Chapter 23

Nurul’s eyes were open, and Wawa, with her hands delicately closed them. Amara was pacing as Menn was humming the nursery rhyme “Ring-O-Ring a roses”, sharpening his already sharpened knife.

“Just kill me! Just kill me!” Amara suddenly yelled, kicking the iron bars. Wawa was trying to calm Amara down was not able to match with Amara’s violent fit.

Menn laughed and laughed and laughed. The chamber echoed his laughter.

“Amazing what adrenaline could do to a human. They called one man a demi god once, or on your land, adrenaline was attributed to a genie’s vomit. Funny really, because the man was as you modern people call it, a schizophrenic. Interesting enough, the tree he uprooted was actually a dead tree,” Menn continued, explaining is a cheery tone as he waved his hands about.

A knock on the door caught their attention.

“Who is it?” asked Menn, mocking a cheerful tone and proceeded to open the door. Nik’s head pop and he carried with him a bloodied bag.

“Is it done?” Menn asked.

“Tis’ done,” Nik said, and smiled. He licked his lips, and gleams of his fangs were seen. They were not humans. They were something supernatural.

“Well then. There are many things to do on my part. I shall leave you alone. Sarah, watch the kids yes?” Menn gave instructions, mimicking as any parents would. He smiled and left the chamber with his partner. The chamber fell silent again.

“Oh God Amara, what should we do?” Wawa asked.

“Sarah, that paperclip from the book on the floor, can you reach it?” Amara asked. Sarah nodded and tried to pull the book with her feet as her hands were chained to the wall. Her wrist was painful, but she pulled nevertheless.

“I got it! I got it!” Sarah said and quickly, though clumsy, managed to get the paper clip in her hands. “Now what?” Sarah asked.

“Try to free yourself with it,” Amara said.

“I…I don’t know how,” Sarah said, almost crying. Amara sighed.

“Wait. I can do it!” Wawa said. All the years staying in a dorm during high school had taught Wawa several tricks, including opening a lock with a pin. It took Wawa a while as she was pretty rusty with it, but soon, the chain clicked and Sarah was freed of it.

“Now, throw those chairs over!” Amara said, and Sarah complied.

Wawa and Amara stacked the chairs and climbed from the cage. They were free. “Look, we’ll slowly creep down the tunnel. Trust no one. No one you understand?!” Amara said and the three remaining girls nodded. Amara led the four girls. Wawa, Wendy and Sarah followed. 

Fight fight fight...

I am tired of fighting. All i do in my life is fight, trying to survive. From bullies, from thieves, from those who wishes to take advantage, from opportunist, and from stupid people. This place is almost succeeding in bringing down my passion and enthusiasm. I cannot fight alone. One person cannot lift the boulder to clear the path. If the others refuse to help, I can't escape too. I'll be trapped in the valley with them.

The Netball Coach

Haluuuu...hehe. (Wrote this the second time because the internet was down and it didn't save. I prefer my previous post but I can't remember what exactly I wrote...dang...)

Anyhoo, i was chosen to coach the netball team. But....here's the problem. The only surviving memory I had of netball was falling on my bum during a game. That's it. Nothing more. I don't remember the rules..nada...nani mo nai....nothing. So, we had our first practice on last Friday. This was how I looked like training the kids....

This was me, giving instructions.....when I spouted some instructions/comments/strategies....I look like this...

Haha....but hey. Its a life long learning process. I am now googling rules and strategies...I will try my best!! HUHAAA! (Spartan warcry) We must win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (kiasu) The game is on the 13th of September. Wish us all the best. XD

Kabong's Eid-ul Fitr

Hatchiuuuu! *wash wash wash*.....*sweep sweep sweep*......*mop mop mop*......*lazing around*....*continue task*...

Huaa....It has been quite some time since I've blogged. Blame it on the laziness internet... I wanted to write on this year's Aidil fitri celebration, but I don't have pictures when my family and I were in Penang....so, I will be "blogging" (more like pasting pictures) about the Ramah tamah Aidil fitri we had in our school.

The teachers were divided into groups. We had six groups... Lemang (mine), Ketupat, Kelupis, Rendang, Serunding and.... uh...wait...was it five groups..or six?.... XD..

Anyway, we had a few competition:
1. karaoke
2. ketupat making
3. best dressed
4. best tent
5. best cake decoration

We even had an opening performance.....ahaks...but I'll get to that later...

Here are some pictures

 Me and the Gang (From left: Me, Ben, Fey2 & Romero)

 Taking pictures in front of other people's tent but did not even bother to take picture of own tent.....

The boys....men....uh..male teachers

Taking pictures with the same colour scheme...so to speak...

