(The studio is dimly lit, a single spotlight shining on the stage. The Plague 2022 characters are nowhere to be seen—this is a new beginning. The audience murmurs in anticipation as the Author steps onto the stage, a mischievous glint in her eye.)

***

Author: Welcome back, everyone, to Talk With Them! After much suspense and a… mysterious bonus episode, we’re finally here with our next interview! And this time, we’re diving into an entirely different world.

(The audience cheers as the screen behind the Author flickers to life, showing glimpses of a darker, more twisted reality—bloodstains, a city shrouded in secrets, and a shadowy figure standing amidst the chaos.)

Author: That’s right, folks. Today, we welcome our very first guest from Why She Kills! Give a warm welcome to none other than… Iyaan!

(A round of applause erupts as Iyaan steps onto the stage, his presence commanding yet unreadable. He takes his seat, adjusting his posture as if calculating his next move.)

Author: Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up.

Iyaan: (smirks) You say that like I had a choice.

Author: (chuckles) Fair enough. I suppose no one ever really has a choice when it comes to me. But let’s not get into that… yet. I have five special questions just for you, all straight from me and my readers. Ready to dive in?

(Iyaan leans back slightly, his expression unreadable, but there’s a flicker of intrigue in his gaze.)

Iyaan: I suppose I can humor you.

Author: Perfect. Let’s begin. But first. How are you feeling today?

Iyaan: (leaning back with a slight smirk) Not bad. A little curious, though. You did pull me in here without much explanation.

Author: (chuckles) Well, what’s an interview without a little mystery? Speaking of mystery, let’s get started with some intriguing questions! First up—your relationship with Tenuk.

Iyaan: (expression softens instantly) Ah. I see him as someone very important to me. Living a life without Tenuk is hard—too hard, honestly. He is an indispensable part of me. I would absolutely hate it if he were hurt or distressed about anything.

Author: (grins mischievously) Someone’s protective.

Iyaan: (shrugs) It’s just the truth.

Author: Alright, next question! Why didn’t you tell anyone that the killer was, in fact, Nur?

Iyaan: (his jaw tightens for a moment before he sighs) She’s a serial killer. She treats murder like an art form. Both Tenuk and I entered a cave when we figured out it was her. But what were we supposed to do? We’re students, not detectives or police officers. Staying quiet at least kept us alive.

Author: (leans forward) So, it was purely survival?

Iyaan: (nods) Sometimes, the smartest thing to do is not act.

Author: (smirks) Hmm. Our next question is a bit lighter. Your physical intimacy with Tenuk is liked by all. What do you say to that?

Iyaan: (laughs softly, shaking his head) That’s good, then. I’m not doing it to be liked by others, but I’m happy it’s not being criticized. The current generation is quite open like that, and I appreciate it. Of course—(his voice lowers slightly)—I am to Tenuk whatever he wants me to be for him.

(Audience lets out a collective awww.)

Author: (fanning self dramatically) Iyaan, you’re going to have people swooning at this rate! But let’s move on to the next question before we get too carried away.

Why didn’t you leave your job when the first murder occurred?

Iyaan: (expression turns serious) We live off our own money. My mother is sick, and she needs treatment. As for Tenuk, his mother wants him to survive on his own. Rent, tuition fees—none of it comes easy. Most university students working at the hospital can’t just leave because it’s the only place that takes in inexperienced students. No other workplace is close by or willing to do the same.

But when the murderer started torturing Tenuk more and more, I decided to give up. We lived off our savings and moved away after university ended.

Author: (nods slowly) That must have been tough. But that brings me to the final question—what was it like leaving Tenuk after graduation? And why did you lie to him, saying you were meeting your professor when, in fact, you were meeting Officer Johan?

Iyaan: (exhales, rubbing the back of his neck) I lied because I didn’t want him involved in what I was getting involved in. My only goal became to catch Nur red-handed and lock her up. That path was too dangerous for me to drag Tenuk into.

I didn’t want him hurt—not in the slightest.

Author: (leans back, studying Iyaan) You really would do anything for him, huh?

Iyaan: (smiles faintly) Without a doubt.

Author: (claps hands together) And that, ladies and gentlemen, wraps up our interview with Iyaan! Thank you so much for joining us today!

Iyaan: (nods) Thanks for having me.

(Audience claps as Iyaan stands, offering one last smirk before heading offstage.)

Author: (turns back to the audience) But don’t go anywhere just yet! Because next up, we have another round of Talk with Them, where we’ll be meeting, our very own, Tenuk from Why She Kills! Stay tuned!