The Scream of the Night

By: 

Fiqih Mayasir

Muhammad Khairil Rizki

Muhammad Raisunnadhif

In a pesantren nestled deep within Aceh, an annual event known as the Santri Camp was eagerly anticipated by all young scouts. Among the many thrilling activities, one stood out for its eerie yet exhilarating experience—the Jurit Malam or Scream of the Night. This event took place in the dead of night, between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, testing both the courage and resilience of its participants. One scout, a determined and brave young boy, prepared himself for the daunting challenge that awaited him in the dark wilderness.

As the night deepened, the exhausted scouts, having spent the day engaging in various activities, were abruptly awakened and gathered in a vast open field. There, under the dim moonlight, they listened to spine-chilling mystical stories meant to test their nerves. Soon, instructions were given—the participants had to navigate through multiple stations, each with its own challenges and eerie surprises.

The young scout's journey began as he was tasked with walking 300 meters to the first station. As he trudged through the darkness, a soft whispering sound emerged from nowhere, resembling the sobbing of a woman. The eerie noise sent shivers down his spine, but he steeled his nerves and continued, refusing to be distracted. Upon reaching the first station, he was handed a glass of water and given a new mission: to transport it to the second station without spilling a drop.

He pressed forward, now heading westward for 500 meters. As he walked, the distant barking of dogs echoed through the night, followed by the sound of footsteps behind him. His grip on the glass tightened as his heart pounded. Suddenly, three shadowy figures emerged from behind, chasing him relentlessly. In sheer panic, he let out a loud scream—"Aaaaaahhhh!"—and sprinted forward. Without realizing it, he had reached the second station. His trembling hands handed over the glass, now containing only a quarter of its original content, to an elderly instructor with deep knife scars on his face. The instructor, unfazed, gave him a new task: to deliver a semaphore flag to the third station as proof of completing the "Scream of the Night" mission.

Now facing the most gruelling part of his journey, he ventured northward for 600 meters. The trees around him seemed to whisper, their rustling leaves forming ghostly murmurs. In the distance, he saw a figure in white hanging from a tree, swaying eerily. He clenched his fists and forced himself to move forward. As he continued, he was also tasked with counting his steps—a challenge that required unwavering focus.

Halfway through, he encountered another chilling sight—a figure in a black cloak standing still, watching him intently. A cold chill ran down his spine, but he refused to stop. He focused on his step count while ignoring the wailing cries emerging from the nearby bushes. With sheer determination, he pressed on, finally reaching the third station and reporting the total number of steps—920. He handed over the semaphore flag, successfully completing the challenge.

With his mission accomplished, the scout felt an overwhelming sense of relief and pride. He had braved the night’s horrors, faced his fears, and persevered against the unknown. His fellow scouts greeted him with cheers, recognizing his courage and endurance.

The Jurit Malam was more than just a test of bravery—it was a lesson in resilience, courage, and the power of perseverance. The scout learned that fear is just an illusion that can be conquered with determination and focus. As the night faded into dawn, he stood among his peers, not just as a participant, but as a symbol of fearlessness in the face of the unknown.

The Weight of Responsibility

By: 

Farah Dara Humaira

Nur Faizah Karimah

Zhayyan Nagania

Mistakes—everyone makes them. They are a natural part of life, something inevitable for every human being. However, not everyone perceives mistakes the same way. Some people choose to learn from them, while others react with anger and resentment. This realization struck me deeply on a particular Tuesday night after the Isya prayer, when the security and language division gathered all the students in the field to announce punishments for those who had violated the Pesantren's (Islamic boarding school) rules.

As we stood there in silence, waiting for an explanation of our offenses, the organizers instead hurled harsh words at us—words that no santri should ever speak. Their tone was filled with anger, making us feel as though they had never made mistakes themselves. Frustration filled our hearts. Wasn’t making mistakes a natural thing? Despite our resentment, we chose to accept their words with patience. Reacting with anger would only make matters worse, and no amount of protest would change their decision. So, we endured it all with sincerity, even though deep inside, we felt humiliated.

Days turned into months, and months into years. Eventually, we found ourselves on the other side—we became members of the pesantren’s organizational board, OPDAL. With our new positions came responsibilities we had never imagined. We were now the ones in charge of maintaining discipline, enforcing rules, and reading out verdicts. To our surprise, when we announced the names of rule-breakers, we noticed a troubling pattern—many of the violators were the same individuals, repeatedly disregarding the rules. This cycle of disobedience wore us down.

Without realizing it, frustration crept into our voices. The same harsh words that once wounded us now escaped our own lips. We had become the very people we once resented. Only then did we truly understand our seniors' struggles. The burden of discipline was heavier than we had ever imagined. Enforcing rules was not easy, especially when faced with students who showed no desire to change.

Through this experience, we learned an invaluable lesson. Mistakes are indeed natural, but repeating the same mistakes over and over again can make others lose patience with us. We realized that while enforcing discipline is necessary, it should be done with wisdom and kindness. Being in a position of authority does not give us the right to belittle others; instead, it gives us the responsibility to guide them towards improvement with patience and understanding.

Everyone makes mistakes—that is part of being human. However, true growth comes from learning and striving not to repeat them. As leaders, our words hold power, and it is important to use them wisely. Even in moments of frustration, we must remember to speak with kindness, for a leader’s strength lies not in harshness but in the ability to inspire change with respect and compassion.

The Night Picket's Secret Adventure

By:

David Saputra

Muhammad Arif

Nabil Al-Fikri

Muhammad Arifin I. S

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon, marking the first week of the 4th intensive class at the Modern Pesantren Al Falah Abu Lam U. As part of their responsibilities, the students were assigned to night picket duty, tasked with guarding the pesantren from internal and external threats. Excited and enthusiastic, they gathered under the supervision of Akhi from the security department, who distributed them into night picket groups. On Sunday night, Group 1 and Group 2, along with Class 3, were scheduled for duty.

That evening, Group 1 took charge of the first night patrol. However, they quickly grew bored of simply walking around the pesantren. To pass the time, they helped the 6th graders paint the Japanese building, earning fried food and coffee as a reward. When it was time for Group 2 to take over, they were reluctant to get up, causing Akhi to lose his patience and wake them up forcefully. Still groggy, they hurriedly got ready for duty.

While Group 2 patrolled, the security officer, exhausted from painting, fell asleep, giving them the freedom to roam around. Spotting a bulldozer on the soccer field, which was being refilled with new soil, they decided to play with it, enjoying their newfound distraction. Suddenly, the eerie sound of chairs shifting echoed from the Malaysia building. Turning toward the noise, they spotted a small, shadowy Tuyul and a pale woman wearing a headscarf. In the blink of an eye, she vanished, leaving only her scarf behind. Curiosity got the better of them, and they cautiously checked inside the building, only to find silence.