the Mystery of Caraka Family

A year ago…

Rani Caraka, a little girl with bangs who had just celebrated her ninth birthday, widened her eyes when she saw the commotion happening in the living room of the second house, where she and her brother, Dimas, usually relaxed. The living room was special because it was decorated with a very soft, thick white fur carpet and a giant preserved turtle. There was an antique crystal chandelier that added to the romance. Rani often sat on the soft rose-patterned sofa while playing with her Barbie doll collection. Meanwhile, Dimas was busy aiming at Rani's feet with his favorite toy gun.

"Brother Dimas is so mean. The bullets are hurting me, you know!" Rani grumbled. Her eyes blinked as she held back tears. She patted her bruised feet that had been the victim of her brother's prank.

Dimas chuckled. "Crying baby! These are just plastic bullets."

"It still hurts. What if the bullet hits my eye? I'll go blind!"

Ignoring his sister's protest, Dimas took aim again. This time Rani's right arm was the target. Annoyed, Rani immediately left her brother. Although Dimas often made fun of her, Rani adored him. And who wouldn't? A year ago, Dimas had won a national junior high school math competition. He was also good at playing basketball, badminton, and karate. Unlike Rani who was a loner, Dimas was active in organizations. Whether it was Scouts, OSIS, or even religious activities. Now Dimas seemed a little different. He still enjoyed teasing Rani. But there was something that made Dimas seem to have created an invisible fortress. Rani had caught him daydreaming several times. When reprimanded, he would deliberately hit Rani's head with the handle of the chain he was using for exercise. It didn't make a hole in Rani's head, but it still bruised her. Therefore, Rani chose the safe route. Don't bother Brother Dimas who was going through puberty. In fact, Rani had seen both of Dimas' eyes staring at the ceiling, full of tears. Was Dimas depressed because his Chemistry test score was worth monkey ears? Rani knew because her head was targeted by a wad of paper that turned out to be a Chemistry test paper. She snorted in disdain. Dimas could have teased her for being a crying baby. In fact, she never cried even though her grades were zero or duck.

Rani approached the crowd and tried to find out what was happening. But it was difficult to penetrate the human fence that was as dense as the bushes. Not only the household assistants and gardeners gathered, but also Mr. Sukma who was Rani's mother's co-worker.

Rani really liked Mr. Sukma who was always cheerful and brings her delicious snacks. Silverqueen chocolate, UHT strawberry milk, and Chiki Ball snacks never failed to captivate the heart of the little girl who was as thin as a stick. In fact, Rani's two pet cats were gifts from Mr. Sukma. Not to mention the various beautiful toys that Rani hides in her wardrobe.

 Although Mr. Sukma's face was fierce with thick, messy curly hair, his heart was very soft and generous. A wide smile immediately decorated his square face with brown skin. He immediately pushed Rani to come see the cause of the commotion that occurred at 7 am.

 All the household assistants knew that Mr. Sukma's relationship with his mistress (Mrs Caraka) was a special relationship. But they did not dare to gossip because the salaries of all the household assistants were actually paid by this tall and big Mr. Sukma.

Rani gasped. There were giant green muddy footprints from the front door to the top of the attic stairs. There were exactly ten pairs of footprints. Could it be that someone was just trying to scare her? But the footprints were huge. They were about 40 cm long. While their width reached 15 cm.

 "Engkus, you forgot to clean the floor and lock the door of this house?" Mr. Sukma accused.

Engkus, the household assistant who was in charge of cleaning the four houses of the Caraka family was stunned. She still could not believe the weird thing. "I just mopped the house yesterday. I remember very well that I locked the door of this house yesterday afternoon. There was no way a stranger could have entered. I immediately handed the house key to Mrs. Caraka."

 "Did someone sneak in? Maybe a thief?" Mr. Sukma pressed. His heart really felt uneasy.

Mang Uci shook his head. "I've checked all the windows and doors. None were damaged or forced open."

"This must be the Green Blind Giant's sole. He is about to take the soul of sacrifice victim," Engkus exclaimed with wide eyes.

***

"You're crazy, Adi!" Galuh Caraka screamed at her husband. "What are you going to do to our firstborn child?"

 Galuh's hands scratched Adi Caraka's body. But the possessed husband paid no attention to her. A cold smile adorned the 45-year-old man's face. He continued to push Dimas, who was having a high fever, into his red sedan car.

 "Just let this unlucky child die. I'll throw it on the side of the highway. How dare he scold me. He accused me of playing with women."

"BUT IT'S TRUE! IT'S A FACT. WHY MUST YOU BE ANGRY?" Galuh shouted. Tears of anger flooded her round, full-moon face.

"Dad is really cruel. Even a tiger wouldn't kill its own child," Dimas whispered. "I regret believing Dad who always accused Mom of being crazy. When in fact, it was Dad who was proven to be crazy."

"Who said you were Papa's son?" Adi slapped Dimas' right cheek. He hit Dimas' chest who didn't fight back at all.

Behind the window, Rani watched the savagery of the man called Papa. Was the evil man really her father? Just yesterday Papa kicked Yusa, her beloved cat. She hated Papa so much. Even though Dimas was good at karate, why didn't he hit Papa back?

Rani turned around and asked for help from Mang Uci, the gardener, to break up the unbalanced fight. But it was too late. Dimas' condition worsened. Caraka left all the commotion behind him. He stayed overnight at the house of dr. Ferry, his eldest brother.

Rani will never forget the sad moment when Dimas, her mischievous brother, hugged her tightly. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Don't ever trust Papa! Don't ever trust anyone!"

That night Dimas was admitted to the ICU and never regained consciousness. Although the father regretted the death of his eldest son and cried loudly at the funeral, Rani never trusted her father again. Especially his crocodile tears. Papa was not human, but a devil!

______

Note:

Green Blind Giant: a slavery devil whose appearance is a giant with green skin. He usually takes the soul of sacrifice victim. His master is a human who intends to be rich by sacrificing other human soul.