EIGHT TARGETS
45. The Shabby Towel

That morning, Araka was jogging as usual.  Suddenly in front of him, he was greeted by Dirga from a crossroads.

“Wah, relax once you yes when two of our friends just died.  Moreover, they are people who are very close to you, especially Rihana.  Didn't you guys ever date?”  Said Dirga while smiling cynically to Araka.

“Yeah, you were right.  Aleka was the first relationship I had since I built up my power to become my father's heir.  Although a little foolish, he was my man whom I could rely on the most.  Of course I'm very sad to lose it.”  Said Araka with a sad expression.

He then smiled wryly as he said, “But for Rihana, it is true that we had several times a date because it just happened that the body was in accordance with my type.  You know, I like women with thin collarbones.  However, there was actually no respect for him at all.  I approached him solely to utilize his skill in manipulating the news to support my power of being my father's only heir.  Even if chosen between likes or dislikes, I tend towards disliking her more.  Who knows when such a snake woman will stab me in the back.  Well, but now it doesn't matter anymore because he's dead.”

Hearing Araka's answer, Dirga then smiled wryly.  “That's how you are.  Absolutely nothing has changed.”  Dirga.

Dirga then turned and walked towards the right road where he came, opposite the direction where Araka was.  Before Dirga disappeared from Araka's sight, Dirga once said, this time in a loud voice, “You better be careful Araka!  It could be the next time you're targeted by the Massacre.  Oh right, what the fuck with that shabby towel on your left arm?  Haven't you been wearing it since SD?  Shouldn't you just throw that shabby towel in the trash?”  In his last half words, Dirga said it while grinning, mocked Araka.

Araka was angry at Dirga's words.  Not in the part where Araka was targeted by a serial killer, but in the part Dirga insulted his shabby towel.  Araka was angry because she was the only one who remembered the precious memories of her childhood.  Dirga did not even remember it.

The memories came days before her mother experienced the tragic event.  It was an even semester end holiday where Araka had just graduated from grade 4 Elementary School and was about to move up to grade 5 Elementary School.  He and Dirga vacationed in one of the Dirga family's luxury lodgings in one of the villages located in West Java.

They adventure around the beautiful location that is filled with natural beauty in the form of shady trees and blue lakes.  Unintentionally, Araka is separated from Dirga.

Because the body of Araka which was still fat, it did not take long for the child who was straying was visited by a group of evil Junior High children to round it up.

“See who this is?”  Said bully 1.

“Wah there are pigs.  Hahahaha.”  Add bully 2.

A group of 9 Junior High School children mocked Araka while raising their hands and feet one by one to Araka.  One of the children then pulled up Araka's pants wanting to strip her.  But Araka kept her pants strong so as not to be released.  The bully was angry, then once again hit Araka hard.

Araka fell on the ground with the back of her head hitting the ground.  Suddenly Araka's vision blurred a sign that she would soon lose consciousness.

Before his consciousness disappeared, he had seen a child suddenly run in front of him and beat up the nine Junior High School children.  The boy turned to her.  The bright blue eye color as bright as the sky shone in the child's eyes.  With that prominent feature, he could immediately surmise that he was Dirga.

The boy then said, “Do not show weakness in front of them that makes them able to freely bully you.  Be a strong boy.”

These are the words that have hitherto been imprinted in the heart of Araka.  It's just that Araka's interpretation is different from the child's intent.  The child hopes that Araka must correct her weaknesses and become strong in order to defend herself while also being able to defend other children who are bullied like she used to be.

However, Araka interpreted it as a high class as we should not have sympathy for the lower classes because when they see our weakness, they will not hesitate to bully us.  Therefore, we must always be able to show our power to them by always making them aware of where they are.

Araka, who regained consciousness later, had found herself lying in one of the former mosque buildings on a hill that was now unused.  On his face, he found a light blue towel like the eye color of the child with a embroidery red thread on it that read the word ‘tekad’.

It was this event that ultimately inspired Araka to step forward against her helplessness.  He was determined to change himself to become stronger.

With the tragic events experienced by his mother, his determination became sharper.  Araka became a sport.  He also began dieting to lose weight until arriving at the ideal posture like now.  He also began studying martial arts including martial arts from his father's family.  It was nothing but to make him strong.  Not to forget, he also learned various sciences and various language skills so that there is absolutely no gap to become the perfect individual of his dreams.

Araka resumed his jogging after passing with Dirga.

Suddenly, Araka's instincts detect a very strong killing intent nearby.  He then looked around to observe things that were not right, but there was not a single awkwardness he encountered.  He finally finished his jog and rushed home.

As soon as he was about to enter the door of the house, he once again felt that killing intent.  He looked around again, but even this time he could not find any irregularities.  He opened the door and entered his house.

Inside the house, Araka had been greeted by her mother warmly from the top of her wheelchair.  His mother smiled at him.  Araka replied by smiling too.

The mother then pushed her wheelchair to approach Araka and tried to reach Araka's face, but did not arrive.  Knowing that, Araka knelt down to lower her position to be on par with her mother while smiling spoiled.  Seeing her son's spoiled behavior, Ms. Melisa stroked her son's hair gently.

Araka smiled happily.  However, suddenly his face turned grim.  He lowered his head to prevent his mother from seeing his gloomy face.  However, Ms. Melisa saw it.

“What's Nak?”  Ask Araka's mother worriedly.

“It's nothing Mom.  Araka's stomach suddenly hurt.  Araka to the toilet first yes.”  Araka said as she stood up and walked away from her mother.

[I can't stay in this house for your safety.]  Araka muttered in the heart.