June 4, 2025 – Noon at the Library
Honeycake Mastiff, a female Tibetan Mastiff, and Jerry Scutt, a male Akita, were seated at their favorite corner of the local library, engrossed in their respective books. The quiet hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of pages filled the serene space.
Outside, a silver 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport pulled into the parking lot. Adam William Campbell, a male Pug and a close friend of Richard Border Collie, Bandit Custard Heeler, Lukas Anthony Weaver, and Yafie Achmad Raihan, stepped out. He carried a stack of overdue books and hurriedly walked into the library.
Inside, as Adam made his way to the return desk, he accidentally bumped into Jerry, causing the books to tumble to the floor.
"Oh, sorry, mate." Adam said.
"No worries, mate." Jerry said.
Jerry crouched down to help Adam gather the scattered books. Together, they returned the pile to Adam's arms, and Jerry accompanied him to the desk where Mary Pyrenees, the female Great Pyrenees librarian, greeted them with a warm smile.
"Thanks for the help, mate. I'm Adam, by the way." Adam said, introducing himself to Jerry.
"I'm Scutt—Jerry Scutt." Jerry said introduces himself to Adam.
As the two shook hands, a voice called out from the nearby shelves.
"Jerry, who's that?" Honeycake said.
Honeycake Mastiff approached them, her elegant demeanor catching Adam's attention.
"Hello, ma'am. I'm Adam Campbell." Adam said.
"Adam and I just had a bit of an accident with his books. I was helping him out." Jerry said.
"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you, Adam." Honeycake said.
"Nice to meet you too, Honeycake... is it?" Adam said.
"Honeycake Mastiff." Honeycake said, introducing herself.
Adam smiled and turned back to the librarian. After Mary processed his overdue books, Adam gave a quick nod of thanks.
"Thanks, librarian. Well, I've got to run—heading to the hospital to check on some friends. Bye, Jerry. Bye, Honeycake." Adam said.
"Bye, Adam. Take care." Honeycake said as she waved.
As Adam exited the library and returned to his silver Pajero Sport, both Jerry and Honeycake exchanged puzzled glances.
"Hospital? Wonder what that's about." Jerry said, curiousity struck on his mind.
"Should we...?" Honeycake said.
"Follow him? Yeah, I'm curious." Jerry said.
With a shared nod, they left their books behind and headed to Honeycake's red 2013 Nissan X-Trail. As Adam drove off toward the hospital, the two tailed him at a discreet distance, determined to uncover what had prompted his visit.
On the Road to the Hospital
The drive was uneventful, with Adam oblivious to the fact that Jerry and Honeycake were following him. Inside the X-Trail, Jerry chuckled.
"This feels like a detective movie. Hope we're not overstepping." Jerry said.
"If we are, we'll apologize. But something about that guy... I just feel there's more to his story." Honeycake said.
As the hospital came into view, Adam parked his car and headed inside. Jerry and Honeycake exchanged a quick glance before finding a parking spot of their own.
At the Hospital
Jerry and Honeycake entered the hospital, unsure of what they were looking for. They spotted Adam speaking with a nurse at the reception desk, asking for the room where Bluey and Bingo were recovering. Honeycake whispered to Jerry.
"Bluey and Bingo... aren't those the Heeler kids?" Honeycake asked.
"Yeah, Bandit's daughters. Looks like Adam knows them." Jerry said.
Curiosity piqued, they decided to wait nearby, watching as Adam was directed to the room where Bluey and Bingo were being cared for. Jerry and Honeycake debated their next move.
"Think we should introduce ourselves? Or is this too much?" Jerry asked.
"Let's wait a bit. We don't want to intrude if it's something personal." Honeycake said.
The two settled into chairs in the waiting area, their curiosity growing as they pieced together the connection between Adam and the Heelers.
At the Bluey & Bingo's Hospital room
Adam entered the hospital room where Bluey and Bingo were being taken care of. Chilli sat beside Bluey's bed, her expression a mix of exhaustion and relief. As Adam greeted her, she offered a tired smile.
"Hi, Chilli. I came to check on the kids. How are they doing?" Adam said.
"Better now, Adam. Thanks for coming." Chilli said.
Chilli began recounting the harrowing events of the previous day, detailing how her family became entangled in the hostage situation.
