Chapter 50 - something has started to grow within me, something dark, but there is light

While reaching the place where they will meet Amin and his dad. Nukran explain that they will start to place a position among them. Though one guy that interest me, which he called himself ‘Soro’ means fox he is a train sniper, and he is at the same age as me.

“While Soro position himself in the a killing position…he is going to take out the men that has the most firepower, while then we’ll take out the remaining men. Kid, you make sure take your friends out of the cross fire”

“Got it…” this is feeling about Nukran, he has that same aura as Darrel. We reach our own position while me and Nukran were together.

“Lets get closer..” I could see Amin and Uncle Faruq is with them. Seems like Uncle Faruq ask Amin to stay in the car.

“So what is going on here, Amin told me about you…”

“Yeah about that…you timid little son of yours, scared facing me then?”

“About the girl…”

“Sorry uncle, I need your help”

Uncle Faruq heads down taking his smoke. He is cool man.

“Impressive….” Nukran is also impress with him, but little that I realise that Uncle Faruq also have allies within him.

“You know kid, this is not something like you should be involved…” huh? Mr Marcus

“Thanks for calling us Nukran…”

“Not a problem brother…” never knew Nukran know Mr Marcus

“Well this is the guy I wanted you to meet but seem you taking your own hands”

“Uh could I leave now…”

“nope you going to see this until the end…” darn it. But I going to rescue Amin then Uncle Faruq.

“Mashallah kid…” huh Uncle Haqib? He is here as well?

“Seems like everyone is here then….” They waiting for something right now. I could hear them having a conversation between Uncle Faruq and Donald

“What do you need then kid?”

“Get out of our way then” Viola pull Amin out from the car

“Hey!! What are you doing now?” A gun pointed at his head

“You know old man, things are hard now with lack of money around…” Viola suddenly change to her true self.

“Viola…no…don’t be..” Amin is looking depress now.

“Soro do it…” Nukran order him, one by one of the men that hidden between them were shot down, damn he is good.

“Alex follow me” I followed Nukran and Mr Marcus is with me as well this time, we are like soldier taking a mission.

“I saw one of them, I initiate my CQC and knock him down while Mr Marcus said to me

“Good…let me handle them go on ahead” I could hear a gun shot from behind, damn man its like I’m involved in this killing.

Once we reach closer, between them. Nukran give the orders

“Go…may Allah protect us all” instantly Nukran throw a flash bang and smoke grenade.

I sprint towards Amin and knock Viola’s head as she was knock down in the confusion, Amin was surprised by this.

“Bro!! What the hell!!”

“Long story we’ll talk later!!” I pull him out from the danger zone. Amin was still in stage where fear control him.

“That was the first time someone pointed a gun at my head especially someone I know…” I would never imagine someone point a gun at someone I care about. But I had another job.

I went out during the confusion, seem Soro is helping me taking out the men, I lift my fist signalling thanking him. I don’t see Donald around. While looking around, in the compound of the Sepangar bay area deckhouse. It was dark, I could something is not right. They were more of them inside including Donald, he is smiling.

“I knew there is something not right about kid!! You that kid that people talk about these day!!”

Shit I’m surrounded. Each and everyone of them is arm to the tooth at least submachine guns and assault rifles. But my adrenaline is started pumping, focus in which to decide. In a short trance inside me as if I’m making a decision.

One side of me the gangster of me started to talk to me

“Its time, when are you going to stop yourself again!! You are a monster!! Become the monster!!”

One side of me the good side is telling me other wise.

“This is not the way, there is no turning back once you set this course into action, what would happen if they find out”

Another side of me (the true me my own hidden voice or to be exact Frederica)

“This time this dark path will sometime lead you to light but it is yours to choose…Alex

Sorry everyone…looks like I’m going to do it. I took breath, accepting the fire within me, my vision suddenly turn slow, really slow but my body move normally. I decide to not kill them but at least disable them to the point of them not moving.

I take a shot and hit the guy leg and take out his spine, I took his rifle, and shot the light. And it turn to dark. My vision could see in the dark, I could feel them, fear, anxiety and anger. I slowly walk towards them. One by one I took them out, Donald look in his eyes is familiar, terror. He runs towards a room. I did not realise that I could capable taking down a group of arm men down without killing them. But what about this guy then, he is the source of Amin’s anxiety.