Dunno who's tent... Serunding's maybe

I am so gonna make a TV show poster out of this

Makan...makan....makan

Waiting to compete for the ketupat competition...Funny thing was, my partners and I were confused. We weren't sure how to win. Was it the most ketupat made within a given time, or was it the most creative? Lol...we didn't win. But if it were based on quantity, we sure would win. (konfid)

Me on the roll

A peak inside Ketupat's tent

Me, Felisica and Zainab

The special thing about this event to me was it was the first time i've ever performed in a band...as in a band. I mean, I've performed for Gamelan, and violin/ melodian/  (when i was a kid), but it was THE FIRST time I've ever I've performed in a band. And also, first time holding and playing the bass. Funny thing was, I just learnt how to play the bass say 2 days before the gig. It was kindda easy to play the bass, but it was still nerve wrecking to go and perform. 

"What if I screwup?

"Dang...where's A again?" 

"Hell, when do I come in?"

All those thoughts were in my head...but it was well. There were a few glitches...if you watch the video. We had little time to practice...but it was fun nevertheless. We were booked to play for the school dinner... matilaa...nabes. 

(After many failed attempts to upload video....)

I'll just upload the video when my streamyx is done...stress..

The songs we played was Suasana Hari Raya and Salam Aidil Fitri...

Wawa, remember this song? Hahaha! We played it during UKM ramah tamah aidil fitri..I still have our audio and our picture we took as background. 

Seeing that my writing has no cohesion what so ever...I think it is time for me to stop crapping and sleep. Had a long day and its 2.30am now. Good night.. :)

[Pictures courtesy of Felisica. Hahaha... I was too lazy to snap pictures}

I don't know...what to do

A: That is not right.

B: I don’t know…what to do?

Malay translation: Apa boleh buat?

Ever since I came here, there were many things that I did not like. The manners, the system…and recently, I came to realize that people here often use the phrase whenever there is something that isn’t right or something is wrong. And today, I shall blog about it.

As my topic sentence, I will stress I hate that effing phrase….i mean, I would consider if it was used in a 

proper context. For example:

A: Hey, when will the hate end?

B: I don’t know….what to do.

The usage of the hated phrase is acceptable. But when it comes to the wellbeing of the kids, or justice or whatever….i hate it when they use it.

Situation A: A student of mine does not want to go to school. We’ve been to the house once.

Me: We should do something else. He must have a reason

Counsellor: If he doesn’t want to go, what to do…?

I mean, hello. You are the counsellor, aren’t you suppose to use your mojo to talk kids into doing the right thing. Hell, during the time we went to the house, his “methods” were….the i-couldn’t-care-less-not-my-problem-I’m-only-here-because-this-new-effing-teacher-asked-me-to-come method. So basically, if I were the student, I wouldn’t want to go to school….lol

Situation B: Sports day. The last runner for 4 x 400m was the only one left on the track. The teachers called her back as she was running (since to them, it was a waste of time), but then, the umpire called it a disqualification. I was shocked. I mean, pity the kid. She wanted to run, but she got out of the track because the teachers were calling her.

Me: This is not right. She mustn’t be disqualified….

Individual who lacks empathy and intelligence #1: well, what to do…

Me: Well, don’t disqualify her.

I.W.L.E.I #2: Well, she got out of the track.

Me: Because you guys called her to get out…

I.W.L.E.I #2: well, what to do…things happen

Me: (I got so pissed off but I said things politely) Excuse me kind sir, I believe it is not fair to disqualify the kid. She got out of the tracks because the teachers called her. So, we should not penalize the runner. It is not fair.

In the end, the umpire did not disqualify her, justice prevailed….but I think I’ve just been labelled as trouble maker….ngee….what to do…

Life is short and unexpected

We hear this quote billions of time. "Life is short". My reaction and I'm sure many of you too would answer "Meh, that's so cliche". 

And when you hear of supernatural happenings, you would most probably say, "That shit ain't real. It only happens when Dean and Sam Winchester's around". I was a skeptic, though i had my fair share of supernatural encounter, i would still be skeptic when i hear of black magic and the sorts. Well, at least in modern times like now, I wouldn't have believed that there are those who still use supernatural being for their own advantage.

Now. Let me tell you what happened. I’ve only gathered enough courage to write about it today.

Before I begin, I would need to tell you of this person. He is an interim teacher. Posted the same time as I was. Though he was in the morning session, we did a lot of work together, such as being involved in MSSM betong, decorating the school board and since his desk was next to mine, we would sometimes chat. He was handsome, and often smiled. He never raised his voice. He was generous. He lent me (a complete stranger at the time) his bike so I could ride to town. He offered to buy items for the decoration. I would admit, I am beginning to love him as a friend. Though I’ve only known him for a short while, I know him as someone great and kind. Thinking and writing of him now makes me sad.

About 2 weeks ago, he passed away.

