Undead Echoes

The phone call shook Ethan to his spine, and he felt as if he was partly losing consciousness. Yet, he stood steady, wrestling with the urge to confide in his wife about everything that was happening. Deep down, he knew she wouldn't believe him; she would only prove her instincts right, as she had warned him not to visit Indonesia in the first place.

"Hello! Hello! Ethan?" came the voice again, snapping him back to reality.

"Don't worry, honey, I'll get you a new one once I get back home!" he reassured her immediately grappling his way back to reality.

"But that one was special and custom-made," she replied in protest.

"I'll have another one special and custom-made, don't worry," he soothed her. "I'll, however, look for it anyway." She said

"Don't stress yourself honey, all will be well, I assure you," he replied before adding,"I'm gonna interview someone then I will be back alright?"

"Sure honey,Have a nice day," she said.

"Love you," he responded, hanging up the phone.

Ethan then moved on to interview the manager who was eagerly waiting for him. The atmosphere in the room was charged with anticipation as he approached Mr. Budi Santoso.

"Mr. Budi Santoso, what is your net worth?" he asked with a smile, handing the tiny microphone over.

Mr. Budi smiled and glanced at his phone. "Well, it depends. I currently can't tell how much I have, but it's definitely a lot," he replied with a hearty chuckle.

"If you were to estimate, how much would it be?" Ethan pressed on, his curiosity piqued.

Mr. Budi chuckled again, clearing his throat. "I may say about 4 billion," he replied, shocking everyone in the room.

"Wow, that's a huge sum. Do you mean in rupiah?" asked Trent out of curiosity, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Mr. Budi smiled once more, "Nobody is talking about rupiah, son. I'm talking about dollars—hard-earned American dollars," he responded, shocking them even further.

"Whoa, amazing! You are the first billionaire we have encountered so far in our vlogging career; we've made history!" said Ethan, shaking Mr. Budi's hand enthusiastically.

"What is your advice to aspiring billionaires?" he asked, eager to glean wisdom from the successful entrepreneur.

As Mr. Budi began to answer, Ethan noticed that his voice had faded. He moved his lips, but no sound came out. Instead, a feminine whisper lingered in his ears, "He is a liar; he is worth more than 4 billion. He has a lot of that dirty money. Ask about Adhwa."

Ethan dismissed it, forcing himself back to reality where he could hear Mr. Budi's voice clearly again. Mr. Budi was discussing investing and buying more shares, mentioning that he made his money from numerous hotels all over Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and that he was even planning to open another in Thailand.

But the voice returned, drowning out the other sounds, whispering, "That is blood money!" Despite the unsettling whispers, Ethan managed to control himself, completing the interview without any mishaps and refraining from blurting out anything inappropriate in front of the camera. He felt the weight of the mystery pressing down on him, intertwining with the vibrant culture and hospitality he had experienced throughout his time in Indonesia.

After the whirlwind of interviews and laughter, the group decided to indulge in a hearty lunch, opting for a dish that would showcase the flavors of Indonesia beyond the well-known nasi goreng. They settled on "Soto Ayam," a fragrant chicken soup that enveloped them in warmth. The rich, golden broth was infused with the aromatic notes of lemongrass and ginger, creating a symphony of tastes that danced on their palates. Each spoonful revealed tender pieces of chicken, simmered to perfection, while a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime added a zesty brightness that lifted the dish to new heights. Alongside the soup, they savored crispy fried tempeh, its nutty flavor and satisfying crunch providing the perfect contrast to the soothing broth. As they enjoyed their meal, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and camaraderie, each bite accompanied by stories of their day's adventures, forging deeper connections among them.

Once their bellies were full and spirits high, they retreated to their penthouse, eager to dive into the task of editing the collection of videos they had amassed. Each member contributed their footage, sharing snippets of laughter, candid moments, and the vibrant energy of their surroundings. However, one camera was notably absent—Ethan's. A sense of unease lingered as they pieced together the clips, their combined knowledge and creativity transforming the raw footage into a captivating masterpiece. They crafted a thumbnail that screamed clickbait, strategically designed to draw in fans and curious viewers alike. The anticipation of sharing their adventure with the world added an electric charge to the air as they hit 'post,' their hearts racing with excitement.

As the evening descended, they gathered for another meal, this time livestreaming their stay at the hotel. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy as Trent introduced his new girlfriend on camera, beaming with pride as he declared that he had found love. His viewers erupted with cheers and virtual gifts, filling the chat with excitement. Trent shared his plans to extend his stay in Indonesia, determined to work on his girlfriend's passport so they could embark on a new life together in Canada. The chat was lively, and laughter echoed as Ethan's wife jokingly commented, "I hope that's not what took Ethan to Indonesia," prompting a round of giggles among the group. The livestream was a celebration, and Ethan seized the moment to reveal that he was expecting a child, his wife six months pregnant. The joy in the air was palpable, but as the livestream wound down and they retired to bed, Ethan found himself restless, his mind racing with thoughts.

