by Faulina Arif
"You didn’t have any need to know what are they. But the things that I was sure, an organization called Elysion that started and made all of this. And I, wanted all of you gentlemen help to destroy that organization."
Everyone fell silent. Few of them even gulped.
"I already write every important things concerning them that all of you gentlemen must know. It'll be best if all of you didn't underestimate those creatures. And more than that, their body is very hard, you can’t kill them with any normal bullet. You must use at least an armor piercing bullet. And I was sure their number is very high."
"Is there any more dangerous creature apart from here?" Bimo asked while pointing at the projector display.
Reyn nod his head. "Less that I know. But that could be the case, that is why I consider this mission risk level is very high."
After knowing what challenge they must be facing, some of those mercenaries let out a cold sweat. But as a professional, they could not back away. If they are escaping from their own decision, that is the same as tarnishing their own pride. And that is truly shameful for a professional and skilled mercenary like them which always liked a challenge. They will do anything to finish that mission, even it will kill them in the process.
IRISE DELEGNERE
Zafar gazing toward the night sky with his minds comes further across the space. After the training, Zafar immediately go above the roof for fresh air. He tried to calm his excited feelings.
Zafar is still not believe it, his determination could make him take far step ahead. Whereas at first this decision he made begins with only hopelessness and desperation to live. But now when he can hold a fire arms, Zafar seemed like finding another persona inside him.
That weapon can made Zafar becoming more confident. It was absurd, however that is how Zafar really felt. After losing everything and didn't know what to do, Zafar started to have another objective. Zafar didn’t know how his fate will be and where he must go when everything will end. But for now, having an objective in life and taking a step forward is already an amazing thing for him. Especially because that objective is related closely with his past and his father death.
"With your skill, you can be an exceptional sniper." Said Aria from behind Zafar's back.
Aria approaching Zafar that sitting alone above the roof.
Zafar turn his head and surprised to see Aria offering him a bottle of mineral water in front of him.
"T-thanks . . . " Zafar feels awkward while taking that mineral water from Aria hand.
Aria taking a seat beside Zafar right side. "Your skill will be very helpful." Praise Aria.
Seeing an ignorant woman like Aria praising him, truly made Zafar feel happy and becoming more spirited.
Yes, now Aria perspective toward Zafar was changed slightly. That is happened after Aria saw Zafar skill at shooting fire arms. It turns out that Zafar is not really useless as she always think in the past, and now he could be very useful. Aria was hoped, she could rely to his skill.
"You surely know, this is a suicide mission. Are you really sure to join in?" Aria asking while looked at where Zafar is and then she returned to look at the darkness in front of her.
Zafar nod in certainty. After he can use a weapon, Zafar fear is disappeared because of his confidence. And Zafar felt if he was taking part in this mission, he will not be afraid as to not bother Aria or his other companion.
"You could be killed. If this decision you take is only for running away from hopelessness and anger, that decision is not comparable with your life."
Zafar looked at Aria and being quiet for a long time. He couldn't understand why does Aria attitude toward him was changed for 180 degree? If that was because of Zafar changed to be a more useful person? Then she must not warn him about the danger of their mission. Because Zafar was already know.
Of course, what Zafar think was right. Aria had her own reason why saying that word. No more than she had a debt of gratitude toward someone in the past. After her perspective toward Zafar is changed, Aria now had a little worries for Zafar and hoping so that he will not have a terrible death like Faisal.
"They killed my father, Aria. Because of that . . . I hope I can do something with my own two hands." Aresentment and a dark void was seen in his eyes.
Aria fell silent.
"I . . . For all this time I always hated my father. Always misunderstand and think bad toward him. He did not leave me as what my family and myself thought. How was his feeling when he must disappear unwillingly and died without no one in his family know, that is what I always think."
"Your father is a kind man Zafar." Said Aria softly without looking at Zafar.
