The Senders

Karma is real, that’s our existence for

Story by Z.U.M

It depends on yourself. If you do a good thing, then you get a good one. But, if you do a bad thing—you will pay for

your sins.

ONE

Two and a half years ago

A couple of husband and wife looked so gloomy. The wife was crying in sorrow and her husband hugged their son tightly. The boy was kept in silent, holding his tears with heavy pressure in his chest.

"Is there a way to prevent it, Doctor? Please, don't let my son be blind! He's still 14...." The man, begging for his son as a father.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Lucius... But without a donor, all we can do is slowing down the process of his blindness." The doctor apologized, "Perhaps your son just has one or two years until he really loses his sight."

The boy held his father's hands softly, "Pa, I'm okay." He was gently smiling, "We still have a lot of time to find a donor, don't we?"

Tears almost ran down from a pair of sapphire blue eyes that man had—the same pair as his son's eyes. He didn't

believe that his only son would lose his eyes. It was the side effect of an accident Dzaky, his son, had before. The suspect of that accident ran away right after his car crashed into him. The police are still chasing the suspect, but the process was going too slow. It was just a common accident case, so they didn't give a shit. As a part of the middle-low people, Lucius and his family couldn't force such a thing. The inequity of the law and the justice that only

existed for middle-high people were such ironies in this country.

But on that day, both of Lucius or Yuna didn't know that the doctor said something important—really, really important—to their son:

"Do you want to get justice for you?"

Present time

Dzaky opens his eyes slowly. He yawns and stretches a bit after fall asleep on his Indonesian Literature Class. He looks at his small watch, seeing how long he was asleep. But in a glance, he sees his own eyes. Or no. It’s not his eyes. It's from a donor, if he can say so. Because the one who donated his eyes to him didn’t sign any approval letter before.

Now, his eyes are ashen grey. But he still wearing glasses because he loves it. And in addition, his face looks very

different without glasses. It’s good when he has to disguise. A lot of people won’t recognize who is that auburn-haired teenager.

Yoga, his friend, pats his shoulder, "Hey, Ri! We're going to the game center after school. Let's go with us!"

“Ah, sorry, Dhi. My cousin will pick me up.” Dzaky touches the back of his neck, a sign when he feels bad, “Maybe next time?”

"But next time you should come with us, okay?" Yoga pinches Dzaky's cheek, and his friend just nods to him while muttering to himself. Yoga seems like he wants to say something, but he only stares at Dzaky for a minute.

“What’s wrong, Big Boy? Is there something on my face?”

"No." Yoga slight blushing, Dzaky caught his stare, "No, I mean, you look good without glasses."

Dzaky chuckles, "Thanks, bro. You're not the one who said it."

“Make sure you hang out with us next time, Destarius.”

“I will, Mahardhika.”

And then Yoga walks back to his desk and have some chat with his other friends. Meanwhile, Dzaky checks his phone before the next teacher comes. Sometimes he still wonders, it has been two years that he has been living a life like this. Day by day passed with peacefully. Except for one thing:

‘You have a new job, Saber.’

He plays as an angel, represents of good karma.

Half an hour before school was over, a young man sat at the lobby, waiting for an auburn-haired teenage boy. Lucas

Iskariot, with his fake appearance, gives his charming smile for every woman who passes by in front of him. He said to everyone that he is waiting for his little cousin to take him to visit their grandmother. And after the bells ring and all students cheer up happily, Lucas gets up to greet his so-called-cousin.

Dzaky is still chatting with Yoga and the others when he sees Lucas waving his hand to him. "I'm sorry, Dhi... My cousin is coming, bye-bye!" He asks for leaving.

“Okay, be careful on your way.” Yoga rubs Dzaky’s hair.

"You too." Dzaky replies and then he leaves his friends behind. After that, he sighs at Lucas, "So, where are we going this time? To RSUD (acronym of the regional public hospital in the Indonesian Language) in Bhagasasi, or to a random orphanage, or-"

Lucas hands a piece of paper to Dzaky. "It's the case of the maniac who kidnapped and raped 9 boys since last

month."

“Wait.” The younger stops his step, “You want me to do what?" his words were sharp as a dagger.

“Don’t make a fuss, Saber. You know I killed someone for your eyes.”

"No!" Dzaky refuses in a tremble, "I never ask you for! And you said all I have to do is a good thing, not something like this!”

Lucas grabs Dzaky's hand, "I don't want to force you, Dzaky Destarius. Just do it as Saber.” He lets go of the younger’s hand, “I’ll give you a week. Now, I’ll take you home.”

Two years ago

A deep voice hit the boy's ears when he awakened, "Congratulations, Destarius! Your eyes surgery was done well. We will open your bandages tomorrow."

“Who is my donor?” The boy asked calmly.

"It will violate the privacy policy if I tell you who your donor is."

“Is he dead?” Dzaky asked again, “I mean a man who crashed me by his car?”

That boy could hear the young man beside him chuckled, "I don't know what you meant, boy. But for your information, you can't be an eye donor if you still alive."

"Yesterday I heard a man was crushed by a truck and taken to this hospital. His body was a mess, but wonderfully,

his head is all okay and this morning I had eye surgery for free." His head turns to the young man that stays still beside him, "Dr. Tri asks me something 6 months ago. And it’s the first time I hear your voice. So you're not one of the young doctors that work with Dr. Tri, am I wrong?"