"Yesterday morning, as we were getting ready to take Bluey and Bingo to school, we heard the loud whirring of a helicopter. Before we knew it, around 15 men surrounded our house. They forced their way inside and detained us—Bandit, me, and the kids. They tied us up with ropes... my poor girls were so scared." Chilli said.
Unbeknownst to Adam, Honeycake Mastiff and Jerry Scutt had followed him to the room and were now eavesdropping outside the slightly ajar door.
Caught in the Act
A nurse named Lucy Ann Walker, a 38-year-old Maltese, noticed the two figures crouching outside the room. She approached quietly, then tapped Honeycake on the back.
"What are you two doing?" Lucy said.
Honeycake, startled, let out a loud curse.
"What in the fucking crap is this?!" Honeycake barked.
Realizing her mistake, she turned to Lucy with a sheepish grin.
"Oh, sorry. My bad. You gave me a fright!" Honeycake said, her cheeks blushing.
Lucy crossed her arms, confused.
"You were eavesdropping, weren't you?" Lucy said.
Jerry quickly jumped in to diffuse the situation.
"Uh, sorry about that. My wife's just been... curious lately." Jerry said.
Lucy raised an eyebrow but decided not to pursue the matter further. Honeycake and Jerry took the opportunity to enter the room, attempting to play off their intrusion as innocent.
Meeting the Heelers
Inside, Adam and Chilli paused their conversation to look at the new arrivals. Bluey noticed them first.
"Who are you?" Bluey said.
"I'm Honeycake Mastiff." Honeycake said.
"And I'm Jerry Scutt. Nice to meet you, Bluey." Jerry said.
Bluey tilted her head.
"Yeah... nice to meet you. But, uh, who are you two?" Bluey asked.
Chilli soon interjected. "Yes, who are you, and how did you get here?" Chilli said, her tone cautious.
Honeycake cleared her throat nervously.
"We, um, followed Adam. He seemed like an interesting guy, so we wanted to know more about him and... well, about you too, I suppose." Honeycake said.
Chilli frowned slightly but chose not to press further.
"Well, this is a bit unusual, but I guess it's nice to meet you both. Now, where was I?" Chilli said.
Meanwhile, at Ricky Stan and Judo's School
At the school, teachers were bustling about, preparing for the new academic year. Oliver, one of the senior teachers, was organizing materials for a special graduation ceremony.
"This is going to be a big day. Some kids are graduating, others are moving to the next level, and we've even got new students starting their first year. Exciting times!" Oliver said.
Back at the Heeler's House
At the Heeler home, Bandit sat with Doreen, an older family friend. They were discussing the events of the previous day.
"Thanks for stepping up against those lunatics. My family owes you." Bandit said.
"Don't mention it, mate. My late husband was a great hunter, and I've kept his old rifle. Figured it'd come in handy. Turns out, I was right." Doreen said.
"Well, you saved us. I'll never forget that." Bandit said, nodded appreciatively.
Doreen leaned back in her chair, her expression firm.
"What matters is that you're all safe now. But if those bastards ever come back, they'll regret it." She said.
The two shared a moment of quiet solidarity, their thoughts lingering on the close call.
The events of the hostage situation had rippled through the community, drawing together friends, family, and strangers in unexpected ways. As the Heelers began to recover, their resilience and the strength of their bonds shone brighter than ever.
A Drive to Noosaville
The streets of Brisbane CBD were bustling as Yafie maneuvered his 2016 Toyota Kijang Innova through the city traffic. Beside him sat Jonathan Mark, his curious Dachshund neighbor, who was adjusting the volume of the music playing from Yafie's USB drive. The soulful tune of Iwan Fals' "Kupu Kupu Hitam Putih" filled the car, setting a reflective tone for their journey.
"This is a nice song. Didn't know you were into rainy-day vibes, even when it's sunny out." Jonathan said.
"Rain or shine, good music is good music, mate. I've got a whole collection of my favorites—and some I can't stand but keep for nostalgia's sake—on this USB. It's like a time capsule." Yafie said.
The two laughed briefly, but the mood shifted as Jonathan brought up the topic that had been on everyone's mind.
"Say, are you sure about what happened at the Heeler house yesterday? It was—"
Before Jonathan could finish, Yafie cut in, already anticipating his neighbor's words.
