Jayden was feeling evil vibes around him once again. He would feel weird prickling in his hand or legs every once in a while. But the thing that bothered him most was Braylon . He was ignoring his presence at all times. He barely acknowledged him anymore. He didn't even ask: 'Pass me a cup of water. ' or ' Gimme some spaghetti. ' He tried to apologize but something stopped him from doing so. Even though he caught his brother staring at him with a stern expression, but it didn't help him feel better. He had to apologize to him for his rude behaviour. But probably it was his ego that stopped him from doing so. But he didn't have any ego. He was not a Proud-full jerk.
He decided that he would apologize no matter what. He was still seeing Olivia, but now she was not that warm and loving. It was like someone was slowly revealing their true self. He thought about her. He wondered whether she belonged to an abducting mafia or something like that. But whenever he saw a note, he couldn't resist. But now was different. Now he was going to resist it for sure. He was going to ignore the note at all costs.
With this firm determination, he cycled his way back home.
"Braylan! " He said the moment he met Braylan. He was sitting in his room, playing with a ball. He glanced toward him casually and continues his business. "I am really sorry for... " Jayden felt something hot going through his veins. Something was holding his tongue. He couldn't speak. But he was not going to give in. "I am so.. sorry. For everything. " He struggled with the words. He wanted to say many things. he wanted to tell him how much he means to him and how he regrets ever shutting him out. But the resistance was greater than his power. He was still resisting. He felt himself going numb. His legs were shaky.
"Sorry," he whispered hoarsely and walked back to his room. He sat on the bed, leaning on the wall, and closed his eyes.
"What is wrong with me?" He whispered to himself. But only the sound of wind blowing outside answered him. His eyes were burning with tears that were yet to flow. He allowed them to flow from their eyes. He cried silently for a long time.
Who knew tears had the power to make you feel better. He felt better. Weak, but better. He stood up slowly and walked into the bathroom, near the basin. He cupped the cold water running from the tap and splashed it on his face. This made him feel even better. After splashing water a couple of times, he got out, dried his face on a towel, and took a deep breath.
He was very calm now. He grabbed his computer and started his assignment. He was going to resist these things that were taking control over him. He opened his drawer to take a new pen and saw a note folded and kept neatly in his drawer. He grabbed the note. It read-
"Dear Jayden,
Olivia here. Would you mind coming to our meeting place? I will be waiting for you." Jayden's first instinct was to leave everything and visit Olivia. But then a smaller part of him reminded him of her new behaviour. It was like she was just tolerating him for the sake of someone. He was not going to allow her to control him. He was not going to that granny who is hiding wickedness under the mask of a sweet, warm smile that was gradually turning into an evil, cold smile. he tore the letter into pieces, made a ball of them and threw it in the dustbin.
He sighed inwardly and focused on the task that he was supposed to complete. It was hard for him to focus. He wanted to go and meet Olivia. He stood up and took a couple of steps towards the door
"No Jayden, beat it! " He commanded himself to stop. He stood rooted to his spot. He was struggling. It was a struggle of will power and self control. Something wanted him to go and he was struggling against it. Some sort of force made him take a step. He was meant to take another step too. But he was not going to do that. He started resisting. He was shaking with the effort. The force was increasing every second and he was resisting it. His energy was slowly oozing away from his body. He was covered in sweat due to the effort. It was like fighting physically against a very strong opponent. He took another step. He could feel his body weak but he was not going to give in. He had already given his enemies a lot more than they would ever hope for. He was not going to give them anything now. He started fighting against this invisible force.
After half an hour, the struggle was still going on and Jayden had reached the door of his room. He was scared that if this thing keeps happening, he will reach the graveyard even without his will or consent. He was about to step out of his room when he got an idea. He grabbed the threshold of his room with both his hands firmly. He was not going to leave this room no matter what.
"You will come with me! " A voice, cold as ice, emotionless and harsh ordered him. He shook his head. He was out of breath and his arms felt like they were going to rip from their sockets. "You will come with me! " The same voice, harsher now, commanded him once again. He shook his head more vigorously and gripped the threshold even more firmly. His knuckles were now white because of the pressure. Someone whipped his right shoulder. He writhed in agony but he stood still.
"Come with me! " The voice commanded yet again. This time, Jayden didn't react at all. Someone whipped his right arm this time. He cried in pain but nevertheless, he didn't loosen his grip.
After being whipped three more times, Jayden's right arm couldn't take it anymore. When he was whipped for sixth time, he screamed out loud and he stopped gripping the threshold. His hand was hurting, the force was increasing, his power and energy were draining. But he still clutched the threshold with his left hand. He was going to be whipped six more times before he give up on the threshold altogether. But his grip was already loosening. His legs were getting numb. His surrounding was moving in circles. His vision was blurring and was getting darker and darker with each passing second.
"Maybe I am going to die, " he thought. " finally it will be over. " With this, Jayden slumped to the ground with a thud, his eyes closed, his right arm injured.