Tenuk stirred from his half-sleep, the remnants of a nightmare clinging to the edges of his consciousness. He shifted, instinctively reaching out to the figure next to him, seeking solace in the familiar warmth of another body. His arms wrapped around the form beside him, and as he blinked away the remnants of sleep, his gaze fell upon Iyaan, peacefully sleeping beside him.

"Iyaan," Tenuk murmured softly, his voice barely a whisper in the quiet of the morning.

The other man stirred, a yawn escaping his lips as he slowly turned his head to face Tenuk. "Good morning," he mumbled sleepily.

"Mm," Tenuk responded, a hint of concern lingering in his voice as he recalled the unsettling dreams that had haunted his rest.

Nestling closer to Iyaan, Tenuk found solace in the comforting embrace, the worries of the night still fresh in his mind. Minutes slipped by in silence as they lay together, the rhythmic whirring of the ceiling fan providing a soothing backdrop to their thoughts.

Eventually, Iyaan broke the quiet, tapping gently on Tenuk's forehead before sitting up. Tenuk pouted at the sudden movement, his reluctance evident as he tried to pull Iyaan back down beside him.

"Iyaan, should we quit our jobs?" Tenuk's voice was tinged with uncertainty, his concern for their well-being evident in the furrow of his brow.

"Why?" Iyaan's confusion was evident as he regarded Tenuk with puzzled eyes.

Tenuk sighed, his grip on Iyaan tightening slightly as he voiced his worries. "You keep messing with that doc. If something happens to you..."

A shadow of concern flickered across Iyaan's features as he listened to Tenuk's words. "Nothing is going to happen to me, Tenuk," he reassured, his voice gentle yet firm.

Tenuk persisted, his resolve unwavering as he pressed for a change. "Let's just graduate and get a proper job. We don't need part-time—"

Iyaan interjected, practicality overriding Tenuk's concerns. "We won't be able to pay our rents—"

"Then can you move in, at least?" Tenuk's request hung in the air, laden with unspoken hopes and fears.

Iyaan hesitated, the idea of taking such a significant step catching him off guard. "Move in? Here?" he echoed, his mind racing with thoughts of the implications.

Tenuk nodded, his gaze earnest as he pleaded silently for Iyaan's agreement. He wrapped his arms around Iyaan's waist once more, seeking comfort in the embrace.

Iyaan sighed, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he relented, patting Tenuk's head gently. "Okay, we'll see about that. For now, let's attend our classes, okay?" he suggested, attempting to steer their thoughts toward the practicalities of the day ahead.

Tenuk nodded wordlessly.

As the days passed, Tenuk and Iyaan found themselves swept up in the whirlwind of university life, their schedules filled to the brim with classes, assignments, and upcoming events. Despite their best intentions, the topic of Iyaan moving in with Tenuk lingered in the back of their minds, a promise yet to be fulfilled.

However, amidst the bustling campus atmosphere, a somber shadow hung over them—the tragic deaths of Aishah and Melacca, whose passing had sent shockwaves through the university community. As news of the tragedy spread, students and faculty alike bombarded Tenuk and Iyaan with questions, their curiosity fueled by the proximity of the four coworkers to the incident.

Caught off guard by the sudden influx of inquiries, Tenuk and Iyaan found themselves navigating a minefield of uncomfortable conversations. Questions came from all directions, each more probing than the last. "Did you see their bodies?" "What was it like to work in the basement where two girls died?" "You guys aren't the reason for their death, right?"

Despite their desire to maintain privacy and distance themselves from the tragic events, Tenuk and Iyaan had no choice but to respond politely, their attempts to evade the questions often falling short. Each interaction left them feeling drained and emotionally exhausted, the weight of suspicion and speculation casting a pall over their daily lives.

Iyaan, in particular, felt the burden of the scrutiny keenly, his instinct to avoid confrontation conflicting with the need to address the rumors swirling around them. Yet, he remained steadfast in his determination to navigate the situation with grace and dignity, unwilling to engage in baseless accusations or speculation.

As the days stretched into weeks, Tenuk and Iyaan leaned on each other for support, finding solace in the strength of their bond amidst the turmoil that surrounded them.

***

Saturday dawned with its usual hustle and bustle, the promise of a busy day stretching before Tenuk and Iyaan as they embarked on their routine of classes, volunteering, and event preparations. Despite the passage of time, the promise of Iyaan moving in with Tenuk remained unfulfilled, lingering like a half-forgotten dream.

As they made their way back home to change into their work uniforms, the air was thick with anticipation, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. Tenuk fidgeted with his shirt, his nerves betraying his outward calm, while Iyaan remained engrossed in his phone, a veil of distraction shielding him from the world around him.