The young man whispers to Dzaky’s ear, “No, you’re not." He touched Dzaky’s cheek gently, “You’re quite smart. Now I understand why she chose you.”

“What do you mean? I was chosen for what?” Dzaky felt speechless for a moment, “Wait, don’t tell me that you’re a member of a hidden sect that Dr. Tri said before!”

“A hidden sect?” he chuckled, “How rude you’re. We are just some people who stand up on justice, sweety.”

Dzaky could feel pressure from that young man's aura, but he can't lose his courage, "What's your name?"

That young man speaks slowly, "You want to know me? Interesting." He exhales on Dzaky's nape, "Lucas Iskariot. You should remember the name of your savior, shouldn't you?"

An eye for an eye and blood shall be paid with blood.

Present time

“Lucas, please… I can’t do this. Please tell her that I’m not ready for this or anything!” Dzaky begs again, “Please, Lucas… You know me so well, right? Do you think I can... fuck someone just because–”

"He had raped 9 boys, Saber." Lucas glares at him, "Nine, and two of them were dead because of anal prolapse."

“But, I don’t want to make him got an anal prolapse with my member–”

"You don't have to." Lucas trying to explain, "You can stab that asshole with a blade, or a wooden stick, or a hot iron bar, or anything. Use your brain, baby boy."

Dzaky nods, "Okay, I'll make sure he is dead."

Lucas sighs in frustration, “Why do you so kind, Saber?" He is serious this time, "Don't let him die so easy. Torture him, until he begs you for his death."

“Honestly, I still think that I can’t make it.”

“I warn you, Saber.”

“I’m just 16! How can you force me to be a criminal on my age?!”

Lucas pulls a brake suddenly, he makes Dzaky's head hit a dashboard and that boy yelling to him, "Hell yeah! Just tell me if you want to kill me instead, Iskariot!"

"We've arrived, Destarius. Get out of my car." Lucas says with a cold tone.

At these rates, Dzaky gets angry too, "Fine! Gimme that bastard address and I'll send you his fucking dick!" He slams the car door, "I hate you, Iskariot!"

Lucius surprises when he sees his son goes home with anger. But before he asks why, Lucas comes to him, "I'm sorry, Mr. Lucius. Destarius is mad to me because I forbade him to stay over in my place." Lucas gives confirmation.

Lucius sighs, “That boy… I’ll talk to him later.”

“Please don’t be too hard on him, Mr. Lucius.”

“Of course, Lucas. By the way, it’s been a month since last time you stop by.”

The young man chuckles, “I’m a bit busy, Mr. Lucius. But I’m glad I can see your son is healthy. My mother will be happy too.”

“Thank you, Lucas. Without Dr. Tri and the donor, probably my son wouldn’t live a normal life like this.”

That young man smiles politely, “The doctor is only a helper, Mr. Lucius. The God who gave your son a miracle to get his sight back.”

Lucius chuckles, "If Destarius is a girl, I'll arrange a marriage for both of you."

They laugh together and chat for a few hours before Lucas asks for his leave.

Time passes quickly, and before the day ends, Lucas had to complete all tasks from his side job. Some people send him messages or voice notes, give him a lot of information at least in his territorial only. After that, he must make a report to his mother. Tri Herlina, a woman who adopted him 17 years ago. And she also made him become a member of The Senders, an organization that she build-up for years.

Maybe I need more hands for this job, his inner mumbles. As a college student, he has enough tasks to do, and

his mother gives him more and more papers. And when his phone ringing, he throws his attention to a message that Dzaky sent him.

‘If I can finish him in 3 days, don’t give me another job.’

‘As long as you didn't skip your school, it's okay, Saber. Take your time.' He replies.

Actually, it's too sudden to give Dzaky a filthy mission like that. What he always doing is just a simple thing. Like

accompany the kids in his mother hospital, make a donation to some orphanage, or give help to people in need. And sometimes he gives punishment to naughty kids. Not something like facing a rapist. That is excessive to him. But it's about time to The Senders make him do such a thing. So Dzaky couldn't help but he must get used to it.

‘Should I record when I torture him?’ Dzaky sent another message.

Lucas chuckles before he replies, ‘I appreciate whatever you will do for this mission. It's your first time, is it?

Just make sure it’s all clear, Saber.’

‘You sound like my father.’

Lucas can imagine Dzaky’s face when he said it, and he chuckles with shivers. “How can you be so cute, Destarius?”

***

DZAKY closes his eyes again. He is still feeling nervous even though he has been planning this for days. He bites his lips and looking to a random direction. That maniac always show up around the playground, because this place is close to 3 elementary schools and one middle school.

That maniac had been targeting boys who walk alone. Then he tricks them by giving a smartphone or money before he kidnaps them. And according to the information that Dzaky knows, that maniac rapes the boys in his house for days until a week.

That’s why Dzaky dressed up as a kid. And waiting for—

“Hey, little buddy! Are you lost, kiddo?” an adult comes to Dzaky, pats his head gently. When Dzaky nods, that man smiles at him, “Don’t worry, boy! I’ll help you go home.”

