Dwarf
16. The Death of Puang Bakri

Raina held her legs wrapped in cloth to cover the wound down to the steps while carrying a basket.

"Be careful, son."

"Yes, Indo" he answered.

Raina looked at Saoda at a glance who was standing at the entrance then turned and stepped away. Raina swallowed her saliva as she managed to get away from Saoda who was still standing staring at her disappearance.

Raina stepped her ailing leg down the road leading to the settlement of the villagers. This time Raina will pass in front of Puang Bakri's house to ascertain what happened last night.

Raina's steps became slow when she could see the crowd from a distance in front of Puang Bakri's house. More to Raina's attention was the white cloth fluttering in front of the house and the blue tent attached.

Raina's heartbeat suddenly beat very fast making her body tremble with fear, so last night was not a dream and this was reality.

Raina stepped her feet towards Puang Bakri's house and stood in front of him with her eyes staring at the people around her who were whispering to each other.

"Well!" shouting someone made Raina turn to look at Erni who was now waving her hand and approaching Raina.

"Where are you going?"

"Em, go to the market."

Erni nodded as she looked at Raina who was now focusing on looking towards the house.

"Who died?"

"Oh that's Puang Bakri."

"Why did bi-bi-could die?" asked Raina who was so very scared.

"Said he died of illness but yesterday he still went to his rice field. The people said Puang Bakri was eaten with Parakang," he explained.

"Pa-parakangan?"

"Yes" he answered.

Raina swallowed her saliva as well as her lips that quivered with fear. Looks like he has to get out of here before everyone is suspicious of Puang Bakri's passing. Here only Raina knows the cause of Puang Bakri's death.

Raina turned and then she stepped but her steps were restrained as Erni grabbed her wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"Em, I want to go to the market."

"I also want to go but before that I want to see Puang Bakri."

Raina nodded her head in agreement and Erni pulled Raina's wrist, leaving Raina wide.

"Where are you going?"

"Let's go up!"

"Where to?" asked Raina who was trying not to be afraid but her cold body was unable to cover her fear.

"Go to the house. Let's see Puang Bakri."

Raina shook her head, "I'll just wait here."

"It's okay!"

Raina let out a long sigh as Erni managed to pull her up the house past some slightly mossy wooden staircases. Some people turned to look towards Raina and Erni who had entered the house.

Raina's body trembled to look at Puang Bakri's body, which was now lying on a mattress with a long batik cloth covering his entire body.

"Well!" call Erni who is now looking up at Raina.

"Let's sit!"

Raina swallowed her saliva then nodded slowly. He sat next to Puang Bakri with his face so very scared.

Erni opened the long cloth that made Raina look wide at the two eyes of Puang Bakri who looked open with a gaping mouth.

"Huh!!!" raina shouted that immediately rewinded her body trying to stay away from Puang Bakri.

Everyone turned to look in shock at Raina who now looked very frightened. Raina quickly got up and ran down the steps while Erni quickly got up and ran towards the exit while staring at the departure of Raina who is now the center of everyone's attention.

"Walina!!!" shouted Erni who then stepped down from the stairs and chased the departure of Raina who was still running.

Erni clutching Raina's wrist made Raina scream in fear.

"Raina! It's me Erni!!!" his yell.

Raina stopped her screams then opened her eyes to look at Erni who was now standing looking at her with a confused face.

"What's wrong? Why are you screaming and running like that?"

Raina looked around her making Erni look around.

"Well!"

Raina.

"What's wrong?"

"I-i'm scared. I told you I didn't want to go up to see Puang Bakri but you still pulled me up."

Erni was silent for a moment.

"Then I'm sorry."

Raina nodded.

"Then let's go to the market!" invite her to make Raina back nod.

Both are now moving their feet towards the market which is now not too far away.

Along the way Raina could hear the voices of people who were discussing about the death of Puang Bakri which is still a mystery.

Raina's hand movements that were choosing cabbage vegetables stopped after the sound of several pedangan was heard.

"You know, I just saw Puang Bakri's body turning blue on his back."

"Yes and his eyes and mouth can't be closed because they're stiff."

"Huh, this must be because it was the work of the Paradakang who attacked him in the middle of the night until his body stiffened like that."

"However, the retard, has no heart until it has taken one's life."

Raina stepped away leaving the people who quickly turned their heads staring at Raina's departure.

"Heh, don't buy it?!!" his yell.

In the same place now Erni is silent staring strangely at the attitude of Raina who is very sensitive when talking about the creature named Parakang. This event not only happened once but has happened several times.