"He . . . Was an amazing person. He . . . Taught me many things and he can even made me back to trust another people. Well, even though I only trusted him." Said Aria once again.
Zafar surprised to hear that and immediately looked at Aria. Zafar think Aria is only make a small talk when she said his father is a kind man, but that maybe is not the case. Aria truly known his father well. How can that be? Aria looks is too young and she was seen even younger than Zafar. Then when did Aria and his father was meeting with each other?
A past memories of someone was emerged in Aria's mind until it made her sad and feeling touched. Maybe, she was the one that made that person died. Because of her cursed self, everyone that approaching her will have a sad fate and died.
"W-what do you mean? Did . . . Did you know my father?"
Aria returned to look at Zafar and then nod. "It was long time ago. I meet with him more than 20 years ago in Egypt. At that time, he doing some kind of research and . . . We are trapped in a cave."
Zafar once again surprised. "B-but, your age? You . . . " Zafar couldn't even say what in his mind at this time.
"At that time, I nearly kill him. But he made me trust him instead. I studying many things from him. Language, culture, and knowledge. He always telling me many things and treating me like a normal human."
From Aria explanation, Zafar starting to understand something. So, the immortal human which was always been searched by organization and his father is Aria. It is hard for Zafar to believe what just he heard. But from all of his memories concerning Aria from all this time is now was answered and make sense.
How can a normal human have not only a strong body but also a very fast regeneration? A bullet or a sword can only hurt her for a moment.
Before, even he had that supposition, Zafar didn’t dare to think toward that because all of it is impossible. Immortal human is only existed in fiction and someone imagination.
"One of many reason I came to this country is to meet your father, Zafar."
Zafar becoming quiet and didn’t know what to say.
If only his father giving that information about Aria to the organization, perhaps his father will still be alive now. And Zafar will have a better life so as with his mother.
"I apologize . . . " Said Aria softly.
Zafar looked toward Aria and stare at her for a long time. It feel inappropriate if he blaming Aria for his father death. He could see a lament in her eyes.
"Did my father ever telling you about me and my mother?", Zafar asked.
Aria nod. "He truly loved you and your mother, Zafar. He said it to me, he have a son which now can recently walk and a beautiful wife. In truth he never wanted to leaving both of you often, but his work always forcing him to did it, for his family future."
A warmth penetrate Zafar heart. A sad emotion made his eyes teary and he nearly drop a tear. "Whenever my father come home, he always telling me many things, especially about strange thing he saw or meet."
"Is one of them about the book that you always carry?", Aria asked.
Zafar nod and suddenly becoming more spirited till he looked at Aria with both of his eyes wide open. "Aria, are you from Gypsi tribe?!", A curiosity filled Zafar minds.
"Gypsi?" Aria frown her forehead.
"Yes, when I am still a little kid, my father telling
me about them. And I always eagerly listened to his story. Gypsi tribe was believed to have an amazing medical knowledge and they also learn things about magic. Because of their specialty, there is many people that was afraid with them and they eventually be hunted by many people. That is their reason why they always live nomadic and choose to live inside caravan."
Aria fell silent. The same story has been tell by Zafar father to her in the past. And the surprising things is, Zafar father is also giving her the same question with same facial expression with Zafar now.
Aria laughed until her white tooth was seen. "You are truly similar to your father."
Zafar stunned and at that second he was frozen stiff. A little laugh that decorating Aria face was never ever Zafar seen before, that smile making Aria stunningly beautiful and dazzling, until it can make Zafar blood flowing fast and his heart beating very hard.
Her beautiful white long hair was sparkling whenever it hit a moon light. This is like a déjà vu. This kind of scenery is what Zafar see at that fateful night when he meet Aria for the first time. It is just, at that time there is no laugh or even smile decorating her beautiful face. Suddenly Zafar remember his father story.
"So, that person is really you?" Zafar smiled happy with an unexplainable relief in his heart. It was hard for him to believe, he could meet with someone that always inside his father story.