“Um, thanks, sir.” Dzaky replies with an innocent face.

“No need, boy! Oh, call me big bro, okay? Let’s go!” He holds Dzaky’s hand, “By the way, what’s your name, kiddo?”

“Desta, big bro.” Dzaky answers, “But, what’s big bro name?”

“Daddy.” He mumbles.

Dzaky blinks his eyes in confuses, "Huh? Did you say 'daddy' before, big bro?"

“Yes, kiddo.” Dzaky hears a deep voice before that maniac injects anesthesia to him. “I will be your good daddy,

sweet boy.” He whispers on Dzaky’s ear while he lifts Dzaky's body.

Dzaky feels dizzy when he opens his eyes. He shocked when he realizes that his clothes are gone and his hands had tied at his back. Shit! Fuck this! What has he done to my holy-virgin body?! Am I still a virgin!? Damn it!

“Ah, finally… My sweety Desta awake.” That maniac lay his finger on Dzaky’s cheek.

“Wha-what are you doing, big bro?” Dzaky tries to look like a scared innocent boy.

“Don’t be afraid, my boy. Daddy will show something that you love, sweety.” He kisses the edge of the boy’s eye passionately.

Calm down, Saber… Calm down… Dzaky’s inner a bit crowds right now. “But why you tied me up, big bro? It’s hurt...” he sounds a bit tremble with watering eyes.

Sees the boy that he ties up sobbing, that man kisses his cheek gently, “Sshh… Don’t cry, sweety. Daddy will give you pleasure.”

“But my hands hurt so badly!” Dzaky starts crying, “Please, let me go, big bro… It’s hurt…”

That man pauses a minute. Some boys that he raped before trying to run away or against him. So he tied them or give them a drug or anesthesia to makes them stay still. But this kid—

“You will not untie me, brother?” Those around ashen gray staring at that man with sadness. “Why are you hurting me? Are you a bad person, big bro?” he keeps sobbing.

That man almost lost his control. This boy looks so innocent. He even didn’t refuse him, and he sobbing and crying just because he had tied up his hands.

“I’m afraid…”

And when he hears that boy’s voice again, all he wants to do is comfort him. So he unties that boy and hugs him gently. “Sshh, I’m not a bad person, little buddy… See, I untie you. So stop crying, my boy.” He kisses Dzaky’s forehead.

Like I will have faith in you, Dzaky's inner rolls his eyes. But opposite with his inner, Dzaky reaches his neck and hugs him tightly. "Thanks, big bro..." he still a bit sobbing.

"No need, my angel." that man smiles at that boy. He strokes Dzaky's hair, then kisses that boy's lips gently. And when he sees his boy closes his eyes, he can't help but think that his boy enjoying his touches. That really makes him turn on. So a light kiss turns more passionately with their tongue locked to each other. Dzaky's hands reach that man's neck and stop at his hair, squeezes it softly.

Hold on, Dzaky reminds himself, Just a little more…

So Dzaky keeps pretending as if he falls to that maniac. He tried so hard not to puke or look disgusted with the kiss

from that maniac. Because he has a hard time not to bang his head to that filthy maniac. But it's not a perfect time to, so he wait a little more.

The boy panting with moans when their lips separate. The man smiles widely, satisfied with his work. He gives the boy one more kiss, but this time, he shouts out in pain and anger. That boy just bites his tongue and almost broke his neck at one time when he grabs his hair.

"You feel like crap, big bro." Dzaky splits out that man's tongue with disgusts feels. And in no time, Dzaky slams his hind leg to that man's stomach until he chokes.

"Wait me here, big bro.” his voice is so soft while he broke that man's legs one by one.

Dzaky takes a step to the kitchen and took some objects that he thinks can be useful.

“Hey, big bro.” He starts, “You said that you will show me something that I love, didn’t you?” He picks a fork, “So how dare you dying so fast, big bro?”

Dzaky pokes the maniac's cheek with a fork and tore the flesh little by little. But before that man cries out, Dzaky rips up his tongue and make him swallowed it whole.

“Tsk, why do you so noisy, big bro? I can’t play if you keep yelling at me!” Dzaky pouts his mouth.

“Huumm… I guess this finger,” Dzaky tap a forefinger that maniac, “And this, and this one too,” Now, he grips a middle finger and ring finger that man too, “Had touches sooo many boys’ hole before?”

Dzaky nods cheerfully, “Can I chop them off, big bro? Chop, chop~” While Dzaky said it, he stabs that man’s right hand and all his fingers with a fork. There’s should be a loud scream, but without a tongue, that man can't express his pain with screaming.

“Ah, it’s not fun!” He complains. Then he gets up, stepping on that man’s ribs firmly until he can hear a 'crack' sound,

and keep pushing his feet down. Still not satisfied with it, Dzaky jumps and lands on that man’s chest. When that maniac choking so badly, Dzaky grips his mouth so that maniac can’t help but drink his own blood.

Dzaky pauses for a while, seeing his target dying so fast just the same as ruining his plan. “You wasted blood too

much, Mr. Bastard.” he mumbles while trying to contact Lucas.

“What’s wrong, Saber? I have an afternoon class right now.” Lucas picks up quickly.

“Do I have to keep him alive for a few days while torturing him?”

