Murder In The Old Castle
166. Inculpation

The sunlight broke through the window of the room that was deliberately left open, when Nayya had just opened her eyes. Only this first time, after the last few days he was unable to sleep well. The bed he used to sleep in did look uncomfortable, but of course this was much better than the foam bed in the apartment where he was held. He was grateful to be able to escape the grip of the mysterious figure.

After all, the freedom he had gained this time was not something easy. He has to go through tremendous pressure both physically and mentally. Nayya sat on the edge of the bed while holding her hands together on her chest. The weather was actually not so cold, but he felt a little anxious about his condition. He misses his private room filled with dolls, misses his mother's cooking, and also misses the atmosphere of the campus where he studied.

For a moment his mind floated to Gerry. I hope the young man is okay. Previously, he did not know well, but the closeness for several days during captivity fostered feelings of fate and sympathy. Nayya shook her head, then turned to look towards the window. There's nothing interesting out there. Only the densely slum villages.

Tok .. tok .. tok!

Suddenly the door to his room was knocked. Nayya immediately opened, finding Badi carrying several pieces of neatly folded clothes in his hand. He handed the clothes to Nayya.

“Day, and wear these clothes. I think the clothes you wear are dirty and smelly because they have not been washed for a long time. This is Dance's shirt. I hope it's right for you. I thought your size was not much different,” said Badi.

Nayya received the clothes while smiling.

“Thank you. Sorry, I'm troubling you guys,” muttered Nayya.

“We don't feel bothered. Don't worry, we'll protect you from that savage human. You can stay as long as you want. Sorry, it may not be as comfortable in your own home, but we guarantee your security,” said Badi.

“Actually I miss home, Bang. If possible I want to just go home,” shrewd Nayya.

“For now don't be yet, Nayya. Outside the killer is still on the loose. It could be that if he finds out that you're coming home, he's going to kidnap you again, it could be that it's going to endanger the rest of your family. So I suggest, you better be here first. Later if all is safe, we will drive you home ourselves,” explained the man with the roar's face.

Nayya nodded with a sigh, trying to understand Badi's words. After receiving a gift of clothes from Badi, he intends to take a bath. Badi was right, that the clothes he was wearing looked dirty and smelly, because he almost never changed clothes. He saw the clothes given from Badi. The top pile of clothes is a red blouse with a white polkadot motif. His chest seemed to intersect low, so maybe if he wears will show the chest. This was definitely not the shirt she expected. However, this time Nayya had to make peace with the circumstances. This is not the time to choose the right clothes. He should wear clothes.

After bathing and changing clothes owned by Tari, Nayya set her image in front of an old mirror whose glass had begun to blur. She looks beautiful and clean. He was still staring in front of the mirror, when there was a sound that shocked him.

“You're beautiful!”

Nayya turned her back, finding Badi who had suddenly stood behind her. Nayya blushed in embarrassment. He just looked down, not daring to look at the man.

“Ma-maaf Bang ...”

“Why apologize? Yes, you can cook?” ask Badi.

“Not too smart, Bang. Why Bang?”

“If you have no objection, can you cook fried rice for us? We have the ingredients, but we can't cook them. Usually the dance cooks for us. However, since he died, no one else cooked,” said Badi.

“Sure .. sure, Bang. I'll cook for you. It's okay Bang,” said Nayya.

Badi smiled slightly, then hinted for Nayya to follow her steps towards the kitchen. In the not-so-big kitchen, Nayya saw a packet of rice ready for cooking. Badi invited Nayya to cook, while he found Raymond sitting on the porch smoking a cigarette. The Raymond Brothers main frontman seemed to enjoy every suction, then let out a puff of smoke from the mouth. He seemed to not care about the presence of Badi who sat in a chair nearby.

“How so? Is there any news?” ask Raymond.

“My men have traveled all over the city, but could not find the figure. It is like being lost in the earth. The apartment was also searched, but he did not return there. Likewise in his home. I was also confused where he was. Or maybe he ran out of town?” said Raymond.

“Kabur? I don't think so anyway. I think he's somewhere in town, hiding or disguising himself as an ordinary citizen, and he'll be in action when everyone is off guard.”.

“So where do you think?”

“I have no shadow at all. This figure we're dealing with has a lot of places and it's very slippery like an eel. Let alone us, the police can't even catch him.”

“Police can't do anything. Remember that! We have the identity of the killer Dance, only we haven't found him yet. I don't want stupid cops taking over what we're supposed to do. I'm sure, in the near future we can definitely bend that bastard with our own hands!” said Raymond with sparkling eyes.

While from the direction of the kitchen has begun to smell the aroma of fried rice seasoning fragrant, making the hungry stomach of the men in the house was hungry.

“You told him to cook?” ask Raymond.

“Not, not telling but asking him for help. That's if he doesn't mind. I think he did with pleasure,” replied Badi a little stuttering.

“I hope he can cook well,” muttered Raymond with a small smile.

Badi nodded rapidly. Raymond was still engrossed in the cigarette he smoked, staring down the street in front of the quiet house that morning. A common sight in Kampung Hitam. The village that became the lips of the city.

***

In deep anxiety, Rasty tried to stay calm. This morning he took the time to look at the collection of ornamental plants next to the house. Ornamental plants are planted in small pots, then arranged neatly on shelves that are designed in such a way. The plant was deliberately planted by Bu Mariyati on the sidelines of his spare time. Many plants are colorful flowers, so it looks unsightly.

Rasty was plucking out the grass growing on the sidelines of the plant when Rudi approached. The young man looked worried. He looked around to make sure the surroundings were safe.

“You read my message earlier?” ask Rudi.

Rasty stopped his activities. He did not expect Rudi to be in that place. During this time, his relationship with Rudi was not good since the blatant affair that the young man had with Jenny.

