ULAM. -- The Escaped Version

Who Are You?

2010-06-06T16:37:00.002+08:00

You, yes you. You reading this.

Who are you?

Episode 13: Into the Future

2010-04-28T21:10:00.000+08:00

Time is fluid. Ever heard of the Kebab theory? One end meets the other, the future overlaps the present and somehow the past gets caught in between? Or the Water Droplets theory, where as time passes on, drop by fluid drop, the past sediments began to gather and surface and affect the current present thus changing the future?

What is time anyway? Welf doesn't remember much of his childhood, but he does remember his father giving him advice about life, "Trudge through life obstacles my son, for life is a bitch, and you need to show her who's wearing the pants in the relationship. He also remembers that day when his father came home all bloodied, and that final breath he took as he whisper, "Let go of the need to avenge my death, I am free now."

Up until now Welf has no idea what his father meant by this statement. Until he met Kella, Freya, whoever her name be. And seeing her warp into space and disappearing into thin air. Freedom, in this context means to be in tune with Time, with Nature, with Oneself. Freedom to move between the Past, the Present and the Future. In this instance though, Kella, Freya, whatever her name be, her intention had always been to change that fateful day where she was sacrifice in the name of Oom.

Oom.

Over Omega Memory.

Forget Terabytes times a billion. Over Omega Memory means a super computer with ∞ of memory space. Impossible to gauge the extend of its ability to store knowledge and information.

And of course as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. It's from Spiderman, in case you don't know this.

...................................................

So what happened when Man got too clever for his own good and decided to create a machinery strong enough to withstand the test of time?

Man gets to be slaves to that technology.

And thus OOM, Oom, OΩM, ruled over the Future, and having knowledge of various theories of Time, decided to meddle with the Past, creating a Present filled with reverence for the higher being that Oom is.

..................................................

Seriously though, its all about the Ego. When a being (lets call Oom a being shall we?) gets too big for it's own head, the Ego will eventually takes over. Thus the need to be constantly worshipped and be revered.

In addition, there was the Boredom. When Oom realized it was the One and Only being of a higher consciousness than the rest of the World's population, and having no one else to challenge it on the Universe's Chess Game, the eventual Ennui will take over and Creativity kicks in.

Oom would create Heroes and Villains and War and Peace and all this ...

All this ...

Is movie time ...

Popcorn in hand he watches the less superior creatures fight fight fight.

Episode 12: Oom

2010-04-27T01:00:00.004+08:00

"Meow!!" the little cat jumped off from her body when she suddenly sat up.

She was sweating. Her heart was pumping fast.

The same dream again. But this time she's dead, stabbing her own heart with a knife given by a lady who she doesn't know. The whole scene is like an ending of her weird dream since three days ago, but it was also hinting something about herself.

Outside the window, there's a big bright moon.

She looked at the digital clock beside her bed. 0100hr. 27 April, 2017.

Argh.. she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down -- it's just a dream, it's just a dream -- "BEEP!!" a harsh buzzer pierced through the silence of the midnight, gave he ra great shock.

It was her phone. One text message had just dropped in:

"Hppy b'day to u, Hppy b'day to u, Hppy b'day to Kella, Hppy b'day to u!! Love you always, even you grow older now!! XOXO"

*****************************

The last time Omah and Kuuns, the sons of the moon, gathered under her big calm moonlit in peace, was like few hundreds years ago.. and It was also the last time when the last prophecy was revealed.

.. and it was always the last time Oom was summoned.

The last prophecy depicted exactly what happened few hundreds years after that -- a scene of brothers killing each others; a scene of blood and greed, of tears and fear; a scene of her sons loosing faith to her guidance; a scene of betrayal; a scene of the holy moonlit stained by the dead..

... and after revealing the shocking prophecy, Oom, for her very first time, fell into silence when one of the elder from the council asked for the solution.

For a while, up to the wait that enough to make those ordinary people loose their patience and started to make low frequency noises, Oom opened her mouth and said,

" ... Nih kene bawa balik semue nih... "

Of course nobody understood.

*********************

Keisha kneed down in front of the combined Ula' and La'am. She started to cast the spell....

Clouds moved towards the big moon, filtering the moonlit and the whole world appeared in blue colour. Everybody started to feel weak when the blue moonlit creeped onto each and everyone's body.

Weapons dropped, everyone except the dead, fell on their knee.

Strong wind blows but without any particular directions -- it's more like a blowing machine blows from above. Nobody dared to raise their head and try to have a peep.

Everybody kept their head down, except Welf. Hence he witnessed this tiny white old lady walking down staircases extended from 'the moon'.

-- 'White' here refers to her white hair, fair skin tone, and the white costume she was wearing --
-- Oom's here.

*********************

"Thank you my dear..." Kella replied the text messages she received, "..but it was not a good start for my big day.. the dream haunts me again... :( " sent.

"The dream tat u followed a cute guy then you got killed then the cute guy gave u CPR then u got alive? LOL!! What's so haunting?"

"The haunting part is, this time I got killed again.. I mean I poked my own chest and --- argh... crap! Today's supposed to be my birthday, not dead-day... :( " sent.

"Haha.. Chill Kel!! So what's your plan today?"

"Plan? It's 1 am my dear..." sent.

"Cool what? 1 at the middle of the night, where the shadow fades.. wink wink.."

"Haha.. yeah right. BTW hey how do you know the song in my dream, Wolfy?" sent -- and paused -- wait -- out of a sudden Kella's back was struck by chilled air.

No way -- --

She suddenly remembered the face of Welf in her dream -- minus the goat beard and the sideburn, Wolfy is Welf.

*********************

Sometime people tend to simplify things just because they have limitation in perceiving something out of their knowledge.

Like people tend to call a human-like creature a 'ghost' just because the human-like creature doesn't have the full 'specification' of a normal human being.

To be very specific, Kuuns are not ghost. They are plain human-being that exist in different dimension. Dimension of time, and space.

You don't understand? Ok let's resume calling Kuuns a group of 'ghosts'.

**************************

Once stepped on the ground from the staircases, Oom pointed to Welf and said,

"Awak bawa tak remote control?"

The world turned back to how it was before Oom arrived, except the Kuuns and Omahs, they were so frightened and kneed on and kept their head down. Nobody understood what Oom has said, except Welf.

"I don't know what's that, I don't have.." Welf answered, at the same he was confused by himself for being able to understand the weird language that come out from Oom's mouth.

"Keisha," Oom turned to the her assistant, ".. bring Kella here, we'll send her back first, before things get worse..... aduh sample-sample nih makin rosak nih..." Oom started to nag like an old lady while watching Keisha bringing Kella's body to her.

Weld heard Oom's word. He understood each of the word from her mouth but he just couldn't comprehend.

Sample? Rotting sample? Who? Kuuns? Omah? Both? Why I can understand her word? Who is she? Who am I?

Welf started to get headache.

*********************

"Wolfy?" Kella decided to call to clear things up.

"Haha.. guess you've got it -- now call me Welf, Kella." Wolfy, or Welf laughed out loud.

"... What's this? Wolf.. Welf? What's going on?"

"I brought you back, Kella. You were the first Kuuns to be brought back from the experiment. And for the fact that you bear both Kuuns and Omah's blood, you are able to keep the memory..." Welf laughed again. He seemed to be very happy about this.

"..wait wait wait.... Welf.. ... what memory? what experiment? what's the Kuuns and Omah? what all these craps are about? and stop laughing like jelly fish!!"

".. jelly fish? hahahaha!! -- alright alright.. let's meet up, shall we? I'll explain everything to you, my dear."

*******************

Episode 11: The Gathering of The Sons

2010-04-20T10:41:00.004+08:00

Welf:

Sometimes the weirdest thing happen to you, but it is so randomly bizarre that you don’t have time to think. Like when a golden spoon in your pocket warns you that the enemies are getting nearer, you do not get to reflect upon the fact that an inanimate object is talking to you. Instead, you instinctively grab the hand of your companions, who are deeply oblivious towards their surrounding drowning in their sorrow, and tug them to run after you.

And then out of nowhere a pain shot through your legs as something very, very sharp and very familiar is whipped towards you and catch your ankles and you stumble over. Before you know it, your face is dead-smacked on the earth and dirt gets into your mouth. Rough hands mishandle you, pinning you down, but in your struggle you catch a glimpse of the lady and her daughter, clutching each other as more than a dozen men, their palms strangely bloodied, surrounds them.

“Hello, Welf”

+++++

Egle:

Was I happy to see the traitor, finally caught, now lying helpless as six of my men held him to the ground? Was I pleased to see a familiar face, still lovely as ten years ago, who are once my tribe’s highest priestess, trying her best to look tough but from the way she is holding to that little girl, I could tell she is quite scared herself?

I might, if not for the sudden appearance of Bae, with fifty men behind him, whom I recognized are my tribe members, but they looked strangely in trance, their eyes glazed over, as if something alien has taken control of their mind.

You, what are you doing here? I asked him.

Sinister smile crept upon his face, I always thought he is the mischievous kind, but the tribe members respected him, and after all he is one of our tribal leaders, with added bonus of marrying the High Priestess, the Kuun woman who custom dictated had to serve the holy altar of the Omahs, perhaps the only ancient ritual that both tribes still had a respect for and willing to accept.

“Hello Egle. Looking for this?”

The bronze plate!

+++

Bae:

Ahh, good. They captured Welf already. Isn’t it easy letting someone else’s did the dirty work for you? Follow the hunter, swoop in and steal away the prey? Brilliant. And now that my men outnumbered his – fifty against twenty – he has no choice but to surrender the boy to me.

And with the boy come the golden spoon…. HAHAHAHA.

Man, I have such a good evil laugh.

“My oh my, isn’t this interesting?”

What the…? I knew that voice!

+++

Hubba:

My, oh my, isn’t this interesting?

I'm hunting for the the boy with the golden spoon, but now I got the whole clan. The nemesis of the Kuuns, Bae and Egle, looking as if they are ready to tear each other apart. Good, internal conflict will weaken them… I have my men with me, almost half they couldn’t see, for we are the Kuuns! The Omahs can’t see most of us. This will be a great ambush tactic.

And who is this…? My sister, my long lost sister, Keisha…?

+++

Keisha:

The moon… oh, great mother.

"Rise up, O-mother.. by thy lights glowing, thy sons meet where the shadows fade..."

The Kuuns and the Omahs finally together, but the men are too absorbed they don’t realize the moon is almost at its fullest. Oh, mother, this is really happening. It’s time, isn't it? Both the ‘Ula and La’am here. Your sons are here. The One is here. I have to help him reveal the prophecy. But how... think Keisha, think!

Wait... Kella. Kella is the answer!

Kella, I whispered, you must die.

+++

Kella:

When my mom said that I must die, I was like, I just did, like two days ago!

" Trust me, dear. I believe there's a reason why I'm here. I was a High Priestess, thus I know a lot about our ancient rites and rituals. I studied and memorized the sacred books by heart. It must be fate that I met you and Welf".

But, why should I die? Why not someone else?

"One soul of two brothers, released under the full silver. The earth stood still, the One on his free will... I read this from a scroll in the temple. One soul of two brothers, you are both an Omah on Bae's side and a Kuun, from me. The full silver must be the full moon. If you die now - releasing your soul - the earth will freeze for a minute. One minute only. All of us will freeze, even the bird and the wind. But the One, that would be Welf, will be the only person able to move. He can get the bronze plate from Bae then. Once he got the 'Ula and La'am together, the prophecy will be revealed!"

Why should I care? I was a nobody. The Kuuns hate me. the Omahs never knew I existed. My dad is evil and you abandoned me. And now I am suppose to sacrifice myself for the sake of people who never care for me? Why?

But Welf, he take pity on me. I knew he hated it, but still, he took me on his journey. He is the only person who likes me.

Maybe he is worth dying for...

+++

Welf:

The moment I saw Bae, I could feel the anger rising. Liar! Killer! How could he murdered my dad, and then pretended to be nice to me. I look up to him, but apparently I am only his tool to get to the sacred 'Ula and La'am.

And it's true, when we are at our weakest physical moment, what keep us going is our will. So, yeah, six pairs of hand are holding me down, but my utmost desire to avenge my dad's death gives me this unimaginable strength. I struggle, kick and bite, and charge towards Bae. And suddenly, the intense moment of everyone staring down at each other ended, and chaos erupted. Everyone is fighting with everyone else. Egle's men attacking the Kuuns, Hubba's men attacking the Omahs, Bae's Omahs attacking Egle's Omahs.

I run towards Bae, but from the corner of my eyes, I could see Kella looking sadly at me. A knife at her hand, inching upwards to her heart...

Wait, Kella.... Kella...!!!!!!

+++

Suddenly the earth stood still. The moment Kella's body crumpled to the ground, the insects stop singing, the birds freeze midair, their wings stretched but not flapping. Even the shadows of the tree stop moving. The epic battle comes to a grinding halt. Swords suspended, the men's faces stiffen in their fury.

Welf look around him, confused. What is happening?!!

"Boy, hurry... get the bronze plate. This is your chance!"

The voice inside his pocket again. He takes out the golden spoon, and stares at it in disbelief.

"Are you really talking to me?"

Does it matter? Come on, take U'la. Bae won't be static for so long.

Welf runs towards Bae. He takes the bronze plate - should I kill him now. No, I don't have time - and purposely kick Bae's groin, and run towards Keisha, wondering out loud, "Now what do I do?"

+++

Keisha:

That sixty seconds surely lasted forever. The last thing I remembered was seeing Kella stabbing her own heart with the knife I give to her, and now Welf is standing in front of me wondering what to do.

"Where's the altar of Oom, Keisha?", he asked.

Where...? Physically, it is at the heart of the temple of the Omahs, but didn't a sage once wrote that the altar is whenever it is a full moon, the Oom presides where ever the shadow fades. Everywhere on earth, for that one night, where the silver light doesn't cast a shadow, IS literally the altar.

And today is such a night.

Here, I pointed to the rocks behind us, put them up there, and I'll summon the Oom.

+++

Legend has it, that presenting the 'Ula and the La'am together at the altar of the Oom will reveal the prophecy. A prophecy so important that it determines the survival of the sons of the Moon. After a thousand years, the two revered tokens are finally together, and what a coincidence, it is the night of the full moon.

Episode 10: The Punisher

2010-04-16T08:15:00.002+08:00

Are you really reading this?

Yes, I am.

You’ll be under my control, soon.

No, I’m not. I’ll be the one who holds the power. I’ll be the one who controls you.

That’s what you think. You won’t have the power without me.

And both of us won’t have the power if we don’t have that golden spoon.

So, what are you waiting for? It has been three days since he left. It is time.

Yes.

We need to get to them before the full Moon. Get going.

Yes.

Now, who’s controlling who?

Curse you!

+++

“The traitor is near. I can almost smell him,” his voice was sharp. Authoritative.

Egle has been leading his cavalry of twenty men looking for Welf. They have been following the rail track, knowing that it will bring them to the settlement of the Kunns. The place they thought Welf would be.

“Remember men. We can only see the Kunn under the shadow of the moonlight... Don’t let your guard down.”

“But if we see them, what should we do? It’s not like we can kill them... nor can they kill us”

Yes, the legend has it that a Kunn can only be killed by another Kunn. And Kunn can never kill an Omah.

But legends are legends because they don’t tell the whole story. The truth is either twisted or half of it is hidden as to make the story more interesting or more mystical or more heroic. or more jutaria (wtf?).

“The Kunns may alert the traitor of our arrival. We must capture them before they do.”

“How do we catch a ghost?” Ghostbusters?

“Bleed your hands. Our blood-stained flesh can touch them. We can capture them. My whips can tie them in place.”

“Do we have to bleed our hands? And how would your whip contained them?”

**Kepish**

“Ouch!”

“That’s your answer. Any other question? And stop whining!”

And so, twenty one men bled themselves.

+++

It is a sacred tool.

It has been passed down to him by his father along with the responsibility to make sure his clansmen fall in line. It is not a pleasant job.

He has endured the pain caused by it when he was growing up. It has bruised him, leaving scars as reminders of his responsibility. It has toughened him, leaving no soft spot, even for a friend.

At least, that’s what he thought until two nights ago.

He was unsure which one was more painful – whipping his best friend, or the knowledge of his best friend becoming a traitor.

But it was his responsibility. He must put the survival of his clan before anything else.

He must punish the sinners.

Treason is the worst sin.

+++

That was brilliant.

What was?

Convincing the punisher that the guardian’s son was a traitor.

Had to. Part of the plan. But I never thought the guardian’s son would have lost the spoon.

I told you to get it from him earlier.

Not that I tried. I was too busy trying to get to you. And hiding you was not easy!

But you hid me well. How many did you killed? Ten? Twenty? Your best friend?

Shut up. We’re almost there.

+++

It is near.

“Who? Wait? Who was that?”

It’s me.

“Where are you? Show yourself!”

I’m in your pocket.

“Whoa? What?”

Yes. You can hear me. It is time. It is near. No. They are near!

“Who? Who are they?”

+++

Kella and Keisha were too lost in their emotions to notice.

p/s: Tengok list empat episod akan datang, takde pun nama aku... nampak macam nak suruh aku tulis final episod je. Boss, if you're reading this, I'm not writing the final episode. :p

Episode 9: Into the Darkness

2010-04-15T20:34:00.002+08:00

And the three of them, a lady, a boy and a little girl, sprinted through the darkness…

First I have to deal with the miniature version, now there's the mother? What am I? Oh yeah I'm supposed to be the One. This business of the One, isn't it a bit melodramatic. All I wanted to know, in the beginning, was who killed my father. Now I know it's Bae, and killing Bae should be my utmost priority, shouldn't it?

Could have sworn that little girl took her last breath in my arms. So she's a half spirit eh? Always thought those mythical creatures should remain a myth, world not getting any bigger. Human beings are fighting for control over lands and now it just so happened we're sharing it with other sub species? And MY mother always said be careful of the Others Welf, they cannot be trusted.

So now I have this map in my hand. And I'm following orders from a mother and her young daughter, in search of the elusive 'Ula, because I am the One. And being the One I have to save the world. Bla di da dah. Bae, oh Bae, I shall wait till the day we meet face to face and of course I would carve out your face.

.................................................................

Welf! Welf! Where were you? Dreaming much? We need to get to the Big Tree before Bae gets to the 'Ula and destroy the world.

Kella, Freya, whatever your name be, we are here already. That stump over there. That's the Big Tree. Or whatever was left of it.

.................................mother and daughter looked at the big stump in front of them, and started crying. Crying for the lost hope, the faith they had on the 'Ula, or whatever was left of it. For Ula was the Big Tree, long ago the Elders planted the Ula within the sprout of the Big Tree, and together they grew tall and strong. There was only one way to get to the 'Ula. Kill the Big Tree, harvest the 'Ula out of its heart.

...............................................................

NOOO. It can't be. Said the mother. Big Tree was huge, enormous, gorgeousness personified with it's lush leaves and swaying branches. You must be mistaken Welf!

No (older version of Kella) Keisha (rhymes with Shisha, yumms) I read the map correctly. This is the Big Tree. We are too late. Bae must have gotten the 'Ula first.

................................................................

FINALLY!!! THE 'ULA IS IN MY HANDS! FINALLY I WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTROL ALL LIVING BEINGS. FROM THAT BIG TREE BURNING ITSELF UP. TO YOU! YES YOU. READING THIS. YOU SHALL BE UNDER MY CONTROL.

...........................................

Nah amek kau. misteri bertambah. who got the 'ula now?

Episode 8: The High Priestess of Omah

2010-04-13T00:41:00.004+08:00

His people always said he had good hunter's sense, that he could perceive sounds of footsteps from far away. Welf’s ear alertly picked up the sound of the dry twigs snapping. He raised his index finger to his lips, signaling to Kella to keep quiet while he slowly stood up and swiftly crept behind a protruding rock, leaving Kella alone in the clearing.

Just as the figure stepped inside the clearing, rushing to Kella, Welf jumped behind it, grabbed the shoulders and in a blink of an eye, his knife was at it’s throat. He pushed the figure to the ground, and as soon as he had a good look at it, he gasped. The hair, the face, the eyes and the lips were a grown-up version of …

“Kella!”, the figure, a woman, bearing a striking resemblance to the little girl who was looking just as confused as Welf, called out...

+++

Ten years ago…

Two men stood a few feet apart, their swords drawn. Both of them were out of breath, they were dead tired, but deep in their heart they knew the fight won’t end until one of them died. The younger man was badly wounded, a huge slash across his left arm, his sword hand. His eyes were fixed, angry and determined, at his opponent.

“Bae, please…!” he shouted. “Return the map to me. You know you shouldn’t keep it. I am the guardian!”

Bae laughed, his shrill laughter resonated across the chamber.

“Why should you be the One? I am the better protégé. For years I followed his order, I entertained his every whim, and for what? Our teacher chose the sickly one instead to keep the greatest secret of our tribe!”, Bae wailed.

“My friend, please,” the other one almost pleaded. They had been fighting down in the underground chamber for hours, a secluded room tucked neatly away on the border of their tribe’s land. No one else would know what had happened in the chamber – the winner of this fight could tell stories and no one could call him a liar.

“Bae, listen to me. How could you do this to our tribe, our friendship? Even if you have it, you won’t know how to decipher the map. You won’t find what you are looking for”.

Evil grin spread across his face, Bae slowly remarked, “But, oh, your son Welf would know it, wouldn’t he? I think you’ve been telling him stories full of hints and sing him songs so that he would know.”

“Don’t you dare hurt him!”, the wounded man screamed, his sword raised, on attack mode. Bae swiftly tackled his assault – on any other day, Bae would lose, for he was not the better sword player, but oh, lady luck had it, today he got golden chance to injure his opponent’s sword arm.

Swords clashed. More blood. More tussle.

They kept fighting, until that one moment, one of the swords found the heart, the sharp end painfully pierced through one of the fighter’s chest. He stumbled, blood spluttered all over the ground, his hand still trying to grasp away the map – the parchment.

Only one person emerged out of the underground room – Kella’s father, who would then wounded his own leg, shouted for help, and told stories about how he and his best friend were attacked by one of the Kuuns who later fled away.

Welf’s father was found lifeless inside the chamber, but no one knew he was killed by the hands of his own comrade. No one, except…

+++

“…. me. They didn’t know I followed them to the chamber. Bae had been acting strange, I knew something was up. I did not know he planned to kill his own friend to wrestle the power away. I am sorry Welf,” the woman explained.

Welf was dumbfounded. Bae, the one who he treated as his own father, killed his dad? And Bae was Kella’s father? And he was evil..??! And this woman….

“I’m Keisha. I was once the high priestess of the Omah. And,” she smiled tenderly to Kella, “I’m your mother”.

Woaaaaaaaaa… is this a family reunion, or what?

Tears were streaming down the Kella’s face (wait, ghost does cry, right?). No wonder the Kuuns hated her so much. She was the daughter of the most powerful woman and influential man of the rival’s tribe!

“Now Welf, do you still have the map? We have to hurry. I smelled trouble. My brother is coming for you.”

Wow, this is really a family reunion.

“I have an uncle?”, Kella whispered.

“Yes my dear,” Keisha’s voice was soft and comforting, just the way Kella’s envisioned it. “I left you with him, when I had to run away…”

“Wait,” Welf stammered. “So the one who we thought was Kella’s dad, the person who killed her, eh.. sort of killed her, was actually her uncle?”
“Yes, Welf. But we had no time to tell stories now. The map, please,” Keisha urged.

Welf took out the parchment, which had been safely hidden inside his coat, and opened it for all to see. The circle, on top of three triangles.

Keisha looked at it carefully, her brows knitted together in concentration.

“Does it mean anything to you?”, Welf asked.

The woman carefully folded the parchment, and handed it back to Welf. She took Kella’s hand, who gripped it as if she would never let it go, and stood up.

“I think I know where it is. Come on, we better hurry. We have to get to the 'Ula before Bae or anyone else got there first!”

And the three of them, a lady, a boy and a little girl, sprinted through the darkness…

Episode 7: Silence of The Night

2010-04-12T19:22:00.002+08:00

She ran.

For ten years she had been running. So there’s nothing new there.

But today, today she ran because someone precious to her was endangered. She thought that if she left her to him, he would protect her, he promised her that. She shouldn’t trust him. Not after all that had happened. But she did. And she saw what a fool she had been.

So she ran.

Faster and faster, through the winds and the trees. And the skyscrapers and the towns that never sleep. She ran with all her might. Holding her treasured chest close to her heart.

****************

“You are saying that… Hubba is not a Kuuns? How is that possible?!” He still couldn’t believe what he just heard.

“Yes, he’s not. If he is, I should be dead by now. But I’m not. I’m still alive, am I?” she poked the heart of the fire with the end of the stick, little fire sparks reflected in her eyes. Knees drawn to her chest, she continued poking.

“No, wait, wait… This is confusing as hell. Hubba is not a Kuuns but is the leader of Kuuns, you are a daughter of Kuuns that can’t be seen by the non-Kuuns and half-Kuuns, but-but here comes another question, how could you tribesmen can see each other? I mean, there’s a mix of half-Kuuns and Kuuns in there, but how did they manage to interact? Maybe that could answer the question of why your beloved daddy couldn’t kill you. And why only you, that are hidden from the half breed? Can your friends see you?”

Then she laughed. She laughed and laughed and laughed.

She laughed till her laughter scared Welf. Till her laughter is the only sound he heard, cutting through the silence of the night, ringing in his ears. Until there’s an old, ancient fear clutched his heart.

And stopped.

She turned towards him, looking at him solemnly, and smiled. Showing the whiteness of her small perfect teeth, with a pair of cold, dead eyes staring at him.

“No, I have no friends. My daddy had them and their families imprisoned in the dungeons, for the sole reason of befriending me. They cursed me every time I came for a visit. Spat in my face. Looked at me in fury and contempt. Called me the devil’s child, hell spawn. So no, I have no friends.”

“You, umm… you could just answer without doing that creepy laughter thing… you know? It creeped the hell out of me…” He gulped down a mouthful of saliva.

Kella laughed. This time her laughter was as clear as golden bell, had a nice ring to it. A laughter that told him that everything would be alright, because she’s there. She will be his sunshine.

“Haha! You’re funny, Welf!” she laughed till it hurt her stomach.

"So, umm... who's your real dad then?"

*******************

She stopped in her track, and smelled the air.

“Blood… of a brother…”

Episode 6: Legend has it

2010-04-10T18:56:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time, legend has it, there were Kuun and Omah, two tribes that were given the responsibility to safe guard the land.

The safe-guarding task was split into 2 time frames according to the moon phases:

The Kuuns will be responsible towards the land starting from a new moon to waxing crescent to first quarter moon to waxing gibbous moon to full moon;

meanwhile the Omah will take over the task from the Kuuns, continuing safe guard the wealth and the richness of the land, from full moon to waning gibbous moon to last quarter moon to waning crescent to the rise of new moon.

The Kuuns was given the 'Ula, a bronze plate. Omah was given La'am, a golden spoon. The two items that hold the secret of the land, which only the future can tell...

*******************************

Welf escaped from the battle, carrying Kella's body.

The little body was light -- weightless, in a way. But Welf did not have much time to figure out. He needed to run, away from the Kuuns...

... away from Kuuns so that he would have ample time to look at Kella's condition -- he still believe Kella shouldn't die just like that.. what have I done? what have I done?

The night was clear. The Gibbous moon started to wane into her next phase. According to the ancient story, the phases from full moon to the next new moon, was the period of time where the Omah tribe rules the land...

**************************

Legend has it, even in the song, the tribes sang it:

"Rise up, O-mother.. by thy lights glowing, thy sons meet where the shadows fade..."

Both Kuuns and Omah are the sons of the moon.. and it's when the full moon rises, the hand-over of the land from Kuuns to Omah, would be held in a ritual under the big, bright full moon.

In the solemn ceremony, both 'Ula and La'am will be merged, presented in front of the great O'om, under the witness of everyone from Kuuns and Omah, the vision of the next half lunation will be revealed, and the elders from both tribe will discuss if the vision unraveled signs of disasters..

..but ..

the biggest problem was.. the song only tells the time when Kuuns should hand the land over to Omah..

... when should be the time where Omah hand the land over to the Kuuns? Of course it supposed to be the next rise of new moon...

..but legend never has it..

****************************

Making sure the Kuuns did not come after him, Welf hided himself in a dark cold cave somewhere in the jungle.

He put down Kella's body, covered her with his jacket, and started to set up fire using the dry woods he found around.

When the tiny spark started to burn into flames and into fire and into warmth and into light, somebody tapped Welf's shoulder.

It's Kella.

***************************

The land has to be safeguarded, because it belongs to the moon.

The ancient folks held firmly to the faith, until the faith loosened and drowned into the sea of greed towards power, the concept of 'safe-guarding' became 'ruling';

and two brothers, tow sons of the Moon, became enemies.

Realizing the devastating consequences, the elders of both tribe held the first Council of Elders, and decided to hide 'Ula and La'am and only the most powerful elders in each tribe knew where the items were hidden.

Since the break-up of two brother tribes, war ensued, throughout thousands of years. The Omah claimed that the land is handed over to them by the Kuuns, and according to what legend said, The Omah does not have to return it to the Kuuns.

.. and the Kuuns claimed their right towards the land, at the same time questioning about the Omah's ability to own the land..

...because safe-guarding or ruling or owning the land, the tribe needs to be able to present in two worlds..

**********************

"Kella...??!!!" Welf was obviously shocked, "I thought you were.. dead..?.. I mean.. are you alrigh?"

Silence. Kella was only starring at him.

"Kell...?" Welf waved his hand in front of Kella's eye, but Kella did not blink.

".... no wonder......" the first words came out from Kella's mouth after her.. erm.. death..

"huh?"

"..no wonder...... " Kella looked at Welf, "no wonder some of my tribe people did not respond to my question all these while....."

"huh..?"

"I thought they didn't want to respond just because they were trying to avoid my question about my mum..... .... "

"Kell.....?"

".. and now I understand..." Kella looked at her palms, ".. they did not even see me...."

"Kellla...?"

"..... Do you see me? Welf?" Kella turned to Welf.

"I...I ... I... aye.. yeah.. I saw you.. I mean I see you... " now Welf was panic.

"..but why?" Kella seemed confused, "..but why some of my tribe people can see me and some cannot, and why you can see me?"

"OK Kella you freaked me out! Stop it!" Welf recomposed himself, "..tell me what's going on! You were dead, killed by your own father!!"

"No.. "Kella looked straight to Welf, "I'm a Kuuns. I won't die, the legend has --- " then she paused.

*******************

Again, the legend has it, and the song sang it.. :

"Rise up, O-mother.. by thy lights glowing, thy sons meet where the shadows fade..."

--- where the shadows fade --- because only in the spot where the shadows of human-being fade, their eye can make contact to the creature from another world -- the ghost, or more precisely, in this case,

The Kuuns.

Troughout thousands years, or more, the Kuuns and Omah the human-being, live together on the land, but in different worlds. The only time when they can see each other, is when the full moon rises, where the moonlit spreads so evenly and no shadows would be seen, not even the shadow of the earth.

..and there are half-Kuuns, live as a messenger among the Kuuns, to carry the message to the Omah. Half-Kuuns can only see Kuuns under certain circumstances, like being granted permission by the Kuuns,

..or the permission was forced to be granted...