Lucas chokes with Dzaky’s words, “Are you working on it right now?!” he gasps, feels like get thunderstruck.

“Yeah, but he is dying and covered in blood. I think I made a mess?” he sound confuses.

“No. Just do what you want to do. We talk again later.”

And Lucas cut off their calls. Leaving Dzaky with his target alone. He smiles widely, “You’re so lucky, big bro. But I will not finish this quickly."

He stabs a scissor on that man’s palms. Then Dzaky jabs two spoons on that man’s stomach, rip the flesh while stabbing him deeply. The boy grabs a cutter pliers and pins it up on that man’s left nipple. And for the other one, Dzaky piercing a fork on his areola. After that, he swinging a 19.7” wooden stick next to that maniac. "Hm, what should we do with this, big bro? Can you gimme some ideas?"

But in a sec, Dzaky pokes his forehead, "Ah, how foolish I am. Big bro has lost his tongue, so how can he talk to me."

He stabs two forks on that man's butt-hole, and push it up with his feet. "A study said that the prostate and stomach are close. I wonder is it true or not." he put his finger on his lips. "Ah, let's prove it!"

So Dzaky penetrates that man's hole with a wooden stick—all in with one movement. Unconsciously, Dzaky enjoying his victim's face, "Aaw, it's not long enough!" he sighs, "Big bro will not satisfied with that~"

He pushes that wooden stick until he can seeing the tip of the fork pop up on that man's stomach. "Woah! That's cool!" Dzaky shout out with pure admiration, "Do you see that, big bro? That fork just pop out like, puff~!"

But in a glance, it looks disgusting, "Eekh, your blood is too much, big bro! You will die in a few hours, I guess." Dzaky wipes his hands with a towel that hangs in the wall.

“I’d love to torture you more, big bro. But I can’t do the same as your depraved behavior. So I’ll let The Death comes to you.”

And with that, Dzaky is leaving that room. He saw a shower before, so he doesn't need to go with a dirty body. Dzaky also wrapped a thing that he promised to Lucas too.

“Can you pick me up? It’s getting dark, Iskariot.”

That teenager calls Lucas only to give him his present.

“Are you sure you okay, Saber?” Lucas asks again before they’ve arrived at Dzaky’s home.

It’s about a few blocks again, and they will be separate. And the younger must face his father, while his head is not clear enough. He had killed someone. He tortures him until that man dead. And he got sexual harassment too.

“Lucas,” Dzaky’s voice was so heavy, “Please tell me that I had done the right thing.” He almost begs to, “I just get their revenge, right? It’s not—a mistake, right?”

“Of course, Saber.” Lucas trying so hard not to hugs that teenage boy immediately, “You do a good job.”

“Am I?” That teenage boy chuckles, “I don’t know, Lucas… I don’t know if I can continue this shit…”

“Saber-”

“Can you just taking back my eyes?” Desperate covers those pair of ashen grey. Dzaky had a mental break-down right now. He trembles with fear and feels guilty.

“I’ll tell your father that you sleepover at my flat.” Lucas passes Dzaky's house just like that. He drives over to his own flat. "Clear your mind, Destarius. I told you, you're not doing the wrong thing. That is our responsibility to stand up on justice.”

"Then who will be our judge, Iskariot?! Who will be the judge for The Senders?! We do the same as those bad people do!" He crying so loud, "That's not justice, Lucas... It's wrong..."

Lucas looks at Dzaky’s face, “But you do a good thing too, don’t you? Stop blaming yourself.”

"Can you compare a sin of killing someone with tiny merit?" he sobbing with hurt, “I’d rather be blind, Lucas… I’d rather be blind…”

“Did he say something or do something to you?” The elder asks in worry, “Did he hurting you, Destarius?”

“I’m the one who killed him, Lucas. Don’t you understand?” Dzaky rolls his body, hugs his knee so tight. “I kill him..” he keeps mumbles in shivers.

Seeing that teenager so down makes him remember his first filthy job. He robs a gangster leader and almost kills that gangster leader's partner because of a task from The Senders. Yeah, almost. Because in fact, he makes her disable.

Lucas takes a breath, he understands that not every people are the same. It’s natural for Dzaky to feels that way. He just an ordinary teenager that lives a normal life before he got an accident and lost his sight and The Senders interfere with his life. But Lucas had watched him for more than two years, and he knows that this boy was never been broken just like this even though life push him down. So he let him cries as much as he wants—as long as that teenage boy can calm down again.

                            The Senders

Karma is real, that’s our existence for

Story by Z.U.M

It depends on yourself. If you do a good thing, then you get a good one. But, if you do a bad thing—you will pay for

your sins.

Preview : Lucas takes a breath, he understands that not every people are the same. It’s natural for Dzaky to feels that way. He just an ordinary teenager that lives a normal life before he got an accident and lost his sight and The Senders interfere with his life. But Lucas had watched him for more than two years, and he knows that this boy was never been broken just like this even though life push him down. So he let him cries as much as he wants—as long as that teenage boy can calm down again.

                            TWO

IT’S been a week since Dzaky finished his mission. Everything is going well except he had mild PTSD symptoms. He still can't get rid of a memory of that day. When he meets that maniac, the way he calls him, and his touch. Everything about it, he can remember it so clear. It's just like engraved in his memory. Like this one—

Dzaky jolts when Yoga pats his shoulder. He looks a bit scares before, “Oh, I’m sorry. I just daydreaming before.”

