Don’t Read this Novel

Suraya got off the car. She adjusted neatly her hijab. Then, Adib came down from the passenger’s seat while holding a novel with a black cover. He held Suraya’s hand and together they walked into a mental treatment centre.

“How are you doing, Munir?” asked Suraya while rubbing Munir’s cold and coarse hand. Munir was silent. His face looked weak and his lips were pale. His eyes kept focusing on empty air.

“Munir… Adib had been excited to see you since last week. He missed you. He even brought you a gift, you know? Adib, go on, give brother Munir the thing you brought him.” Suraya ordered Adib softly.

Adib stood up and went closer to Munir who was still frozen solid. He held forward a black novel to Munir.

“Here, brother Munir. I know that you like reading this novel, right. So I brought it in case you want to read. Who knows, maybe you’d be bored staying here…” said Adib. Suraya smiled when hearing Adib’s sweet words. Oh how much he cared for Munir.

Munir stared at the novel long before taking it. Without saying anything, Munir stood up and went back to his room.

Suraya and Adib sighed. Although they were disappointed, they knew that was not Munir’s true self. He was sick. Being at that place would help cure his illness. In the end, the two decided to just go back home and visit again next week.

Munir entered his room. He needed to do something about the novel so he decided to tear it page by page. However, something strange happened. The thin and nearly-rotting paper did not budge even a bit. With dread, Munir threw the novel into a trash bin. He then jumped onto his bed and balled himself in fear. Munir grabbed a pillow to cover his face. However, just as Munir raised the pillow, he saw the novel neatly laying there on the bed.

Munir got up and looked into the trash bin. The novel was gone. Munir tried trashing the novel a few more times but it was in vain. The novel would end up appearing on his bed or in his hands every time.

Munir was confused. He did not know what to do. The novel was indestructible.

Then, Munir got an idea. He slashed the tip of his index finger using a mirror in his room until blood sprayed out.

With the blood heavily flowing out of his finger, Munir wrote something on the cover of the novel which had been empty and without title all this time.

On the black cover of the novel. Munir wrote…

‘DON’T READ THIS NOVEL’

That evening, Munir sat in the garden while enjoying the breeze. This was the time when patients were allowed to go out of their room and do some recreational activities. It would help their treatment. Munir held the now titled black novel in his hand. Titled with his own blood. As a warning for those who would find the novel in the future. Suddenly, someone greeted Munir.

“Hi…” said the person while sitting next to Munir on the same bench.

“Hi…” replied Munir.

“Reading a book?”

Munir shook his head while his eyes focused on the novel.

“Can I take a look?”

“No!” said Munir with a high tone. He hugged the novel tight, fearful of it falling into others’ hands.

“Why?”

“This novel is dangerous…”

“Don’t worry. I’m used to it. I’m actually an author. My name is Ismi Fa Ismail. You can call me Ismi…” said the person while holding out his hand for a handshake.

Munir observed Ismi’s hand without any desire to touch it. Ismi then pulled it back.

“So… can I have a look?” asked Ismi again.

“You can. But you have to promise me something.”

“What is it?”

“Once you’re done reading it, you have to destroy it. If possible, just burn it!”

Ismi furrowed his eyebrows.

“Why?”

“Just do it! If not, I’m not giving you this novel. I’ll hold onto it until I die!” Munir snapped.

“Okay, okay, relax… I’ll do as you say.”

“Promise?”

“Sure…”

“You have to promise me!”

“I promise.”

Munir then passed the novel to Ismi. Though he was hesitant, he was relieved at the same time. At the very least, the novel was no longer his problem.

Ismi then examined the old novel. Its contents were handwritten while the title was written with dark red liquid.

“Don’t read this novel…” Ismi read the title out loud.

“An interesting title. May I know who the author is?” he asked Munir.

Munir shook his head slowly.

Ismi nodded. Though he felt weird, he realised that he shouldn’t expect anything more considering the ‘strangeness’ of this place. It’s a hospital for crazy people after all.

Ismi stood up. He kept the novel in his sling bag.

