The Devil's Circle of Deception
Demonized

The songs and cries of Satan grow louder and the cheers break the line of faith, blackening a lump of heart that is never filled with the Asma of God, the Almighty God. It cannot be denied and is not a secret. Idolatrous man and perverse creature, his soul is bound with his body forever in the fire of Hell.

Right at 02:00 AM local time, Anton kicked the body awake from his sleep. He had nightmares, sweat still pouring down his forehead. He saw Dodon turn into a flying pocong figure approaching him. The shroud was muddy, there were worms, maggots and other slithering animals wriggling inside his nasal cavity and eyes.

Anton turned on the phone screen, he looked for Dodon's name contact and made a call but missed. A cold chill pierced the skin, a strange sound near his chair pierced through the foul scent. Anton glared to his left side.

“Arggghh!” his screams.

He got out of the security guard post and ran to the back of the house. Anton knocks on the door, hoping Riana knows bi Teti hears her screams. Because no one opened the door, he went around to another door even to knock on the front window.

“Pak Anton, what's up?” said Wijaya standing behind staring at him sharply.

“Master, there are ghosts in pos” Anton replied.

The front door opened, Rian frowned seeing Anton looking like he was talking to himself. He called out his name but he did not hear.

“Pak Anton!” he shouted while throwing the left sandal at him.

“Duh, it is not polite for you to throw sandals like that even though there is a Mr. Wijaya here” said Anton.

“I don't see any masters there” said Rian.

“I just answered his question earlier” Anton was surprised to see Wijaya disappear nearby.

The feathers are still goosebumps, Anton tells the dream and appearance he experienced earlier. He decides to go see Dodon to make sure his best friend is okay. The journey to the stealth village took a steep and winding road. It had been three hours he was in the bus transport until the stop at the border of the village.

“Where are you going? Looks like you're not here” said the old man wearing a brown jacket smiling at him.

“I will go to this address. Do you know the place?” ask Anton.

The man's face changed then putting the paper in his hand, he answered Anton's question in a soft whispering tone. Earlier he pulled Anton towards the corner of the stop, his gaze turning around the guarding position.

“please leave this village immediately if you want to survive. I do not dare to this address because the person you are looking for has died a few days ago” he said then hurriedly left.

“Yes geez. Dodons! It's worth my hunch being erratic after last night's dream. I've been here, I want to know all the news about your departure and see your resting place for the last time” muttered Anton.

He walked into the village, in the afternoon decorated with orange sky covered with white mist. Anton had walked for miles until he saw a housing estate on the east side. He ran over but all the windows and doors were locked. He tried to knock on the door but there was no telling from within.

Anton turned to the other housing, looking quiet as if no residents lived there. He only heard the sounds of crickets, insects, owls and crows flying nonstop. Fire torches lit up along the street and every yard of the house.

“Why is this village so quiet and impressed haunted? I need to immediately find lodging before nightfall” muttered Anton.

The door of the house opened a little from the inside, mbok Ida put on an angry face glaring at him. He watched Anton's appearance from top to bottom. Making sure the man was not carrying any sharp weapons or strange gurgles, he opened the door a little wider.

“Who are you looking for?” ask mbok Ida.

“Is this the home of RT? I wanted to ask him about the place of accommodation. I came from the city to look for an old friend” replied Anton.

“Pak RT passed away a few days ago. Looks like you have to go back home because there is no lodging in this village” said mbok Ida ketus.

“Who came mbok?” ask Parsih.

“This ma'am there are guests looking for the late father and lodging.”

“Just let him in, I will soon meet him” shouted Parsih from the kitchen.

Anton sat in the living room while staring at the walls of the house displayed photos and various kinds of antique decorations. Parsih came carrying a tray containing a cup of coffee on it. Mbok Ida took over the object that in his hand helped put on the table.

“Why are you looking for my husband?” ask Parsih.

“I first just wanted to ask this address and all looking for lodging”, Anton said.

“My husband died in a giant ravine as well as my son who disappeared there. I still can't believe they're gone forever. Dodon is dead, too. Then hiks___” said Parsih is not able to continue his words.

Mbok Ida rubbed slowly on Parsih's shoulder, he shook his head at Anton as if giving a code for the man to leave immediately. When Anton was about to say goodbye, he saw a black shadow figure standing in front of the door. Anton walked backwards until he accidentally dropped a large urn injuring his leg and hand.

“Arghhh! Ghost!” jerrit Anton.

“Ghost? No doubt this is the science of Transo!” mummy Parsih.

Bu Parsih and Ida help Anton stand up and treat his wound. Amidst the ringing to endure the pain, Anton began to open the conversation. He still wanted to know where Dodon's address was and where he was resting.

“Bu Parsih, with all humility. Please help me, tell me where Dodon's address is. I will find out for myself about the giant tree” said Mr. Anton begging.

“Alright then. Mbok Ida will give it to you later. But my message you should stay away from the cursed tree” said Parsih.

“It seems like a mystical thing, do you not find out by meeting smart people or shamans? I have contacts to help mom solve mom” problem Anton said.

Seeing Ida walking while carrying an address for her, Anton asks her to give him a paper and a pen. The address of the Aes shaman he had now written. Parsih accepts like a man who has hope in a plan that has been prepared to get his family back.

“Thank you sir. You can stay at Karjo's house. Chief siskamling officer a few more kilos away. Just bring one of the torches installed in front of the road as lighting”, Parsih explained.