The sky turned a gentle shade of gold as Boni, Lilis, and Rio followed the narrow riverside trail on the eastern edge of the town. The sound of trickling water mingled with the evening chorus of insects, marking the slow descent of night. Shadows grew longer with each step, and the forest began to whisper with its nocturnal sounds.
"If we keep following the river upstream, we'll reach the old dam," Lilis explained, holding a worn-out map she'd found at the NGO office. "From there, we can circle around the back of Duren Village without taking the main road."
Rio let out a quiet sigh and slapped a mosquito off his arm. "Never thought I'd walk this far just to save a durian tree."
Boni chuckled. "But we're not just saving a tree, Rio. We're saving our whole village."
"I know, I know…" Rio glanced back, eyes scanning the path that was quickly darkening. "But you really think Mr. Rasyid's just gonna sit back? He's probably figured out we're the ones who spread the flyers."
Lilis nodded slowly, her expression serious. "And chances are, he's also realized that his important documents are gone."
"So… we're officially on his wanted list," Rio muttered—half joking, half worried.
Silence returned, broken only by the flowing river and the squish of their feet on damp soil. The deeper the night grew, the heavier the atmosphere felt, but none of them stopped walking.
By the time they reached the old dam, the sun had completely vanished behind the trees. The place was eerily quiet, as if forgotten by time. Crickets chirped from hidden corners, and dry leaves rustled with the wind that danced between cracks in the stones.
"I used to come here all the time as a kid," Boni said as he sat down at the edge of the dam. He looked out over the darkening water, his face calm. "It always felt like a secret hideout."
Lilis tilted her head toward him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You like secret places, huh?"
Boni laughed softly. "Not really! I just like quiet spots. Places where I can think clearly… where the world stops being so noisy."
Rio pulled out their last food supply—a piece of banana cake wrapped in wax paper. "Here, let's split this three ways. Eat first, then sneak later."
They shared the cake in silence under the pale light of the moon. It wasn't a grand meal, but in that moment, it felt like a feast. Dirty, tired, and covered in mud, the three friends found an odd sense of peace as they sat together.
But peace, like most things, never stays long.
Suddenly, the sharp crack of a breaking twig echoed from the woods.
Boni's body tensed. He stood immediately, ears straining toward the shadows. "Did you hear that?"
Rio whispered, "Don't tell me… they found us?"
Lilis moved quickly, switching off her flashlight and tugging both of them behind a large rock near the base of the dam. They crouched, breath held and hearts pounding.
Moments later, two figures emerged from the trees, flashlights in hand, speaking in low voices.
"Check every corner. Those kids can't be far," said one, his voice harsh and full of pressure.
"If you see them, secure them immediately. Direct orders from Mr. Rasyid."
Boni exchanged tense looks with Lilis and Rio. The air between them felt electric nobody dared make a sound. Even Rio looked ready to faint.
The searchers drew closer, flashlight beams cutting through the tall grass and rocky outcrops. Time slowed, and every footstep felt deafening.
Then Boni saw it—a narrow gap under the old bridge connected to the dam. He pointed toward it silently.
They crawled toward the opening, barely making a sound, slipping beneath the bridge and hiding in the shadows. The cold water reached their knees, but they stayed still, pressed tightly against the stone wall.
Above them, the two men walked just a few meters away.
"No one's here. Maybe they turned east."
"Keep looking! Don't let them escape."
Their voices gradually faded, swallowed by the night.
The three stayed motionless for a full minute. Only when the footsteps disappeared completely did they finally exhale.
Rio wiped his forehead with a trembling hand. "God… my heart almost jumped out."
Boni looked up at the night sky through the canopy. Stars began to pierce the darkness, their light faint but steady. "We need to move now. Before they come back."
They resumed their journey, even more cautious now, sticking to the narrowest paths and avoiding open areas. Mud clung to their shoes, and every snapped twig made them freeze, but they kept going.
The scent of damp earth filled the air. Leaves brushed against their arms and faces as their shadows danced under the moonlight.
In the distance, tiny yellow lights appeared—scattered homes on the outskirts of Duren Village.
Lilis saw them first. Relief lit up her face. "We're close. That's the village."
Boni quickened his pace. "Almost there…"
Rio, exhausted but smiling, added, "Never thought I'd be this happy to see those old streetlights."
They stood at the top of the hill, overlooking their village. The emotional weight of the past few days collapsed all at once. They had risked everything—faced fear, exhaustion, and danger. But now… they were home.
The mission wasn't over yet, but the hardest part—getting the truth out—was just about to begin.
Boni clenched his fists, renewed determination burning in his eyes. "Now it's our turn. Time to get ready for the next step."
Lilis nodded beside him. "We've got the evidence. We've got the villagers. And we've got each other."
Rio laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. "The Durian Guardians… protecting their people from every threat. We're starting to feel like Robin Hood's gang."
They laughed softly together, their voices carried by the wind rustling through the trees. That wind brought with it a scent—of hope.
Together, they descended the hill, heading back into their village. No longer just kids playing hero, but a real team, beginning a fight worth winning.
And far inside the village, in a silent office room, Rasyid sat alone. His sharp eyes scanned the pile of missing documents and the flyers now spread throughout the town.
He slowly crumpled the paper in his hand, jaw tightening.
Written boldly on it was a message that couldn't be ignored:
"The people of Duren Village will not stay silent."