At exactly 11 PM, while the others drifted off to sleep, Ethan slipped out of bed, dressed in casual Indonesian attire, and quietly exited the hotel. He partially covered his face, hoping to remain inconspicuous from the guards who would surely want to accompany him. The night air was cool against his skin as he made his way towards the ominous building that had haunted his thoughts. The connection he felt to the hotel, despite the unsettling memories it held, compelled him to seek answers.

He rushed out of the hotel, slipping past the guards who were dozing off, their heads bobbing slightly in a dreamlike state. He made sure not to alarm anyone, his heart pounding in his chest as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Within moments, he found himself at the base of the staircase, the cool air of the corridor brushing against his skin. He dashed up the stairs, each step echoing in the silence, a free cardio workout he never knew he needed.

As he reached the 12th floor, he paused to catch his breath, glancing at the familiar surroundings. But something caught his eye at the end of the hallway—a set of stairs leading to the 13th floor. "They weren't there earlier," he muttered to himself, a mix of curiosity and trepidation swirling in his mind. Yet, he felt an inexplicable pull, an urge to investigate. With cautious steps, he ascended the stairs, each creak beneath his feet amplifying the tension in the air.

Upon reaching the 13th floor, he was met with an eerie stillness. The hallway stretched out before him, dimly lit and seemingly endless. At the far end, he spotted a woman standing alone, her head bowed, obscuring her features. A chill ran down his spine as he considered the possibilities—was this his wife's doppelgänger, or perhaps the monstrous lady who had previously called him a colonizer? The uncertainty gnawed at him, compelling him to retreat.

Just as he began to back away, the woman turned with astonishing speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. She stood before him, her presence both commanding and unsettling. He instinctively raised his hands, ready to push her back, but she grasped his wrists firmly, her grip surprisingly strong. Slowly, she tilted her head up, revealing her face. "You wouldn't hit your wife now, would you?" she asked, her voice a haunting melody that echoed in the corridor.

Her eyes, a striking combination of submissiveness and vulnerability, held him captive, stirring something within him that he had not anticipated. In that moment, the world around them faded away, leaving only the tension between them.

The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, yet the allure of the woman before him was undeniable. Her presence was intoxicating, a mix of danger and desire that pulled him in against his better judgment. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was teetering on the edge of a precipice, caught between reality and the unknown.

As she embraced him, Ethan felt a rush of warmth that dispelled his earlier fears. The softness of her body against his was a stark contrast to the cold, hard surroundings. He could smell the faint scent of jasmine, a fragrance that seemed to wrap around him like a comforting blanket. Her voice, soft and sultry, whispered sweet nothings that sent shivers down his spine. "Mom's not here today," she said, her eyes glinting with mischief. The words hung in the air, heavy with implications he couldn't quite grasp.

With a sudden tug, she led him into her room, a space that felt both inviting and unsettling. He looked at her back and noticed her wound on her back from earlier had disappeared as if it never was there to begin with. She was also clean such that she looked even more ethereal on top of his wife's evenly matched features.

The walls were adorned with faded photographs, remnants of a life that seemed to belong to someone else, this was odd since the room was dusty and dirty earlier on. Ethan's gaze flickered to the nightstand, where his lost camera sat, a lifeline to reality. He picked it up, feeling a surge of creativity as he began to capture the moment. Each click of the shutter felt like a heartbeat, a reminder of his existence amidst the chaos. She posed effortlessly, shifting her body with grace, her laughter echoing in the small room as she encouraged him to find her "good side."

After several playful shots, he placed the camera down, the weight of the device grounding him. He turned his attention back to her, the magnetic pull between them undeniable. As he joined her on the bed, their lips met in a passionate kiss that seemed to erase the world outside. Time lost all meaning as they melted into each other, a whirlwind of emotions swirling around them. Yet, in the back of his mind, a nagging doubt lingered. Who was she really? And what secrets lay hidden behind her enchanting facade?

As they pulled away, Ethan's curiosity piqued. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. She smiled, a hint of mystery dancing in her eyes. "Names can be deceiving, Ethan," she replied, her tone playful yet cryptic.

With those words, Ethan embraced her once more, their lips meeting in a hot kiss that sent chills racing down his spine. The moment was electric, filled with a mix of passion and fear, but it was abruptly interrupted as she pulled away, her eyes wide with alarm. "My mom's back; I can feel her coming!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.