DEAPECTRUMS
008. THE STOLEN BOX

Feeling like I was wasting time I rushed back to the hut. With slow steps I walked because it was still dark, the sun had not yet come down. When I was almost at my residence, I passed through the bushes high enough that no one would see me walking in the middle.

I feel like something's weird because the door to the hut is open. It is not unusual for Jatnera to be this seteledor when I always remind him not to open the door.

I ran very fast. I'll definitely scold him if I get there. But when I was almost there suddenly it was like someone was blocking my steps with his feet so I fell down. I felt very angry when I saw Jatnera deliberately blocking my steps by humming my feet. I wanted to shout at him but my voice was held back when I saw a big man come out of our hut.

Jatnera put his index finger to the middle of his lips hinting at me to be quiet. Now I understand why the door to our hut was wide open and Jatnera was tripping on my feet, all because our hut was being run over by criminals.

We were both silent in the bushes waiting for the criminals to leave our residences. I was quite surprised to see Jatnera who no longer cried at a time like this. I also do not understand how Jatnera can not be caught by these criminals. But beyond that I feel relieved because Jatnera is fine.

Not long after, four large men with various firearms and sharp weapons came out of the hut and left the hut with our various valuables. A bag of bread that the boys gave us yesterday and our drink supply. Jatnera and I stared at each other confused as to what we should do. We waited a few minutes to make sure the looters didn't come back.

"You wait here first. I'll check inside." Seruku, Jatnera nodded. "Don't leave this place before I tell you to!!"

I picked up a piece of wood just in case. I slowly walked towards the door of the hut that was wide open. It seems that the criminals will not come back. I entered the hut that was already messed up because they destroyed everything.

The ashes were scattered on the seedy carpet inside the hut and a bottle smashed beside it. I just realized it was Isbell's ashes after seeing a broken liquor bottle. I quickly searched for something to collect the ashes and store them.

Whatever I can use, I take a bottle of Jatnera medicine that has been used up and immediately put the ashes into it. After that I checked everything they stole other than a bag of bread and our drink supply.

I remember Isbell's crate that I put under the table. Turns out the coffin was stolen from them. I'm sorry I didn't put it in a safer place or bury it back under a tree.

"They stole everything?" The sound of Jatnera came from the door. He brought some apples in his rolled-up shirt.

"I told you to wait!" I was upset that Jatnera had not listened to my words telling him to stay hidden and not come out before I told him to.

"It's all my fault." It seems that Jatnera doesn't care about my frustration. "I forgot to close the door when I went to get these apples."

His statement just made me walk over to him. "Whatchu mean? You're out of the shack?" Manya make sure.

"I plucked these apples in the back tree. I've been looking forward to its maturity for a long time, but it's just ripe today."

Three red apples on the Jatnera shirt. It seems that the apples were just in the quote, still looking fresh.

"I shouldn't have picked these apples." Jatnera started to shed tears.

I'm actually very angry at Jatnera but Isbell's chest I need to get back. Yes I had to take it from them even though I knew it wasn't easy that I could even get killed. But I have to try it, that chest in Isbell's grave without anyone's knowledge means that inside it must be very valuable objects. I have to go after the criminals.

I remember the gun I kept. I walked up to the drawer and opened the second drawer and took out the books I used to cover the handgun. The criminals did not find the handgun. They must be fools who are anti on books so they don't shop around this drawer. I quickly grabbed the handgun and put it behind my shirt. This gun will be useful.

"I have to take Grandma's crate."

"Don't! You must be dead."

"But it's a precious thing. Who knows there's something in it about us."

"I'm coming with you." Jatnera looked at me with his ultimate gaze, sparkling cat eyes.

I closed my eyes and turned back. "No. It's hazardous. If I die, you'll have to stay alive."

"If you die let me die too. Life here is so scary. No future, Bee." Once again Jatnera looked like an adult. What he said is true.

I turned my body and looked at him. "No! One day this place will change for the better. Someone's gonna change this place for the better." I remember what the boy said. I tried to believe what he said to keep us alive. "There will be a future in this place that's why you have to stay alive! Believe me!"

Jatnera. Hugged very tightly because we didn't know if we would meet again or not after this. But if it is between us who must die, it is me. Jatnera will definitely survive because he's a smart kid even he remembers the apples that are around us while every day I am confused to get food.

"Don't go out until I really don't come. Understood?" My orders.

"Take this." Jatnera gave me two red apples out of three.

"One of them." I returned one apple to the Jatnera.

"No. I can pick it up again later. You just take it." Jatnera.

I rubbed his head with a mixed feeling. I don't know why I don't think we'll ever see each other again. If I get killed what the fate of the Jatnera will be. The more day Jatnera gets smarter, he can definitely take care of himself. Yes he can stay in this hut by picking apples for his food. He could have survived.

"Just you! I'll definitely come see you again." I said to the Jatnera.

After that I went out of the hut with two apples given by Jatnera which I put into a sack cloth that I wrapped around my waist and a handgun stored safely behind the shirt worn out for days I wear.

Jatnera's cry made me cry too as I stepped out of the hut.

Leaving him alone was a tough decision but I had to take back Isbell's chest from the hands of the criminals. That was my decision.

...@racing_al.aska...