My parents were killed by a gangster group… I was the only one left, the only one who survived. And now, I have only one goal: revenge against the gangsters who killed my parents. The name of that gang is Gangster Villos, what a strange name. But instead of taking revenge right away, I chose to work, because I was still in school, a second-year high school student. I worked, but not a job that a student usually does. Because I was born in an area filled with gangsters, I worked in dirty ways and had already grown used to things that smelled of crime.
Besides the money problem, I couldn't take revenge immediately because Villos was a very large gang in my area. When I reported it to the police, my report couldn't be proven because the gang fabricated evidence by bribing random people to become false witnesses, which made them legally innocent. I was actually a witness at that time, but I lost in court because I was outnumbered. I was alone, while they had many people. I had no solid evidence, there were no CCTV cameras around my neighborhood at all. Due to the lack of evidence and losing in witness count, they were declared not guilty. I was extremely pissed about it. I know they are the killers. But I just can't prove it.
***********
My name is Nacha, Rafael Nacha. My parents died when I had just entered the first year of high school. My family was very poor, my father was an addict and my mother was a prostitute. Even with all of that, I still loved my parents, because no matter how bad they were, they raised me warmly without violence.
When my parents died, my financial condition was at its worst. I didn't want to drop out of school, so I studied while working, even though I worked with a criminal who was one of the members of the Diaz trade, named Diazo Napo. At first, he rejected me, but when he found out that I had a unique condition in my nervous system, that I couldn't feel pain, he became interested. Wounds were still wounds, I could still die from them, but I simply couldn't feel pain from those injuries. He was interested and hired me for small missions.
One day, during the second semester exams, instead of studying, I focused on making money by any means necessary. I had a friend named Rengga. He had been my friend since elementary school and was also my only friend at school.
Saturday, June 05, 2026, 15:38
South Kalimantan, Banjarmasin, Suka Senang 2 High School, Class XI-B
The classroom was silent at that time. All the students were exercising outside with their bags already with them, because teaching and learning activities had ended and students were told to prepare themselves for the promotion exam next Monday. I was relaxing alone in the classroom because my leg had been injured during a previous mission. It didn't hurt because of my ability, but I didn't want to worsen the wound just for the sake of having fun.
Not long after, my friend Rengga approached me. His dark-brown hair had grown quite long, his skin was tan, and he was carrying drink bottles in both hands. He handed me one with his left hand. I took it and said, "Thanks." He frowned slightly and said, "You welcome."
I continued the conversation by asking, "Not joining the exercise?"
He just replied, "If you don't, I don't either."
I understood his answer, and because of that answer, I was confused about how to keep the conversation going. But Rengga leaned back on the chair, let out a long breath, and said:
"Bro, what do you think about our exam fate? This is insane. We haven't studied at all. Maybe the result is like shit."
Rengga said it with a tone full of doubt about the exam score, as if he knew I hadn't studied at all, and that was true. I replied calmly while mocking him, "Shit is yours. I'm not stupid."
Hearing that, Rengga frowned and said, "Damn."
"That's cool."
After that, the atmosphere became a bit quiet. Rengga continued the conversation just to avoid the silence.
"Honestly, I don't really give a fuck about this exam. I don't care whether the results are shit, stupid, or a bitch."
"Monkey's talk," I replied without hesitation, mocking him.
"Fuck you, bro," Rengga replied angrily.
We stayed silent for a moment. Not long after, the school bell rang, the dismissal bell. Rengga picked up his bag and left. Before that, we did a fist bump, and Rengga said, "See you next time and ready for exam."
"Yeah, see around, bitch," I said jokingly.
Rengga chuckled when he heard that and replied, "Bye, bicht," joking as well.
Rengga left me alone in the classroom, and I chuckled too at the stupid exchange between me and my friend. I then left with my bag, walking casually as if I didn't feel any pain. I went to the motorcycle parking lot and started my bike, but it stalled. I tried starting it up to eight times, but it still wouldn't work.
I let out a long breath and said, "Come on, come on, my Biggy…"
Biggy was the nickname I often used for my motorcycle.
I tried starting it again, and yeah, it still wouldn't start. Annoyed, I kicked Biggy's tire several times while shouting, "Fuck you, Biggy! You're like a bitch, stupid bitch, and a motherfucker bitch!!" in an angry tone, then stopped kicking.