“Thanks for giving me this novel. No matter what, I hope that you will quickly recover.”

“I’m not sick. The book made me sick.”

“Okay… Now that you’ve given me this novel, it means that don’t have to be sick any more, right? You’ll definitely recover after this. Let me be the one who becomes sick next. Hehehe…” said Ismi while laughing jokingly. However, Munir kept his silence. His face was blank without any reaction.

Ismi sighed. He made a joke and yet it went unappreciated.

As he arrived back home, not even bothering to change his clothes, Ismi immediately took out the novel and tossed himself on the bed. Ismi opened the black novel. Without warning, a nauseating stench assaulted his nostrils. Ismi closed the novel quickly. Then, he opened it again. Again, the strong smell attacked his brain.

“Why in the world is this book so stinky?”

Ismi wondered. He looked at the novel’s cover. Observing the title closely. He smelled it. Smells fishy.

“It’s like blood… Don’t tell me?!”

Ismi grabbed his phone and called Zack, a friend of his that worked in a science lab.

Not long after, Ismi went to where Zack worked at to ask for his help. Before that, though, he stopped at a writing supplies store to make a copy of the novel. When giving the book back to Ismi, the worker complained that the book was too smelly to the point that he had a headache.

As he was waiting for Zack to come downstairs, Ismi sat in the waiting room while massaging his head that was starting to feel heavy. Ismi understood what the shop worker was getting at. The stench of the novel was indeed headache-inducing.

“Oi! What’s wrong?” Zack greeted.

“Not sure. I’m having a headache,” said Ismi while observing the novel.

“What book is that?” asked Zack.

“A novel. But I think that it’s this novel that’s giving me a headache.

“Huh? Why? Is the story too complicated?”

“No. I’m literally having a headache. Maybe because of its smell,” said Ismi while opening the novel and shoved it into Zack’s face. Zack pushed the book aside and covered his nose.

“Damn, that stinks…” said Zack.

“Told you so. Can you help me check what kind of ink was used to write this book? Then test the red ink used on the cover. I’m pretty sure it’s blood,” said Ismi indifferently.

Zack watched Ismi with a dissatisfied expression.

“Is this kid crazy…?” expressed Zack.

“Maybe… I did just come back from a mental hospital after all.”

“What did you go there for?”

“Research for my next novel. Coincidentally, I found a man who was holding this novel. I asked to borrow it since it looked strange and by the end of it, he just gave it to me. So I just took it.”

“I see… Okay then. I have to go back to work. Give me the book. I’ll examine it when I have the time,” said Zack.

“Alright. Thanks, Zack. Oh yeah, there’s one thing I want to remind you of.”

“What?”

“Be sure to wear a face mask when testing the book, kay?”

“Hah… I’m used to smelling weird things. It’s the nature of my work as a toxicologist.”

“Still… just be careful, okay?” reminded Ismi.

“You bet!”

A week later…

Ismi finished reading the copy of the novel. The contents were a compilation of unrelated stories. They weren’t that interesting. Just so-so. Perhaps even boring. However, it was the things surrounding the novel that grabbed his attention. For example, the state of the novel itself that was fully handwritten. There’s also the claim of the man from the mental hospital that said it was the novel that made him sick. It was to the point that he wanted Ismi to destroy the novel. The strangeness increased with that stench coming from the novel.

Ismi’s phone rang. Zack’s name appeared on the display.

“Hellow!” Ismi answered.

“Hohoi…!” replied Zack.

“So?”

“Yup. I’ve processed the book. It’s really a piece of work. You are not going to believe what I got from it.”

“I’m listening…”

“First of all, the title on the cover that says ‘DON’T READ THIS NOVEL’ was really blood.”

“Yup. I thought so.”

“But that’s not the strangest thing about the book. I tested the ink used to write the book just like you asked. I did many tests on it and yet I was unable to determine just what made the novel so smelly. In the end, I gave up. So I asked my boss who’s more experienced than me for help.”

“And…?” asked Ismi who was clearly excited in knowing the answer.

