Before 365 Days
37. Keep Running

Marcel stopped for a moment. He wanted to look and open his eyes. However, he still received orders from Kang Ridwan.

"Marsel, why did you leave me! Wait for me, Cell! Come, my dear!"

"I'm sure, it's not, Rose! Better, I run again" said Marsel in his heart.

With a firm stand, Marsel ran back regardless of the voices trying to shake him.

***

Rose was in his room, he was still thinking of a way to get out of the house Ndoro Kusuma, he paced back and forth while biting his finger.

"Well, what should I do, Mira and I should be able to get out of here, especially with the condition of Mira who is already concerned, give the servant a clue," Rose pitched to the sky, and the rose, both hands raised.

Suddenly a voice came calling his name.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Rose! The rose!"

The rose sharpened his hearing, he did not recognize the sound. Could it be a hint from God?

"Roses, if you hear my voice, answer me!" said Mr. Kyai through his meditation.

"Yes, I heard your voice, who are you?" rose asked while looking up, he turned his head to look for the source of the sound.

"I am the servant of Allah, who is allowed to help you. Rose, listen to me carefully, I will lead you out of Ndoro Kusuma's house, follow every direction I give, and don't forget to be careful,"

The rose was moved to hear the voice, she was grateful because the do'a she was proposing had been heard by the Creator.

"Yes, I will follow you, what should I do!" ask Roses.

"Do you know of an heirloom in the form of a Dragon?"

"Yes, I saw it, the heirloom was on the throne of Ndoro Kusuma, but, the throne was quite high, my hands would not reach it,"

"Are any of your friends you can still take home?" ask Mr. Kyai.

"Yes, I have a friend that I can take with me" replied the Rose quickly, her countenance looking happy.

"Take him, cooperate with him, you can take the heirloom with his help,"

"Yes, then when can I take it?"

"Will there be another show?"

"Yes, in a moment, Burhan will come to me, take me to the venue,"

"Listen to me, Rose! Burhan is dead, who will pick you up is Ndoro Kusuma, in the form of Burhan. You need to be careful with her–, she can change her form into anyone. You don't get teased. If you no longer hear my voice, that means, the person next to you is Ndoro Kusuma. If you are alone, or you feel, Ndoro Kusuma is not beside you, takbirlah, then, I will immediately give you another clue. Do you understand my advice?"

"Yes, I get it. I'll remember your orders well,"

"Listen to me too, when you manage to take the heirloom, run backstage immediately, keep running lest you look back,"

Rose was nervous at the sound of Mr. Kyai's voice. Not yet able to answer, Burhan went into his room. His face was indeed Burhan's face, but, his gaze was very different. Burhan's gaze this time was more sinister, more grinning, and probing.

The rose took a few steps back, trying to catch her breath. He was so nervous several times that the Rose swallowed her own saliva.

"He must be Ndoro Kusuma!" the Rose in his heart.

"Follow me!" burhan's orders with his face.

The rose nodded then he stepped his feet following Burhan who had walked first.

"Kalo Ndoro Kusuma becomes Burhan, then who will sit on his throne! After going down this long staircase, I must be facing Ndoro Kusuma" said Roses back in his heart.

The barong eyes that stuck to the wall followed the steps of the Rose. The lined maids also stared at him sharply.

The rose again faced Ndoro Kusuma, he occasionally stared at the heirloom with the shape of the Dragon.

Until the girls in the field, they lined up neatly as usual, gamelan music sounds calm. Roses looking for the figure of Mira, he dyed here and there.

"Roses, can you hear my voice again?" ask Mr. Kyai from across the street.

"Yes, I heard," said the Rose in a soft voice.

Mr. Kyai felt, the sound of a Rose sounded faint. He slightly moved his head just sharpen his hearing.

Wulan, Saras, and Ruman watched Mr. Kyai with alarm.

***

Marsel kept running, but suddenly, he felt like he was bumping into something, with his eyes still closed, he stopped and tried to feel it with his hands–, he felt a living thing, wriggling, supple, and slimy. Suddenly, his heart pumped blood faster. His chest pounded many times, sweat began to pour, his body shook violently, he tried to take a few steps back, but felt the weight of his legs.

"Well, what creature is standing in front of me?" marsel said in his heart.

Marsel was terrified, then he prayed in his heart, saying the words of God he knew.

The creature in front of him hissed, Marsel felt a heavy breath right on his face. He was able to smell the mucus, which was fishy.

Marsel pulled both of his hands back.

Then Kang Ridwan's voice sounded in his ears.

"Keep running, focus your heart and mind, that there is nothing in front of you, fear not, and remember, never open your eyes,"

Marsel then tries to focus. "There's nothing in front of you, all in front of you is a straight path to the exit, Marsel!"

Marcel convinced himself. He then took a swing and ready to run through the slimy creature. Breath roaring. The more heat he felt in his body.

Thirst is so thick in the throat.

As he was about to give up, he saw the light, then he managed to get out of the way that he had just been on the crest.

"Hosh, hosh, hosh!" Marsel.

Marsel falls right in front of Saras, Ruman and Wulan. The three surprised drivers then ventured to help.

"Yes, Marsel! What's up?" tanya Wulan looked panicked.

"Water, water," asked Marsel with irregular breathing.

One of the drivers ran to get mineral water, then he gave it to Wulan.

"This, Ma'am!" said Driver.

"Thank you" said Roses immediately tore the bottle of minerals, and opened it.

Ruman helps Marsel to sit up, and rests on his body.

"This, Cell! Drink first" said Wulan.

Marsel grabbed the bottle and immediately gulped it down.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, still looking faint. Moreover, the scorching sunlight dazzled his eyes.

"Cell, are you okay?" ask Wulan.

"What's going on, Miss Marsel?" ask Saras.

Marsel is still managing his breath, he is grateful to be able to get to the original place safely.

"What time is it, Lan? I ran very far, I thought I wouldn't get here" asked Marsel in wonder, in the forest he was in, there was no sunlight, only darkness.