************************

"Kella..?" seeing Kella frozen suddenly made Welf panic again, "... the legend has -- -- what?"

"Welf," Kella reacted, "we've got three puzzles to solve but I think I knew the 1st answer..."

"Huh?"

"Puzzle number 1, why can you -- being a human-being -- see me when it is not full moon?" Kella looked up and saw the almost-last quarter moon, "So you're the ONE! Affirmative!"

"The One?" Welf was puzzled.

"puzzle number 2," Kella put her hand behind and walked like an old wiser, "the legend has it... a Kuuns will only die when he's killed by another Kuun.... now you see the point?"

"...er..... so that's why you are not dead because --- OMG!!!! ---- "

Kella nodded, with a serious tone, "... my father, the current Kuuns' leader, Hubba," Kella took a deep breath..

".... is not a Kuuns!" Welf continued her sentence with an upcoming question in his head, "...but.... how could he see all of the Kuuns?"

"..That's the third puzzle....." Kella sat down beside the fire, "..which I don't know the answer at all...."

silence ensued, with a deepest fear of unknown smeared into the bottom of their heart.

************************

Episode 5: Killings

2010-04-07T15:34:00.002+08:00

Why me? Why do I have to be the One?

Why can’t I be the bad guy? The one who trades his soul to the devil for glory on Earth. The evil incarnate capable of death and destruction.

Because your father didn’t teach you to be evil Welf. Men with cute names like Welf are suppose to be the hero. The savior of mankind. The bearer of hope.

Yada da did a.

And now I’m stuck with a child, trailing my every move. I tried the old diversion trick but apparently this kid has hound’s blood or something because she showed up in front of me as I was about to sit down and have a quiet rest under this tree.

Kella, that’s your name right?

Yes, I believe so. My father calls me by that name. But I remember being called Freya by someone. I think it was my mother.

Hah. Fancy that. So Kella, or Freya, whichever name you choose to be called, I am about to be on this journey of self discovery and you being here with me will only cramped my style. Plus I might get questions by the authorities here on the count of you being a minor and I’m not a relative of yours. So why not you be a darling and go home to your tribe at this very instance huh?

Look here mister. I need to find my mother. End of story.

So here we are walking down the road when suddenly…

……………

Release my daughter you twisted sick man!!!

……………

The Kuun’s leader, Kella, Freya, whoever she is, father, in front of me, in the flesh. The man who has the bronze plate 'Ula needed to appease the great O’om into revealing the prophecy.

The prophecy needed to save MY tribe.

……………

Now you wait here old man. I never did ask your daughter to come along on my journey of self discovery (do I have to repeat saying this, sounds so Gleeish) for she was the one following me.

Hah! It’s a trap you see. I allowed my daughter to leave the Kuuns so that she would leave tracks for US to follow. Hahahahahaha.

Daddy how could you! You used me!

Shut up Kella! This is none of your business. Now come here to me. Father needs to bleed this Welf man dry!

…………….

No I won't!

....................

So there I was minding my own killings. Bleeding the Kuuns dry. Sword swishing and gutting them clean, when Kella, or Freya, whatever her name be, jumps right in front of me to stop her father from delivering a fatal blow on my head.

I cradled her in my arms as I feel her final breath comes out. No teardrops falling on my face (hey I barely knew the kid anyway) when I heard her final whisper,

You do know you're the One right?

.....................

Back to square one again.

Episode 4: 'Ula be Cursed

2010-04-06T00:57:00.002+08:00

Motionless. His eyes fixed on the bronze plate. Unblinking.

“Curse you!” he mumbled.

No one knew he has the ‘Ula. Those who ever saw the bronze plate in his possession, never get to see it again for the second time. Not just the ‘Ula. They will never see anything again. Ever.

He makes sure of it.

“Curse you!”

++++

He turned his head and saw her, but she quickly turned away. Pretending to look at the street peddlers.

He walked a few more steps, stopped and turned his head again. She was still about twenty meters behind him, pretending to look at another direction.

This girl is stubborn, he thought. She has been following him from the train station. He sternly said no when she asked to tag along. He refused despite her pleading.

He remembered her secret visits while he was imprisoned by her clansmen just to talk quietly to him, asking him this and that, telling him about everything even when he just kept quiet, never talking back. Although he was somewhat thankful that she brought back the La’am, he will not allow her to follow him in his journey. It will be dangerous. She will be a burden.

Suddenly, he turned his whole body around, facing her direction. She pretended not to notice. He was looking towards her direction, but not at her. He was looking at something behind her, intensely.

His eyes widened.

At this point, she could no longer pretend and quickly turned her head to see what was Welf looking at.

Nothing.

She turned his head back towards him and he was no longer there.

++++

“WHAT? You allow that traitor to run away?” Egle shouted at Bea.

Bea remained silent.

“For all we know, he might have conspired with the Kunns to destroy our clan using the ‘Ula and the La’am!” Egle continued his rage.

“No...” Bea’s voice was almost inaudible.

“No? What do you mean no? You know his resentment towards the clan since his father died. He still blames us for Pol’s death! And now he wants revenge!”

“No... he is not one who is revengeful... I know him...”

“You know him? Are you sure you know him? Then, you would have foreseen his treachery!”

Bea did not respond. His eyes seemed to wonder away into deep thoughts.

“If it’s not for your status in this clan, I would have thrown you in prison for helping the traitor!” Egle hissed, before dashing out from the chamber.

“Gather the men. We’re going traitor hunting!” he ordered.

“Curse him...” he muttered through clenched teeth.

p/s: too short. not black enough.

Episode 3: Kella

2010-04-05T15:40:00.003+08:00

She smoothed the wrinkles out of her skirts. Planting her small feet firmly on the platform, she looked at the tall man in front of her. He looked worst than he did before, before he escaped from the prison of her clan. She was curious, but tried hard to keep the question down. This is my only chance, I won’t let myself be distracted by trivial thing.

“I know you’ll come looking for this. That’s why I took it from you when you left.”

It was a pretty thing. She could understand why the man cherished it but there’s something wrong with that thing, she couldn’t point it out. It creep the hell out of her, and she can’t wait to get rid of it. For days she held on to it, hoping that soon the man would come to claim it. When she saw him disembarked from the train, she almost cried of relief. But that’s for her to know, and for him not to find out.

The man stared at her, wide-eyed. He almost looked, frightened. She cocked her head on one side, puzzled. Why would he be scared to see me? I couldn’t harm him. I should be the one that’s scared. If he decided to hurt me, I couldn’t do anything to defend myself. Adults are weird. She blinked her eyes again.

“Kella… What are you doing here?” The man croaked at her. His voice was scratchy, he sounded as if it took all of his effort to talk. She could see him unconsciously twitched, he was really nervous to see her there. His hands twitched nervously, and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. Red marks criss-crossed his arms with patches of blue and yellow bruises.

“I came to see you. To give you this,” showing the spoon on her palm. “I ran away from them. I was hoping for you to let me come with you.”

Hard headed and determined, Kella ran away from her clan in order to find her mother. No one knew what happened to her mother, and those who knew, clamped up when she asked. Her father refused to talk to her about her mom. He even insisted that she didn’t exist, that Kella came into the world by some sort of magickal thing summoned by him because he wanted a daughter. As if she would believe that. She’s already 10, he couldn’t lie to her anymore, like when she was 9.

She suspected that her disappearance had something to do with the thing she’s holding. Rumors about her mom flared up when the stranger appeared, bringing the thing called La’am to her clan. She sneaked around, eavesdropping on adults conversations. They didn’t see her, it’s easy to dismiss a child, especially when she’s dressing up like one of the lesser clans members. Heck, sometimes she didn’t even disguise herself!

So when the stranger escaped from the prison (how could her father put someone in there? It’s ridden with rats as big as her!), she followed him here and stole the golden spoon when he was out cold. What she didn’t expect was it would took him 2 days to come searching for the darned spoon and she was forced to sleep on the cold, cold tiles of the platform. It’s a good thing she remembered to bring some food and a change of clothes along. Then again, her teddy bag was too cute to be left with her brute father.

The man looked nervously around him. Eyes darting, he searched for the tell-tale signs of a trap. He saw none. There wasn’t even a sign of a search party. The clan’s leader daughter was here, and no one came to look for her? Smelled fishy enough for the hardened heart of Welf. It was either no one knew she was missing, or someone deliberately sent her here, without her knowledge. He decided to tread carefully on the matter, always ready to run at the first minute of danger.

“No one follows you here? Did your father know that you’re gone? What about your clansmen? Did they know?”

“I’m not that stupid you know. Daddy doesn’t know I’m here. And don’t worry, no one followed me here. Things were hectic back home when you escaped, and I took advantage of that. It’ll be days before they realized I was gone. And by then, I was hoping to be gone from here”

From a distance, they heard the rustle of a crowd.

Episode 2: Return of the La'am

2010-04-04T01:58:00.006+08:00

As the train whizzed pass him, Welf ran alongside it, until he saw an opened compartment. He jumped in, closed the door and hid in the dark corner. For a few seconds he closed his eyes, trying to catch his breath. The train was chugging along, picking up speed.

It was dark in the train, safe for some sliver of moonlight that managed to sneak in through the gap between the paneled wall, but Welf could see the angry welt on his arms, the bruises from the beatings he received from Egle. He winched from the memory, but he solemnly reminded on why he was on the train. His hand in his pocket, his fingers curled solidly around a parchment.

+++++++

Welf opened his eyes. A blurry vision was talking to him, shaking him up.

“Wake up, Welf! Wake up!”

His mind dizzy, each of his muscle prostesting in pain, Welf tried to sit up.

“Bae?”

His father’s old friend was helping him to sit up. The man with kind eyes, who Welf regarded as his own father since his own died ten years ago, his grey hair and wrinkled face were the testament to his wisdom. Bae, and his father, sat on the Council of Elders, and were highly regarded as the leaders of the tribe. Bae had earlier pleaded will Egle to spare him from the punishment, but his plea fall into deaf ears. Now that everyone’s left, leaving him alone unconscious, Bae had come to his rescue.

“Wake up, son. You have to leave. You have to bring back the La’am and look for the ‘Ula. Our tribe needs those to survive. You are our only hope.”

“But I’d lost La’am, and there never was ‘Ula to begin with…” Welf’s voice trailed off.

Bae exhaled. “My son, at whatever cost, even if it means you have to again face the dreadful Kunns, you have to recapture La’am. And as for ‘Ula, it exists”.

Bae continued that a thousand of years ago, ever since the first Council of Elders realized how powerful ‘Ula and La’am were if the two revered objects were combined, and how dangerous it would be if they fall in the wrong hand, they decided to separate the two items. The Kunns were given the ‘Ula and La’am remained in the possession of Welf’s tribe. Only the most powerful elders in each tribe knew where the items were hidden, and they passed the secret to their sons who then passed it to their own sons.

“Your dad died before he could tell you, and I think it’s time you know your responsibility. He was our tribe’s guardian, and I do not have an heir, so the task is now yours. We need the great O’om to reveal the prophecy, which is our only chance to save our people, but it will only be revealed with ‘Ula and La’am presented together at the altar to the goddess. It will be hard that now the Kunns have become our enemies - they won’t part with ‘Ula that easy, but you can’t fail us, son”.

Welf was getting confused by the minute. His dad, a guardian to the tribal’s secret? ‘Ula, actually existed? He, the new guardian? And the enormity of the mission! Failure will only bring doom.

“But, what should I do?” he stammered.

Bae took out a crumpled parchment from the inside of his robe. “You have to figure out things by yourself, but this should guide you to the place where U’la is hidden…”

On the parchment was a simple drawing of a circle sitting on top of three triangles. Underneath it was some ancient runes, long-forgotten, but which meanings are well-etched in his mind:

Rise up, O-mother.. by thy lights glowing, thy sons meet where the shadows fade...

“Hurry”, Bae urged. “In three nights…. time is running out!”

++++

The train slowed down. Welf stood up, getting ready to get down, but he got no further than putting his coat on when the train fully stopped, and the door to his compartment was opened. A small shadow stood under the doorway.

“Kella…”, he whispered.

The small girl from the Kunns clan. Memories of his detainment at the Kunns came flashing back.

She took a step forward, holding her hand out. “I know you’ll come looking for this.”

On her palm was the missing La’am.

Episode 1: Where the shadows fade..

2010-04-01T04:00:00.001+08:00

... they did not free me... I ran away.

I sneaked out, and ran away...

************************************************

The train was grumbling somewhere in the distance. The moon was so bright, ensuring the silhouette of everything that tried to hide under the curtain of darkness, revealed.

But the moon light did not reveal him.

Welf had been hiding in this abandoned train station for 3 nights, waiting for tonight, the night with the big bright moon.

"....Rise up, O-mother.. by thy lights glowing, thy sons meet where the shadows fade..." He repeated the ancient song, a song that every boys in the tribe were taught to remember by heart. Welf'd never had any idea about the meaning of the song then, but now he could feel his heart's pumping fast when seeing the big bright moon raising in front of him...

....Thy sons meet where the shadows fade -- Tonight is the night. Welf whispered to himself. A late night train approaching. The rumble piercing the silence of the darkness. The silhouette of the train turn bigger and bigger, like a monster making every shadows shiver...

*******************************************

"... they did not free me... I ran away. ..I sneaked out.. and---" -- and almost immediately the burning whip slashed his body, again.

"Let me make my points clear, Welf.." Egle grabbed Welf's hair and looked straight into his tired eye,

"... first, I really don't care how you got out from there, what I care is that little piece of bronze plate called 'Ula.. and that's why we sent you there, and I'm not sure you still remember..."

Egle walked towards the crowd, holding the control towards the attention from his tribe, continued,

"... second, the hope of our tribe, the faith, the legacy, the golden spoon -- the La'am, is the key to unveil the prophecy of our old men.... and my father gave it to you because he trusted you... " Egle turned to Welf, "... but now it's obvious -- you were captured by the Kunns and you traded your freedom with our precious La'am...."

Egle's raised up his voice to make his statement firm and solid, enough to trigger the crowd's emotion.

"No!!" Welf protested, ".. I did not trade that!!" Welf shouted out his last strength to get the crowd to listen, "The La'am was still with me when I sneaked out... it was a trap!! There's no such thing called 'Ula --- Aaaaaaaaarrgghhhhh!! " A slash on his back, and the burning pain flushed up and out of a sudden Welf felt dizzy and weak...

He looked around and struggled for the final chance of staying awaken, the last thing he saw was the gibbous moon above the crowd...

Gibbous moon... Thy sons meet where the shadows fade... -- Welf knew he'd had figured out something already... but his body and his consciousness just went off.

Welf collapsed.

************************************************

They din free me.. I escaped............ (will you wait for me?)

2010-03-30T15:21:00.004+08:00

In April..

Episode 20: In Which Everybody Dies

2008-10-09T01:01:00.007+08:00

We will all die anyway. Why wait a few more years? Why not go out in a blazing glory? A famous rock star once said, "It is better to burn out than to fade away."

..........................................................................................................

Lang never really did want world domination. In truth, he is a super sensitive individual who happens to be obsessed with semi precious stones. Is it really his fault when a being of a higher power offered him unlimited access to the wonders of his one passion? Imagine having the ability to harness the power of stones. He could literally move mountains, changing the shapes of continents, the very landscape of Earth as we know it. His power would be the envy of all world leaders, they would all bow down to his supremacy. Jason Bourne, eat your heart out!

So Lang brought the girl as instructed by Tyzen to the top of the mountain, the very same mountain where he first caught sight of Tyzen, the elusive spirit of the Forest, guardian of all things old and precious, hidden away amidst lush greenery of wild plants and animals. Suki would be the perfect candidate for the bait. Lang remembered how crazy Duncan had been for Suki. How hopelessly in love they were, both willing to lay down their guards, opening up their hearts to the innocence of love.

All that had to change the day Suki told Duncan she was late. Her monthly menses were precise. Even Duncan would know when to go the the nearest 7 Eleven for sanitary pads midnight run. Suki wanted to keep it. "It's a testament of our love. It's both you and me merged into one being."

Duncan was not having any of that. "We're not mentally and financially ready to commit to a child Suki. We're too young. We still have so much hopes and dreams. A baby will only ground us. We'll be stuck with mortgages and bills and the next thing we know years have passed, the kid will leave us rotting in a Hospice and the last image you and I will see as we kick the bucket would be the nurses changing our diapers. Do you want all that?"

So Duncan told Lang about his predicament. They called some friends in New York, the best place to get the procedure done would be in a private hospital there. Duncan sent Suki on a pretense modeling career booster, and he conveniently forgot about her. Suki herself upon realizing what a thoughtless bastard Duncan was (this while having both her legs propped up on the hospital operating table, her most intimate self opened like a flower for the doctors to probe on) decided at the very last minute, before the general anesthetic injection, to keep the baby. Fuck Duncan. She can be both the mother and the father for this child.

................................................................................................................

"Tyzen. Where have you been? I've been waiting for you like mad. She's starting to wake up from the poison I gave her."

Tyzen told Lang he was stuck in between Sara's mind and the outside world. Her love for him was so strong, additional forces from Tyzen's waning spirit had to be used just so he could break free from her hold. It was her love that first brought his spirit to life. He was but a wandering apparation before he met Sara.

"Sara wants me to stop you."

"Like hell you will. You're the one who started this. You got me into this."

"Sara seems to think this is for the best, that I should stop you from becoming the next Langkasuka. She said Suki should be released to be with her child."

"Suki doesn't have a child. Duncan took care of that."

"No he didn't." Gasped Suki as she woke up from her drugged state of consciousness. She has been eavesdropping on Lang and Tyzen's conversation for a while now.

"So the plan was to use me as bait huh? You didn't have to make me fall in love with you just to do that. You could have just simply asked. I would have said YES! The bastard deserves castration!"

...............................................................................................

Sara, Duncan, and Mraz went up the hill,
To fetch a pail of water,
Duncan fell down and broke his crown,
And Mraz came tumbling after....

What happened to Sara?

................................................................................................

Duncan, all morose because he's a father now, responsibility of child support looming ahead, waving its colorful hospital, nursery, college tuition bills to his face, fell into complete silence as he went up the mountain.

"This is not a hill. This is a freaking mountain," said Mraz.

"The higher Tyzen stands, the stronger his spirit could materialized," said Sara.

"I thought he's a spirit. Spirits can't stand. They float."

It is obvious Mraz was trying hard to be funny, just so he could cut the tension emanating from Duncan's muscular frame. Mraz has been holding a torch (literal torch when he's alone in bed with Duncan's dirty laundry) for Duncan since they first meet. Mraz has never had the balls to openly tell Duncan, for fear that Duncan would kick him in the arse (oh yes please). He watched silently from far as Duncan gets himself into trouble from one girl to the next.

"Duncan. In case we die on top of that hill, mountain, I have to tell you something."

"What Mraz?"

"I love you."

"I know. You love doing my laundry. I figured it out when one of my shirt went missing. And we're not dying on that hill. We'll discuss this when we get back home."

..................................................................................................................

Love and hate are two sides of the same coin.

Sara's love for Tyzen.

Suki's hatred towards Duncan.

Lang's love for stones.

Mraz's secret longing.

All these feelings, now, on top of this mountain. The surrounding birds in the forest started to sing out loud the song of despair. There would be death tonight chirped the canaries.

"She is the mother to my child Lang. Give her up now!" Duncan yelled out to Lang, his voice reverberated on the mountain's wall of precious stones.

"Give yourself up on her behalf first Duncan. I bet Sara told you all about my masterplan. What she failed to mention is that Tyzen wants to be with her, regardless of her choice to sacrifice their love so that others may live."

"Tyzen. How could you?" Sara started sobbing hard. Mraz being her best friend forever, held her close. He took her to the side away from the impending doom that's obviously going to happen pretty soon.

Tyzen stood still and said, "I'm sorry Sara. I love you so much. I want to be selfish this time. I've been alone all this while. I want you to stay with me here in Ulam."

Quick as a lighting bolt something came at Duncan. It was Suki with a huge boulder held tight, raised above her thin figure. She dropped the rock on Duncan's feet, bringing him down to the mountain's floor.

"What the fuck?" Groaned Duncan.

"Yeah Suki. What the fuck? I said wait until he willingly offers himself on your place. Then you hit him with the rock." Lang couldn't contain his anger. This is not a part of the plan. Everything is a mess. And what the hell is Mraz doing with that switchblade?

"Arghhhh. How dare you hurt my Duncan!!" Stab stab!!!

Suki fell down. Her guts disemboweled by a possessed Mraz.

STOP!!!! STOP!!!! This is not how its suppose to end!!! I'm suppose to be the noble one and sacrifice myself for the rest of humanity, yelled Lang to the rest of the people on the mountain. Nobody seemed to be listening to him. "I even have the perfect ending written down;

Sometimes we cling to an alternate reality, just so that we could make sense of the shit we're in at the moment. Lang's decision to not kill everyone around him while sacrificing himself to save the others shows that there's good in all of us. All we have to do is dig deep inside and eventually, the good will surface and help guide us down the right path.

Damn you Ulamer Jane!! Damn you!!

.....................................................................................................

So how does it end?

Suki was slaughtered by a raging Mraz, which in turn got kicked in the arse by Duncan for his earlier confession.

Sara decided to be selfish and took off with Tyzen into the forest. Her fate sealed under the stars as Tyzen released her spirit by way of drowning.

Lang found himself alone on the mountain. A failed attempt at being good. But him is a different story yet to come.

And Suki's child? He has his loving grandmother to take him in.

Finish. Finally.

Episode 19: The Real Sacrifice

2008-09-29T19:21:00.003+08:00

She opened her eyes and found herself lying on top of a cold flat granite surface. The moon was so bright, the rock glittered like a stardust. Suki tried to get up and to her surprise, her upper body, wrists and legs were tied up to the granite surface. She looked around. The granite was no more than three feet high. The breeze came so cold, she started to shiver.

"Help!!!" She shouted. She heard nothing but an echo. She struggled a little but the knots were too tight.

Then her head started spinning again. She remembered a little from the moment she met a guy named Lang at the bar. Everything after that was a complete blur. She wondered if she was being possessed the whole time when she was with him. She wondered if Duncan had anything to do with this since Lang mentioned his name before.

Surrounding her was a clear field with not a single tree. But when she lifted her head, in front of her, near her feet, stood a pole. It was of a size of a lamp post, just not as high. On top of it was an idol. The glaze from the bright moonlit made it hard for her to identify what kind of idol it was.

If she had to make a guess, the idol looked like a goat's head.

*******************

Sara stopped and reached out for Brutus' plates.

"Duncan, Marz... we have to stop. I need to make this important call. We need his help." She rubbed the plates together and a bright light appeared in front of her. Duncan and Marz looked in disbelief as the light slowly formed a human figure.

"Tyzen..." Sara greeted as Tyzen fully appeared in front of her.
"I was waiting for your call. I thought we were supposed to meet up on top of the hill." Tyzen replied.
"We need your help. Suki, a friend of ours, is in danger. We think Lang already took her there. He is using her as a bait to get Duncan to willingly sacrifice himself." She explained.

Duncan's eyes widened and asked, "What are you talking about, Sara?"

Sara looked at Duncan and said, "You know how I told you that Suki is the perfect candidate for Lang's immortalization? Well, that is partly true. Lang only needs Suki to be half way there. The other way is you."
"What?! What do you mean by 'he only needs Suki to be half way there'. I thought he wanted to kill her! And why me?" Duncan furiously asked.
"Lang can proceed to kill Suki and offers her as a sacrifice to become The Great Langkasuka. But if you're willing to sacrifice instead over the perfect sacrifice, not only Lang will become The Great Langkasuka, but Tyzen will be free... Tyzen will be a normal human being. You see, a Langkasuka can only be free or mortal if the new sacrifice is made willingly. Lang wants to be the one and only Langkasuka so he wants to free Tyzen... and Tyzen wants to be free because he wants to be with me."

Duncan shook his head. As he tried to move closer to Sara, Marz stopped him.

"You want me to die so that you and Tyzen can be together? How could you do this, Sara? How could you planned all this while Lang all this while?! How could you?!" Duncan shouted.
"I'm so sorry, Dunk... This is the only way. Only you would be willing to sacrifice over Suki."
"Oh really? I care about Suki as a friend, ok. But care about you more than as a friend. I may be willing to help Suki because I don't want her to be brutally murdered but that doesn't mean that I will sacrifice myself as her replacement! What makes you think I would do that?!" He raised his voice again.
"Because Suki is the mother of your one year old son and you will not want him to be without her mother..." Sara started sobbing.

Duncan raised his eyebrows. I have a son? Oh my God... He fell to his knees.

"But listen... the reason to why I called Tyzen is because I changed my mind, I don't want to proceed with that plan anymore... Tyzen, I'm sorry. I don't think I can do this. I don't want to live the rest of my life in guilt for taking Duncan's life. I love you, Tyzen but we have to stop this madness... you have to help us to rescue Suki from Lang!" Sara said in a choking voice.

"Sara, my love. You know that if I touch another human being, I will be vanished... I will lose my power and will be gone forever..." Tyzen said. Sara nodded as she cried uncontrollably, "I know, Tyzen... and I'm really sorry." Tyzen took a deep breath and said, "As you wish..." before slowly disappeared.

Sara closed her eyes as she continued sobbing. Deep in her heart, she was much happier to have made that choice although she had to lose the chance to be with Tyzen forever.

Episode 18: Far away

2008-09-28T15:30:00.002+08:00

"Tyzen..."
"Huh?"
"Why Ulam is called Ulam?"

Tyzen sat up and looked at Sara, gave her a light kiss on her lips. Sara looks so beautiful under the starry night.

Tyzen hold Sara closer to him, "Sara my love.. 'Ulam' means 'far away' in our ancient language..."

"Far away?"
"..yes.. far away... like the ancient time was far away from the present; like the present is far away from the future..."

*********************************************************

"THAT'S really FAAAR AWAY~~ Sara, " Marz started to rumble, waking Sara up from all her memories with Tyzen, "are we there yet?"

"..erm... almost.." Sara wasn't paying attention. She started to bring Duncan and Marz went around the bushes 1 hour before, when she started to feel hesitate about her plan with Lang.

"Here's the plan -- I know you want to be with Tyzen; and that's bring both of us to have a same purpose -- so you get Duncan to ULAM, and I'll bring Suki there. Duncan is the offering to reach the purpose, but he needs to agree to sacrifice 'willingly', at least we have to make him to, that's why we need Suki as a bait. How's that?" Lang approached Sara the night when she called Tyzen out using Brutus' plates.

Calling out Tyzen wasn't a good idea at all. Sara thought she's got Tyzen over but she's not. She was totally defeated by Tyzen's reappearance in front of her, and her weakness was witnessed by Lang, a man who always knows the perfect timing to use someone's weak points as an opportunity.

Today is the day -- the 16th day of summer in Ulam, the day when the full moon is the fullest, the day when Lang will receive his immortality, the day Sara will be with her Tyzen, forever and ever -- but Sara wasn't so sure about that, but she knew Tyzen will suport her decision.

-- In fact, this is what Tyzen wanted, this is why Tyzen released Lang from the Forest of Sin. "Because I love you Sara, and I miss you so much, and Lang is the only way could help me to have you -- we'll be in Ulam, we'll not separate from each other, in Ulam.." This was what came out from Tyzen's mouth that night, the night that Sara for the first time saw Tyzen in tears, the night that Sara realized both of them are so much inseparable...

Sara stopped. The hidden path lay on their left was the one would lead them to the sacred place. Sara could choose to keep on deviating from the path as what she did for the past 1 hour. Her hand inside her pocket reached the Brutus' plates. She had made up her mind.

"Turn left. We almost there." She instructed.

************************************************************

"Hey.. you are so beautiful.. It's just too bad you're the chosen one..." Almost whispered, Lang smiled at his sleeping beauty in his arm. Suki fell asleep soundly after the long deep kiss with Lang. Obviously the poison on his lips was effective.

Not bad. Lang tasted his own lips. The poison has a flavor that couldn't be defined. He found this poison in The Forest of Sin. He was caged there by the Ulam locals after he came down from the mountain, because they believed the new Langkasuka could only be officialized with the declaration of the old one. Without that, The Forest of Sin would be the place for the potential new Langkasuka, to spend his remaining time, until his destiny released him.

The local believes, The Forest of Sin is the place of condemnation. All bad intentions will be revealed and will be punished -- regardless of whether the bad things have been done, or not.

Lang just shouldn't have showed off his new power to the locals. He spent his most humiliated days in the Forest of Sin, and he cursed so much and swore to destroy the Forest of Sin, and the whole Ulam, one day, when he became the Langkasuka.

Lang lifted Suki up, and started to move toward the sacred place. The full moon was rising from the horizon.

**********************************************************

"But I still don't understand, Dunk," trying hardly to make way out of the think bushes, Marz raised his question, "..you said the reign of a Langkasuka is.. erm.. what.. 5 generations? Then that's not immortality, right?"

"...ye--ah.. in a way.. I don't know... but nobody really wants to be immortal, right? Try imagine if you are immortal but not your loved ones. How torturing it could be to see them dying one after one, leaving you day after day...." Duncan tried to not sound sentimental, "..it's gonna be lonely, man.."

"... you're right bro... what's the whole world mean to you if you don't have that someone you love?" Marz clearly fell into his blues to think of his own loneliness.

Sara was listening to their conversation, quietly, until the last sentence came out from Marz, she was stunned.

What's the whole world mean to you if you don't have that someone you love?
She started to see a point that she'd never thought of before... The face of Tyzen started to flash in her mind.. Her heart started to pump vigorously, she felt harder to breath.. All what she heard from Tyzen before, bore another meaning now--

-- "Because I love you Sara, and I miss you so much, and Lang is the only way could help me to have you -- we'll be in Ulam, we'll not separate from each other, in Ulam.." -- "Ulam' means 'far away' in our ancient language.. far away... like the ancient time was far away from the present; like the present is far away from the future..."

...................

Now she understood. Both her legs became weak, she fell on her knee... "no way.." she murmured..

All these while, she thought she's helping Tyzen to be mortal, so that they can finally be together, like a normal human..; All these while, Lang thought he's on his way to be immortal... All these while, Sara and Lang thought they were executing a plan that planned by Lang....

..It was all wrong..

It was Tyzen's plan, all these while..

The full moon rose. Sara, Duncan and Marz could see the silhouette of the sacred place, ahead of them, in the deep deep jungle..

Episode 17: Twisted Affair

2008-09-28T01:10:00.003+08:00

Truly, her reputation doesn’t precede her. Suki smiled at the clear blue sky, the crystal-like water and the warm breeze that slapped her face gently. Between her fingers were another set of whom she Simply feel in love with, Lang’s.

Both of them arrived at Ulam exactly the day after they crazily jump into something that both of them didn’t expect. Well, atleast, maybe not for Suki.

“Hey what are you smiling about? What do you think of this place?” Lang asked Suki as he noticed her smile was even rosier than usual.

“Hmmmm, sigh. Simply amazing.” You Are simply amazing. Added Suki in silent.

“Come, let’s have a quick change, I wanna show you something.” Winking, Lang grabbed Suki’s hand and make way into a resort.

Oh my…

**************************************

“You know what? Thank God, this place is Always worth the journey. Always worth it even with the worst flight ever!!” Said Marz sarcastically, rolling his eyes to Duncan.

