Don't be afraid!

I made myself brave. If not us, then who? It was a quiet night, almost midnight. I started my motorcycle and paid my bill to Mang Krimo. I ate two stuffed tofu and one fried tempeh, plus a black coffee. It was complete, my stomach was well-filled.

That night, I was alone again. I started my motorcycle and said, "Bismillah" (In the name of God). Pak Kusrin, or Kyai Kusrin, said that if we say "Bismillah," the demons flee. Isn't that great? If the demons disperse, the night market will disperse too! Ha... ha... ha... I consoled myself. Not funny!

Again, before leaving, Mang Krimo always had a message that I knew quite well. If you pass the old house of the late Mbah Pati, be careful, that's what he told me again.

Mang Krimo didn't know that I had just fought off a ghost who was trying to steal money from the factory. At least, a ghost is a fake, he... he... he...

I rode my motorcycle leisurely, no need to be afraid anymore; I had to be brave. Fear of ghosts is only for those who have been brainwashed by all the occult and horror, especially those who already believe everything those shamans and psychics say. Everything they say is accepted as if it surpasses religious scriptures.

I continued driving my motorcycle, soon reaching the border of my village and passing a fairly long stretch of about 1.5 kilometers. There was an old house set back from the main road.

The house was said to be haunted.

But those were all just baseless rumors. I entered the plantation area, and soon I would pass the old house. The old house was about 20 meters from the main road. The rows of bamboo bushes swaying in the night breeze and the dim mist from the moonlight began to look frightening to those who were afraid.

Indeed, it's only natural for humans to get goosebumps. It's human nature to be afraid of the dark and anything that could emerge from it. Even if it's just imagination or hallucinations, I try to stay relaxed and recite dhikr and prayers to the Prophet. That can help reduce the sudden shivering. It's human instinct, not because we get goosebumps and shivers because there's a jinn nearby.

Because jinn and demons are indeed around us, whenever and wherever we are. So, the reason we sometimes get goosebumps or shivers is usually due to an instinctive fear of the dark.

The bamboo leaves swayed as if waving, and the trees sometimes swayed in the wind, and there was a creaking sound as the bamboo rubbed against each other.

Unfortunately, the hooting of an owl also added to the quiet night. What had been quiet turned eerie in the end. Who actually started naming the bird "owl"? It's just a random thing, is it because the bird comes out at night and sleeps or hides during the day?

Why am I reminded of ghosts, especially owls? I cursed myself for remembering something scary, even though I'd been so brave from the start. Why was I feeling a little scared now?

I consoled myself a little with courage; I'd just fought with a human and wasn't even afraid of a ghost.

I faced the road, trying to shake off my fear and worry. I tried not to look to the right, where the old house was said to be haunted.

I went straight, steadying my motorcycle's handlebars, refusing to glance to the right no matter what. I eased on the gas a little, just enough to quickly leave the old house.

The fog lingered, but when I was level with the old house, I sensed a light in the house, flickering on and off. I could see it from looking straight ahead, but I could still see a small part of the house.

Why were there flickering lights? It seemed like something was up. I became curious, and I turned my head toward the house. As I looked, I saw a shadow that flickered, like someone passing by the house. Then, it seemed like a light would come on, then go out again. Then it would come on again, and then go out again. A shadow of someone passing through the living room window.

It was as if someone was walking inside, their shadow reflected off the house's windshield due to the flickering lights inside.

I shuddered suddenly, torn between speeding or stopping to investigate. But it was already midnight, exactly midnight, the midnight people always describe as the time for ghosts.

Why was I always faced with horrors like this, especially in the middle of the night? Curiosity continued to surge, even though I had already passed the old house quite far. I braked and quickly reversed my motorcycle.

I had already passed the house about 20 meters away, so I turned back and tried to start the motorcycle slowly at a steady pace. I parked my motorcycle on the side of the road and stared intently at the old house. It was empty, now quiet, with only the rustling of the wind giving me goosebumps and a thin mist creating the illusion of night, with smoke adding to the mystical feel.

I remained silent, listening only for the hooting of owls and the chirping of crickets. I scanned my surroundings, back and forth. I made sure no shadows suddenly appeared.

Now, I had to muster up my courage. I couldn't be afraid of anything anymore, so I remained standing near my motorcycle.

I tried to duck and squat behind my motorcycle. I was curious about the lights and the passersby I'd accidentally seen earlier. Was that really someone inside, or was I hallucinating?

A few minutes later, there was another flicker from inside the old house. It seemed like someone was there, but it didn't seem there. The flicker seemed to move, and the shadows cast by the bright light made it seem like someone was inside and passing by, moving to another room.

This time, my eyes weren't hallucinating. Whether it was a ghost or not, I wanted to see it because this could be the real reason why this house has been so feared by the people, and everyone believes it's the ghost of Mbah Pati still wandering around.

Believe it or not, I had to finish this tonight. I was brave, Adnan. Again, there were flickers and even lights. And that was enough to illuminate a rather deep room, a side room in the house.

Later, L, and the light was now on next to L's room.

I slowly left my motorcycle. There was no way this was a night market like Jono had said, a night market for demons or ghosts. If it were, then I had to witness it for myself to quell my curiosity.

I plucked up courage and crawled through the grass. Slowly and surely, I reached the window in L's room and stood under it. I paused for a moment, right on the shutter.

It did feel like I was her, when, suddenly, a terrifying figure appeared, opened the window, and looked down at me, its face shattered. How terrifying the imaginary simulations in my mind were. Yet, sometimes we cultivate our own thoughts so well that they become mirages that seem real when they are only a figment of our own imagination.

The smell I smelled suddenly made me feel even more intoxicated. The scent of this floral oil was so strong that it almost made my mind go blank. It truly felt like a dream; my soul almost floated away because of the pungent, horror-filled scent. The smell was so strong I almost sneezed, but I held it in with all my might.

Brak!

There was a sound like wood splintering, or a table shattering, or something falling to the floor. I jumped out of my seat, but I desperately tried to cover my mouth.

I paused for a moment, looking left and right, hoping nothing was happening. But what was that sound inside? Now, I had to uncover what was behind this old house. I mustered up courage, slowly lifting my head and peering through the wooden window. What was going on?

My head began to rise, my eyes reaching the glass. Slowly, even though I was afraid, I suddenly saw a scary face pressed against the glass, and I stared straight ahead. It was certainly my own imagination, but this time I had to confirm what was really inside.

Why were there flickering lights and what appeared to be people inside, even though the house was empty?

So, were the occupants, as Jono had described, spirits?