Once again, I kicked the tire and shouted, "Shit on you!" with anger mixed with frustration.
Because I was frustrated, I sat on my motorcycle without starting it. I looked around and felt relieved because no one saw that. When I looked down, it seemed like my wound had reopened. A little blood stained my white shoes.
"Fuck," I muttered.
I didn't want to make the wound worse. I took out my old phone. The screen was cracked, really badly, but I kept using it to save money, especially since Diazo often paid me very little, even though the job was very difficult. On that phone, I checked my contacts, looking for someone who could help me. As I scrolled, maybe only Rengga could help me right now.
So I decided to tap his profile and call him. I waited for him to pick up, not too long, but not too short either. Soon after, he answered and said, "What's up, dog? Sorry, man, if I took a long time to answer the phone. I'm driving."
His voice was a bit hard to hear because of the street noise and air pressure.
"Don't worry about that. Can I ask for help?" I replied.
Rengga laughed a little and said, "Just say it. I'm your friend, nigga," jokingly.
"Can you come back to school to pick me up? My bike broke down. The engine won't start," I said hurriedly, hoping Rengga would help me.
"Okay, man. I will help." Along with his voice, I heard brakes and vehicles turning around.
"On the way, negggaa~~."
The call ended. Hearing that, I chuckled and said, "Fuck you, bro." After that, I just waited, maybe playing an old game on my phone.
Not long after, four minutes later, I received a message from Diazo, and I replied immediately.
Diazo:
"Yoo man, want a job??"
Me:
"If the pay is small like shit, sorry, I don't want that."
Diazo:
"Chill, man. This is a big job and big money."
Me:
"Big bullshit too??"
Diazo:
"Nah, man. This is not bullshit or stupid. Straight to the point. In this job, we'll be selling meth in the Vaggio gang area. One of them wants to buy a lot, 2 KG."
Me:
"Alright, I'll take that job."
Diazo:
"That's my homie. Alright, tonight at 21:00, we'll meet at the bridge near your school."
Me:
"Okay. See you tonight."
The chat ended. I let out a breath and hoped the money would be enough to fix my motorcycle. I stayed silent for a moment after that chat, as if I was contemplating something, and six minutes later, Rengga arrived. At first, I didn't realize it until Rengga pressed his motorcycle horn. I was startled and immediately looked back.
"Yo bro, your bike already looks like shit," he said.
"Yeah bro, this bike has already become shit," I replied.
"So what now? If you come with me now… are you really gonna leave your bike here?" Rengga asked, confused.
"Just leave it. This broken, crappy vehicle can stay here," I replied.
"If you leave it here, is that even allowed by the school? This is the school parking lot, bro…" Rengga asked again, confused.
"It's fine. By tomorrow, I'll probably already have money to service this bike," I replied.
"Money? That fast? You're an orphan, nigga. How can you get money to fix a bike in just one night?" Rengga asked suspiciously.
"Maybe part-time work and taking the salary early," I replied casually and quickly.
"That's not easy, bro. But if you need help, call me," Rengga said.
"Alright, bro…" I replied quietly.
"Alright then, get on my bike now. I'll take a monkey home," Rengga said firmly in a joking tone.
I got on his bike and patted his shoulder while saying, "Come on, move forward, my horse."
"All right, lil monkey," Rengga replied as he revved the engine.
**************
In the middle of the ride, Rengga asked, "Do you want to eat, lil monkey?" in a questioning yet joking tone.
"Nope, I just want to get home, stupid horse."
Rengga chuckled and said, "Okay, lil monkey."
Not long after, eleven minutes later, the bike arrived at my house, which was on the same street as Rengga's since we were neighbors.
"Thanks for the ride, stupid horse," I said.
"Take care of your leg, lil monkey," Rengga replied.
I opened the door and said, "Thanks, and see you tomorrow, to take me back to the school parking lot so I can service the bike."
"Alright, nigga. Go rest. Your leg looks like red shit," Rengga replied.
"Okay, goodbye, bro," I said while closing the door.
When I entered the house, the living room looked dusty. The wooden walls were visibly cracked. There was an old, broken sofa, its legs looking like they were about to tear apart, as if they couldn't hold anymore because of age. In front of the sofa, there was a photograph me, Rengga, and Robi. The photo was taken when we were in elementary school. Back then, elementary school was a happy time for us, but at the beginning of junior high, Robi moved to another province, Central Kalimantan.
