further away.
I gave out a huge sigh of relief, turned to the side, and Snookey was gone.
I thought to myself, this can't go on; I will go mad sooner or later.
"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"
A young lady came into the living room where we were hiding.
Bobby quickly sprang into action, covered her mouth, and tried to restrain her from behind.
She broke free with all her might, giving an elbow to Bobby's chest.
She then swiftly ran to the coffee table, grabbed the knife next to a plate of fruit on it.
"Stop, we don't have to do this," I raised both of my hands, trying to seem less of a threat.