“Hey, are you okay, Ri? You’re pale.” the tall teenage boy worries, “Do you want to go to the medical room?”

The tiny one shakes his head, “No. I’m okay, Dhi.”

“Are you sure?” Yoga asks again, “Don’t push yourself, it’s PE class. You can tell Ms. Endah if you feel unwell.”

“I’m okay, Yoga Syahmahardhika.” Dzaky sighs, “See? My skin is indeed pale.”

“I'll roll you away if you faint, you understand?”

Dzaky rolls his eyes, “Do as you please.”

They come right before Ms. Endah begins to check the presence of the students. Today, male students have free time while female students having split practice. And as always, the boys are playing football. They make two teams, and according to the rules made by Ms. Endah for her class, none of her students can have free time without training—except you're unwell. That’s why Dzaky must join with them, even though he didn’t good at sport.

After they play for 30 minutes, a few students take a break. Two students who picket today bring mineral for the

other. While some male students still have the energy to continue their match. Dzaky was chatting with Rayhan when a ball hit his temple. It’s not a serious injury, but his sight all dark.

Yoga got a panic attack, “Oy, Ri! Are you okay?”

"Dhi?" With confuses and a bit scares, Dzaky tries to hold Yoga's hand, "Dhika, it's you?"

“It’s not the time for jokes, Dzaky!” Rayhan gets panic too. He waving his hand in front of Dzaky, but that boy

didn’t react. So he half yelling, “Dzaky! You can see me, do you? Please, don’t be kidding me! It’s not funny!”

“I’m not, you imbecile!”

Dzaky kicks his left side and Rayhan yells, “If you’re not, how can you kick me like that?!”

“I can hear your annoying voice.”

“Hey!”

“Stop! Both of you!” Ms. Endah seems so upset.

But she looks at the tiniest student and waving her hands, only to gets Dzaky’s confuses expression with his confuses voice, “Are you there, Ms. Endah?”

That teacher touches her forehead, “UKS (the medicine room,) boy!” she orders.

When Yoga takes Dzaky’s hand, Ms. Endah stops him, “You, tell your president class to continue the study by practice the material that I give her before.”

Yoga nods, “Yes, Miss.”

Silent fills up all their way to the medicine room. After Ms. Endah talks to the school’s medical, she turns back to

her student, "Did you not contact your parents? They can pick you up to get a medical check-up at the hospital."

“I’m sorry, Miss. I leave my phone in my bag.” Dzaky answers while the medic checks his eyes.

The medic pats his head, "Your eyes implant is okay, but you should get a medical check-up, dear."

Dzaky nods, “Thank you, Miss.”

“I’ll make a dispensation letter for you. After my class is over, you can stay here or go back to your dorm.”

“Thank you, Miss. I’m sorry for troubling you.”

“No need, boy!” And then, she leaves the medicine room.

It took five minutes before the woman with a white coat turns the chair and face Dzaky. “Do you want me to call Lucas or Ms. Herlina? I know you don’t want to call your parents.”

“Tell me the truth. How long you think I can keep these eyes?”

“If your eyeballs are broke, you will permanently blind.” She seeks a scare on his eyes, but she can find nothing,

“Don’t you afraid? You will be blind again.”

Dzaky smiles widely, "What should I be afraid of? I was blind before." he chuckles, “It’s all the same.” It’s my karma, his inner starts again.

“Ms. Rosa,” the teenage boy calls to her when he hears a footstep closer. “I hope God will repay your kindness.”

And the door opens with Yoga and Dzaky’s bag on his hand.

Yoga gives greetings, “Good day, Miss.”

“You come to pick this cutie one, my dear?” she points at Dzaky, “He is okay right now. You can take him to the

dorm.”

“Thank you, Miss.” Both of those students give greetings to her before taking their leave.

Dzaky gives his hand, “My bag?”

“You’re patient, so I’ll carry it until we arrive at our room.”

“You are exaggerating, Mahardhika.”

Yoga stops his step when he realizes something, “You can see me?”

The tiny one glances at him, “Of course, imbecile. The doctor said I’m okay, remember?”

Honestly, Yoga has something to asks. But he keeps in silence since he feels that Dzaky didn’t want to tell him. Even though his head almost explodes because there are too many questions about that 1.59-meter boy. Sometimes he feels like he isn’t close enough to him—it makes him feel uncomfortable. Because indeed, Yoga wants his tiny friend will open to him.

Lucas sighs again. You can’t count how many times he sighs since he gets a call from Rosa 4 hours ago. That woman tells him that Dzaky gets an injury. He recalls what Rosa said before, “It’s just a minor injury. But the problem is his eyes. I think he got retinal detachment*.”*

“Retinal detachment,” he mumbles. “Retinal detachment.” he repeats it, “Shit, why she must say retinal detachment?! Did she not know what is that disease?”

He really really want to give a call the teenage boy that makes him feels this way. Maybe he can force him to do some tests and medical check-ups later. Mr. Lucius always has faith in him, so it’s just a piece of cake to drags that tiny boy to the ophthalmologist. And Lucas can beg his mother to handle Dzaky’s second eye surgery by herself. It can reduce the possibility of retinal detachment to him.