“Hey it’s last minute, and that’s all we have.” Explained Duncan while helping Sara with her luggage.

“Let’s go, let’s just check in somewhere and… Sara, you can help to lead us to the sacred place? Sara?”
“Uh oh, okay..”
“Hey you ok? You seem quiet… If it’s about…”
“You bet it’s about the flight! I even smell like sardines now…” Marz cut in.
“Cut it off guys. It’s getting late, come on.” Sara broke the argument, hoping it will give her some peace of mind.

The one thing she’s desperately need now.

********************

Am I doing the right thing? Won’t it be too selfish? I do want to be with him. But does someone really need to die? Duncan is my best friend…

“Sara! Are you done? I need to use the bathroom now.” Marz banged on the bathroom door.
“Yea, just a minute!” Startled, Sara quickly finished her shower.

Is Lang being serious?

*********************

“Alright, here we are! Now, look at these...” Lang pointed to Suki a wall of stones of different colors.

No way Sara’s going to chicken out of the plan. He was lost in his thoughts looking at Suki wondering around the place, amazed by the colourful stones, not knowing what was really happening.

She loves Tyzen, she wants him to be mortal. And I need Duncan’s blood, well to be immortal. Hahaha how ironic!

“Hey, you said something?” asked Suki as she thought she heard laughter.
“Ah no, just some wishful thinking I have on you.” Lang smiled.

You Are to make my wish come true. Let’s pray that Duncan would buy this.

*****************************

“Sara, are you sure this is ONLY the second time you went here? You seemed to know this place pretty well” Duncan was impressed with Sara memory.

“Seems like someone has been making out more frequent than we thought.” Teased Marz while three of them making their way in the forest to the sacred place. But Sara did not respond to the joke; her mind was occupied with the thoughts of her own.

What’s wrong with Sara? And why do I feel everything is too easy… TOO easy for my liking... Thought Duncan, sensing something fishy is going on.

Episode 16: We're Going To Ulam

2008-09-25T21:04:00.000+08:00

Marz, being the level headed person he was, said “No worries, I got contacts in the immigration, so we can settle our visas ASAP. The only problem now is securing tickets to Ulam. As you guys know, now is the peak season of Ulam. Hopefully there’ll be empty seats for today’s flight there. Dunk, you better bring Sara home to pack. I don’t think she can fly to Ulam with just what she’s wearing now. After all, there’s someone in Ulam that she wants to dress up for…”

Duncan only shook his head in disbelieve. He couldn’t believe that in emergency times like this Sara could still think about clothes, shoes and accessories. “Women...” he mumbled under his breath, before he realized something.

“Wait, are you telling me that I have to drive Sara home to pack and drive AGAIN to here to take the flight to Ulam? Are you crazy?! We don’t have the time! If Lang and Suki had eloped this morning from New York, that means they are reaching Ulam now! Sara, just wear whatever you have. It’s not like you don’t have extra clothes at his house, right?”

“And another thing, what this shit about visas and all? We can just visit Ulam! It’s not under any country’s law; we’re not even bound to have legal identification papers there! So just buy the damn tickets, okay?!”

Episode 15: How Sara Met Tyzen

2008-09-25T20:58:00.001+08:00

“We met in a dream. Somehow I stumbled into his dream when we were in Ulam. In his dreams, I always saw him with families, and friends. He’s always laughing. And then, suddenly he was left all alone. Always like that, the dream will start happy and ended sadly. I was like looking through a glass, until one day, I had the courage to break it. That’s how I knew Tyzen. Through a dream...” Sara smiled, remembering the first time she met him.

“A dream? Are you telling me that you fell in love with the guy that you met in your dreams?” Marz shook his head in disbelieve.

“I know it’s not the usual way, but all my dreams of him are so vivid, it’s hard to believe that it’s not real. Until the day when the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was his face. Then the dreams weren’t as real as they were before.”

“Guys, Lang had already flown Suki to Ulam. We had to hurry! Enough reminiscing already Sara!” said Duncan after he hung up.

“Oh no! Tickets, we have to book flight tickets now! And packing and immigrations and visas…oh! Will we be able to catch him in time?” Sara had started panicking...

Episode 14: The List

2008-09-24T20:55:00.005+08:00

N0 1: Get a hot chick for the altar of sacrifice.

Check.

No 2: Obtain the highest order of existence from the high priestess of ULAM.

On the way.

................................................................................

So Lang found himself in bed with Suki. Mission accomplished. Now all he had to do was convinced the obviously smitten Suki to follow him to a romantic getaway on a magical island filled with amazing adventures waiting to be discovered.

That was easy. All he had to say was, "Baby, I own a mansion on that island, the biggest one so far, built on top of a scenic hill overlooking the ocean. We'll take my private plane and the trip is less than a few snuggles away."

Suki, teary eyed (finally all these years of starving myself to death to attract wealthy gazzilionaires paid off) leaped into Lang' s waiting arms and smooches him into a close coma.

Lang: Whoa there princess. All in good times.

Suki: Of course my love. I'm yours like that Mraz song no?

Lang: You bet!

........................................................................

Duncan, Sara and Marz (no, not Jason Mraz, Mars Bar, MarZ) rushed out to the airport. They already confirmed Suki's whereabouts by calling her mother aka talent modelling agent who happens to be at the bar where Lang picked Suki up, (Lang almost took the mother home by mistake, at 40, she had Suki when she was barely 16 years old, Suki's mom was still a knock out classic beauty).

Suki's Mom: Duncan? I remember you! You broke Suki's heart a year ago. Suki still talks about you once in a while. How you've been?

Duncan: Baaaa (feeling sheepish, he did broke Suki's heart, and sending her for a job in New York was beyond cold) Mommy, I need to talk to Suki. Is she with you?

Duncan always call all his exes mothers Mommy. He thinks its cute. The mothers feel flattered.

Suki's Mom: But darling, I thought you knew. Lang used your name when he came up to us last night. I was out partying with the girls, we just had a show you see, Suki needed her tequila shots, and this amazing hunk came up to us and said your name. He took Suki's home.

Duncan: So Suki's still in New York? Whose home Mommy? Suki's apartment? Le Hotel?

Suki's Mom: Well. Suki left me a message on my cell this morning. Apparently she has eloped!

Duncan: The f!@#$%?

Suki's Mom: Now young man, there's no need to use such language with me. Suki said Lang is bringing her to a mystical island called...for the life of me I can't remember the name. Starts with a "U" I think.

Duncan: Ulam???

Episode 13: Last night...

2008-09-22T02:01:00.002+08:00

Was amazing.

The way he held me like a lover, our body connected with no room for apart. The flow, the rhythm... it was perfect. It’s been awhile since I felt this way; this sense of belonging. Not since...

I dunno how I got here, in this bed, in the first place. Must be those piercing hypnotizing eyes.

And now I’m smiling to myself, looking all silly. Dammit!

Look at him; lovely messy hair, those yummy kissable lips and those eyes. How can I say no to this delicate face?

“Hmmm...”

Oh... please don’t wake up just yet... please... I still wanna watch you.

Suki went lost in her thoughts. Staring at the stranger she only met last night. The one that made her heart flutter again. The one that made her feel, almost alive again.

“Hmmm.. hey. Good morning Lover.” Lang smiled.

“Hey yourself.” Suki lips reached out to meet the stranger’s lips.

“Breakfast?”

Episode 12: The explanation

2008-09-19T05:28:00.004+08:00

“We met Lang two years ago in Ulam. He was a stone collector. Sara and I were friends with him immediately because he was such a cool dude. Plus, we thought he was a normal tourist like we were… that he might need some company to have fun with. Of course we had fun until…” Duncan cleared his throat.

“…until the locals tipped us about some beautiful and precious stones on top of the mountain. But they warned us about a spirit that guards the peak. Lang was intrigued. Sara and I were not so sure. Lang was so excited about it because one of the locals told us that something magical happens on top of the mountain every five generations. Some sort of power transition that occurs between the reigning Langkasuka and the next one. He was excited about seeing what could happen if he climbed up there since none of the people who did that came back alive…

We had some disagreement and Lang went alone. Sara and I left ULAM and never heard from Lang again. However, I have a feeling that he must have met The Great Langkasuka and become one himself…”

“What is ‘Langkasuka’?” Marz asked with a big frown on his face.

“Langkasuka is a title that carries the power to dominate the world. It is being passed to one person and last for five generations. Within that period, a Langkasuka is immortal and although he can’t control human, he has powers to almost everything, even generating a tsunami!” Duncan explained.

“That’s impossible. That’s like being a God!” Marz exclaimed.

“Except that he’s not. A Langkasuka can be any ordinary person but with a Langkasuka destiny in them. Once his reign is over, he will lose his power... slowly to the other person until that new person find a perfect sacrifice….”

“I still don’t get it… If Lang is the current Langkasuka, who was the previous one? And why did Lang have to hurt me? Why did he hurt Sara?” Marz continued asking.

“No one hurt me. That was Tyzen who came in aid. He was the previous Langkasuka or The Great Langkasuka as most people referred him as. He is now slowly losing his power.” Sara explained.

“What?! So you’re saying that this Tyzen guy came to your rescue when Lang appeared? Why did Lang appear in front of you whereas he was just here with me before I collapsed?”

“A Langkasuka can be anywhere in a matter of seconds. That’s one of his power. He must have an agenda putting you unconscious too. Do you remember anything he said before you passed out?” Duncan asked. Marc thought for a while.

“He was asking about a copy of a book…” Marc scratched his head, thinking.

“What book?”

“The copy of your black book. The one that has info about Suki. I have the copy for my own interest, I’m sorry. I don’t think the book is what he really wanted though…” said Marz.

“No!!!!! Why did you do that?! Lang will try to find Suki! That book has her address and everything! He must not find Suki!” Duncan responded furiously.

“Huh? What does Suki has to do with this?” Marz continued to be puzzled.

“Suki is the perfect candidate to be sacrificed, that one last step before Lang could be immortal for another five generations! I need to call Suki!” Duncan stormed out of the room. Marz looked at Sara.

“This is pretty messed up…” Sara whispered.

“Can I ask you one question, Sara?” Marz asked. She nodded.

“How do you know Tyzen?”

Episode 11: Lang the Langkasuka & Tyzen the Langkasuka

2008-09-18T07:06:00.001+08:00

The vertical cliff and the rocky path of the mountain made Lang realized that, climbing up such a mountain was not any easier than climbing up Mt. K2, but came to Lang's surprise, he handled it easily, way, way too easily as if he was taking a stroll in his garden.

It was the energy from the mountain, Lang understood. He felt the energy boosting inside him, as well as 'the calling', flashing inside him.

'The calling', that came from the peak of the mountain.

Lang didn't take long to reach that, and he didn't need to wait long as well, to reveal where 'the calling' from.

It was from a man. A man with diamond-shaped face, wide shoulder. He seemed strong, but lonely.

He was Tyzen The Langkasuka.

"Who are you? How did you get here?" Tyzen didn't expect any visitor. This was a secret place that only he and Sara knew, a secret garden that kept his love to Sara, that hold his promises to Sara...

"I.....I......" Likewise, Lang was shocked to see Tyzen.. "I... I heard you...."

".. you heard me? How?"
"I don't know.... it was.... a lonely feeling... like .. longing..." Lang recalled 'the calling' he received..
...Longing.. how true... Tyzen sighed, he looked far, hoping to see Sara in his sight..

"Oh.. erm.. I'm leaving anyway..." Lang scratched his head and smiled, "..sorry to disturb.... I'm here for my field study.... oh by the way, my name is Lang, Langkasuka.."

Langkasuka? Tyzen frowned, "wait," he turned to Lang, "did you just say Langkasuka? You are a Langkasuka?"

"I'm 'a' Langkasuka? Erm.. I am Langkasuka.. I mean, that's my name.." Lang started to get confused.
"Langkasuka is your name?" Tyzen, too, was confused, ".. How come?"
"How come how?" asked Lang, trying to clarify what's really Tyzen's question.
".. 'Langkasuka' in Ulam, is a title... never a name.."
"Hmm... OK.." Lang didn't find any interesting point to continue the discussion, ".. I need to go.."
"Wait!" Tyzen stopped Lang, paused, and said something that was really out of any sense for Lang.

Something that changed their destinies.

"You are born with the title of The Great Messenger of Ulam, and I think you should hold the destiny of The Great Messenger..." Tyzen said it word by word, but Lang could feel his relief, and he wondered why..

Tyzen sighed, proceeded, "..being The Great Messenger of Ulam you are soon to hold the whole world.. soon enough, just wait for the message..." Lang frown, Tyzen proceeded after a long deep breath, almost chanting:

"I now pass my title to you, as your name is already the honour;
I now pass my destiny to you, as your will is already the future.."

Nothing significance happened right after the chants. There should at least storm or thunder. Chuckled Lang in his heart. What is this crazy man in front of me?

Tyzen sighed again, but this time with relief. He smiled to Lang, "..I thank you, I'm free now.. The message shall come, but be patience.. good luck, and good bye.."

The moment Tyzen turned around, Lang was holding hard to not laugh out loud.. at one point he was still afraid of this weird man he met in the middle of this rocky path.. but .. What da hell was that? Lang just couldn't hold anymore, he bursted into big, big, big laugh..

"WAhAHAhAHAHHAhhahahAHhahA!!!!! That was the BEST LOUSY JOKE I've ever seen!!! WAhhHAHAHHhhahahAHHAA!!! What was that? Harry POOrter?!!" Lang was already kneeing on the ground and started rolling. Tyzen stopped and looked at him. "Or LORD OF THE RING??" Lang continued teasing Tyzen, mimicked the way Tyzen chanting, "I now pass the title to you... as your name is already an honour~~ WaahhahAHAHAHa"

Tyzen was still looking at Lang acting sillily.

"...and .. and ... ehem.. I now pass my destiny to you, as your WILL is already your future... my will? My will? Brother, my will is to conquer the world!! CONQUER THE WORLD..." Lang jumped up as he said "Conquer the world", trying to tell Tyzen that how non-sense Tyzen was.

But.. something shut Lang's mouth up suddenly.

Lang was floating in the air.

"What da..." Lang was shocked to realize this, he looked at Tyzen.

Tyzen was still looking at him, without any face expression, "I told you, you got my title, you got my power.."

"..power....? Ouch!" Lang suddenly fell down, from his 'floating' state, "Aduh~~"

".. Good luck, my friend. Good bye.." Tyzen turned away and left.

"Wait.. !! Wait!!.. Who are you?" Out of so many question marks he had, Lang chose the simplest one..

"Tyzen The Langkasuka.. I mean, I was..." Tyzen disappeared into the black forest of the mountain, leaving Lang behind, stunned and speechless.

The dusk fell, darkness approaching..

ps..sorry guys.. not procrastinating.. I'm stuck in the world with no-internet-connection for few days.. argh!

Episode 10: The Return of the Amazing Lang

2008-09-14T20:27:00.003+08:00

So everyone been giving him so much heat lately. All he ever wanted to do was make the world a better place. It would be easier for Earth to accept one leader to bring together humanity under one ideology and school of thought.

It's simple.

Respect nature.

The idea behind this is an incident that happened during one of his yearly trips to the Island of Ulam.

............................................................................................

Langkasuka, Lang for short among close friends, has a hobby. He likes to collect stones of different colors and shapes. This obsession has brought him into Ulam, noted to be having the best collection of natural mineral formation known to mankind.

The local folks weren't exaggerating when they boast to him the majestic mountains containing layers of semi precious stones intertwined with bleak granite boulders. Lang looked up close as he climbed his way on to the top of the highest peak. The energy he could generate from these mountains...

Episode 9: Realize

2008-09-11T18:02:00.003+08:00

“I called him out, Dunk! Accidentally!” Sara sobbed.

“Called who out?”

“Tyzen, I called Tyzen out! Then somehow I was drawn into the spirit world…and saw him… I saw Lang…”

She continued to cry. Big tears fell down her eyes and dampened Duncan’s black t-shirt. It broke Duncan’s heart to see her that way, but what she said just now barely making any sense to him.

Tyzen? Who the hell is Tyzen? And what Lang had to do with Tyzen? Damn, this is getting too complicated… first it was Marz and Lang. Now Tyzen and Lang, then next who? Jimmy Kimmel and Lang? Oh, God forbid!

Marz!

The realization hit Duncan like a blow. He had to find Marz, fast. If Lang is still the same person he knew, then his modus operandi should be the same. Which means, big trouble for Marz. Really big trouble.

"Sara, Sara, we had to get to Marz, now. Can you walk?"

She nodded. Duncan helped her to her feet, and together they walked towards Dunk’s car. Brutus was left whining, so Sara mouthed her sorry at the dog. After they were inside the car, with all the sit belt properly strapped over their body, Duncan started the engine and rushed through the night…

Episode 8: Flash!

2008-09-10T01:49:00.001+08:00

Sara winced as she tried to fight the light that was blinding her. Slowly, she opened her eyes. In front of her stood Lang who was looking straight into her eyes. The ice-cold blue eyes of him pierced right through her, right into her mind as if he was reading her, like a book.

“You know I got something you want.” Said Lang with his eyes gawking at her, steel cold.

“Lang? I don’t understand...” Sara asked Lang, looking for clues.

Only at this time, Sara felt that the stare was not for her. The gaze was for someone or even something beyond her spot. Like a tiger hunting for its prey from afar.

“You know you want to be with her... forever.”

“Her? What are you...”

“YES! I want to be with her! But you can’t ever fool me Lang! After what you did... I will never trust you!!”

Sara spun around to find Tyzen at the other end. Like trapped in a different time zone, both of them couldn’t see her as much as she could only listen and watch them.

“Ohohoho... I don’t think you have a choice. Well, you MIGHT have, but you know I got the best deal. FREE ME TYZEN.” Lang continued.

“Why should I Lang? Do you actually think I am that crazy?”

“Crazy enough. Because I know... I know how to make you mortal.”

“Oh my god... NOOOOOOOO!!!” Screamed Sara in disbelief.

“Sara!! Sara! SARA!!!” Sara heard her name was being called from far.

Suddenly, it all went dark and she could feel her body was shaken. It was Duncan, trying to wake her up.

“Dunk!” Sara came back to her senses, hugging Duncan in despair, crying her heart out.

“What happened? You were lying on the floor, then screaming and now crying... hushhh. It’s ok now. Hush...”

“I call him... I call him out Dunk!” said Sara trying to catch her breath.

“Huh?” Duncan stared at her.

Episode 7: He's back

2008-09-07T18:20:00.006+08:00

Duncan took the key and started the car engine. Sara needs to be confronted. She needs to know that I was not joking about Lang. She should have known better, she was there when everything happened! Lang almost ruined our lives.

The distance from his place to Sara's is only a fifteen minutes drive. But tonight, however, it seemed like one of the longest drives he ever had to make. While driving, Duncan tried to reach Marz again but failed.

One his final attempt, Marz picked it up.

"What the hell happened to your phone, man! I've been trying to reach you!" Duncan yelled furiously.
"Whoa, easy! I had just turned it on. It's only 5 in the morning, dude. Chill." Marz responded. He sipped his drink.
"Why did you suddenly logged out? Was that Lang? Was that him online, using your computer? What is he doing at your place?" Duncan asked.
"He wanted to use the PC, man. What's with your tone? Is anything wrong?" Marz asked back.
"Everything! Everything about him is wrong. Look, Marz. You need to get out of there now. I'm on my way to Sara's. Let's meet up somewhere..."

Silent.

"Marz? Hello, you're there?" The line was dead. "F*ck!"

When he reached Sara's front gate, he saw her body laying motionless on the floor. Duncan ran towards towards her while Brutus was looking at his owner helplessly, licking her face so she would get up.

*****************

"Stupid phone..." Marz murmured. The battery was dead again. It had been giving him the same problem in the past where the battery would be dead even after being fully charged. Time to get a new one.

He wondered why Duncan sounded so serious about Lang. Why do I need to get out of here? He looked at Lang who was still in front of the computer.

"How's the drink, Marz?" Lang turned to ask.
"Er... good. Is this yours? I just took it..."
"No, no. It's for you." Lang replied.

Marz continued sipping his drink before collapsing. He lied on the kitchen floor, unconscious.

Episode 6: Love, Ulam

2008-09-06T07:57:00.002+08:00

Something not quite right...

Thought Sara to herself while approaching Brutus. Brutus' double dog tags were hitting each other as Brutus was hopping and barking to see Sara came to him with his feast bowl.

Should I or should I not.... contact him...?

Sara pushed the bowl towards Brutus. Her eye was still locking at Brutus' dog tags. The dog tags were two steel plates with the word 'BRUTUS' carved on one and the word 'ULAM' carved on another.

Brutus was feasting on his early breakfast. Sara reached the tags and felt the carvings. Brutus -- Ulam...

"It means 'Love, Ulam' .. .. it's like at the end of every --- "
"-- love letter..." Sara continued his sentence, looking up to his gentle eye. He sealed her lips with a deep kiss. She melted, heartbroken, as that was the last kiss they had, before dawn.

"WOAWF!!" A loud bark. Brutus woke her up from all the memories she had during her stay in Ulam. Her hand was still holding the plates he gave, now the dog plates of Brutus.

She looked at Brutus, made up her mind, "Let's call him up...". Brutus nodded as if he understood and agreed to her decision.

She knew what to do with the plates. "Just a tiny scratch on each other.." Sara repeated what he used to teach her in Ulam, put both plates together and pushed and sheared against each other..

"~~Scratch!" It's the only sound they heard before the two tags automatically dropped off from Brutus' necklace and started to spin and shine. Brutus was freaked out and hided into Sara's arm..

The lights of 7 colours emitted from the tags started to form a figure -- a human figure. Sara could feel her heart beating. The figure was now clearer and clearer, the diamond-shaped face, the gentle eye, the wide shoulder, the strong arms.... Sara was in tears but she knew that she needed to stay strong, at least pretended to.

"Sara.... my love.."

There's already a real human in front of her. "..Finaly you call me..." his deep voice was so sad, but now full of released, "... do you know how much I miss you?"

"No! Stop! please.." Sara stopped him from crumbling her last defending fortress, although she's getting weaker and weaker now..

"I just want to clarify 1 thing, then you please leave..." Sara took a deep breath and recomposed her emotion.

"Sara my love..."
"Don't! Please... please... Just do me a favor, don't ruin my life..."
" *sigh*.. Ok..."
"... Why is Lang here? He's supposed to be caged in the Forest of Sin -- Did you release him?"

He looked at Sara. Sara was still beautiful as before, and she got a little bit plumper now. She's the woman that he loves, with all-hearted..

"Yes I did."
"..but.. Why? Why Tyzen, why?"

Tyzen. He smiled. A name that only would be called by his mother, and Sara. How many years already since the last time he heard people calling this name? He just couldn't recall. He only remembered how disgusted he felt everytime people call him The Great Langkasuka. He hates the word 'The Great', he hates the calling 'Langkasuka', as he hates his 'destiny' to be the next world conquerer.

"I don't care about world domination, I only care the star you want me to bring down to you.." once under the starry night, Sara was in his arm and he could feel the only world for him was right at that time, under that starry night..

Tyzen looked back to Sara, "because..."

Episode 5: World Domination

2008-09-05T09:23:00.006+08:00

The idea is simple. Grab the girl. Present her to the altar of sacrifice in Ulam. Then world domination is one step away.

Lang didn't expect the locals of Ulam, (Ulamites? Ulamers?) to be so bloody picky. Specifics is their middle name it seems. Must be a girl with a name beginning with an S. Must be tall, regal model like.

Thank God Sara's short and slightly plump. Never call a girl fat if you still have aspirations to live your life till old age.

Now where was he, the Great Langkasuka, world dictator wannabe, suppose to find a hot tall model like girl with a name that starts with an S? Hey Duncan has an ex named Suki doesn't he? She's tall enough. Half Japanese to boot.

"Hey Marz, you still have a copy of Duncan's black book?"

"Suki moved to New York dude. Ford Model Management signed her up. It's all Duncan's idea. Rather than dump the girl he got her a job overseas.''

"Okay. Now what?"

Episode 4: From the Other Side

2008-09-04T15:51:00.001+08:00

“Oy Lang! What was that for? I was chatting, dammit!” Marz snatched back the keyboard that Lang had taken forcefully from him.

“Just a sec. I want to talk to Duncan”

“Hn. Okay, but don’t freak him out or anything. He’s already shocked over the fact that I knew you. God, why he always had to be so dense?”

Grinning, Lang shook his head and turned his attention to the monitor and started typing. Marz sighed and walked towards the kitchen. He knew that despite what he said just now, Lang would try to terrorize their friend. The fridge was opened and he picked up a tin of Coke. I don’t remember buying this, but if it has no name, then it’s mine. Hehe.

His mind started to wander with every sip of drink he took. Back to one month ago, back to his trip to Ulam with Lang. Back to that place….

Crack!

“There goes my good t-shirt, dammit!”

He accidentally crushed the Coke tin, and the content was splattered all over his shirt. Cursing he took it off and went off to search for a new one.

And he finally made up his mind.

For us to reach that person, Duncan is the easiest way. We would never want to hurt him, but this; this is for his own good.

From the back, he heard Lang guffawing at the screen.

Episode 3: Cocktail "punch"

2008-09-03T13:02:00.003+08:00

Sara was stoned. This is too much to handle... especially at 4 o'clock in the morning!

“You know what, I think u had too much mojito last night that u fricking hearin... listening... or whatever... things”

“Are you serious? I can even send you the chat log if you like, check your email now”

“No no, not now. I need... I need to... feed... the dog. See, you hear that barking? Brutus is gonna eat me if I didn’t prepare his treats”

“But... what? What barking..?? Sara!”

“Got to go!”

Bip!

“Dammit!”

How could Lang be so stupid and being too upfront about the news that he “survived”??

Thought Sara to herself.

Episode 2: Incredibulous

2008-09-02T07:43:00.004+08:00

A cold sweat ran through his forehead before he wiped it off.

“This can’t be,” almost in an uncertain voice, he told himself out and loud. His eyes wandered around the laptop screen, as if searching for an explanation that only in that wee hour, the person on the other end could answer.

Dun_cAn: Old pal? I wont put it like tat.
M4r2: Oh yeah? Why not? I thought we had an incredibulous time in Ulam.
Dun_cAn: What are you doing at Marz’s place btw?
M4r2: Whoa. A friend can’t visit another friend?
Dun_cAn: Since when r u friend with Marz?
M4r2: Hahahahahahahahahaha. Was, bro. Was.

M4r2 has signed out. (01/09/2008 04:45)

What the…? Duncan picked up his mobile phone and starting dialing Marz’s number. Marz’s mobile was off as it was for the past month.

“Shite,” he cursed. He dialed another number. After a few tones, a sleepy voice answered.

“Hey, babe. Sorry to wake you up. I think we have an emergency.”
“Wha…? What time is it now? What’s going on, Duncan…”
“It’s about Lang. I think he’s back.”

Silent.

“Babe…”

Silent.

“Babe?”

Silent.

“Sara! You there?!”
“I’m here.” She answered.
“I was getting off my bed…” She explained. He released a nervous sigh.

After telling her about his online conversation with ‘Lang’, Sara asked, “Do you think it’s really him?”

“Yup. It's him. Because nobody plays word like he does. He said ‘incredibulous’.”

Episode 1: BUZZ!!

2008-09-01T16:21:00.002+08:00

Dun_cAn: BUZZ!!
Dun_cAn: Wazup?
M4r2: yo?
Dun_cAn: Where the hell hv u been? Flying back to Mars or wat?
M4r2: LOL. Been away bro..
Dun_cAn: ..for 1 bloody month? WOW!!
M4r2: ;P
M4r2: ..and i still dun think tat s enough.
Dun_cAn: yeah right~ holiday is always not enough, DUH!
M4r2: ;P
Dun_cAn: ..so where is it?
M4r2: ulam.
Dun_cAn: Serious shit?!?! u went there?
M4r2: U know tat place?
Dun_cAn: of course I do! And I had good time over there..Gosh I'd never had any idea that there's such a hidden place like Ulam on this planet...
M4r2: same here Dunk! if not Lang who brought me there..
Dun_cAn: LANG??!! kidding me bro? Lang?
M4r2: Yup, Lang. u know him? Cool guy huh?
Dun_cAn: He's a jerk!
M4r2: ?
Dun_cAn: That Lang - -he's a total JERK!! He doesn't belong to there!
M4r2: I dun get u, Dunk..
Dun_cAn: How did u know him? Marz u just gotta be careful with this guy..
Dun_cAn: Marz... u there?
Dun_cAn: BUZZ!!
Dun_cAn: BUZZ!!
Dun_cAn: BUZZ!!

M4r2 has signed out. (01/90/2008 03:56)
M4r2 has singed in back. (01/09/2009 03:57)

M4r2:
Dun_cAn:Marz....?

M4r2 has signed out. (01/90/2008 04:16)
M4r2 has singed in back. (01/09/2009 04:27)

Dun_cAn: Hey buddy what's wrong wit ur line?
M4r2: Hey Duncan..
M4r2: long time no see... How r u doing?
Dun_cAn: ?
M4r2: guees who I am?
M4r2: I'm your old friend, pal..
M4r2: I am... Lang.

Episode 10: The finish line

2008-06-26T02:12:00.008+08:00

Rene looked out the window. It’s raining. And whenever it rains, it will bring Rene back to the incident.

It has been 2 years since the incident but everything seems to be fresh in her mind like it was just yesterday.

“Well, I followed you back to know where you live and met your housemate Ruby. And… you can’t blame me; I like your smile…”

Those were the exact words coming from Rain, the exact words coming from Keywell, an alien.

Aliens…

Rene still couldn’t accept their existence although she had made eye contact, spoke, held hands, hugged… kissed… one. It was all still seems to be not real and just a dream.

Ruby had moved to another state, “following the better prospect of future” she said. But Rene believed that Ruby had fell in love and was only following the love. Thinking back, she has lost contact with Ruby, it has been more than a year since her last call with Ruby. And Ruby seemed to have changed her number.

Well, she’d call me when she feels like to. She’s busy with her kids for all I know. Smiling Rene tried to be positive.

The launderette had since been placed with a coffee shop. Once in a while, Rene took her time to walk passed the coffee shop. She couldn’t went inside although how much she wanted to. It’s a taboo for her to feel what she had felt that night.

Rene didn’t go to the police to report what happened. Not that anyone would believe her if she tell the truth anyway. So she let it be a secret. She let it be her very own experience.

The night that Rain went away, she remembered to be wearing a little white dress. She remembered how Rain looked rather… cute; cuter than usual. She remembered holding to his warm hands. She remembered how she tried to hold her tears.

“Why can’t you stay?”
“Cause, it’s better this way”
“I’ll never forget you”
“I’ll make sure you wouldn’t”
“Lovely”
“I’ll send you email”
“Very funny”
“Just look at the stars and if you find one that flickers, that’s me winking at you”
“Will always do”

“Ehhhemm! Miss Flack, can I have your attention from the outer space back here in the class?” the class broke into a laughter. Prof Langdon stared at her with a warning smile.

“Yes, absolutely sir” Rene apologized, embarrassed.

Across the lecture hall, Rene noticed that Brandon winked at her. Blushed, she looked away trying to focus back at her...

meteorology class.

Episode 9: An expected move

2008-06-20T13:21:00.003+08:00

Ruby just needed to carry Rene out of the launderette as Rain was in a crucial 'low-bat' condition.