“Yes, I read!” answer Rasty coldly.

“I want out of this fucker's house!” rudi Gumam.

“You think you can? Once you get out, then everyone will think that you are the killer. My advice, we just follow this bloody game to the end to find out who is really behind all this chaos,” said Rasty.

“Who can guarantee that you're not the killer, Rud? You remember, Jenny was found dead pregnant. You could have deliberately killed him to cover up your depraved deeds!” accuse Rasty.

“Crazy! That's the craziest theory I've ever heard. I won't be that close. Well, I did do it with Jenny, but I made sure Jenny wasn't pregnant with my son, because I always did it safely. I'm not stupid!” kilah Rudi's.

“Imposibble! If not your son, whose son is it? Who do you think was the guy before you who made love to Jenny?”

“I don't know! I don't care who he did it with before. I'm not the kind of person who likes to pry into other people's pasts. What's clear is that the fetus Jenny was carrying was not my son. I even thought this was a trap. Jenny deliberately courted me so that someone could be responsible for the baby,” said Rudi.

Rasty was infuriated by Rudi's reply. He still remembered how the pain still scratched his deepest heart. If he remembered Rudi who had just spoken to him, he felt very angry and disappointed. Moreover, Rudi also once thought that he was Jenny's real killer.

“Sorry Rud! I can't accept your defense!” sewot Rasty's.

“OK,okay! It's up to what's in Rasty's brain. Because it really doesn't matter. Forgetit. Let's focus on our own safety. I'm sorry I accused you of being Jenny's killer. At that time I was blinded. We have to put aside the feelings that exist between us. Please Ras. You're the only one I trust in this house of isolation. I suspect all of them. We must cooperate and protect each other,” pinta Rudi.

Rasty was silent for a moment. He must dare to admit that in the deepest of hearts he still loves the man. Now, his heart was melted as Rudi pleaded with him like that. He tries to put aside all the pain that arises.

“What do you want me to do?” ask Rasty later.

“I guess we can't work alone on this, Ras. But I don't want to work with others. You see Alex? He's very haughty and suspicious, smartass. I was very suspicious of him and worried that he was the mastermind behind all this mess!” said Rudi.

“Alex? Doesn't she look geeky?”

“You must not be stupid, Race! We're actually being tricked by Alex's geeky look. Have you seen the horror movie ‘Scream’? The most geeky character in the film turns out to be a psychopath. I'm worried Alex is too. We need to be vigilant. He was the one who opposed this isolation. I'm very suspicious of him!” terang Rudi's.

Rasty frowned, trying to digest Rudi's explanation. Actually, what Rudi said made a lot of sense, but Rasty did not understand what the motive was if it was true Alex the killer.

“Hai! What are you guys?”

Suddenly a voice greeted. They turned to the direction of the voice, finding Alex who suddenly appeared from the backyard. Alex approached them. Suddenly awkward atmosphere. Rudi and Rasty just fell silent.

“Which other?” ask Alex.

“Eh, don't know anyway. We were just the two of us here. Maybe somewhere else,” replied Rudi.

“Where are you from, Lex?” ask Rasty full of probes.

Rasty looked at Alex from head to toe. He saw Alex's pants were a little dirty because of the mud, and there were plant spines attached to his pants. The white sneakers that are being worn also look dirty because of the mud. Rasty squinted his eyes, slightly suspicious.

“Eh, I .. I was from back there, just didn't get to the grave. I don't want to be like Miranti who's mired in an old well. Just look around and keep coming back,” explained Alex.

“You didn't hear yes yesterday's explanation if we were banned from the home area!” rasty protest.

“Iya I heard. But who guarantees that inside the house is also safe? Miranti was also killed in her own room! A place that feels safest. I think banning us from the home area is a stupid unilateral decision. The atmosphere is confined like this easily makes us frustrated. Anyway, I'm not far away!” call Alex.

“Rasty right, Alex!”

Suddenly Rudi spoke up.

“What do you mean?”

“That rule was made for our mutual safety, so we'd better stick to it. Don't be alone unless you want to die after this. I doubt, usually people who like to challenge death are reckless people or ...”

Rudi stopped his sentence for a moment.

“Or what?” ask Alex to be curious.

“Or she is the real culprit!” rudi toilet.

“You're accusing me of being the killer? On what basis?” ask Alex.

“I'm not accusing you, Lex! That's my view in general. It could mean anyone. No offence. If you are not the culprit, you do not need to be offended,” said Rudi.

“Your sentence is really corrupting. Be careful before accusing, Rud. Don't think you don't have an alibi. Jenny is your pregnant girlfriend. Nayya is your lover too. All that die leads to you. You think stupid cops? Just look! it will quickly sniff you!” reply Alex.

“Wow .. wow! Relax Lex. You don't need emotions. I told you that I'm not accusing you. So you relax. In these conditions, our mind must be cold and do not panic. But to trust each other, I won't. Each of them has their own alibi. Just let the law work!” said Rudi.

“Already! I don't need to hear your sermon. Even if you give up, I know you're accusing me. You think I can't read from your eyes? Let's see it later, Rud. Who among us is not a murderer!”

After saying that, Alex immediately left Rudi and Rasty in the side garden.

“See his eyes no! He looks panicked, doesn't he? I'm more than convinced that Alex is very suspicious. Be careful when you get close to him. My instinct is getting stronger,” said Rudi.

Rasty didn't respond to anything. He did not dare to speculate. But secretly, Rudi's accusation to Alex greatly affects his mind. Rudi managed to give an opinion that the perpetrator of this murder was Alex. Rasty was worried. Or was Rudi deliberately accusing Alex so that he could take off?

***