Ethan felt a surge of adrenaline as he broke free from the suffocating grasp of the Kuntilanak. But that relief was fleeting; dread washed over him as he realized Sari had been taken by a lurking creature in the shadows. He ascended the ramp to the 11th floor, the air thick with an unsettling chill. Each step echoed ominously, amplifying the haunting sense that unseen eyes were tracking his every move.
Just as he reached the dimly lit hallway, a figure emerged silently behind him. It was Adhwa, her ghostly presence both a comfort and a terror. She pressed her delicate fingers over his mouth, stifling his instinct to scream. "You're so close," she whispered urgently, her voice trembling with desperation. "But your friends are in grave danger. You must save them first. I can hold on a little longer, but she has trapped me. I exist only as a spirit now, using the last of my energy to wound the Pocong twice."
Ethan's heart raced as he absorbed her words. "Listen carefully," she continued, her eyes pleading. "I wouldn't lie to you—I am your wife. The stairs to the 13th floor from the 12th are broken, just like last time you were here. You can't go up there. Instead, find room 449 on the 12th floor, just above my room. I chipped a tile loose and created an opening in the floor—big enough for you to fit through. But you must be sturdy; don't fall back down."
"Where does it lead?" Ethan asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"It leads directly under my bed—a safe hiding spot, as long as you remain silent. Use that ashy salt of yours to cover the edges, to prevent 'Mom' from sensing your presence. When she's within range, stab her directly in the hole on her back with your talisman. She will thrash about, but you must hold on until her energy fades and she collapses. Don't remove the talismans until her skin turns red. No more questions—there's no time. Your friends are on the rooftop after the 14th floor. You must save them before she begins to feed on them and throws them off the roof."
"What about you?" Ethan implored, desperation lacing his words.
"Don't worry about me," Adhwa replied, her voice a haunting echo. "Once 'Mom' is dealt with, I may or may not resurrect. Your friends, however, have no chance of survival unless you ensure the Sundel Bolong is dead."
With that, she grasped Ethan's hands, pressing them gently to her face. She kissed his palms tenderly, then stood on her toes to plant a soft kiss on his forehead. In an instant, she vanished, leaving Ethan alone in the suffocating darkness, the silence wrapping around him like a shroud. Heart racing, he braced himself for what lay ahead and rushed up the stairs to the twelfth floor and toward door number 449. The door stood before him, chipped and rusty, exuding an unsettling charm that both intrigued and terrified him. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and wine—the exact aroma that reminded him of Adhwa. It stirred memories of laughter and warmth, moments spent together that felt like a lifetime ago. But he dared not dwell on those thoughts for long; the scent also had some dark part to it . It smelled exactly like the Sundel Bolong, the horrific demon that haunted his every step, lurking just out of sight, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As he reached the door, the worn wood creaked under his touch, and he hesitated for a moment, gathering his courage. He noticed the ceiling tile hanging loosely above him, the concrete beneath it had crumbled away, creating a square hole wide enough for a human being to fit through. Panic surged within him as he searched for a stool, his eyes darting around the dimly lit room, finally finding one tucked away in a corner. He placed it precariously on a dining table, the wood groaning under the weight of his desperation. Standing on it, he stretched to reach the ceiling, the weight of his fear almost palpable. With trembling hands, he carefully moved the tile, praying it wouldn't make a sound. To his surprise, it didn't. Adhwa had thought ahead, cushioning the tile with sheets on its right to muffle any noise. Relief washed over him, but he couldn't shake the thought of what would have happened had he moved it in the left direction.
Peeking inside, Ethan's heart dropped as he saw the feet of the Sundel Bolong staggering across the floor, its shadow stretching ominously in the flickering light. He knew that any noise could spell his doom. To his right, he spotted Sari pinned to the floor, her forehead bruised but otherwise unharmed, unconscious yet alive. Just as he was about to call out to her, she flickered her eyes open and met his gaze, a mix of confusion and fear washing over her features. He instinctively placed a finger over his lips, urging her to remain silent. She nodded, the realization of their dire situation settling in like a heavy fog. They locked eyes for a minute before they realized they are not Lovers and they broke the eye contact.
Suddenly, a fat monitor lizard emerged from the shadows, its scaly skin glistening in the dim light. Its body was thick and muscular, moving with an unsettling grace that belied its size. Each deliberate movement sent ripples through its dark green and yellow patterned skin, and its beady eyes locked onto Ethan with an unnerving intensity. A shiver ran down his spine as the creature crawled stealthily under the bed, its long, forked tongue flicking out to taste the air, as if sensing the fear radiating from him. Chills coursed through Ethan; he knew how dangerous these creatures could be. Any sudden movement might provoke it, drawing the Sundel Bolong's attention. He remained frozen, heart pounding, feeling like prey caught in the gaze of a predator.
In that moment, the world around him faded, leaving only the primal instinct to survive. Ethan's mind raced with thoughts of Adhwa, recalling her laughter and the way her eyes sparkled with sorrowful beauty whenever they met. He couldn't let fear paralyze him; he had to act. Sweat trickled down his forehead, pooling at the nape of his neck, making him feel as if he were melting like ice cream under the sun. With every ounce of courage, he focused on Sari, willing her to wake up and help him in this fight. The stakes were higher than ever, and he was determined to rescue them both from the clutches of the Sundel Bolong. The tension hung thick in the air, a suffocating reminder that time was running out.
As the Sundel Bolong's footsteps grew louder, a low growl emanated from the creature, reverberating through the room like a death knell. Ethan felt despair creeping in, but he pushed it away, steeling himself. He glanced at Sari, whose eyes were wide with fear, and he knew he had to do something. He took a deep breath, his mind racing with a plan. They needed a distraction, something to draw the creature away from them. In the corner of the room, he noticed a small vase filled with fresh flowers, vibrant petals contrasting against the dullness of their surroundings. If he could knock it over, the sound might create just enough of a diversion.
Ethan gestured to Sari, who seemed to understand his intent, her eyes darting between him and the vase. With a nod, they both focused on the delicate porcelain, their hearts pounding in unison. Ethan took a deep breath, ready to execute his plan. He reached for the carpet on the edge of the bed, it was connected to the table, tilting it slightly. With a swift motion, he sent the vase crashing to the floor. The sound echoed like thunder, a sharp crack that pierced the tense silence, and for a split second, the Sundel Bolong halted, its attention diverted.
Ethan seized the moment and ducked his head back into the hole, covering it with the loose tile just in time. The reptile scampered over the tiles, its claws clicking against the surface as it struggled to gain traction. The Sundel Bolong jolted forward with unimaginable speed, lifting the bed as if it were weightless. It scanned the room, its eyes narrowing in anger upon noticing the monitor lizard, which was now caught in the chaos. In a fit of rage, the Sundel Bolong grabbed the lizard by its tail and hurled it against the wall, where it splattered upon impact, the grotesque sound echoing through the room.
With the tension momentarily lifted, Ethan felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. He knew they had to act quickly before the Sundel Bolong turned its fury back toward them. The stakes had never been higher, and every heartbeat was a reminder of their desperate situation.