“Apparently… the ink used to write the novel was mixed with a kind of drug.”

“Drug?”

“Yes. A drug that’s rarely found because of its dangerous nature. And don’t bother asking me about the name of the drug because even I can’t pronounce it. What I know is that it’s very dangerous.”

“Dangerous how?”

“Anyone who inhales the drug, especially in large amounts, is prone to hallucinate. They would see and experience things that never existed. If they continue to inhale this drug for a long time, they could they could develop a critical mental illness, schizophrenia. It makes someone live in a fantasy filled with strange and unrealistic things. However, they would feel that these fantasies are actually real.”

“Maybe that’s what happened to the man in the mental hospital… Can he recover?”

“He can. Once he stopped inhaling the drug, that is. In this case, the one within the ink used to write the novel.”

“I see…”

“So, what are you going to do with the book?” asked Zack.

“Destroy it.”

“I agree. It’s dangerous,” supported Zack.

“Yup. Who knows how many people had become crazy reading the novel…” expressed Ismi.

“Yeah. I’ll help you destroy the novel later.”

“Thanks, Zack.”

“Welcome. When is your new novel coming out? I really liked the last one. The one title ‘Love Out of this World’.

“Heheh… thanks. But I think I’m going to delay the release of that novel.”

“Why?”

“I want to publish this novel first.”

“Huh? The novel that makes people crazy? Ismi… I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Hey now… it’s not like I’m giving people the original. They’re going to read its print.”

“Hmm… Up to you…”

“Okay then. I have to go. I’m going to visit the guy at the mental hospital.”

“What for?”

“If I want to publish this novel, I would need his permission first. And I’m planning to ask for some extra input and details about the novel. For editing. Anyway, thanks, Zack.”

“Yup. Good luck, Ismi.”

Zack cut the line. He headed to the lab next door where he left the ‘poisoned’ novel. He intended to take the novel and burn it at that very moment, afraid that it would fall into someone’s hand. However, just as Zack opened the drawer where he kept the novel, it was not there. Zack searched the whole lab for it but it was still not found. The novel was gone.

Zack was confused. He started thinking in the middle of the dark lab. He stood still for a long time until he heard a soft whisper. It felt so close yet so far from his ears.

Zack looked around. No one. Suddenly, Zack felt a touch on his shoulder. A touch from behind. From small and cold fingers. Zack turned around. There was a woman with long hair standing right in front of him now. Her head was facing downwards. The woman’s wet hair covered her face. She was covered with only a blue batik. Her body was drenched.

“Miss… Can I help you?” asked Zack.

The woman nodded with a smile. Then, with her bluish fingers, she held Zack’s face that showed his fear and whispered…

“From now on… you will help me obtain my revenge against those who made me like this…”

“Make you like what?” asked Zack.

“Like this…” said the woman while looking down and rubbing her swollen belly.

Zack gulped. He had just realised something. Blue batik. Pregnant. He knew the woman.

“You are… said Zack with a shaky voice.

“Yes…” replied the woman while breaking into a cry. The cry that slowly became a pained weeping until finally, it transformed into a roar of anger. The woman yelled at the top of her lungs until it hurt Zack’s ears, making him cover both ears with his hands. The woman kept yelling with her mouth wide open. It was so wide that it showed her black teeth and bloody tongue. The woman’s scream kept increasing in volume. The more time passed, the louder it became until finally, her body caught on a fire that enveloped her body from head to toe. The woman writhed in pain.

Zack tried running but the woman who was being devoured by the fire was quick in grabbing his hand. She pulled Zack into her embrace and slowly… they burnt together. Zack could feel the fire flowing from the woman to himself. As if they were becoming one.

In the blink of an eye, everything disappeared. Things returned to what they were before. The woman was gone while Zack was left confused while touching his body. Everything was fine.

Zack wiped the sweat covering his face while trying to understand what had just happened. It couldn’t be that he started hallucinating because of the novel? All this while, he had been wearing a face mask while testing the novel so it was impossible for him to inhale the drug in the novel.

