by Faulina Arif
"Sounds funny to me." Ichsan smiled cynically.
"Yes, this legend of werewolf originated from Greek mythology. They believe, Lycaon or wolf will become a human when they can successfully eat a human. In Armenia knowledge, they were certain that Holy Spirit will change them into a half human-wolf for seven years. Then an ancient historian named Herodotus said, there was an ethnic group that usually called Neuri. He said that, these Neuri people can transform into a werewolf once in a year for several days. Then after that they will turn back to normal. Well it still hard to believe those legend was real all along." Sofian pointed his finger at those corpses.
"So . . . you seriously think those corpses were a legendary creature? And you actually think those foolish story was real?" Ichsan mocking Sofian with a big smile.
Sofian shrugged his shoulders "Many historians believe about these stories, if that was not the case, what reason could bring them here? These monster?"
"It's possible that was only an imagination from the people in the past." Fahri rub his forehead while looking at the pool of blood in the ground.
Ichsan tilt his head while looking at Fahri. Trying to read his facial expression. Fahri attitude is unusual, he seems confused.
"Fahri, did you know something?" Ichsan asked directly without courtesy
"What do you mean? If I know about this, this case was solved long ago." Fahri answering Ichsan question
Sofian stares at both of his superior "Even though a lot of people in that time consider this story as a myth, but some of them admit that they ever saw them at least once. For example, in Wales from 18th century. The security guard procuring a report from villagers, there was an attack from wolves to their cattle. Some of those people said, those wolves standing with two foot and have two meter tall. Then in year 2007. Some people said there was a werewolf sighted in Stafford England for at least two times. Those werewolves described had a big figure with two until three meter tall, had thick fur and standing with two foot. So maybe they were not hallucinating." Sofian continuing his story, trying to prove that his story was real.
"Is there any other version of those werewolf stories?" Ichsan asking
"There is sir, there was another story about this creature called werewolf or lycanthrope. This myth came from the blue continent, Europe. They was described had a form of monster. Half human and half wolves.According to that myth, those half human and half wolves or werewolf. When in human form they can turn into a werewolf when the night is at a full moon, their spiritual power will reach its peak. After turning to beast form, these monsters will feel an insatiable hunger, this hunger can't be satiated from other beast or cattle flesh and blood. They can only feel satisfied if they eat human flesh and blood. They will always hunt human, eat their flesh and drink their blood. This myth was long ago scripted from hundred or a thousand years ago." Sofian takes a deep breath then let it out slowly, while Fahri and Ichsan listen to him thoroughly.
"Some historians believe that this phenomenon is a curse. It can be inherited to the new generation. They said this was happened because, their ancestor doing some kind of black magic or cursed ritual in the past. This curse then will transferred genetically."
"Long time ago in Europe, those people in there was famous for their magic and cursed ritual. it was happened because of a conflict between nobles and servants. The servant didn't get enough food for live so they use these dark ritual or dark magic to attack these nobles or attack their own kind to overcome the shortage of food."
Ichsan quietly listen to Sofian story while at the same time smoking. He knows that Sofian still young, he work in this department recently for only two years. Sofian was known for his skill and vast knowledge. he knows about history, myth, and legend even from another country and moreover he was also knowledgeable in forensic skill.
Sofian graduate from famous university with highest grade. He got so many job offer, Ichsan also know that Sofian wanted to take doctorate title. Because of that reason, it's hard for Ichsan to ignore Sofian story.
"More or less, at 2400 years ago. Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian said, an inhabitant from country that now known as Lithuania and Blandia claim that they can transform into a werewolf for several days in a year. According to Old Testament, after changed into a werewolf they will be granted a sly nature, just like a wolf. They say when the night at full moon some of them that before in human form will turn into a werewolf. At that time many people believe there are many of those werewolves roaming freely at night. Because of that reason, those people prohibit their children to come out from their house at night."