The sky was clear outside, Rain noticed that, hence looked at Ruby.

"I know, Keywell. Yeah, everything is fine now... I mean, it's at least under control..." while explaining the clear blue sky to Rain, Ruby passed him the electro-static headset -- a device they use to recharge themselves under emergency condition, "Ulam has taken over the control tower, New Ulam had internal conflict and war happened among themselves..."

"So everything is back to normal now, I suppose?" Rain looked straight to Rene, hoping for the answer he wanted to hear from Ruby.

Silent ensued.

"Keywell...." Ruby seemed having difficulties to composing her answer. "It's about Rene. She knows too much now .... I mean..." Ruby looked back to Rain, sending her final sentence through her sad blue eye...

"No way! We cannot do that to her! She's innocent!"
"..but.. Keywell.. this is the only way to put everything back on track... it's.. shit I hate to say this.. it's expected...." Ruby shouted back to Rain, reminding him their bigger mission on his planet.

"..but..but... Argh!" Rain helplessly fell on his knee. Rene slept quietly beside him. Sun light piercing through the cloudy sky, Rain could see the first sun shine pouring on Rene's face. Her eyelashes shivered due to the breeze, everything was so peaceful and calm, but not inside Rain's mind.

Can she handle that? Rain was not sure. Ruby was right, it's an expected move for Ulam to do this at outsiders who know anything about Ulam.. but... Rene is only 19..

"So how are you going to tell her?" asked Rain.
"No.. the question should be, how are YOU going to tell her.. Keywell, I shouldn't reveal myslef in front of her, remember? I need to get lost before Rene awakes.." Ruby tried to clear up the situation. She is another Ulam messenger who was sent to the Earth earlier than Rain, and three of them were linked together by fate. But Ruby shouldn't reveal any further about Ulam to Rene.

"Argh.... Rain ..... argh..." Rene started to move her body while trying to grab anything she could remember about what had happened. Seeing that, Ruby showed Rain a signal and quickly ran away from both Rene and Rain.

"Rain... what happened?" Rene grabbed Rain's arm once she recovered, "Mrs Hagger! Mrs Hagger was holding you! Rain are you ok?"

"Cool cool, Rene.. everything is fine now.."
"..but.. but... argh my head is killing me!" Rene tapped her back head, trying to recall something else. "I... I thought I heard Ruby's voice.."

"No... she wasn't here.." Rain never expected Rene would have heard Ruby. He tried to cover while thinking about how to tell Rene about their next plan.

"Who wasn't here, Rain?"
"Ruby of course, Ruby your housemate. She wan't here, I mean maybe it was only Mrs Hagger... .and hey look Rene, you can talk now! Everything is fine now! Haha.." Rain started to mumble.

Silent ensued. Rain realized that he might have talked too much, and he also realized, that Rene is brilliant enough to pick out his mouth-faulting.

And she did.
"How the hell do you know Ruby in the first place, Rain?" She asked.

Episode 8: An Unexpected Turn

2008-06-19T18:59:00.006+08:00

Run.

As much as Rene wanted to shout, she thought about it calmly, knowing that she need not to say it out loud. Quickly, Rain dragged Rene to the back room.

PLUNG!

The lights went out. Rain thought it would be safer this way.

“HAHAHHA Do you actually think you can run away with little Ms Rene??” Mrs Hagger's evil voice seems to echo in the launderette.

I know the way out. Quietly, Rene led Rain to the back door.

“There’s nothing you can do Keywell. So you tried to inform the Ulam about the New Ulam project?” Mrs Hagger reckoned, almost screaming her lungs out.

“You wont succeed” She added.

Through the darkness Rene and Rain was being careful not to knock on anything. They moved slowly and quietly. At the same time, they could listen to Mrs Hagger’s confident pace.

“Fuck. She must have locked the whole shop”, Said Rain trying to be calm.

Hey are you alright? Rene thought Rain’s voice was faint and it was as if he’s talking so far away from her. She looked around the dark shop with all her might and struggling to feel the floor to find something that could be use to open the door.

Oh shit. Can’t YOU use your psychic power or something? Rene desperately needed help and Rain was the only hope she got.

Ah, of course. Rene took the hairpin off her hair and started to work on the door knob.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Where are youuuuuuu, you two cute little mice?” Mrs Hagger voice was getting creepier and closer. Rene could have sworn for once she felt that Mrs Hagger was actually besides her.

CLICK!

The door snapped open.

ALRIGHT! Rene thought in relief with a hint of hope mixed with fear. But when Rene turned to grab Rain’s hand,

Rain was not there.

No way. Looking up Rene saw Mrs Hagger held the weakening Rain in her arm. All of a sudden she thought that she didn’t recognize Mrs Hagger at all.

She looked almost evil.

“Hmmm... run… mmm… Rene…” Rene could see how Rain was struggling, panting.

How could I??? LET HIM GO!!! Thinking that Mrs Hagger could read her mind like Rain, she insisted.

“It won’t… work… hmm… just… go.” Rain sounded weaker than earlier.

“Ah I see, telepathic. How cute. Yes RUN RENE. Let’s see if she can…” Mrs Hagger grinned.

Rene tried to move her legs, but it was as if they were cemented into the floor. And suddenly she felt a strong sting in her brain.

AAAAAaaargh. Rene thought that her brain is going to burst! Mrs Hagger was trying to penetrate to her mind.

“STOP! Stop. She.. has.. nothing to do… with this. JUST TAKE ME!” Rain trying to sound as strong as he could.

“Ah I see. Trying to be a hero Keywell? Let’s see if you can do anything about… AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArrghhh!!”

A strong bright light suddenly approaching and went straight to Mrs Hagger’s head. Rain was released, Rene fell on the floor, fainted.

“oh my God! I notice that something is wrong… and I tried to… are you guys OK???”

“Yeah… Mrs Hagger I mean Hagnex170… use the anti-static fiber to neutralize all my power. I can’t hardly… breathe now”

“Let’s get out of here to somewhere safe first”

“Hey… thanks… Ruby”

Episode 7: Speechless

2008-06-14T18:01:00.000+08:00

"I understand how you feel.." Rain took a deep breath, then a long sigh.. A thunderclap from far was heard, but sounded like somebody's moaning, "I know it's hard to convince you," Rain continued, ".. I know it's hard to convince you with all these .... erm... "

Crap.

"Yeah.. crap.. if you think so..." Rain sighed again, "..buy let me tell you what really happened.. ok?"

Rene adjusted her sitting position, crossed her leg and fold her arms in front of her chest -- an obvious defensive gesture that says "try me".

"It was my fault. I missed my schedule and when I needed to call them, my rain coats were with you.."

What a mouthful... Rene just couldn't hold her patience anymore. I even do not understand the very 1st sentence of your explanation, how am I going to be convinced?

Sighs. Long sighs, from both Rain and Rene. Rain's was filled with helplessness, Rene's was filled with sarcasm.

"OK.. the raincoats, let me explain the rain coats first. " Rain tried to compose his explanation into a very simplified version, "...it's our shield, I need to put them on every time I call ULAM, but not you human beings..."

Try harder Rain... if those rain coats are so important, why bother sending them to clean up here?

"Because they need to be electro-statically charged. Tumble drying them in your spin machine is the only way we found in this area to load electro-static charges...."

Rene did not have any comment. Rain's right about tumble dry and electro-static charges. She knew very well how those laundry made her hair stands when taking out from spin machine. But, so?

"So that we have enough electro static charges to send our message to ULAM -- the electro static charges are our power source, it is what we rely on to survive living on this planet. Especially when New ULAM is coming, we need more charges to standby fighting against them..."

Haha, now you sound like Star-Wars, mister. Rene still insisted that these were nothing to o with her.

"... And now they are coming, look at the horrible storm outside! It has been raining non-stop since.... wait a moment." Rain suddenly realized something. "Since when the rain stopped?" Rain looked straight to Rene, while reaching his messenger bag and ferreting in in.

It's a rain coat.

Rene was shocked she saw a Rain took out a rain coat and flipping it, checking something on the raincoat, and then his face turned pale, and fell down sitting on the floor out of a sudden.

Rene looked at Rain. A thunderclap from far, again, which sounded like moaning. What happened Rain?

"The coats.. the coats are not charged... they were not, they've never been charged..." Rain mumbled, "DID you handle my laundry all this while?" He starred straight to Rene, eye was about to pop out.

I did. I put them in the washing machine, but I don't handle spin machine...

"Then who does?"
Mrs. Hagger..
"Mrs. Hagger?" Rain paused for less than 1 seconds before he suddenly got to Rene and hold her shoulder, "Rene, I need you to tell me this, how well do you know Mrs Hagger?" Almost whispering, but Rene could feel Rain's shivering.

Rene was frightened. Not... not that well... I started to work here when Mrs Hagger first opened up this launderette.. it was about 2 months ago.... I ... I...

"Oh my God!..... Rene," Rain hold Rene's hand,"..run.."

"I guess my strategy just worked to open up the ONLY launderette in this little town for you, don't you think so, Rain?" Rene and Rain grasped while turning toward the silhouette at the entrance of the launderette.

".... Or shall I call you Keywell970?" When a lighting flashed on the silhouette, the saw the lady.

It was Mrs Hagger.

Episode 6: Silenced.

2008-06-10T22:00:00.007+08:00

"Hey!! Hey!! Rene!! RENE!!"

Rene woke up with a grasp. Panting. Cold sweat running down her face.

What the hell happened?

“What is going on? You were found lying on the street!”

Is this a hospital?

“You seemed to be struggling just now; I had to wake you up. Are okay? Here, drink some water”

It’s ALL a fucking dream?? But it seems to be so fucking real! Thought Rene. She angrily took the cup from Ruby’s hand.

“You said something about ULAM…”

ULAM.. shit. As if the word brought all her senses back to her, Rene gets out of the sick bed and looking for her handphone.

Where is it dammit??

“Hey where are you going? You supposed to be warded… atleast until… Rene, listen to me!” begged Ruby but Rene is already out of the room.

I’m gonna get that son of a bitch. Rene was walking fast; almost running to… she didn’t know where.

But it COULD be real. I mean, alien always have this telepathic way of communicating. IF he is one, he surely can penetrate into my dream. And without a doubt he surely can know that I WAS at the 76 street. ANNNDDD now there’s there no mistake of how he got my number!

Rene kept on walking. She’s too busy in her thoughts that she didn’t realize where her feet took her. Not that she care.

But it doesn’t make any sense at all. What is Rain trying to tell me! New Ulam, weather delivery, strange lab with huge window and now aliens?? HAHAHAHAHA comon!!! As she laughed by herself, Rene noticed few heads turned to her.

WHAT? What are you looking at? Do I look crazy to you?! Mind your own shit!

Honk! HONNKK!! SCREEEECHHHH!!!

A car missed Rene by an inch. Only then, Rene realized that her feet brought her to the launderette.

Fuck you, drunkard. Rene couldn’t seem to calm herself. She’s so angry, tired, confused and blank with no idea of what was going on. Everything seems to be a little too much for her to digest at one time.

And of all places… why do I go here in the first place? Although her heart and mind didn’t agree with her actions, she still pushed the launderette door to come in.

Kling, kling!

Hmm? Eh? Where is Mrs Hagger. She should be here. It’s only 8:30pm. And why issit darn quiet in here? Rene wondered around the launderette trying to find her employer, trying to find if everything is fine. Rene found it weird that Mrs Hagger left the place unattended.

Suddenly the lights went off.

Oh crap! What now?! Finding her way out of the launderette, she bumped herself on the counter and fell over a chair.

“Who’s there?!” a voice from the back room shouted.

Unable to get up quickly, she was caught. Then the light went back on.

“Oh it was you.” Rain appeared from the back.

At this point of time, Rene couldn’t believe her eyes. She lost of words to say.

Now what?? He MADE me come here? With is freaky alien superpower?? Rene whispered to herself.

Hey we really need to talk. Rene was not sure if that tone is serious enough to make Rain realized how bad the situation Rain had put her in.

“Come let me help you up.” Rain helped Rene to the waiting seats beside the coffee maker.

Oh, there you go, trying pretending to give me sweets before the poison. And where is Mrs Hagger? Is she really okay?? Darn I feel dizzy. With a thank you nod, Rene tucked her hair behind her ears as Rain passed her a fresh brewed coffee with aspirin.

“Mrs Hagger was out. She was pissed off before she got out - getting a pizza. And she asked me before she left to fix the light bulb.” Rain explained.

The launderette appears to be quieter than usual. The two of them sat opposite to each other. Awkwardness seems like a heavy fume filling the air. Only the smell of brewed Brazilian coffee able to ease the atmosphere.

Wait. HOW did he know I’d do with a couple of aspirin for my headache?? Rene puzzled.

No way.

“Everything is possible nowadays.” Rain’s tone was soft, trying to calm Rene for her astonishment.

“Aak… hmm… aa” Rene cleared her throat trying to say something. Grasping in disbelief!

“Hey it’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. You need to rest.” comfort Rain.

“Ehheemm… aakk erm ai…” Rene tried again. But this time, she knew it.

She lost her voice.

You’ve gotta be kidding me!!! You took away my voice?!! Rene stood up. Pushing away the cup of coffee Rain made her.

“Listen, I need to know if you won’t tell it to anyone. I mean ANYONE. Did you get me?? I will surely return it to you when I know, I can really trust you.” Rain hold both of Rene arms, trying to both calming her and to ensure that Rene understood everything that he said.

Is THIS guy... thing.. or whatever THINKS that he CANNOT trust me?? I'm THE ONE who can NEVER trust him!! Rene was thinking to herself knowing that it'd still be known to Rain, no matter how.

Feeling helpless, Rene just stared at Rain cluelessly.

Episode 5: Faltering Mistake

2008-06-07T23:07:00.001+08:00

Ulam? Whatever.

Rene switched back to calling mode in her phone while keeping her pace constant enough to not cause her fatigued. The rain outside was still going on, never showed any slight signs of stopping. 88-555-2-6, Rene redialed the number.

Rene was in the midst of sorting out all the chaos in her mind when the number got connected, as usual.

"Location marked. Status confirmed. You're already there. 3 days earlier? Good."Hung up.

That's it?

The call did not help at all in solving all these mysteries, obviously. Rene sighed, out of her exhaustion of trying to see through all these. She felt like she was now a mouse that was chased after by something she had no idea at all, a mouse that was running for almost no reason.

She started to slow down her pace, turned to the building that she had run out from. Fuck you. She cursed, and then shouted the same word loudly, again and again. "I don't know WHAT are you, I don't know WHAT are all these about, but you know what? I DON'T CARE!!" followed by another 3 times of cursing which started with F.

"Rene...?"
Rain?
Rene turned around and she saw Rain, the god-damn pale pig that she would first beat him up before asking him to reveal all about this god-damn stupid game.

"Why are you here? Oh my God you shouldn't be here! Oh no... Didn't you read my message in the launderette?"Rain seemed clueless about her appearance, which really pissed Rene off.

"YOU!" Rene started to move forward to Rain. She would definitely crumple him up once she reached him, "Tell me all about this SHIT before I kill you!"

"Hold... hold! Rene, I told you not to listen to them.. I....I'm sorry to get you involved... Rene.. cool! cool! Calm down!.. I..I...LOOK! I can't call you... that's why I had to leave you the notes.... I really wished I could explain it thoroughly to you... but not on paper... Rene! Calm down! Calm down!" Rain was stepping back while trying to calm Rene down, by the end or his explanation, he saw Rene slowed down and eventually frozen at the point she stood.

A thunderclap roared. The storm seemed getting stronger. Both Rain and Rene were now soaked wet, in the middle of the abandoned 76th Street.

The sudden change of Rene made Rain wondered. He stepped forward, closer to Rene.

"Rene?" almost whispered, "...you OK?"

Rene looked at Rain and mumbled, "... so you're saying you can't call me? so you're saying.... I shouldn't get ANY calls from you?"

Rain nodded. "Well if I don't call you, why will you get my call at the first place?" Rain tried to make the statement clear as everything was in his control, until he figured out what JUST happened to Rene...

"Wait.. Rene," Rain looked back to Rene cautiously, hoping what's in his mind was not real, "did you......."

Rene nodded. Rain's face turned pale. Shit.

"I thought that was you!" Rene tried to explain, realizing she had done one big mistake, which she didn't know what kind of consequences would ensue.

"What did he say?"
"He made me dialed the number again... and I just did..."

A flash of lightning, flashing on Rain's pale face. That made him looked like a white creatures with human figure, not a human being.

".. and then the one answering the call said something about confirming location and status... Rain, what is this? Tell me! Rain!"

Rain took a deep breath when another thunderclap sounded. He could feel his fright, smearing upward from the ground he stood on.

"They are coming."
"Who?"
"They invaded the system, and claimed themselves as New Ulam.."
"Huh?"
"Ulam is a system managing weather in each planet of the universe. I was sent to Earth as messenger.."
"........."
"I didn't realized the invasion when I asked you to call the number -- the number is a signal sent to the center, it's our way of reporting.."
".... and what happened?"
"When you called, you've just revealed ourselves to them.."
"Ourselves?"
"Yeah, planet Earth."

Silent ensued. Rene wished she could accept Rain's explanation, but it seemed so illogic. On the other hand she felt Rain's seriousness was really ... impressive....

"So is this going to be the end of the world?" Rene tried to posed a tone that didn't sound insulting.
Carefully, after a few seconds of pondering, Rain opened his mouth,

"..maybe.."

"MUAHAHAHAHAHaHahahahhahahahaahhaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Rene just couldn't hold anymore, she burst into HUGE laugh.

Episode 4: Fluky Mistake

2008-06-07T02:11:00.005+08:00

“Meet us at 76 street West End Avenue, three days from today at 11pm. Sharp.”

The unknown lady voice of the unknown number seems to haunt Rene as she continues wondering what the connection between the odd number and weather is.

The voice sounded familiar, but… She is on her way to 76 Street. Thinking that she still has 3 days before the meeting, she’d check out the “delivery” place first.

The streets are getting darker and quieter as she goes on. She seems to be walking away from the crowd, away from the noisy background. Taking off her iPod she needs to listen to her surrounding…

for caution.

What is this place?

“Is someone ther?” Her reluctant voice echoed within the empty street. For once she felt like someone is following her, watching her.

I swear to God, I heard someone. Okay this might not be the smartest move. Thought Rene, but still she went on the dark street trying to figure out what kinda place it is.

Rene went into an aged building which stood proudly opposite her. The place is evidently abandon with rats wondering every here and there.

Eeuww. This does look like an old research center or lab or something.

THUD!!

“Who’s there??!” grasped Rene.

What the hell is wrong with me getting all jumpy like this! It’s prolly just rats. Note Rene to herself, hoping to calm her senses. She went upstairs of the building and found herself stood in amazed in fronna huge window looking out to the city.

Wow.

Tijb, tijb, tijb.

Isn’t that the sounds of footsteps? Rene heard something, but she wouldn’t dare to look back.

Tijb, tijb, tijb, TIJB.

Wet footsteps? The sound gets closer and closer. And Rene can’t move. Seems that all her legs muscle just die. She felt like her feet were glued to the floor. Or it’s more like she wouldn’t dare to move a muscle.

Tijb, tijb, tijb, TIJB, TIJB. The sound gets louder and louder.

Then, dead silence. The sound seems to stop on its own.

OKAY think. Think! Oh… the reflection! Rene tried to catch a figure from whatever that making such noise behind her from the reflection of the old window. And from there she saw…

Rene let out a lil squeal as her handphone rings.

“Hello”
“Hello” Rain answered.

Rene glanced again at the window to check if the figure is still there…

but it’s gone. Dammit.

“Hello, helloooo, I can’t hear you, speak up!” Rene went closer to the window, trying to get a better reception for the conversation.

“Hellooo did you get my message?” Rain asked.
“Are you ther? Yes, I did get your message. Hey what’s going on? Hello??”
“Hey you are breaking up. Your voice is not clear. Hello?? Where are you??”
“Yes, yes, I can hear you now. What’s up?!”
“Listen I need you to call the number again. Can you hear me?”
“Yes I can. But didn’t you say to forget about it?”
“I know but something came up, and I need your help again. The number is 8855526.”
“Come again, you’re breaking up too!”
“JUST CALL 8855526. CATCH YOU LATER.”
“But…”

Rain hung up.

CRASSHH!!

Something’s broken. By this time, Rene thought it’s only wise to leave the place. She quickly went downstairs and out of the building. She’s running to get out of the street and at the same time, trying to dial the odd number again.

Dammit, why doesn’t this number connect?? Is Rain making fun of me??

Rene stopped for a breather when she reached the crowded street again. She checked out her handphone to see if she dialed the correct number.

Oh my God.

No wonder the number didn’t get connected. Instead of dialing it, Rene was mistaken to type the number for texting.

88-555-2-6 spelled ULAM.

So no, Rain is not making a fool out of her.

Episode 3: Weather like this

2008-06-05T23:30:00.000+08:00

"Oh my God... " Mrs Hagger was shocked when soaked Rene hit the door.. "I thought it's another laundry who needs to be urgently sent in to a spin-dryer.."

"Yeah, tumble me dry please.." Rene's mind was on the '76 Street West End Avenue' while she responded to her boss. 76 Street? What will happen over there? And who the hell is the lady's voice from the unknown number? ..And Rain...

Oh, Rain.
"Oh, Rene." Mrs Hagger suddenly chipped into her wondering process, "there was a customer looking for you just now.. erm.. pale, skinny, pretty much a malnutrition type.."

"So he took his laundry?" "Yeah, and he left you a note as well -- over there," Mrs Hagger pointed to a note stuck on washing machine number 2 by a magnet. Rene put down her stuff and reached the note.

"I can't call you in weather like this, they are listening.
Sorry I don't expect this to come too.
I hope I'm not too late to warn you.
Sorry to get you involved.
Don't listen to them.
I need to rush.
Rain."

Huh? Don't listen to them? Weather like this?

A thunderclap followed after a flash of lightning.

"Who cares to get out in weather like this? How can I ask a pizza delivery for lunch in weather like this? Hmmm... it supposed to be hot and clear in June, right? Hmmm.. " mumbled Mrs Hagger while pressing a blue shirt of a customer.

Yeah, it's supposed to be sunny and clear, like the days before... before she made the strange call.
"Mrs Hagger... did you just say 'delivery'?" Rene started to feel some connections..

"Yeah, 1-800-... argh, I can't recall the number... why?"

"No.. erm.. nothing..." Rene responded with her flashy eye, because deep inside her heart, there's a big 'what if' hanging on...

What if.... what if I've just ordered a 'weather delivery'?

Rene's heart was beating real hard. She could feel her blood pulsing through her veins. Her lips slit to a mysterious smile -- weather delivery, what a cool stuff!

She reread Rain's message. Though there were still some unknowns about it, but she could pretty much get Rain's message.

Don't listen to them? Huh! How could you stop a hungry wolf to hunt for more?

"Mrs Hagger," Rene just couldn't hold her excitement, "Can I leave early today? I need to go to 76th Street.."

"No problem, what's in there?"

"A date, I guess." Rene's spirit of adventurous started to burn now, "I'm meeting people from delivery center over there.."

"Pizza delivery center?" Mrs Hagger finished pressing the blue shirt, "Oh very funny."

No Mrs Hagger, not pizza delivery center. It's WEATHER DELIVERY CENTER.

Episode 2: 3 Days later.

2008-06-05T00:58:00.007+08:00

“Wake up!! WAKE UP!!”
“I’ve been waiting a long time”
“For this moment to come”
“I’m destined for anything at all…”
“Dumbstruck calling me stupid”
“Good luck you gonna need… Pik”

Ah damn...

As much as Rain likes THAT song to wake him up every morning, it sure is a torment sometimes.

Sigh. What time issit now? Ah crap I’m late!!

Rain takes a quick shower, put on his favorite black t-shirt and peeking out the window.

Great. It supposed to be clear, sunny day today.

Grabbing his raincoat his own his way to…

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

“OUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCHHHHHH!! Are you out of your freaking mind??” Rene screams her lungs out when Ruby pull both of her ears trying to wake her up.

“I tried to wake you up for the seventh time! And you are gonna be late for your train to work, up! UP!”

Bitch. Scowling, Rene drags her ass to shower.

When she was out of shower, Ruby was already at the door making her way out. Glancing at the table, there was breakfast with a note.

“YOUR Rain might as well pick up his laundry today! Goodluck! *Wink*”

CUTE bitch. Smiling, Rene has her breakfast while peeking out the window.

Oh darn, it’s raining. Rene doesn’t know why she’s smiling although she knows that she’s gonna be late...

and soaked wet.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Kling… Klingg!!”

Rain steps inside the launderette.

Where is she??

“Err.. excuse me, I’m here to pick up my laundry, ID 88556, please.”

Mrs Hagger, owner of the shop turns around to face her customer.

“Sure. Wait please.”

“Do you mind me asking where is the girl… erm… this tall… who always had lotsa bangles… and…”

“You mean Rene?”

“Yes, yes. She is not working today?”

Dammit, is she alright?? I shouldn’t have made her dial...

“She usually in and she hadn’t told me if she wants to call it off today. Perhaps the rain is delaying her.”

“Ah well, thanks.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goddammit. What did I do today to experience one hour delay of train?? Sigh. Rene is running as her attempt to not to get wet and to not to be late.

But failed. Miserably.

Hey, that guy look familiar… is that Rain? RAIN??? OMG! But by the time Rene trying to catch up, Rain had gone. In the midst of the crowd. In the midst of the rain.

Bummer. And he supposed to call me yesterday to explain the odd number.

Rene had been up all night yesterday trying to crack the mystery. The Nancy-Drew instinct in her suggests that she should dig into the matter and try to call back again the number. But the more-sensible instinct in her suggests that she should just tell Rain about everything.

If it’s important why would he wanted ME to dial it? I mean, is he THAT mean to involve a stranger in his "dangerous" matter? But wait. What if the "dangerous" matter has something to do with me?? And how the hell he got my number??

“Aaaa!” Rene startled as her phone rings. The unknown number.

“Meet us at 76 street West End Avenue, three days from today at 11pm. Sharp.”

The voice hung up.

Oh my God, what is going on?!

“Klankkk!”

Only then, Rene realizes she had hit the launderette door.

Episode 1: 3 days delay

2008-06-03T20:27:00.004+08:00

"I'm not sure whether you realize this, you are wet every time you come here..."

"..maybe because I'm rain." He smiled.

Yeah, just because you're rain. Rene stirred her latte, recalling the first conversation happened between her and Rain, while waiting for another day of disappointment to fill in.

It was the 3rd day Rene waited for Rain. And It was the first time Rene waited for a customer to come here and pick up his laundry. Well it was apparently abnormal because those who come to a launderette are responsible for picking up their own laundry, nobody cares to pick up for them.

Nobody cares to wait for them to come to pick up their own laundry.

The washing machines behind the counter were rumbling, so was Rene's state of mind.

"Things r alwayz like tis my dear, u got nothing when u anticipated, and it comes so naturally to u when u don't expect. Oh yeah BTW, I thought he's just ANOTHER customer of your launderette, why r u w8ing for him? Is he cute? *wink wink*" SMS reply from Ruby after Rene sent out her complaints to her roommate.

No, he's not. He's pale, and wet. Rene smirked at Ruby's SMS. You're right Ruby, not worth a wait at all.

Rene turned to a washing machine behind her which was just stopped spinning before her phone rang. Unknown number.

"Hello?"

"What did the weather forecast say this morning?" it was Rain.

"It said, if rain doesn't come, storm will certainly ensue.."Rene tried to put up an emotionless tone.

"No seriously, please. What did the weather forecast say this morning?"

"I'm not sure... last night's version was mentioning another clear sunny day.. Hey, How did you get my number by the way?"

"..... sunny day?" Rain was obviously ignorant of her question, he was mumbling something about some system was out of control before he cleared his throat and said, "Hey can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Go and get my jeans from my laundry, I think there's a piece of paper inside the pocket, and there's a number written on it, dial the number for me... OK got to go, I'll see you later after you've dialed it." Hung up.

There's a jean in Rain's laundry -- she certainly knows very well which laundry belonged to Rain, it was the one with at least 5 rain coats every time he sent in his laundry. And the paper she found from the jeans' pocket was severely crumpled. Rene had to make some effort before she could eventually unfold it and read the numbers on it.

88-555-2-6.

It's not a normal number that you can dial. But that's not the main issue, because Rene was going to dial it anyway. The main issue here was, then what? Before she started to wonder what will actually happened, she received response from the other side of the line.

"You're late. 3 days late. We need to catch up the schedule now. Bye." Hung up.

Whada hell? Rene was stunned at the moment. So this number can actually call to somebody out there? And what was that? 8855526?

The sunny clear sky started to get dark. Rene could hear thunder roared from far. Wind started to bluster, rain started to pour.

Episode 19: The End

2008-05-30T23:33:00.008+08:00

It was like a dream. And the irony was, my dream never felt like one.

I was holding Amy’s hands the whole time at the funeral. My mind kept on playing back on how things had happened since the past few days. Everything was so fast-forwarded, except that there was no button to control any of it from happening.

Myself, Amy, Nina, Mike, Kamal and Rafee were at the funeral. It was done that evening and Rafee had made some calls informing of Prof Z’s passing to his friends back in Terengganu. Prof Z didn’t have any family but good friends around. In a way, I thought it made things much easier than if he had any family members.

And about Hakimi… I wonder if it was really fate that we didn’t get to meet each other. It was like having a friend back from the past, but losing it again.

Amy asked me again if I really wanted to stay long in Malaysia. I didn’t answer her right away. It had only been two days and I would like to give it at least a few more days to think about whether or not to stay.

I initially planned to stay for at least a couple of months, renting a room perhaps, do some traveling and a bit of research in Terengganu. Maybe picking up where Prof.Z left off, I don’t know.

But I was not too sure about that plan since Nina and Mike decided to return to Penang while Rafee said, ‘I will be out of reach for a while’.

***************

The man next to me has just finished reading the news paper.

“Do you mind if I read that, Sir?” I asked. Shaking his head, he said ‘No, no. I’m done.’

I picked it up and the front page read: Malaysian survivor returns home.

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian survivor who was thought dead in the London conference disaster two weeks ago returned safely to his hometown last night. Hakimi M. Hashim, 28, a Penang-born Malaysian who lived in Sussex for the past ten years was reunited with his family in Gelugor in an emotional turn of what was initially thought going to be a funeral gathering for the family.

Earlier this month, three attendees were feared dead when they were missing after a water tank holding a manta ray broke at a marine biology conference in London.

“I know this guy!” I reacted.
“You do? Is he your friend?” The man asked.
“He was. I mean, he is. This is unbelievable.”
“What are you going to do?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I guess I need to decide after we reach London.” I answered, looking at the time. Ten hours more to go…

****************
I have decided to contact Hakimi once I get myself settled. I need to find his new contact since he no longer has his old phone and we didn’t have each other’s email. Before going on my connecting flight from London to Edinburgh, I texted Amy, who was back more than a week ago: Pick me up at 10am. I am bored and dying to have coffees with you!

“That’s crazy…” was Amy’s first reaction after I told her about the news that I read. We were having coffee in our favourite coffee place in Old Town, Edinburgh
“I wonder why they said he was dead before.” She asked. I shook my head.
“It’s a shame I don’t get to meet him still,” I said. Amy’s phone beeped for an incoming text message. She reached the phone to read it and started making a call.