"Intense? Yeah, it was. Lukas told me all about it. Bandit and his family were held hostage, and his daughters, Bluey and Bingo, fainted from the stress." Yafie said.
"Unbelievable. That poor family... but at least Doreen stepped up and helped. She's got guts." Jonathan said shook his head, his ears drooping slightly in disbelief.
"No kidding. She took her late husband's rifle and took control of the situation. Not many people could do what she did." Yafie said.
As the conversation continued, the cityscape transitioned into the picturesque roads leading toward Noosaville.
Arriving in Noosaville
In no time, the familiar greenery and calm of Noosaville greeted them. The transition from the bustling city to the serene town was striking. Yafie pulled into a small parking lot by the riverside, cutting the engine.
"Alright, we're here. Who are we meeting again?" Jonathan said.
"An old friend of mine. Her name's Aulia—a fellow Indonesian expat. She's got a small art gallery here, and she wanted to discuss something about a community project. Figured I'd bring you along to lighten the mood." Yafie said.
"Lighten the mood? You mean you wanted someone to keep you company on the drive." Jonathan smirked.
"Alright, alright, you caught me. Let's go; she's expecting us." Yafie said, laughed.
The two stepped out of the car, stretching after the long drive. The Noosa River shimmered nearby under the sunlight, a tranquil backdrop for their meeting.
As they walked toward the gallery, Jonathan couldn't help but hum the tune of "Kupu Kupu Hitam Putih," still lingering in his head.
"You know, this place feels like a good setting for one of your rainy-day songs." Jonathan said.
"You're not wrong. Maybe I should write one about this moment." Yafie said.
The two chuckled as they approached the gallery, ready for whatever the day had in store.
Their meeting with Aulia was initially bound to bring new opportunities and ideas, bridging cultures and communities in unexpected ways.
But something unexpected had already happened even before Yafie & Jonathan came.
A Tragic Discovery in Noosaville
The sun hung high over Noosaville, its warm light contrasting with the cold unease that gripped Yafie and Jonathan as they stood outside Aulia's rental house. The quaint little home, surrounded by flowering bushes, seemed serene. Yet, the silence was deafening.
(knocking and shouting in Indonesian) " Buka pintunya! Open the door!" Yafie barked.
No response. Yafie's heart sank. He tried the door handle—it was locked.
"Maybe she stepped out?" Jonathan said.
"No. Something doesn't feel right." Yafie said, his tone low, but suspicious.
After trying to peek through the windows to no avail, Yafie resolved to break the door open. He rammed into it once, twice, three times. On the fourth attempt, the door splintered and gave way.
A Gruesome Sight
The door swung open to a horrifying scene. Blood spattered the walls and pooled on the floor. In the center of the room lay Aulia, the Kintamani and Shiba Inu mix, lifeless. Her fur was matted with blood, her once-bright eyes dim and void of life.
Yafie froze. A strangled cry escaped his throat before he collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"No… no… Aulia!" Yafie screamed, his tears were flooded on his eyes, he was shocked, and now crying.
Jonathan rushed in, his eyes widening at the gruesome sight. His stomach churned, but he pushed back the nausea.
"Oh my God… What happened here?" Jonathan said, worried.
He pulled out his phone with trembling paws and dialed 000.
Jonathan shouting into the phone "000 emergency! There's been a murder in Noosaville. A woman is dead. Send the police, paramedics, everyone!" he barked.
"Don't worry. They're on the way" the male 000 Operator said.
The operator assured him help was on the way.
Authorities Arrive
Within minutes, the tranquil streets of Noosaville buzzed with the flashing lights and sounds of sirens. Paramedics carefully carried Aulia's body out on a stretcher, draping it with a white sheet. Investigators and detectives swarmed the scene, cordoning off the house with yellow tape.
Yafie sat on the curb outside, his body shaking with sobs. Jonathan sat beside him, placing a comforting paw on his shoulder.
"It's okay, Yafie. I'm here for you." Jonathan said.
"I just saw her two weeks ago… She was happy. How could this happen?!" Yafie said, his voice cracking.
Detective Harold Johnson, a seasoned German Shepherd known for solving high-profile cases, approached. His presence exuded authority and determination.
