Searching for the truth

Chapter 1

I'm inside a familiar place, the beach resort. The suite we accommodated has 3 rooms, two of which have a queen bed while the other has twin beds. It was good for six persons to stay in. There are 2 LCD TVs, 2 telephone units, and a common bathroom. There's also a private lanai, loft, and its own view deck. The place looks stunning except for the clothes which are scattered everywhere, probably Em's. Where is everyone? Why am I alone here?

I went outside to look for my friends. Maybe they went for a swim?

I got to the pool area. The place was quiet. As if no one's been here. Not a single person was there. The wind got colder and I shivered. Where could they be?

I felt a hand on my shoulder and grew stiff. I turned around to see who it is but got pushed into the water.

I woke up. It was only a dream.

I looked at the clock, 6:30 in the morning. Too early for me to get up on a weekend. I put my hand on my forehead, tired and restless. All of it felt real.

I'm always like this a day before my friend's death anniversary. Its been 5 years now, but the memories still haunt me. Yet I still feel that something is missing from those memories. I can't remember where she went the day she died.

I hate myself for it and up until now I still blame myself for everything. Maybe if I have gone with her and did something... she'd still be alive. People always told me not to be so hard on myself. None of us wanted Maya's death.

Alright, enough of this. Time to face the day.

I sat up and turned to my left to switch off the lava lamp.

Maya gave it to me as a birthday present. I guess she noticed me staring at it in a store and thought that I liked it. I was actually annoyed by its color. The blobs inside it were green and reminds me of a slug which Josh threw at me while we were in biology class. He was a childish asshat when we were in freshman year. The moment I unwrapped the gift and pulled out the lava lamp from its box, my face was comical. How do I know its comical? Adrian took a picture of that moment, perfect timing too. I had no choice but to smile and thank Maya for the gift. I didn't want to hurt her feelings. And besides, its the thought that counts right?

I was snapped back to reality when Maud barked at me. He got off his bed, stretched and gave a huge yawn.

Maud is my 8-year old black Labrador. He's my only companion in this lonely apartment of mine. He barked again and jumped at me, his way of greeting me good morning.

We went downstairs to prepare for breakfast. For me, I had toast, eggs, bacon and coffee while Maud had a good bowl filled with Pedigree dog food and milk. The house was quiet as usual while we ate.

The newspaper I held while eating features today's headline which states "Ayala's lost heir found by one of the city's finest Det. Nicki Anderson". They misspelled "Nicky" again. Why can't they just put Nicole instead of Nicky? Was it too much to ask? I'll have to speak to Bob again for this.

I was focusing on the picture in the article when suddenly the doorbell rang. Looks like someone's very early this morning.