Murder In The Old Castle
365. Hallucinations
It's getting dark soon. A red hue was already looming at the ends of the sky. The cold wind also started to bite the skin. The windows connected to the outside of the castle began to close. Inside the quiet reading room, Reno had just finished the mid-book sheet on the history of the old castle she had read, then folded it up as the last page mark read. He glanced outwards which began to darken. Concerns began to seep in his heart.Darkness always spread a threat that came suddenly.
"So that's the story," said Juned who sat in front of him.
"Have you investigated where the hallway ended?" reno asked as he looked into Juned's eyes.
"No, Sir. But I saw a bright light out there, and I saw a lot of trees. I continued to step down the hallway, it was true that my guess was that the hallway was translucent into the forest. The hallway door is in the form of locked iron bars, so I can't get out through there" Juned said.
"Do you think we need to investigate that passageway. Jun? Did you find anything awkward or something that could possibly be a clue?" ask Reno again.
Juned nodded, then took out a piece of card from his pocket. He immediately handed the card to Reno. Of course, Reno was very familiar with the familiar card. Juned's card is a police card, which is usually carried by police officers as an identification.
"Is this Niken's card?" reno asked as he observed the card Juned had given him.
"That's right, sir. It was Niken's card. Apparently he accidentally dropped near the end of the hallway. Maybe he hoped someone would find him, so someone would help him. This card is a clue that Niken may be not far from the tunnel through to the forest" Juned said.
"It could be, Jun. There are two possibilities associated with this card. Accidentally dropped, or accidentally dropped. There are two possibilities related to the fate of Niken to date. Is he alive, or is he dead?" reno.
"I will go back down to investigate, but it will be dark. Mungin tomorrow morning I just move there and make sure that Niken is around or not" Juned said.
"Yes, I thought you'd be there in the morning, but don't be alone. I suggest you bring a friend. Maybe one of the male guests you can bring. Just not a lady guest. I don't believe in all the women who are here" Reno advised.
Juned laughed at Reno's words as he chimed in, "Yes I took the female guest down into the underground. I'll take Jeremy. He once told me to come in to research when going downstairs. He was still curious about the whereabouts of Stella, his wife," Juned said.
"Yes, until now the existence of Stella is also still mysterious. I hope he still finds us alive. I said to Jeremy yesterday, maybe Stella is still underground, but I think I should revise my words. Maybe he's somewhere else. What I'm worried about is...." Reno stopped her sentence for a moment.
"Stella's dead?"
"Yes, that makes me a little anxious. Because logically, he would not survive more than three days without food and drink. Or maybe he got a supply of food and drink like Anjani used to, who hid underground for years. He survived because of Helen's food supply. Well, if Stella's still alive, who's providing her with food?" reno.
"Tomorrow I'll find out, sir. The same thing might happen to Niken. He will die of hunger and thirst. We have to find Niken soon" Juned said.
"Good, Juni. I trust you to find Niken's trail. I can't get out of the castle because it's too dangerous to leave. I hope Dimas gets here soon, too, and brings the important information we need."
"Good, Sir. Oya, Mr Reno has met with Nadine today?" ask Juned.
"Nadine? What's wrong with Nadine?"
"God! Why is he acting so recklessly? We cannot search now, for it is soon dark. The search at night is ineffective and dangerous. Maybe you're looking for him tomorrow" Reno said.
"Good Sir! I hope nothing happens tonight!"
***
The sound of crows cawing flew over the dark forest. Other birds begin to fly back to the nest. The forest began to feature a natural orchestra towards nightfall. Insects flew, some screeching all over the forest. To the layman, the natural orchestra does not sound beautiful, but frightening.
Niken raised his face which had been drooping in lethargy since. He just resigned to see nature that began to dim around him. Cold air also begins to bite the skin. In his desperation, Niken thought that maybe he would end his life in this forest. He wanted to cry, but it seemed like it was a waste. Her tears seemed to have dried up. He can only give up what will happen to him.
All of a sudden, he saw a man approaching him, in a hazy shadow, between reality or just his illusion. His eyes seemed to be twitching, unable to see clearly who was coming closer. Once close enough, Niken can now recognize who is approaching him.
"Ramdhan," he murmured weakly.
The figure of the man known as Ramdhan did not say a word. He just grinned at Niken who was so tormented, as if laughing. He stared intently at Niken with a look of resentment and anger. Niken recalled the time he had done evil to the policeman. However, he did not expect that the figure would be present before him right now.
"Don't Ramdhan. I'm sorry .. I'm sorry. Please let me go. I regret. Help me, Ramdhan. Please help me," muttered Niken slowly.
The black figure in front of Niken suddenly grinned, then scoured to strangle Niken. The woman could only give up while screaming. His arch filled the entire forest, shocking the forest beasts who returned to the nest.
"Noooo!"
Niken closed his eyes, but nothing happened. He thought he would die that day. He opened his eyes slowly, staring around. The black shadow seemed to disappear, leaving a silence around it. He was confused by what happened. Was Ramdhan's figure just his hallucination?
"No. No. Have I gone crazy?"
The fatigue and despair experienced by Niken has reached the breaking point, making the woman experience hallucinations. His guilt towards Ramdhan sparked his own self-created negative thoughts. He glanced around, but only the trees surrounded him. He felt tormented by the shadow he created himself.
"Take me off! Please let me go!"
Niken started to get depressed so her mouth was rummaging. Not to mention that he eased with the restless feeling he was experiencing, he felt something creeping at his feet. An animal with a slippery and long body. Niken held her breath, not daring to move. How tormented he is now.
***