At the intersection, they waited patiently for the cab they had booked, the minutes ticking by slowly as anticipation coiled in the pit of Tenuk's stomach. When the cab finally arrived, they boarded in silence, the journey ahead fraught with unspoken tension.

Their destination loomed before them—the imposing structure of 'Mind and Heart,' home to some of the country's most esteemed psychologists, including the renowned Nur. As they entered the building, Tenuk and Iyaan scanned their ID cards with practiced ease before stepping into the elevator, the familiar routine offering a fleeting sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty that lay ahead.

With a sense of urgency, Tenuk pressed the button marked fifteen, the floor that housed Nur's office. As the elevator ascended, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at the edges of his consciousness, the memory of recent events casting a shadow over his thoughts.

The elevator chimed to a stop on the fifth floor, and a young woman entered, offering a polite greeting to the two boys. Tenuk returned her smile with a warm nod, while Iyaan's gaze remained fixed on his shoes, his demeanor guarded and distant.

Glancing at the ID card hanging around the woman's neck, Tenuk's heart skipped a beat—'Alya.' Like Melacca and Aishah before her, Alya was a student from their university, one of many who worked part-time at 'Mind and Heart' during weekend shifts.

"Backroom duty, Alya," announced one of the senior staff members over the speakers, breaking the silence that had settled over the elevator. With a resigned nod, Alya stepped off the elevator, joining Tenuk and Iyaan as they made their way towards a cluster of boxes awaiting their attention in their designated areas.

The corridor stretched out before Tenuk and Iyaan, its dimly lit expanse casting long shadows that danced along the walls. As they made their way towards the door leading to the backroom, a sense of unease settled over them, the quiet hum of anticipation lingering in the air.

Iyaan's hand hovered over the doorknob, poised to push it open, when a strange clang reverberated from within, causing him to instinctively halt. With a quick motion, he pushed his arm backward, signaling for Tenuk to stay still, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he listened for any further signs of disturbance.

Tenuk tilted his head, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected sound emanating from the closed door before them. Sensing Iyaan's caution, he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the door as he waited for further instructions.

With a cautious movement, Iyaan peered through the narrow opening, his eyes scanning the dimly lit interior of the backroom. He gestured for Tenuk to stay behind him, a silent indication for his friend to remain out of sight as he assessed the situation within.

Tenuk followed Iyaan's lead, positioning himself beside his friend and resting his head on Iyaan's shoulder, their breaths held in anticipation as they peered through the crack in the door. Despite the darkness within, the outline of a metal cart came into focus, its presence familiar from countless trips transporting boxes filled with worn-out units.

As their eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the room, Iyaan's gaze shifted from the cart to the shifting shadows nearby. The faint illumination cast by a night light revealed glimpses of movement, hinting at the presence of unseen figures moving within the confines of the backroom.

Within the dimly lit confines of the backroom, a tense scene unfolded before the eyes of Tenuk and Iyaan. As they strained to make sense of the shadows moving in the darkness, a sudden flash of light pierced the gloom, causing both of them to squint in discomfort.

Blinking against the brightness, they gradually adjusted to the illumination, realizing that the flash had originated from a phone clutched in the hand of one of the figures. The intermittent light revealed a frantic exchange between two individuals, their movements suggesting a physical altercation rather than mere verbal disagreement.

With each flash of light, the details of the scene became clearer to Iyaan and Tenuk. They could make out the silhouette of a female figure with short hair, her features illuminated briefly by the glow of the screen. The light danced across the strands of her brown hair, tracing the outline of her neck-length, straight locks.

But it was the expression in the woman's eyes that sent a chill down Iyaan's spine—a glint of amusement, a slight smirk playing on her lips as she pressed down on the other figure, pinning them to the ground with an unsettling force.

As the phone slipped from the woman's grasp, clattering to the floor and casting the room in sudden darkness once more, the full extent of the scene was revealed. Alya lay on the tiles beneath her assailant, her grip tight on the wrists of the woman above her. Tears streaked down her cheeks, her eyes wide with terror as she struggled against the weight pinning her down.

Iyaan's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the scene unfold, his mind racing with indecision. The urge to intervene warred with the fear that gripped him, paralyzing his limbs and leaving him rooted to the spot.

Beside him, Tenuk's hand flew to his mouth, stifling any sound that threatened to escape as he recoiled from the horror unfolding before them. Despite the overwhelming urge to scream, he remained silent, his body trembling with fear as he huddled close to Iyaan, seeking refuge in the safety of their shared terror.

With a gulp, Iyaan leaned closer to the door, his mind racing as he grappled with the weight of the decision before him. Should he try to help Alya? Call for authorities? The options swirled in his mind.

Alya's struggles grew more desperate as she fought against the oppressive weight pinning her down. Her grip tightened on the wrists of her assailant, her fingers digging into the flesh as she fought for her life. But as her gaze flickered to the hands she clung to, her heart sank at the sight of the gleaming, sharp knives they held.