"Mr. Raihan, Mr. Mark, I'm Detective Harold Johnson. I'm very sorry for your loss. We'll do everything we can to find who's responsible." Harold said, his expression serious and grim.
"Detective, please… find who did this. She didn't deserve this." Yafie said as he wiping his tears.
"I promise you, we'll get to the bottom of this. For now, I need you both to stay close. We may have questions for you later." Harold said.
The Wait for Answers
The hours dragged on as investigators combed through the house, collecting evidence. Yafie couldn't bring himself to leave the scene, his mind racing with memories of Aulia. Her laughter, her kindness, her dreams of building an art community in Noosaville—it was all gone in an instant.
"Whoever did this… they'll pay. You've got to believe that." Jonathan said quietly.
"I just… I need to know why. Why her?" Yafie whined, still tearful.
Detective Harold soon returned with an update, his face grim.
"We've identified signs of a struggle. It's too early to say for sure, but we're looking into potential motives. Was there anyone Aulia mentioned who might have had a grudge against her?" Harold said.
"No. She was… she was kind to everyone." Yafie said, shook his head.
"Sometimes it's not about who they are, but what they know. We'll figure it out. Hang in there." Harold said.
A Journey for Justice
As the day turned to night, Yafie and Jonathan finally left the scene, their hearts heavy with grief and anger.
"Whoever did this… they won't get away with it." Yafie growled, determined.
"We'll see this through, Yafie. Together." Jonathan said.
The tragedy marked the beginning of a harrowing journey for justice, as Yafie vowed to uncover the truth behind Aulia's death.
A Path of Vengeance
The weight of Aulia's murder had consumed Yafie in the two weeks since her tragic death. The notification from Detective Harold Johnson earlier that evening was both a relief and a spark to his smoldering anger.
"Mr. Raihan, we've found the perpetrator. It was Aulia's boyfriend, Reuben Johansson. He's been located at his apartment near the Gold Coast." Detective Harold said.
Hearing the name filled Yafie with a burning fury he hadn't felt before. He hung up without a word and stormed into the kitchen of his apartment, grabbing a knife. Jonathan, watching the unfolding storm, tried to reason with him.
"Yafie, stop! Let the police handle this!" Jonathan said firm but serious tone. "we ju-"
"I don't want you to follow me right now, please!" Yafie barked, snapping Jonathan's word.
Jonathan's protests died as Yafie stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Arrival at the Gold Coast
The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple as Yafie drove his 2016 Toyota Kijang Innova with grim determination. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind replaying Aulia's laughter and the sight of her lifeless body.
He arrived at the apartment complex near Bob and Chris' residence. Yafie parked a few blocks away and quickly realized he'd left the knife in his apartment. Undeterred, he opened the glove compartment below the refrigerator compartment, retrieving an M1911 pistol.
Donning a hastily assembled police disguise, he made his way toward Reuben's door. Passing by Bob and Chris' apartment, he hesitated for a brief moment but pressed on, reaching the door of his target.
The Confrontation
The flimsy door splintered open after a few hard kicks. Inside, Reuben Johansson, the Toy Fox Terrier, jolted up from his couch, his face a mixture of confusion and fear.
"What's going on? Who are you?" Reuben said in fear and confusion.
Yafie said nothing as he stepped forward, the pistol in his hand steady. His voice was calm but filled with icy rage.
"You know exactly who I am." Yafie said in grim and menace tone.
Reuben's eyes widened in recognition. He scrambled to back away, but there was nowhere to go.
"Wait! I—I didn't mean to—"
A single gunshot echoed through the apartment, cutting off Reuben's plea. The sharp crack of the pistol reverberated through the walls, reaching the ears of Bob and Chris.
"What was that?" Chris said.
"It sounded like a gunshot." Bob said.
The Aftermath
Yafie left the apartment as calmly as he had entered, his mind a blank slate devoid of emotion. He discarded the police disguise in a nearby alley and returned to his car.
As he drove back to his apartment in Brisbane, the weight of his actions began to settle on his shoulders. His hands trembled on the steering wheel, and his chest tightened with a mix of grief and grim satisfaction.
Back at the Apartment
Jonathan was pacing anxiously when Yafie returned. He immediately noticed the haunted look in Yafie's eyes.
"What did you do?" Jonathan asked.