"Those story is unreal, for me that was just a fairy tale." said Ichsan
"Well, most people commonly think like that, but please look at these corpses . . . what are they if not a werewolf?" Sofian pointed at those corpses.
"So, who is killing them? A vampire?" Fahri asked Sofian with a laugh.
"W-well . . ." Sofian scratch his head while at the same time smiled "Maybe . . . "
"Fools . . ." Said Ichsan, he blowing smoke from his mouth then looked at Fahri.
"Fahri, why do we need this many people for this case? I think it was enough to be handled by forensic division."
Fahri sighed "Well, you're wrong . . ." Fahri take a glance to several people with a big figure, they wearing a black suit. Their location was far from them, they look like talking with each other.
Ichsan take a look where Fahri eyes directed "Who are those black suited guys."
Fahri shrugged "Don’t know . . . They said, they are a some secret agent. Government secret agent.or a special squad I recall?"
"Which government?" Ichsan eyes squinted, he still looked at them.
Sofian standing up while at the same time taking off his gloves then approaching Ichsan. He intentionally touches Ichsan shoulder. "They look like foreign people sir."
"Yes, I can see that." Ichsan answered.
"It's best if you don't disturb them." Fahri warned Ichsan.
"I know old man." Ichsan answered and let out a big smoke from his mouth.
"Continue your work." Fahri hand over his note book to Ichsan then walking away.
Ichsan stare at that note book and fell silent. "For you . . ." he then hand that note book to Sofian.
"Um . . . what should I do with this sir?" Sofian asked in confusion.
"Well, just do it genius." Ichsan walked away leaving Sofian, he then approaching his subordinate from forensic division. At that time there was three police officer in full uniform approaching Ichsan.
"Sir Detective, is your job finished?" Ask one of those three officers.
"Not yet, what's wrong?" Ichsan asked.
"There is . . . A young man. he wanted to go through this road."
"Ha? Can’t you handle him?"
"Well . . . " That police officer scratching his head. "He claimed to be some government official son."
"What?" Ichsan yelled "Hm . . . Okay then." Ichsan sighed and then walking toward that young man, those three officers following him.
In that place beside the road, that young man was seen with some police officer. They seem had an argument. Ichsan throw his cigarette and approaching that young man. Without any doubt Ichsan standing with relaxed manner in front of that young man.
"Are you the one that wanted to force your way through?" Ichsan asked
"Oh good . . . A superior officer came." That young man cynically smiled.
"Where do you want to go? Aren't there any alternative way? Why did you must force your way through this road?"
"Hah! Typically detective . . . Always asking three questions straight away without waiting an answer." that young man smiled. "My house is in this area, I have the right to enter, aren't I?"
"One hour . . ."
"W-What?one hour?" that young man yelled and then sighed with a smile
"Do you know who I am?" He looked at Ichsan with abased look and evil smile.
Ichsan gazed at that young man from head
to toe
"You area human children, and no one can change that." Ichsan turned and walk away.
Wha? God damn it! That young man scream in his mind "Hey wait!" He yelled at Ichsan
"One hour sir!"Said one of those police officer that still standing there. He and four of his subordinates blocking the young man that wanted to go through.
Son of a whore! Once again that young man yelled in his mind. Feeling annoyed he turned and walking toward his car, he then entering his car and quickly leaving that place.
Some of police officer in that place holding their laugh because seeing that rare occurrence.
IRISE DELEGNERE
Reynold throw his car key to a table, and then he throws his body on the sofa. That young man in his 25th looks annoyed, his mind still full of spite.
"What's wrong? You're back?" Hafiz stopped checking a paper in his hand then approaching Reynold in living room.
"Damn brown bug!" Reyn let out his anger "How can I go home when those damn cop forbid me to use that road?"
"The reason? Is there something happened there? Like a murder?"
"You think . . . ?" Reyn return Hafiz question back to him.
Hafiz take a sit in opposite direction from Reyn, he fell silent.