“Yelloooo, hey! I’m having a coffee at Elephant House with Maya, why don’t you come here instead? Yup… no problem… see ya in a bit!” And she hung up.
“Who’s that?” I asked.
“I forgot to tell you. The other day Linda came by to pass me your books and a CD to the presentation she made. She came with this Malaysian guy. After a quick chat, I found out that he used to stay near our place in Penang. How freaking coincidental is that? Later he claimed that he has a vague ‘memory’ about me but there’s a possibility that he might know you instead after I mentioned your name. Chicky!” Amy exclaimed.
“Wow. That’s odd, you seem to bump into everyone that I know from the past,” I teased.
“I know. So we’ve been hanging out these past few days and I told him that you’ll be around some time this week if he’s free for a meet up and turns out that he’s free today.”
“Cool.”

“Another weird thing is, remember the book that you gave me for my birthday? I have been reading those for weeks and marked it with this metal marker that I got from Malaysia years ago. Turns out he has the same marker that was given to him by his late brother, although he claimed to have lost it recently. What a shame… He also told me that the brother said ‘yello’ like I do. Wicked, eh?”
“Haha… What’s his name again?” I asked.
“Abu. Do you know any Abu?”
“Do I know any Abu? Of course! I was just mentioning about him to Rafee the other day… wow. This is really, really odd.”
“Why don’t I know him?” Amy asked.
“Because he was in my primary school with me for a while before he moved away and hadn’t start school yet. He and I were friends for two years, I think, I can’t remember. Gosh…”
“Was he cute back then?” Amy asked again.
“Haha. I don’t know. Is he cute now?” I asked back.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”

‘Wait and see’ it is then.

“Do you know how long Abu will be in Edinburgh for?” I asked.
“He told me but I can’t remember. Why don’t you ask him later? I’m sure you guys have a lot to catch up on.”
“Yeah…”
“He should be here in ten minutes.”

Ten minutes. I sipped my latte and looked outside the window. It was grey as a depressing winter should be until a few seconds later, when the white flakes started falling down from the sky. I tapped Amy’s shoulder, asking her to look outside. She turned to look at the falling snow and we both smiled.

Yes, I did wonder if Abu was still as cute. And I hoped for an enough time for us to do a hell lot of catching up. Oh this is the longest ten minutes ever! Can I have my forward button please?

THE END

Episode 18: Truth

2008-05-28T00:03:00.000+08:00

Dear Rafee,

So that's your real name huh? Rafee...

Weird. I did not know my biological brother's name, until just now.

Funny. I did not know that you're my biological brother, until just now.

EERIE. I did not know that... you're still alive, until just now....

Abah told me everything, EVERYTHING he read from your diary before you left us, and EVERYTHING he knows about your 'death' -- Thank to Pak Zainol's confession to him on the day abah discovered your diary...

..so, I suppose you're reading this email, right? -- Oh no maybe you are not, in fact you did not read ALL my mails send to your mailbox -- even though I suspect you cleared your mailbox once in a while -- but at least you did not read my mails regarding my plan of escaping with Melur...

.. because if you've read it, you would've warned Hakimi, and Hakimi would not get what he got right now in the hospital.. oh yeah FYI, Hakimi's NOT DEAD, I mean if you are KIND enough to concern. What you heard about Hakimi's death is only rumor they spread out, in order to pronounce the 'death sentence' on THE project, so that the investors would have no say at all.

-- Oh BTW, it was until just now too, I know all about THE project... and your 'high level' involvement in the project..

I mean, well.. it's.. ops.. it WAS an impressive project. An impressive way to make HUGE money, PERHAPS. But too bad, I guess you failed just simply because Melur is on my side. And in fact, I discovered what you all were trying to hunt for, and you might be in GREAT disappointment if you know what's really about the 'ulam melur'... -- OOOOH YEAH OF COURSE I know 'ulam melur'! It is now sitting quietly beside me.

"... I might need Melur's help in my quest of looking for the 'ulam', the 2nd thing that mum left to me, after the star-like sea shells, the bintang....." -- Quote from your diary, remember? And Rafee (sorry I feel disgusted to call you angah...), that quote made me laugh! -- ARE YOU SURE MUM LEFT YOU THAT STAR-LIKE THINGY?? Or were you just being dramatic?

The star-like sea shells, according to Melur, were something that she picked up from sea bottom just because you wanted her to pick up something like a star.. . That's it. Period. You added your own sentimental value on a rubbish, she just couldn't help out.

"Mari ikut akak, mencari bintang timur; mari lawan ombak, mencari ulam melur"-- I know you and Pak Zainol were so devoted to the hidden treasure beneath the lines of this clue, and Melur knows the best about the answer -- and she actually brought me the 'ulam melur' from deep sea, finally.

It's not any precious treasures dropped out from a sunken pirate's ship, it's a seaweed, yeah, S-E-A-W-E-E-D. Disappointed? Melur said it's more common in South China Sea region, she could hardly find a small one from North Sea region. The seaweed is in a shape like a manta ray, big leaf with tiny fur on the surface, and it glows with the colors of rainbow when I brought it out of the ocean..

Oh yeah it sparkles too, those tiny fur, they sparkles like stars in the sky.. yeah, bintang, you're right. And that's it, except it sparkles and shines like jewelry, I don't think that it'll bring you any wealth -- I mean, you can't claim that this IS a NEW discovery from the mysterious sea and show it to the world by charging them expensive entrance fees, the truth is, Mr Rafee, this seaweed, already had a scientific name, something like Caulerpa prolifera.. -- If you're aware enough, the existence of this magical seaweed was presented by someone called Linda, in the conference that me and Melur just ruined.

-- My point here is, you can't even use it to generate any side income, I mean IF you manage to find one without Melur's help. And yes sir, 'Ulam Melur' has miraculous healing power, it's certainly good for medical purposes, but hey dude, listen carefully --

---- I'm letting Melur off to her own freedom. She might be still in the North Sea, or maybe somewhere around Pacific Ocean by the time you're reading this mail, and the only 'Ulam Melur' discovered in the world is now in my hand, and I'm on my way meeting Ms Linda and her team in a research center in Edinburgh. And I think that would be the end of your dream, huh?

Don't blame me to be cruel on you, after all the lies you showed to us -- Me, abah, Melur and Raja.

Good luck and good bye, forever.

Abu

Episode 17:Towards the end..

2008-05-23T15:08:00.002+08:00

Abu, yes I know him. He’s my brother. And Maya, thank you for reminding me why you too look so familiar to me. If only I could say these words out loud. If only..

Our conversation was put on halt when my phone rang. I looked at the number. It’s from UK. Hakimi perhaps..but.. I gestured to Maya pointing out that I have to take that phone call and she nodded. I stood up and walked away so that no one could hear our conversation.

“Hello?”

“It’s Bill.”

Oh, ok. Bill, one of our ‘project’s’ team member. But how did he get my number? Only Hakimi knew this line. Did something happened to him?

“Ok. But how did you get this number? Did something happened?” My heart was beating fast. Please, don’t tell me the plan went wrong. Please..

“Something DID happen. That’s why I call. I found this phone in Hakimi’s room. And your number was on it. Shit, man. We’re in deep shit. Hakimi’s gone man..gone.” Bill went berserk. There was panic, frustration and depressed all mixed up in his voice.

“What do you mean gone? Did he fled or..”

“He’s dead man!DEAD! Something happened during the conference..” and Bill told me everything. From the escape to the accident.

I was numb. I couldn’t respond. How was I supposed to react? Sad? Happy?
Yes, Abu! We did it! You did it!

Although it didn’t turn out perfect and Hakimi had been a victim of our plan, we did it! We never expect anything bad to happen. But..if a sacrifice had to be made, what done is done. It’ll be worse if Hakimi’s alive, I thought. It’ll be bad for us. I knew about his plans. How I was going to be disposed…along with Abu.

“Hey, Raf, you hear me or not? I have to call Prof Z and tell him of our situation. The project’s a disaster. We lost everything. And our mastermind, Prof Z, he should know how to handle this.” Bill said and hung up. He didn’t give me any chance to respond.

I steadied myself. I started to feel the adrenaline rush. Oh, so close. We are so close than ever Abu. You’ve done your part and now it’s my turn.

I composed myself and walked back towards Maya. Prof Z was still in his room. I’m sure he’ll be getting a call by now. I was surprised to see tears in Maya’s eyes. She was gripping her phone in her hand.

“What is it?” I asked, not sure if I should be involved with any of her personal problems.

“It’s Hakimi. They said an accident occurred during the conference. Lots of people were hurt. And Hakimi, he..he’s dead!” Maya obviously tried to control herself from crying.

“I didn’t know you knew him. In fact I just received the same call. Prof Z’s going to devastated. This project of ours, I’m sure it will be affected. Badly.” I said. It’s hard to try consoling a woman. Let alone someone you just met. I felt bad. I’m sure it’s not because Hakimi’s gone now. But those tears..

“I don’t exactly know like really know him. It’s just that it’s been a long time since we’ve last met and we were supposed to meet up tomorrow. I guess, the fact that he’s someone I knew although not close and that this meeting that would’ve take place if he’s still here. It feels weird you know. To lose someone like that. I dunno. With everything that’s happening to me right now, it’s like everything’s falling apart somehow..” Maya sighed. Wiping the tears from her cheeks.

She’s strong, I thought. Although I had no idea what was going on with her life right now, it’s just that I feel that she’s a strong person. I’m sorry Maya. For making you lose someone. But in the end, I guess I’m actually doing you a favor. Hakimi is bad news. To us, to you, to everyone. I mean..was. Past tense.

Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and saw Nina and Mike running towards me and Maya.

“Rafee!” Mike called and stopped at his track when he located me. “ It’s Prof Z. We were in his room discussing about our project. And then he received a call. All I know he looked shocked and the next thing we knew he was on the floor, fell from his wheelchair!” he was talking as fast as he could.

“Yeah, and we tried calling him a few times. He was unconscious. And when I tried checking his pulse…oh God! There was none. I think he had a heart attack!” Nina continued, panting a little.

“ He’s dead?!” I asked, startled and shocked. I heard a soft gasp behind me where Maya stood.

“Uncle Zainol’s dead?” she asked, her voice came out. Almost whispering.

“I..we think so. I..I need to call the ambulance though. I’ll report to the hotel,” Nina ran past us towards the lobby, looking for any hotel staff available.

“Rafee, how about the project then?” Mike closed on to me while consciously staring at Maya making sure she couldn’t listen to us. “ I just heard about Hakimi. And then Prof Z. We are the only one left. It’s your call now.” Mike lowered his voice. I could practically feel his breath on my face. We were too close for comfort.

I took a step back and said, “We abort. There’s no point continuing it now. Melur’s gone. Hakimi and Prof Z’s dead. We need to dispose all our documentation. And you know what to do after that’s done. We never met. I don’t know you. So does the whole team, whoever that’s left.”

Mike nodded and headed back to where he came from..Prof Z’s room.

It’s going on as planned. But not this way. Too many deaths. Too much sacrifices. It had been a disaster from the start. It always have been.

I was supposed to dispose all of the project’s files but now, it’s pretty much done for me. All I can do now is wait. Wait for the end to come and start a new life.
“Maya,” I turned, calling Maya. She was now sobbing. Any strength that was left in her was now gone.

I walked towards Maya, sat down beside her and put my arms around her. For comfort. For all the losses. I’m sorry, Maya..

Episode 16: Deja vu

2008-05-22T20:36:00.004+08:00

We sat across each other at the lobby. I tried not to stare at him so I looked at his reflection on the wall mirror instead.

I have seen him somewhere, but where? And when?

I checked my mobile phone. No new messages. I have been sending Hakimi a few text messages, asking about his preparation for the presentation and its progress but have yet to hear any reply from him.

“Where are the rest, by the way?” Rafee asked.
“Oh, I forgot. They will be slightly late because they’re from lunch. I came straight from the hotel.” I told him.
“Ah… How’s the stay so far?”
“Great. I just reached yesterday’s evening so haven’t done much.”
“I see.”

I don’t think I’ve seen him anywhere. I think he just looks like someone I knew from...

“I might want to go up north to check the places out,” I said.
“Oh yeah? Where to?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Langkawi.” I replied.
“Why don’t you go to Penang instead. It has beaches too, if that’s what you’re up for,” he suggested.

So he sounds like he knows Penang well.

“Yea, I am into beaches. What else do you recommend?” I continued asking, trying to see where the question might lead me to.
“Shopping. People. Everything. Food especially. Do you like Malaysian food?” He asked.
“I love laksa” I replied.
“Cool! Then you should try Mami’s Laksa Penang in Ferringhi. It’s the most authentic laksa in the whole wide world, take it from me. A secret place that not many people know of but starting to get a bit of publicity now…”
“Hmmm. You been there lots?” I asked.
“Used to.”

Used to.

“Sorry, Rafee. I couldn’t help it but I was thinking about who you are reminding me of since just now.”
“Oh? Managed to crack the memory box?” He asked.
“Haha. A little bit.” I laughed.
“So who is it? Any celebrity? Brad Pitt perhaps?” He joked. I shook my head and smiled.
“You remind me of this childhood friend of mine. My first childhood friend as the matter fact. The two of you almost have the same eyes,” I paused before continuing, “I actually started my childhood years in Penang for your information. And that place you were talking about is my grandmother’s place. Sorry I sort of playing it a little bit there. Small world, eh?”

His eyes widened.

“Oh… yeah, yeah. It will be a much smaller world if I happen know the name of this childhood friend of yours…”
“Oh! It was…Abu. I never heard from him since he moved away, I think in Primary 3 or something. I can’t even remember his full name! Haha. Do you know any Abu?” I asked.

Rafee shook his head.

Episode 15: FATE

2008-05-20T16:16:00.043+08:00

THE DAY. I’ll show the whole world and define the word MIRACLE. Communication with animals was something beyond human capabilities. Some may have claimed success but nothing as compared to what we have found. SSW..as tacky as it sounds, this new finding will obviously create an uproar within the scientific community. I could already smell the success this will bring plus the fame and glory.
I know I have Angah to thank for the project. If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t be here. But once this is revealed, there is no need for him anymore. Just the team..and me. Just a little longer, and he is disposable. Just like Raja….

Few more seconds…

I hear my name called out..I’m ready…

“Without further adue, I would like to present Mr Hakimi from Malaysia and his project on “Silent Sound Wave”. Let’s give him a big applause!”

The sound of applause was like music to my ears. By the time I reached the stage, with a grand introduction, the huge maroon velvet cover behind me was pulled up revealing huge aquarium. I heard the audience started to gasp in awe. In the tank, Melur was swimming freely although I did notice the slight show of weakness and in the diving suit, Abu. In his hand was the star like sea shell. The secret of the ocean. The key to the whole project. I’ll get rid of him once this is over, I thought. making a mental note in my head.

I was just about to make my presentation when I heard a crack. It sounded like thunder. I searched for the source and to my surprise, the inner side of the tank that was connected to a passage that leads to the open sea had cracked. I was trying to absorb the situation when I saw that brat Abu was whispering something to Melur. I was distracted. Not because that the tank was about to break or my project will be a disater. But what was happening in the tank. Abu was not using the star shell to talk to Melur. No. He was whispering. Actually whispering. And what was stranger was that Melur was actually responding. It was as if she understood every word and started nodding to Abu. Melur then started hitting the other side of the tank. That was the abnormality of it. What was going on? Is this just a trick that my eyes were playing or what I was witnessing was something beyond explanation?

Then I heard gasps and screams. The tank exploded. Because of the pressure, shards of glass were flying all over the place. Since I was the nearest to the tank, I felt its impact. I felt large pieces of it slashing my face, my body, and liters of water start to spill out. Like the wave of the sea, the water pressure hit me off my feet and I wanted to scream but was drowned by the capacity of the water that had hit me.

I was struggling for my life. The conference room started to flood. Audience were scattered, running for their lives. I could see some, like me were swept by the current. Struggling not to drown. My lungs started to feel heavy.

No! Why me! Not now! Please God! Save me!

**********************************************

I was about to pack my bag when I saw her. She looked familiar. Too familiar.

“Excuse me, do you happen to know Professor Zainol?” she asked.

I was still staring at her when she popped the question and blushed slightly after realizing I was practically gawking. “ I’m sorry. I thought I’ve known you from somewhere. Have we met?”

“Mmm, I don’t think so. I’m not from here. Probably in another life?” she joked.

“Oh, my mistake. What was your question again? Prof Zainol? Oh yeah. He’ll be down in a minute. You are..wait. it’s Amy right?” I asked remembering that Prof Z had mentioned about a couple of girls who will be meeting him today.

“It’s Maya. Amy’s my sister. So I guess Prof Z told you we were coming.”

“In fact he did and he send me to wait for you guys." I stood up and offered a hand shake."I’m Rafee. Nice to meet you.”

Maya smiled and shook my hands. Suddenly the shaking halted and an expression of curiosity was displayed on her face.

“Since you did mentioned it earlier, you do look kind of familiar to me now,” Maya stated. Her hands still in mine.

I smiled. Thinking that if we did meet before, she wouldn’t have been able to recognize me. No one will. Not even Abu.

In the course of 4 years after I disappeared from this face of the earth, I’ve became a new person. For the sake of the knowledge I knew, I had to leave everything that I once owned. My family, my identity. Even my appearance. I had to go under the knife for a face job so that no one would be able to recognize me. Only a handful of them knew. The team, Hakimi..Prof Z.

“It’s just that..” Maya continued,"oh well, there’s just something about your eyes. You remind me of someone but I just can’t grab who.” She let go of my hand, realizing that the handshake took a bit too long. I noticed her blush.

“Maybe in another life,” I joked trying to make her at ease. Maybe, maybe we did meet, I thought to myself. Because if there’s only one thing I cannot change, it is my eyes. Nobody can change that. Not the eyes....

Episode 14: Escape

2008-05-17T00:12:00.002+08:00

Dear Angah,

This time tomorrow Hakimi will be presenting his paper on the conference. His research team is expecting a turnout of more than 2000 audience for his paper. Yeah, you should know the topic of the paper I guess, "The recognizable behavior of Manta-Ray towards the attribute of SSW " -- yeah, I agree, it's very pretend-to-be-sophisticated, like his own personality.

-- and I don't give it a damn. I've surveyed the lab area and it's no way for me to move Melur out of this highly-secured zone, but tell you what, the conference hall is my good news.

The aquarium of the conference hall is actually an infrastructure that connects to the open sea behind the convention center, in order to supply sea water into the huge aquarium that they set up for the purposes of this conference. This time tomorrow, Melur will be transported to the aquarium of the conference hall. Hakimi needs me to be with Melur during his presentation, in order to show the audience on how his theory of 'SSW' works --

-- yup! I almost laughed when I first heard of 'SSW'. What the hell is SSW? Well, it's 'Silent Sound Wave'. That's how they name my 'special whistle' of communicating with Raja and Melur. What those moron don't know is, there's no such thing as 'special whistle'...

... we can 'talk' to Raja and Melur, it's simply because we can.

Whatever. Let's proceed with my plan.

I'll be diving with Melur in the aquarium during Hakimi's presentation, and don't worry my dearest brother, certainly I'll sabotage his show. He just need to be taught not to be over-confidence. And after that, Melur and I just need to find the conduit to get out to the open sea.

I've studied the conduits network of the building, no worry on it. The only thing that worries me is the condition of Melur. She is getting weaker and weaker. I know she misses Raja. She told me last night.

..but she promised me that she'll work with me to get out of here.

Angah, wish us luck. I'll send you my next email telling you our great escape!

Your brother,
Abu
ps.. I think I'm nervous now because I'm feeling hesitate to hit the 'send' button to send out this email to you. BTW, I wonder why is your mailbox never full after so many mails I've sent into it? Don't tell me you have all the luxurious to check emails and spring-clean your mailbox up there. Man, you're truly haunting! ;p

Episode 13: Plan B

2008-05-15T19:28:00.000+08:00

“Plan B instead. We’re not going to Terengganu. Uncle Zainol is here in KL, he was here to send some friends to the airport a couple of days ago I think,” Amy declared while we were walking to the airport car park. “Nina and Mike really need to meet up with him so we decided to cancel the trip down to the east coast and stay in Shangrila in KL. You’ll share the room with Nina and I. Kamal and Mike are staying together.” I replied with an uncertain ‘oh’.

“Have you figured how long you’re staying for?” Amy asked.
“Two weeks, maybe more. I don’t know. I haven’t got any return ticket.” I replied.
“Well if you plan to stay, you stay. I can’t and would have to go back home this Friday,” she said. I gave no response.

Kamal was driving and we shared stories in the car but no one mentioned about James, which was good. Half way through the car journey to KL city, I received a text from Hakimi: We were both in Britain all this while & never knew it. But when we do now, here we are in two different places once again, perhaps passing by each other’s plane in the sky? What a shame!

“I managed to keep track of Hakimi,” I told Amy.
“Have you?”
“Yeah but he’s back in London.”
“This is so funny,” she reacted before telling Kamal the whole story of her meeting Hakimi on the plane.

“So what do you plan to do now?” She asked.
“I have no idea, Amy.”
“Maybe you can help out with the research that Nina and Mike is working on. They’re seeking assistance from Uncle Zainol too, it should be interesting. You guys’ work are the same thing, right?” Kamal suggested.
“Hey, that sounds like a very good idea. Yeah, give it a go, Maya.” Amy supported.

They’re right. It was a good idea. I guess I just need to offer my help to Nina and Mike and see if they are ready for my amateur advice. A chance to work with Uncle Zainol or Prof Z, who would want to say ‘no’ to that? This is a great Plan B.

Episode 12: Trust

2008-05-09T10:50:00.000+08:00

Angah,

I was adopted by Abah when I was 2, I guess. By the time, Along was 11 and you were 6, and I always wondered why was everybody called both of you 'Along' and 'Angah' as if you two never had your own names since being adopted by Abah.

The year you sank into the deep blue sea, gone with the rough wave and left us only your surfboard, the whole island was in deep misery. Everybody on the island lost their closest best friend, Abah lost his favourite son, the resort lost an inspiring surfer, and I lost my Angah.

Then I realized that Along is always the respectable big brother in the island and you, someone who's always the closest friend to everybody, like the 2nd big brother in a family, an Angah to everybody.

...but.., what happened to our brotherhood when all the betrayal was revealed? I still remember the last words you told me before you surfed yourself into the rough sea, and disappeared amongst the waves.

You said: "Abu, remember the pantun? you just need to trust me and be bold..", with a charming smile, but it seemed rather mysterious for me, then you sang the pantun again, until the storm over-roared your voice.

You wanted me to trust you? How? Why did you do this at the 1st place?

Abu.

***************************************************************

Angah,

This is such an emotional moment for me right now. I called Abah just now, after all the confusion and tiring chaos these days, I just need to call back home.

I should've called him 1st before sending out my last mail to you. I mean, if I knew it, I wouldn't send it out at all.

Yes Angah, I knew it. Even though I don't really understand it, but it's such a relieved for me to know the real intention of you involving into Hakimi's reaserch project. -- Angah, Abah found your diary.

I could feel his surprises over the phone, and his confusion when he read this line to me:

"After the day Melur brought me back the star-like sea shells from the deep sea, I know that I've figured out the way to communicate with her. Raja has the same genius for it but not as perfect as Melur does.... I might need Melur's help in my quest of looking for the 'ulam', the 2nd thing that mum left to me, after the star-like sea shells, the bintang....."

Ulam melur, bintang timur...trust, mari ikut akak; and be bold, mari lawan ombak...

Your final words, your final message to me -- to follow your mission of looking for 'the Ulam'.

I understand that you might have made a mistake to offer Raja and Melur to Hakimi, I understand that you might be too impatient and made the wrong choice.

I'll get Melur back to the ocean, I promise.

Abu.

Episode 11:Lost & Found

2008-05-06T11:48:00.002+08:00

I remembered looking at the glass box. Seeing how the male manta ray struggling with its blindness. The banging, the crashing and in the end, it gave up. I expected more than that thing. It should’ve lived. The result didn’t turn out as I expected.

And then there was that Abu. Looking like a helpless monkey. I regret bringing him here. It was all because of Prof Z and his guilty conscience. And because of him, I had to drag this kid along. I told him I didn’t want to but he insisted. Shit! That old man even tried blackmailing me if I didn’t take Abu with me. What was he thinking? It’s not like these two sea creatures belong to him. It belongs to the wild. It belongs to anyone who puts a claim on them. And now it belongs to me.
And now, look at them. I have that female ray left. Melur..what’s with the name anyway. I need to make sure this experiment we’re dealing with will become a success this time round. No more failure. We’ve..I mean I have been working my ass off and now is the time.

"Mari ikut akak, mencari ulam melur; mari lawan ombak, mencari bintang timur.."

Man, this guy has guts. The codes, the secrets. Even his own brother has no idea what’s actually happening right now.

I was deep into my thoughts when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I took it out and pressed the read button. 1 message in. All it say was “Landed.”

I had to smile. After all this time, alas. The star..My star. My bintang timur..

I dialed the number that was on the message. “Maya, you landed?”

“Yeah, I’ve landed.” Maya answered. Sweet voice. So sweet..”How are things in London, Hakimi?”

“Good. Ok..not that good actually. But hey, it’ll better if you were here instead.”

“Yeah? You’ll be back soon anyway. So a couple of days wouldn’t change that much, right?”

“I guess so. Getting a call from you was a surprise. But to actually meeting you after so long, a couple of days could wait,” I replied. Flirty, I thought. She wants me in the game, I’m in.

I was just about to get my gears up when I received and incoming call. Looking at the number, I knew it was urgent.

“Hey Maya, I have an urgent call coming in. I’ll call you later if its okay with you.

“Sure. I’ll be waiting,” Maya responded.

“Okay. Bye." I hung up and answered the incoming call.

“Hey, what’s up? You know you’re not supposed to call me on this line. What’s so urgent?” I was obviously irritated.

“Shit Hakimi! What have you done?? We’ve made a deal! You promised me you were going to take care of them. And now, Raja’s dead gooddammit!!” the voice on the phone was practically screaming at me and I had to pull the phone away from my ears.

“Shut up! You know the risks. And this is one of them. We still have Melur.” I replied. Trying really hard to control myself. I knew anger would get me nowhere.

“You swear to me now Hakimi. Melur will not be your next lab rat. She’s the KEY. Our key. Don’t you fuck this time!” The voice was calmer but the hint of detest was still visible.

“Yes, Angah. I know. And you’d better hang up coz you’ll get both of us into trouble in case someone’s tracing this line.”

And at that moment Angah hung up and I did the same.

Episode 10: Lies..

2008-04-29T15:03:00.000+08:00

Dear Angah,

This is weird. Totally insane!! This question... this question had been bothering me since the meeting with Hakimi's research team. I know it's impossible, I know I'm getting paranoid here, I know I just shouldn't even think about this, but.... .....

...but sorry, Angah, I can't help but I have to ask you this:

Did you have anything to do with Hakimi's research? I'm sorry... I mean of course you did not...

...did you?

I think I'm getting emotional here. Raja just died. In front of my eye, inside the aquarium of their lab, his body rested besides Melur. I did not cry I did not yield. Melur was sad, but me, rather than feeling miserable, I felt relieved.

It's better for Raja to die than suffer from his 'blindness'. Yeah, they made Raja 'blind'; they made Raja lost his sense of directions; Raja was struggling to try to locate himself and find his sense of orientation, he threw himself at every direction, he kept on hitting the wall of aquarium, he crashed on Melur, he forced his own body to squeeze at the corner of the aquarium.... Raja went crazy, for almost a week already --

-- you did not know all these, right? I mean, of course you did not know these, you are not here anymore... you left, four years ago you left us, you sank into the deep blue sea after your last surf, and you never came out.. how would you know what happened to Raja and Melur? Right?

..but .. they said you did not expect these would happen when you and Pak Zainol gave Raja and Melur to Hakimi. They lied, right? Only Pak Zainol sold the manta rays to them, right?

Tell me, tell me Angah. Tell me that you had nothing to do with all these, please...
Tell me that the conversation between Hakimi and his team leader was totally wrong -- they said they are lucky still to have Melur alive, as the key of 'all' is Melur, because the code-words say so...

... and I heard the so-called 'code-words' from Hakimi's mouth.....

"Mari ikut akak, mencari ulam melur; mari lawan ombak, mencari bintang timur.."

Angah, tell me, for God's sake, give any sign that you can, please tell me this is only the pantun that was over exaggerated by them, the pantun is not any 'code-words' for their research...

....right?

You had nothing to do with Hakimi, you hated him so much, remember? You said he's the cockiest fool in this world, how would you have anything to do with a stupid like Hakimi? Of course you wouldn't....

.....right?

....... right, Angah?

...................... right............ Angah?

I'm sorry I think I need to rest.

Abu.

Episode 9: Beeps

2008-04-22T16:32:00.000+08:00

Upon arriving at KLIA, I turned my mobile on and received three text messages. The first one was from my colleague, Linda who was doing the presentation on my behalf in London.

Hi Maya, the presentation went well. U got a lot of interests from independent researchers around. Told them as u asked me to, to contact u after ur back from ur ‘emergency leave’. Hope things go well with u, don’t stressed urself out too much, girl. I’m honored to have done this for u so pls regard it as a friend’s gesture. Till then, take care. XxX Linda

The second message was from Amy.

Kamal n I r picking u up. Call me once u got this.

The third message read: WHAT?! You’re kidding right? Send me a text once you’ve landed. I’ll give you a ring.

I replied a short 'thank you' to Linda before calling Amy up. She told me that she was waiting with Kamal at the arrival hall. We would be driving straight to Terengganu from KLIA.

I replied to the third text: ‘Landed’ while waiting for my luggage at the baggage hall. Five minutes later my mobile rang. I picked it up and said, ‘That's right, I've landed. How are things in London, Hakimi?’

Episode 8: F*ck!!!!

2008-04-21T06:41:00.000+08:00

Dear Angah,

I'm sending this mail from InterContinental Hotel, London, U.K.

Yes. No kidding. I attended the conference. I followed the bastard after all. You wouldn't know how strong my reluctance and hatred is since the day he met me in pulau until today.

..but Angah, I had no choice. I just had to come with him -- not because of his research topics, not because he came and begged me -- it's because of our pets Melur and Raja, and because of Pak Zainol.

Pak Zainol couldn't attend the conference with Hakimi at the very last minute of time, that's why Hakimi desperately came to me -- because Pak Zainol 'nominated' me as his replacement.

I know. I know. I should put all these in a proper sequence. I know you're confused, same to me when all these were revealed. Angah, as you may have already managed to see this, Pak Zainol is so much involved in Hakimi's research program!

The day Hakimi came to our pulau, obviously he went to Pak Zainol before they came to me, three of them, Hakimi that bastard, Pak Zainol on his wheel chair, and abah.

They explained what's the research program about, thoroughly; when Pak Zainol apologized to me for not telling me the truth all these while, I looked to abah. Abah was quiet. I saw the flash of frustrated and disappointed in his eyes. I know he only knew it few days, or maybe few weeks earlier than me, that Pak Zainol, or more 'glamorously' known as Prof Z in Hakimi's research team, had sold Raja and Melur for their research program.

