The night somehow passed and the sun finally rose over the horizon, bringing light and warmth to the earth. The Smiths were in their house, waiting for the night to end. The house was silent and filled with dread. No one was talking even though everyone was present in the living room. They weren't able to sleep at night and the parents didn't think about leaving the boys alone in their rooms so they were all sitting in the living room since two in the morning.
"You can skip school if you want! " Jane said, finally breaking the silence.
"I don't feel like going. " Jayden replied lazily.
"Me too, " Braylan added. He wanted to leave this place but he wasn't going to leave Jayden alone. Marco and Jane were going to their workplaces that would leave them. If he goes to school, Jayden is left alone without any cameras. So he decided not to go. He couldn't believe that a place he knew for its warmth and love was now a place he didn't want to be in. Some time passed and finally their parents started getting ready for their work. Even though Braylan was not hungry, Jane forced him to eat some cereal and made them some ham and cheese sandwich for lunch. The parents left them with a lot of advices. Finally, the boys found themselves all alone in the living room. But they weren't talking or playing or doing anything. Just sitting.
"I am going up for a shower. " Jayden announced after some time and Braylan nodded. He walked up and chose a shirt to wear and entered the bathroom.
"Jayden over here, " A voice rang in the bathroom, making Jayden jump. "Didn't mean to startle you. But we don't have much time and this was the safest place I could think of." It was Roger, standing in the corner as though waiting for him to enter.
"What do you want? " Jayden demanded.
"Nothing! I am here till give you something. I know what happened last night. It will help you. It's like a talisman, a good luck charm, an object to protect you from the evil and wicked. Ares gave it to me. But you have to keep it close and hide it well. " Roger said.
"What is that? " Jayden asked curiously and Roger took two things out of his pocket. "Isn't that the same necklace I had a few days ago? It disappeared mysteriously. How did you get it? " He said, stretching his hand to get it but Roger closed his fingers around the items.
"First you gotta promise me that this ring will be hidden inside the necklace and the necklace will always touch your skin and you will keep it well hidden! " He said, looking directly into Jayden's eyes where he saw a bit of hesitation. "It will be useless. Just like the last time. The will snatch it right under your nose and you won't even know about it. Just like they did. " He said, making sure that Jayden got every single word clearly.
"But how did you get it back? " Jayden asked.
"Look buddy, it's a long story. I can't tell you every thing right now. But please, trust me. I am trying to help you. I am your friend! " Roger replied, emphasizing on the last sentence.
"I trust you! I was just curious, you know. " Jayden replied.
"Ah! Curiosity, it is a good thing at most times, but not very great at a few times. " He said dreamily. "And this is one of those times! " He snapped.
"Chill dude! I promise, I will do what you say. " Jayden promised, chuckling lightly.
"You will wear it at all times? "
"Yes I will! "
"You will keep it a secret? "
"I will! "
"You will wear it.. eh.. even while showering! "
"That is weirdly specific, but yeah I will. "
"Ok then. I give you this. " Roger said, opening the amulet and placing the golden ring inside it. He closed the amulet and handed it to Jayden. "And don't open it often! " He adviced once again. Jayden simply nodded and took the necklace. He wore it across his neck and-
" I will take my leave now. Have a good day. " Roger said, bending a bit.
"You too! Goodbye. " Jayden replied and Roger disappeared into the thin air. Jayden stared his necklace for a few moments then, after realising what he was there for, took a quick shower and joined Braylan in the living room. Even Braylan had taken a shower. His dripping hair were the proof for it.
"Took you too long to shower. " Braylan commented.
"I.. eh.. I was enjoying the cold water. " He replied nervously.
"You sure were! Wanna do something? " He asked, pointing his head towards the joysticks.
"Ok but we are playing FIFA this time. " Jayden said grabbing a joystick.
"Prepare yourself to loose. " Braylan replied with a smile, grabbing the other joystick. The boys started playing the game.
It was first half break when they got up to eat some lunch and that is when Jayden felt something different. He felt the place where the amulet was touching his skin was cold as ice. The amulet was still ice cold and it was sucking warmth from his body. He felt a bit dizzy and decided to remove it. But then he stopped, remembering his promise to Roger. He just rubbed his hand in his chest to bring back some warmth.
Soon they were busy playing the game. The game ended and Braylan won.
"Ha I told you I would win! " He said with a victorious smile dancing on his face.
"You always keep playing! You play games for like 10 hours per day. You are obviously better at this! " Jayden replied.
"I don't play for 10 hours but yeah I think I am more talented. " He said with a hint of superiority in his tone.
"Should I call you 'Saint Braylan' or 'Braylan the King of defeating his brother'? " Jayden joked.
"I like both. As I am a saint and a king, do you mind taking orders from me? He said, laughing.
" Yes your Saintliness, I am at your service! " Jayden said, bending low and the both started laughing. Jayden made a choking sound and his laughter died. He felt really weak. Braylan, who was still smiling, turned towards his brother and one look at his face made his smile vanish.
"Jay are you alright? " He asked.
"I felt really weak. But now I feel better! " He replied.
"Are you sure? " He asked and Jayden nodded. The colour of his face was slowly returning back to normal.
"I think I will go to my room. I should do some school work. " He replied after sometime. He had blacked out for a few seconds and he could feel his heart freezing. He walked upstairs and locked his room. He sat on the chair for some time then he walked inside the bathroom. He opened the hot water faucet and the hot water streamed out of the tap. He took the amulet out of his shirt and washed it in the hot water for a few seconds. Then he sprinkled some water on his chest to bring back the normal temperature.
He saw his reflection on the mirror and there was a red mark on his chest. It was exactly in the shape of the amulet. Be moved the chain to see if he had similar marks on his neck too. But his neck was clear. He hid his amulet and walked out of the bathroom and to his surprise, the amulet was still ice cold. He felt numb and hollow. He sat down on the chair as he felt like his legs were replaced by jellies.
There was an eerie twitching in his legs which he tried and failed to stop. It was gone in just 30 seconds but it left him more numb and hollow then before. He was really cold even though it was a very pleasant day. He got up and wore a sweatshirt over his shirt and sat on the chair with his head in his hands, his elbows resting on his study table. He couldn't decide if the amulet was helping him or harming him. But he couldn't conclude it as he trusted Roger with whole of his heart. He couldn't imagine Roger to be the bad guy.
How very wrong was he in judging Roger. He was not what he seemed. He was one of the most wicked in his group who could cover his wickedness with his charm and beauty. Even when he walked on the earth and even after he was nothing but a memory on the earth.