Braylan was helping Jane with the dishes.
"So Braylan, how was your day? " Jane asked, it was a sort of norm in their house. Jane would ask them about their day and share her day with them. But they weren't able to do it lately. So after a long gap, Jane asked Braylan about his day. But Braylan didn't reply. He was preoccupied. " Braylan I asked you how was your day! " Jane repeated the question.
"Huh! Did you say something, mom? " Braylan snapped out of his thought.
"Is there something bothering you, son? " She asked, looking directly in his eyes.
"Did dad say you about something? Anything?" He asked and Jane nodded.
"He showed me too. I know everything. Is that what bothers you? " She asked.
"No mom! It's Jayden." He said and started arranging the cutlery in the drawer.
"What did he do? " Jane asked, after waiting for about a minute.
"He didn't do anything. Not yet! " He replied half-heartedly.
"Then? " Jane asked with her eyebrows raised.
"I don't know, mom. He acts weird. He stares me suspiciously, he pops out of nowhere, suddenly, he wears the same vacant expression and then suddenly, he snaps out of it. I don't know what to do! I.. I... I am scared of him mom. He scares me! " Braylan finally opened up.
"What can we do? I still don't understand. I th.."
"Mom, what are guys talking about. " Jayden said, smiling and walking towards them. Braylan gave Jane a 'I told you' look a d busied himself with the cutlery.
"Nothing. I was just asking Braylan about his day. " She replied with a sigh. " Tell me! How was your day? " She asked Jayden who started telling her about all he did. He seemed normal but Braylan didn't speak. He sat in a corner listening to their conversation and not talking a part in it.
"So wassup with you Braylan? You seem to be really quiet. " Jayden said, turning towards him.
"Nothing happened! I was just listening about your day. " He replied. He knew that there were times when Jayden was normal and this was one of those. So he replied him casually and talked about pretty much everything he did.
Soon it was their bedtime and they started walking towards their rooms. Braylan was really exhausted. It didn't take him long to fall asleep.
*******
Jayden was sitting on his bed, playing with the amulet. He was not sleepy at all. After a while, he got bored by this game.
"Why aren't you asleep yet? " Jane asked, entering his room.
"I am not feeling sleepy. " He replied.
"Even if you sleep late, you are going to school tomorrow. " She said, leaving the room.
"Ok mom! " He said grinning at her back. He picked his phone and started watching some YouTube videos. After that, he started playing some games.
After an hour or so, Jayden switched his phone and readied himself for some sleep. He kept his hands below his head and stared at the shining stars and planets that covered every inch of his roof. He felt something move inside his amulet. He froze for a second. Then after a while, he felt it once again. He reached for the amulet and grabbed it. His mind was in a dilemma. Should he open it or shouldn't he? He rubbed his fingers on the cold amulet and one if his finger rested on the small pin that was used for opening the amulet. He didn't dare move his finger. But after sometime, he found the courage to do the unthinkable. He broke his second promise too. He opened the amulet. There was nothing inside it. The ring was as stationary as ever. Nothing could explain the movement. He closed the amulet and groaned in frustration. He wanted to yank that thing out and defenestrate it. But he didn't have the courage to do it. He was scared that the spirits might return. Nothing had happened after Roger had given him the necklace. It surely was a talisman. Even if it was uncomfortable and unnerving, he was going to wear it.
His mind was still buzzing with thoughts when he fall asleep. He woke up in the morning, feeling fresh and ready for the day. After cleaning up and having breakfast, he was already in his way to school. He was feeling good. The movement in amulet was just his figment of imagination for now.
But with his opening the amulet, a new era had begun. Nothing would be same now. Even though he was happy as he didn't know that he had done something unforgivable, unknowingly.