In the darkness of the backroom, Iyaan's throat constricted with the overwhelming urge to scream, but no sound escaped his lips. His limbs felt heavy, his muscles tense with fear as he watched helplessly, his mind racing with a jumble of thoughts and emotions.

As Alya kicked out in a desperate attempt to free herself, the figure above her only flinched slightly, their weight pressing down with an unyielding force. With a final surge of strength, Alya managed to push her assailant away, scrambling to her feet and darting towards the light switch by the window.

With a trembling hand, she flicked on the light, illuminating the room in a harsh glare. But before she could fully comprehend her surroundings, the figure was upon her once more, their presence looming over her with an ominous intensity.

Iyaan's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the scene unfold, a sense of helplessness washing over him like a suffocating wave. Despite the overwhelming urge to intervene, his feet remained rooted to the spot, his body frozen in place by the terror that gripped him.

As Alya's cries pierced the air, echoing off the walls of the backroom, her desperate pleas for help seemed to fall on deaf ears. Despite the intensity of her screams, no one came to her aid, leaving her to fend for herself against the looming threat that loomed over her.

Iyaan's heart clenched with every agonized wail that escaped Alya's lips, his fists trembling with frustration as he grappled with his own helplessness. He longed to rush to her aid, to intervene and put an end to her suffering, but a paralyzing fear rooted him to the spot, rendering him powerless to act.

Beside him, Tenuk felt a surge of panic course through him as he witnessed Alya's struggle unfold. With trembling hands, he crawled away from the room, his mind reeling with the realization that whoever was behind Alya was a force beyond their comprehension—a threat that two teenagers alone could never hope to overcome.

Seated before the elevator, Tenuk huddled close to the metallic doors, his hands covering his ears in a feeble attempt to block out the sounds of Alya's cries. The memories of Melacca and Aishah's deaths weighed heavily on his mind, a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

With shaking hands, Tenuk reached into his pocket, retrieving his phone with trembling fingers. With each digit pressed, he dialed the emergency number, his voice quivering as he relayed the details of the unfolding crisis to the operator on the other end of the line.

Meanwhile, Iyaan's gaze flicked to where Tenuk had been standing, only to find his friend engaged in a frantic conversation on his phone. Relief flooded through him at the sight, a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos that surrounded them.

Summoning every ounce of courage he possessed, Iyaan took a deep breath, his resolve hardening as he steeled himself for what lay ahead. With a trembling hand, he reached for the door, his heart pounding in his chest as he flung it open.

As the door swung open, casting a beam of light into the dimly lit backroom, the figure looming over Alya froze in their tracks. Their back remained turned, their form rigid and unmoving as they registered the sudden intrusion.

Alya's heart raced with a mixture of fear and desperation as she locked eyes with Iyaan, her voice trembling as she cried out for help. "Iyaan!!! Please help me," she pleaded, her words a desperate plea for salvation. With trembling hands, she clung to the wrists of her assailant, her fingers digging into the flesh as she fought to maintain her grip.

Iyaan's heart pounded in his chest as he took in the scene before him, a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he grasped the scalpel from one of the nearby boxes. With each step forward, he steeled himself for the confrontation ahead, his mind racing with a jumble of thoughts and emotions.

"Whoever you are, the police are already on their way," Iyaan called out, his voice ringing out with a note of authority as he approached the figure from behind. "You better let her go."

The figure remained silent, their posture rigid as they stood frozen in place. With a steady hand, Iyaan raised the scalpel, his gaze fixed on the shadowy form before him. Despite the fear that gnawed at his insides, he stood his ground.

As the tension in the room reached its peak, the figure remained steadfast, their back still turned to Iyaan. With a sense of resignation, they released their grip on the surgical knives, the metallic clang echoing in the silence of the room as the weapons clattered to the floor.

Sensing an opportunity, the figure pushed Alya aside, her form stumbling and tripping over the discarded knives. In a split-second reaction, Iyaan lunged forward, his instincts kicking into overdrive as he skidded across the floor to catch her before she could land on the sharp blades beneath her.

With a gasp of relief, Iyaan cradled Alya in his arms, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she clung to him for support. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment passing between them as they both processed the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, the figure remained unmoved, their silhouette framed against the window as they stood on the sill, their form illuminated by the faint glow of the city lights beyond. With a sense of finality, they raised two fingers in the air, a silent gesture of farewell, before waving them in a swift motion.

And then, without hesitation, they leaped from the window, their figure disappearing into the darkness below. A collective gasp filled the room as Iyaan rushed to the window, his heart pounding in his chest as he peered down into the abyss.

But there was nothing to see—only the empty void of the night, the figure having vanished without a trace.

*2903 words*