Reyn and Hafiz becomes a friend for a long time since they was at age 11 years old. In the past, those young men are in the same class and school. They became a close friend until now because of same reason and purpose. Reyn had a blessed life, he was born from a rich family. But unlike Reyn, Hafiz life was harsh. He just a poor orphan, his parent died long time ago in an accident precisely when he's at 12 years old. After that Hafiz and his sister live with their uncle. That man didn't treat them kindly.
Hafiz holding out, for some time Hafiz patiently accepts his fate. Treated like a slave only for a food and shelter. But one year later, Hafiz become alone. His only close family, his dear sister passes away. She passed away because she suffers a severe illness. His suffering increased, he curses this life and their fate. After that incident Hafiz and Reyn become a close friend, and two years later. Reyn then offering a help to Hafiz. Reyn allowed him to stay in his grandfather old workshop and garage. It was long ago abandoned and its condition is unsuited to live comfortably.
Slow and steady they repair that place with much sweat and hardship. Then not long after that place condition become well, Hafiz and Reyn opened that place for public service. Hafiz a skilled mechanic, he trades his skill for money. And he used that money to pay for his school expenses. At least until he finished high school. Because of that reason Hafiz indebted to Reyn and he cared for Reyn well being. Hafiz promised to do anything to help Reyn, he always think if not because of Reyn he was sure he will never experiencing this happiness and freedom right now.
While for Reyn. Because he had a close friend like Hafiz that always known and kind to him, Reyn can feel calm. Reyn prefer to spend more time with his friend in this workshop than stay at his luxurious house alone.
"Reyn, I heard there were so many murders case lately, is this somehow related with 'that'?" Hafiz asked
"I don't know." Reyn answer with a big sigh
"Oh, big bro . . . you're still here?" a young girl called Marsha asked. That young girl gets out from her room, only wearing a piece of towel that wrapping her body.
Marsha is the only girl in this workshop. Different people had a different story. Marsha had her own story that related to how she can be here and stayed at this workshop with those young man.
Marsha and Reyn Firstly meet with each other whilst they still very young. Marsha at 8 years old and Reyn at 14 years old. They always play happily with each other.
A several time encountering each other made them into a close friend. But then for a few years those two never met anymore. Then because of some reason that changed her life entirely, she escaped from her house trying to find Reyn. Marsha at that time was 13 years old. When finally she found him, she asked him to take her away. And in the end Reyn agreed, Reyn let her stay in this workshop along with Hafiz until now.
"Why did you going out in that get up?" Hafiz glared at Marsha
Marsha taking a little glances to Reyn and then looks at Hafiz
"Is this bothering you? It's not a first time you saw me like this right?" Marsha walking toward those two young men then sat beside them. She intentionally crosses her left thigh into her right thigh, making Hafiz more annoyed.
"By the gods! Cover your thighs!" Hafiz yelled and for a moment gaze at her thighs "Aren't you cold?"
Marsha ignoring Hafiz while at the same time turned her head to another direction.
"It's not your concern." She then looks at Reyn "Big bro, did you bring any food?"
"Ah? I'm forget to buy that. Damn . . . "Reyn folding his arms in front of his chest. That man still feels very annoyed.
"Big bro, you seem like very disturbed. Is something wrong?" Marsha noticed and asked curiously
"For now it's better if you wear some clothes and then get back in here." Hafiz said
"Don't want to." Marsha respond shortly in mocking tone while at the same time turn her head to opposite direction from Hafiz.
"Marsha Hafiz was right, wear your clothes. I’m afraid you'll get a cold." Reyn added
Marsha snort "Huh! Fussy!" She standing up then goes to her own room, she closed the door harshly
Hafiz growl angry. He fed-up, Marsha never listen to him let alone complying.
"So, how can we found that person?" Hafiz asked Reyn
"You mean that woman? I already pay to many informant. But . . . well, all of them just found a wrong person. Not a right one."
"You waste your money only for that?"