I entered the room where he is holding a gun.

“Get away from me!!! Monster!!! There no way a person like could take down a group veteran soldiers like that!!”

So they are soldier then eh.. but inside of me is look at this guy, this feeling that I had been missing, taking a life.

I lunge towards him and knock he chin and break his leg. As he piss his own pants, I pointed the gun at his head.

“Please don’t kill me!!” Something within me is calling me an arm between the gun that I hold two of them, a little hand and large arm. I know that is Frederica and Darrel.

“Don’t…” Frederica

“This guy ain’t worth it…” Darrel

I lowered down my gun and said to him

“If I see you again with Amin you know what will happen…”

“Yes I promise!!!” I turn my back waiting for them to arrest him. I suddenly saw a reflection of myself, my eyes the color of my iris change as if something evil within me is growing. A yellowish eyes of mine. My goodness I am a monster.

Then I heard a gunshot, I though this is it but its Donald which is Nukran taken the shot.

“Sorry kid…let me settle this…” he was trying to settle it. But within me doesn’t wanted to end like this. I took a shot at Nukran gun which it hit perfectly

“Sorry Nukran…but I believe he has a chance…”

Nukran started to shed his tears

“This worthless brother of mine had a chance to change you said?”

We both gaze at each other as if we had a conflict between ideas.

“Yeah..”

“It seems Mr Marcus was right. You do have that kind of dangerous aura of yours…something like also exist…hard to believe but that has to change”

He suddenly lunge at me and started a flurry of kicks and punches at me. Damn he is not an ordinary guy or gangster. I countered him back and grapple him down. Kick his back he thrown off towards the wall. I could see the look of his own little brother.

“Monster….he could beat my brother like that”

Nukran stand up and laugh

“You are something kid, Mr Marcus just created a monster here…”

He lunge at me again. It was a long fight between fist, until Mr Marcus and Uncle Haqib was there to see it.

Yet it was ended with a tie. We both lie down to the floor. Having gasping for air.

“You are something kid…”

“Old man, are you sure you not old?”

“Hahaha, I’m just 46 you know…”

Mr Marcus carried me while Uncle Haqib carried Nukran

“Well then Major Maruk, what do you think of Alex?”

“He has the potential…but I could see in his eye he has conflict…” Maruk is his real name eh

“Well we gotta patch you up”

“What about your younger brother?”

“He is going to a new place not here though…”

“Uh huh….”

“Well he will be in the detention centre somewhere he will not be involved in any kind of these things anymore…”

“What about his girlfriend?”

“She is going to rehab, she actually took drugs during this period of time well they are not going to be together for a while though”

“Uh huh…”

“What do you think Maruk?”

“He is dangerous if you nurture him to be an assassin but I have Soro with me I’ll let it slide.”

“You pass kid….” Huh?

“You are ready kid, for the next lesson” another lesson

“But you better wash your face kid because your eyes say otherwise”

“This must be the trance that you talk about eh Mr Marcus ?”

“The last i seen it is from Maruk’s apprentice ain’t that right buddy?”

“Soro….” I did not realise that he is behind me his eyes is the same as me but much obvious. He did not say a word just a nod. He look at me and said

“At least you are not in really deep yet….”

“Meaning?”

“You still have a human heart, not a real monster yet….”

“Maruk what is the lesson that you wanted to share with him?”

“Soro….test him”

Instantly he strike me with his hand i’ve got this strange feeling of enjoying this. I countered it and kick to his abdomen but he block it. And he sweep kick my legs and i fell down to the ground. He tried to stomp me while dodge him and turn myself to the right side and leg lock him to the ground. I punch him to the face and it hit. I lift him and throw him out. He is a bit shorter than me roughly 5’5 but damn he packs a punch. I tried to avoid the him, and retreated back from him. I stand my position while Soro also quite cautious. For a while neither one of us is taking point.

