"Help!!!"A woman's scream echoed from the end of the dark alley where Wildan was standing. He had just opened a canned drink he bought from a minimarket across the street.
The night wasn't particularly busy, yet the scream rang loud enough to pierce the silence. At the intersection leading into a narrow alley, a small figure came into view—a girl wearing a white T-shirt, her long hair flying behind her as she ran.
Several meters behind her, a few men were running fast, clearly chasing her.
Wildan was about to open the door of his black sports car when the long-haired girl ran past him, her eyes pleading for help. But she didn't stop—she simply ran on. Wildan shrugged and ignored it.
Only when he got into his car did he hear the back door open.
He turned and saw the girl slipping inside, her head lowered as she tried to hide.
"Hey! What—"
Wildan's words stopped when the girl lifted her face to look at him. Her expression was filled with fear, both hands clasped tightly in front of her chest. Seeing her pitiful state, Wildan held back his urge to scold her.
At the same time, a knock sounded on his car window. Wildan turned toward the noise. A large, burly man and several others were standing around his black car. Wildan grimaced in annoyance and turned back to stare at the girl.
Still clasping her hands, the girl rubbed her palms together, begging desperately. Wildan looked irritated by her behavior.
"Hey! Open the door!" someone shouted outside, prompting Wildan to roll down the window.
"What's the problem, sir? Could you be more polite?" Wildan called out to the big man.
"I saw a woman run into this car. Make her come out!" The man glared fiercely at Wildan.
Being stared down and shouted at like that, Wildan's eyes hardened.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Wildan said coldly. "But since you're being rude, I won't hesitate to report you for attempting to assault me."
His jaw tightened as he locked eyes with the man.
For a few moments, the man stayed where he was, occasionally peering into Wildan's car—which appeared empty. Eventually, he ordered his men to step back and allowed Wildan to leave.
Without waiting any longer, the car sped away, leaving behind the group of about ten men. They lingered briefly before continuing their search.
"Who are you?" Wildan asked coldly.
Instead of answering, the girl moved to sit properly in the back seat after hiding behind it. She pulled out her phone and made a call, ignoring Wildan's question. Her rude behavior made Wildan clench his jaw again.
The call rang, and soon someone answered.
"Dad! What have you done this time? How long are you going to keep doing this?"
"I'm sorry, Galuh. Dad is truly sorry." The pleading voice on the other end was clearly audible in the quiet car.
"Dad already took my savings to pay off your debts. You said everything was settled. Then what is this debt now? Because of this, I can't continue college!" Her voice trembled as she struggled to hold back tears.
"Forgive your father, my child!"
"Dad, why are you doing a video call?" Galuh exclaimed as the call switched to video.
She pulled the phone slightly away, staring at the screen. Wildan watched silently through the rearview mirror, choosing not to interfere.
"Hey, pretty girl! How long are you going to abandon your father?"The voice suddenly changed—no longer her father's.
"Uncle! What are you going to do to my father? Don't! Please!"
"Didn't you run away and sacrifice your own father? I can beat him senseless—half to death if I want. But I can't profit from a dead man. So hurry back here. Let's make a deal!"
The man's angry voice echoed through the phone.
"Don't!!!"Galuh screamed sharply, startling Wildan so badly he nearly slammed on the brakes.
Thud! Argh…
The sound of blows and a man's cry of pain came through the call. Wildan immediately understood—her father was in serious trouble.
"Hurry!"The video call ended abruptly.
"What should I do…?" Galuh murmured anxiously. "Sir… I'm sorry, but please take me back to the end of that street. Please…"
Without a word, Wildan turned his sports car around toward the place where she had been chased earlier. He glanced at her through the mirror—she looked utterly terrified.
"I don't know what situation you're in," Wildan said while driving, "but why don't you report them to the police?"
"I already did, sir. In the end, they were released anyway."
Her answer surprised him. Wildan fell silent and pressed harder on the accelerator.
"Then what will you do once you get back? Isn't that the same as throwing your life away?" he asked.
"At least I can negotiate to pay off my father's debts."
Her flat answer carried heavy meaning.
"Drop me off at the end of that road, sir," she said, pointing to where Wildan had first seen her being chased.
"Are you sure you want to face them alone?" Wildan asked hesitantly.
"If I weren't sure, I wouldn't ask you to let me off here," she replied firmly.
"What if they beat you again?" Wildan pressed.
"That's nothing new, sir. I'm used to getting hit. You don't need to worry. I'll be fine."
"You're sure?" he asked once more.
"Yes. Thank you for the ride. I hope you're always healthy and protected."
Wildan stopped the car at the end of the road. The girl stepped out and immediately ran toward the alley. Wildan could only watch from behind the wheel, powerless to stop her.
Then, from a distance, a car suddenly sped toward the girl.
"Watch out!"
"Argh—"
The blinding headlights struck Galuh's vision. Instinctively, she raised her arm to shield her eyes as a loud scream tore from her lips.
"Am I supposed to die tonight? Or will a small miracle finally come for me?" Galuh whispered.
"The girl could only surrender, bracing herself for the worst possible outcome."
***