Touch of Time

Chapter 9: Trying Other Measures

The police are still unsuccessful in finding Ersha. It's been two days already when she went missing, yet the search and rescue team continues to seek for her. Marsha and Jane were doing all the means they knew just to spread the news. They distributed fliers, posted on social media, and now posting pictures in public places. It's been the worst time for them and the officer assigned to their case is already becoming suspicious for they were the last individuals who were with Ersha. But, the suspicions didn't matter to them. What hurts them most are the words blurted out by Ersha's parents the moment they learned about the incident.  They heard the most distasteful words of reproach and dismay.  What they could only do is just to remain silent, understand and swallow their pride especially that their friend is an only child of the couple.

 Marsha is gluing a picture of  a missing Ersha on a tree when an old woman in her 70's pass by and halted to have a look on what's posted.

"Is she your friend?"ask the old woman.

Yes, why grandma?Have you met someone that resembles her?

Unfortunately not, where was she last seen?

We were just bathing in the waterfall nearby and when she went to urinate on the bushes, she didn't return. 

"Oh what a sad news. But my dear, this may not sound a good option for you, why not try consulting a seer. Usually when a person is missing without a trace, someone tried to get him or her. You know what I mean. Maybe some faries or something else."

I'll give a thought about that, replied Marsha.

"There's nothing to lose if you'll give it a try" then the old woman winks her eye and moves away.

Jane got curious on what Marsha and the old lady is talking so she goes to her and ask what it's all about.

Jane, how about going to a fortune teller or any soothsayer out there and ask for Ersha's situation? Said Marsha.

I already thought about that, answered Jane.

Okey lets go to a seer after lunch..

Its 1:00 in the afternoon already. Jane and Marsha are headed to a known oracle in the bario. Residents in the area recommended him for he performs lots of things. From natural healing, fortune telling up to the darkest form of witchcraft. Jane brought with her an item that belongs to Ersha for it might be helpful in the divination. 

The oracle's abode is quite far. Both walked a kilometer and a half before they arrived. The house is situated on top of a small hill. Trees surrounded the place making the area cold and quite dim.  Silence is deafening and no neighbors are found in the proximity. Marsha gets near to the house and then knocks on the wooden door and said, hello. Is someone there?

'Come in, the door is open' told someone from the inside.

Marsha and Jane slowly opened the door and get in. Inside, the man is sitting and pounding in his mortar and pestle what looks like an herb combined with roots and tawas.

I know what's your aim in coming here. Your friend is sent to a very very distant world.  If you want her back, make sure it would be before the next full moon or else she would be trap in there for the rest of her life, said the old man the moment he saw them.

Then what should we do?ask Jane.

When you come back, bring an unblemished white chicken, a bottle of water from the waterfall that you went, black candle and an item that belongs to your friend. 

Okey we'll bring them. We'll be back when all things are gathered. Thanks so much for the advice. Then they went away.

Marsha and Jane couldn't believe what they heard. The man hasn't ask a thing yet but he knew already what happened. From such, they both decided to follow the old man's orders no matter what the stakes are just to have Ersha back.