.... I understand how you feel at this moment. I mean if you were there, you would have already broken Hakimi's neck! .. but are you sure is Hakimi the one to be blamed on? I'm not. I hate to think that our beloved Pak Zainol had done something so much painful to us. But at the moment of time I was so much confused.

Pak Zainol regretted, he apologized, and he begged me for doing this for him -- go to the conference, join Hakimi, and help him to help Raja and Melur --

........ .......

Angah, that's why I'm here. Waiting for Subuh. Today I'll attend Hakimi's bullshit presentation, and then meeting some experts of his team. I don't give a damn about what kind of event to attend or what kind of expert to meet.

My whole heart and mind is all on Raja and Melur, and also the last sentence that came out from Pak Zainol's mouth before I struck him on his head with my chair and bumped Hakimi with my furious body...

Everything was totally out of control on the night. Abah needed to pull me out of the little hut. I couldn't remember what really happened but I still can recall the blood on Pak Zainol's face, and also the last sentence he said:

".... I can't bear the guilt anymore for putting Raja and Melur under that suffering condition, they are dying..."

F*ck!!

Abu

Episode 7 : Mencari bintang

2008-04-14T18:03:00.000+08:00

‘Maya’
‘Yes...’
‘Do you remember this?’ She opened her palm and revealed a bunch of seashells glued together forming a familiar shape.
‘Yes, I remember’
‘Do you remember what the shape is called in Malay?’
‘Yes I do. It’s bintang.’
‘Well done, my darling. Do you remember who taught you Malay?’
I nodded, pointed at her and she smiled. And then she threw the bintang to the sea and turned to look at me.
‘Why did you do that?’ I asked.
‘Did you like the bintang?’ She asked back. I nodded.
‘Let me tell you something… ' She held my hand.

'In life, you will meet people that you like from time to time. There will be times when you lose them, like the bintang. It’s always hard to get hold of something you like but if you believe in it, it will come back to you. How and when, it’s up to you to decide. You may make a new bintang and make it your own... You may also wait for the same bintang to come back, swept to the shore by the wave… but you may not get it back the same form when it went away. And also, you may want to look for it yourself, back to where you threw it but remember to do it only when the waves are gentle and water is clear, you will only want to fight the wave when it's a bit calmer otherwise…’
‘Otherwise?’ I asked but she was gone.

I woke up to the sound of the trolley along the seat corridor. The air stewardess was serving breakfast. I thought a while about the dream. It’s been a while since I dreamt of Mom. I remember walking with her along the beach when I was little but I don’t remember talking to her about any seashells or stars. Maybe she is trying to tell me something about what I am doing right now.

My head is slightly in a mess for the time being. I wonder if she is telling that I should not have been doing this in my current unsettled condition.

Here I am, thousands of feet above the sky, on my way to Malaysia after finding out that James has been cheating on me. Screw the conference, I’m looking for a new star in the east.

Episode 6: Storm

2008-04-13T15:07:00.000+08:00

Dear Angah,

This storm never stopped since last night, it carries all the shocking news. Strong wind howls as bad and sad one dropped in; and thunder growls at the frustrating ones. The loose zinc roof is being slapped by the storm since just now-- gosh I thought I nailed it yesterday.

Abah was spending his night over Pak Zainol's. Pak Zainol's condition is getting worse, and abah had to take care of him the whole last night. I din know what happened but I was asked to leave by abah when Pak Zainol passed out suddenly.

.... hope he'll be fine.

I'm alone in this little hut, and it's already 1pm but I'm still awake, since last night, after I came back from Pak Zainol's, and after I checked my mailbox and I found the email from Hakimi.

Angah,

Remember this picture?

Manta ray 'Melur' & Hakimi.

It's the underwater photo I took for Hakimi (see him at the right corner?), together with Melur, the manta ray we met during our dive 2 years ago.

Cunning him -- he made the confession in his email, and I think you're going to get pissed off like me if you know this --

-- that snake, during that dive, sneakingly, without telling me anything before the dive (and even right after the dive!), put a GPS Tracker onto the manta rays I brought him to meet!

.. and now, with the email, he sent me the picture, his confession, and an invitation. An invitation to be his research assistant, to attend a conference in UK.

Yes, UK. London to be specific.

That snake said the GPS Trackers he put onto Melur and Raja were for research purposes, on a long list of topics he listed in the email and it's all about the behavior of Manta Rays, and one of the topic is about how we -- he means you, along, abah and I -- managed to 'call' the manta rays out whenever we dive, yada yada yada.

I'm not sure whether I should just delete the email. For an invitation to hold a *VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HIS RESEARCH TEAM* in a *VERY IMPORTANT CONFERENCE* that will commence in *TWO* days, he sounds more than desperate compared to the *DEEP* sincerity he tried to possess.

Few minutes ago Hakimi's 2nd mail dropped in saying he's on his way to come over here with my flight tix, plus mentioning I don't have to be worried about my visa yada yada yada. I just deleted the mail.

I think it's better for me to go and fix the loose zinc roof rather than getting annoyed like this, even though the storm is still roaring outside.

Chow.

Your brother,
Abu

Episode 5: Two days to go

2008-04-10T17:48:00.000+08:00

I was preparing for a power point presentation on the laptop when a new email arrived. It was from Amy. The subject was 'Penang pic!'

Hey Maya,

Check me out. Bad shot with eyes closed but still looking hot.

You remember cousins Nina and Kamal on my sides, yes… Kamal has grown that big since the last time you saw him. He has been our bodyguard in Batu Ferringhi. That’s Nina’s boyfriend, Mike on her left. The four of us will be going to Terengganu tomorrow for Nina and Mike’s research. Something to do with their marine biology study… thingy. No idea. You should’ve been doing your tutoring here instead.

Kamal and I are the tag-alongs. Not sure of their exact plan in Terengganu just yet but we’ll be meeting up with Uncle Zainol. You remember Dad’s friend, Uncle Zainol? Apparently he no longer lives in Penang.

Anyway, gtg now. Will see if I can call you in these couple of days for more updates. Till then… lots of love!

Your sis,
Amy

Oh how I wished to be joining them right now. I looked at my half-packed luggage on the bed. The conference is two days away. It is an environmental sciences conference that is going to focused on the future of aquatic sciences in Europe. It is a very important conference for my career because I will be one of the presenters. Career… me as a current tutor and future professor. Professor Maya Harris sounds good… Like how it was for Dad, Proffesor Ken Harris. Or like Uncle Zainol.

I remember calling him Prof Z instead of Uncle Zainol. I wonder if he still remember that.

Episode 4: Sign

2008-04-10T07:45:00.000+08:00

Dear Angah,

Gotcha! Haha! I received your sign! I received your sign!! Haha!

Look at the picture attached.. this is one of the pictures I took during my trip to KL last time. You see my name? I don't know what happened but my name was written almost EVERYWHERE, together with all the graffiti in Central Market, KL's heart of the artistry cultural.

It was so fascinating to see your name painted everywhere like you're celebrated for a very very grand reason, and you bet, I snapped lots of pictures and -- hey, how careless I could be -- I did not notice the BIG SIGN you sent to me until last night!!!

Now, looook clooooosely to the picture. What lies beside my name?

"Mencari bintang timur."

I got it, I even can see you're smiling BIG at me! Yeah!! I know, that's from you, it's you who put it there, my man!

"Mari ikut akak, mencari ulam melur; mari lawan ombak, mencari bintang timur.."

-- Hey, don't you be surprised that I still remember well your self-made pantun which you even made to become our official surfing anthem in the old days. Nobody understood what you're trying to say in that pantun, and, well, who cares? *grin* You always have this weird poetic 'sense' that spitted a mouthful of senseless paragraph but strangely they were simply deadly to girls..

.. my point here is, first you pulled my attention with all my names painted around, then you sent your ultimate sign to me! Mencari bintang timur -- gosh, you're haunting, bro! *grin*

My big name and your BIG SIGN. Snapped in Central Market, KL.

..but then, what's the sign for? You play no joke by painting my names everywhere in Central Market, right? No, please don't ask me to interpret your famous pantun, no please, I'm not as poetic as you are.

I need to run now. Abah is calling me to spring clean the dive store. It's a big sunny day outside now after 3 days of big pour. I just miss the sun! Chow!

Love,
Abu.

Episode 3 : Saturday night cruise

2008-04-07T16:35:00.000+08:00

Coincidentally, I have a conference to attend in London the following week. It would be nice to catch up with an old friend or rather, a high school sweet heart. I am not really sure on how James would suit the idea. It may not appear as a big deal but I would love it if he knows now than finding out later and thinks that, perhaps, I have reasons for not telling him.

James has been staying at my place since Amy left for the holiday. He asked me to move in with him a week back but I told him I need to think about it because my place is much closer to my work place. But I didn't tell him that I am not ready to let Amy paying rents for the whole flat. She is still looking for a job and until then, I want to be there so that she won't feel a bit too burdened by the living cost in Edinburgh.

Sometimes James thinks that I am doing too much for Amy. He thinks I need to let Amy live on her own at times. I always do but never for long. Amy and I always find some way to be near each other every time. She is never a spoilt sister so I believe in giving her everything that I could because that is what an older sister does.

I was done with the dishes and headed to Amy's room after dinner. James was in the shower, he would be out in a while to meet up with his mates for their Saturday 'boys night out'. Her room smelled like mild vanilla because she loves burning the scented stick in the morning. The bed was still in a mess, you could almost tell that she was in a hurry before leaving the room. There were pictures of her and her friends in costumes on the dressing mirror and next to it in a frame was our family photo. Not the one with Mom but with Jane. Maybe because we never had any family photo taken with Mom. Plus, I think because Amy has very little memory of Mom, she regards Jane as our mother.

Jane is a very lovely mother, but she is not mine. I am still holding on strongly to the fact that she is only our step mother. I don't think it's has anything to do with her being the reason on why we had to leave Malaysia. That is James' theory, by the way. I think it's due to the fact that I remember almost everything about Mom. Her dark hair, her tanned skin, her slim figure, her accent... She had a very thick Malaysian accent.

I sat on Amy's bed and reached for the book by its side. From the metal marker, it showed that she has read half of the book. I opened the page and the marker fell. I picked it up and it was engraved with the words: Mari lawan ombak! Cheeky, I thought and smiled.

The metal marker does look like a mini surfing board.

Episode 2: Angah

2008-04-03T13:57:00.000+08:00

Dear Angah,

Yello... Nobody can forget the way you say 'Yello' in your very own fancy way, nobody can.

Abah missed you last night. I knew he cried. This is my first time to see him crying since the day you left us. Our old man is getting older and older.

Things are gloomy here. The sky, the weather, the sea, and the mood. It's monsoon season, nobody cares to come over our little island as there's no sunlight but rough wave. ..but the thing about weather is, when it calms down, it leaves no trace at all about her roughness and rudeness.. and sometime Along will just grab his fishing rod and try his luck.. but seeing him standing alone without you by his side, the calm weather only shows a lonely scene..

That's why I hate monsoon.

Along fishing alone under the 'once in a blue moon' good weather.

Abah officially retired from diving and surfing yesterday and we had a farewell party last night but it was raining outside. Along, Gemuk and the rest of our friends tried to cheer the gloomy atmosphere up. Having everybody around was fun, and I had a good time, until I found Abah hid in his gudang, sniveling in front of your surf board.

... yeah.., having everybody around was fun.. but it also reminded us those good days we had together in the past...having everybody around might be not a good idea though...

The resort had been closed due to the monsoon, and I took the chance to go to KL the big city. Nothing much to be told... oh yeah I met Hakimi. Remember him? The tall fella who always visits our resort for surfing? OK put it in this way, the tall *cocky* fella who always visits our resort for doing something he thought is called surfing -- now you remember? I know you kinda dislike him, everybody dislikes him for God's sake. But things always work in this way: we'll always bump into someone we don't really wish to meet, we'll never have enough time for someone whom we care and we love, and we'll always misses chances to meet the one we'll eventually fall in love with...

... like meeting Hakimi, like losing you, like I'm still waiting for the one...

*sigh*

So what are you up with recently? Well you know I don't really expect a reply from you, but at least give me a sign, if any. Sounds creepy, huh? Hahah!!
We miss you.

Your brother,
Abu.

Episode 1 : Yellow

2008-04-01T17:30:00.000+08:00

I love autumn.

It is the only time when the sun appears without being too harsh and yet still play along with the yellowish colours of the ground and the leaves. Perhaps because it’s chilly enough to get cuddly inside. Perhaps because we still get the hint of both summer and winter. And perhaps because yellow is my favourite colour too. I took this photo outside the house yesterday.

I wonder how Amy is doing in Malaysia. It’s been only a week now but I missed her already. She has not been online to update me on her trip to see Nenek in Penang. I received a text on the day she reached KL but that’s about it. I bet she’s having too much fun to even bother texting me about her three weeks holiday now. I’m so jealous…

Nenek is Mom’s mother. She took care of Amy and I since our Mom passed away when I was six and Amy was three. Then for ten years, Amy and I grew up in between the care of Nenek and Dad in Penang. Dad went back and forth to Canterbury in England of where he’s originally from, after Mom passed away. When there were school holidays, Amy and I would tag along with him to England and we would be staying at Grandma’s, our ‘very English’ grandmother. Grandma was different from Nenek but they were equally warm that Amy and I ‘decided’ to like her right away. After a few visits, Dad must have thought that we were comfortable in England, he finally told us one day that we were moving to England for good. Plus, he found someone who was good enough to be our new mother, Jane.

It had been eleven years since then and I have been back to visit Nenek only twice: once after my high school and the second one was during the second year in university summer break, both were less than ten days trip each.

When Amy and I planned to go together this year, I was excited because it was going to be a longer trip: three weeks. But two days before leaving, I had to bail out. James, my boyfriend was involved in an accident and had his legs badly injured, I didn’t have the heart to leave him. Amy had to go alone.

I have moved to live on my own up north in Scotland after getting a job in Edinburgh since a couple of years back. That was when I met James. We have been going out for a year now. Amy moved to stay with me after graduating last year. Dad and Jane are still in England, staying not far from Grandma. We still visit them both from time to time.

I was holding my phone, thinking of texting Amy again when it suddenly rang.

“Hello?”
“Yellooo? Maya! Sorry hasn’t been returning your text and calls, you know how it is…” She giggled. Of course it’s Amy. Nobody else said ‘yello’ instead of ‘hello’.
“Hey Amy, how has it been? How’s Nenek? How’s Penang?”
“Nenek is great. She’s making me fat with all the food, gosh! She sends her love to you.” I smiled thinking of Nenek and all her foods.
“How are you? How’s James, he’s okay now?” Amy asked.
“I’m fine, James is fine too, thanks, recovering well. Glad you managed to call finally…”
“Yea, I can’t talk long though. It’s past midnight here already, long day today. One quick question though, do you know someone named Kimi? Akimi or something?”
“Kimi? No, I don’t think so. Who is she?”
“He. Tall, dark… very cute. We sat next to each other on the flight from London and we started talking… turns out that he knows you.”
“Very cute? I’m surprise I have no idea who he is. Where is he from?” I asked before we both giggled.
“Originally a Malaysian but has been staying in London for a few years now. He told me he went to the same school with you in Penang…Small world eh?”

Oh wait. Don’t tell me that’s him. I still remember his handsome boyish look even after twelve years.

“Yelloooo, you there?”
“Here! I think I know a Kimi. Did you get his phone number by the way?” I asked her again.
“Yea I got it, will text it to you later. I gotta go now. Say hi James. See if I can go online one of these days, although I doubt it. Take care now, alright? Bye!” Then she hung up.

I put the phone down and turned to look at James who was already fast asleep on the sofa. I like watching him sleeping. I moved closer towards him when the phone beeps, signaling an incoming text message.

She’s fast, I thought.

I took the phone and the message read: ‘Hey Maya, not sure if you remember me. It’s Kimi from Uplands, Penang, more than 10 years flashback helps perhaps? Got the number from your sis Amy. I’m in Malaysia currently but heading back to the UK in a week time. How are you doing? Fancy a catch up if you remember me still? X’

If I remember you? You’re my first high school boyfriend and your favourite colour was yellow too!

"What's cooking?" -- ULAM July: a special reunion of ULAMers with Remy.

2007-09-07T22:43:00.000+08:00

Remy: The 'salad' (ulam) was so raw when it started in June, but somehow, 5 chefs with different styles of gastronomy plus various philosophies behind their cooking, joined together in month of July, at a point where the passion of summer and romance of fall met.

I would not say that ULAM July was a haute cuisine but the spirit and the effort showed by 5 panelists were truly amazing, and not forget to mention the creativity behind the dish, it was tremendously shone by the different personalities of each of them.

And tonight in Remy's "What's Cooking" show, we're so honored to have 4 of the panelist with us here, Ey d'lEfty, Flo, Sayuti, and RedRuby; plus the man behind the scene, the Salad Boss, BossUlam. Welcome.

So, Boss, obviously you have the best panelists ever in July. What do you think about them?

BossUlam: Yeah as you described just now, each of them have different personalities, but I'm glad that each of them have the same passion about the project. See, Flo made us fall in love with her romance touch, Ey d'lEfty aka Spidey made us confused of what's inside his mind most of the time; Jannah made us realized and saw and appreciated what a modern literature should look like; Sayuti made us screamed or wailed or whooped because of his brain-twister wit; and RedRuby, made us doffed our hat to her neat composure and full control of every dramatic scenes in the story --- they are all different, but putting these differences together, it made a delicious ulam.

Remy: Indeed... but I really interested in one thing: DO you guys know each other before Ulam July?

Ey d'lEfty: I think I'm the one who knows EVERYBODY here, except Boss. But these people started to talk to each other when they got into this pool.

Remy: So are you saying basically, you guys were working TOGETHER without knowing each other? BUT looking at the story, the flow and the plot was so fluent as if everything was planned and discussed! Incredible! So, Sayuti, after ULAM July, what do you think of the other panelist?

Sayuti: Well, I think Flo is a romantic tourist with an eye for fine arts, while Jannah is a teacher with conspirator's mind. Red Ruby, for me, likes to read and kills character ;p while Spider is VERY confused and twisted geoscientist who, well I basically know his job task, evidently likes to interpret stuff. Haha!

Remy: Interpret stuff? Yeah I actually really surprised with one of Spidey's post which decode your tricky puzzle into something really dramatic...

Red Ruby: No I think Spidey's more 'KIASU' than anything else. It was research, Research, and RESEARCH that he did. :> But at least that makes the storyline more real, don't you think so? Hehe!!

Remy: Really? Spidey, did you do a lot of studies and researches throughout the journey of ULAM July?

Ey d'lEfty: YES and NO actually. Hehe. I have a confession to do here actually, I actually made up a few phrases of Samoan language. ;p Hey I did not MASTER the language, I just tried to MASTER the way to put it real and dramatic. Haha.. ops.. KANTOI!

Remy: That's interesting. But tell me Red Ruby, what do you think of Jannah. I heard from Boss that Jannah has some little problem with you..

BossUlam: Haha.. that's true actually. Jannah used to tell me that RedRuby killed her favourite character and twisted her plot. Hahaha.. Remember KingKong and the 'National Oil Company'? Hahaha!!

Red Ruby: Huh?! I didn't know that?! Sorry for that. But for me, I compare Jannah to Sidney Sheldon, period.

Remy: WOW! That's more than a compliment! and how about you, Flo?

Flo: For me, I think Jannah is crazy, Red Ruby is crazy, Sayuti is Crazy, and Spidey, is also crazy.

Remy: Hahaha!! Funny. And don't forget your Boss, it's his crazy mind that set this crazy scene up! Hahaha!! But how about yourself? I mean of course, we know that you are as crazy as these guys sitting here, but we all believe that you are 'crazy with some helpless romantic touch', ;) what do you think? What do you think of your own writing style?

Flo: That I am a drama princess? *giggle* Well, I like keeping the suspense and surprise. You can also notice this in 'Elle For Love'. Ops.. sorry bout the free promo here. *giggle* Anyway, the suspense, the surprises, most of the time they are so unintentionally appeared in my mind, and sometimes it surprised me as well.

Remy: Spidey, how bout you?

Ey d'lEfty: I think I always have a picture in my mind before starting writing-- the image of the characters, the scenes, the buildings, and also the soundtracks, the background music. Erm.. let's call it 'VisualAudio' oriented. *grin* But throughout the ULAM July, I had problem of jiving my version of image with the other's, I mean, the 'image-conflict' always happened each time a panelist followed up the story. However, solving the conflict was actually the fun part of it, it was like you're gaining a power of recompose everything into places, and then let them flow and see how they evolved, then you recompose again.

Remy: WOW.. that's involve A LOT of thinking process, dude!!

Ey d'lEfty: .. and A LOT of fun!!

Remy: I bet! I guess Sayuti is true bout that, you enjoyed breaking codes and solving puzzles with imagination..I think it really matches with your profession, huh? So as a self-proclaimed 'Human Resource Engineer', Sayuti, what do you think it influence your writing style?

Sayuti: Ah ha! Ok here's the way it goes: I tend to be analytical -- that's what an Engineer will do; and I wil ltry to ensure continuity of the plot and the characters -- and that's what we call HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT!! *grin*..

BossUlam: I think everybody did very good in handling this, as what Sayuti pointed out, the continuity of the plot and the consistency of the characters. That was why there were some readers and even you, Remy, were surprised that the whole story of ULAM July was so fluent and smooth as if it was a planned and discussed storyline.

Remy: INDEED!! and the fast pace and the quick update too.. it was so quick that made me really couldn't believe that each of them even have a time to think and plan the next episode, let alone the code breaking and puzzle solving, and yet to fit it into the story..

BossULAM: .. and among them, I think Red Ruby was the quickest writer since ULAM June.

Red Ruby: I admit that I'm a fast pace action packed kinda person plus twisting the storyline here and there. But I think everybody in ULAM July was really committed. I believe that we all know well that it'll turn our readers away if the story was basically stagnant. Whatever it is, I don't think I'm the fastest writer among all, instead, comparatively, I think I have a 'narrow' vocab so obviously my English is not as superb as the other fellow panelist, and my writing style, is a little bit 'corny' I guess..

Remy: Not a superb English and ... 'CORNY'??! Kidding? I think we all would totally agree if I say you're the most experienced writer among all, Red Ruby. And it was so obviously shown from the way you write and the language you use.. You read a lot, don't you?

Red Ruby: Hmm.... I guess it's a YES...

Remy: ...OK then tell me, Red Ruby, what is your original plot for ULAM July? See it started from a conflict happened in the world of theft and eventually evolved into a mysterious tattoo legend thingy.. Was that what you expected?

Red Ruby: OF COURSE NOT!! I mean who would expect that? I really thought that the story was going to be a 'OCEAN-13 meets BOURNE'S IDENTITY', nothing to do with the paranormal things. However, I love it too if the story sounds like 'SUPERNATURAL'.. Hehehe..

Remy: Yeah, talking about OCEAN-13. Spidey, it was so obvious and everybody had noticed it, the 1st episode, it really had the shadow of OCEAN-13, any explanation? Did you really want it to become a ULAM version of OCEAN?

Ey d'lEfty: I guess I just need to do another confession here.. *grin* Yes I have to admit that I just watched OCEAN-13 when I started writing episode 1, but I think what really triggered the idea of writing a 'story about professional thieves' was the song 'STOLEN' of Dashboard Confessionals, which I'd convinced Boss to put it as the 1st soundtrack of ULAM July.

Remy: It is so obvious that you're such a 'visualaudio' type of writer. *smile* How about you Flo? What will your version of ULAM July be if you're given full control to drive the story?

Flo: Well if I get to control ULAM July, I would not have used Elle but Rachel instead. Then there will be Joey, Monica, Phoebe, Ross and Chandler. It will be about a bunch of strangers boarding a plane and crash on an island and got stranded there for years. *grin*

Remy: That sounds familiar...

BOSSUlam: It is a combination of FRIENDS and LOST, Remy.

Remy: Oh you girls!!! Two of you are SO MUCH into drama series, aren't you?!! Red Ruby just wanted it to be like Supernatural, and you, Friends and Lost!! Hahaha!! That's really funny. I hope Sayuti won't give me any title from P.Ramlee movies, will you?

Sayuti: No. Don't worry, even tough I'm so into HOUSE. *giggle* But I would love to make ULAM July a sci-fi thriller with a lot of twists but will focus on the ULAM folder, and is related to ULAM June.

Remy: .. and that was what you did!! Putting Prof Z and the tail-less goat back into ULAM July!!

Ey d'lEfty, Flo, Red Ruby: OOOOOOOOOHHhhhh!! THAT WAS CLASSIC!!

BOSSUlam: Everybody was really shocked to read the reappearance of Prof Z and the pictures of the tail-less goat, and the college students.. To be very frank I was actually pissed off. *smile* I thought Sayuti had just ruined the whole ULAM July, it was like no turning point at all when he tried to put something really irrelevant but still cannot be ignored back into ULAM July. Actually it was my personal problem, I just couldn't stand to see my failure in ULAN June came back to haunt me in ULAM July! Hahahaha!!

Remy: ..but your panelists managed to solve this out, didn't they?

BOSSUlam: Very much! I was actually, at the time of frustration, *grin* anticipating. I wanted to know what magic would my panelists would offer to me out of the mess.

Remy: .. and what did you get fianly?

BOSSUlam: ..Well.., what could I say more?

Remy: Very well. So panelists, I believe while writing or continuing the story, you guys must have your favourite character that you would, intentionally or unintentionally, put more effort or time to develop, right? So tell me, what's your favourite character? Zip? Elle?

Red Ruby and Ey d'lEfty: ZIP!!!!

Flo: I knew it! I knew it!! Of course both of them love Zip! Spidey introduced Zip at 1st episode, and Red Ruby 'reassured' Zip's status in the final episode!

Ey d'lEfty: Hellooooo.... it was my choice, so what? *grin*

Remy: Haha.. but Flo, I heard that you used to say the most interesting plot would be KingKong is actualy the Prime Minister of Thailand and Elle was actually a 'guy trapped in a woman's body'.. and Zip confesses that he is actually a GAY, did you say that??!!

Flo: *LOL* I think I did.. Haha.. but that was only crap.. In fact, I think since all of us did build up a little bit of history of Kong, Elle, Raoul and Professor Z, that leaves us with Maria which, if given the chance, I would create her to become Raoul’s sister, the twin to the one that died.

Don't y'all think it's pretty cool?

Sayuti: Nope. *grin*

Remy: Haha.. so what's your 'COOL' stuff, Sayuti? You introduced the elements of ULAM June, so is your favourite character Prof Z or the tail-less goat? *wink*

Sayuti: The ULAM folder.

*Everybody burst into BIG laugh*

Remy: *LOL* That was hilarious!! Do you really mean it?

Sayuti: Certainly. Because it bears all the answers for all the secrets of ULAM. AND that's is what we call COOL. *wink wink*

BossULAM: You know in normal condition the panelist who wrote up first episode would always have the privilege to design and develop the main character that he/she wants, and then the next writers would just have to agree and focus on this character. But I tell you, Remy, this is not the case in ULAM July.

Remy: Indeed. Look at Zip. Spidey designed and developed Zip but everybody can see what happen to Zip in terms of the contribution to the story flow.

Ey d'lEfty: Yeah, I noticed that actually. Flo, Sayuti, Red Ruby and Jannah, they were like did not want to give Zip any chance to perform in their story..

BOSSUlam: Yeah, and that pretty much made Zip a LOSER in the story, don't you think so?

Ey d'lEfty: Boss, are you trying to say that the person who develop Zip is a LOSER?

BOSSUlam: No no no. Don't get me wrong, Spidey. I'm trying to point out that, the panelists have their own independence thought. And each of them have their own version of story and the way to develop each character, but still they can jive well with the others.

Remy: .. Yeah, even for Zip, he seemed so not contributing in the story but he ended up becoming a hero and the only character that stay the same since the beginning. Hmm.. But there's one thing that I don't really understand.. the ending, I mean the process to get a ending was actually a mess and a lil' bit confusing...

Sayuti: I'm sorry, it was my fault.

BOSSUlam: No no. It was nobody's fault, or if I have to blame, I'll blame the wrong timing. .. And that's was why I tried to introduce the 'pre-post finale' idea, in order to make sure there's an ending ALREADY... but still, if the wrong timing was still there, we might end up having this 'pre-post finale' hanging as a bodiless tail.

Remy: So, BOSS, any plan for the becoming ULAM? I heard somebody has volunteered to be in ULAM September, is it correct?

BOSSUlam: Well, again, I think it's about timing. I'll try to make sure the new batch of panelist would have sufficient time to keep the momentum from start to end. And that's very important. As far as I know, Jannah will be busy with her academic study, Spidey will be offshore later on, no news from Red Ruby and I guess it's a sign of busy. And Flo will be free in September, not sure about Sayuti.

Remy: You mean, you're going to get them back if possible? What about new members?

BOSSUlam: Well this batch excelled, give me a reason for me to abandon them, Remy. New members? Maybe. But some promotion need to be done before that.

Remy: Well I guess we have come to the last part of the show. But before my final question to panelist, let's have a look on the messages left on the TALKUlam message board, the order of the message was from bottom to top, please read according to the date and time:

30 Jul 07, 19:26

Flo: I'm abnormal then. Since I like what Jannah just wrote. *grin*

30 Jul 07, 18:08

Spider: my point is, if u find urself cursing the rest of the panelist and maki tak ingat and rase menyampah kt kitrng -- IT"S ABSOLUTELY NORMAL BEB!! wakakaka!!!

30 Jul 07, 18:07

Spider: just to share one thing to you guys: I cursed and maki giler lah time tried to compile all the puzzles and put them in Episode 12 by using 12 hours... hehehe

30 Jul 07, 18:06

Spider: Nasib baaaik benor i'm now only a READER for Ulam July.. good luck y'all!!!

30 Jul 07, 17:09

Spider: hey guys.. aku dh back in www world.. will check out episode 13 later..

30 Jul 07, 16:36

Flo: Audris & Stellis? Ah sudah...

30 Jul 07, 16:32

Flo: ALAMAK. Gua punya weekend hectic la, sampai gua terlupa kewujudan ULAM. Hehe.. Ok gua sambung time lunch break. Habis bila, tak tau. All the best for tomorrow.

28 Jul 07, 14:06

sayuti: my impression on jane entry was "hoh?" then "hahaha" then "camne la si FLO nak sambung ni?"

Remy: This is actually part of the conversations among panelists that truly reflects the the way and the experience they shared while working on ULAM July. My last question to the panelists is: Have you guys ever felt frustrated throughout the process? Spidey, you said you cursed and maki a lot, was that true?

Ey d'lEfty: Yes actually. *grin* But that was all out of fun. The only serious frustration I had once was when I suddenly realized that everybody kept putting twists and twists without solving it or revealing it, and end up I have to gather everything to make sure the story could proceed in a logical way.

Remy: .. and that's how the SUPERB episode 12 published. Cool! How about the rest?

Red Ruby: There was a couple of frustrating moment to be honest.

Sayuti: When there's no update, yes.

Flo: Once. I was annoyed when I had to go online during my holiday trip to

Spain

, the only time when I thought I was not going to have a look at the computer screen. I was like… who goes online when the beach in 100m away?! Apart from that it was cool.

Remy: Cool. So ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for coming to my show. Well done everybody, my popular ratatoullie is ready backstage, let's go and indulge yourself ladies and gentlemen.

