Love In War
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We also told the young man the intention of our arrival to this village was to conduct research and observation of the place as thesis material.

The man nodded his head, giving us instructions to keep going straight. "And never look back when you have passed two walls there." Warning the man as he stepped into the forest westward.

After quite a while we walked, finally, we found a muddy, muddy path. Perhaps, this area was rained out overnight.

Dumbstruck. At the end of the road, there were two giant walls with giant statue heads located at their respective peaks. Just like the reliefs I saw on the 40,000 soul Monument, a giant head with buffalo horns and protruding pointy teeth. On top of the horn was a semi-circular wall that read "PARAKANG VILLAGE."

The name of the village is quite unique seasoned spooky. How not? Parakang itself, is known as a creature that can change into a form resembling an animal.

It is said that people who become the back of the back are those who learn black magic, but it does not match what they learn or fail to learn it. But their form can be quite strange. The result of his incarnation was different from the original form they imitated. For example, if they turn into cats, they have no tail or legs on their back.

I was shocked when I heard a strange sound from behind.

"Nobody turned around!" haris. "You remember the man's warning, right?"

Nodding your head while continuing the pace without caring for the figure that had been lurking from behind the trees.

Prayer, prayer, and dhikr are not always spoken. Fear suddenly engulfed my heart as this foot stepped into the area. It is cold, gripping, and frightening that is what describes the current atmosphere.

"City." My steps stopped. The sound was like the wind blowing. Quick yet clear.

I want to turn around, but close when a hand holds my wrist. Obtained. Found Aisyah shaking her head, giving a warning. " Don't turn around!"

The night was getting late, we used a flashlight as a light, down the path is not necessarily the direction.

"Is this the way?" ask Sintia

Aisha shook her head." I don't know."

My eyes narrowed when I saw a burning torch.

"Isn't that home?" tanyaku pointed at the wooden house that stood a few meters in front.

Not thinking much more, we quickly ran towards the house. Knock on the door and say hello.

Not long after a woman opened the door. Ask what we mean by arrival.

"Sorry, look, Mom. We were lost and we did not find any houses, inns or villas in the area, which was only a wilderness, until we saw the mother's house. We don't know what area we're in. If you'll let me, can we stay at my mom's house tonight for one night?" My face pleads with me.

We've completely lost our way, cell phones are off and networks are completely absent here.

The old woman without hesitation allowed us to enter.

He told us to sit on a rattan chair in the living room with a diameter of 2 x 2 meters.

"From Jakarta, sir. It just so happened that we were doing research in one of the remote fishing villages in Bulukumba. But in the middle of the road the bus tire we were riding suddenly leaked, we finally took a shortcut, ehhhh, know-how even stray."

I was a little bit smirked, and prayed that the father would understand and understand Indonesian.

The father nodded, making me sigh in relief.

"Ajanna nulao kodennuissengi degaro tujunna." (You don't have to go if you don't know where it is)

My forehead shriveled, I was about to ask, but he snuffed when mother came out with a tray of cups and snacks.

"Drink first."

We throw each other a glance. The taste of this tea is different from the tea I used to drink. It tastes a little rancid but smells like a rose. So even with the food that the husband and wife are presenting it tastes a little strange, like the taste of the soil but smells like the smell of pandanus.

After the meal, my mother took us to the middle room.

"Your room is here." Show it to one of the bamboo rooms.

"And the man will sleep in the room there." Show it again in the bamboo room which is one meter from the previous room.

We would like to thank you very much for being allowed to stay and apologize for inconveniencing him.

In the room no one can close his eyes, although the night, may change with the dawn of shadiq.

"Don't you guys feel weird?" ask Sintia. He woke up while resuscitating his back on the bamboo wall.

"Yes, I feel the same way." Farida also woke up. Fixing his sitting position.

"You guys don't realize, anyway. Since we entered this area, there are only strange things that we encounter and what makes me most confused is the name of the village as well as the symbol of the statue. Not to mention just one house that we meet from all the kilometers we walk. Plus the strange sounds we keep hearing all the way."

"I once read an article that said that 'Parakangang' is a creature that can change its form in any form. Aren't you afraid, if mom and dad…"

"Not good suudzon. We should be grateful because he would be kind enough to accommodate us in his house" I cut. "What if it doesn't? Where are we going to sleep? In woods?"

"Yes, but…."

"There is no such thing as Parakang, Faridah, Sintia. It's all just a myth. Since childhood that name I have often heard, but until this moment, I have never seen how the creature exists. Never believe anything that has no concrete evidence."

"What about you, Shah. You, aren't the Sulsel people?" ask Farida who is not satisfied.

Aisha spread her shoulders." Rather than you fuss over that intangible being, it is better that we sleep now. You know, tomorrow we need a lot of energy to get out of here."

We both took a deep breath, and we laid ourselves down. Resting an exhausted body. Minutes kept turning, many times I tried to close my eyes, but it was hard. From the outside the sounds of the night animals could be heard pouring melodious into my eardrum immediately turned into human noise. The originally closed eyes were now wide open, for some reason I was suddenly somewhere I had never been to, but felt no stranger to being here.