Witness Testimony

Karin and Arzan sat in the cold and formal interrogation room. The walls were bare, with only a metal table and two chairs where they sat. Across from them, a police officer in a neat uniform with a serious expression watched them intently.

"Alright, please start from the beginning," the officer said, turning on a recording device on the table.

Karin took a deep breath before starting. "We found Rafi in the restroom at his tutoring center. He was lying on the floor, barely conscious. There was also someone there, who we believe was the attacker. He pushed me and ran away." Karin recounted the incident passionately.

The officer jotted down notes quickly. "Did you recognize the person?"

"Yes," Karin answered firmly. "It was Mr. Ali, our teacher."

The officer raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. He glanced at his colleague seated in the corner of the room before turning back to Karin. "Mr. Ali? Your teacher?"

"That's right," Karin continued. "We didn't see his face because it was covered with a mask, but we're sure it was Mr. Ali."

Arzan nodded. "Rafi's name had been blacklisted by Mr. Ali three times. He once said that students who ended up on his list three times would face severe consequences."

The room fell silent for a few seconds. The officers listening to the story seemed skeptical. Finally, one of them, a large man with a badge on his chest, spoke.

"Mr. Ali? The young teacher from Cakrawala High School, right?" he confirmed.

Karin and Arzan nodded quickly.

"I know him. He's a good teacher, dedicated. He even helped us catch a thief in the Indah housing complex a while back. Someone like him wouldn't do something like this."

"But we saw him with our own eyes!" Karin insisted, her eyes blazing with determination.

"That's right, sir. Even though he was wearing a mask, we're sure it was him," Arzan added. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to speak further. "He's also the one who killed Mr. Budi, the school guard, and Heri, a student from Cakrawala."

"Why do you think that?"

"Actually, I saw Mr. Budi's murder, but because of the trauma, my memory is fuzzy. But I'm sure it was Mr. Ali."

The officer looked at his colleague with evident doubt. He was torn between believing their words or dismissing them. "If you're so sure, why hasn't anyone else seen him there?" the officer continued, his tone gentle but skeptical. "Besides, we need more than just suspicion as evidence."

Arzan clenched his fists on the table, trying to hold back his frustration. "We're not making this up. If you investigate further, there must be something to prove this!"

The officer sighed. "We're not accusing you of lying. But accusations like this are serious. We can't just arrest someone based on suspicion."

Karin bit her lip, feeling frustrated. "Then investigate. Check the CCTV around that area. There must be footage!"

The officer seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. We'll review the CCTV footage and look for other evidence. If you're right, we'll take action according to procedure." However, his tone still carried an undertone of disbelief. Karin knew their fight for justice for Rafi was far from over.

***

The assault on Rafi prompted the teachers at SMA Cakrawala to suspend classes for two days and hold a meeting. They were under pressure from public opinion labeling the school as cursed. From the death of the school guard to Heri's body found stuffed in a suitcase, and now the assault on Rafi, the incidents had left the teachers scrambling. Some parents had already contacted the school to transfer their children out of what was now being called the "cursed school."

Now, only Mr. Ali remained in the teachers' lounge. The other teachers had started to head home as the day grew darker. Truthfully, they were also scared of the recent events, leaving Mr. Ali alone, focused on the book in his hands.

On each page of the book, the names of students he had blacklisted were written—not just for ordinary punishment, but for something that seemed far beyond a teacher's usual records.

With meticulous precision, Mr. Ali added two names: Karin and Arzan. Each letter was written carefully, as though imbued with a deeper significance. When he finished, he stared at the names with a blank expression, though the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.

His gaze then shifted to another name on the list: Chika. Her name had been there for months, written three times now. Mr. Ali pulled out a red pen from his pocket and circled her name with firm, deliberate strokes. The harsh red circle cut into the paper, reflecting a hidden intensity.

As Mr. Ali sat in silence, lost in his inscrutable thoughts, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway outside the teachers' lounge. The steps stopped just outside the open door.

"Mr. Ali? You're still here?" Mrs. Anjar's friendly voice broke the silence.

Mr. Ali turned to her calmly, a small smile on his face. "Oh, I'm just finishing some work, Ma'am. There were quite a few reports I needed to take care of."

Mrs. Anjar glanced at his desk. "You're such a hard worker, Mr. Ali. But don't stay too late. With everything that's happened recently, everyone's been on edge," she said as she walked to her own desk. "I almost forgot about the students' exams—good thing I remembered."

Mr. Ali gave a faint smile. Moving smoothly and deliberately, he closed the book and slid it into his desk drawer. His movements were unhurried, giving no indication of urgency. "I'll be heading home soon," he replied, locking the drawer with a quiet click.

Mrs. Anjar gave a small smile, though curiosity flickered in her eyes. "Alright then. I'll wait for you outside; let's leave together."

Mr. Ali nodded politely. "Of course, Ma'am. I just need a few more minutes." After Mrs. Anjar left the lounge, Mr. Ali stood, gathering a few students' textbooks and his bag. He walked calmly toward the exit. Meanwhile, in the now-dark drawer, the black book remained locked away, holding within it all the names and those ominous red circles.