Ghost Hunt: Panic in the Country
Vol. 0: I Lost | 4. Cacara

A white light moved away and stopped. As Astan approached, the light moved. However, when Astan stopped the light did not move. He came back closer and followed her until a door made of old wood was seen. The light simply disappeared, after which strange sounds began to be heard, crying, asking for help, shouting, and laughing. The cold air was blowing a little louder along with the strange sounds that were still heard even more. Astan tried to step up, but it felt heavy.

Cold sweat began to appear as Astan who had been able to step up. Strange sounds grew more and more, even he saw some as big as a figure who was staring and watching himself using wide, spooky eyes. Atan struggled to reach the doorknob, he still held on and tried to reach it. He took another step, making the distance eroded that was only 30 centimeters left. Astan exerted energy until his right hand could touch the doorknob. He turned it once and made a creaking sound to be heard.

He returned to his left foot until he was close to his right foot. When the door opens, a light can be captured again. Astan stepped in with the last force, as he actually passed through the door. Strange noises were no longer heard and the door closed by itself. Astan was surprised when he saw the stairs were so long and spread down. He slowly stepped through the steps one by one, stopping and faced two doors of different colors, red and blue.

His brain thought hard to determine which door to open. A few seconds passed, Astan walked up to the blue door and opened it quickly. But he looked back at the stairs to the bottom. A little upset Astan kept walking down the stairs until he ended up in a room with a big door. He walked over, making him clearly see the unique carvings on the door that are arches that are connected to each other.

The shape of the lotus flower is beautifully engraved in the middle of the line separating the big door. Astan turned his gaze towards the door, walking to find something to open it. He stopped in front of a small screen, just to the left of the side of the door. The screen has number buttons like an apartment that must enter a password. Astan thought for a moment to find a few digits. It has been umpteenth time Astan tried, but all the numbers entered are always wrong. Then he remembered someone's date of birth, Astan pressed a few digit numbers on the screen and a happy smile was painted on his face.

Within seconds of the huge door opening, Astan walked towards the door. Standing right in front with an enthusiastic face, hoping to get away from dreamland. Slowly Astan stepped in until the door closed slowly. Astan could only see a few trees and flowers blooming so blurred. White fog covered the entire surrounding area, as if forbidding anyone to see. The blue sky was covered by a gray cloud, the cold air was so felt that it made Astan embrace his own body with both hands. Only the gurgling of water was caught by his hearing.

The clockwork seconds continued to run as usual, but Astan did not move at all from where he stood. Slowly the mist gradually thinned, disappearing without saying a single word. The clear sky appeared with singing air, making the trees and flowers dance freely. Butterflies arrive because they are provoked will smell the flowers.

Astan stared in awe at the surrounding scenery, walking involuntarily following the wooden path in front of him. Instantly, Astan stopped stepping when he saw a simple house made of wood. Faintly Atan heard the sound of wood being struck by a sharp object, he walked towards the source of the sound with curiosity. He stopped when he saw a man with short white hair.

The figure of the man was only wearing a t-shirt and black trousers. Astan stepped closer and greeted him. The figure stopped from splitting the wood and looked at him. Astan saw clearly blue eyes, white skin, and oval face.

“Can I ask?” ask Astan.

“What is it?” The figure asked again.

“This is where?” Astan asked with a smile that never faded. The figure could only laugh a little with a slight sigh.

“He, you really don't know? It's in your dreamland.” The figure replied with a slightly annoyed tone. Astan just kept silent and smiled faintly at the answer. But that's not what he meant, he knew it was a dream.

“Ha, it turned out to take a long time for you to get here.” The figure is back.

“But, who are you?” ask Astan.

“Looks like you don't remember anything at all. My name is Cakara, has a meaning that protects.” The figure answered and introduced himself with pleasure.

“What did you say? Ugly? He, your great-grandfather gave you that name.” Cakara voiced out in annoyance, at what Astan said.

“I'm sorry. By the way, why are you using too rigid language?” ask Astan.

“Indeed like this, the way I talk to your grandfather and father.” Cakara answered with a smile.

“If it is with me, speak using the language of close friends only and also. Can you explain more details about all this?” said Astan.

“Good. I ... I mean, I'll explain it. I was the one who protected you for a while. This is a place that lies between reality and the subconscious. I should have explained about him too, but it would have been better if he had explained it himself. So, now I'm going to tell you about myself, from the beginning until I become now." Cakara started walking towards the wooden seat and was followed by Astan.

Cakara took a glass filled with water and drank it with one sip.  Astan was confused because the glass suddenly appeared and disappeared by itself. Cakara sighed for a moment before telling a story. As he began to tell about himself, memories of the past began to arrive. After the incident in 2017, it rained very hard that day. A big organization is starting to take shape, I don't know what they are going to do. Cakara's father, who is a journalist from one of the national television stations, decided to investigate.

Cakara's father thought that it was big news and would make him profit. But everything did not go as expected. The leader of the organization knows what Cakara's father did to cause a death. The organization was after Cakara's father and himself, but they ended up in different conditions. Cakara's father's death was declared a suicide, but it was different from Cakara's. Cakara lost consciousness in a car accident and someone hit him, causing serious injuries.

An unexpected thing happened, Cakara's spirit was unable to go up there. For the reason that there is still something that is a mystery. Cakara walked without direction, passing through the cold dark streets. Sometimes there is lighting, but it doesn't happen all the time. The day came, when Cakara chose the wrong path and got him stuck inside the circle. Cakara was completely unable to get out of the circle, he was stuck there for 3 years. Without being able to get out past the boundary line until the figure finds it and helps selflessly. With a feeling of pleasure Cakara volunteered to keep all the descendants of the figure. In addition, Cakara is still looking for something that is still stuck. As if hidden in a dark sea and reluctant to swim to the top.

“That's my story, for another story. I will tell you next time because time is running out,” said Cakara. Ending the short story of his meeting with the helper.

“So, you're a ghost!” Astan spoke in shock and shouted a little.

“Why? Are you scared?” Cakara asked back.

“No. I'm just a little surprised, I guess dreams are just dreams and there's no way you're going in,” Astan replied. Back to the trees up ahead. Astan gave one question back, even though he knew the answer.

“This is your dreamland. How can you not know how to get out? Ah, I mean wake up.” Cakara replied in a slightly annoyed and incredulous tone. Although upset, Cakara still tells the way out.

“Through that dark road and stairs?” Astan asked back to get a definite answer. Cakara quickly agreed. He waved his hand with a smile on his face and disappeared.