The clock read four in the morning. Naufal Hasbi's eyes were still wide open, staring at the dark ceiling of his room. Beside him, Akhzam, his younger brother who was only eight years old, was sound asleep, his innocent face a stark contrast to the anxiety gnawing at Naufal's heart.
The threat was real, not just a shadow. The threat against Akhzam, resulting from the successful major operation of the Narcotics Unit he led, felt like a heavy burden choking his chest.
Naufal sighed deeply, his head filled with suffocating worries. He had expected this to happen. The success of the operation that dismantled a major drug trafficking network had made him a target. Not only himself, but also his family.
Horrifying images filled his mind, images that threatened the safety of his beloved younger brother. He imagined Akhzam's innocent face injured, and that image made him even more distraught. Even the distinctive aroma of Akhzam's favorite kopi tubruk (coarse ground coffee) still faintly lingering in the air seemed to amplify that image.
Naufal reached for his phone. The screen displayed several terrifying threat messages, a picture of Akhzam playing in the park, adorned with threats in capital letters and skull emojis. He clenched his fist, anger and fear mixing together.
A soft knock came from behind the bedroom door, breaking the chilling night silence.
"Naufal." The gentle voice of Adelia, his mother, called his name. Her voice sounded hoarse, holding back deep worry, a worry that Naufal also felt with the same intensity.
Naufal got out of bed, his steps heavy, as if carrying the weight of the world. His mind was filled with the worst-case scenarios. The threat against Akhzam was not a bluff. He had prepared himself for the worst. A pistol was still tucked into his waist, an action he rarely took, but this time was different. This was not just about duty, this was about his family.
He opened the bedroom door, his mother's face looking pale. Adelia's eyes were puffy, showing that she hadn't slept either, showing how much worry was gnawing at her heart.
"What's wrong, Ma?" Naufal asked, his voice sounding hoarse, reflecting the tension he felt.
"Let's talk outside," Adelia said, her voice trembling, showing how much fear she was suppressing.
Naufal immediately left the room, following his mother. They headed to the living room, which was dimly lit by the streetlights coming in through the window. Adelia sat on the sofa, her hands trembling as she held a cup of warm tea that had already gone cold.
A chilling atmosphere enveloped the room, as if time had stopped ticking. Only the sound of their hearts pounding loudly could be heard, competing with the sound of crickets in the distance.
"Naufal," Adelia began to speak, her voice heavy, reflecting the heavy burden she carried, "Mama received a call from Mr. Yudi." Mr. Yudi was the head of the neighborhood association in the complex, a man respected and trusted by all the residents.
Naufal frowned. "A call from Mr. Yudi? What's wrong, Ma?"
"He said someone saw some suspicious people loitering around our house since last night," Adelia replied, her voice almost inaudible, showing how much fear she was feeling. "They were dressed in plain clothes, and often seen spying from a distance."
Naufal felt his heart pounding. His hunch was right. The threat was not just threat messages on his phone. They were really coming. The threat that was previously just a shadow had now turned into a terrifying reality.
"Ma, I suspected this would happen," Naufal said, trying to remain calm even though his heart was filled with anxiety. "Yesterday's operation was very successful, and we managed to arrest many important people in that network. Someone must be seeking revenge." He tried to remain strong in front of his mother, trying to provide a sense of calm that he himself did not feel.
"But Akhzam..." Adelia hugged Naufal tightly, her tears flowing freely. "Mama is afraid something will happen to Akhzam." Her voice sobbed, showing how much she loved her grandson.
Naufal hugged his mother, feeling the same despair. He had to protect Akhzam. He had to ensure his younger brother's safety. But how? He was a policeman, used to facing danger, but this was different. This concerned the safety of his younger brother, his family. This was a much more personal and painful battle. This was no longer just a duty, but a gamble on the lives of the people he loved.
Suddenly, the sound of a motorcycle engine was heard from outside. The sound got closer, creating an increasingly chilling tension. Naufal and Adelia exchanged glances, their eyes filled with fear and anxiety.
They heard the sound of footsteps getting closer, heavy and hurried footsteps. A loud knock echoed on the front door. A knock that was much louder and more aggressive than the previous knock. Naufal and Adelia exchanged glances, their faces pale. They knew, this was no longer just a threat. This was an attack. The fear they had been suppressing had now exploded into panic.
Naufal released his mother's hug, his hand moved quickly to his waist, grabbing the pistol stored there. He had to protect his mother and younger brother. He had to be ready to face whatever was going to happen. He stood up straight, trying to control his fear, trying to remain calm in the midst of the chilling situation.
The sound of the knock got louder, more aggressive. As if the people outside the door wanted to get in quickly and do something bad. Naufal took a deep breath, he prepared to face whatever was going to happen. He had to protect his family, no matter what. He had to be a protector for his mother and younger brother, he had to be the last line of defense for his family.
"Ma, get in Akhzam's room right now! Lock the door!" Naufal ordered, his voice firm despite trembling.
"But what about you, Son?" Adelia asked, panicked.
"Don't worry about me, Ma! Hurry!" Naufal gently but firmly pushed his mother towards Akhzam's room.
Adelia rushed to open the bedroom door, went in and locked it from the inside. The sound of the door lock rang out in the midst of the chilling tension. Naufal took a deep breath, drawing his pistol halfway. He heard the sound of the door being broken down.
Three burly men stormed in, their faces covered by headscarves, only their eyes were visible, sharp and full of anger. They carried sharp weapons.
"Don't move!" Naufal shouted, his pistol pointed at them. "Who are you?"
One of them laughed mockingly. "You know who we are, you baby-faced cop! You messed up our business!"
"Drop your weapons and get away from here!" Naufal firmly held his pistol. He felt cold sweat drenching his forehead.
"You think you can stop us?" Another thug stepped forward, raising his machete.
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire echoed from outside the house. The sound of gunfire startled the thugs, and they exchanged glances in panic. The three thugs hesitated for a moment, then quickly scrambled out of the house, leaving Naufal standing there, panting, with his heart still pounding. He lowered his pistol, feeling relieved and also confused. Who fired the shot? Who saved him? And, was this just the beginning?
Naufal rushed to Akhzam's room, finding his mother hugging Akhzam tightly, both of them trembling with fear. He hugged them both, feeling immense relief, and also unbearable anxiety. The threat was not over. He had to find out who fired the shot, and who was the mastermind behind all this. The battle was not over. This was just the first chapter.