Lucas sighs again. He feels so bad, “What should I do as one of The Senders…”

Also as a young doctor, he feels useless—because he can’t save someone.

Lucas was still in his gloomy mood when a nurse slams the door. She smiles widely, but her aura is full of pressure. “How dare you give my little honey bun such a filthy mission, Lucas Iskariot?” Risa, that woman looks so upset, “Shouldn’t you be the one who knows how innocent he is? And he just 16!”

“He’s 17, Risa. He is on his legal age.”

“Legal age my ass! He is still too young for this!”

Lucas glares at her, “And what about a member that join us a year before? She’s 16 and she can do such a thing.”

“They’re not the same.” She glares at Lucas too, “She’s different. We know that she joins us is just because of she

loves killing people and make justice as the reason.”

“Stop it, Risa. He is not your son.”

“No, he is! I have responsibility for Dzaky both as himself and Saber.” Risa emphasizes her sentence, “And who gives me the responsibility on him is Ms. Herlina herself.”

“I said, stop it, woman!” Lucas’s voice trembles deeply. “I also have responsibility for him. Because I’m his mentor.”

Risa shivers with angry, “I will talk to Ms. Herlina.”

“She said his eyes are not for free.”

Risa stops her step, “What?” Her eyes wide with don’t believe face, “You liar.”

“It depends on you to believe in me or not.” Lucas turns his attention to his papers, “You can leave if you’re done here.”

And she slams the door again.

                        ***

THE teenage girl swings around on a pole and lands on the ground. Then, she runs so fast, past a few blocks of a huge box.

Dini, that girl, checks on her phone and it’s still no message or anything. She feels so bored without any mission for

almost two weeks. Last time she hears an interesting mission had finished by a newbie. And she knows who that newbie is. Actually, they quite close because her boyfriend is his close friend. But she never thought that he can do that mission. He even gets PTSD after that, but still act like it's nothing. Dini wants to laugh at him, but she can't. Because of that boy have a lot of bodyguards who really loyal to him.

While she wipes her sweat, Yoga sends her a message, ‘I’m sorry, Dini. Tomorrow I have a math test. We can’t go on a date today.’

She pouts her lips, “Ah, just tell me that you chose that boy rather than me, babe.” Dini sends a voice note and

turns off her phone, then she continues her parkour practices.

Seeing his friend in a bad mood, the tiny teenage boy asks, “Who?”

Yoga sighs, “My girlfriend, of course.”

“Nah, don't tell me she gets jealous because I monopoly her bf on Friday night.”

“She never, I guess.”

Dzaky chuckles and slaps Yoga’s shoulder, “Aaw, poor of you.”

Yoga mumbles, “Sometimes I feel like I have two lovers.”

“What?” the tiny boy grins, “Did you say something, babe?” then he laughs so loud.

Yoga slaps Dzaky’s hand and that teenage boy still laugh when he said, “Even though we are the last human in the world, I’ll never want to be yours. We can’t produce a baby, btw.” and his laugh louder.

Yoga's gaze softens sees his friend laughs like usually. But he can’t avoid that he is worry to him. Just a week ago Dzaky goes to the hospital for a medical check-up and he didn't say anything. It's not his place to interfere, but he can't help but still worry. Not just because of his eyes, his new little habit that similar to mild PTSD.

And unconsciously, he pulls Dzaky’s arm, “What are you afraid, Ri?” He straight stares at his ashen gray eyes.

“What do you mean, Dhi?” that tiny teenage boy look confuses. “I’m afraid of my God and my father, of course. Oh, and Ms. Mic when she guards the gate every morning-”

“You know it’s not what I meant.” He serious this time, “Tell me what happened? You often daydreaming lately. And

you always jolt when other men touch you.”

Yoga's question is like triggers on Dzaky's head. He automatically recalls a memory about that maniac. Dzaky's

heart races like crazy, and he tries so hard to take a breath normally. He even grips his arms so tight. But as always, his lips say another thing, "It's nothing, Dhi. I'm okay."

"You lie to me." Yoga whispers to himself.

“You didn’t believe me, don’t you?” Dzaky asks without glances at his friend.

The taller one sighs, “Just don’t force to be someone else in front of me, Ri. You can be honest with me.”

I hope so, Dzaky’s inner chuckles in hopeless. He wants to tell everyone that he was trapped in the vicious circle and he can’t run away. But he can’t. If he does, then he can’t guarantee the safety of his family.

The Senders

Karma is real, that’s our existence for

Story by Z.U.M

It depends on yourself. If you do a good thing, then you get a good one. But, if you do a bad thing—you will pay for your sins.

Preview : I hope so, Dzaky’s inner chuckles in hopeless. He wants to tell everyone that he was trapped in the vicious circle and he can’t run away. But he can’t. If he does, then he can’t guarantee the safety of his family.

An awkward atmosphere fulfills their room. Dzaky knows it's because of him, so he tries to open a new

conversation, "If you’re dying to know something about me, then I'll let you with two questions."

Yoga gets a bit of interest, "Just two? Are you sure your words are trustworthy or you will give me another lie?"

