The Van Til House: STRAF SABBAT
Chapiter 33

First of all, Gabe looked confused when he saw us enter the cottage, Magisna thought. Then Gabe told me that the cottage was a little horrible, the stuff here he said often suddenly moved places.

Then Magisna realized during the talk with Gabe, not once did Gabe mention the name Dusk.

But then why? inner Magisna.

What can be proven from that?

Why am I so suspicious of everything?

Maybe it's partly because I'm tired and I don't realize it.

Suddenly Magisna felt helpless, feeling too tired to move. He glanced at Dusk and looked around. Everyone is looking at him.

The man is now telling me about some of the beetle tiger hunting experiences he did years ago. Another horrible story that he found funny. His voice flashed in and out among the Magisna consciousness.

Everyone listened to him, Magisna said inwardly. He's so real. Everyone is aware of its existence.

Why do I feel that Gabe can't see Dusk?

Magisna took the last full spoonful of kidney beans, asked for permission, and brought the bowl to the kitchen where Gabe was putting dishes and spoons into the sink.

There was an unhappy expression on the woman's face.

For a moment, Magisna thought Gabe was about to cry. But his face looked hollow as he looked at Magisna, then turned his back to her.

Magisna asks if Gabe can show her the bedroom, then follows Gabe upstairs through the crimped wooden staircase to the brothels.

On the top floor the air feels warmer.

As Gabe led Magisna down a narrow corridor, Magisna peered over the staircase fence at his friends below.

Ais docked spoiled at Agustin on the sofa, Hendra was prying fire right now, while Dusk continued to speak. His loud voice echoed to the wooden rafters above Magisna.

"I feel like I brought a few sets of sleeping clothes," Gabe half muttered. "Let me see if there's anything you can wear. You can get sick if you don't change clothes. Your clothes are still wet, right?"

Magisna looked down upon herself. So this is what makes me feel so cold despite being in front of the fireplace, he realized. And then he felt ridiculous.

He followed Gabe into a small, white-walled guest bedroom with curtained windows leading to the front porch, double beds, dressers, and an upright-backed wooden chair beside it.

"Be careful of your head" Gabe warned, pointing out the sloping low roof.

"The blanket seemed very comfortable" said Magisna, comforted by the view of the thick maroon blanket. He can't wait to change his clothes and immediately goes under the blanket as soon as Gabe disappears out.

Gabe returned shortly afterwards with a set of nightgowns, complete with socks and a towel. "If you need something, just yell" he said. Then it disappeared before Magisna could say thank you.

It didn't take long for Magisna to take off her clothes, put on her nightgown, turn off the lights, and sneak back under the covers.

The bed now felt much softer and not too cold after he changed clothes. The springs of his mattress creaked every time he moved. But because he was too tired, he didn't care.

Finally Magisna felt comfortable and safe under that thick big blanket. He immediately fell asleep as soon as his head touched a feather pillow that was no less thick.

Magisna fell asleep without a dream and without moving. Then woke up to the sound of the front door slamming shut.

Magisna sat with her eyes wide open and listened.

There are people who go out or into the cottage, he said in his heart. Heart's pounding. He jumped out from behind the blanket and walked towards the door, pressed his forehead against the cold window glass and stared up at the porch towards the sloping lawn in front of him.

There's no one there.

It's just a dream where I'm going to wake up soon and find myself somewhere Magisna said in her heart.

He heard the floorboards below squirming.

There were people going into the cottage and were walking down there, he thought.

He tiptoed to the door of the room and opened it, then moved slowly along the corridor to the bordes.

The fire in the fireplace was almost extinguished. Dark red coals crackled and hissed between the black shadows formed by tree trunks and palm oil midges.

There was another loud creaking sound on the floor. Following the sound of coughing.

No lights on there. Anyone who was down there was deliberately walking around in the darkness.

Magisna wanted to scream, but somehow her courage was lost.

Who goes into the cabin in the middle of the night like this? Especially in a situation like this?

Who walks slowly without turning on the lights?

Magisna jumped to hear something breaking downstairs.

Is there anyone who's tampering with this place?

Is there anyone who's infiltrating here?

If all the lights go out, the cottage looks empty from the outside. Is it a lost person who infiltrates in to take shelter from the rain?

Terrible thoughts flashed through Magisna's mind. A picture of a masked man carrying a bloody axe and a chainsaw.

Magisna. The air feels much colder in the bordes. Then he decided to return to the thick and comfortable blanket.

He looked around and started to turn to his room. Then he arrived at the entrance and was stunned. His breath was stuck in his throat.

There's footsteps. Come closer.

Someone is climbing the stairs!

Magisna's instincts say she should run quickly to her room, close the door, and hide behind a blanket. But his curiosity is bigger than his fear.

The footsteps were getting closer. The wooden stairs behind him creaked increasingly louder.

Magisna froze at the door of her room. With her heart pounding, Magisna stared intently at the darkness, preparing to rush into the room if the smuggler was dangerous.

A black body figure appeared above the stairs.

Magisna realized that he was holding his breath, then exhaled slowly, still staring into the darkness with a watchful attitude.

As soon as it reached the borders, the figure moved quickly. He walked right towards Magisna.

Magisna tried to escape, but she waited too long. It's too late now.

The figure was already standing in front of Magisna, leaning towards her in the darkness.

Magisna opened her mouth, trying to scream. But the sound it makes is only a choking whisper.