Time passed quickly.
Saturday, June 05, 2026, 19.20
I checked the time, put on my gloves, took a small knife and put it into my pocket, and got ready. When I was about to leave, I took that photo again, the photo of me with my two friends, smiling, then put it back on the table, opened the door, and walked toward my meeting place with Diazo, the bridge near my school. It was probably only about 700 meters from the school, but from my house it was around 4 kilometers. Because my motorcycle was broken and left in the school parking lot, I had to walk. Asking Rengga for a ride would make him suspicious. Asking Diazo to pick me up was also not an option, because who would want a high-level criminal to know their home address.
I kept walking and eventually arrived at the meeting place. It took 30 minutes to get there. When I arrived, my leg wound felt worse because of the long distance, but I ignored it and played games on my phone as usual, an old game. The title was Kodosu, a game about placing numbers. I didn't know how to play it, but it was the only game on my phone.
Not long after, five minutes later, Diazo arrived in his car. His car looked classic with a deep black color, and it seemed like a luxury car. I was a little surprised because usually he picked me up using a cheap car, one of his subordinates' cars. Then Diazo got out of his car. His fat body was visible, wearing classic but expensive clothes and black shoes. His hair was slightly yellowish-brown.
"Yoo, ready?" Diazo said.
"Yeah, of course. Rare for you to use your personal car," I replied.
"My subordinate's car broke down. By the way, what items did you bring?" Diazo asked.
"Small knife," I answered.
Diazo looked confused, then laughed. "Hahahaha, you serious?? Big mission and you use a small knife??"
"Use that in a gangster area?? Your death, homie," Diazo said firmly.
"This is not a small mission, homie. We're dealing with gangsters, and not small ones," Diazo emphasized again.
"This is the only weapon I have at home," I replied.
"Don't use that," Diazo said. He turned to the back of his car and said, "Come here."
I approached him. He opened the trunk, and inside there were 2 kg of meth and two pistols. He took one pistol and handed it to me while saying, "Use this, and keep it for another mission."
"Why are you giving me this?" I asked.
"Before, your leg was injured because we sold to a person who wasn't even a gangster. I didn't expect him to have a gun. I feel guilty and don't want that to happen again, so this is for you," Diazo replied while pushing his hand forward, signaling me to take the gun.
I took it and said, "Alright, thanks, man."
"Welcome," Diazo replied.
He then closed the trunk and got into the car while saying, "Get in."
I followed his instruction and got into the car.
When I got inside, the car looked slightly elegant and classic from the inside. On the rearview mirror, I noticed a keychain hanging there. The keychain was too childish and feminine, a cute pink unicorn doll. I looked at Diazo with confusion, wondering why he used something like that. Diazo looked at me and said firmly, "This is not mine."
Because of that statement, my shock disappeared and I hissed, "Oowhhhh…"
Diazo smiled and said, "Cute, right? This is a gift from my older brother's daughter. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, because her mother was born there."
I just listened to his story.
"Seeing that makes me want to have a daughter and a wife. But I'm too busy with work, so I don't have any relationship with women," he continued.
"I always hope to have a family like that, homie. You're lucky, you're still young and still have a chance to have a relationship with a girl… Me… hard, bro," he said, venting.
"Maybe my older brother's daughter would suit you. She's smart and talented in the criminal field…" he joked while chuckling softly.
Hearing that, I only smiled and laughed lightly to appreciate his joke. After that laugh, the atmosphere became slightly quiet and awkward because of the previous conversation. But Diazo started making small talk again, since he was the type of person who liked talking.
"You're a native Kalimantan person, right? I'm from New Mexico, but I moved here," Diazo said casually.
I looked at Diazo and said, "I know, man. Your face is saying it," I replied jokingly.
Diazo smiled slightly and laughed softly. "Yeah, my face already saying…" he said with a laughing tone.
"You maybe know why this island, Kalimantan, changed countries. I mean, back when I was in New Mexico, Kalimantan was an island of Indonesia… but now it's part of Singapore. Why did that happen?? You know something??" he asked in a curious tone while making small talk.
I looked at him and said, "I don't know, man. According to history, this island joined Singapore in 2004, 22 years ago. I'm 17. Do you think I know?"
Diazo looked at me and then looked back at the road ahead.
"You go to school, you learn history. How would I know the history of this island?" he said.
"I'm just curious," Diazo continued.
I sighed slightly and stared straight ahead.
"Me too," I replied. "For some reason, the history is covered up. But from old people's stories, they said there was once a person. He called himself Judgement, but that doesn't exist in history books."
I paused for a moment, then continued.
"They said this Judgement wiped out all corrupt people and criminals roaming around Kalimantan. And when many corrupt officials were eliminated and almost the entire Kalimantan government collapsed because of Judgement's actions, and everything became chaotic and the Kalimantan government was very weak, the citizens separated themselves from Indonesia and initially formed their own country, Kalimantan Country. But because protection was weak at that time, Singapore took over. At first, it was contested because Kalimantan's natural resources are very abundant. But the one who managed to get this island was Singapore, because Singapore arrived earlier and made offers. Since Singapore was very advanced, most citizens agreed."