Yafie didn't respond. He walked past Jonathan and into his room, shutting the door behind him.
Alone in the silence, he sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the pistol in his hand. The image of Reuben's lifeless body flashed in his mind, but so did Aulia's.
"For you, Aulia. For you." Yafie said, whispering.
The night deepened, and Yafie was left alone with the weight of his choices, knowing there was no turning back.
Morning at Yafie's Apartment
The morning sunlight filtered into Yafie's apartment as the television blared with breaking news. He sat on the couch, his eyes glued to the screen, a stoic expression on his face.
"In breaking news, the death of Reuben Johansson, a Toy Fox Terrier residing at a Gold Coast apartment, has shocked the community. His death comes just two weeks after the murder of Aulia, a Kintamani-Shiba Inu mix, in Noosaville. Speculation is rife, with some sources claiming Reuben's death was a police operation. Investigators are yet to confirm these reports." News Anchor said.
The news shifted to show parallels between Aulia's tragic murder and Reuben's sudden death.
"The connection between the two incidents remains unclear, but the timeline raises significant questions. Was this a vigilante act or a sanctioned operation? Authorities have refused to comment at this time." News Anchor continued.
Yafie leaned forward, his jaw tense. Jonathan Mark cautiously entered the apartment and stopped in his tracks as he saw the grim expression on Yafie's face.
"It seems like the news about Aulia's death in Noosaville and Reuben's death in Gold Coast has a co-relation." Yafie smirkingly said.
Jonathan froze, fear creeping into his heart. He knew what Yafie had done but couldn't bring himself to confront it.
"Yeah… it does…" Jonathan said, hesitantly.
"I'm sorry, Jonathan, for ignoring you last night. I had to do it." Yafie said, sighing. "For Aulia." he continued.
Jonathan stayed silent, struggling to find words that wouldn't worsen the fragile moment.
Morning at Bob and Chris' Apartment
Bob sat at the dining table, his face pale as the television played the same news. The sight of paramedics removing Reuben Johansson's body still lingered in his mind.
"Chris, did you call the boys yet?" Bob said.
Chris, holding her phone, nodded.
"I've called them. Radley, Bandit, and Stripe. I told them what happened, but none of them know the full story yet." Chris said.
Phone Call with the Sons
Chris's first call was to Radley.
"Radley, there's been a murder here at the apartment." Chris broke the news on her apartment.
"What? Who? What happened?" Radley said shocked, his voice shows a hint of concern.
"It was a resident, Reuben Johansson. I don't have all the details." Chris said.
"Mum, be careful. This sounds serious." Radley said, his voice was filled with concern.
Her next call was to Bandit.
"Bandit, something happened here. A man was killed at the apartment." Chris said.
"What?! Are you okay? Was anyone hurt?" Bandit said, worried.
"We're fine. The police and paramedics were here early this morning. I'll send you updates once I know more." Chris said.
Finally, she called Stripe, who had already been following the news.
"Stripe, it's your mum." Chris said as her youngest son answered.
"Mum, I already know. I've been watching the news since morning." Stripe said.
"Good. Can you share what you know with your brothers? I only have bits and pieces." Chris said.
"I'll forward everything to Radley and Bandit. Mum, don't worry. Stay safe, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious." Stripe said.
Stripe's Information
Stripe quickly compiled everything he knew about the situation from the news and sent a detailed message to Radley and Bandit.
Message from Stripe
"Reuben Johansson, the man killed, was linked to Aulia's murder two weeks ago in Noosaville. The police are still investigating, but some sources suggest his death might not have been random. Keep an eye on this. It's too close to home." Stripe texted.
Bandit and Radley read the message with growing concern.
Radley texting back "This sounds like trouble brewing. Let's keep an eye on Mum and Dad for now."
Bandit texting replying "Agreed. If anything seems off, we'll step in."
Shadows of Suspicion
Back in Brisbane, Yafie remained calm on the surface, but deep inside, he felt the storm brewing. The news had framed Reuben's death as a potential police operation, sparing him any immediate suspicion. However, he knew the truth would not stay hidden forever.
As the sun set that evening, Jonathan couldn't shake the growing unease he felt around Yafie. His neighbor and friend had crossed a line, and Jonathan feared what might come next.