“Now they start to be cautious”

“Well then, we’ll see…” Maruk throw a knife to both of us. We both pick it up, I realise that his eyes are the same as me meaning that I going to break the lights. I throw at the power switch and it shuts off leaving total darkness, I saw Soro is looking around but I know that he could sense it but with less vision.

I head behind him and lift him while slamming him to the ground. He is down now I need to disable him using the knife. While I lock his arm, I manage to release his knife off. But I did not realise that he has another knife and stab at my shoulder. That really hurt!! I was really pissed but suddenly Mr Marcus shouted

“Control it Kid!! Control!!”

Soro talk to me

“Get your emotions in check bro!!” He kick my gut, and I vomited blood from my previous injury. But the second he kick me I grab his leg and punch his face again. I believed that he could feel it really hard. And lastly with a hard headbutt. We both went down in a concussion. My vision begun to blur and dark.

I could voice surrounds me

“Wake up!!” Is that Darrel?

“Get up!!” Is that Nat?

“Get up soldier!!” Darrel again?

I awake and I realise I’m inside an ambulance. Dammit how am I suppose to answer this to mom and Slyvia. But I realise that Uncle Haqib and Mr Marcus is with me.

“Awake already?”

“did I win?”

“This kid…”

“Its a tie, not bad taking down a really tough guy…”

“Are you sure you not military train?”

“i did right? From Mr Marcus and Darrel…hey what about Soro?”

“He wake up like the usual and said to you”

“He is not suitable in this kind of work…” yeah right not that I really wanted that kind of life style.

“You’re just fine, once we reach at the hospital you going back right?”

“But my bike?”

“That dumb bike, is safe and sound right at home…” dammit they will definitely worried about me!! But I’m worried about Amin and Uncle Faruq.

“Uncle Haqib how about Uncle Faruq and Amin?”

“They’re fine, just you is all beat-up…” Uncle Haqib said to me that his wife is preparing dinner, join us alright? Mr Marcus you as well…”

“Uh huh, kinda weak with spicy stuff man…”

“A big guy like you is afraid of curry that is something…”

We arrived at the hospital which I saw all of the gang members that we manage to apprehend including those who was killed. Maruk is there as well but there is no sign of Soro anywhere.

“If you look for him, he is gone to another mission”

“Uh huh….”

“But I’m impress you manage not to kill anyone with your gun…”

“Its a promise I made to someone I really care about…”

“Uh huh…well then this is the last time I’m going to see you kid, hopefully we don’t meet each other again…”

“What about your little brother then?”

“He is fine is just that he’s been sent to place where no one will find him and at least he will lived there for the rest of his life for society…”

“What about Viola?”

“She is now in rehab after that we will sent her to another place as well…but tell me kid why you tried to stop me from killing my own brother?”

“Reference from Oda Nobunaga…after he killed his own brother he change far worst than he was ever will…”

“Hmm…so if you manage to stop Nobunaga from killing his own brother do you think what would happen to Japan then?” That is another question which I’ve also have no exact answer to that.

“Maybe at least he has a heart…” Mr Marcus smile and Maruk grin while laughing

“Hahahaahaha!!!! You are something kid…well then Marcus I don’t think I’m interested in him anymore…”

“See told ya he is not a killer material…”

“Well then if anything you need just call Marcus…”

“got it and thanks…or no thanks”

Maruk leave the place while I realise a red dot to my shoulder, which I know is Soro, I wave goodbye to them.

“Kid….let’s go see your friends then…Mr Rahman is here as well” something big is going now. Once we reach at the ward Mr Rahman and Uncle Haqib is there as well.

“Did you manage to find out who is behind all of this?” Mr Rahman head straight to the question.

“nothing…” kinda strange coming from Mr Rahman

“Dammit….oh what are you doing here aren’t you suppose to be at home?” Mr Marcus back me up.

“Oh he is just helping me with hostel work, and he got into an accident so we going to check for him”

“Really…aren’t your friend will be worried about you?”

Suddenly a nurse interrupt them.

“Is Alexander Imran here?”

“Yeah?”

“Your friend called you”

“Got it…”

“Don’t worry about this Alex, this job will be paid…” huh? What the hell was that?

I went inside there is Uncle Faruq and Uncle George as well while Amin is lying down. I don’t know what is happening here.

