THE TRUTH SEEKERS
CHAPTER 3: The Death Penalty

Pips... Pips... Pips...

It feels so quiet and quiet

Pips.. Pips... Pips...

So quiet and comfortable

Pips... Pips... Pips...

I want to feel it forever...

Pipppp

DEG!

Eyes open. The whole darkness slowly collapsed. What I saw in my eyes was the plasterboard ceiling of a bright white room that hurt my eyes. My head feels heavy and stiff in my neck. I looked around, looking around.

Narrow bed with white sheets and similar colored blankets. Clean ceramic floor without stains. Then the infusion was placed in my hand.

Ah... Also true.

I was in the hospital...

........

...~Why is fate so cruel toying with me? Why is my world so quiet and alone?~...

...THE SEEKERS 3: The Death Verdict...

A body that felt linu was lying on the narrow bed of a room in a private hospital. A neat bandage bandage is seen in some parts, covering wounds that feel painful pain. Hands that are stuck with the infusion needle feel numb and stiff when moved.

This whole thing is like a dream. What happened before - what I experienced that night was like a nightmare when I fell asleep. But the burn marks on my body became a marker that I had gone through that terrible tragedy.

Kos's building was on fire and almost tore me up alive. The horror I felt when I tried to escape. All that despair and anger I don't know who to point at. Then-then

A huge tall figure that crackled like a black flame.

All that... For real...

Closing your eyes tired. I was confused whether I should be grateful or not. Grateful to be alive? Even with such a mess? The head and the entire body were wrapped in bandages and a sense of linu that spread as if my whole body was crushed. I doubt if I can walk properly. My feet felt much more pain and pain in the soles.

It feels incredible that I can still live through that terrible tragedy. Even after jumping from the third floor with his back facing the ground.

"Thankfully my spine didn't break. " Murm me while rubbing the sore back. Maybe one of the few lucks was approaching me in times of crisis. I should be proud.

But what do I do next? The boarding house that I had been living in for two years was already on fire. And that means I don't have a "house" right now. I doubt if there are any items that can be salvaged from the fire because they are all burned. Clothes, laptops, to cellphones and my savings are all engulfed in flames. There's nothing left of me but my body.

All gone.

When thinking about it it feels so stifling.

How am I supposed to finance my life after this? Where should I stay? Like how I pay for hospital fees?

The door of the room suddenly opened. Five people entered the room and closed the door. A doctor with a female nurse. Then two men in police uniforms and another wearing neat suits like office people. They came closer to my bed and I immediately sat down.

"You can stay asleep. No need to wake up if it still hurts." Said Doctor.

"I'm okay." My reply.

The nurse and the doctor were immediately busy checking my condition and seemed to inject something in the infusion. I wrote three unusual figures near me. The man in black seemed to be busy sorting through the paper on his lap. A policeman appears to be taking out a small note and pen as well as some sort of recorder (?). The other policeman glared at me, making me automatically bow my head in intimidation.

Why am I feeling so bad?

"Erlanga, right?" The man in the suit suddenly asked. I nodded stiffly.

"Yes, right sir."

"Your name is short, but pretty good. Born in Orphanage of Mother Earth on October 2 xxxx year. Orphaned huh? 19 Year old. It was young. The last school in SMP Nusantara, continued to Bakti Putra High School until the 2nd semester. So you're not continuing your education?"

I don't know why there was such a mocking tone I caught when she read my life history.

"Why didn't you continue your education?"

"I'm poor sir." My answer to the point.

"What about your orphanage? I heard you ran away from there when you were 14."

My eyes narrowed fiercely.

God fucking. To what extent did they extract information about me?

"I only left because I felt I was capable enough to live alone. Doesn't mean I ran away." Reply firmly.

He snorted, "Your 14-year-old said you can live alone? You're not an adult, son. Still need supervision from older people. "

I replied, "For a 14-year-old who can work alone and make money for his life, I think it can be called an adult, sir. Age and body do not guarantee a balanced mental and mental state."

There was a frown I caught on his oily face. But he can quickly cover it up by putting on a relaxed attitude to be friendly.

"You're smarter than my shadow. So that's why you ended up going and contracting at Pak Yuda's place?"