While muddled, Zack exited, leaving the lab. He wanted to go back home and yet for some reason, on the way back, Zack felt as if there was someone behind him tailing him.

Zack looked back. No one. There was only a dark and silent alley. Even so, Zack could still feel the presence of someone. Thus, Zack summoned…

“Anom…?”

No answer. There was only the blowing of the warm wind, even though the night was cold. The friendly wind greeted his body. Zack smiled. He waved to something that was not there. Then, he continued his journey.

Don't Read this NovelSuraya got off the car. She adjusted neatly her hijab. Then, Adib came down from the passenger's seat while holding a novel with a black cover. He held Suraya's hand and together they walked into a mental treatment centre.How are you doing, Munir? asked Suraya while rubbing Munir's cold and coarse hand. Munir was silent. His face looked weak and his lips were pale. His eyes kept focusing on empty air.Munir Adib had been excited to see you since last week. He missed you. He even brought you a gift, you know? Adib, go on, give brother Munir the thing you brought him. Suraya ordered Adib softly.Adib stood up and went closer to Munir who was still frozen solid. He held forward a black novel to Munir.Here, brother Munir. I know that you like reading this novel, right. So I brought it in case you want to read. Who knows, maybe you'd be bored staying here said Adib. Suraya smiled when hearing Adib's sweet words. Oh how much he cared for Munir.Munir stared at the novel long before taking it. Without saying anything, Munir stood up and went back to his room.Suraya and Adib sighed. Although they were disappointed, they knew that was not Munir's true self. He was sick. Being at that place would help cure his illness. In the end, the two decided to just go back home and visit again next week.Munir entered his room. He needed to do something about the novel so he decided to tear it page by page. However, something strange happened. The thin and nearly-rotting paper did not budge even a bit. With dread, Munir threw the novel into a trash bin. He then jumped onto his bed and balled himself in fear. Munir grabbed a pillow to cover his face. However, just as Munir raised the pillow, he saw the novel neatly laying there on the bed.Munir got up and looked into the trash bin. The novel was gone. Munir tried trashing the novel a few more times but it was in vain. The novel would end up appearing on his bed or in his hands every time.Munir was confused. He did not know what to do. The novel was indestructible.Then, Munir got an idea. He slashed the tip of his index finger using a mirror in his room until blood sprayed out.With the blood heavily flowing out of his finger, Munir wrote something on the cover of the novel which had been empty and without title all this time.On the black cover of the novel. Munir wroteDON'T READ THIS NOVEL'That evening, Munir sat in the garden while enjoying the breeze. This was the time when patients were allowed to go out of their room and do some recreational activities. It would help their treatment. Munir held the now titled black novel in his hand. Titled with his own blood. As a warning for those who would find the novel in the future. Suddenly, someone greeted Munir.Hi said the person while sitting next to Munir on the same bench.Hi replied Munir.Reading a book?Munir shook his head while his eyes focused on the novel.Can I take a look?No! said Munir with a high tone. He hugged the novel tight, fearful of it falling into others' hands.Why?This novel is dangerousDon't worry. I'm used to it. I'm actually an author. My name is Ismi Fa Ismail. You can call me Ismi said the person while holding out his hand for a handshake.Munir observed Ismi's hand without any desire to touch it. Ismi then pulled it back.So can I have a look? asked Ismi again.You can. But you have to promise me something.What is it?Once you're done reading it, you have to destroy it. If possible, just burn it!Ismi furrowed his eyebrows.Why?Just do it! If not, I'm not giving you this novel. I'll hold onto it until I die! Munir snapped.Okay, okay, relax I'll do as you say.Promise?SureYou have to promise me!I promise.Munir then passed the novel to Ismi. Though he was hesitant, he was relieved at the same time. At the very least, the novel was no longer his problem.Ismi then examined the old novel. Its contents were handwritten while the title was written with dark red liquid.Don't read this novel Ismi read the title out loud.An interesting title. May I know who the author is? he asked Munir.Munir shook his head slowly.Ismi nodded. Though he felt weird, he