“Tsk, just tell me instead if you don’t want to.” the tiny teenage boy pouts.

"Are your eyes okay?" Yoga's brown eyes gaze is truly worrying about him.

"Among all in your head, it's the first question that you ask me?" Dzaky chuckles, "But it's okay. I'll tell you the truth." he smiles softly, "I had eye surgery before. It's been 2 years ago, I guess."

That tiny one lays on his bed, staring at their room ceiling, "I got an accident two and a half years before, and I lost my eyes. It's not totally blind, but my sight getting worse and worse, it's the same as having no eyes." He never thought that remembering his past is not bad at all, so he continues, "Thanks to my cousin, I had eye surgery without waiting too long."

Yoga rubs Dzaky's hair, when that tiny boy asks, "Next question?"

“Do you have a trauma, Ri?” he grips his friend’s hand.

Dzaky takes his eyes off his friend, “Maybe?”

“You said you will tell me the truth.” the taller one protest. “What are you afraid, Ri?”

Dzaky starts feels uncomfortable, "I think it's natural if a male feels a bit uncomfortable with touching each other."

"Don't make a fool, Destarius." Yoga pinch that teenage boy's cheek, "You never act that way before." He sighs upset, “If you don’t want-”

“A senior force me to be his boyfriend.” Dzaky said quickly. “I refuse him, but he pins me on the wall. Call me a slut cause I stay with someone else’s boyfriend but refuse him." His body is trembling with another fear, but he can manage it so it's look alike.

“Who is that bastard, Ri?! I’ll make him pay for his bullshit!” He is full of rage.

“Don’t,” that ashen gray begs to him, “Please don’t, Dhi. It only makes him believe that we have an affair.”

“But I can't let it go! He dares to hurt my best friend!”

Dzaky shakes his head with grips Yoga’s hands, “Can you do me a favor?”

“Ri-”

“Please keep it secret. Hold yourself for me, can you?”

Those ashen eyes lock a pair of dark brown, makes the owner of a pair of those dark brown eyes give up on him.

“Tsk, you win, Little Leech. But make sure you’ll tell me if there’s anything bothering you.”

Dzaky nods, then show his phone to Yoga, "My aunt will stop by, but I'm not sure she just stop by." he sighs.

“Where you will go, Ri? We have a math test tomorrow.” Yoga tries to stop him.

That tiny teenage boy sighs again, “I know. But I have no choice?”

In 15 minutes, a young woman comes to his door and hugs that tiny teenage boy tightly. Her eyes watering when she sees her son a bit skinny and throws a death glares to Dzaky’s roommate. Risa, that woman, starts blabbering to her son while she puts a hoodie on Dzaky and takes that teenage boy away with no words to Yoga.

“Why you share a room with a male, my love?” Risa says with a feel upset.

Dzaky rolls his eyes, “Cause I’m a male too, mother. Where’s Lucas?”

“It’s been a long time since last time I pick you up and you ask for your dumb father, sweetheart?” Risa

glances at her son.

“My father is only Mr. Lucius Rohan, mother.” Dzaky sighs, “And when you will stop acts like my second

mother? Your sister doesn’t like me, by the way.”

“Of course she doesn’t like you, sweetheart. Her daughter is your age but she always do a filthy job.” Risa

focuses on drives, but still give a glance to Dzaky, “I’m sorry I can’t protect you before, Saber.”

“It’s not your fault, Risa. And about Rosa's daughter, is her name is Dini?”

“You know her?”

"She is Dhika's girlfriend, Risa. The tall boy that shares a room with me."

That woman sighs, “Oh, forget it. I'm not taking you out just to talk about my sister or her daughter.” she stares at her son, “I need your help to negotiate with the farmers on the west area.”

"C3 and F2 are okay? Lucas said he will handle the B1 area."

"Sweetheart," Risa turns to faces that teenage boy, "I'm not a member of your division. So stop using some codes, my dear."

"Say it, Risa. If you are one of those tobacco farmers, will you sell all of your tobacco to me just because I pay higher than your regular customer?" Dzaky smiles politely.

Risa thought for a moment, "I don't think so. What if it brings bad effects to my farm? Those collectors will get mad if the farmer didn't give them any tobacco."

“You hit the point.” Dzaky’s face laying on the back of his hand, “We can’t force them right now. Just take it slow, and we will get their faith.”

When that teenage boy stares at the overlay of fields and hills, he gives an order, “Bring me to their headman, then the show it begins.”

Risa, Dzaky, and the headman of Randu Village walks around the farm for two hours. Some tobacco fields are getting grasshopper pests, and the price is too cheap. With school paper as a reason, both Dzaky and Risa get some important information.

"Thank you very much for helping my niece finish his school paper, Mr. Supidjan." Risa says politely.

"It's an honor for me to help your niece, Ms. Rosa. I hope in the future he will become a great person like you, Miss." that old man gives them some fresh fruit from their farm, "I'm sorry we just have bananas and yams."

Dzaky gives him a greeting with an innocent smile, "Thank you very much, Mr. Supidjan. I wish God will give you and your village a huge help. And my grandmother will be happy to send some doctors and nurses to Randu Village."

“God bless you, little one.” that old man rubs Dzaky's head, "Remember that you can come to our village anytime you want."