I'm a little offended. What's with this sarcastic tone of speech?

"Maybe you already know that I have changed places several times." I reply, glancing towards the papers that were still in his hands. He put on a surprised look. "Ohh, that's right too. I'm sorry I didn't get to read the report any further." Relaxed reply. I became more upset.

Does this guy want to play me? He didn't even introduce himself and kept raving about me. If my guess is correct, this man is a police investigator. I can see the badge he's hiding in his shirt pouch. Glancing at the two men in police uniforms, they seemed busy noting something on the notepads.

So I'm being investigated, right?

The man in the black suit changed his sitting position and placed the file on his lap, "Ah yes, previously introduce. My name is Andrew Thomas who is tasked with investigating the burning case of the boarding house owned by Mr. Yuda. So please cooperate."

In this position, usually the person who introduces themselves will extend a hand and shake each other. But the man didn't do it. Instead of reaching out, he took out his phone and appeared to be typing something. I just looked at her with a bad feeling that has been bothering me ever since.

"On the 12th, exactly two days ago, there was a fire in the place of Kos Bapak Yuda which resulted in 16 fatalities, including Mr. Yuda himself. The new fire can be extinguished for five hours and even had time to call five fire engines."

I'm speechless. Shock when he heard what he said.

That much soul sacrifice? Even Mr Kos was also a victim?

"It seems you just heard the news. Well, understandably you fainted since the incident that day and just woke up. But shouldn't you have expected it?"

"What do you mean, father?"

"The police have conducted a thorough investigation, and it is said that the fire originated from a deliberate fire."

"Intentionally?"

She smiles. A smile that was so sickening yet held another purpose.

"The fire came from your room."

I was of course surprised.

Whahuh? From room? How can the fire come from my room when the first and second floors seem to have been engulfed in flames first? Who burned my room? I really can't remember anything. After all that time I was also in a bound and fainted state.

What exactly happened?

"Da-from my room? B-but who did it?" I asked with a pale face. But the answer I got was unexpected.

The answer that cornered me.

"Didn't you do it, son Erlanga?"

"... Huh huh? "

He grinned, "You're the arsonist. "

..........................

GECK! GECK! GECK!

The sound of a hammer being shoved was heard echoing to the end of the room. The judge has established the decision with full confidence after the defendant's reading.

"With this, Brother Erlanga is found guilty! The death sentence will be set for another 15 days!"

The sound of cheers was loud. Various swearing and swearing are thrown with anger. I sat stiffly with a pale face. Staring at the figure of the judge who had sentenced him nanar and full of questions.

"But-why?! I don't burn! I am also a victim sir!"

"The verdict has been dropped. You can't dodge anymore. "

I got up from the chair, "But I'm not the culprit! I was even tied up in a chair! I-ughh-" A blunt object suddenly hit my head. I was dazed and almost lost balance. Blood flowed from my head and instantly my sight became twitched.

From behind the voices of people cheering me with anger.

"Basic killer! Don't be so smart about defending yourself anymore!"

I'm woken. Other voices followed.

"Radid killer! What is my son's fault?! How you killed him!"

"Shut your mouth and die there killer boy!"

My eyes are pounding. Slander was leveled by dozens of people who attended the court. I still want to defend myself. I am not guilty! I even became a victim in this incident! Why am I even to blame?! Why am I even labeled as a arsonist?!

But when I looked at those people, all my beliefs collapsed instantly.

Angering. Hatreds. Deep sadness.

And revenge.

Just by looking at it, I knew right away. The disgusting look they gave me together. All the wrong insults and vows they overflow. He charged furiously and seemed to want to curse me.

A blunt object was thrown back and hit my body. I raised my face and found a mother with a wounded face but shrouded in burning hatred. He shouted, swearing at me with anger,

"SON OF SATAN! YOU DESERVE TO DIE! HELL AWAITS YOU AND ROT IN THERE! NO FORGIVENESS FOR YOU, B*JEN!"

The pain in my chest piled up. Broke, and scattered. Turned into tears that go down the face without being able to be contained. Empty gazes. A lump of feelings I've made is broken. My whole trust has been crushed with all sorts of slander and insults that I shouldn't have.

