The War Of Hearts
Chap 3 - The Mystery of the Hooded Man.

A little lazy, I have to start a new day with a boring routine. At six o'clock in the morning, I was getting ready for my school uniform.

Down the stairs with slow steps, a little daze to ensure the condition in the lower room. Thinking, whether the woman I saw last night is still in this house or not.

Within the last five steps before touching the floor surface, my nose shriveled as I inhaled the thick aroma that made me dizzy. My eyeballs moved quickly, instantly knowing where the pungent scent was.

Perhaps around five empty bottles of alcohol were scattered under the table, I also saw that the bright brown carpet was filled with crumbs of food mixed with an assortment of disgusting liquid.

For minutes I had observed the condition of the middle room that was not because of, my attention was diverted with the greeting of Papa who turned out to have realized my existence. I saw earlier Papa was pretty cool himself cleaning up the mess here.

Putting some items in his hand, Papa rubbed his palm on the shirt he was wearing. Then walk up to me.

“Jane, about overnight, Papa—”

I reflect backwards, the smell of alcohol is also attached to Papa's body. “Pa, I'm old enough to know the reason behind the passing of Mama.” Not knowing why, I suddenly dragged Papa on the subject.

Papa looked at me with eyes full of red streaks, I saw there was a look of surprise plastered on his face. Rubbing his chin full of sideburns, Papa began to wet his chapped lips.

“What if you have breakfast first, Jan? Papa make you your favorite omelet,” bargain trying to divert the conversation.

I sighed, then hissed. “Do not divert. After all, how could Papa call an omelet my favorite food while Papa never once cooked for me? In fact, as I recall Papa never asked about what food I like.”

Papa lowered his head, one hand clenched, his lower lip he bit before finally passing a rough breath. “Pardon Papa, Jan.”

“Not an apology I want, but I want an answer,”.

Papa did not immediately reply, he raised his head to look at me deeply. “Whatever reason you will know, please never hate your Mama, Jan. Because actually..”.

The words hang, I'm sick of waiting. I will conclude for myself what the reason is.

“Did Mama also do the thing Papa did last night?” todongku with angled questions, managed to make Papa blinked.

If you've discussed the word hate, there must be tucked away mistakes. I do not know what mistakes have been made Mama, for years I was shadowed by many questions, until this moment I still do not know the truth.

Papa was silent for a moment, when he saw me who had turned to step away, Papa then spoke back.

“Jane..”

It was dark, empty and almost extinguished. I want to live in a world where there is a Mama who can color my life through her fingers to invite extraordinary magic.

That simple. But unfortunately I have to accept the fact of fate that Mama could never return to this house.

***

Muffling the annoyance in the morning for having a conversation with Papa, I was stuck in traffic, fortunately I was able to come on time to school. If not, I've already mumbled while serving the sentence.

Walking into the classroom with a frown, my gaze immediately highlighted Lyman and Magani who were already hanging out on my bench. They're not both, there's Ethan waving at me.

“I thought you wouldn't come today,” said Lyman opened the chat, I walked inside the table to sit down.

Putting the backpack on the table, I sat down while holding it in front of my chest. “Tadi road jammed.”

Magani who had been sitting next to me since the beginning, her body was getting full. “Come greet our new member!” whisper but with a loud voice.

I reflexively frowned, my gaze from Magani moved forward to stare at Ethan who was sitting sweetly with his wide smile. My confusion grew when I felt something was awkward.

Watching Ethan's face, I was confused. I wonder, how could all the bruises and wet wounds yesterday caused by Melvin, now gone without a trace?

“Emm ... Your wound?” My head tilted in wonder.

Ethan touches his own face, Lyman and Magani who seem to be aware of what I mean are now already highlighting Ethan with question mark. We were all equally confused, because we still clearly remember how the wound that was plastered on Ethan's face, even Ethan should not be attending school at this time.

“This may be strange, but my family is producing a special potion that can heal wounds and even remove scars. The process is quite fast, so today I look healthy fit,” he replied increasingly make my curiosity increase.

Again, I asked a question, “Special banquet?”

Ethan nodded, then his body he leaned on us to whisper something, “You know? This has something to do with magic, because in that special potion my family needs to use magic fairy powder.”

Not only me, but Lyman and Magani also glared when they heard Ethan's explanation just now. So that magic fairy powder really exists? Not just a fairy tale like what people say?

“How can your family get magic fairy powder?” Lyman asked enthusiastically, visible from the twinkle of his eyes were so bright.

“True, tell us! And if possible, allow us to see or find the magic fairy powder!” Magani was more excited because her loud voice managed to deafen her ears, even the students in the class so turned to her.

After getting delicacies from our eyes, Magani immediately snickered while scratching his nape. He sat quietly again, and the condition of the students in the class was again busy with their respective activities.

When Ethan was about to speak, suddenly my classmate who was doing the picket pulled out the window curtain beside Ethan. It invites a powerful scream from Ethan who looks very afraid even avoid the sun is quite hot this morning.

Actually I've been feeling something's wrong with Ethan from the start. Since two months ago Ethan came to this school, he always wore a thick jacket that covered his entire wrist, and even though I had never seen him take off his jacket.