We were involved in MSSM Betong, 26 -31^st March. We grew close with the others as the time we spent together each day was a lot, especially during the preparation for the sports events. During Betong trip, day 2 of the trip (if I am not mistaken) we noticed sudden changes in him. He rarely smile, he ignored our callings, ignored our questions and did not help me to manage the kids at all. We did not think much of it at first, and we assumed he had other troubles.

When we returned from Betong and to school, he was different. The last words I spoke to him was..”Hey, can you help me with this….?” And when he did not reply..”Ookay….thanks”. That was stupid. I feel stupid. How can we not notice something was amiss?  

On Tuesday, he was not himself. He was possessed, and claimed to be someone else. He called himself other names and acted different. I cannot go into details. Shivers still run up my spine whenever I think of it. In fact, I have not slept alone in 2 weeks. I am afraid. We all are.

He was sent home, to go for some healing/berubat ritual. But in the middle of their journey, he got aggressive and stormed out of the car he was in. When his father followed him from behind, he acted as if he had not known who his father was and told him to stop following him. When his father got close, he punched his father in the face. He was never violent in his entire life. I knew this from his family, when we visited. When we walked away, (details were vague here), he was found at the road side, injured and dying. His mother cradled him in her arms.

At Betong hospital, he was declared dead.

We were angry at the fact. We were also scared. How could this happen? Why him? Why could this thing be even possible? I mean…really? We were still in disbelief.

The eeriest part would be when he told 2 of our teachers/friends that “This will be the last time you’ll ever see me, and I’ll ever see you”. It came true.

Life is short and you’ll never know when you’ll meet your maker. There are things that’ll forever be unknown. Things can be unfair.

Although we do not share the same faith, I will pray for you. May you rest in peace. 

Chapter 22

The door opened with a rusty creak. Julian peeked in to see a dimly lit room with drapes of plastics hung from the ceiling and with endless darkness. Both of the boys entered and the door, a heavy metal door banged close. Steve saw a figure of a man behind the drapes. He whispered of Nik’s name, slowly and cautiously. There was no response but a flick of a hand. They moved closer, and closer, pushing away the drapes for a better view. There stood Zainal, his eyes closed and his hands brought up. He was waving. Zainal was a mere puppet.

The sight of the lifeless body stunned the two boys. Their legs froze and their eyes fixed upon Zainal’s body. They saw strings, and wires fixed onto their friend’s joint, leading up to the dark unseen ceiling.

The room began to appear brighter and then did they realize that their fallen friends were seated on a chair with their joints too attached like a puppet. They head hung down, and they backs arched forward. Their arms fell to the side of the chair. The only thing that held them up were the wires.

They stood up, and moved in sync. They were doing robot dance (hahahah!!). Julian saw the wires moving by the ceiling, and there were no wires moving outwards…meaning, to Julian’s dismay and horror, one of the “dead” is controlling all.

The puppets stood and waved, and the dolls that were from before laid next to them. All of their friends were dead, and they had confirmed their death.

“Julian, I see no wires connecting outwards. Where is the fucking puppet master?” Steve asked. The moving bruised corpses were a mocking gesture.

“Let us leave,” Julian urged and tried to open the door. But the door refused to open.

Footsteps briefly took their attention and in the middle of the room stood Nik. His hands open, and his legs firmly on the ground.

“Nik!” Julian cried, relief to see his friend alive despite the horrors they had been through. Steve however saw the smile on Nik’s face.

“Welcome….to my crib,” Nik said, amusingly and laughed his heart out. “Fear me for I am Deimos!”. With those utterances his eyes glowed red and his fangs appeared.

Julian and Steve pushed themselves against the wall, unable to believe what they just saw. But another surprise they did not expect. One of the “puppet’s” head looked up and smiled. A face they did not believe was able to come back from the dead. Everything made sense now. Everything that happened now had an explanation. The murders that were done were now seemed possible.

***

The girls reached the jetty’s guard house. Rain came heavily again, with winds that could uproot trees. They took cover from the rain and from a distance; they saw a human figure, staggering towards them. The iron rods from the mansion were still in their hands and with it they stood guard. The face drew close and unbelievably, with rejoice Ka Phin saw the face of Nad whom they had thought were killed in the mansion room.

“Nad! How?’ Ka Phin said and ran towards Nad to give her friend a hug.

Aine saw and sighed of relief. But something was amiss. If that is Nad, then, who is the dismembered body in the room? Ka Phin took a few steps backwards and turned towards Aine, who then saw a knife stabbed into Ka Phin’s womb. Blood was inevitably flowing and Ka Phin fell to the ground.

Aine let out a scream and a pair of hands held her head from behind. With a snap, Aine lay motionless.

PS: Sorry i haven't updated the story for a long time. Hehe.  This was done in a rush, hopefully it is satisfactory. Huhu....lamak sik tulis, macam sik betul plot da...