“Bro, what happen here, is there a problem with Amin uncle ?”

“My son…he has a weak mind, the trauma from previous past cause his health to decrease especially in his heart. But when you came along, his health is getting stronger but when he meet with Viola again, things come for the worst…”

“Why then?”

“Because Viola is the first one that he fell in love and because of the ‘orientation’ Donald torture him to such a point that he has trauma”

I never knew that Amin had such a traumatic past. But he sleep peacefully right now.

“Hopefully Mariam doesn’t know about this….” I really hope so…

While waiting for Amin to remain conscious, Uncle Haqib and Habeeb including his wife come by but there is someone with them. Mariam in her eyes was in disbelief, that is the first time that she is like this.

“Honey….” I know that face I rather not talk about it.

Uncle Faruq explain everything to her what is really happening. It was lucky that Alex manage to find out what is happening.

“Alex they may need room together…”

“Yeah…”

“No you stay here…” her hand was trembling, I’m not sure whether is anger or grief.

“Alex look after the two for me”

“Got it uncle” after they close the room, Mariam hold his hand. I don’t want to say anything about it.

“I already knew that Amin has scar in his past, he told me about it…”

“yeah…he did not said anything to me though…I respect his own…”

“Because he did not want you see him weak…”

“Dumbass….I rather got myself hurt rather than Amin himself…”

“Then is it already settle?”

“Yeah…”

“Dumb honey….”

“Hey Mar…”

“Hmm?”

“Did my family knows about this?”

“Nope…brother Habeeb explain to your mom that they wanted someone to accompanied his mom to the hospital.” Pretty darn smart

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry about a thing from me…” I have this strange feeling right now. A feeling of telling her the truth.

“Don’t lie to me, those are terrorist….Uncle Haqeeb explain to me as well they know that Amin is my boyfriend as well” huh? What the hell?

“Dad explain to that someone is blackmailing him about this, and mom explain to Amin’s dad about it.

Mariam explain that they are in danger because someone is attacking her as well. My father-in-law explain that the main culprit is Viola his old flame. They using him as an excuse for me to save him.

Damn this is getting out of hand. Never knew about this.

“Sorry about it…”

“Nope…” this is the first time I see her that lack of cheerfulness within her. I’m not sure what am I suppose to do what would Nat will do in a time like this. Wait

“Hey don’t be down!! Here a hug…”

Mariam look really insecure right now. I instantly hug her, and said to her

“You know we three are comrades right?” I hold his arm while Mariam cried out loud while Amin awake.

“Yo….playboy, you have a bunch of girls that taken you now you want my future wife?”

“Fuck you asshole…”

Mariam instantly hug him and cried together with him. Amin offer his hand. All three of us hug together, while all is fine although Mariam have started to get cheerful again.

“Honey, you better improve your health got it, I heard from someone that you are going to play football again?”

“uh…yeah”

“Get you fitness back, help our bro here who have no single talent in this sport!!”

Seems like they gone back to normal. But that has to change from now on because looks like it is time for to tell them what is going on.

“Guys…I need to tell you something…”

“Yeah?”

“What now Mr Gloomy?”

“Especially Amin…”

“Yeah ?”

“If anything happen to me, if I turn myself to path that will not going to change, take me down got it?”

Mariam hold my shirt and shouted at me

“Like we are going to agree with that!! No way!!”

“Bro, Honey I saw it…if that what you mean a monster…that form….”

“huh what are you talking about Honey?”

“Something really dark within you bro…I could sense it even right now I could feel it…”

“……..” I could not answered it.

“Because what I heard from Dad is that you single handedly take down all 20 fully arm soldier by yourself without killing anyone.”

“That is honey!! He is our muscle head” she pull my head to her arm

“Hahahaha!!! Yeah that’s right!!!”

“Thanks Alex…for sharing…”

“Uh yeah?”

“Now this feels like a real family” us three put our forehead together

“Alex this is my promise to you and Amin whenever happens I will always help you no matter what”

“Bro…even if you fallen into darkness I’m going to drag you back to light…”

“Thanks….now I have a problem now…”

“Yeah, about your family….”

“Do you think that you back me up?”

