Followed by the Chaotic Creature
The End of a Long Search

"I have inhabited this old tree for hundreds of years and watched it all from up there." His word.

'maybe it was like a tower to him. From that height he watched over this entire village and forest.' I thought in amazement.

"This tree is like home to me. But also a barrier. Between your world and ours. I'm in charge of hiding the existence of this huge tree and guarding the border between the two worlds."

"But, Seventeen years ago, the boy barged in here. I don't understand how he can break through the shield he's been holding so firmly. Maybe he has the same uniqueness as you don't realize it." For a moment he glanced at me.

He walked to the foot of the big tree. There's a hole like a little tunnel. I pay more attention. A small body curled up inside. As if asleep.

"Ello?" I'm not believing. I approached. He's still wearing his TK uniform. I touched her warm body. But not breathing. My hope was instantly shattered. From the beginning it was impossible to find him alive.

"This boy came to me. He begged me to hide it from the people who were chasing him. He looked scared and in great pain. I turned him down, because this isn't the place he's supposed to be." Continue telling.

"He had to be taken to the hospital to be treated. But he refused. He chose to hide under the trunk of this tree. She said her mother would find her soon and pick her up home."

"I tried to treat him, but this child died shortly after arriving at this place. As promised, I hid her body until her mother came to pick her up. But it never happened."

"Day changed Sunday. Month changed years. Her mother never came looking for her."

"His mother died the same day she disappeared. That's why his mother never came." My speech.

"Yes, and I found out after all these years and her family no longer came here. Looks like his family's given up on finding this kid."

"They haven't given up. At least his sister kept looking for him." Refute me.

"Nobody has come to this forest for years to look for him. I tried to see his family but none of them saw me. It's getting troublesome. I can't keep this body forever."

"If I just put the wild animal away it will carry the bones before anyone can find it. It feels like I'm not responsible. This kid really makes me hard."

The reason is so many. The point is he won't bother delivering Ello's body to his family and have me replace him. It was obvious that he did not like to be in contact with humans. Despite that she shows her good intentions by taking good care of Ello's body. Maybe he's a little interested in the kid.

"alright. I'll take it to his sister." My speech.

As I carried the child I was surprised to see the expression on his face.

"That's amazing, isn't it?" The ranger approached me, and said, "This child has experienced many painful things and died in a tragic way. But.."

"His face is so calm." I said continue the words of the forest guard. "He looked like he was asleep and had a good dream. There is not the slightest bit of hatred, anger, resentment, nor regret left behind."

I hugged that tiny, innocent body. I smiled and was proud of him. She had let go of all her pain and left quietly. Very different from the souls of the children I met last night. He's clean, not polluted.

He grew up and was well educated by his mother. A mother's love that protects her child to the end. Maybe without us ever knowing, the two of them had met in nature there and were happy.

The rangers drove us out of the place. He still uses the form of Ello.

"Can't you use your true form?" I asked on our trip.

"If I use a real form, you'll run in fear."

"But, it's weird that you keep using that shape."

From far away I saw some people coming. It seems like they realized I wasn't there and looked for me.

"Let him on the ground." Suddenly command. I looked at him with a confused look.

"I will return the body to its proper form. It would be strange if he remained in such a whole form after being lost for a dozen years. They can be suspicious."

I understood then placed Ello's body carefully on the ground. In an instant the body was turned into bones.

"I'm leaving. Thanks for your help. You can come to our place whenever you want." The ranger left me alone.

Shortly after, Alvin found me.

"Melya, where have you been? We're all looking for you." Alvin ran up to me.

"I went somewhere for a while." Reply origin.

"Awhile? You disappeared for most of the day!"

I didn't think it would be that long gone. I was about to explain, but I paused. Alvin was fixated on something lying on the ground not far from where I was standing. Alvin turned to me as if asking me. I'm nodding.

Alvin fell to his knees on the side of his brother's body which was only bones. Her tears finally fell one after another. All the exhaustion of being held in search of her brother for a dozen years, ends today.

Alvin recognized well the uniform his brother wore last time. The black stains on the uniform showed us as badly as what wounds he had before his death. While enduring the pain he fled from the house in the middle of the forest to get here.

He struggled to survive with his small body, though it ended up in vain. I gently patted Alvin's shoulder trying to calm him down.

"Alvin, your brother wants to let go of everything that happened and live your life well. Both the victim and the criminal are dead. This case will not be investigated further and will be closed soon. Your brother has also left quietly."

For a few moments all was quiet. Alvin looked at his brother's body without being able to say anymore. I know he needs some time to calm down. That's why I let him.

In the evening I was picked up by the mother and Angga who were conscious. I'm glad he's conscious. There are so many things I want to ask. There's a lot I want to tell you. I hugged them both. They were worried because they got news from one of the villagers. The three of us went home after saying goodbye.

The next morning I attended Ello's funeral with Angga. The procession proceeds with wisdom. Attended by family and relatives.

\*

While deep in the forest a man sat on a large tree branch. His sight looked far away.

"I think I hate the kid, so I keep an eye on him. I even meant to let him die. But, I actually helped her."

"Is it because of that, Master released his memories?" said a tiger who had served him for a long time.

"I'm just helping him remember. A memory that has been frozen for a long time. Tonight he will have a beautiful dream. Tonight will be long and tiring for her." He grinned satisfied with his plan.