The Rumored Jewels

Arrival and the Cave

2 MONTHS LATER, PHILIPPINES

   Michelle, Jasmine, and Joshua had just arrived in the Philippines, currently, they were just touring the city they were in. Michelle and Jasmine had suggested that they take a break before diving right into searching the caves. They had heard about the things that have happened to the people who had ventured in and after some decision-making determined it was best they wait a couple of days.

   Upon arrival at the beach, Joshua initiated a conversation, "Where do you think we should start our search?" Jasmine, being the smarter of the three, mentioned that she had done some previous research and found a somewhat believable map. Much to her dismay, though, Michelle began to complain, "A map? You're kidding. It really shouldn't be that easy."

"Well, yeah that's what I thought, but it's a start and..." Jasmine began but was soon distracted as they had arrived at the edge of the beach, and the view, oh the view, it was beautiful. She didn't realize how severely she had ignored the soft white sands, the perfect blue sky, just the right amount of breeze that carried the distinct scent of the ocean breeze, and the clearest, bluest water she has ever seen in her life. She wished she could savor this memory. Lock it up and save it for another time.

"JASMINE! You good?" Joshua snapped her out of it, she looked over at Michelle who was quietly laughing at her. He figured the view was gorgeous, but they were there to look for some lost jewels, not get swept away by the amazing beaches. Jasmine continued from where she left off, slightly disappointed to have lost her moment, "Yeah, uh, sorry. So, as I was saying, I did some research and I think I can figure out what paths we should take, based on the map and police reports on the heist. I was also going to mention that we should probably check out the cave today. You know, to get a feel of what we may be expecting."

  Everyone agreed that was a good idea and so off they went to search for the location of the cave with the rumored jewels.

 THE FAMOUS CAVE

   Once they arrived at their destination, Michelle specifically noted, "This looks nothing like what I expected. It's so... so... normal looking?" Of course, "Maybe if you'd done some research, too, you would have known what to expect." was Jasmine's response. Joshua, on the other hand, stated, "I think it's alright, it kind of looks like it's welcoming." The entrance to the actual cave wasn't dark and mysterious like they had believed, it was actually surrounded by flowers that seemed like they were radiating a soft glow.

   It was getting pretty dark, so they were the only ones currently there. They were about to go into the cave but thought that it would be better if they were to just return the next day and actually begin searching then. They were too impatient to wait a week before exploring.

   Early the next day all three got up so that they would be the first to get to the cave. Each person was carrying a backpack with multiple water bottles, snacks, first aid kits, and anything else they thought they might need. Jasmine was losing her mind trying to get everyone out the door and into the taxi.

   Once inside the car, no one could hold in their anxiety about their upcoming adventure. After what felt like the longest car drive, they arrived. As they were walking down the path, Josh felt he should mention, "Did you know that this cave has a kill count of over 30 people? I looked up the cave yesterday and I found out that a majority of the people who have ever gone in don't make it out. There's this one woman, Anahy Cruz, she's in her 60s now, but when she tried doing the same thing we're doing she ended up paralyzed, not only that but she also went insane and she currently resides in a mental institution, she won't talk about what happened. She's not the only one, there are other stories of people who meet the same fate as her."

   He looked over at the 2 girls and oddly they didn't seem any less discouraged to go inside. Michelle even said "Well, if anything, that's just giving more motivation to be the first to find these jewels. Watch, we won't end up like them." Jasmine, on the other hand, didn't see it that way, "I don't think we should be so sure of ourselves, we might not end up crazy, but what if something does happen to us? Who's going to look over Sammy?"

"That's what you're worried about! Your fat, ugly, mean cat?" Joshua wasn't amused that she thought her cat was more important than literally anything else she could have chosen to have more value.

"OH! Look we're here, let's go in and prove everyone wrong. I believe in us." Michelle didn't know how fatal her words would be.