Ivan's hands shook as he pulled open the drawers of his chest. His breathing was uneven, his eyes darting from one corner of the room to another. His heart pounded inside him like a drum. He threw aside folded shirts, pushed aside papers, opened one box after another. But no matter how many times he checked, the small box remained empty.
"It should be here," he whispered to himself, his voice breaking. "I'm sure I left it here. Where did I keep it?"
He searched again, running his fingers desperately through the corners of the chest. Then he moved to the shelves, pulling out books, opening them as if the necklace might somehow be inside one. He pulled at the drawers under his bed. Nothing.
His mind was spinning. His thoughts chased each other in circles. Where is it. Where is it. Where is it. I know I left it there.
Then a knock came on the door.
Ivan froze, his hands still inside the chest. He shut his eyes tightly, trying to gather himself, but his heart was still racing.