Episode17:The Final Journey

2007-08-08T12:33:00.000+08:00

Elle felt weak. And hot. Too hot. The flames were too close.
“Help..” she cried softly. She had drained all her energy and none was left.

The chanting grew louder and for a moment she thought she felt a gush of cold wind. And then there was the chant again. And the wind…she felt as if it was on top of her. Elle looked up and could not believe what she just saw. The sky was clear a moment ago. But now it was as if hurricane was coming. Flashes of lightning…wind billowing, crashes of thunder and then at the corner of her eye she saw something white. Abnormally white amidst the darkness of the sky. And the whitish glow slowly emerge, taking shape..a ghostly shape was all she could make of.

“Stellis!” Elle thought and panicked. It worked. She was the bearer of the Goddess of Darkness. The time has come. She didn’t want it to happen.Then she felt it. It was as if something was grabbing her heart. She clutched her chest. She couldn’t breath. Every breath she took was a huge effort. I’m dying, she thought. And she fell backwards. In an awkward position with her hands tied at her back. She was staring towards the sky. The figure she saw earlier was clearer. It took a form..a women..so bright..it hurt her eyes..then it changes.The women’s head was filled with small serpents.Hissing at her..like medusa. Her heart hurts more than she can bear. She felt weaker every second. This thing was sucking life out of her…

They saw..the people in masks, Raoul, Kingkong, Zip. They all saw. The silhouette was closing at Elle. Elle was having hard time breathing.

“STELLIS” the people in masks start chanting.

Raoul was awed. He stood guard at his place. It’s real. Stellis is alive.

Behind him, Kingkong paced himself faster. A gun in his hand. He was as dumbfounded as those around him but at this point he had to act..fast. He silently walked towards Raoul from behind after spotting Raoul. Nobody realized his existence. They were too absorbed in their own world. Closing in, Kingkong then grabbed Raoul at his neck and placed the gun on his temple.

“You are going to be sorry for what you’ve done you bastard!” Kingkong said to Raoul’s ear and pulled the trigger.

Raoul could not react.It happened to fast. He heard the blast of gunshot and felt something was piercing his head. And that was the last thing he felt before he dropped dead.

The group was interrupted by the second gunshot. They stopped to see what happened. At that moment, there were screams. One by one in the group were dropping like flies. Gunshots were everywhere. Kingkong had hid near the bushes and started shooting at the masked people. He didn’t care who they were.

******

Zip was waiting for that moment before he tried to take action. He knew Kingkong would have acted aggressively. And with his mental state right now, Kingkong’s going a step further. Trying to kill every single person on the ritual ground. Including him if he did not act now.

Elle was obviously growing weaker. The whitish figure was still on top of her. Apart from the chaos that was happening on the ground, nothing seem to affect Stellis. Zip quickly got out from his hiding place and tried to sneak into the group and to get to the top of the stone. He knew where Kingkong was so he carefully positioned himself so that Kingkong will not be able to see him. The masked group were already scattered around the ritual ground trying to hide for safety. Zip got to the stone but now he had to pass the bonfire that was surrounding it. Ignoring the heat, he tried to look for something to climb the climb the stone. These people obviously had used something to get Elle to the top. He searched frantically for something and at last he saw a bamboo ladder near the place he stood and brought it to the stone. It won’t last, he thought. The fire will burn it down but it gave him enough time to climb it. The heat from the fire was getting intense but he had to ignore it. He needed to save Elle.

Zip placed the ladder on the stone at such an angle that only the top touches the flame. He climbed it and in a few seconds, he was at the top. The flames started to burn him. He winced as his arm was burned. He jumped to the flat top of the stone to see Elle lying on her back. She was not moving. She was pale..

“No!Don’t die on me, Elle,” Zip cried rushing towards Elle.

The silhouette was clearer now as Zip was closer to it. He was mesmerized but then he felt it was so full of evil. The serpent head woman was glaring at him as if he had just interrupted her. He felt pain on his chest now..and was gasping for his breath. Not now, he thought. He quickly exposed the tattoo that was on Elle’s thigh and withdrew his Swiss Army knife.

“Whatever you are,” Zip said to the figure on top of him still gasping for breath, “You are dead!!” Zip took the knife and slashed Elle’s thigh. Making a line across the tattoo.

Suddenly there was a piercing scream from above. Stellis was fading. The figure distorted. At that moment, wind was blowing on all direction. It was as if hurricane was passing to the area. Zip grabbed hold of Elle afraid that they will be blown away. Then there was crashing of thunders. He heard awful screams from below. Fire around him and Elle was starting to torch them. He felt the heat and the smoke was starting to intoxicate him. He didn’t know if Elle was still alive but he did let go of her. His eyes starting to burn and he couldn’t breath. I’m dying, Zip thought and passed out.

********

Newsflash

The world had caught a surprise this week when an awful massacre had taken place in the Samoan Island. It is believe to have started from a cult known as the Mapoo Cult that had been going on for centuries. The cult was once thought as legend and myth now have emerged and this massacre is a sign showing that this cult does exist. More than 20 people were found dead. Some were inflicted by gunshot wounds while the others were burned to death. It was as if they were strike by lightning but the meteorology confirmed there was no evidence of any lightning and thunderstorm occurrence in the area on the night it happened. A male professor known as Professor Zyne was also found dead. His involvement with this cult was still unclear although some have said that he may be one of the ‘higher power’ of this well known cult. The 20 people found dead were all wearing black robes and masks. Evidence shows that there had been a sacrificial ritual going on the night of the massacre but something or someone had stopped it because the women who was meant to be sacrifice was found alive. Most of those found dead are identified as Japanese and most of them are high profile businessman from the country of the rising sun. The man who was suspected forshooting the people was found dead, burned alive next to a revolver that was believe to be the murder weapon.Police and local authority are still baffled with this event and investigation is still going on. Interpol is currently involved with the investigation due to the involvements of the Japanese tycoons. There were only 2 survivors in this massacre and currently are heavily guarded in the local hospital. Both had suffered from burns and other injuries and are in the state of comma.

*******

3 weeks later..

“Where am I?”

“Where do you think you are?”

“Stellis…grandpa”

“Shh..you don’t want to mention that to anyone. Not now. “

“Who are you?”

“Don’t you remember me? It’s Zip.”

“Who..who’s Zip?”

“Wh..what..you don’t remember? How about Raoul? Kingkong?”

“ Who are they? Where am I?”

“You’re in a hospital. I’m Zip. You were in a comma..for almost 3 weeks now..”

“Comma? What happened?”

“You…you were in an accident. I was with you. You don’t remember? We were on our way to go to grandpa’s funeral but we crashed. I just woke up too…good thing both of us are safe…”

“What…accident? I can’t remember a thing. Nothing. But who are you?”

“I’m Zip..your husband……it’s ok. We’ll take things easy from now. You’ll get you memory back and I’ll help you with it. I’ll make sure of it…..”

-THE END-

Episode 16: Failure to fail

2007-08-08T12:26:00.000+08:00

“I failed……,”

Zip stared at Prof Z as he said those words out loud. Zip tried to hide his own emotion..he wanted to feel sorry for Prof Z but at the same time, he was filled with rage and anger. He had been cheated..all this while. Who are these people? Friend of foe? And Elle, the love of his life..or so the thought.Everything’s coming in together but none of it make any sense.Like scattered puzzles…Kingkong, Raoul, Marc, Prof Zip, Elle,the agency, the Japanese..the samoans..audris..stellis???!!

“What the f***,” Zip swore silently to himself. He needed this to be over. It must end. Now or never..

They were on their way to the airport., taking the next flight to Samoa Island. Knowing that’s where Raoul and Elle would be, and those from the highest power of the agency. That’s where they will summon Stellis..

Kingkong was restless..his only aim was to meet his parents. At this point he didn’t give a damn about Elle or Raoul. His ticket was Prof Z. But this Audris and Stellis prophecy or crap thingy. Is it real? Gosh…come on. We are living in this modern world…how could anyone still believe in this Goddess of Darkness or Light or tattoo that could summon anything? Kingkong was skeptical. But he had play along until he get what he wanted.

Prof Z was feeling hopeless. His only grandchild. His only family. All this while he had tried his best to protect her. From the agency especially. Stellis…she will release the utmost terror…the devil itself. He’ll do anything to protect her. To stop her from releasing the Goddess of Darkness..stop it before it sonsumes her.He’d rather see her dead than seeing the devil released and die because of it. No matter what, that will be his sacrifice…

********

“Where am I?” Elle tried to open her eyes. She felt a pain behind her head. She tried to open her eyes but it hurt.Her hands..bounded tightly at her back. And her legs..tied too. Her eyes hurt..her head hurts. She tried again and when she managed at least to at least take a peek around her, she went numb. The sight..what stood in front of her was something she would never imagine or even consider real. For a moment she thought she was dead..but the sounds..the music..the people. They are all real.

Elle looked down at herself.She saw that she was seated on a stone or what looked like a huge stone erected for what seems like 3 metres from the ground. And her clothes..and it doesn’t look like what she had wore the last time she was awake. It was THE dress..the traditional Samoan dress..for the sacrifice. She has seen it before. And after seeing it, she now know what she was into. They are holding the ceremony. It has started. The people..those stood in front of her were wearing masks. Masks of Darkness..Elle said to herself. Those chantings..they are different. Not what she remembered. Then Elle gasped. She quickly looked at her thigh hoping that it was still there. It must be there. I don’t feel pain..and she moved her leg so that the dress will expose part of her thigh where the tattoo was. Elle gave a silent sigh..it’s still there. But Raoul said..they needed to finish the tattoo in order to summon Stellis but so far, they’ve done nothing about it.

“Don’t worry Elle. Your tattoo is safe. And I know what you’re thinking. Why have we not done a thing to it? Because there’s no need to do so..because well, surprisingly its perfect,” Raoul said, smiling.

Hearing the voice, Elle was surprised to see Raoul stood at her side on the ground. Looking at her, smiling. That evil smile…that liar!!

“What do you mean perfect? We’ve seen it..and its not. You won’t be able to summon her and you know it,” Elle stared at Raoul with hatred.

Raoul eyeingly stared back at Elle without feeling remorse “And how can you be so sure about that? We’ll never know if we don’t try. And if it doesn’t work out, we’ll try again and again and again. There are many beautiful Samoan women with malu like you waiting out there to be sacrificed my dear..and you know how many have sat at the same spot as you..hoping their sacrifice will bring out Stellis and obviously failed.This has been going on and on for years…centuries in fact. And if tonight we fail..we’ll have other nights..and other..until we have our Goddess of Darkness.”

“You are crazy..the agency..these unknown mad for power people…” Elle was angrier than ever. “How many innocent lives have suffered for this?? This is not about living your life for the tribe..for their beliefs..for Audris. This is madness..to gain power..to summon darkness.What good does it give to any of us??”

“Quit it. What difference does it make? Audris or Stellis? In the end we kill people. Just to satisfy our desire. What makes you, me, our tribe and this f***ing Japs different? We are all the same. So I might as well join the other side if you know what I mean. At least I do get something out of this sacrificial shit. You people die..I get the money..they still believe Stellis is out there somewhere and this will never stop until they get what they want.” Raoul was about to walk away when Elle stopped him on his track.

“Don’t you bullshit me about doing this for money Raoul.I know you believe it as much as I do or as our tribe does.You’ve seen Audris.You said it yourself.And you know what happens if they release Stellis. None of us will survive,” Elle said.

Raoul gave her words a thought..just for a few seconds and continued to walk away not turning his back. Knowing that was his last time he was going to see Elle..alive.

“Raoul!” Elle screamed to him. “Raoul!Get me out of here..please..don’t leave me here.Please..” Elle sobbed…cried as she never cried before. No, she thought. All my life, I never cared about sacrificing myself for my tribe for I always had Audris in me..but now..Stellis. What have I done….

**********

“We are close by. You hear those chanting?” Zip was leading the way in the midst of the jungle.

“No!We’re too late!They’ve started the ritual.We will not get there in time,” Prof Z was agitated.
“We don’t know that yet Prof Z. Quick.Move fast and we’ll make it,” urged Kingkong.

They moved as fast as the track will allow them. Hoping that they could make it in time…minutes felt like hours. And as they got nearer, the chanting grew louder and they stopped at their tracks when they saw the bonfire. There was a clearing in the middle of the jungle.Obviously made for the ritual. A stone about 3 metres high was placed in the center. There were about 20 people making a circle around the stone..chanting with black robes and masks on their faces. Men or women..they were unrecognizable.The fire they saw was burning on the ground around the stone and it was growing higher and higher. And on top of the stone itself, Elle sitting with her hands and feet bounded. She was screaming. It looked like she was screaming but as the chanting grew louder, it swallowed any sound she was making.

“Elle, no!”Prof Z rushed towards the ritual ground without thinking.

Zip and Kingkong tried to stop him but they did not expect him to rush out like that. They maintained their position hiding away from the group of people. It was too late for them to stop Prof Z. If they try to run after him, they will expose themselves too.

The chantings suddenly stop. Elle’s scream now was heard. She saw Prof Z running towards her. “Grandpa!” it was the first time she had ever called him that.

“Elle!” Prof Z was unaware that the group had stopped their chanting and now building a human chain between Prof Z and Elle.

“ No!”Prof Z cried. He stopped. Seeing that it was impossible for him to penetrate them. And at that moment he took out his Glock from his jacket and pointed his gun at the human chain that stood in front of him.

Then there was a sound of gunshot. The people in masks stayed intact at their position. No movements.No sounds. No screams. And at that moment, Prof Z fell on to the ground holding his sstomache. Blood stained the shirt he was wearing. His face was contorted with pain.

“NO!!” Elle screamed after witnessing her grandfather being shot. The heat from the fire was starting to intensify but at that point she felt nothing. She was numb.

Kingkong wanted to run to Prof Z’s aid but Zip stopped him. “You don’t want to do that kong.You’ll get shot too.”

Kingkong stayed put. They were searching for the source of gunshot.

Suddenly Raoul emerged from the group. Taking off his own mask and revealed himself. A gun was on his hand. “I’m sorry Prof Z.You shouldn’t have come at all.”

“You….don’t..do..this..you will kill us all!” Prof Z tried his best to mutter those few words. His pain was excruciating. He knew he had lost a lot of blood.He felt cold.

Raoul ignored Prof Z’s word and turned to face the masked group.”Proceed and do not stop.Get Stellis out of her!”

Prof Z was now helpless.Waiting for death.He was too late.He looked at Elle. Elle was sobbing. Prof Z smiled weakly. At least…she recognized me as her grandfather, and that is all I can ask for, he thought to himself. He was still clutching at his gunshot wound.Blood trickled to the ground. He was cold…so cold. And at last, Prof Z took his last breath…

******
Zip and Kingkong stared, bewildered.

“How can we fight 20 against 2?”Zip asked Kingkong who was still shocked at what he just saw.

“Huh, I don’t know.Hey Zip, with Prof Z dead, we will never know who are parents are..right?” Kingkong was frustrated. All this while he thought…

“I guess so. But hey, we have a larger problem now.Elle and Raoul and this Stellis thingy. How are we going to stop it??” Zip asked again hoping Kingkong will start realizing how deep they are into the whole situation now.

“I don’t know man. And you know what? At this point, I don’t give a shit.I don’t believe in thi s Stellis crap and neither should you.It’s all bogus man. Just another reason for people to kill someone.All I want to do right now is to kill that son of a bitch Raoul. For all I care..f*** Elle and Stellis!” Kingkong was now unable to constrain his emotion.

“Ok.Whatever.I want to Elle out of here and you want Raoul. We now go our separate ways.You get Raoul.I get Elle.”Zip held his hand out to Kingkong. “This may be the last time we see each other.After all this shit end, I don’t even know if I want to see you anymore.”

Kingkong took Zip’s hand and shook it. “Me too.So, good luck!”

And they went they separate ways thinking of how they could get their hands on Elle and Raoul and stop the ritual altogether.

Episode 15: Failure

2007-08-02T19:44:00.000+08:00

"I HAVE FAILED!" Profesor Z suddenly shouted, startling everyone.

"...so does Sayuti," someone whispered out of nowhere.

(the end)

p/s: Sori boss, sorry guys...

Episode 14 : Stellis

2007-07-31T01:37:00.000+08:00

“But?” Zip asked, hoping for Professor Z to continue his sentence. The old man had been silent for a while. He was in a deep thought, struggling to revive the memories, especially the one he wanted to forget the most.
“She doesn’t really acknowledge me as her grandfather. She never calls me that… she normally calls me Master or Sen Sei,” Professor Z explained.

He continued saying that their relationships were more like a teacher and a student than family. They talked, but nothing too personal. Even Professor Z wondered how and why she did it. She has no one in this world. Could she be trying not to make any bond with me since she knows she is going to die anyway? Maybe, I shouldn't have lied to her.

“I cannot believe that Kong, myself and Raoul had been used all this while…” Zip uttered. Professor Z shot a look at him.
“Raoul?” Professor Z asked then shook his head before continued, “There’s no Raoul. He had been dropped from this plan long time back. He has nothing to do with this now.”
“What do you mean?” King Kong asked.
“Raoul is no longer with us. I found out that he was in contact with one of the Japanese organization last year so I asked Marc to let him go. And he’s been missing since then.”
“No, he is not. He was the one who contacted me to steal the file from Mr.Benedict’s room,” King Kong said.
“What? No..no..no. It was Marc who contacted you,” Professor Z replied.
“No, Prof. It was Raoul. He called me and laid all the plans to steal the file,” King Kong reassured. Then he told them that he spoke to Raoul on the phone upon reaching Tokyo, and how they talked again when he was waiting for ‘the contact’ to take the file.

“Only then I know that Elle was ‘the contact’,” KingKong concluded. Professor Z could not believe what he just heard.
“How did he knows that somebody was going to take the file from you?” Professor Z’s question left them looking at each other. There was a stunned moment of silence in the room when all of them thought of the same thing.
“I think he’s with Elle! Let’s find them! She is in danger!” said Professor Z as all three of them stood up almost at the same time and running towards the door.

*******

“We are removing it,” Raoul told her.
“What?! Are you crazy?! No, Raoul! I will die with it. No matter how much I am hating it. This is who I am and this is what I was born for, to sacrifice myself for my people,” her tone was shaky.

Raoul then took a knife out of his pocket. Elle jumped off the chair.
“What the hell are you doing?!” She yelled.
“You are not going to die to release Audris, Elle. You are going to live as a Stellis. And in order to do so, we have to remove the tattoo and let it never be known by anyone. Then we will do rituals to bring out the Stellis. This crossed image… it bears the message that you are either the Goddess of Light or Darkness. But I am telling you that you are not an Audris, you are a Stellis!” Raoul moved closer to her.
“Stay back! Stay back!” She held her hand across. He slowly stopped.

“Imagine what you can do living as a Stellis, Elle. You are going to own this world!”
“So you are telling me to live my life as Goddess of Darkness? Hold on… you are working for the Japanese now, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you want their share of wealth too?” Raoul didn’t answer her question.

“I can’t believe this. I can’t believe my grandfather was right! You are a traitor! I trusted you, Raoul! You are supposed to be with me in this, that’s why I carried you all along. You were only going to help me to find who I am! I even had to fucking betray KingKong for this! I lied to my grandfather! And I kept about you from everyone!”
“So nobody knows, eh? That’s perfect…” He responded with a smile.

He moved closer after ge explained that he would want to remove the tattoo then bring her to the higher orders so they would make a big and new distinct tattoo that will represent Stellis on her left thigh, an image that will be stronger, enough to surface the dark spirit. They would keep her as long as they need her, performing rituals, calling for Stellis everytime they are in need of a powerful force against almost anything.

“No! So what are you going to do now, Raoul?!”
“I’m thinking that since I couldn’t make you agree with me, I’m gonna have to use my force!” He pushed Elle to the wall and her face hit the wall hard. His strong hands grabbed her wrists and he pinned her tiny body harder to the wall, she almost couldn’t breath. In a quick move, he took a rope out of his other pocket and started tying her arms.

Elle didn’t scream but she fought a struggle. But Raoul was a bit too strong for her already strained muscles. She fell to the floor when Raoul was done tying her two feet too.

“What makes you think you can bring Stellis out of me?” She asked, at the same time trying to gasp for air.
“Well, for a start, you are already half way there. Next thing to do is to get you back to The Agency and have you strapped before having the real Stellis reemerged in front of the people who spent billions of dollars investing, waiting for this to happen,” he answered before dialing his mobile phone.

**************

The two men in suit were driving Professor Z, KingKong and Zip to the hotel where they had dropped Elle after her meeting with KingKong earlier on. It was the one and only place they could think of where to find her before its too late.

“Then what's with all the 'freedom' that Raoul had been promising me about? Our history?” KingKong asked when sitting at the back seat of the car with Professor Z and Zip.
“I’m afraid he was using you, KingKong. Raoul knows that you are dying to know about who you are. He used it, so that you will co-orporate with him to achieve his own mission. No one knows about your past but me, not even the Japanese. I gave the Japanese organization, a fake history about your origin. I was being precautious. I am sure you remember being taken away by a lady from your home,” Professor Z’s words made KingKong numb.
“You know… about my parents?” He asked, a little afraid to even know the answer.
“I know the past for all of you. You will reunite with your parents once we get this all sorted out. All this will be over soon and you… and I mean, all of you, shall return to where you belong. To your real home, your real family,” said Professor Z while looking straight into KingKong’s eyes.

Professor Z also sensed that by the time they were in the car, Raoul already had the solved clue in the ULAM files. He shared this with Zip and KingKong, he told them about the file content – about the clues to the tattoos, then about its origin and its power – both Audris and Stellis. He also told them whether dead or alive, if they can bring Stellis out of Elle, it would be the beginning of a disaster to human kind.

“But I thought you said she was an Audris. How can you bring a darkness from light?” asked Zip.
“Well, Zip… Elle doesn’t this but I had to protect her, so I told her that she is the Goddess of Light… whereas she is actually a Stellis.”
Both KingKong and Zip’s jaws dropped.

“If they knew that she’s a Stellis, she wouldn’t have survive this far. They would’ve taken her long time back… the Japanese… The Agency. I had to do it. She is my only descendent. My only one and now I have to save her from them,” Professor Z said, fighting the tears he had been holding for years.

Episode 13: Release the Truth..Full Moon Awaits

2007-07-28T09:55:00.000+08:00

Elle has been ready her whole life. She denied herself a typical childhood, away from children her own age; play and laughter was not in the daily list of things to do. She spent her days growing up immersed in everything related to Audris, the Goddess of Light. She memorized the entire book of charts and prayers by heart. She knew everything she needed to know about Audris, deity mother who sacrificed her life to save her people. Those who worship her every breath would receive her undying love and protection from evil harm.

Audris' rebirth comes in every 7 years, and as tradition dictates a glorious death awaits her with open arms. The girls born with the birthmark malu were destined to be her vessel; they will receive instant placing on the altar of Demos, and will serve as her high priestesses in the heavens.

Therefore, when Raoul told her about his experience as a little Samoan, watching his own sister sacrificed to release Audris into the heavens in order to shower wealth and prosperity as she ascends to the sky above, Elle was calm and collected about it.

Elle's fate in life is to die. And now Raoul was telling her that she didn’t have to die; Audris could be contained in Elle's heart and still be free to disperse glory to the people around her.

Raoul said that Audris had a sister, a twin to be precise, Stellis, the complete opposite of Light. Stellis is the Goddess of Dark, whose wrath knows no bound, and her powers could be harnessed to advantage. Stellis could turn peaceful neighboring countries against each other and even rain down hails or snow on a tropical island.

Each time Audris is released to the heavens above, Stellis is left behind in the vessel, rotting away inside earth, the only self gratifying thing she could do was prison the earth with hatred and greed. Her story remained buried until now.

So the little Samoans believed they’re releasing Audris. But the Japanese Elite really wished to gain power over Stellis.

They have all the money in the world; what Stellis could offer them is ultimate power worth more than all the nuclear bombs in the world combined. Hers is the highest high, to gain the respect of the world, after their humiliating lost in World War 2. They shall be the rulers of the world with Stellis Goddess of Dark by their side.

“How sure are you that Stellis could be tamed?” said Elle.

“Because of you. You have a Stellis tattoo, Audris. This rarely happens. If ever it happen. We have been monitoring all the vessels of Audris, their development, and you showed the most probability of being a Stellis vessel. Audris vessels tended to be meek and obedient, only following the orders given to them. Not you. You’re a rebel. Even after the initiation ceremony, when they brainwashed you, you sill shows a streak of fire within. You decided to travel the world, instead of staying in one place and offer prayers to Audris, you’d rather go around the world to get things done; the ULAM folder, becoming Zip’s lover yourself when Maria failed to seduce him. You act instead of staying put,” said Raoul.

“But I only wanted to get things done. To prepare for the release of Audris, to gain everything she has to bestow on us. Everlasting love to finally bring peace on Earth.

“That’s where the Little Samoans got it wrong. Releasing Audris into the heavens would only bring momentary bliss, the most is 4 to 7 years. But this way, we could harness both Audris and Stellis’ powers much more longer than that,” said Raoul.

“This way?” asked Elle.

P/s Good luck Flo. Go crazy! I just had to name the goddesses. August Ulam characters maybe? Hehe :P

Episode 12: '5 days before full moon high' -- a thread that links everything..

2007-07-25T08:47:00.000+08:00

Let's talk about Samoan's tattoo, or Ta Tau.

While the male tattoo, the pe'a, shows the bravery of Samoan men, the female tattoo, the malu, means to be protected and sheltered. This is very well documented in most of the Samoan culture literatures, unlike Little Samoan cultures.

Not many people know about Little Samoan, a minority group of Samoan who is intentionally marginalized by the rest, because of their strange conception of Samoan cultures, and their weird interpretation about Ta tau.

While Samoan perceive women with malu is protected and sheltered by Samoan spirits, Little Samoan believe that the one who protects their tribe is someone born with malu on her one thigh. Or say it in another way, Little Samoan believe that the spirit which will offer protection and shelter to their tribe is trapped in the body with naturally born malu.

They call the spirit, or the girl with naturally born malu, Goddess of light.

What makes Little Samoan being marginalized by the rest of the Samoan is, they practice Sacrificism. If a girl is born with a malu on her thigh, her destiny is to sacrifice, to release the Goddess of light in her body when time comes.

Every members of Little Samoan bear the tradition by generations, but it is totally unacceptable for the rest of the Samoan. Once a little girl was recognized as the chosen Goddess of light, a mirror image of the naturally born malu will be tattooed on another thigh of the little girl. The pattern of the naturally-born malu changes through time, and when the time has come, a cross-match image of the naturally-born malu and its initial pattern which was tattooed-on will tell the message of Goddess of light....

...... ......

"Hold! Prof.," Zip raised his hand and stopped Prof Z from continuing his story, ".. you said 'when the time has come', what do you mean by that?"

Good question. Sitting beside Zip, KingKong nodded showing he was about to ask the same question too, out of thousands of questions in his mind.

"Well," Prof Z started to behave as if he was conducting a Q&A session in a formal conference, ".. there's a famous quote among Little Samoans which sounds like this: 5 days before full moon high, the time has come and the blue wolves cry.. " Prof Z intentionally made a pause, and looked at his two audiences, "anybody in this room cares to have a guess on it?"

Silence. A light smile on Prof Z, giving hints, "look at the picture, what do you see?"
"A goat, tail-less one.."
"Then tell me what is the similarity between a tail-less goat and '5 days before full moon'?"

Both are incomplete. SO??? Zip and KingKong were definitely wondering the same thing.

Prof Z knew what came into the mind of these two geniuses in front of him. They just need another piece of information to complete the puzzle about the tail-less goat. He took a deep breath, "This picture," paused, to pull Zip and KingKong back from deep thought, "... was taken 3 years ago by a kid of Little Samoan tribe on Samoa Island, when the picture was shown to the tribe elders, they all agreed that, this was the message sent by Goddess of light, telling them that the time has come..."

"... meaning.. any sign showing incompletion indicates the time to sacrifice the little girl?" KingKong needed some time to reformulate this interpretation, it was illogic at all to kill a girl based merely on a picture, maybe the goat just conscious and unconsciously hided its tail.

"Then how the hell all these are related to Elle?" Zip's main concern was still the love of his life, but the moment he finished his words, a chilling feeling smeared all over his body...

Elle.... is the little girl..

"..but how come? It was Elle who asked me to steal the ULAM file!! .. and she even tried to kill me for it!! How can she... argh no I don't get it at all!" Zip was frozen at the moment, but KingKong wasn't. He knew something else than Zip about Elle.

"The problem here is, Elle is ready to sacrifice." Prof Z state the message WORD by WORD.

Now both Zip and KingKong were frozen.

"Elle knows everything about her destiny, and she has been waiting for the moment to come, the brilliant Little Samoan came out with a neat and structured plan to make sure that everything will be ready by the time the sign appeared. They brainwashed Elle, they set their base in Tokyo and attached to an secret elite organization in Tokyo to help them to scout for talents and trained them --- and you, KingKong, you're one of their trainee, you're part of their plan.. -- it's just that I still don't understand why they were trying to kill you...."

Silence. Both Zip and KingKong were still stunned.

".....w---hy..?" somebody voiced this out, but the voice sounded so dry that Prof Z couldn't identify whose voice was it.

"I understand all these stuff are... mess. You're not sure why this little community of Little Samoan doing all this? You're not sure why there was a need to get the Japanese elite organization involved? You're not sure why and how and what they were doing all these things just only for a message from their Goddess of light?.... Look I know you're not sure of so many things, but trust me, my only explanation for it is, 'The message from their Goddess of light' that they are going to retrieve from the cross-match malu," Prof Z stopped and took a deep breath, "..is something very valuable than just a superstitious message about Goddess and myth.."

"which is?" KingKong was gaining his composure.
"I don't know." Prof Z replied firmly.

Sigh. Zip and KingKong finally felt released when they heard Prof Z gave them 'I don't know' as the answer. They didn't think they could bear any shocks and surprises anymore. These whole shits, they thought it started from the ULAM folder, obviously had already started at least 7 years before, and each of them was actually arranged and set-up, everything now seemed to be so not-solid, everything and everyone could be any parts of any plans and any lies of any relationships.

"... wait." out of the chaos Zip realized something, "how do you know all these? why we need to trust you, Prof Z.?"

"I...." Prof Z suddenly breathed deeply, "Elle is my grand daughter..."

Again, Zip and KingKong were lost in translation. What does it mean?

"... so is that make you part of the f*cking Little Samoan tribe who wanted to f*cking kill Elle for the sake of retrieving that f*cking message from that f*cking spirit?!!?" Zip was getting emotional. He stood up angrily and grabbed Prof Z on his lab coat's collar. The atmosphere was tensed up at the moment.

"Elle is a Samoan!" shouted Prof Z back to Zip.
What??!!?!?
"Elle was brainwashed. We Samoan people tried to protect Elle since she was born but Elle was kidnapped and brainwashed...."

Zip pushed Prof Z down. His anger was fumed up by all these things. "Tell us!!!" he shouted at Prof Z, despite of his respect to the wisest old man he'd ever met.

Prof Z sat back to his chair in the lab, sigh sadly, deeply, "Elle still could recognize me as her grandpa, but......"