Aria frown her forehead because of confusion. "What do you mean?"
"A white haired beautiful woman that was looked like an angel, it's you right? The one that meeting my father in the past."
Aria fall silent and without her realizing, her cheek was blushing. Aria becomes awkward.
"I think that is only a fictional story that was created by my father."
"I think, your father will not lie to his prideful son."
Zafar nods with a big wide smile."Thank you."
Aria smiled in return.
"So, Aria. Is it true you are one of the Gypsi tribe?"
Aria shook her head. "No. I didn’t have any magic or whatever you think I have."
"Then, how can you become immortal?" Zafar becoming more curious.
"Please, I didn’t want to talk about that." Aria pleaded.
Zafar sighed. "Okay." He answered.
Zafar didn’t want to force his will like in the past toward Aria. This time he choose not to force Aria to answer his question. Zafar doesn't want to broke Aria good attitude toward him. Need a long time for Aria so that she could treat Zafar kindly. Usually he always been ignored, underestimated and considered as a burden.
"Aria, yesterday night I heard something noisy. Is there something happened at your room?" Zafar asked because he remembered.
"Ah, that? I just chasing away a dog and a rabbit." Aria answered in ignorant manner.
Dog and rabbit? A question filled Zafar's head. What does that mean?
"You didn't need to think about those useless creature."
Zafar becoming more confused and clueless. But he can only nods without asking more question to Aria that now enjoying starry scenery in the night sky.
The Answer Of All Mystery
The past few days, Ichsan is busy to find out about Fahri and his daughter death, and the case about Sofian disappearance. Ichsan goes to the crime scene, looked directly where Fahri corpse and his daughter corpse founded. Throwing many question toward any people at the vicinity that perhaps could know something. But all was happened is not in accordance of what Ichsan thinks. Ichsan didn’t found anything and was confused instead.
Clearly there is something wrong with this incident. And all of it was started from the robbery at Fahri's house. In Ichsan view, this case that befall his superior and about the disappearance of Sofian seemed like it was planned thoroughly by someone. Yes, but all of it is only his presumption. As long as Ichsan didn’t have any solid proof, Ichsan couldn’t take any drastic measure. As a detective, he knows that well if he can't taking any action and decision for only just a presumption.
Ichsan frowned his forehead, looked at a man that standing straight in front of his work room and seemed like he already waited for a long time.
"What's this? Its seems I made boss to wait for his lackey." Ichsan stopped in front of Rudi.
"Where have you been?", Rudi asked.
"From the toilet, what is it?"
"This long?!!" Rudi's eyes squinted and his voice becoming shrill. "My subordinates said that you have gone for more than 3 hour. And why didn’t you answer my phone call?"
"It is unsatisfying when taking a piss while answering a phone. You, pretended as if you are a fool for not knowing that." Ichsan smiled sarcastically.
Rudi exhaling his breath hard while at the same time shaking his head slowly. Now Rudi could understand why almost all of high ranked officer at police department always complained about Ichsan, especially Fahri.
"I have heard a gossip that you visiting the crime scene alone, trying to find out about Fahri's death." Said Rudi.
Ichsan fell quiet for a moment, stares at Rudi full of dislikes. "Well, yes. I want to find out alone because all of you are truly incompetent to handle this case." Said Ichsan rudely.
An emotion inside Rudi was nearly exploded because of Ichsan word that did not even have even slightest respect toward him. But Rudi trying to hold it. Now, Rudi's rank and position is much higher than Ichsan. But Ichsan attitude as if he didn't even respect him and instead acting very rude. All of it happened when Fahri corpse was found and Sofian named as a suspect. Rudi know Ichsan is not satisfied of that judgment. What could he do? Rudi is also powerless and couldn't do anything. Rudi can only following a procedure and also his superior order.
"That case has been closed Ichsan. It will be best for your sake if you didn’t bring it up." Rudi warned.
"So, you think Sofian really did kill Fahri?"