After hearing that, Diazo asked with a very curious and interested tone,
"Why did the people really want to separate from Indonesia?? And what was Judgement's purpose?"
I heard those questions and stayed silent for a moment, thinking about how to explain it. Then I continued.
"They said the people hated it because this was a rich island, but most of the citizens were poor, poverty everywhere, and there were very few serious actions from the government. Especially when they saw corruptors who were caught not being punished fairly, only a few years in prison. That made the people furious, triggering many rebellions. That's what they said. As for Judgement's purpose, it's not known. Even until now, there's no clear information about that person."
Diazo stayed silent, as if processing the story.
"Don't take it seriously. Honestly, I don't really believe it because it doesn't exist in history books. Old people say history covered it up, but I still don't believe it. Especially with Judgement's existence. Who even is he?? In my opinion, it's just bullshit from old people," I explained in a skeptical tone.
"I also think Judgement is strange. How could he fight high-ranking officials?? That's impossible," Diazo said with a similar skeptical tone.
"It's pointless too," I continued.
"What do you mean?" Diazo asked, curious.
"If it's true, it's pointless. Look at this place now, it's still dirty. That's normal. From the beginning, the human resources were very low, the culture of corruption was very strong, from corrupt class treasurers, corrupt officials here, corrupt officials there. They're crazy about money, and it ends like this. When a truck overturns and its cargo spills, instead of helping, people loot it. The culture of stealing has been strong from the start," I continued.
"You can't just blame officials in power. Before they were in power, they were ordinary people too. Try putting an ordinary citizen in that position, chances are it'll be the same," I explained again.
Diazo smiled and said, "Would you be like that too?" in a questioning yet joking tone.
I chuckled and replied, "Maybe. I'm not saying bullshit."
Diazo laughed and then focused back on the road. A lot of small talk happened until we arrived there.
************
20.41
Not long after, six minutes later, we arrived at the Vaggio gangster area. We got out of the car, took the 2 kg of meth from the back, and approached the buyer's house. It was quite crowded there, with four people hanging out at the house. I stepped forward, representing Diazo, who stayed behind me. I asked who the homeowner was.
"Where is the homeowner?" I asked them.
One of them stood up and said, "You got the goods?"
I replied, "Yeah, 2 kg, as ordered."
He approached me and took the meth, weighing it. It was exactly 2 kg. Then the homeowner asked, "Is this pure?"
Diazo answered, "Yesss, Diaz Trade guarantees it," in a firm tone.
Those four gangsters already knew about Diazo. With the guarantee of a big cartel name, they trusted him.
"We trust…" one of the four said.
They took the meth and handed over the money while saying, "As agreed, 30 SGD per gram."
They handed over a dark yellow paper package, like take-away food packaging from a restaurant.
"Inside is 60,000 SGD, 60 bills of 1,000," they explained.
I took the package and counted it. The amount was correct, according to the negotiation.
"Pleasure doing business," I said with a smile, then turned toward Diazo.
The four of them went back to having fun and opening their meth. When I turned back, I approached Diazo and handed him the package while saying, "Safe, the amount is correct."
Diazo took it and said, "Okay, mission is clear. Time to get you home."
"Just drop me at the bridge earlier," I said casually.
"Alright," Diazo said.
We got back into the car, and the car started moving again. I impatiently asked, "How much is my pay?"
But Diazo only replied, "Later, after I drop you back at that bridge."
I nodded and said, "Okay."
Now I was the one starting the small talk.
"You threatened them using your cartel name, Diaz Trade. Are all these goods really from Diaz Trade?" I asked, just to make conversation.
"Nope. I made it myself. It has nothing to do with Diaz Trade," Diazo replied.
I was slightly shocked and said, "So you haven't revealed my name in Diaz Trade at all?"
Diazo looked at me and said, "That's obvious. None of them know you work with me. If I told them, they'd label me crazy for recruiting a high school kid with nerve damage that prevents pain signals from reaching his body," Diazo replied jokingly while chuckling.
"That's right," I replied shortly, though I was slightly annoyed because all this time I worked without gaining any connections to Diaz Trade.
I continued asking, "So why do you want to sell this on your own?"
Diazo looked at me and answered, "I hate my older brother. He sees me as a lowly younger brother because I work for him. So I decided to secretly sell and build my own empire."
"Alright, that's tough," I replied.
Suddenly, Diazo spoke again.
"Isn't it strange? We've only known each other for two years, and only done missions together a few times because I'm busy with Diaz Trade. Since you lost your parents two years ago. I've only given you missions maybe five times. But I easily tell you all this, Nacha. It feels like there's destiny tying us together."
I looked to the side, out the car window, and said,
"Destiny… or coincidence?"
"Destiny… I think," Diazo replied briefly.
Diazo seemed like he wanted to open another small talk. "Btw, we rarely work together… How do you survive without a job or income?" Diazo asked curiously. I looked at him and replied briefly, "Thief." Diazo hissed, "Ooohh," and nodded as if he understood that one word. Diazo didn't ask anything else until eight minutes later, when we arrived back at the initial meeting point.
