The back room of Aziz's house again. Empty. Musty.
There were only three ordinary boxes in front of the door. And Kiko was sprawled on the floor.
6:00 a.m.
Aziz collapsed into a sitting position. He was breathing hard. His phone was dead. The battery had run out.
His four cats immediately climbed onto him. Settling in.
Outside, the sound of a motorcycle. “Mr. Aziz! It’s Rina!”
Someone knocked on the door.
Aziz looked at the door. Then he looked at the three worn boxes. Then he looked toward the back room.
From inside the room came a soft whisper: “Tomorrow night, okay, Mr. Aziz... we’ll play again...”
6:01 a.m. The sun was already up.
Aziz was still sitting on the floor of the back room. His breathing hadn’t returned to normal. His four cats were piled on top of him like a blanket.
_Tap tap tap._ “Mr. Aziz! It’s Rina!”
A girl’s voice came from outside. The same voice from last night’s chat.
Aziz stood slowly. His legs were weak. He walked to the front door. He opened it a crack.
A girl in her twenties stood outside. Her hair was tied back. Her eyes were swollen. She was carrying a bag. She looked exactly like the girl he’d seen in last night’s “dream.”
“Mr. Aziz... sorry to bother you so early,” Rina said. “I’m here to pick up Kiko.”
Aziz peeked behind Rina. It was empty. The boxes were gone. “How did you find my house?” “Mrs. Titi told me. She said you could look after Kiko.” Rina smiled. But it was a stiff smile.
Aziz still didn’t open the door all the way. “Kiko’s still inside. Wait a minute.”
He closed and locked the door.
•1. Check Phone•
Aziz turned on his phone and checked it. Only 1% battery remained. The chat from “Rina” last night was still there. Her number was 0812-xxxx-xxxx. He searched it on Google. The result read: _This number has been reported as a scam and linked to a missing-person case in 2023._
Aziz’s heart dropped.
He opened his gallery. There were three more new photos. Taken at 3 a.m. Photo 1: Aziz asleep. Behind him stood the shadows of five children. Photo 2: A close-up of the three boxes. Written across them: _One more._ Photo 3: A selfie. Aziz asleep. The one taking the selfie... was Kiko. The doll was holding the phone.
Aziz threw the phone. He was terrified and panicking.
Ruby scratched at the door. She wanted out. Aziz opened the door again.
Rina was still there. But now she was soaking wet. Even though it hadn’t rained. “You took forever, Mr. Aziz,” Rina said. Water dripped from her hair. “Where’s Kiko?”
Aziz didn’t invite her inside. He sat in a chair on the porch. Rina followed. The four cats peeked out from behind the door.
“Where’s your house?” Aziz asked. “Near the city park,” Rina answered quickly. “Full address?” Aziz asked, growing suspicious. Rina was silent for two seconds. “12 Jalan Melati.” Aziz knew the place. 12 Jalan Melati was... a cemetery.
Aziz tried to get more information. “What’s your younger sibling’s name?” he asked. “Tina.” Rina answered immediately. Too quickly. Aziz looked at the girl. “When did she die?” he asked. “Three years ago. An accident.” Rina’s eyes glistened with tears, and she looked sad.
Aziz was silent. He remembered what Mrs. Titi had said last night: _Rina died three years ago along with her younger sibling._
“Liar,” Aziz said softly.
Rina’s face changed. Her smile disappeared. “Why are you accusing me of that, Mr. Aziz?” she said. Her voice began to deepen. It sounded like two people speaking at once. “I just want to leave Kiko with you.”
The wind blew. A fishy smell came from Rina. The smell of cemetery soil.
Aziz’s four cats immediately ran inside and shut the door.
“Get out,” Aziz said. “Get out of my house.”
Rina laughed. _Kik._ Just like Kiko. “You’re the one who invited us in. You’re the one who opened the door at 5:29.”
Rina stood up. Her body was becoming wetter and wetter. But it wasn’t water. It was thick. Red.
“We just want your house to be lively again. Like it used to be.” Rina pointed inside. “Look.”
Aziz turned around.
At the window of the back room stood the shadows of five small children. They waved expressionlessly.