realised that he shouldn't expect anything more considering the strangeness' of this place. It's a hospital for crazy people after all.Ismi stood up. He kept the novel in his sling bag.Thanks for giving me this novel. No matter what, I hope that you will quickly recover.I'm not sick. The book made me sick.Okay Now that you've given me this novel, it means that don't have to be sick any more, right? You'll definitely recover after this. Let me be the one who becomes sick next. Hehehe said Ismi while laughing jokingly. However, Munir kept his silence. His face was blank without any reaction.Ismi sighed. He made a joke and yet it went unappreciated.As he arrived back home, not even bothering to change his clothes, Ismi immediately took out the novel and tossed himself on the bed. Ismi opened the black novel. Without warning, a nauseating stench assaulted his nostrils. Ismi closed the novel quickly. Then, he opened it again. Again, the strong smell attacked his brain.Why in the world is this book so stinky?Ismi wondered. He looked at the novel's cover. Observing the title closely. He smelled it. Smells fishy.It's like blood Don't tell me?!Ismi grabbed his phone and called Zack, a friend of his that worked in a science lab.Not long after, Ismi went to where Zack worked at to ask for his help. Before that, though, he stopped at a writing supplies store to make a copy of the novel. When giving the book back to Ismi, the worker complained that the book was too smelly to the point that he had a headache.As he was waiting for Zack to come downstairs, Ismi sat in the waiting room while massaging his head that was starting to feel heavy. Ismi understood what the shop worker was getting at. The stench of the novel was indeed headache-inducing.Oi! What's wrong? Zack greeted.Not sure. I'm having a headache, said Ismi while observing the novel.What book is that? asked Zack.A novel. But I think that it's this novel that's giving me a headache.Huh? Why? Is the story too complicated?No. I'm literally having a headache. Maybe because of its smell, said Ismi while opening the novel and shoved it into Zack's face. Zack pushed the book aside and covered his nose.Damn, that stinks said Zack.Told you so. Can you help me check what kind of ink was used to write this book? Then test the red ink used on the cover. I'm pretty sure it's blood, said Ismi indifferently.Zack watched Ismi with a dissatisfied expression.Is this kid crazy? expressed Zack.Maybe I did just come back from a mental hospital after all.What did you go there for?Research for my next novel. Coincidentally, I found a man who was holding this novel. I asked to borrow it since it looked strange and by the end of it, he just gave it to me. So I just took it.I see Okay then. I have to go back to work. Give me the book. I'll examine it when I have the time, said Zack.Alright. Thanks, Zack. Oh yeah, there's one thing I want to remind you of.What?Be sure to wear a face mask when testing the book, kay?Hah I'm used to smelling weird things. It's the nature of my work as a toxicologist.Still just be careful, okay? reminded Ismi.You bet!A week laterIsmi finished reading the copy of the novel. The contents were a compilation of unrelated stories. They weren't that interesting. Just so-so. Perhaps even boring. However, it was the things surrounding the novel that grabbed his attention. For example, the state of the novel itself that was fully handwritten. There's also the claim of the man from the mental hospital that said it was the novel that made him sick. It was to the point that he wanted Ismi to destroy the novel. The strangeness increased with that stench coming from the novel.Ismi's phone rang. Zack's name appeared on the display.Hellow! Ismi answered.Hohoi! replied Zack.So?Yup. I've processed the book. It's really a piece of work. You are not going to believe what I got from it.I'm listeningFirst of all, the title on the cover that says DON'T READ THIS NOVEL' was really blood.Yup. I thought so.But that's not the strangest thing about the book. I tested the ink used to write the book just like you asked. I did many tests on it and yet I was unable to determine just what made the novel so smelly. In the end, I gave up. So I asked my boss who's more experienced than me for help.And? asked Ismi who was clearly excited in knowing the answer.Apparently the ink used to write the novel was mixed with a kind of drug.Drug?Yes. A drug that's rarely found because of its dangerous nature. And don't bother asking me about the name of the drug because even I can't pronounce it. What I know is that it's very dangerous.Dangerous how?Anyone who inhales the