“Ummm….what about it Honey?” Amin is looking at Mariam

“Let’s see now…..what kind of situation would that be then…” I hope she has that idea of her could settle this. My phone rang

“Umm hello?” Its Hana

“Big brother!! Where are you now?!”

“Umm with Mariam and Amin…”

“Huh? What happen?”

“Nothing!! Is just Amin’s relative is sick so we all visit him!!” Mariam pull my phone and said to Hana

“Don’t worry Hana, your big brother is in safe hand with me”

“Uh huh…uh huh…okay…”

“Done, she said that mom and Slyvia is worried sick…”

“Darn it…oh I gotta meet Mr Marcus see you guys” I leave the two love birds away.

Once I head out Mr Marcus is there waiting for me.

“How about the kid?”

“He is fine now…”

“Yeah…about that next lesson is something deadly…”

“uh huh….”

“A real mission, seems like that case with your friend here is bigger than what I have anticipate and its relate to Borneo College.”

“Uh huh….” Mr Rahman approach me

“With this mission, its all for nothing approach because once this settle Borneo-SIGMA will a reality…”

“Kinda strange coming from you Mr Rahman…”

“Well this part is something from the Prince, taking out the bad root…but the good thing is they are gathering together for a meeting to about how to take SIGMA down…”

“Uh huh….when will that be then?”

“After the last paper, you will gather with Mr Marcus, Mr Haqib and Mr Faruq for the final run briefing but don’t be surprised what will happen after this because its relate to your own family…”

“My family?”

“Yep, Puan Mas is a key figure in SIGMA project but I realise that someone from the upper level doesn’t like it. Your dad is just another person that they wanted her to be scared but it did not happen. Because…”

“because of me?”

Both of them nod… dammit why it has to be me

“Uh huh….I’m responsible to all of this now?”

“Ummm not entirely because you just change their course of action…”

“Fine I’m tired now I’m going back…”

“See you in the last paper…” I give them both a middle finger and head back fuck I realise that I don’t have my own bike they sent it home!!

Someone is calling me

“Yo!! Kid!!” Its Amber and Albert in their own car.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Amber is asking me

“Ummm what the hell are you doing here?”

“Well as a matter a fact I’m a nurse and my brother is a doctor here” uh huh…..what the hell is going on here.?

“Looks like you need a ride back home” she suddenly offer me

“Uh huh….are you going back now?”

“Yep”

“That friend of yours interest my brother of his condition but he is also interested in you…”

“Uh huh….”

I ride with Amber while they drove the car. And speed off, that is fast. She drove from the dongongon pass and while they driving Amber started the conversation.

“SIGMA school eh?”

“Yeah…”

“look after my sister will ya…” huh?

“You know…Sadie…”

“Uh..that means…”

“Amber Benjamin that is my full name”

“uh..you know that she has a boyfriend right?”

“Yep Devinson…”

“I don’t think they find trouble any time now…” why the hell am I facing this again!!!

“Hahaahaha don’t worry about it anyway thanks for saving her…”

“But I don’t see you that time?”

“Umm, different hospital and they don’t know Sadie is my younger sister…”

“Uh huh…”bullshit I don’t believed one thing she is saying

“Here…”

She show her picture dammit it is Sadie!!

“Well then, do you know how to drive?”

“Do I look I know how to drive…”

“Then…” she stop the car and ask me to drive

“Go on ahead” I took the car, I remember how the car work from Damiens time but at that time the gears was automatic it was a Buick GNX.

I slowly took the car and it drive, looks like my old memories of driving together with Damien show promises.

“nice…”

“Sorry though I’m not that good”

“A 15 year old kid driving is something you know…”

“Uh huh” while I concentrate driving she ask me again

“What kind of car you drove then?”

“A GNX…”

“American eh?”

“Yeah I lived in America before…”

“nice…never been there before…”once I reach my place I stop at the bus stop. Driving that car reminds me when I drove on the streets of Compton and Santa Monica with that street style GNX while I rode my Cagiva Mito. Kinda miss that time.

Once reach home the only thing that I’m facing is the angry faces of Slyvia and Hana with Mom worried about me. I only realise that this is the moment I rather sleep in the jungle.