Missing Rose Trace (Part 4)

Written by : Linda Herliantina
Translated in English by : DS. Utomo
Published by : Mizan Publishing House, Bandung, Indonesia

At the dinner table seemed contrived breakfast served aunt Ruspita. There are a few pieces of fried chicken a la Kentucky Fried Chicken, accompanied by slices of fried potatoes. There were omelettes containing sausages. Plus green salad with hot chili. All warm served with savory aromas. Four teenagers seemed engrossed in devouring the food dish on the table. They do not have time to speak, as each is enjoying a delicious meal.
Aryo finished eating first.

"Thank God ...." Aryo soon rose. He went to take the morning newspaper. After sitting back, his eyes began to crawl the entire newspaper page quickly, while reading silently. But on one occasion he found a very interesting topic .Then he read it loudly so that the others can come to hear.

"There has been missed a beautiful rose. It might be stolen. And some people said that the event happened in the Grass Valley ... ... .These words came without conscious spontaneously out of the mouth of a junior high school student, as stated by a reliable source told Local News. Yesterday some school pupils had been unconscious because of trance from the spirit possessed……”

Aryo stop reading for a moment. His face looked frowning. He was thinking .as his hand scratching his curly hair.

"Go on , Yo !", hissed Jalu. He could not wait, while continuing his morning breakfast.
"Emm .... told the Local News…... Possession occurred in junior high school in this city recently. This time at least five female students’ spirit possessed after school.. They were taken to the school health unit. But they become short of breath. Even they were screaming hysterically ... ".

Patiently Aryo continue reading.
"The five girls were eventually taken to the mosque school. Once comforted by a cleric, they look better. Once aware, one of them told me what happened during the spirit possessed.

She said she heard a whisper, 'if you with your friends want to heal, you must repair first my house damaged during you built the tent with your friends the day before yesterday. And also restore my lost rose in the Grass Valley ‘ .... “

Aryo put newspaper on the table. "Wow, it’s scary ....,"he snorted then.

Then they were silent thought. Based on the news they thoughtthere was something strange and mysterious has happened in the Grass Valley. It may be true that there is someone who is lost in a strange way. Maybe the news is the police code for people to be careful when they go to the Grass Valley.

After breakfast they began to plan a series task that Jalu proposed earlier. They got moved to the garden beside the house. There was a round table which sufficiently wide and surrounded by six seats. Iqbal said that uncle Jatomo likes to hold a garden party with all family there.
The morning air was clear enough. The wind blew faintly as if caressing affection that grows lush foliage of trees shade the garden.

"Grass Valley? Where is it? "asked Aryo.
"According to you, is it true that chatter ... .., I mean to be trusted or not?" said Iqbal. In his eyes reflected a particle of doubt.
"It's not a matter of believing or not, Bal ...., I think it can be an important ingredient of our adventures this holiday. ,,,,,,,"said Aryo.
"Then, how do we test the truth of the story, Yo?" asked Iqbal again.
"This is what we should think from now on .... Hi, Dul ... any suggestions?"

Dul did not response. A moment frowning. Hastily he ate a piece of banana in the mouth. Then haltingly asked.
"Um ... .. Ehmm .... what is the problem ...?"

Chuckling all who sit at the table there. Dul did look like someone who had just awakened from deep sleep.

"Possessed by the devil ...," Aryo later explained, "What really possessed it had something to do with things supernatural, mystery and superstition?"
"I think so ... ..," said Dul lightly.
"Is there Grass Valley on a map of the island of Java?" continued Aryo.
"Um ... I don’t know. You must ask to our clever friend. I'm sure, he would know, " said Dul , tilting his chin toward Jalu.

At the end of the discussion, they agreed to find out where the Grass Valley is located. They are planning to go there in order to investigate whether or not true the stories written in the newspaper that morning.

(To be continued)