The pain in my head is nothing compared to my broken heart.

I ended up following the police who drove me out of the courthouse and took me to jail.

I'll be dead in 15 days.

.......

Humans are stupid creatures.

Even if they knew it wasn't true, they would still believe it. As long as the majority voice shouts the truth in their opinion, the minorities have no power to resist and deny it.

A really rotten world.

How long have I been in this prison? So desperate, I even forgot to count the time. Oh yeah, that's no use, right? Why do I count the time when my death has been so determined?

I'm gonna die. Dying and disappearing from this world. Died without anyone waiting for me. Die... Without having to feel hard anymore.

"Kh-"

Laughs. I laughed alone in the cold ward with a slum mat until my voice was hoarse. Painful, coughing and almost choking. Once got a snide glance from the police guarding this place, and heard how he called out to me, he said,

"Swack killer son of a bitch."

Yep. What a wonderful new nickname for my last days. I even wanted to laugh out loud until my throat was broken. But my voice can't come out anymore. My throat had dried up because during these few days of being in prison, I was screaming for justice for me. Defend me because I am innocent.

But it all ended in vain. Even I was beaten by other inmates and strangled by them. Played like a fool until made into a slave and treated like an animal. Before the warden finally separates my cell because-a little-feeling pity.

If you think about what happened to me - from the moment I can remember to this moment, it feels like shit. Life is like cheap drama.

Life is like a dry leaf that falls and is swept away by the wind until it finally burns.

I laughed at. Laughing at my miserable life.

Haha...

Goddamn bum.

F*CK!

My tears flowed without me holding back.

Why should I live if it ends up like this? What's the real use of my life for these 19 years?Is it just a spectacle? Or to complement the drama of the world? Or am I not supposed to exist?

God fucking.

I hit the iron bars with the rest of the energy I had. Causing blisters that do not feel painful at all. The previous burn scars have not even fully dried, but have now become numb. I don't care about my body that still feels weak and painful. No matter the incision of the festering wound. Staring blankly in tears.

"I'm gonna die, huh?" I muttered while smiling weakly. Hugging stiff and painful knees.

I'm finally going to die. Leaving this sickening world. I will not be tormented in this world. I don't have to think about paying rent. I don't have to work to make ends meet. And I don't have to be bothered by ghosts and fear every day.

Because I'm gonna die.

"If death... I'll calm down, won't I?"

My hands are moving to touch my neck.

"My life is no use. Than to get sick... Mending... Die now.. Don't you?"

Grip tightens, sharp nails scratch wounds on the neckline. Empty eyes stared at the cold floor.

"Come on... Let's just die now-"

Both hands are tight. My breath feels tight. It was as if there was an urge for me to go further. Hurt more.

And choking my neck stronger.

"Khhkk-"

Continue in. Forward.

My mind's running. All I can remember is the pleasant feeling when the pain started to creep around my neck. I smiled, I smiled,

"...Let's go die-"

The tep!

"Don't think your problem will be solved by suicide."

I stopped when a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist. Breathing that stops momentarily fills the lungs again. My consciousness is back to full. Looking slowly, there was a black-haired male figure tied half-back in the middle looking at me with his pair of cold eyes.

I laugh. Laughing loudly without sound as if seeing a crisp and sickening laugh.

Messed up. Everything's fucked up.

"Why do you come when I don't need you..? You ignored me before..."

This fellow. I really can't understand it.

He appeared like a hero, but then disappeared like the foam of the ocean. Its presence carries the impression of cold intimidating, sending horror that can make shudder. But on the one hand, he also delivers an inexplicable calm and sense of security.

The figure that had previously appeared in the restaurant back then had now been across the bars of my cage.

I really don't hold it

"Why can you be here? Do you want to laugh at me? Or do you want to curse me like the people out there?"

I might be crazy. Well, with all the things that happened and happened to me waiting for the verdict to die in this cold prison was enough to make me mentally disturbed.

"I'm dying soon anyway, so you can curse me all you want. You can curse me or mock me. I don't care anymore."

Even if it's all just a joke. Because my tears even escaped and flowed down my cheeks when I said them.