******************************

It was the dream that Elle described to him that day made Raoul confirmed his wild guess about Elle and the relationship between three of them and the 'higher authority' that gave commands and orders.

The chant that Elle showed to him, he was absolutely familiar with. It was the chant sung during a tattooing ceremony for Samoan, but it was also the chant casted during the sacrifice of a lady of Little Samoan, who was believed to be able to free Goddess of light from her body after her malu was stabbed and a hole was made.

Raoul witnessed the ceremony three times in his life. He ran away from his own tribe after witnessing the 3rd sacrifice ceremony which involved his elder sister. Raoul decided to ran away not only because he did not agree nor accept the ceremony, it was also because he saw something which made him started to question about the existence of his own tribe, Little Samoan.

He was only 10 when he ran away. He never had a chance to get himself tattooed, but something else had tattooed in his heart. From the day on, he swore that he wanted to find out where he really came from.

... because what he saw during the night his sister died, was so unreal, which made him felt that he was just 'TOO REAL' to be one of the Little Samoan tribe.

... and now he needed to prove something from Elle's malu. He had this strong feeling sensing that Elle might have her naturally-born sign-of-Goddess malu on her thigh, but she was real.

Elle was, again, TOO REAL for her to be one of the Little Samoan tribe.

..and as the sketching of Elle's malu was finishing, Raoul became more and more nervous. The cross-match sketch of Elle's left and right thighs' malu was showing something he used to familiar with, he used to had nightmare of, he used to terrified with ---

--- it was a rough sketch of the image of Goddess of light that he saw during the night his sister died. YES, unlike the 2 experiences that ended up nothing was shown after the ladies were sacrificed, he DID see Goddess of light 'flow out' his sister's body after the ceremony, but it did not match any image that had been described or imagined. It was something else, and this time, on the tracing paper, Raoul saw another image of 'Goddess of light', it did not look like the one he saw before, but Raoul just knew, it was Goddess of light, or maybe another Goddess of light.

God damn it I sacrificed my morning bus to stay in UTP and spend almost 12 hours working on this before my 1 week off. See how noble (stupid) i am?

Episode 11: Tracing the Truth

2007-07-20T01:33:00.000+08:00

The two men were already in the room when Zip finally arrived at the door. He slowly walked himself inside and sat on the chair situated right in the middle of the square white room. There was a glass of water on the table which he took and drank it to clinch his thirst.

I must have walked long enough to feel this tired, he thought.

He couldn’t think clear enough to ask any of the men standing on both his sides. When he put the empty glass on the table, his head started spinning again. The two men just looked at him without saying anything. Zip started groaning, trying to remember how he ended up being there. While he slowly ran his fingers through his hair, pulling it, as if the answer lied in between them, a man entered the room. Zip recognized him right away.

“Professor Z?” Zip sounded, half confused. He was trying to get up from his chair when the man asked him to sit.

“How are you feeling, Zip?” He asked.
“I… I don’t know… What’s going on, Prof?”
“I’m sorry you had to go through all this. I think it’s time for you to know everything now..”

The man was standing not far away from Zip, clear enough to reveal his strong features. He had an overly tanned skin. White hair was all over his head. He may looked old, but as far as Zip knew, Professor Z was the wise old man. The wisest, perhaps.

“First of all, about Elle…” The man looked straight into Zip’s eyes when he said ‘Elle’.
“Prof, she doesn’t know anything about…”
“Let me finish.” The man insisted. It sounded more like an order to Zip.

“Elle knows who you are, she knows you are not John... She knows about NationalMuseum and what you have been doing all this while, Zip.”
“What?! How? I didn’t tell her anything! Nobody else knows! I kept everything to…”
“I told her,” the man said. Zip was puzzled. Nobody knows about Elle but KingKong and Raoul. But how could he have told her about me? Do Professor Z and Elle know each other? How? Why? His head was spinning again.

“I don’t understand, Prof…”
“Here. This might help explaining a bit,” the man answered before he took out a file from his briefcase and put it in front of Zip. Zip’s eyes widened when he saw the file cover. It was an image he recognized.

An image of a goat, but a bit different.

It had no tail.

*********************

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Elle responded.
Raoul took a piece of earphone connected to a device in his pocket and gave it to her. She took it and put it in her right ear before listening to something that sounded very familiar…

“Elle?What?Who?”
“Why, Kong.You look so confused.Oh, ok..let me just help you a little bit here although I really hate to monologue..”

It was her earlier conversation with KingKong. She looked at Raoul but he did not even turn his face towards her. She wanted to ask how did Raoul manage to record the whole conversation, but she knew Raoul would definitely ask her again about what happened to KingKong. She didn’t want Raoul to ask. She needed more time to come up with a lie. A twist to the real story.

“Take off your pants” Raoul said.
“What..?!”
“The tattoo” He said.
“Oh…”

As she slowly got up and zipping off her jeans, her mind wandered. How do I tell him? How do I explain? How did he know? How can he be hiding things from me when I’ve been doing the same thing to him? Who is Raoul actually?

Raoul took a piece of paper and started tracing the tattoo. He didn’t say a word to break the piercing silence. He could only hear her breath. It was a nervous breath... he could almost hear her heart beat. And it was fast, faster than the beat when she was with him.

Elle closed her eyes. She was hoping to say a prayer. But I don’t believe in God.

Her mind thought about KingKong. I’m sorry, Kong. Her mind thought about Zip. I’m sorry, John... or Zip. Her mind thought about Professor Z. I’m sorry, Granpa.

Episode 10: Secrets and Experiment

2007-07-17T21:33:00.000+08:00

The folder should contain the clue to break the secret of the malu – the tattoo on Elle’s legs. The tattoo will lead them to their most valuable treasure – their freedom.

Elle looked at Raoul. Raoul nodded.

Elle touched the folder with trembling fingers, curious at what secret lays inside it. Slowly she opened it, almost squirming and squinting as if some hideous monsters will jump out from the folder and grab her and Raoul, eat them there and then.

Elle flipped the cover.

‘read from the end, and you’ll shy away from the fiction written on the magazine’

She flipped another page.

‘as the big ape fly, to the end of the beginning... and fallen to the light’

Elle almost whimpered. She took a deep breath, and flipped to the third page.

‘and shall the moon carry the light to convene at the beginning’

Raoul nodded. The words referred to him, and his role.

They already knew about the words on the first three pages. Elle knew it from her sensei. Raoul knew it from his contact. King Kong was the last to know.

Finding Kong was not an easy task for both Raoul and Elle, but they had to locate him. King Kong was the man they needed – the only man they needed.

***

The four pages after that confused them. They were profiles of four college students, each represented with a picture of goat.

Goats?

The last one looks like a goat, but without tail.

They skipped the pages, feeling confused. They figured the pages have nothing to do with them.

But why are the pages there?

***

Zip was in a queue to go through the passport control counter at Narita's airport when two men in black suddenly approached him.

His instinct told him to kick both men on the nuts and run away through the south wing. However, the situation did not allow him to do so.

“Puh-reese for-row uh-so,” one of the two men instructed, in thick Japanese accent.

“Huh, you want me to row something?” Zip tried to be sarcastic.

Zip didn’t see it coming. He only felt the sting. The hand of one of the men moved lightning fast towards Zip’s arm, and suddenly a needle pricked his skin.

“Ouww!” Zip cried out, startling everyone in the queue. The two men waved their hands to the onlookers, signaling them to ignore the scene as if nothing was going on.

Zip wanted to protest with a knuckle to the man’s chin, but suddenly he lost control over his own body.

“What the…?” was only echoed in his head, not uttered through his lips. The man who pricked his skin smiled - a wicked smile. Zip was somehow in a trance.

No, not a trance - he was somehow possessed!

The two men turned around and started to walk. Against Zip’s will, his feet followed them.

***

Raoul and Elle were looking at her malu now. There’s a meaning inside the pattern, encrypted inside the riddle.

They flipped another page.

‘Shy as we hold the secret. We are the map when left and right crossed.’

“I’m going to spank the wiseass who wrote this!” Raoul grumbled.

It was so lame. He could figure the meaning right away.

“We have to lay your tattoo on a flat surface,”

“Are you going to skin my leg???” Elle almost shouted. The vision from her dreams – nightmare – flashed in her eyes.

“Trace paper, silly”

The malu was printed on her thighs, and she has every right to worry.

“But why?” Elle asked.

“I’ll tell you why when you tell me what you did to Kong…” Raoul said, almost whispering.

Elle paled. How could he have known?

***

Kong opened his eyes.

“Is this heaven?” he knew he was not in heaven when he could feel the pain. He gripped his head, suddenly remembering the piercing sensation of the bullet through his skull. He should be dead. Is he dead?

“No, you’re not dead; therefore you’re not in heaven either. Neither you’re in hell though you are more than qualified to go there with all the stuff you’ve stolen. You’re under Ukima Park, Kong.”

I’m still in Tokyo? How did he…?

“You’re my experiment, Kong… my precious specimen,”

What…?

“Finally, after all these years… The serum works! Hahaha ”

Who the hell are you?

“Oh, how rude of me. I’m Professor Z…”

p/s: HAHAHA. I had a bad day at office, hence, the crappy long entry. Sorry Ruby, I had to ressurrect Kong for Jannah. FLO, your turn.

Episode 9: Light of Hope

2007-07-17T08:59:00.000+08:00

"Raoul, I think I need to get some fresh air.It's been a while since I came here.I could really take a walk along Shibuya or Harajuku.."Elle looked at Raoul sheepishly, while deep in her heart all she wanted to do know was to get away from Raoul and get on with her task..the main task she was supposed to do here in Tokyo.

"Can't we go somewhere else more peaceful?What is it with you and crowded places?"Raoul trying to understand the love of his life.

He knew he was at risk when they started their relationship.The call King Kong received, after their success, Raoul had actually been contacted earlier.The job they underwent,stealing those infamous paintings, it was him who had received the information from the his contact. He knew about Marc and the contact earlier than King Kong. That was when he met Elle. And that was when he knew she was everything he had ever lived for. Elle's existence was not coincidental.She was part of the plan.The contact had set the meeting. And from then on, that was when Zip came into the picture.

Zip was not supposed to be with Elle.He was supposed to be with Maria. Elle was just helping out.One thing lead to another.Maria wasn't interested and she was out of the picture. Zip showed his interest in Elle. They went out for dinner but Elle insisted they were only friends. Even Raoul didn't think he should be worrying about it.Then things got more and more complicated. The contact had changed plan. Zip should be with Elle. Elle was going to be Zip's distraction from the initial plan set for Raoul and King Kong.

Then King Kong was contacted.Raoul had to pretend that he had been contacted the same time as King Kong. And as for Elle, she still 'played' her role as Zip's girl and secretly, she was with Raoul. But nobody knew that Raoul was having an affair with Elle. He managed to hide it from King Kong and Zip. It was hard for him to go along with their 'act'.To let Elle be with Zip. But he had to oblige. Between his agreement with his contact and Elle, he needed to sacrifice the love of his life. If it means that later, Elle would be his forever after he is done with the job..he was willing to sacrifice.

"Come on Raoul.It's Tokyo.And you know me..it's not that I get to shop everyday.."Elle giving him the insanely beautiful smile that he can never resist.

Putting his thoughts about Zip and King Kong away, he gave Elle a hug, "Go..shop to death if that's what you want.I'll be here in the room.I need to wait for King Kong's call anyway."

Elle kissed Raoul, took her purse and headed towards the door."I'll be back before you know it."

As soon as Elle walked out the door Raoul took out his handphone and dialed an eight digit number.At the first ring, he heard King Kong's voice on the other line "Hey Raoul, you just arrived?"

Raoul walked towards the ceiling to floor window of his Park Hyatt's suite overlooking Fujiyama or Mount Fuji."I just arrived.Is the contact there?"

"I don't think so.I'm told to wait.But hey, this waiting is making me nervous,"KingKong tried to sound relax but part of him was unable to conceal the mixed feelings he has now.

"I know.Man, at last.7 years of waiting and this is it.Call me when it's done.Where should we meet?At my place or yours?"Raoul tried to calm his friend but he was feeling restless too.

"Yours.This place is beautiful but hey..it's too classic!I need to go somewhere a bit more 'modern' if you get what I mean,"KingKong replied.

Raoul snickered understood precisely what KingKong meant.King Kong was at the Imperial Hotel.The legendary landmark in Tokyo situated near the Imperial Palace itself.It was too classic and historical to suite King Kong's modernized and 'techno' taste.He should be in Akihabara, though Raoul smiling yet again to himself.

They hung up the phone and both waited patiently as they had waited for 7 long years.At last, freedom was in their grasp for the first time..

**********

Zip was still on board the flight to Tokyo.

"Damn, 5 more hours to go.."

********
As soon as Elle stepped out the main entrance of the hotel, she casually climbed into an unmarked car. Two men in the front seat turned to face her and gave a bow as low as their seating position allowed them.

"jikan desu - it's time," Elle spoke to them and without needing anymore instruction, the men understood and drove into the bustling city of Tokyo heading towards the Imperial Palace.

**********

On the 16th floor of the main building- the Imperial Floor as they called it, King Kong lay down on the lavish SleepWork Bed, staring aimlessly at the plush interior of the room. Decorated by the world famed England's Julian Reed, although he had been in the room for the past couple of hour, he was still awed by the explicit details they had put to create such room.

But as minutes passed, his awe slowly diminishes and turning more and more into claustrophobic. "Where the hell is he?" King Kong said silently to himself.

Although he knew that in a few minutes, all the effort he had put for the past 7 years will come to repay him..but nonetheless, he felt restless...uneasy...

Sweeping every negative thoughts in his mind he stood up and head towards the bar at the end of the room and made himself a drink.

"Maybe I'm just too excited," he thought and took a sip from his Bohemian crystal glass.

Then there was a knock on the door..

The contact, he thought and hurriedly walk towards the door.

As soon as he turned the knob, a crash came down on him and he felt as if he just knocked his head on granite.

He was on the floor, his head was throbbing with pain and when he had the chance to open his eyes, to regain his sight, he felt a couple of large hands under his arms, dragging him towards the bed.

"What the..," before he could speak, he felt a blow on his face.

"Shit.." King Kong swore.

"Hi King..I really hope you're enjoying your stay here..," he heard a voice..a female voice..so familiar..

Mustering all the strength that is left in him, he tried to search for the voice ignoring the two huge japanese men who were pinning him on the bed.When he found the source of the voice, his eyes widen, not believing what he was seeing.

"Elle?What?Who?" King Kong was confused.Why was she here.He tried to think...his contact??It can't be..his contact was a he.. not a she.. or is it?

"Why, Kong.You look so confused.Oh, ok..let me just help you a little bit here although I really hate to monologue," Elle gave King Kong a smile..not a sincere one..more of a cynical smile.

Her demeanor changed so much, it took King Kong more than a few seconds to actually believe it was her.It was not the Elle he knew.The person in front of him was the exact opposite. The evil twin.

"So, at least.We meet face to face.Yes, and don't give me that look.I am your contact.Surprised?Well..you know how technology work nowadays," Elle continued while putting her hand into her purse, searching for something and when she found it, held it into her hand and threw it to KingKong.

"A voice changer device.." King Kong stared unbelievingly at the device that fell on his lap. He could now taste blood on his lips as he said these words and felt a rush of warm liquid on the side of his head.Trying to block his pain away, he focused back on Elle."Why?"

"The folder of course," Elle said as she located the folder on the sidetable next to the bed.She walked towards the table and took the folder.

"What's so important about it?And why me?Why Raoul?Zip?"King Kong demanded for an answer.

"It's up to the higher power to answer all your questions.I'm just the contact,"Elle answered leaving the questions hanging.

Then there was the sound of phone ringing and automatically Elle reached for her phone in her pocket and answered ,"Hai sensei. Ano fairu-wa..watashino tede.Hai.Wakarimashita - Yes,master.The file..it's in my hands.Yes.I understand," and as abrupt as the call started, she hung up.

Without hesitating for a moment, Elle looked at the two Japanese men in front of her and gave them a nod. Without any verbal cues needed, the two men nodded back and and one of them took out a .38 calibre pistol from a holster beneath his jacket.A pistol with a perforated cylinder on its barrel that will silence any bullet that goes through it.

KingKong was numbed.He saw every movement of the Japanese man beside him.He was helpless..he could not move.Still pinned down by the other man, for the first time in his life he felt alone."I'm going to die," he thought."And yet, I don't know why.."

The gun pas pointed at King Kong's forehead and the last words before the silent bullet pierced into his skull was "God, Help me."

Although the words were said out silently, those words echoed in Elle's ears as she left the room.She did not stay to witness the atrocious crime. She left before the trigger was pulled. And as she walked away silently, with the folder in her hands, she felt a drop of tear on her cheek....

Episode 8: The 7 Year Wait

2007-07-14T14:07:00.000+08:00

King Kong wished to stop.

He already made his wealth from stealing. Now he wished he could retire in style amidst tall coconut trees and white sandy beaches of Bali.

He had always liked Bali. The hot sunny weather was the complete opposite of the gloomy fog infested London where he grew up. He lived with a foster family who took interest in his aptitude for technology. They provided him with extra classes and undergraduate tutors. They never complained about him blowing up the basement when his attempt at building a supercomputer met an early demise. They loved him as their own child and he grew up not thinking about his true parents too much. He could hardly recall how they looked like. The one thing he remembered of his mother was her long brown hair and green eyes. His father wore thick black glasses and had grey hair. The last memory he had of them was his parents waving him off. He was in a blue car with a lady in a suit. He remembered crying and the lady comforting him. He was five years old.

Bali brought back good memories of him being young and without care of life’s misfortunes. He was there on a semester break, in his early 20’s with youth oozing out of his tanned skin. He found his call in life when he met Raoul, an art dealer looking for a partner in business.

“What sort of venture are we talking about? I’m not into arts. My vocation is computers. There’s big money in computers. Someday we would all be slaves to computers. Mark my words,” said Kong.

“That is where you come in my friend. You look like a man in search of adventure. What I’m offering you is a chance to see the world, meet beautiful women in exotic locales and on the side make an unbelievable amount of money you could do whatever you want to do in life,” said Raoul.

Kong took the job without ever looking back. Folly is the youth who thought money brings about happiness. You cannot buy happiness. Happiness is in the doing. You make yourself happy doing things you love. In Kong’s case he believed he was doing something he loved. Breaking into heavy security systems of top museums seemed fun and challenging in the beginning but as he got older, the technology grew along with him. It stopped becoming a passion when the one thing he used to enjoy doing felt like work.

............................................

Tokyo hid her flaws underneath bright neon lights and the glittering glamour of cosmopolitan living. The criminal underworld bosses took tea in posh six stars hotels. They children were sent to expensive international schools and took foreign languages, groomed into becoming global citizens. Money traveled first class all over the world nowadays. The best method of cleaning dirty money is no longer buying expensive arts and gems. It was in making smart investments and reaping the rewards after 7 long years of waiting.

Everyone was there to witness the occasion. ULAM was returning home to its rightful owners. Everyone paid their dues either in monetary values, blood, sweat or tears. It took them this long to get here but the wait was worth it.

This King Kong, they were told that he was one of the best. They have been watching his development since early childhood. Recognizing his potentials, they placed him under the care of the best minds they could buy with their combined wealth. It was all done in the name of ULAM. And tonight everything would be theirs again.

Episode 7: MALU

2007-07-12T15:36:00.000+08:00

The vision started to develop into a chaos...... the sound of ladies chanting becoming louder and then overwhelming... it was a heart-tearing noise but it was unavoidable.... the pictures of tattoo flashes swifter and swifter..... the faces of men and women around the ring flashes, none of a face was recognizable ... Elle was brought into the center of the ceremony.... then fire then chanting then tattoo.... the a knife suddenly drawn out swiftly and stab right into the thigh of hers, without any hesitation... then tattoo then chanting then fire... Elle screamed but she couldn't hear anything.. the knife was withdrawn and raised into the middle of the air, then another swift and clean move stabbing down ----

"Leai!!" Elle was shocked and sat up on her seat, puffed heavily, sweating with fear. The continuous grunting sound of the flight engine conquering the silence cabin. The cabin was dark, indicating it was a sleeping time for most of the passengers. A slight shake of the airplane due to current pulled her back to reality. She found her composure.

"Honey?" Raoul was awaken, "the dream again?" he put his hand on Elle's, trying to tell her that whatever it is, I'm here for you.

Elle nodded, and took a deep breath, realizing something out of a sudden, "Honey can I have your pen?" She then took out her little notebook while Raoul passed his pen to her, "... this time is different, they become more vivid...", explained Elle referring to her weird dream that had been haunting her since her childhood, meanwhile she started to write something on her notebook.

Raoul did not quite get Elle, but he couldn't ask for any clarification as Elle put her index finger to her lips and made a 'shhh.. silent please' hand sign to him. Elle tried to recall the chant she heard in the dream. It was in Samoan, she knew only part of the language, but this was the only direct message that she might get from this weird dream.

"Friend, stop your wailing and moaning,
That is not the pain of a sick person.
That is the pain of a novice.
Relax your body like giving up,
Give in, o chief!

Ah, you suffer beneath the blows,
Ah, till you fall asleep,
And you are not tired nor weary of it!"

"No. That doesn't make any sense for me, honey.." Raoul responded to the translation that Elle came out with, "yeah it sounds comprehensive but I don't think it's relevant to anything..." Raoul looked at Elle who sunk into deep thought.

Silence. The grunting sound of engine again conquered the atmosphere in the cabin. Elle took a deep breath, "that supposed to be sung during a tattooing ceremony, not for what happened in my dream...."

********************

Zip knew things could be much more complicated than he thought. He was born with all these kind of thieving intelligence and instincts, but somehow he would rather choose to believe that there's always a invisible helping hand that will pull him and give him a hint that eventually helped him to solve the problem before him.

This time, he believed that this invisible helping hand appeared in the form of his affection for Elle.

He decoded the wicked phrase while thinking of Elle, and he strongly believed that, the "read from the end" ULAM word, was something regarding to of Samoan, although he wasn't that 100% sure that by relating to Samoan will eventually relating to his love, Elle.

What was the "read from the end" ULAM? The answer was too obvious. MALU. Zip knew the answer at the moment he read the phrase, but thing wasn't that certain for him at the moment was, "MALU", appeared in most languages that he knew, and each of them defined different meaning.

'Malu' in Calabrese, means bad; 'Malu' in Denya, means space; in Malay and Indonesian, 'Malu' means embarrassed or shy or bashful, 'Malu' of Sindarin refers to the yellowish brown colour; in Welsh, 'Malu' is a verb, grind; and 'Malu' of Mapudungun, means iguana.

.. and the list goes on, and none of the meanings direct his thought to the case, until Elle came into his mind.

'Malu' in Samoan, is a female tatau. And tatau in Samoan, means tattoo. Zip should have thought of it.

Zip closed his eye. He really wished that the interpretation he made was damn wrong, he really wished that Elle was nothing to do with all these shit, but the more he prayed and asked for hint from his 'invisible helping hand', the stronger he felt that he's losing Elle.

The car stuck in the heavy traffic jam in the city of Lisbon. Zip had nothing to do but just tried to calm his mind and let the taxi driver handle the traffic head-ache. He thought the lame interpretation of 'Elle The Magazine' would show how stupid and how wrong he was in the interpretation, and eventually prove that Elle was nothing at all relevant to Raoul and KingKong, but when Zip just couldn't help but started to revise his Austronesian-rooted languages, which Samoan is part of it, and without any hassle, he found out another clue that to a certain extend it direct to Elle.

..and right there right then inside the taxi, on his way to the airport, the chaos state in Zip's mind was far far worse than the chaos of the Lisbon's traffic. With one phrase flashed in his mind and all the checking and rechecking and double-checking going on ----

"e nii a gam me" -- by belonging to the Goddess of light.

What really broke Zip out in a cold sweat was, the name of Elle, which is Ellie in Greek, means LIGHT.

.. and what really torn Zip's heart apart was, "e nii a gam me", prounouced as eh-ni-yah-gam, exclude the silent 'me' , it made the phrase "e nii a gam", which was very much close to a word that had been 'read from the end', 'shy away the fiction -- Z', ----

---- magazine.

ps.. sayuti, you are a jerk!

Episode 6: The Words

2007-07-11T18:10:00.000+08:00

“read from the end, and you’ll shy away from the fiction written on the magazine”

Zip remembered the words. His long years of thieveries have build up his photographic memory. Although the glimpse was just for a split second, he managed to record the words inside the folder into his head.

It did not make any sense to him, then. The folder with 'ULAM' written on it, or the message he managed to memorized from the folder.

He was still pissed with Kingkong’s betrayal over that folder. He was even more pissed knowing very well that Raoul was lying to him. But, he played along.

He pretended he believed everything Raoul told him. He believes Raould believed he believed him. He smiled to himself when the thought of lying to the liar came across his mind.

He was alone. Elle was halfway around the world.

He looked at the ring again. Suddenly he felt so empty.

The thought of Elle suddenly overwhelmed him. He recalled every single feature of her face, her hair, her bosom, her thigh…

He remembered the tattoo on her thighs. The tatoo which he believes no one else knew about. Elle always wear long skirts or pants. Even at the beach, she’ll cover her thigh with a towel, taking it off only before she goes into the water.

He was fascinated by the tattoo. It was Samoan. She told him she got it since childhood, but she does not remember who did it to her. She never likes it.

All of a sudden, another thought came accross Zip's mind. He recalled the words from the folder.

“Read from the end...”

“You’ll shy...”

“The magazine…”

“Oh, shit!” he exclaimed as he suddenly figured the meaning behind the words.

He has to get to Tokyo, to Elle, as soon as possible. She might be in danger.

****

Elle sat on the edge of her seat, looking down at her lap. Raoul has fallen asleep when she woke up.

She rubbed her thigh.

The folder with ‘ULAM’ written on it will reveal the answer, she thought.

She closed her eyes, and fantasized about the ring.

And about Zip.

p/s: Sorry, crappy entry. Mind the grammar and the vocabs and spelling etc2

Episode 5 : The Ring of Trust

2007-07-11T09:26:00.000+08:00

Zip opened the box and looked at the ring for the tenth times. He had seen dozens of other diamond rings but nothing compared to the one he was holding. He had been keeping it for nearly four months now, he got it from an antique jeweler in old England. It was a vintage sapphire diamond ring, her favorite color, that costs him half a million dollar. It represented how he felt towards Elle, the only girl he ever loved in his entire life.

It was not just a ring of love, but also trust, as he planned to tell it all to her. He wanted to think of the ring to represent not just the feeling that they had been sharing, but the amount of trust needed from her in order for him to keep what he had been doing. Last night was not the only chance blown for his planned proposal.

I guess I’ll have to wait for another. After all, she wanted it to be really special.

************

Elle was looking outside the window, her thoughts penetrating deep through the dark night clouds. This has to go well, she said to herself. She had spoken to KingKong earlier on and she was pleased that he was up to the expectation as usual. Her expectation. KingKong had been doing a tremendous job in keeping the deal closed. She knew KingKong was a reliable man, not just because he was desperate to know about his past, but Marc had well-informed her about KingKong’s credibility through the years. It took her a long time to decide whether or not she should go on with the plan, the seven year old plan.

It was not supposed to take that long, but what was planned to be a ‘five years relationship’ had been dragged to seven. There were too many hiccups along the way, something too risky to deal with if they had to proceed with the five years plan anyway. Zip was one of the hiccups, but someone who was too valuable to lose at times when he was most needed for jobs to be done.

Elle sighed upon the thought of Zip. She knew he did not deserve the position he was in at that moment, but it was the only way to keep him around, perhaps long enough until the whole thing is over. She leaned back to her seat and closed her eyes. There’s a ring, there’s not supposed to be a ring…

Three months back, Zip took Elle to fly with him to Paris by surprise. She was aware of a dinner plan, but she didn’t expect it to be at one of the finest restaurant in Champs Elysees. She was uncomfortable with his surprise because she didn’t know what to expect. When she had to excuse herself to the ladies room during the dinner, she made a call through her cell phone.

“What is he up to now, Marc?” She asked.
“I don’t know. The two guys didn’t tell me anything” Marc answered, referring to Raoul and KingKong. He seemed just as surprised to find out that Zip had taken her to Paris.

Marc was a middle person between the three guys and Elle. They reported to him all the time, he instructed the guys for jobs and he would report it back to Elle. But to Zip, Marc was ‘the’ boss. He did not know that Marc only received orders. He did not know that Marc got paid too. And he did not know that both KingKong and Raoul knew that Marc was not the boss. And lastly, Zip did not know that all of the people in the ring of trust, as he called the relationship between him, Raoul and KingKong, including Marc, he was just an outsider.

Elle was not happy. She was normally informed by Marc of what Zip had plan for her, but not that night. She needed to know his every move with her so that she wouldn’t slip anything. Once, Zip planned for a week holiday to go with her to her hometown in Santa Fe. So she had to fake a huge argument with her parents, that Zip had to cancel the holiday off and they went somewhere else. Elle did not know anything about Santa Fe. She was not even from Argentina. And I don’t have any parents.

“Maybe this is a secret that he wouldn’t want to share with either Raoul or KingKong. Something extra special,” Marc guessed before they ended the conversation on the phone. It left Elle numb. What could be so special that it had to be a secret and be brought to Paris, the city of romance?

“You know what will be great, John?” Elle asked Zip upon returning to the table.
“What’s that?”
“If we can really celebrate our seventh year this year on the seventh of July”, she said.
“Why the thought?” He asked, a bit surprised. He already planned to celebrate it that night.
“Well, I want our seventh year anniversary to be really special. Something that I want to remember for the rest of my life with you. Not just ordinary day like this. I mean, this is special but I want something extraordinary…” She said before reaching his hand and kissed him on the lips. Please say yes, she silently screamed.

Zip thought for a while. She wanted it to be really special…hmmm.
“That’s not a bad idea. Ok, we’ll celebrate it on 07.07.07 then,” Zip replied after a moment and kissed her back.

That night in the hotel, she woke up slowly from the bed, with Zip deeply asleep, and went to the wardrobe where Zip hung his suit. She searched for the pocket, found the box and opened it. An engraved six carat blue diamond ring – ‘for love and trust’. So I was right… he was going to propose. She looked at it a little longer before putting it carefully back from where she had taken it from.

She crawled back into bed, hoping that all would be over soon . I got him off the track for now, that should keep long enough before it all ends. Then she lied closer to Zip, watching him breathing deeply in his sleep.

It will all be over soon… ZIP.

*******

“Kong, it’s me. I hope everything went well”
“Yes it did. I just got off the plane half an hour ago and now in the car. The driver is taking me to the hotel before next instruction.” KingKong said before continuing, “How was it with Zip?”
“It went fine, he totally bought it.” Raoul answered with a smile.
“So where is he now?”, KingKong asked.
“I sent him back to his place. I told him we’ll contact him again in a few days time for updates.”
“Cool. So, I’ll call you once I have this folder delivered?”
“Yeah. Keep it safe. This costs us both our pasts, bro”, Raoul said.
“Will do”
“Take care now,” Raoul said before hanging up and putting the phone back on his side.

He turned his head to his right and smiled. He looked outside the same window, dark into the cloud, before leaning forward to kiss his traveling companion.

She had been fast asleep for nearly an hour now, but they have a few more hours to go before reaching the land of the rising run, the place where the end will be just the beginning for Raoul and the girl he loved, Elle.