“You all right?” Lyman immediately got up from the chair, closing in on Ethan who was still grimacing.

Without any more babibu, Lyman immediately closed the curtains.

“Your skin is flushed, even slightly blackened,” Magani said as she pointed at the back of Ethan's hand.

“I was very troubled by this problem, but somehow this is one of the side effects of using magic fairy powder. About the details of why and how my family can get magic fairy powder, let's just come to my house to see and listen to the explanation directly,” explained Ethan, his voice was a little breathless.

“Then when can we come to your house?” I just want to go straight to the point.

Ripping a tissue from his pocket to wipe his wet, flushed face, Ethan replied, “Today can too if you want.”

Unlike Magani who has pranced pleasure. Lyman seemed to be thinking hard, in his head must have prepared a question.

“Hmm.” Lyman cleared his throat while playing his chin. “After knowing that you also believe in magic and things related to fantasy, I have a proposal about the desire that we can do together.”

I pulled Magani's arm while glaring at her to tell her to sit back quietly. Focus on listening to Lyman talking seriously.

Lyman again continued his words, “Since our time in this school is only about one year left, I want us to uncover one mystery that is in this school. Maybe you have heard of the figure of a cloaked man who once roamed around the school?”

When Magani suddenly snapped a finger, I turned to her. “I know that story.” His back bent forward, I moved backwards so that Magani could stare at Lyman who was next to me.

“Konon said in this school there is a figure of a cloaked man who always kidnaps students. And from the story I heard, those disciples were taken to another world. I don't know what kind of world it is, but considering that the cloaked man has the magic ability to trick and deceive his victims, I think his home world must be related to magic as well,” Magani said so energetic.

Lyman mangosteen responded. “True, that's why I'm eager to find out the origin of the cloaked man. Even if we get kidnapped, isn't that fun? We can wander in the world of magic.”

I was hesitant to think, actually I had heard the story of the cloaked man by word of mouth. But I never thought about investigating it, afraid that if later even stuck in a world that does not match expectations.

Ethan said, “You sure you want to investigate? I don't know exactly what the mystery at this school is. But I can help you if you want. We can spend the night in this school until we can solve the mystery. And know if it's just a joke or does it really exist.”

“Then, let's do it today. This afternoon, Magani, Jane and I will visit your house. Guests at once fulfill the curiosity about your story earlier. Then we prepare a few things before digging into the mystery without being discovered by the school,” final Lyman made a decision.

***

In accordance with the mutual agreement, me and the other friends then went home to each other after school hours. Ethan already gave his home address, the three of us will come there after getting ready and bringing the equipment.

I might ask Papa for permission because I won't be home for a few days on the grounds that there's an important event at school. I can't possibly tell you the real reason, because for sure I would be considered insane by him.

While heading home there were only a few more steps left, I was surprised by the presence of someone standing waiting beside the gate. Because of her mysterious appearance, her head was covered in her black hoodie hood, so I did not know who it was.

“Why didn't you reply to my message last night?”

Heart melos. My salivary was swallowed roughly. From his voice I could already guess who was in front of me at this moment.

“Melvin?”

He looked up as he stretched his hair until his hoodie came off to the back. As usual, his face looked so pale as an undead, his expression was always flat.

“My message you did not reply.”

I walked backwards, suddenly my whole body felt a sense of horror. “Where do you know my phone number and also my home address? Are you a stalker?!”

Melvin shakes. “Not. But you don't have to worry. I—”

“I don't want to hear any explanation from you. Enough, aren't you tired of constantly bothering me? Ethan and I are friends now. So, stop trying to get me to be friends. You're terrible!” my sarcasm is because I'm fed up with it.

Surely he digs information at school, I have a hunch Melvin threatened the people in charge of holding the student data with his dark gaze. It's really scary, just a few minutes of dealing with him already gives me goosebumps.

Without waiting for Melvin to reply, I hurried to shift the gate. Walking into the house in a hurry, but was stunned when I found the car I had seen yesterday parked in the yard of the house.

Surprisingly after knowing this I even slowed my footsteps. Slinging towards the door of the house that was slightly open, deliberately so that my presence was not sniffed, if they did anything indecent again then I did not hesitate to leave.

But...

When I heard the sound of their chatter from inside, I became curious and immediately put my ears on the door leaf. And everything they were talking about was clear, it made me sculpt with a chest that looked like it was rained down with thousands of needles, so painful that my vision blurred.

“I'm confused too, baby. If it wasn't for her my flesh and blood, how would I care for her botherlessly. My ex-wife used to run away for unclear reasons, I have to bear her son.”

I never thought I would hear such a word come out of Papa's mouth. All I know is, Papa cares enough behind his messy routine.

“Look, I have an idea. You say goodbye to her for having a job out of town. He's old enough to be left behind, you can just send him some money every month. If this keeps our relationship not smooth.”

The whisper of the woman looked like a demon trying to seduce humans to plunge.

They were perfectly suited to be lovers, and without the need to resort to such a plan I was self-conscious of what to do.

“No need to bother,” I said directly into their chat, my door opened wide, approaching the two of them who immediately moved from the sofa while putting on a shocked expression.

“I'd rather live alone without Papa's role. So, just leave me and live with that damn woman,” I added aloud without fear.

***