"That is what evidence said."
Ichsan growling angry till he hitting a wall beside him.
"I know this is feel heavy for you because he is one of your trusted people. But you saw it yourself, all of this leaded to him."
Ichsan pulling his breath deeply and holding it for a moment. He returned to look at Rudi with a sharp eyes. Clearly implied in his face that he truly disliking Rudi.
And Ichsan rebellious attitude made Rudi becoming more angry as well till he deliberately using his position as Ichsan superior. "I am now your superior. If you unwilling to hear me, I can transfer you to work behind desk. Bear that in your mind!!" Rudi walked away leaving Ichsan.
Ichsan anger is also exploding. He take a fast step to follow Rudi and suddenly stopped 1 meter exactly at Rudi's front. Obstructing Rudi's way and made him stopped.
"Look at you, just like a doll. Your position can only made you becoming more insular, Rudi." Ichsan smile sarcastically. "Next time use your damn instinct when working and stop to read your damn book. So you will have no need to wait for your superior to die and then being promoted. Perhaps you can beat me in any other cases, HA?" Ichsan then walked away leaving Rudi.
Both of Rudi hands clenched tight and his face vein strained holding his anger. He truly wanted to hit Ichsan till he apologizing. But he know it will be useless, Rudi already know Ichsan will never apologize even though Rudi transferring him even to another instance.
Ichsan goes to the parking lot. He entering his car and then leave his office at once. His annoyed feeling made him can't stand to stay at his office. It will be best for him to calm himself down at his work room in his house. Thinking everything over inside his private room were his habit whenever his mind was clouded like now.
A hand phone inside Ichsan pocket ringing and made him muses over. While still driving, Ichsan tried to take his hand phone and then answering the call from Lina, his wife.
"Dear, could you buy some diaper for Rafi when you on the way home?", Lina asked.
"Okay, I will." Said Ichsan short.
"Thank you." Said Lina and then turning off her call.
Ichsan put
his hand phone in the empty seat beside him just like that. He sighed while throwing his sight around the shops which he passes in his way home. This boring routines, could make Ichsan to forget his weariness even for a short moment. Thinking about his wife and son can console his vexation.
Ichsan turn his car toward a supermarket. After parked his car, Ichsan immediately go into that supermarket and searching for stuff that Lina want. Not even once Lina called him for this kind of things, so Ichsan know what kind of diaper his son always wore.
"Mr. Ichsan?!", A voice of a man calling Ichsan, Ichsan looked toward where that voice direction and found a young man that have the same age with Sofian.
"Ah, you are . . . Sa'id? What are you doing in here?" Ichsan asked in courtesy.
"Accompanying my wife to shop, Sir." Sa'id pointing toward his wife that located at 10 meter distance from them.
Ichsan looked at where Sa'id pointed.
Sa'id wife is still busy to choose vegetables accompanied by her daughter that still 2 years old. A fussy little girl that making her parent often laughed.
"What are you buying, Sir?"
Ichsan sighed. "Yah, buying something for my son." Ichsan taking a glance toward diapers section beside him.
Sa'id nodded in understanding accompanied by little laugh.
"You're off?" Ichsan asked.
"Yes, sir. I'm in the night shift before. But, in my off time I must accompany my wife to shop, not to rest." Sa'id scratching his head.
"That how it is. At outside we could be a king, but whenever we got home, a husband rank will be stripped off no more as a helper for his wife and kid."
"Hahahaha . . . " Sa'id suddenly burst out a laugh while nodding in agreement.
In truth, Sa'id and Ichsan is not close. But for several times they were meeting with each other and had a little conversation because accidentally they was often in the same crime scene. Compared with Ichsan, Sa'id were close to Sofian. They were often go into cafeteria to have a lunch because the two of them is a close friend since they are still in high school.
Remembering about Sofian made Sa'id face becoming more serious. "Sir, could I asking you something a bit more serious?"