**********
21.28 Night
Diazo got out of the car, as did I. Diazo said, "Are you sure you don't want me to take you all the way home?? Your leg is still injured."
"No problem, I don't want to make my neighbors suspicious," I replied calmly.
"Alright, this is your payment," he said, handing over 1,000 SGD from the 60,000. I was slightly angry and said, "Just this??" in a confused and annoyed tone.
"Yeah, that's your payment," Diazo replied briefly.
"Out of 60 only 1?? A 1 to 60 ratio??? Are you sick??!!" I asked angrily.
"Chill bro, this one again," he said while handing me another 1,000 SGD bill.
I was still annoyed because I felt my payment should have been around 10,000. Diazo immediately got into the car and said, "Be grateful for that salary, homie. Relax, and another mission is big, maybe."
I was still angry about the payment. Somehow my heart was filled with rage and the urge to do something. I approached Diazo's car, and Diazo rolled down the window.
"What now??" Diazo asked.
I stared at him for a while. Diazo looked slightly confused by my behavior.
"You know, maybe you're right, destiny brought us together," I said, while pointing the pistol he had given me earlier and shooting him right in the head twice.
"BANG, BANG."
The sound was very clear, but because the place was very quiet and suitable for secret meetings, no one saw it. Diazo died inside the car, with blood flowing everywhere.
"Bad destiny," I replied briefly.
I immediately took the paper containing the 58,000 and dragged Diazo toward the back seat. I started driving the car. Even though I had never driven a car before, I could do it because I had paid attention to how Diazo drove. I looked at my reflection in the upper mirror of the car. Now the unicorn was stained with Diazo's blood. I stared into my eyes in the mirror, while also looking at Diazo's dead body lying in the back seat.
"Are you satisfied now, huh?? Greedy pig," I said angrily.
"First, the pay was small. Second, it was pathetic. Third, it was unfair. The fourth one wasn't even enough to heal my injury, which forced me to sacrifice my savings for it. Now?? A 2 to 60 ratio?? You piece of shit!!!!"
I continued driving, very confused and panicked about what to do with the body, but then I got a sudden idea. I took Diazo to a road that was quite deserted near my school, not exactly near, about 3 km from my school. Even in the afternoon it was usually quiet, especially at night.
I got out, opened the back car door, then moved Diazo back to the front seat that was soaked in blood, while taking Diazo's phone. Then I took one more pistol from the back. When I checked the back area of the car again, I found several pistol bullets there, so I took those bullets.
I stepped back a bit, then shot the car from the opposite direction using both pistols to make it look as if Diazo was shot while driving. I fired several shots at the front seat area and punctured the tires until the two left-side tires were flat. Then I walked away, leaving the car.
I went to the nearest river and destroyed his phone until it could no longer be repaired, destroying the embedded memory of the phone as well as the internet card, then threw all of it into the river so that evidence of my meeting with Diazo could not be found by other cartels trying to find out who killed Diazo.
My gloves were soaked in blood, and luckily my clothes were dark red, especially in the middle of the night, which made people unable to notice the blood on my clothes. I began to remove my gloves, put them into my pocket, and left the place. The streets were very quiet, allowing me to return home without suspicion.
When I arrived at the housing area, 50 minutes later, around 23.03, I saw Rengga outside his house preparing for something. Seeing that, I immediately approached him and said, "Yooo my N word, what's you doing man," greeting and asking him at the same time. I saw Rengga wearing black clothes and gloves.
"Searching for money," he replied briefly.
"This late??" I asked curiously.
"Yeah, when people are asleep," he replied again.
"Thief??" I asked casually.
"Yeah man, like you," he replied. "Now that's the only way I can survive with an addict father and a stressed mother. She always asks me for money to buy meth. I always refuse, but she also always steals the money I keep in my room," he continued.
"Don't steal again tonight, bro," I said, handing him 2,000 while saying, "I know this isn't much, but I want to help you," in a calming tone toward Rengga.
"What, 2,000?? How did you get that, nigga??" Rengga asked in confusion.
"This is a lot for people like us who live in the poverty circle," I continued.
"Thief, like before," I replied briefly with a slight laugh.
I patted Rengga's shoulder while saying, "Don't think too much about it, nigga. I'm your friend, and do something to change your life."
"Change?? Like stealing thousands??" Rengga replied.
"Maybe, next time want together??" I asked, inviting him.
"Alright, next time," Rengga replied briefly.
"Get ready tomorrow, take me back to school and then to the nearest workshop," I said. "Okay nigga." Rengga replied.
I went back into the house and threw the blood-stained gloves I had kept in my pants pocket into the trash bin. I put the money under the bed and placed my phone on the table while saying, "New phone, fixing the bike… Tomorrow seems like it's going to be fun." I said happily, then cleaned myself in the kitchen and celebrated as if forgetting the fact that I had just killed someone. There was no guilt at all inside me.
To be continued.