“I believe you can bring good progress to this village, Mr. Supidjan. God will always give us His help." Dzaky replies.

“Thank you, Mr. Supidjan. We will take our leave.” Risa asks for their leaving.

After Risa puts a gift from the headman of Randu Village on the rear trunk, she looks at the teenage boy that she

considers as her son. Dzaky is taking notes about some information that they get today. She shakes her head, keeps her mind that her boy doesn’t suit for a filthy job. It’s enough to make him become a cunning person. Risa didn’t want her boy to lost his pure heart. Even though life pushes him down before, she will protect him this time until she no longer with him.

“Dzaky,” Risa calls him.

Dzaky lifts his face, “Yes?”

Risa almost crying for a reason that she doesn't know, “Will you believe me if I said I will protect you no matter what happens?”

“You don’t have to, Risa.” He doesn’t understand what is Risa talking about, but he can feel something wrong, “Listen to me, my second mother: don’t you dare to sacrifice yourself or do something that I don't want you to do. I will hate you to death, you understand?”

“You talk like you are an adult, little boy.” Risa chuckles and pats Dzaky’s head.

"I'm serious, Risa!" he pouts his mouth. "I can hate someone too, you know."

"Aw, look! My son is sulking! You're so cute, you know, my baby?" she chuckles again, “Just keep your heart hidden deep inside, so no one can hurt you, my dear. I don't want my only light to become a fire that burns himself."

“Risa-”

Risa embraces that teenage boy with her left arm, “What you want to eat, Dzaky? Pizza or beefsteak?”

“Don’t change the subject, old lady! I-”

“Who are you call an old lady, my son?” Risa smiles like a devil with a dark aura.

Dzaky takes his eyes off to Risa, “I want a beefsteak, mother. A large one.”

"If they know you're the one who spread the disease on their village, you will die, Saber." Risa sighs.

"We need power, Risa. My father said, ‘If you want an easy and comfortable way, hold their head.’" That teenage boy grins, "And I don't lie about knocks 'them' down. Lucas can handle it."

"You trust him too much, my dear. What if he betrays you?" Risa starts doubting.

Then Dzaky faces her, “Will you betray me, Risa?” there was no question in his voice. “If you can do, then so do him.”

“Both of me and Lucas are not the same, Dzaky. I’ll swear I’ll never let you down.” she promises.

“You were wrong, Risa. You shouldn't promise me for, cause I don’t need that.” Dzaky smiles, not a smile for

something or anything, he just gives her a light smile, “I don’t need a promise that has the possibility to hurt someone.” The Senders is more than enough, continues his inner.

***

HUSTLE and bustle fulfill a meeting room of The Senders. A lot of members of that organization gathering according to their division. Time is about to 8 pm, and the leader of The Senders has come to sit on her throne. While she takes some documents from the management division, the leader of another division prepares their report.

And Lucas is right beside Tri Herlina, his mother and also the leader of The Senders.

“So what about development in North and North West of Bhagasasi, Lucas? Have you taken over those areas?" Tri asks his son.

“Almost 68% of those farm areas are in our hands, Miss. But the problem is the collectors who keep bothering us.” he makes a direct report, “Should we shut them down soon?"

"We're not in hurry, Lucas. Paddy doesn’t become rice overnight." Tri smiles softly, “As long as they didn’t use a filthy trick, don’t mind them.” And then she looks for the one who always stay beside Lucas, “Where is Saber? Did he feel unwell again?”

“Yes, Miss.” Risa answers her questions, “He is tired after takes a walk in a tobacco farm in Randu Village in the west area.”

Tri turns to face Lucas, “Any information from there?”

Lucas gives her a document, “According to his report, we should send some doctors and nurses to some villages to heals the disease of food poisoning there. Those headmans promises us to give 30% of their tobacco after that.”

"Doesn't it Saber who spread the disease in the west area? Is it one of his plans too?" Tri sighs, “That boy always do what he wants to do.”

Lucas bows his head, “Pardon me, Miss. I was too soft to him.”

“How many doctors and nurses that we must send to that village? And what about another village around there?” Tri asks again.

“I think 2 doctors and 2 nurses are enough, Miss.” Risa gives a suggestion.

“Okay, I will manage it.” Tri's smile looks dangerous this time, "I'm waiting for good news, then."

When Tri takes the last document in front of her, Rosa stands up and gives her a direct report, “We find three cases of domestic violence with death victim, some cases of mild sexual harassment, and a rape case whose victims were mutilated by the perpetrator."

“Ah, you forget about a rich young man that humiliates a disabled boy a few days ago, Rosa." a tiny teenage girl with a black hoodie reminds her foster mother in The Senders.

“Anything else? Why the operators didn’t send me any report, then?” Tri doesn't take her eyes off from the document in her hand, but some people that have a responsibility as an operator bow their heads with apologies.

“We also have a list of good people and have been preparing for their present. Thanks for Eye of The God that

our hackers create, everything will going smoothly from now on." Rosa continuous her words.

Tri closes the document on her hand, "Have you made a list of members who will carry out the assignment this week? I want anyone to do their tasks properly without any complaint."

All of the members of The Senders answers, “Anything for the justice!”

For a moment Lucas remembered to Dzaky, Anything for the justice, huh?