"This is a gamble, our only hope is to find her."
"What's wrong with you two? We can still do it without her." Marsha said, she coming out from her room and walk straight to them
"What the hell?? Didn’t I tell you to wear clothes?!" Hafiz pointed his finger toward Marsha. His facial expression became more annoyed.
That girl is only wearing a tank top and mini skirt. Those clothes are not any different with that piece of towel she wears before. This was not what Hafiz meant.
"THIS IS CLOTHES, stupid!" Marsha glares at Hafiz. Ignoring Hafiz Marsha look at Reyn.
"Big bro! Aren't I right? We can still do it."
"It's too big of a risk Marsha." Reyn answering Marsha while shaking his head slowly
Marsha sat on the sofa "I am here because of that reason."
"We all had the same reason. But Marsha, at least use your brain. They are too many and dangerous, moreover they are strong. That means we only have one chance.
"Then, is this all we can do for now? Just waiting?" Marsha gazes at those two young men.
"I don't want anyone here getting killed." Reyn trying to reason with Marsha
Marsha fell silent; she can't deny those two young men. It always ends like this, Marsha always loses in argument and at the end they didn't get any solution for their problem.
"When we take that decision, we all know. No one can escape from the god of death." Faisal came and said that word with a serious and cool expression, he folding his arms in front of his chest
Faisal lean in the wall, looked at all his friends. Marsha, Hafiz and Reyn gazed upon him with unexplainable expression. They can't tell what these feelings are, it's between disgusted and amazed. That feeling is what they feel, when they heard Faisal word
"I don't think that your mouth, still has its use Faisal" Hafiz replying
Faisal and Hafiz looked at each other for a long time. Then with unexplainable reason they smiled at the same time.
All of them was never heard Faisal say a meaningful things. This was the first time, that's why all of them had mixed feeling. All of this time Faisal only using his mouth for useless things and for seducing sexy and beautiful woman, Marsha is one of them. But for this time he was in normal mode, he said some meaningful things that can make everyone in there rea
lized the truth.
Faisal is not the same as anyone in here, Faisal joining in this group not because he was homeless or being saved by Reyn. He only was joining because of curiosity. He had a perfect family, a loving parent and two younger brothers that always care for him. Faisal is an intelligent young man, but no more than that he's just some game maniac. He always waste his free time to do computer gaming or seduce any beautiful woman he saw. No one can expect that Faisal is master at hacking, then at one time he accidentally found an information concerning werewolf.
At first he thought it was just a Hoax. But he still curious and wanted to know the truth. His hobby at playing games make him think more objectively, unlike other people that always think alien, werewolf, monster, or vampire is only nonsense or a tale.
He always thinks that everything is possible, this world is too big. It's possible that not only human is an intelligent being in this universe. Our galaxy is too enormous, he think it's impossible that only human lived there. Faisal believes there's so many mysterious things that human can't solve until today. So it's not impossible that the creature in his imagination was real, maybe those creature or an alien is observing the human from faraway planets. It’s possible that they will come to earth, and maybe those rumored werewolf was one of them.
Faisal wanted to know that his imagination from all this time is not some dream, he wanted to know the truth about those rumors. He doesn't care what do those creature want or from where they came. Faisal only wanted to find something interesting in this boring normal life. And at last, the god of destiny shows a way to him. He meets with Reyn, Hafiz and Marsha that had same thoughts with him.
It's refreshing to meet some people with same interest. He doesn't feel some discrimination and of course he can feel that his lives became more fun and interesting. That’s why Faisal did not finish his college and ignoring his scholarship that he gets before. He likes to spend his time in this old workshop.
Faisal trust Reyn more than anyone else. Especially about those werewolf that he never saw with his own eyes, and those news about some mysterious woman that related with those monsters appearance. Faisal was sure that Reyn ever seen those werewolf. And about that mysterious woman Reyn always tell to him, he believes that maybe she was there after all? Well that’s why they always searching for a lead.