Chapter 23: Missing Necklace

I was preoccupied with taking down notes and sketching the intricate patterns and building designs of our destinations in this one week tour.

There were times that I couldn't listen and understand what Ma'am Melinda was saying because of the fatigue and sleepiness I’m feeling due to our tight schedule. The same goes for my classmates that some opted to just record her voice as she explained. The small notebook I bought was put into use as I wrote and scribbled in it down to the very last page.

“It's finished at last.” Iris groaned as she plopped on the soft mattress.

“That was a hell lot of places.” I replied.

“You said so.” Jam agreed.

“Are we leaving with the class tomorrow?” Sophia asked us as she sat on the corner of the bed.

“Should we really join them in going back? I mean they'll be leaving very early tomorrow because of the bus’ schedule that they booked.” Grace said.

We looked at each other and God knows what kind of telepathic power we have that we all have the same answer in mind.

“Nahh, let's take a very good rest and wake up late tomorrow. Let them wake up at four tomorrow and catch that early bus trip.” Iris told us.

I nodded. “Let's sleep ‘till late tomorrow and make up for the nights we slept late while being here.”

“Yeah. Fortunately, it's Saturday tomorrow and we don't have any classes. We can go home in the afternoon after having enough rest and sleep that was deprived of us during this very tiring academic tour that cost us not only money but also sleep.” We laughed at Grace’s narration of her rants connected in this activity.

“Good night, girlies!” Sophia said before closing the lights.

“Good night!” We answered.

Sleep found me faster than I expected as I lost my senses the moment I shut down my eyelids.

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“Has anyone seen a silver necklace with a moon pendant in it?” I asked while going through my belongings.

It's already nine in the morning when we woke up. We went out to eat our breakfast and took a stroll in the city before having our lunch inside a mall. It's now already three in the afternoon and we are readying to leave the hotel. It was when I’m taking a quick shower when I realized I wasn't wearing my necklace.

“It's still on you when we went to that old mansion.” Grace said.

“In our first destination?” I asked and she said yes.

“Maybe you dropped it there.” Iris joined in.

I sighed. “I have to go back for it.”

“Ok, let me go with you.” Sophia offered.

“Oh, no need. I’m good. Don't worry.” I told them.

“Is that necklace really important?” Jam asked. “Is it expensive? Why don't you just leave it? You're not even sure if you'll actually find it if you come back there now. You might just waste your time and energy.” Her voice was laced with doubt and worry.

“I don't know about its price,” I said, “ but it holds a deep meaning for me.” I smiled to keep myself from showing its expression while my bittersweet memories started flooding my mind.

They all looked at me in silence, observed me as I put on my black cap and fetched my umbrella before I headed out and closed the door behind me.

I have been wearing that necklace for not long. I wanted to go back and find it even though the chances are rare that I’m going to get it back. I don't know its monetary value since it was only given to me. I wanted to keep it. It still holds some of my greatest unforgettable memories despite the wrenching pain that it also caused me at the same time.

“You're lucky that you caught up to me before I could go home.” The caretaker of the house said as he opened the mansion’s gare for me.

The keys hanging from his waist jangled as we made our way inside. The rubbles on the path walk crunched beneath our shoes.

“Thank you!” I said shyly as he opened the wooden double door for me. I immediately stepped inside. “Aren't you going inside with me?” I turned to him after I realized the empty space behind me.

“I’ll just be here, my arthritis is acting up so I can't walk much.” He tapped his right knee. “You could go inside alone, remember not to break anything though.”

I nodded hesitantly and went inside the abandoned house. “The light switch is on the right wall beside the door.” The caretaker shouted.

I reached for it and pressed the button and the surroundings became bright in an instant. I looked outside the window and saw no sign of the caretaker. *Did he leave already?

I retraced the spots and places where I walked to that day in hopes of finding my jewelry. I also opened the flashlight of my phone for additional lighting. I was crouching down the floor, peeking into every nook and cranny for any signs of glinting silver.

The golden ray of sunlight bathed the wooden floor as I continued my search. When I failed to find the necklace on the first floor, I decided to try my luck on the second floor. The wooden staircase creaked as I made my way up. My focus was pinned on my path when I felt the staircase shake, as if there's another person walking in it. I heard heavy footsteps behind me, slow and firm footsteps that creeped on my skin. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the railings.

“Who's there?” My voice trembled as I asked without turning my head.

There was no answer but I felt the footsteps halted.