5- Isabella’s curiosity

**Isabella**

The next morning dawns clear and bright, but the sunlight does little to lift the heavy fog of confusion that’s settled over me. I wake up with the pendant still clutched in my hand, its cool surface a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun streaming through my window.

After a restless breakfast, where I barely taste the food in front of me, I decide I need answers. I’ve never been one to let things go easily, and this is no exception. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that this pendant is connected to the man in the forest—the man who seems to have taken up permanent residence in my thoughts.

But where do I even start? The pendant is simple, no markings or inscriptions that could give me a clue as to its origin. And I can’t exactly go around asking people if they’ve seen a mysterious man lurking in the woods. They’d think I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have.

Still, I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I decide to head into town, hoping that maybe someone in one of the shops might recognize the pendant or know something about it. It’s a long shot, but it’s the only lead I have.

As I walk down the familiar path toward town, the pendant tucked safely in my pocket, I can’t help but feel a sense of determination building within me. I need to understand what’s happening to me, why this man has such a hold on me, and why this simple piece of jewelry feels so important.

The town is bustling with activity as I arrive, people going about their daily routines, oblivious to the turmoil churning inside me. I wander through the streets, my eyes scanning the shop windows for anything that might catch my attention. There’s a part of me that feels foolish, like I’m grasping at straws, but I push that thought aside. I need to do this.

I start with the small jewelry shop near the center of town, a quaint little place filled with trinkets and treasures that have been gathered from all over. The shopkeeper, an older woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, greets me as I enter.

“Good morning, dear. Can I help you find something?” she asks, her voice gentle.

I hesitate for a moment, then pull the pendant from my pocket, holding it out for her to see. “I was wondering if you might know anything about this. I found it, and I… well, I’m just curious about where it might have come from.”

She takes the pendant, her eyes narrowing slightly as she examines it closely. I watch her, holding my breath, hoping that she’ll recognize it, that she’ll be able to tell me something—anything—that will help make sense of all this.

But after a moment, she shakes her head, handing it back to me. “I’m sorry, dear, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s a lovely piece, though. Simple, yet elegant. Where did you say you found it?”

I swallow my disappointment and force a smile. “In the woods, near the orphanage. I thought maybe it belonged to someone from around here.”

She nods thoughtfully. “It’s possible, but I’ve been running this shop for over twenty years, and I’ve never seen anything quite like it. You might try the antique shop down the street. Sometimes they have more unusual pieces.”

I thank her and leave the shop, my heart sinking a little. I know it was a long shot, but I had hoped she might be able to tell me something. Anything.

The antique shop is my next stop, a dusty old place filled with all sorts of strange and wonderful items. The shopkeeper here is a tall, thin man with wire-rimmed glasses and a serious demeanor. He barely looks up as I enter, too engrossed in the ancient book he’s reading.

I clear my throat and approach the counter, pulling the pendant from my pocket once more. “Excuse me, sir, but I was wondering if you might recognize this.”

He glances up, his eyes sharpening with interest as he takes the pendant from my hand. He examines it closely, turning it over in his long fingers, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Hmm,” he murmurs, almost to himself. “Interesting. Very interesting indeed.”

My heart leaps. “You recognize it?”

He looks up at me, his expression unreadable. “Not exactly, but this design… it’s reminiscent of something I’ve seen before. Old symbols, often associated with ancient rituals and beliefs. The crescent moon, in particular, has long been a symbol of power and protection in many cultures.”

“Do you know what it means?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.

He studies the pendant for a moment longer, then hands it back to me. “It could mean many things. The crescent moon is often associated with the goddess of the moon, a figure of strength, mystery, and hidden knowledge. In some traditions, it represents the cycle of life and death, the ever-changing nature of existence. But this specific design… it’s unusual. I can’t say for certain what it means, but it’s definitely not just an ordinary piece of jewelry.”

I nod, trying to absorb what he’s saying. “So, it could be important?”

“Possibly,” he says with a shrug. “Or it could simply be a piece of jewelry crafted by someone with an appreciation for ancient symbols. Without more information, it’s impossible to say for sure.”

I thank him and leave the shop, feeling a little better. The pendant is clearly significant, but how, and why, remain a mystery. And the more I think about it, the more certain I am that it’s connected to the man in the forest. But how?

As I walk back toward the orphanage, I replay the encounter in my mind, trying to remember every detail. His voice, his eyes, the way he moved… and the way I felt when he touched me. There was something there, something I can’t explain.

Back at the orphanage, I retreat to my room, the pendant clutched tightly in my hand. I sit on my bed, turning it over and over in my fingers, my thoughts racing. The shopkeeper mentioned ancient rituals and beliefs, symbols of power and protection… but what does that have to do with me? Or with him?

I feel like I’m on the brink of something, like the answer is just out of reach, waiting for me to piece it together. But every time I get close, it slips away, leaving me more confused than before.

Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe it’s just a piece of jewelry, like the shopkeeper said. But deep down, I know that’s not true. I know there’s more to it than that. I can feel it.

I lie back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, the pendant resting on my chest. I close my eyes, letting my thoughts drift back to the forest, to the man who has turned my world upside down.