"Soundless child." He let go of her hand, "Do you think I'm here just to hear your prank?"

I didn't answer and just stared at the floor in a daze. He got up with a haughty attitude, and I had to look up to be able to look at him. Those eyes were so calm that they met my eyes, looking at me,

"Hurry up and lift your ass off this cold floor. We have to leave immediately."

"What-" I don't understand what he's saying. When he gave the code with his hand, two policemen suddenly appeared and unlocked my cell. I was pulled out of my ward in confusion.

"Next don't ever show your face again." The prison guard said. I blinked.

Eh?

A variety of questions filled me, but before I fully realized it, I had already been withdrawn first. The man gripped my arm firmly and dragged me with him out of prison. I was confused by what he was doing and looked back. My prison ward has been re-locked and the two guards went in the opposite direction to us.

"E-eh-why am I being kicked out? Is my death sentence accelerated?"

There's no answer.

"Hey, you can hear me, right? You want to take me kema-gahhkk-"

He hit me in the stomach right in the heart. I felt a sense of tightness and pain simultaneously like I wanted to vomit. Before I finally became very weak and unconscious.

...................

"..misg..."

"...wake up..."

I blinked a few times. I felt my eyes twitching. Uhh... My neck hurts like it's burdened by something that makes me sore. Cramped stomach...My bodies... My body is numb. The stuffiness made me breathe uncomfortably.

"If you don't wake up, I'll throw you at the hordes of demons out there."

I opened my eyes when I heard the terrible threat. But I can't see anything.

Eh? Why are my eyes closed? Then my hand... My hands are still cuffed! My legs are even tied together! Damnit damnit! Did the incident in the burning boarding room repeat itself? This wooden chair feels even more painful and uncomfortable!

"I don't think you're gonna wake up. I've been preparing to throw you away to be seduced by the disgusting demons out there."

My hair is goosebumps for a moment. This voice-I recognize it!

"W-what did you do to me? Why am I tied up and my eyes closed?" I asked that guy.

Yep. The man who took me out of prison. I finally remembered that he dragged me out of the ward before and punched me in the stomach until I was unconscious. And now... I ended up like this.

God fucking. My stomach is getting more painful. I don't know what this guy's purpose is. He met me in prison and took me for granted without any explanation. And now, I'm even tied up like this!

Why didn't he answer immediately?

"Please answer me, why did you take me and tie me up like this? What exactly is your purpose?"

There's no answer. I felt uncomfortable with the sudden silence.

"A-anu-"

"Aren't you going to thank the person who got you out of jail? "

Had my eyes not closed, I would have stared fiercely at him. Is this guy crazy? Why would I thank the person who took me without a clear purpose and tied me up like this?! But with my darkness and helplessness, my fear became more and more. Even sounds like slashed objects and clashing metal sounded so sensitive.

He went back to silence and this silence made my voice grow shrivel. With all the courage I had, I asked him a question.

"Was... Were you the one who tied me up in-kkhhkk-!" I jerked. A cold hand suddenly strangled my neck strongly. My head hit the neck of the chair and felt dizzy for a moment.

"Shush."

Gooseflesh. My whole body was shivering until it shook. Heard one low-pitched word that felt so threatening. It was as if an absolute order made my whole courage evaporate instantly.

This guy is scary! I hateit. The pressure that made my whole body tremble, then the unpleasant cold that gave me goosebumps - this was not even much different when I met the ghosts.

No. gabe. It's much more powerful and terrifying!

"Lephas-khann... What.--khh Maumu...?"

"You think?"

I'm hissing. Goddamn bum! This guy is really driving me crazy!

When he let go of his giggling, I took a voracious breath. My throat hurt so much that I coughed.

"Hey boy, I'd like to ask you a question. "

I felt that figure approaching, and it seemed like he was standing right in front of me. I still kept my breath in place as I looked up when he asked a strange question that really surprised me,

"Are you tired of living?"

I'm woken.

What's... Meaning this?

"Me-why are you asking her?"

Maybe that's the wrong question. Or I shouldn't have asked. Because when the sentence was finished, a shocking statement came out of his mouth,

"Because I was thinking of killing you."

[CONNECTED]