drug, especially in large amounts, is prone to hallucinate. They would see and experience things that never existed. If they continue to inhale this drug for a long time, they could they could develop a critical mental illness, schizophrenia. It makes someone live in a fantasy filled with strange and unrealistic things. However, they would feel that these fantasies are actually real.Maybe that's what happened to the man in the mental hospital Can he recover?He can. Once he stopped inhaling the drug, that is. In this case, the one within the ink used to write the novel.I seeSo, what are you going to do with the book? asked Zack.Destroy it.I agree. It's dangerous, supported Zack.Yup. Who knows how many people had become crazy reading the novel expressed Ismi.Yeah. I'll help you destroy the novel later.Thanks, Zack.Welcome. When is your new novel coming out? I really liked the last one. The one title Love Out of this World'.Heheh thanks. But I think I'm going to delay the release of that novel.Why?I want to publish this novel first.Huh? The novel that makes people crazy? Ismi I don't think that's such a good idea.Hey now it's not like I'm giving people the original. They're going to read its print.Hmm Up to youOkay then. I have to go. I'm going to visit the guy at the mental hospital.What for?If I want to publish this novel, I would need his permission first. And I'm planning to ask for some extra input and details about the novel. For editing. Anyway, thanks, Zack.Yup. Good luck, Ismi.Zack cut the line. He headed to the lab next door where he left the poisoned' novel. He intended to take the novel and burn it at that very moment, afraid that it would fall into someone's hand. However, just as Zack opened the drawer where he kept the novel, it was not there. Zack searched the whole lab for it but it was still not found. The novel was gone.Zack was confused. He started thinking in the middle of the dark lab. He stood still for a long time until he heard a soft whisper. It felt so close yet so far from his ears.Zack looked around. No one. Suddenly, Zack felt a touch on his shoulder. A touch from behind. From small and cold fingers. Zack turned around. There was a woman with long hair standing right in front of him now. Her head was facing downwards. The woman's wet hair covered her face. She was covered with only a blue batik. Her body was drenched.Miss Can I help you? asked Zack.The woman nodded with a smile. Then, with her bluish fingers, she held Zack's face that showed his fear and whisperedFrom now on you will help me obtain my revenge against those who made me like thisMake you like what? asked Zack.Like this said the woman while looking down and rubbing her swollen belly.Zack gulped. He had just realised something. Blue batik. Pregnant. He knew the woman.You are said Zack with a shaky voice.Yes replied the woman while breaking into a cry. The cry that slowly became a pained weeping until finally, it transformed into a roar of anger. The woman yelled at the top of her lungs until it hurt Zack's ears, making him cover both ears with his hands. The woman kept yelling with her mouth wide open. It was so wide that it showed her black teeth and bloody tongue. The woman's scream kept increasing in volume. The more time passed, the louder it became until finally, her body caught on a fire that enveloped her body from head to toe. The woman writhed in pain.Zack tried running but the woman who was being devoured by the fire was quick in grabbing his hand. She pulled Zack into her embrace and slowly they burnt together. Zack could feel the fire flowing from the woman to himself. As if they were becoming one.In the blink of an eye, everything disappeared. Things returned to what they were before. The woman was gone while Zack was left confused while touching his body. Everything was fine.Zack wiped the sweat covering his face while trying to understand what had just happened. It couldn't be that he started hallucinating because of the novel? All this while, he had been wearing a face mask while testing the novel so it was impossible for him to inhale the drug in the novel.While muddled, Zack exited, leaving the lab. He wanted to go back home and yet for some reason, on the way back, Zack felt as if there was someone behind him tailing him.Zack looked back. No one. There was only a dark and silent alley. Even so, Zack could still feel the presence of someone. Thus, Zack summonedAnom?No answer. There was only the blowing of the warm wind, even though the night was cold. The friendly wind greeted his body. Zack smiled. He waved to something that was not there. Then, he continued his journey.