Touch of Time

Chapter 5: Searching Hopelessly

It took 10 minutes before Jane noticed that Ersha hasn't come back yet so she decided to look for her along with Marsha.

"Ersha, are you there?" shouted Jane while going towards the route Ersha had taken earlier.

"Yeah Ersha, don't play jokes on us for I'm starting to get nervous." said Marsha as she followed the steps of Jane.

As they look around, Ersha was nowhere to be found except on the last footprints of hers that looks like she had slipped into a deep hole.  From the site of it, chills came to both girls and instantly they panicked.

"oh my God, if only I came along with her, this won't happen" told Jane as she paced around with no clear direction and hands shaking.

let's take a look at that hole below and try calling her.

Ersha, can you hear us? Marsha and I are looking for you..

Ersha, Ersha, can you hear us?Marsha shouted again.

Unfortunately no one answered except the echoes of their voices.  They can't even see clearly what's inside for its in total darkness.  At that instance, they both agreed to go back to the farm as fast they could so they can ask help before it starts to get dark.

As they were approaching the farm, grandma already knew that there was something wrong. The farm boy working in their property told her that one girl is not along with them.  Immediately, grandma hasten towards the girls.

"What's wrong?  Where is Ersha?"ask grandma with great fear and worry.

No words came out from the two but only a howling cry and continuous drip of tears.  From that, grandma let them sit first and gave water to drink.  After they regained their composure, the two told her what happened.  Without second thoughts, grandma instructed 5 men to come along with them and search for Ersha.  She also directed one caretaker of the household to report the incident to the nearest police station.

The group of Marsha reached the location about passed 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon already.  The men who were with them looked into the hole with their flashlights but Ersha is nowhere to be found.  One guy offered to climb down the hole to check what's inside so everyone agreed and did their part just to land him below safely.

Did you find anything? asked Marsha from above.

Nothing.  I think this place is a labyrinth. replied the guy.

Is it safe in there? Jane questioned worriedly

I think so.  There's no bats or snakes in this area but I don't know what's ahead.

From the description of what's inside, 3 other men followed down and helped in the searching.  Only Jane, Marsha, grandma and one man were left guarding the hole where Ersha slipped. The place begins to get dark and feelings of anxiousness were increasing heavily.  What they can only do is pray for a miracle and hope for the best.  After a while, voices beneath were heard. It's almost 5:30 already when the four came out from the pit.  Sadly, the news was still negative. Not even a speck of blood or a bit of torn garment from Ersha's clothes were brought back or found.  With all the efforts they made, grandma decided to leave the search and rescue to the proper authorities.