In the small forest connecting Duren Village with the hills to the west, light footsteps rustled through the damp grass. The occasional snap of twigs broke the steady whispers of the night wind. A small flashlight danced between the trees, casting eerie shadows that looked like silent ghosts passing by.
"This way. Not much further." said Yuni as she pushed aside a low-hanging branch. She led the small group with confident steps.
Behind her, Boni followed with a large backpack filled with documents and inheritance records from Mr. Warso. Lilis and Rio came next, carrying bottles of water and some snacks they'd grabbed from home.
"Never thought we'd be holding a meeting in the middle of a forest." Rio muttered, half amused, half nervous. "Feels like we're in a conspiracy movie."
"We have to stay off Mr. Rasyid's radar." Lilis responded quickly, pointing toward a small hill ahead. "He's probably trying to find out who distributed the leaflets and starting to gather the villagers."
Soon, they arrived at an old wooden hut an abandoned forest outpost long forgotten. Its roof was partially collapsed, but the walls still stood strong. Hidden among thick trees, the place was nearly invisible unless you knew exactly where to look.
Yuni unrolled a mat on the dusty floor and took out a small camping lamp from her bag. She turned it on, and a warm orange glow slowly filled the dark, quiet room.
"From now on, let's call this place Duren Post." she said with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Boni sat cross-legged and opened the large folder he'd brought. He laid out dozens of neatly arranged documents.
"I've reorganized all of Mr. Warso's notes. Turns out, it's not just about land contracts. He also gathered tons of unpublicized village financial records. All of this… is evidence."
"You mean this is corruption?" asked Rio, eyes widening as he scanned the sheet in his hands.
"Most likely." Boni replied softly. "Funds for road construction, agricultural aid, student scholarships… most of them never reached the villagers. It's all here bank transfers, fake invoices, forged signatures… everything."
Yuni clenched her fists. "So he didn't just sell off village land. He's been stealing from the people for years."
"We need to send this to someone who can take real action." said Lilis firmly. "We can't fight this alone anymore."
Boni nodded. "There's a place I know a non-profit office in the city. They once helped another village win a similar case. But… we'll have to take the western forest route to get there."
Rio raised an eyebrow. "The western forest? You mean the one people say is haunted?"
Yuni chuckled. "That's just old stories, Rio. We just need to be careful."
Boni looked at each of his friends one by one. "I can go alone. It's faster, safer for you."
"No!" Lilis cut in firmly. "This isn't just your fight, Boni. This is our fight."
Rio nodded. "Yeah! But if we all go, who will guard Duren Post?"
Yuni thought for a moment. "I'll stay. I can keep an eye on the village from here. If Rasyid or his men make a move, I'll send a signal."
"Smoke signal?" Rio joked, raising a brow.
Yuni laughed. "Not that old-school. I've got a used walkie-talkie from my scouting days. Still works… more or less."
Boni felt a warmth swell in his chest. In the dark forest, under the dim light, he felt something new strength, friendship, and courage.
A few hours later, beneath a starry night sky, they parted ways. Boni, Lilis, and Rio took the western path, their backpacks full of evidence that could change the fate of their entire village. Meanwhile, Yuni stood in front of the hut, now known as Duren Post, watching until their figures vanished into the darkness.
"I'll protect the village from here." she whispered. "You protect it from out there."
The night wind blew gently, as if answering her vow.
The next morning, Yuni put on a wide-brimmed hat and carried a bag full of vegetables, pretending to be a traveling vendor. She mingled with the villagers at the market, listening intently to their conversations.
"I heard those leaflets were handed out in the dead of night." whispered a woman.
"Mr. Rasyid was furious." replied the man beside her. "He said it was all lies."
In the middle of the crowd, Mr. Rasyid stood with a booming voice, "Someone is trying to stir chaos! These are nothing but baseless slanders. Worthless papers!"
But the villagers' eyes began to change. Whispers spread among them. Seeds of doubt were being planted.
Yuni hurried back to Duren Post before sunset and sent a message through the walkie-talkie.
"Rasyid is under pressure. The leaflets worked. The villagers are starting to ask questions."
Meanwhile, on the western forest trail, Boni, Lilis, and Rio moved slowly. Narrow paths, fallen tree trunks, and strange sounds made the atmosphere tense.
"I swear something just moved." Rio whispered.
"It's just your imagination." Lilis replied quickly, but she gripped the flashlight tighter.
Suddenly, Boni stopped. "Look. Trail marker. This leads to the old suspension bridge."
That bridge was the only way to the road leading into the city. They crossed one by one. The wooden planks creaked softly, echoing through the quiet forest.
On the other side, they rested for a while. Rio took out some biscuits and shared them.
"Hard to believe we're in the middle of all this." he said quietly. "A week ago, I was just thinking about work overtime."
"And I was still busy preparing for the village art festival." added Lilis.
Boni gave a faint smile. "And I… I just felt lost."
Lilis placed her hand on Boni's shoulder. "But you came back. And you brought hope."
Back in the village, Rasyid paced back and forth in his office. "You said they left at dawn? With backpacks?"
His subordinate nodded.
"Take me to the hut near the forest, Now."
But when they arrived, Duren Post was empty. Everything had been cleared. Rasyid could only grit his teeth.
Three days later, at the non-profit office in the city, Boni placed the folder in front of a sharp-eyed, serious-faced middle-aged woman.
"We believe this is enough to start an investigation."
The woman examined the contents and nodded. "This is more than enough. You've done something very brave."
"What happens next?" asked Rio.
"We'll take it to court, But be prepared. Someone like him won't go down without a fight."
"We're ready." Boni replied firmly.
That same night, far from the city lights, in the quiet village of Duren, Yuni stood at the forest's edge.
She looked up at the stars, just like the first night when everything began.
"We've started something." she whispered. "And we won't stop until it's finished."