Followed by the Chaotic Creature
The Forest Guards

A man stands among the trees. With eyes closed as if meditating. He has a tall and muscular body with almost brown mature tan tan skin.

If this were ancient times I would have thought he was a strong warrior. I walked slowly closer to him. I was curious about the figure in front of me. But the rustling sound of the dried leaves I stepped on made him realize my existence.

He opened his eyes and looked at me sharply. This man's age I'm sure isn't older than Angga. She has a charming, yet firm face texture. And I can feel it, he has something unique in him.

Is he the same as me? Someone who can see finely? What is he doing in this forest all by himself? Was he interacting with these creatures?

"Isn't there a written warning there that this forest is dangerous. Therefore it must not be entered by the public." He showed me a warning board.

"Yes, I guess that applies to you too." I replied to the man's warning.

"I'm a native here." Said again.

"You're the dweller of this forest?" I pretended to be surprised. Even though I know what that means. The man laughed at my insinuation.

"I mean, I was born and live in this village." Obviously that guy again.

"So it doesn't matter if the natives go in there?" Tanyaku.

But not the answer I got, the man instead looked at me cynically, "Are you suspicious of these villagers?"

I can't deny the man's words completely. I had time to check the news on the internet, many cases of missing children who got lost in this forest.

All the children are not natives here but they are the children of relatives who visit here. Or visitors who stop by. Until now the children were never found despite the search efforts made. Just like Ello.

"I mean, sometimes a place has rules that shouldn't be broken. And usually the natives know it better because the knowledge was passed down through generations. So if the natives here don't have anything bad about entering the forest .." I try to explain to avoid any misunderstanding.

"I see, you mean those people are wretched for breaking the rules, right?" He continued my opinion.

"Your guess is right. For the natives, this forest has natural resources that can be used for their survival. Some rare medicinal plants could be found inside there. And for the kids here this forest is their play yard." Said explained.

"The parents here free their children as long as they do not enter the forbidden area of this forest. But you know, kids are always challenged to break the rules or sometimes they just don't think it's important. So there's always one or two kids who break the line."

"Did something happen to them?" My toot.

"Yes, these rangers are gonna show up to scare the kids."

"The rangers?" I heard a foreign word from him that made me curious.

"Yes, the great supernatural beings who are believed to guard this forest for hundreds of years or even thousands of years. Sometimes they appear in the form of a large tiger to frighten bad children. Sometimes in a more horrible form."

"But the rangers did not hurt. Just scare them so they don't come any closer."

"You said the guards, is there more than one?" much

"Two." The answer is, "one is a man and the other a woman. It is said that inside there is an entrance to another realm. A place that no human can enter. Therefore two protectors were placed there to protect that gate."

"Is it okay to tell this to an outsider?" ask again.

"It's just a bedtime story that parents tell their children. Are you taking it seriously?"

"none. Even if there are only bad boys who are said to see it. Adults don't take it seriously."

"What if an adult is breaking? What's gonna happen?"

"They will be forcibly removed out of this forest. Just like what happened to a young man who tried to enter recently. "

'what does that person mean is Angga's brother?' my thinking.

From what was said I can conclude that the villagers believe in the existence of the two forest guards. And they believe that the disappearance of the children and the accident that occurred in this forest are not the actions of the forest rangers.

Who is responsible for the disappearance of the children? And what was in that forest that could get those kids killed?

"Riss!" An old man's voice called out. A familiar voice in my ear.

When I turned to that voice. And saw Mr. Dodo standing not far behind me. Mr. Dodo was just as surprised to see me.

"Lho's? Mama's here again? What was it like that time?" Ask Mr. Dodo to me in astonishment.

I responded with a small laugh. "No, Sir. I'm just here to stop by for a little while from a relative's house in the next village."

"Do you know this woman?" Ask the young man to Dodo.

"Yes, son, this is the one who stopped by to stay at our house. What you told me the other day." Dodo replied to the young man.

"Mbak Melya's. Right? You're still snot." Said me.

"True sir." My solute.

"This is the father you told me about. Name's Haris. He works in the city. So it's just a holiday like this just go home." Mr. Dodo introduced his son to me.

We met briefly.

"This sir. Thank you for helping me at that time. I really intend to stop by. I never thought I would meet here." I said while giving a parcel containing regional specialties. I hope this will reduce Haris' suspicion of me. And show me my purpose in coming to this village.

"Duh, don't go through. I want to help you sincerely."

"Yes sir. I know father is sincere. And this is my form of sincerity too. So please be accepted." I said a little forcefully. Dodo finally accepted it.

Mr. Dodo offered me to stop by his house again. But it was getting late, so I refused. I don't want to stay on the road.

"Wait!" Call me to Haris, just before you split up. Haris stopped his steps. While Mr. Dodo still walking in front of him.

"What is the lady who is always curious about? Is there something you want to ask me again?" Sneak pout.

"I wonder if any of these people ever built a house in there and lived in the woods?" My toot. If my hunch is correct, if the dream I had last night was not just a dream but a clue about this forest, then it is certain that there is a threatening danger that is not realized by the people here.

"none. I know no one lives inside. What do you think a man who can live in the woods there alone?" Ask Haris back. Without waiting for my answer, he left.

"People who are crazy enough to take the lives of innocent children." I muttered after Haris and Mr. Dodo left.