"What are you doing?" Braylan asked, entering Jayden's room.
"Nothing!" Jayden mumbled and stretched his hands. Should he tell about the recent set of incidents?
"I am bored, man! I wanna do something interesting." Braylan said this so that they can be togather and he can do his secret duty.
"Let's talk mom and dad into taking us somewhere. Tonight and tomorrow. Holidays are coming to an end. Let's enjoy the last days." Jayden suggested.
"That is a great Idea. I think we should go talk to them now. " Braylan said, relieved that nothing has happened this time. They ran to their parents' room, knocked the door and shared their wish.
"We can just dine out tonight, and tomorrow we can go to some park or other place at this time. I am busy in the morning."Jane said. With that decided, the boys started suggesting restaurants where they could go.
After the discussion and the decision, Jayden and Braylon walked out of the room and headed towards their rooms for changing into clean clothes and to get ready for the trip. The restaurant they were visiting was pretty far. So it would be like a really long drive. That gave them about 40 minutes to get ready and prepare the stuff that they wanted to take with them. Braylan plugged his phone to the charger.He was planning to read the book by Lewis Harris. He was a famous exorcist and he wrote a hell lot about possessions, curses, cursed objects and what not. He texted a quick message on their group, saying that they were going out tonight and nothing has happened to Jayden yet.
*********
Jayden was in dilemma. Should he tell his brother? Should he keep this a secret even from his brother? He didn't want to spoil today's trip for his little brother. It doesn't matter that he grew up, he still was his little brother and he couldn't do that to him. He had seen Braylan spending a lot of time indoors in past two days. He really made him worried. Jayden knew that his brother was trying to help him. But he wasn't sure if he should bother his brother for every single dream and every single breath. He decided that he will act normally. Well as normally as he could, and enjoy these days as much as he could. He also thought a lot about the spirit-boy's warning and concluded that he was not very strong. He might fight off these things for now. But ultimately, they will get him in the end and he didn't know what would happen then. So he decided that he will fight them it's for as long as he could, and he will make some good memories with his family. He was not sure if he would live or not. So the option for now was not to bother Braylan or Jacob until something serious happens.
He stared across the room and decided he will take his phone with him so that he can play games on the way. If he got too bored. It was difficult for him to get bored with Braylan on board. They were both charming but Braylan was extra charming. He could make anyone laugh with his well choosen remarks and comments.
One time, their basketball coach, who was a very serious man, had asked them wheather they would practice for the tryouts for school team. Braylan was not interested and he stayed back. But the coach wanted Braylan on his team and he had asked him to enroll. He simply sighed in a sad way and had replied in a tone that is used in funerals that he wouldn't play basketball because it would take all his charm away and turn him into a man whose ears are not able to recognise the laughter. This made all of them laugh including the coach. The memory made Jayden smile, despite being in such a situation.
Within no time, they were leaving their house. They talked, laughed and joked for sometime. Soon The the boys got busy with their phones and there was silence.
*******
"Braylan, what are you doing?" Jane asked. Braylan's first instinct was to hide his phone. But the smarter part of him ordered him to act casual so that no one will get suspicious.
" Nothing! I am trying to read some information about the space and universe."
"Well as this was your idea! The long trip and family time, I recommend that you guys should not use your phones for any purpose and do stuff together." Marco said while checking Maps for the correct direction. They obeyed their father and kept their phones down. Braylan was very silent. He was thinking. Braylan was the kind of person who can never sit silently for more than 5 seconds. he is always joking and talking and having fun. This made Jayden feel guilty. His brother was so worried for him that he lost his charms. He made a resolution that he will not include his little brother as it is really affecting him.
"Why are you so quiet, Braylan?" He asked after few moments of silence.
"I was thinking," he said with a deep look of concentration on his face, "what will happen if I force feed a rat 5 to 6 bubble gums." The look on his face was of a scientist who is about to mix two elements and observe the result. Jayden snorted. This was typical Braylan. So probably he didn't worry his younger brother too much. When Braylan first said that he believes him, he was really relieved. it was good to know that someone from your family supports and believes you. Even though he would never admit it, he knew he will never be able to live without his brother.
They talked about a lot of stuff. From rats eating bubble gums and them drinking coffee. Braylan ended up searching and said that you should feed your rats coffee only if you want to kill him. Well, none of them were planning to buy a rat as a pet anytime soon. They had a great time. They talked and laughed and commented on stupid stuff and finally, they reached the restaurant.
They had a fancy meal of beef steak, Russian Salad, roasted potatoes, roasted corns, bbq chicken, some lamb chops, cheesy fries with some carbonated drinks. For dessert, they ordered an ice cream sundae. They were full to their heads when they walked back.
On the way back, no one spoke much as they were so full and sleepy. By the time they reached home, it was already bedtime and Jayden was so tired that he was ready to dive into the bed. He slept the moment his head touched the pillow.
*****
It was past midnight when Jayden woke up. He was really thirsty and his throat was all dry. He walked down to the kitchen to drink some water. He heard someone whispering. He walked along the hall to see who was it. The whispers were coming from the main bedroom. He could clearly hear the whisperers. It was more than two and it wasn't their parents' voice. He peeped into the room and his parents were sleeping peacefully. There was a spare bedroom beside Braylan's room where the guests like his aunt or uncle would stay when they visited them. The voices were coming from that room. Jayden thought of turning back and running. But he was not a coward. SO instead he made the biggest mistake of his life. A mistake that would spoil his life forever. Being brave is not always an intelligent thing to do!!