It was a bit funny remembering those days, but it seemed that Rengga still couldn't forgive Robi because Robi had accidentally killed Rengga's pet cat. Robi accidentally hit the cat with his bicycle. Rengga was very angry at that time, which caused their friendship to crack. I still remember the words Rengga said back then…
Five years ago, during the long holiday after graduating from elementary school. In front of Rengga's house, Robi was riding his bike, trying to approach Rengga, seemingly wanting to invite him to play. From afar, he shouted, "Renggaaa!!!" Until he accidentally hit Rengga's cat on the neck, as the cat happened to be outside. The cat stopped moving and died there.
At that moment, Rengga came out because of Robi's shout, but he saw his cat dead beside Robi. Rengga was furious and approached Robi, grabbing his shirt and shouting,
"What the fuck did you do to my cat, asshole!!!????"
I didn't hear Robi's reply. I only saw him lower his head as if he was apologizing. Rengga remained furious because he loved his cat very much.
"Your apology isn't enough for this. That's stupid bullshit that won't change the fact that my cat died because of you!!" Rengga shouted loudly at Robi.
Robi could only stay silent and leave Rengga in his anger.
"Running away? Yeah!! That's all you ever do. You don't want to take responsibility for your actions and just leave like a bitch who already got paid by her customer!!!" Rengga shouted once more in a loud, furious tone, then took a deep breath and went into his house angrily.
At that time, I wasn't there. I only watched from the window and heard Rengga's shouting from afar. Some time later, we got information that Robi would be moving away, which meant we could no longer communicate with him. So I went to see him alone, to say goodbye. I still clearly remember what he said at that time, "Send my regards to Rengga, bro. I still feel guilty about my mistake."
When I told that to Rengga, he looked indifferent and still angry because he felt Robi was irresponsible and could only apologize. Now, both of us don't know his condition at all, but Rengga seemed not to care, while I still cared about that friend.
After remembering those happy yet bitter memories, I took a shower and changed clothes. I then looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. The bathroom walls were starting to crack, and the mirror itself was cracked at the upper right corner. Not long after, a chat notification from Diazo appeared.
Diazo:
"Tonight's meeting is fast. We have to be there by 20.00."
Me:
"All right."
After that chat, I stared at myself in the mirror. Is this really me? Is this criminal act where I belong? I stared deeper into my reflection. My middle-parted black hair was visible. My light-brown skin showed clearly. My eyes looked dull.
And there was a voice in my heart. Is this who I am? Who am I really? Where do I belong? Is my place in the criminal world? All of those thoughts were thrown around in my head, but only one thing remained. My revenge against the Villos Gang!!
***************
Elsewhere, Rengga entered his house. The sound of the door opening echoed, it seemed the door was already fragile from termites. At that moment, he saw his father inhaling meth. Rengga looked angrier than usual. He forcefully grabbed the meth from his father's hand and said,
"How long are you going to keep using this stuff?!"
"That's not your business. Your only business is studying," his father replied softly, sounding high, while trying to take the meth back from Rengga's hand. Rengga pulled his hand away and said,
"Aren't you ashamed of Uncle? Uncle is someone with a high rank in BAN (Badan Anti Narkotika or you can call it National Narcotics Agency), while you? The younger brother of a BAN official who's addicted to meth!!"
Rengga shouted again at his father. His father went silent for a moment, then tried to grab the meth again while saying, "This isn't your business. I just want that…" in a soft, intoxicated tone.
Rengga snapped. "Yeah, that's the reason why Mom is stressed now," he said while pointing toward his mother's room, "because of you!!! Since your business failed, you became an addict!!!"
He shouted again. His father was now completely silent.
"Back then, you always told me to stop being friends with Nacha because his father was an addict. And now you've become an addict too…" Rengga said softly, as if holding back tears.
"Now you're just a hypocritical loser, drowning in temporary pleasure and licking your own spit…" Rengga said again in a sad tone, tears falling from his eyes.
He threw the meth onto the table and left his father, heading to his room. Rengga's father stood there, staring at the meth, then threw it into the trash. He turned on the faucet, washed his face, and cried quietly without a sound in the kitchen.
To be continued.