Episode 8

A cluster of bikers was gathering at the roadside.

"Where the heck is Edo? It's almost 10 o'clock and he’s nowhere to be seen!” exclaimed Eki, visibly anxious about Edo's arrival.

"Why don’t you call him?" suggested Kevin, also part of the biker gang.

"I did but no answer. Oh, by the way, is Roy showing up?” asked Eki.

“He said he'd come earlier, but who knows,” Kevin replied.

Soon after, someone wearing a leather jacket rode up on a big bike.

"There's Roy with Via. Talk of the devil, and he shall appear,” Eki pointed out, seeing Roy giving Via a lift from a distance.

Roy and Via, having arrived earlier than Edo, switched off the bike’s engine and joined the group.

"Sorry I’m a little late. Has Edo shown up yet?" asked Roy.

"No, still on the road. Can't get through to him on the phone," Eki returned.

"Let's just wait then," Roy commented.

It wasn’t long before Edo appeared, riding in on his big white motorcycle.

"There’s Edo!" Kevin blurted out, spotting Edo approaching from a distance.

Edo then dismounted and joined the group that had been waiting for him.

"Have you been waiting long?" Edo casually remarked.

"Quite a bit," Eki responded.

They all chatted for a while, waiting for the roads to clear.

A few hours later, as the streets finally quieted down and the clock struck midnight, Eki gave the signal to get ready.

"Let's start the race," he said.

"Okay!" Roy replied shortly.

"I’ve got to go now, babe,” Roy said to Via.

"Be careful, okay?" Via responded, her concern evident.

Roy and Edo took part in the illegal race, while Kevin just watched.

The racers lined up on the now-deserted road, with only a few other vehicles passing by.

Eki began the countdown.

"3, 2, 1, Go!" Eki shouted.

With Via dropping her handkerchief at the starting line, they all accelerated.

Edo took the lead early in the race, with Roy closely chasing behind.

But all of a sudden, Edo saw the ghost of Julia, dressed in her blood-soaked uniform, crossing the street.

Spooked, Edo slammed on his brakes, causing his speeding bike to wobble and crash into a barrier, flinging him onto the road where he was run over by a passing truck that couldn’t stop in time.

Everything halted abruptly as everyone rushed to Edo.

His helmet shattered, intestines spilled onto the asphalt; Edo was dead on the scene. The street racers panicked at the sight of Edo’s condition.

The deadly crash brought the illegal race to an immediate stop, and some fled, fearing arrest by the police.

Roy, devastated by the gruesome death of his friend, quickly called an ambulance.

Edo was rushed to the hospital while Roy, Via, Eki, Kevin, and the truck driver were taken to the police station.

At the station, they were questioned about the accident involving Edo, including the truck driver.

"You're free to go, but remember, if I see any of you in another street race, I won't hesitate to throw you all in jail," one of the officers warned the four bikers.

"Yes, sir, I promise it won’t happen again," Roy said, full of regret.

"You can go home. Your parents must be worried. This time, we’re only giving a severe warning," the interrogating officer said.

The four were released and went their separate ways home.

The next morning, news of Edo's death spread throughout Tunas Bangsa School.

Roy was summoned to the head of the school’s office.

Knock... Knock...

Roy tapped on the door.

"Come in," called Mr. Damar from inside.

"What's up, Dad?" Roy said, standing before Mr. Damar's desk.

"What's up, you ask! Do you realize that your illegal racing is the talk of the school?” Mr. Damar reprimanded angrily.

"Yes, Dad, I know, and I promise not to do it again,” Roy said, his head bowed in shame.

"How embarrassing! You’re the head’s son, but your actions are humiliating,” Mr. Damar continued, unable to hide his frustration.

"Sorry, Dad. I promise it won't happen again,” Roy said, feeling guilty.

"Promises, promises. You said the same last time, and now a student is dead because of your antics!"

Roy fell silent at his father’s words, truly regretful this time as a classmate had died due to his recklessness.

"Go back to class, but remember, if you cause any more trouble, I won't think twice about sending you to a school overseas!" Mr. Damar threatened.

"But Dad, I don’t want to go."

"If you don’t want that, then behave yourself! Do you understand?" Mr. Damar warned again.

"Yes, Dad, I'm off to class," Roy said, leaving Mr. Damar’s office.

Upon entering his classroom, Roy was approached by his classmates.

"Roy, your dad must be furious, right?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah, he threatened to send me abroad if I screw up again," Roy shared with his friends.

"I don’t want you to leave, honey," Via said, sitting beside Roy.

"I won’t leave the school, Via," Roy reassured her.

The students were waiting for their teacher to start the lesson when Ms. Yasmin, their homeroom teacher, entered with a new student.

"Good morning," greeted Ms. Yasmin.

"Good morning, Ma'am," the students chorused.

"Our school mourns again for the loss of Edo. Let’s each pray silently for him according to our own beliefs,” Ms. Yasmin said, bowing her head.

The students did the same, each offering silent prayers.

"After the prayer, before we continue with math, we welcome a new student transferred from Harapan High School. Come on, Dara, introduce yourself," Ms. Yasmin encouraged gently.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***